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El-Fakharany EM, El-Gendi H, Saleh AK, El-Sayed MH, Alalawy AI, Jame R, Abdelaziz MA, Alshareef SA, El-Maradny YA. The use of proteins and peptides-based therapy in managing and preventing pathogenic viruses. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132254. [PMID: 38729501 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Therapeutic proteins have been employed for centuries and reached approximately 50 % of all drugs investigated. By 2023, they represented one of the top 10 largest-selling pharma products ($387.03 billion) and are anticipated to reach around $653.35 billion by 2030. Growth hormones, insulin, and interferon (IFN α, γ, and β) are among the leading applied therapeutic proteins with a higher market share. Protein-based therapies have opened new opportunities to control various diseases, including metabolic disorders, tumors, and viral outbreaks. Advanced recombinant DNA biotechnology has offered the production of therapeutic proteins and peptides for vaccination, drugs, and diagnostic tools. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression host systems, including bacterial, fungal, animal, mammalian, and plant cells usually applied for recombinant therapeutic proteins large-scale production. However, several limitations face therapeutic protein production and applications at the commercial level, including immunogenicity, integrity concerns, protein stability, and protein degradation under different circumstances. In this regard, protein-engineering strategies such as PEGylation, glycol-engineering, Fc-fusion, albumin conjugation, and fusion, assist in increasing targeting, product purity, production yield, functionality, and the half-life of therapeutic protein circulation. Therefore, a comprehensive insight into therapeutic protein research and findings pave the way for their successful implementation, which will be discussed in the current review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmail M El-Fakharany
- Protein Research Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute GEBRI, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA city), New Borg El-Arab, Alexandria 21934, Egypt; Pharmaceutical and Fermentation Industries Development Centre (PFIDC), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg Al-Arab, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Hamada El-Gendi
- Bioprocess Development Department, Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA city), New Borg El-Arab, Alexandria 21934, Egypt
| | - Ahmed K Saleh
- Cellulose and Paper Department, National Research Centre, El-Tahrir St., Dokki 12622, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H El-Sayed
- Department of Biology, College of Sciences and Arts-Rafha, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia
| | - Adel I Alalawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rasha Jame
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud A Abdelaziz
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Yousra A El-Maradny
- Pharmaceutical and Fermentation Industries Development Centre (PFIDC), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg Al-Arab, Alexandria, Egypt; Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT), Alamein 51718, Egypt
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2
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Planas D, Peng L, Zheng L, Guivel-Benhassine F, Staropoli I, Porrot F, Bruel T, Bhiman JN, Bonaparte M, Savarino S, de Bruyn G, Chicz RM, Moore PL, Schwartz O, Sridhar S. Beta-variant recombinant booster vaccine elicits broad cross-reactive neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 including Omicron variants. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27033. [PMID: 38486776 PMCID: PMC10938114 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineage contains variants with multiple sequence mutations relative to the ancestral strain particularly in the viral spike gene. These mutations are associated inter alia with loss of neutralization sensitivity to sera generated by immunization with vaccines targeting ancestral strains or prior infection with circulating (non-Omicron) variants. Here we present a comparison of vaccine formulation elicited cross neutralization responses using two different assay readouts from a subpopulation of a Phase II/III clinical trial. Methods Human sera from a Phase II/III trial (NCT04762680) was collected and evaluated for neutralizing responses to SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen protein vaccines formulated with AS03 adjuvant, following a primary series of two-doses of ancestral strain vaccine in individuals who were previously unvaccinated or as an ancestral or variant strain booster vaccine among individuals previously vaccinated with the mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Results We report that a neutralizing response to Omicron BA.1 is induced by the two-dose primary series in 89% of SARS-CoV-2-seronegative individuals. A booