151
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Wu K, Choi A, Koch M, Elbashir S, Ma L, Lee D, Woods A, Henry C, Palandjian C, Hill A, Jani H, Quinones J, Nunna N, O'Connell S, McDermott AB, Falcone S, Narayanan E, Colpitts T, Bennett H, Corbett KS, Seder R, Graham BS, Stewart-Jones GBE, Carfi A, Edwards DK. Variant SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines confer broad neutralization as primary or booster series in mice. Vaccine 2021; 39:7394-7400. [PMID: 34815117 PMCID: PMC8572694 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of a global pandemic. Safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines are now available, including mRNA-1273, which has shown 94% efficacy in prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 disease. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to concerns of viral escape from vaccine-induced immunity. Several variants have shown decreased susceptibility to neutralization by vaccine-induced immunity, most notably B.1.351 (Beta), although the overall impact on vaccine efficacy remains to be determined. Here, we present the initial evaluation in mice of 2 updated mRNA vaccines designed to target SARS-CoV-2 variants: (1) monovalent mRNA-1273.351 encodes for the spike protein found in B.1.351 and (2) mRNA-1273.211 comprising a 1:1 mix of mRNA-1273 and mRNA-1273.351. Both vaccines were evaluated as a 2-dose primary series in mice; mRNA-1273.351 was also evaluated as a booster dose in animals previously vaccinated with mRNA-1273. The results demonstrated that a primary vaccination series of mRNA-1273.351 was effective at increasing neutralizing antibody titers against B.1.351, while mRNA-1273.211 was effective at providing broad cross-variant neutralization. A third (booster) dose of mRNA-1273.351 significantly increased both wild-type and B.1.351-specific neutralization titers. Both mRNA-1273.351 and mRNA-1273.211 are being evaluated in pre-clinical challenge and clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wu
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Angela Choi
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Matthew Koch
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sayda Elbashir
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - LingZhi Ma
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Diana Lee
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Angela Woods
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Carole Henry
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Anna Hill
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Hardik Jani
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Julian Quinones
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Naveen Nunna
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sarah O'Connell
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Adrian B McDermott
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | | | | | - Tonya Colpitts
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Kizzmekia S Corbett
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Robert Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 10 Center Dr, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | | | - Andrea Carfi
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Darin K Edwards
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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152
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Chaturvedi S, Vasen G, Pablo M, Chen X, Beutler N, Kumar A, Tanner E, Illouz S, Rahgoshay D, Burnett J, Holguin L, Chen PY, Ndjamen B, Ott M, Rodick R, Rogers T, Smith DM, Weinberger LS. Identification of a therapeutic interfering particle-A single-dose SARS-CoV-2 antiviral intervention with a high barrier to resistance. Cell 2021; 184:6022-6036.e18. [PMID: 34838159 PMCID: PMC8577993 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Viral-deletion mutants that conditionally replicate and inhibit the wild-type virus (i.e., defective interfering particles, DIPs) have long been proposed as single-administration interventions with high genetic barriers to resistance. However, theories predict that robust, therapeutic DIPs (i.e., therapeutic interfering particles, TIPs) must conditionally spread between cells with R0 >1. Here, we report engineering of TIPs that conditionally replicate with SARS-CoV-2, exhibit R0 >1, and inhibit viral replication 10- to 100-fold. Inhibition occurs via competition for viral replication machinery, and a single administration of TIP RNA inhibits SARS-CoV-2 sustainably in continuous cultures. Strikingly, TIPs maintain efficacy against neutralization-resistant variants (e.g., B.1.351). In hamsters, both prophylactic and therapeutic intranasal administration of lipid-nanoparticle TIPs durably suppressed SARS-CoV-2 by 100-fold in the lungs, reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and prevented severe pulmonary edema. These data provide proof of concept for a class of single-administration antivirals that may circumvent current requirements to continually update medical countermeasures against new variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Chaturvedi
- Gladstone|UCSF Center for Cell Circuitry, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
| | - Gustavo Vasen
- Gladstone|UCSF Center for Cell Circuitry, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Michael Pablo
- Gladstone|UCSF Center for Cell Circuitry, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Xinyue Chen
- Gladstone|UCSF Center for Cell Circuitry, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Nathan Beutler
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Arjun Kumar
- Gladstone|UCSF Center for Cell Circuitry, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Elizabeth Tanner
- Gladstone|UCSF Center for Cell Circuitry, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | | | - John Burnett
- Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Leo Holguin
- Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, Duarte, CA 91010, USA
| | - Pei-Yi Chen
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Blaise Ndjamen
- Histology and Light Microscopy Core, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Melanie Ott
- Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | | | - Thomas Rogers
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Davey M Smith
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | - Leor S Weinberger
- Gladstone|UCSF Center for Cell Circuitry, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Gladstone Institute of Virology, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.
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153
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Loomis RJ, DiPiazza AT, Falcone S, Ruckwardt TJ, Morabito KM, Abiona OM, Chang LA, Caringal RT, Presnyak V, Narayanan E, Tsybovsky Y, Nair D, Hutchinson GB, Stewart-Jones GBE, Kueltzo LA, Himansu S, Mascola JR, Carfi A, Graham BS. Chimeric Fusion (F) and Attachment (G) Glycoprotein Antigen Delivery by mRNA as a Candidate Nipah Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:772864. [PMID: 34956199 PMCID: PMC8692728 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.772864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nipah virus (NiV) represents a significant pandemic threat with zoonotic transmission from bats-to-humans with almost annual regional outbreaks characterized by documented human-to-human transmission and high fatality rates. Currently, no vaccine against NiV has been approved. Structure-based design and protein engineering principles were applied to stabilize the fusion (F) protein in its prefusion trimeric conformation (pre-F) to improve expression and increase immunogenicity. We covalently linked the stabilized pre-F through trimerization domains at the C-terminus to three attachment protein (G) monomers, forming a chimeric design. These studies detailed here focus on mRNA delivery of NiV immunogens in mice, assessment of mRNA immunogen-specific design elements and their effects on humoral and cellular immunogenicity. The pre-F/G chimera elicited a strong neutralizing antibody response and a superior NiV-specific Tfh and other effector T cell response compared to G alone across both the mRNA and protein platforms. These findings enabled final candidate selection of pre-F/G Fd for clinical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J. Loomis
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Barney S. Graham, ; Rebecca J. Loomis,
| | - Anthony T. DiPiazza
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Tracy J. Ruckwardt
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Kaitlyn M. Morabito
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Olubukola M. Abiona
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lauren A. Chang
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Ria T. Caringal
- Vaccine Production Program, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | | | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, United States
| | - Deepika Nair
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Geoffrey B. Hutchinson
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Guillaume B. E. Stewart-Jones
- Virology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Lisa A. Kueltzo
- Vaccine Production Program, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - John R. Mascola
- Virology Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | | | - Barney S. Graham
- Viral Pathogenesis Laboratory, Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States,*Correspondence: Barney S. Graham, ; Rebecca J. Loomis,
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154
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August A, Attarwala HZ, Himansu S, Kalidindi S, Lu S, Pajon R, Han S, Lecerf JM, Tomassini JE, Hard M, Ptaszek LM, Crowe JE, Zaks T. A phase 1 trial of lipid-encapsulated mRNA encoding a monoclonal antibody with neutralizing activity against Chikungunya virus. Nat Med 2021; 27:2224-2233. [PMID: 34887572 PMCID: PMC8674127 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01573-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection causes acute disease characterized by fever, rash and arthralgia, which progresses to severe and chronic arthritis in up to 50% of patients. Moreover, CHIKV infection can be fatal in infants or immunocompromised individuals and has no approved therapy or prevention. This phase 1, first-in-human, randomized, placebo-controlled, proof-of-concept trial conducted from January 2019 to June 2020 evaluated the safety and pharmacology of mRNA-1944, a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated messenger RNA encoding the heavy and light chains of a CHIKV-specific monoclonal neutralizing antibody, CHKV-24 ( NCT03829384 ). The primary outcome was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of mRNA-1944 administered via intravenous infusion in healthy participants aged 18-50 years. The secondary objectives included determination of the pharmacokinetics of mRNA encoding for CHKV-24 immunoglobulin heavy and light chains and ionizable amino lipid component and the pharmacodynamics of mRNA-1944 as assessed by serum concentrations of mRNA encoding for CHKV-24 immunoglobulin G (IgG), plasma concentrations of ionizable amino lipid and serum concentrations of CHKV-24 IgG. Here we report the results of a prespecified interim analysis of 38 healthy participants who received intravenous single doses of mRNA-1944 or placebo at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 mg kg-1, or two weekly doses at 0.3 mg kg-1. At 12, 24 and 48 h after single infusions, dose-dependent levels of CHKV-24 IgG with neutralizing activity were observed at titers predicted to be therapeutically relevant concentrations (≥1 µg ml-1) across doses that persisted for ≥16 weeks at 0.3 and 0.6 mg kg-1 (mean t1/2 approximately 69 d). A second 0.3 mg kg-1 dose 1 week after the first increased CHKV-24 IgG levels 1.8-fold. Adverse effects were mild to moderate in severity, did not worsen with a second mRNA-1944 dose and none were serious. To our knowledge, mRNA-1944 is the first mRNA-encoded monoclonal antibody showing in vivo expression and detectable ex vivo neutralizing activity in a clinical trial and may offer a treatment option for CHIKV infection. Further evaluation of the potential therapeutic use of mRNA-1944 in clinical trials for the treatment of CHIKV infection is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Shu Han
- Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - James E Crowe
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Tal Zaks
- Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
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155
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Suzuki Y, Ishihara H. Difference in the lipid nanoparticle technology employed in three approved siRNA (Patisiran) and mRNA (COVID-19 vaccine) drugs. Drug Metab Pharmacokinet 2021; 41:100424. [PMID: 34757287 PMCID: PMC8502116 DOI: 10.1016/j.dmpk.2021.100424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid therapeutics are developing into precise medicines that can manipulate specific genes. However, the development of safe and effective delivery system for the target cells has remained a challenge. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have provided a revolutionary delivery system that can ensure multiple clinical translation of RNA-based candidates. In 2018, Patisiran (Onpattro) was first approved as an LNP-based siRNA drug. In 2020, during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, LNPs have enabled the development of two SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines, Tozinameran (Comirnaty or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) and Elasomeran (Spikevax or COVID-19 vaccine Moderna) for conditional approval. Here, we reviewed the state-of-the-art LNP technology employed in three approved drugs (one siRNA-based and two mRNA-based drugs) and discussed the differences in their mode of action, formulation design, and biodistribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Suzuki
- hhc Data Creation Center, Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., 5-1-3 Tokodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2635, Japan.
| | - Hiroshi Ishihara
- hhc Data Creation Center, Tsukuba Research Laboratories, Eisai Co., Ltd., 5-1-3 Tokodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 300-2635, Japan; Department of Formulation Science and Technology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, 1432-1 Horinouchi, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0392, Japan
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156
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Zhang P, Narayanan E, Liu Q, Tsybovsky Y, Boswell K, Ding S, Hu Z, Follmann D, Lin Y, Miao H, Schmeisser H, Rogers D, Falcone S, Elbashir SM, Presnyak V, Bahl K, Prabhakaran M, Chen X, Sarfo EK, Ambrozak DR, Gautam R, Martin MA, Swerczek J, Herbert R, Weiss D, Misamore J, Ciaramella G, Himansu S, Stewart-Jones G, McDermott A, Koup RA, Mascola JR, Finzi A, Carfi A, Fauci AS, Lusso P. A multiclade env-gag VLP mRNA vaccine elicits tier-2 HIV-1-neutralizing antibodies and reduces the risk of heterologous SHIV infection in macaques. Nat Med 2021; 27:2234-2245. [PMID: 34887575 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01574-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The development of a protective vaccine remains a top priority for the control of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Here, we show that a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine co-expressing membrane-anchored HIV-1 envelope (Env) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Gag proteins to generate virus-like particles (VLPs) induces antibodies capable of broad neutralization and reduces the risk of infection in rhesus macaques. In mice, immunization with co-formulated env and gag mRNAs was superior to env mRNA alone in inducing neutralizing antibodies. Macaques were primed with a transmitted-founder clade-B env mRNA lacking the N276 glycan, followed by multiple booster immunizations with glycan-repaired autologous and subsequently bivalent heterologous envs (clades A and C). This regimen was highly immunogenic and elicited neutralizing antibodies against the most prevalent (tier-2) HIV-1 strains accompanied by robust anti-Env CD4+ T cell responses. Vaccinated animals had a 79% per-exposure risk reduction upon repeated low-dose mucosal challenges with heterologous tier-2 simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV AD8). Thus, the multiclade env-gag VLP mRNA platform represents a promising approach for the development of an HIV-1 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Zhang
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Qingbo Liu
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | | | - Shilei Ding
- Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Zonghui Hu
- Biostatistics Research Branch, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Dean Follmann
- Biostatistics Research Branch, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yin Lin
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Huiyi Miao
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hana Schmeisser
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Denise Rogers
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Xuejun Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Rajeev Gautam
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Malcom A Martin
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Joanna Swerczek
- Experimental Primate Virology Section, NIAID, Poolesville, MD, USA
| | - Richard Herbert
- Experimental Primate Virology Section, NIAID, Poolesville, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Andrés Finzi
- Université de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Anthony S Fauci
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paolo Lusso
- Laboratory of Immunoregulation, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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157
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A novel mechanism for the loss of mRNA activity in lipid nanoparticle delivery systems. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6777. [PMID: 34811367 PMCID: PMC8608879 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26926-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-formulated mRNA vaccines were rapidly developed and deployed in response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Due to the labile nature of mRNA, identifying impurities that could affect product stability and efficacy is crucial to the long-term use of nucleic-acid based medicines. Herein, reversed-phase ion pair high performance liquid chromatography (RP-IP HPLC) was used to identify a class of impurity formed through lipid:mRNA reactions; such reactions are typically undetectable by traditional mRNA purity analytical techniques. The identified modifications render the mRNA untranslatable, leading to loss of protein expression. Specifically, electrophilic impurities derived from the ionizable cationic lipid component are shown to be responsible. Mechanisms implicated in the formation of reactive species include oxidation and subsequent hydrolysis of the tertiary amine. It thus remains critical to ensure robust analytical methods and stringent manufacturing control to ensure mRNA stability and high activity in LNP delivery systems. Lipid nanoparticle delivery of mRNA vaccines has become of particular importance, however, mRNA stability is a major concern. Here, the authors report on a study of lipid impurity mRNA interactions using reverse phase ion pair HPLC to identify reactions which render the mRNA untranslatable, reducing vaccine efficiency.
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158
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Morais P, Adachi H, Yu YT. The Critical Contribution of Pseudouridine to mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:789427. [PMID: 34805188 PMCID: PMC8600071 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.789427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic is a massive source of global disruption, having led so far to two hundred and fifty million COVID-19 cases and almost five million deaths worldwide. It was recognized in the beginning that only an effective vaccine could lead to a way out of the pandemic, and therefore the race for the COVID-19 vaccine started immediately, boosted by the availability of the viral sequence data. Two novel vaccine platforms, based on mRNA technology, were developed in 2020 by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Therapeutics (comirnaty® and spikevax®, respectively), and were the first ones presenting efficacies higher than 90%. Both consisted of N1-methyl-pseudouridine-modified mRNA encoding the SARS-COVID-19 Spike protein and were delivered with a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation. Because the delivery problem of ribonucleic acids had been known for decades, the success of LNPs was quickly hailed by many as the unsung hero of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. However, the clinical trial efficacy results of the Curevac mRNA vaccine (CVnCoV) suggested that the delivery system was not the only key to the success. CVnCoV consisted of an unmodified mRNA (encoding the same spike protein as Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech's mRNA vaccines) and was formulated with the same LNP as Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine (Acuitas ALC-0315). However, its efficacy was only 48%. This striking difference in efficacy could be attributed to the presence of a critical RNA modification (N1-methyl-pseudouridine) in the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna's mRNA vaccines (but not in CVnCoV). Here we highlight the features of N1-methyl-pseudouridine and its contributions to mRNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hironori Adachi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
| | - Yi-Tao Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for RNA Biology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States
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159
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Abstract
In vitro-transcribed RNAs are emerging as new biologics for therapeutic innovation, as exemplified by their application recently in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations. RNAs prepared by in vitro transcription (IVT) allow transient expression of proteins of interest, conferring safety over DNA- or virus-mediated gene delivery systems. However, in vitro-transcribed RNAs should be used with caution because of their immunogenicity, which is in part triggered by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) byproducts during IVT. Cellular innate immune response to dsRNA byproducts can lead to undesirable consequences, including suppression of protein synthesis and cell death, which in turn can detrimentally impact the efficacy of mRNA therapy. Thus, it is critical to understand the nature of IVT byproducts and the mechanisms by which they trigger innate immune responses.Our lab has been investigating the mechanisms by which the innate immune system discriminates between "self" and "nonself" RNA, with the focus on the cytoplasmic dsRNA receptors retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation-associated 5 (MDA5). We have biochemically and structurally characterized critical events involving RNA discrimination and signal transduction by RIG-I or MDA5. We have used in vitro-transcribed RNAs as tools to investigate RNA specificity of RIG-I and MDA5, which required optimization of the IVT reaction and purification processes to eliminate the effect of IVT byproducts. In this Account, we summarize our current understanding of RIG-I and MDA5 and IVT reactions and propose future directions for improving IVT as a method to generate both research tools and therapeutics. Other critical proteins in cellular innate immune response to dsRNAs are also discussed. We arrange the contents in the following order: (i) innate immunity sensors for nonself RNA, including the RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) in the cytosol and the toll-like receptors (TLRs) in the endosome, as well as cytoplasmic dsRNA-responding proteins, including protein kinase R (PKR) and 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetases (OASes), illustrating the feature of protein-RNA binding and its consequences; (ii) the immunogenicity of IVT byproducts, specifically the generation of dsRNA molecules during IVT; and (iii) methods to reduce IVT RNA immunogenicity, including optimizations of RNA polymerases, reagents, and experimental conditions during IVT and subsequent purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Mu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
- Tianjin University and Health-Biotech United Group Joint Laboratory of Innovative Drug Development and Translational Medicine, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Sun Hur
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
- Program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, United States
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160
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Meng C, Chen Z, Mai J, Shi Q, Tian S, Hinkle L, Li J, Zhang Z, Ramirez M, Zhang L, Xu Y, Zhang J, Pan P, Chen S, Li H, Shen H. Virus-Mimic mRNA Vaccine for Cancer Treatment. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2021; 4:2100144. [PMID: 34901386 PMCID: PMC8646380 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202100144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An effective therapeutic cancer vaccine should be empowered with the capacity to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Here, the authors describe a mRNA virus-mimicking vaccine platform that is comprised of a phospholipid bilayer encapsulated with a protein-nucleotide core consisting of antigen-encoding mRNA molecules, unmethylated CpG oligonucleotides and positively charged proteins. In cell culture, VLVP potently stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) to express inflammatory cytokines that facilitated dendritic cell (DC) maturation and promoted antigen processing and presentation. In tumor-bearing mice, VLVP treatment stimulated proliferation of antigen-specific CD8+T cells in the lymphatic organs and T cell infiltration into the tumor bed, resulting in potent anti-tumor immunity. Cytometry by time of flight (CyTOF) analysis revealed that VLVP treatment stimulated a 5-fold increase in tumor-associated CD8+DCs and a 4-fold increase in tumorinfiltrated CD8+T cells, with concurrent decreases in tumor-associated bone marrow-derived suppressor cells and arginase 1- expressing suppressive DCs. Finally, CpG oligonucleotide is an essential adjuvant for vaccine activity. Inclusion of CpG not only maximized vaccine activity but also prevented PD-1 expression in T cells, serving the dual roles as a potent adjuvant and a checkpoint blockade agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyang Meng
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
- Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunan410000China
- Present address:
Department of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, First Affiliated HospitalZhejiang University School of MedicineHangzhou310009China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
- Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunan410000China
| | - Junhua Mai
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Qing Shi
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Shaohui Tian
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
- Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunan410000China
| | - Louis Hinkle
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
- Xiangya Hospital of Central South UniversityChangshaHunan410000China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Maricela Ramirez
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Licheng Zhang
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Yitian Xu
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Jilu Zhang
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
| | - Ping‐Ying Pan
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
- Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkNY10065USA
| | - Shu‐Hsia Chen
- Center for Immunotherapy ResearchHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
- Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkNY10065USA
| | - Hangwen Li
- StemiRNA Therapeutics IncShanghai201206China
| | - Haifa Shen
- Department of NanomedicineHouston Methodist Academic InstituteHoustonTX77030USA
- Weill Cornell Medical CollegeNew YorkNY10065USA
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161
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Gupta A, Andresen JL, Manan RS, Langer R. Nucleic acid delivery for therapeutic applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 178:113834. [PMID: 34492233 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Recent medical advances have exploited the ability to address a given disease at the underlying level of transcription and translation. These treatment paradigms utilize nucleic acids - including short interfering RNA (siRNA), microRNA (miRNA), antisense oligonucleotides (ASO), and messenger RNA (mRNA) - to achieve a desired outcome ranging from gene knockdown to induced expression of a selected target protein. Towards this end, numerous strategies for encapsulation or stabilization of various nucleic acid structures have been developed in order to achieve intracellular delivery. In this review, we discuss several therapeutic applications of nucleic acids directed towards specific diseases and tissues of interest, in particular highlighting recent technologies which have reached late-stage clinical trials and received FDA approval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akash Gupta
- David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jason L Andresen
- David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Rajith S Manan
- David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Robert Langer
- David H Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 500 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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162
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Tafaleng EN, Mukherjee A, Bell A, Morita K, Guzman-Lepe J, Haep N, Florentino RM, Diaz-Aragon R, Frau C, Ostrowska A, Schultz JR, Martini PGV, Soto-Gutierrez A, Fox IJ. Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4 alpha 2 Messenger RNA Reprograms Liver-Enriched Transcription Factors and Functional Proteins in End-Stage Cirrhotic Human Hepatocytes. Hepatol Commun 2021; 5:1911-1926. [PMID: 34558820 PMCID: PMC8557308 DOI: 10.1002/hep4.1763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The only definitive therapy for end-stage liver disease is whole-organ transplantation. The success of this intervention is severely limited by the complexity of the surgery, the cost of patient care, the need for long-term immunosuppression, and the shortage of donor organs. In rodents and humans, end-stage degeneration of hepatocyte function is associated with disruption of the liver-specific transcriptional network and a nearly complete loss of promoter P1-driven hepatocyte nuclear factor 4-alpha (P1-HNF4α) activity. Re-expression of HNF4α2, the predominant P1-HNF4α, reinstates the transcriptional network, normalizes the genes important for hepatocyte function, and reverses liver failure in rodents. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of supplementary expression of human HNF4α2 messenger RNA (mRNA) in primary human hepatocytes isolated from explanted livers of patients who underwent transplant for end-stage irreversibly decompensated liver failure (Child-Pugh B, C) resulting from alcohol-mediated cirrhosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Re-expression of HNF4α2 in decompensated cirrhotic human hepatocytes corrects the disrupted transcriptional network and normalizes the expression of genes important for hepatocyte function, improving liver-specific protein expression. End-stage liver disease in humans is associated with both loss of P1-HNF4α expression and failure of its localization to the nucleus. We found that while HNF4α2 re-expression increased the amount of P1-HNF4α protein in hepatocytes, it did not alter the ability of hepatocytes to localize P1-HNF4α to their nuclei. Conclusion: Re-expression of HNF4α2 mRNA in livers of patients with end-stage disease may be an effective therapy for terminal liver failure that would circumvent the need for organ transplantation. The efficacy of this strategy may be enhanced by discovering the cause for loss of nuclear P1-HNF4α localization in end-stage cirrhosis, a process not found in rodent studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar N Tafaleng
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Amitava Mukherjee
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Aaron Bell
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | - Kazutoyo Morita
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Jorge Guzman-Lepe
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Nils Haep
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Rodrigo M Florentino
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ricardo Diaz-Aragon
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Carla Frau
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Alina Ostrowska
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA
| | | | | | - Alejandro Soto-Gutierrez
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
| | - Ira J Fox
- Department of SurgeryUniversity of Pittsburgh School of MedicinePittsburghPAUSA.,Pittsburgh Liver Research CenterUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPAUSA.,McGowan Institute for Regenerative MedicinePittsburghPAUSA
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163
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Bidram M, Zhao Y, Shebardina NG, Baldin AV, Bazhin AV, Ganjalikhany MR, Zamyatnin AA, Ganjalikhani-hakemi M. mRNA-Based Cancer Vaccines: A Therapeutic Strategy for the Treatment of Melanoma Patients. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:1060. [PMID: 34696168 PMCID: PMC8540049 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9101060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer and the leading cause of death from skin tumors. Given the increased incidence of melanoma diagnoses in recent years, it is essential to develop effective treatments to control this disease. In this regard, the use of cancer vaccines to enhance cell-mediated immunity is considered to be one of the most modern immunotherapy options for cancer treatment. The most recent cancer vaccine options are mRNA vaccines, with a focus on their usage as modern treatments. Advantages of mRNA cancer vaccines include their rapid production and low manufacturing costs. mRNA-based vaccines are also able to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses. In addition to the many advantages of mRNA vaccines for the treatment of cancer, their use is associated with a number of challenges. For this reason, before mRNA vaccines can be used for the treatment of cancer, comprehensive information about them is required and a large number of trials need to be conducted. Here, we reviewed the general features of mRNA vaccines, including their basis, stabilization, and delivery methods. We also covered clinical trials involving the use of mRNA vaccines in melanoma cancer and the challenges involved with this type of treatment. This review also emphasized the combination of treatment with mRNA vaccines with the use of immune-checkpoint blockers to enhance cell-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Bidram
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 8174673441, Iran; (M.B.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Yue Zhao
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (Y.Z.); (A.V.B.)
| | - Natalia G. Shebardina
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Alexey V. Baldin
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia;
- V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, 117997 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandr V. Bazhin
- Department of General, Visceral and Transplant Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany; (Y.Z.); (A.V.B.)
- German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Partner Site Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Mohamad Reza Ganjalikhany
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 8174673441, Iran; (M.B.); (M.R.G.)
| | - Andrey A. Zamyatnin
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119992 Moscow, Russia;
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, 1 Olympic Ave, 354340 Sochi, Russia
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7X, UK
| | - Mazdak Ganjalikhani-hakemi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 8174673441, Iran
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164
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Andresen JL, Fenton OS. Nucleic acid delivery and nanoparticle design for COVID vaccines. MRS BULLETIN 2021; 46:832-839. [PMID: 34539057 PMCID: PMC8439373 DOI: 10.1557/s43577-021-00169-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Nucleic acid therapeutics offer a new paradigm to rapidly respond to global health problems. The versatility of nucleic acids, especially in RNA therapies, provides the ability to tune levels of specific protein expression, achieving downregulation through short interfering RNA (siRNA) or upregulation by messenger RNA (mRNA) administration. Recent advances in the development of delivery vehicles, including nonviral nanoparticles are crucial to overcome the innate barriers to nucleic acid delivery. Toward this end, current clinical approaches have utilized mRNA and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to address the COVID-19 pandemic through novel vaccine strategies, producing efficacious vaccines within one year of sequencing the SARS-CoV-2 genome. Here, we review fundamental concepts required to achieve successful nucleic acid delivery, including the design of LNP systems optimized for mRNA vaccine applications. GRAPHIC ABSTRACT
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason L. Andresen
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, USA
| | - Owen S. Fenton
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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165
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Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections trigger viral RNA sensors such as TLR7 and RIG-I, thereby leading to production of type I interferon (IFN) and other inflammatory mediators. Expression of viral proteins in the context of this inflammation leads to stereotypical antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses that clear the virus. Immunity is then maintained through long-lived antibody-secreting plasma cells and by memory B and T cells that can initiate anamnestic responses. Each of these steps is consistent with prior knowledge of acute RNA virus infections. Yet there are certain concepts, while not entirely new, that have been resurrected by the biology of severe SARS-CoV-2 infections and deserve further attention. These include production of anti-IFN autoantibodies, early inflammatory processes that slow adaptive humoral immunity, immunodominance of antibody responses, and original antigenic sin. Moreover, multiple different vaccine platforms allow for comparisons of pathways that promote robust and durable adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Schenten
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States.
| | - Deepta Bhattacharya
- Department of Immunobiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, United States.
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166
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Minnaert AK, Vanluchene H, Verbeke R, Lentacker I, De Smedt SC, Raemdonck K, Sanders NN, Remaut K. Strategies for controlling the innate immune activity of conventional and self-amplifying mRNA therapeutics: Getting the message across. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 176:113900. [PMID: 34324884 PMCID: PMC8325057 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.113900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The recent approval of messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccines to combat the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlights the potential of both conventional mRNA and self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) as a flexible immunotherapy platform to treat infectious diseases. Besides the antigen it encodes, mRNA itself has an immune-stimulating activity that can contribute to vaccine efficacy. This self-adjuvant effect, however, will interfere with mRNA translation and may influence the desired therapeutic outcome. To further exploit its potential as a versatile therapeutic platform, it will be crucial to control mRNA's innate immune-stimulating properties. In this regard, we describe the mechanisms behind the innate immune recognition of mRNA and provide an extensive overview of strategies to control its innate immune-stimulating activity. These strategies range from modifications to the mRNA backbone itself, optimization of production and purification processes to the combination with innate immune inhibitors. Furthermore, we discuss the delicate balance of the self-adjuvant effect in mRNA vaccination strategies, which can be both beneficial and detrimental to the therapeutic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Katrien Minnaert
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Helena Vanluchene
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Koen Raemdonck
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Niek N Sanders
- Laboratory of Gene Therapy, Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Katrien Remaut
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Laboratory of General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.
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167
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Jeeva S, Kim KH, Shin CH, Wang BZ, Kang SM. An Update on mRNA-Based Viral Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:965. [PMID: 34579202 PMCID: PMC8473183 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9090965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
With the success of COVID-19 vaccines, newly created mRNA vaccines against other infectious diseases are beginning to emerge. Here, we review the structural elements required for designing mRNA vaccine constructs for effective in vitro synthetic transcription reactions. The unprecedently speedy development of mRNA vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was enabled with previous innovations in nucleoside modifications during in vitro transcription and lipid nanoparticle delivery materials of mRNA. Recent updates are briefly described in the status of mRNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, influenza virus, and other viral pathogens. Unique features of mRNA vaccine platforms and future perspectives are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (S.J.); (K.-H.K.); (C.H.S.); (B.-Z.W.)
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168
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Ying B, Whitener B, VanBlargan LA, Hassan AO, Shrihari S, Liang CY, Karl CE, Mackin S, Chen RE, Kafai NM, Wilks SH, Smith DJ, Carreño JM, Singh G, Krammer F, Carfi A, Elbashir S, Edwards DK, Thackray LB, Diamond MS. Protective activity of mRNA vaccines against ancestral and variant SARS-CoV-2 strains. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.08.25.457693. [PMID: 34462745 PMCID: PMC8404887 DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.25.457693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Although mRNA vaccines prevent COVID-19, variants jeopardize their efficacy as immunity wanes. Here, we assessed the immunogenicity and protective activity of historical (mRNA-1273, designed for Wuhan-1 spike) or modified (mRNA-1273.351, designed for B.1.351 spike) preclinical Moderna mRNA vaccines in 129S2 and K18-hACE2 mice. Immunization with high or low dose formulations of mRNA vaccines induced neutralizing antibodies in serum against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 and several variants, although levels were lower particularly against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) virus. Protection against weight loss and lung pathology was observed with all high-dose vaccines against all viruses. Nonetheless, low-dose formulations of the vaccines, which produced lower magnitude antibody and T cell responses, and serve as a possible model for waning immunity, showed breakthrough lung infection and pneumonia with B.1.617.2. Thus, as levels of immunity induced by mRNA vaccines decline, breakthrough infection and disease likely will occur with some SARS-CoV-2 variants, suggesting a need for additional booster regimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoling Ying
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Bradley Whitener
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Laura A. VanBlargan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ahmed O. Hassan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Swathi Shrihari
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chieh-Yu Liang
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Courtney E. Karl
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine. St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samantha Mackin
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Rita E. Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Natasha M. Kafai
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samuel H. Wilks
- Center for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge UK
| | - Derek J. Smith
- Center for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge UK
| | - Juan Manuel Carreño
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gagandeep Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Larissa B. Thackray
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine. St. Louis, MO, USA
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169
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Heinz FX, Stiasny K. Distinguishing features of current COVID-19 vaccines: knowns and unknowns of antigen presentation and modes of action. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:104. [PMID: 34400651 PMCID: PMC8368295 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00369-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 219] [Impact Index Per Article: 73.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 vaccines were developed with an unprecedented pace since the beginning of the pandemic. Several of them have reached market authorization and mass production, leading to their global application on a large scale. This enormous progress was achieved with fundamentally different vaccine technologies used in parallel. mRNA, adenoviral vector as well as inactivated whole-virus vaccines are now in widespread use, and a subunit vaccine is in a final stage of authorization. They all rely on the native viral spike protein (S) of SARS-CoV-2 for inducing potently neutralizing antibodies, but the presentation of this key antigen to the immune system differs substantially between the different categories of vaccines. In this article, we review the relevance of structural modifications of S in different vaccines and the different modes of antigen expression after vaccination with genetic adenovirus-vector and mRNA vaccines. Distinguishing characteristics and unknown features are highlighted in the context of protective antibody responses and reactogenicity of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz X Heinz
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Karin Stiasny
- Center for Virology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
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170
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Antigen Presentation of mRNA-Based and Virus-Vectored SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080848. [PMID: 34451973 PMCID: PMC8402319 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which has reached pandemic proportions. A number of effective vaccines have been produced, including mRNA vaccines and viral vector vaccines, which are now being implemented on a large scale in order to control the pandemic. The mRNA vaccines are composed of viral Spike S1 protein encoding mRNA incorporated in a lipid nanoparticle and stabilized by polyethylene glycol (PEG). The mRNA vaccines are novel in many respects, including cellular uptake and the intracellular routing, processing, and secretion of the viral protein. Viral vector vaccines have incorporated DNA sequences, encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein into (attenuated) adenoviruses. The antigen presentation routes in MHC class I and class II, in relation to the induction of virus-neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T-lymphocytes, will be reviewed. In rare cases, mRNA vaccines induce unwanted immune mediated side effects. The mRNA-based vaccines may lead to an anaphylactic reaction. This reaction may be triggered by PEG. The intracellular routing of PEG and potential presentation in the context of CD1 will be discussed. Adenovirus vector-based vaccines have been associated with thrombocytopenic thrombosis events. The anti-platelet factor 4 antibodies found in these patients could be generated due to conformational changes of relevant epitopes presented to the immune system.
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171
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Lazaros G, Klein AL, Hatziantoniou S, Tsioufis C, Tsakris A, Anastassopoulou C. The Novel Platform of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines and Myocarditis: Clues into the Potential Underlying Mechanism. Vaccine 2021; 39:4925-4927. [PMID: 34312010 PMCID: PMC8275472 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- George Lazaros
- First Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Allan L Klein
- Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Diseases, Section of Cardiovascular Imaging, Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sophia Hatziantoniou
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Costas Tsioufis
- First Cardiology Department, School of Medicine, Hippokration General Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Tsakris
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Cleo Anastassopoulou
- Department of Microbiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
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172
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Hassett KJ, Higgins J, Woods A, Levy B, Xia Y, Hsiao CJ, Acosta E, Almarsson Ö, Moore MJ, Brito LA. Impact of lipid nanoparticle size on mRNA vaccine immunogenicity. J Control Release 2021; 335:237-246. [PMID: 34019945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) are effective delivery vehicles for messenger RNA (mRNA) and have shown promise for vaccine applications. Yet there are no published reports detailing how LNP biophysical properties can impact vaccine performance. In our hands, a retrospective analysis of mRNA LNP vaccine in vivo studies revealed a relationship between LNP particle size and immunogenicity in mice using LNPs of various compositions. To further investigate this, we designed a series of studies to systematically change LNP particle size without altering lipid composition and evaluated biophysical properties and immunogenicity of the resulting LNPs. While small diameter LNPs were substantially less immunogenic in mice, all particle sizes tested yielded a robust immune response in non-human primates (NHP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Hassett
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Jaclyn Higgins
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Angela Woods
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Becca Levy
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Yan Xia
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Chiaowen Joyce Hsiao
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Edward Acosta
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Örn Almarsson
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Melissa J Moore
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America
| | - Luis A Brito
- Moderna, Inc, 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States of America.
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173
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Selvam AK, Jawad R, Gramignoli R, Achour A, Salter H, Björnstedt M. A Novel mRNA-Mediated and MicroRNA-Guided Approach to Specifically Eradicate Drug-Resistant Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Lines by Se-Methylselenocysteine. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:1094. [PMID: 34356326 PMCID: PMC8301172 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10071094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite progress in the treatment of non-visceral malignancies, the prognosis remains poor for malignancies of visceral organs and novel therapeutic approaches are urgently required. We evaluated a novel therapeutic regimen based on treatment with Se-methylselenocysteine (MSC) and concomitant tumor-specific induction of Kynurenine aminotransferase 1 (KYAT1) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell lines, using either vector-based and/or lipid nanoparticle-mediated delivery of mRNA. Supplementation of MSC in KYAT1 overexpressed cells resulted in significantly increased cytotoxicity, due to ROS formation, as compared to MSC alone. Furthermore, microRNA antisense-targeted sites for miR122, known to be widely expressed in normal hepatocytes while downregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, were added to specifically limit cytotoxicity in HCC cells, thereby limiting the off-target effects. KYAT1 expression was significantly reduced in cells with high levels of miR122 supporting the concept of miR-guided induction of tumor-specific cytotoxicity. The addition of alpha-ketoacid favored the production of methylselenol, enhancing the cytotoxic efficacy of MSC in HCC cells, with no effects on primary human hepatocytes. Altogether, the proposed regimen offers great potential to safely and specifically target hepatic tumors that are currently untreatable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun Kumar Selvam
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.K.S.); (R.J.); (R.G.); (H.S.)
| | - Rim Jawad
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.K.S.); (R.J.); (R.G.); (H.S.)
| | - Roberto Gramignoli
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.K.S.); (R.J.); (R.G.); (H.S.)
| | - Adnane Achour
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, & Division of Infectious Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-171 77 Solna, Sweden;
| | - Hugh Salter
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.K.S.); (R.J.); (R.G.); (H.S.)
- Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mikael Björnstedt
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, S-141 86 Stockholm, Sweden; (A.K.S.); (R.J.); (R.G.); (H.S.)
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174
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van Dülmen M, Muthmann N, Rentmeister A. Chemo-Enzymatic Modification of the 5' Cap Maintains Translation and Increases Immunogenic Properties of mRNA. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:13280-13286. [PMID: 33751748 PMCID: PMC8250829 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Eukaryotic mRNAs are emerging modalities for protein replacement therapy and vaccination. Their 5' cap is important for mRNA translation and immune response and can be naturally methylated at different positions by S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet)-dependent methyltransferases (MTases). We report on the cosubstrate scope of the MTase CAPAM responsible for methylation at the N6 -position of adenosine start nucleotides using synthetic AdoMet analogs. The chemo-enzymatic propargylation enabled production of site-specifically modified reporter-mRNAs. These cap-propargylated mRNAs were efficiently translated and showed ≈3-fold increased immune response in human cells. The same effects were observed when the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2-a currently tested epitope for mRNA vaccination-was used. Site-specific chemo-enzymatic modification of eukaryotic mRNA may thus be a suitable strategy to modulate translation and immune response of mRNAs for future therapeutic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa van Dülmen
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyInstitute of BiochemistryCorrensstrasse 3648149MünsterGermany
| | - Nils Muthmann
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyInstitute of BiochemistryCorrensstrasse 3648149MünsterGermany
| | - Andrea Rentmeister
- Department of Chemistry and PharmacyInstitute of BiochemistryCorrensstrasse 3648149MünsterGermany
- Cells in Motion Interfaculty CenterUniversity of MünsterGermany
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175
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Dülmen M, Muthmann N, Rentmeister A. Eine chemo‐enzymatische Modifizierung der 5′‐Kappe erhält die Translation und erhöht die Immunogenität der mRNA. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202100352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Dülmen
- Fachbereich Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Biochemie Corrensstrasse 36 48149 Münster Deutschland
| | - Nils Muthmann
- Fachbereich Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Biochemie Corrensstrasse 36 48149 Münster Deutschland
| | - Andrea Rentmeister
- Fachbereich Chemie und Pharmazie Institut für Biochemie Corrensstrasse 36 48149 Münster Deutschland
- Cells in Motion Interfaculty Center Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster Deutschland
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176
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Nance K, Meier JL. Modifications in an Emergency: The Role of N1-Methylpseudouridine in COVID-19 Vaccines. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2021; 7:748-756. [PMID: 34075344 PMCID: PMC8043204 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.1c00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the cause of the COVID-19 pandemic, has inspired one of the most efficient vaccine development campaigns in human history. A key aspect of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines is the use of the modified nucleobase N1-methylpseudouridine (m1Ψ) to increase their effectiveness. In this Outlook, we summarize the development and function of m1Ψ in synthetic mRNAs. By demystifying how a novel element within these medicines works, we aim to foster understanding and highlight future opportunities for chemical innovation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kellie
D. Nance
- Chemical
Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 538 Chandler Street, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
| | - Jordan L. Meier
- Chemical
Biology Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, 538 Chandler Street, Frederick, Maryland 21702, United States
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177
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Cao J, Choi M, Guadagnin E, Soty M, Silva M, Verzieux V, Weisser E, Markel A, Zhuo J, Liang S, Yin L, Frassetto A, Graham AR, Burke K, Ketova T, Mihai C, Zalinger Z, Levy B, Besin G, Wolfrom M, Tran B, Tunkey C, Owen E, Sarkis J, Dousis A, Presnyak V, Pepin C, Zheng W, Ci L, Hard M, Miracco E, Rice L, Nguyen V, Zimmer M, Rajarajacholan U, Finn PF, Mithieux G, Rajas F, Martini PGV, Giangrande PH. mRNA therapy restores euglycemia and prevents liver tumors in murine model of glycogen storage disease. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3090. [PMID: 34035281 PMCID: PMC8149455 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23318-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycogen Storage Disease 1a (GSD1a) is a rare, inherited metabolic disorder caused by deficiency of glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase-α). G6Pase-α is critical for maintaining interprandial euglycemia. GSD1a patients exhibit life-threatening hypoglycemia and long-term liver complications including hepatocellular adenomas (HCAs) and carcinomas (HCCs). There is no treatment for GSD1a and the current standard-of-care for managing hypoglycemia (Glycosade®/modified cornstarch) fails to prevent HCA/HCC risk. Therapeutic modalities such as enzyme replacement therapy and gene therapy are not ideal options for patients due to challenges in drug-delivery, efficacy, and safety. To develop a new treatment for GSD1a capable of addressing both the life-threatening hypoglycemia and HCA/HCC risk, we encapsulated engineered mRNAs encoding human G6Pase-α in lipid nanoparticles. We demonstrate the efficacy and safety of our approach in a preclinical murine model that phenotypically resembles the human condition, thus presenting a potential therapy that could have a significant therapeutic impact on the treatment of GSD1a.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Maud Soty
- INSERM UMR1213, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Marine Silva
- INSERM UMR1213, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | | | | | | | - Jenny Zhuo
- Rare Diseases, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Shi Liang
- Rare Diseases, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Ling Yin
- Rare Diseases, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Becca Levy
- Platform, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Erik Owen
- Platform, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Joe Sarkis
- Platform, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Wei Zheng
- Platform, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lei Ci
- Platform, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Lisa Rice
- Rare Diseases, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Vi Nguyen
- Rare Diseases, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Mike Zimmer
- Rare Diseases, Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Gilles Mithieux
- INSERM UMR1213, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
| | - Fabienne Rajas
- INSERM UMR1213, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Lyon, France
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178
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Verbeke R, Lentacker I, De Smedt SC, Dewitte H. The dawn of mRNA vaccines: The COVID-19 case. J Control Release 2021; 333:511-520. [PMID: 33798667 PMCID: PMC8008785 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.03.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
In less than one year since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, two mRNA-based vaccines, BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, were granted the first historic authorization for emergency use, while another mRNA vaccine, CVnCoV, progressed to phase 3 clinical testing. The COVID-19 mRNA vaccines represent a new class of vaccine products, which consist of synthetic mRNA strands encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Spike glycoprotein, packaged in lipid nanoparticles to deliver mRNA to cells. This review digs deeper into the scientific breakthroughs of the last decades that laid the foundations for the rapid rise of mRNA vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. As well as providing momentum for mRNA vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 represents an ideal case study allowing to compare design-activity differences between the different mRNA vaccine candidates. Therefore, a detailed overview of the composition and (pre)clinical performance of the three most advanced mRNA vaccines is provided and the influence of choices in their structural design on to their immunogenicity and reactogenicity profile is discussed in depth. In addition to the new fundamental insights in the mRNA vaccines' mode of action highlighted here, we also point out which unknowns remain that require further investigation and possibly, optimization in future mRNA vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan C De Smedt
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Heleen Dewitte
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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179
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The development of mRNA vaccines against coronavirus disease 2019 has brought worldwide attention to the transformative potential of RNA-based therapeutics. The latter is essentially biological software that can be rapidly designed and generated, with an extensive catalog of applications. This review aims to highlight the mechanisms of action by which RNA-based drugs can affect specific gene targets and how RNA drugs can be employed to treat cardiovascular disease, with the focus on the therapeutics being evaluated in clinical trials. The recent advances in nanotechnology aiding the translation of such therapies into the clinic are also discussed. RECENT FINDINGS There is a growing body of studies demonstrating utility of RNA for targeting previously 'undruggable' pathways involved in development and progression of cardiovascular disease. Some challenges in RNA delivery have been overcome thanks to nanotechnology. There are several RNA-based drugs to treat hypercholesterolemia and myocardial infarction which are currently in clinical trials. SUMMARY RNA therapeutics is a rapidly emerging field of biotherapeutics based upon a powerful and versatile platform with a nearly unlimited capacity to address unmet clinical needs. These therapeutics are destined to change the standard of care for many diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Boada
- RNA Therapeutics Program, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, TX
- Texas A&M School of Medicine, College Station, TX
| | - Roman Sukhovershin
- RNA Therapeutics Program, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, TX
| | | | - John P. Cooke
- RNA Therapeutics Program, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, Houston Methodist Academic Institute, TX
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180
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Olson KE, Namminga KL, Lu Y, Thurston MJ, Schwab AD, de Picciotto S, Tse SW, Walker W, Iacovelli J, Small C, Wipke BT, Mosley RL, Huang E, Gendelman HE. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor mRNA and Neuroprotective Immunity in Parkinson's disease. Biomaterials 2021; 272:120786. [PMID: 33839625 PMCID: PMC8382980 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Restoring numbers and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is a novel therapeutic strategy for neurodegenerative disorders. Whether Treg function is boosted by adoptive cell transfer, pharmaceuticals, or immune modulators, the final result is a robust anti-inflammatory and neuronal sparing response. Herein, a newly developed lipid nanoparticle (LNP) containing mRNA encoding granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (Gm-csf mRNA) was developed to peripherally induce Tregs and used for treatment in preclinical Parkinson's disease (PD) models. Administration of Gm-csf mRNA to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated mice and rats overexpressing alpha-synuclein produced dose-dependent increases in plasma GM-CSF levels and peripheral CD4+CD25+FoxP3+ Treg populations. This upregulation paralleled nigrostriatal neuroprotection, upregulated immunosuppression-associated mRNAs that led to the detection of a treatment-induced CD4+ T cell population, and decreased reactive microgliosis. The current findings strengthen prior works utilizing immune modulation by harnessing Gm-csf mRNA to augment adaptive immune function by employing a new delivery platform to treat PD and potentially other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Olson
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Krista L Namminga
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Yaman Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Mackenzie J Thurston
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Aaron D Schwab
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - R Lee Mosley
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
| | - Eric Huang
- Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Howard E Gendelman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, Center for Neurodegenerative Disorders, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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181
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Wu K, Choi A, Koch M, Elbashir S, Ma L, Lee D, Woods A, Henry C, Palandjian C, Hill A, Quinones J, Nunna N, O'Connell S, McDermott AB, Falcone S, Narayanan E, Colpitts T, Bennett H, Corbett KS, Seder R, Graham BS, Stewart-Jones GB, Carfi A, Edwards DK. Variant SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines confer broad neutralization as primary or booster series in mice. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021. [PMID: 33880468 DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.13.439482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of a global pandemic that has led to more than 2.8 million deaths worldwide. Safe and effective vaccines are now available, including Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine (mRNA-1273) that showed 94% efficacy in prevention of symptomatic COVID-19 disease in a phase 3 clinical study. mRNA-1273 encodes for a prefusion stabilized full length spike (S) protein of the Wuhan-Hu-1 isolate. However, the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has led to concerns of viral escape from vaccine-induced immunity. Several emerging variants have shown decreased susceptibility to neutralization by vaccine induced immunity, most notably the B.1.351 variant, although the overall impact on vaccine efficacy remains to be determined. Here, we present the initial evaluation in mice of two updated COVID-19 mRNA vaccines designed to target emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants: (1) monovalent mRNA-1273.351 encodes for the S protein found in the B.1.351 lineage and (2) mRNA-1273.211 comprising a 1:1 mix of mRNA-1273 and mRNA-1273.351. Both vaccines were evaluated as a 2-dose primary series in mice; mRNA-1273.351 was also evaluated as a booster dose in animals previously vaccinated with 2-doses of mRNA-1273. The results demonstrated that a primary vaccination series of mRNA-1273.351 was effective at increasing neutralizing antibody titers against the B.1.351 lineage, while mRNA-1273.211 was most effective at providing broad cross-variant neutralization in mice. In addition, these results demonstrated a third dose of mRNA-1273.351 significantly increased both wild-type and B.1.351-specific neutralization titers. Both mRNA-1273.351 and mRNA-1273.211 are currently being evaluated in additional pre-clinical challenge models and in phase 1/2 clinical studies.
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182
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McMahon M, Forester C, Buffenstein R. Aging through an epitranscriptomic lens. NATURE AGING 2021; 1:335-346. [PMID: 37117595 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00058-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
The mechanistic causes of aging, the time-related decline in function and good health that leads to increased mortality, remain poorly understood. Here we propose that age-dependent alteration of the epitranscriptome, encompassing more than 150 chemically distinct post-transcriptional modifications or editing events, warrants exploration as an important modulator of aging. The epitranscriptome is a potent regulator of RNA function, diverse cellular processes and tissue regenerative capacity. To date, only a few studies link alterations in the epitranscriptome to molecular and physiological changes during aging; however, epitranscriptome dysfunction is associated with and underlies several age-associated pathologies, including cancer and neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases. For example, changes in RNA modifications (such as N6-methyladenosine and inosine) impact cardiac physiology and are linked to cardiac fibrosis. Although an uncharted research focus, mapping epitranscriptome alterations in the context of aging may elucidate novel predictors of both health and lifespan, and may identify therapeutic targets for attenuating aging and abrogating age-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary McMahon
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Craig Forester
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
- Children's Hospital Colorado, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant, Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
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183
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Gebre MS, Brito LA, Tostanoski LH, Edwards DK, Carfi A, Barouch DH. Novel approaches for vaccine development. Cell 2021; 184:1589-1603. [PMID: 33740454 PMCID: PMC8049514 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.02.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines are critical tools for maintaining global health. Traditional vaccine technologies have been used across a wide range of bacterial and viral pathogens, yet there are a number of examples where they have not been successful, such as for persistent infections, rapidly evolving pathogens with high sequence variability, complex viral antigens, and emerging pathogens. Novel technologies such as nucleic acid and viral vector vaccines offer the potential to revolutionize vaccine development as they are well-suited to address existing technology limitations. In this review, we discuss the current state of RNA vaccines, recombinant adenovirus vector-based vaccines, and advances from biomaterials and engineering that address these important public health challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makda S. Gebre
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- co-first authors
| | | | - Lisa H. Tostanoski
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- co-first authors
| | | | - Andrea Carfi
- Moderna, Inc., Cambridge, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dan H. Barouch
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA, USA
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184
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Van Hoecke L, Verbeke R, Dewitte H, Lentacker I, Vermaelen K, Breckpot K, Van Lint S. mRNA in cancer immunotherapy: beyond a source of antigen. Mol Cancer 2021; 20:48. [PMID: 33658037 PMCID: PMC7926200 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-021-01329-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
mRNA therapeutics have become the focus of molecular medicine research. Various mRNA applications have reached major milestones at high speed in the immuno-oncology field. This can be attributed to the knowledge that mRNA is one of nature's core building blocks carrying important information and can be considered as a powerful vector for delivery of therapeutic proteins to the patient.For a long time, the major focus in the use of in vitro transcribed mRNA was on development of cancer vaccines, using mRNA encoding tumor antigens to modify dendritic cells ex vivo. However, the versatility of mRNA and its many advantages have paved the path beyond this application. In addition, due to smart design of both the structural properties of the mRNA molecule as well as pharmaceutical formulations that improve its in vivo stability and selective targeting, the therapeutic potential of mRNA can be considered as endless.As a consequence, many novel immunotherapeutic strategies focus on the use of mRNA beyond its use as the source of tumor antigens. This review aims to summarize the state-of-the-art on these applications and to provide a rationale for their clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Van Hoecke
- VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rein Verbeke
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Heleen Dewitte
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ine Lentacker
- Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, Lab for General Biochemistry and Physical Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karim Vermaelen
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Immuno-Oncology Network Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 MRB2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 103 Building E, 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sandra Van Lint
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Tumor Immunology Laboratory, Department of Respiratory Medicine and Immuno-Oncology Network Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 MRB2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Havranek KE, White LA, Bisom TC, Lanchy JM, Lodmell JS. The Atypical Kinase RIOK3 Limits RVFV Propagation and Is Regulated by Alternative Splicing. Viruses 2021; 13:v13030367. [PMID: 33652597 PMCID: PMC7996929 DOI: 10.3390/v13030367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, transcriptome profiling studies have identified changes in host splicing patterns caused by viral invasion, yet the functional consequences of the vast majority of these splicing events remain uncharacterized. We recently showed that the host splicing landscape changes during Rift Valley fever virus MP-12 strain (RVFV MP-12) infection of mammalian cells. Of particular interest, we observed that the host mRNA for Rio Kinase 3 (RIOK3) was alternatively spliced during infection. This kinase has been shown to be involved in pattern recognition receptor (PRR) signaling mediated by RIG-I like receptors to produce type-I interferon. Here, we characterize RIOK3 as an important component of the interferon signaling pathway during RVFV infection and demonstrate that RIOK3 mRNA expression is skewed shortly after infection to produce alternatively spliced variants that encode premature termination codons. This splicing event plays a critical role in regulation of the antiviral response. Interestingly, infection with other RNA viruses and transfection with nucleic acid-based RIG-I agonists also stimulated RIOK3 alternative splicing. Finally, we show that specifically stimulating alternative splicing of the RIOK3 transcript using a morpholino oligonucleotide reduced interferon expression. Collectively, these results indicate that RIOK3 is an important component of the mammalian interferon signaling cascade and its splicing is a potent regulatory mechanism capable of fine-tuning the host interferon response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E. Havranek
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.E.H.); (L.A.W.); (J.-M.L.)
| | - Luke Adam White
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.E.H.); (L.A.W.); (J.-M.L.)
| | - Thomas C. Bisom
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA;
| | - Jean-Marc Lanchy
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.E.H.); (L.A.W.); (J.-M.L.)
| | - J. Stephen Lodmell
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; (K.E.H.); (L.A.W.); (J.-M.L.)
- Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
- Correspondence:
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186
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Deal CE, Carfi A, Plante OJ. Advancements in mRNA Encoded Antibodies for Passive Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020108. [PMID: 33572679 PMCID: PMC7910832 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are the fastest growing therapeutic class in medicine today. They hold great promise for a myriad of indications, including cancer, allergy, autoimmune and infectious diseases. However, the wide accessibility of these therapeutics is hindered by manufacturing and purification challenges that result in high costs and long lead times. Efforts are being made to find alternative ways to produce and deliver antibodies in more expedient and cost-effective platforms. The field of mRNA has made significant progress in the last ten years and has emerged as a highly attractive means of encoding and producing any protein of interest in vivo. Through the natural role of mRNA as a transient carrier of genetic information for translation into proteins, in vivo expression of mRNA-encoded antibodies offer many advantages over recombinantly produced antibodies. In this review, we examine both preclinical and clinical studies that demonstrate the feasibility of mRNA-encoded antibodies and discuss the remaining challenges ahead.
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187
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Safe and effective aerosolization of in vitro transcribed mRNA to the respiratory tract epithelium of horses without a transfection agent. Sci Rep 2021; 11:371. [PMID: 33432084 PMCID: PMC7801524 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79855-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines and therapeutics using in vitro transcribed mRNA hold enormous potential for human and veterinary medicine. Transfection agents are widely considered to be necessary to protect mRNA and enhance transfection, but they add expense and raise concerns regarding quality control and safety. We found that such complex mRNA delivery systems can be avoided when transfecting epithelial cells by aerosolizing the mRNA into micron-sized droplets. In an equine in vivo model, we demonstrated that the translation of mRNA into a functional protein did not depend on the addition of a polyethylenimine (PEI)-derived transfection agent. We were able to safely and effectively transfect the bronchial epithelium of foals using naked mRNA (i.e., mRNA formulated in a sodium citrate buffer without a delivery vehicle). Endoscopic examination of the bronchial tree and histology of mucosal biopsies indicated no gross or microscopic adverse effects of the transfection. Our data suggest that mRNA administered by an atomization device eliminates the need for chemical transfection agents, which can reduce the cost and the safety risks of delivering mRNA to the respiratory tract of animals and humans.
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188
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Esprit A, de Mey W, Bahadur Shahi R, Thielemans K, Franceschini L, Breckpot K. Neo-Antigen mRNA Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E776. [PMID: 33353155 PMCID: PMC7766040 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The interest in therapeutic cancer vaccines has caught enormous attention in recent years due to several breakthroughs in cancer research, among which the finding that successful checkpoint blockade treatments reinvigorate neo-antigen-specific T cells and that successful adoptive cell therapies are directed towards neo-antigens. Neo-antigens are cancer-specific antigens, which develop from somatic mutations in the cancer cell genome that can be highly immunogenic and are not subjected to central tolerance. As the majority of neo-antigens are unique to each patient's cancer, a vaccine technology that is flexible and potent is required to develop personalized neo-antigen vaccines. In vitro transcribed mRNA is such a technology platform and has been evaluated for delivery of neo-antigens to professional antigen-presenting cells both ex vivo and in vivo. In addition, strategies that support the activity of T cells in the tumor microenvironment have been developed. These represent a unique opportunity to ensure durable T cell activity upon vaccination. Here, we comprehensively review recent progress in mRNA-based neo-antigen vaccines, summarizing critical milestones that made it possible to bring the promise of therapeutic cancer vaccines within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Karine Breckpot
- Laboratory for Molecular and Cellular Therapy (LMCT), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, B-1090 Brussels, Belgium; (A.E.); (W.d.M.); (R.B.S.); (K.T.); (L.F.)
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189
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Corbett KS, Edwards DK, Leist SR, Abiona OM, Boyoglu-Barnum S, Gillespie RA, Himansu S, Schäfer A, Ziwawo CT, DiPiazza AT, Dinnon KH, Elbashir SM, Shaw CA, Woods A, Fritch EJ, Martinez DR, Bock KW, Minai M, Nagata BM, Hutchinson GB, Wu K, Henry C, Bahl K, Garcia-Dominguez D, Ma L, Renzi I, Kong WP, Schmidt SD, Wang L, Zhang Y, Phung E, Chang LA, Loomis RJ, Altaras NE, Narayanan E, Metkar M, Presnyak V, Liu C, Louder MK, Shi W, Leung K, Yang ES, West A, Gully KL, Stevens LJ, Wang N, Wrapp D, Doria-Rose NA, Stewart-Jones G, Bennett H, Alvarado GS, Nason MC, Ruckwardt TJ, McLellan JS, Denison MR, Chappell JD, Moore IN, Morabito KM, Mascola JR, Baric RS, Carfi A, Graham BS. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine design enabled by prototype pathogen preparedness. Nature 2020; 586:567-571. [PMID: 32756549 PMCID: PMC7581537 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2622-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1012] [Impact Index Per Article: 253.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
A vaccine for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is needed to control the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic. Structural studies have led to the development of mutations that stabilize Betacoronavirus spike proteins in the prefusion state, improving their expression and increasing immunogenicity1. This principle has been applied to design mRNA-1273, an mRNA vaccine that encodes a SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that is stabilized in the prefusion conformation. Here we show that mRNA-1273 induces potent neutralizing antibody responses to both wild-type (D614) and D614G mutant2 SARS-CoV-2 as well as CD8+ T cell responses, and protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the lungs and noses of mice without evidence of immunopathology. mRNA-1273 is currently in a phase III trial to evaluate its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kizzmekia S Corbett
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Sarah R Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Olubukola M Abiona
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Seyhan Boyoglu-Barnum
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca A Gillespie
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Alexandra Schäfer
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Cynthia T Ziwawo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anthony T DiPiazza
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kenneth H Dinnon
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | | | - Ethan J Fritch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - David R Martinez
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kevin W Bock
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mahnaz Minai
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bianca M Nagata
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Geoffrey B Hutchinson
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kai Wu
- Moderna Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Wing-Pui Kong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Stephen D Schmidt
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lingshu Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Emily Phung
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lauren A Chang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rebecca J Loomis
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Cuiping Liu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Mark K Louder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Wei Shi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kwanyee Leung
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Eun Sung Yang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ande West
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kendra L Gully
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Laura J Stevens
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Nianshuang Wang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Daniel Wrapp
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Nicole A Doria-Rose
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Gabriela S Alvarado
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Martha C Nason
- Biostatistics Research Branch, Division of Clinical Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tracy J Ruckwardt
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
| | - Mark R Denison
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - James D Chappell
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ian N Moore
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kaitlyn M Morabito
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - John R Mascola
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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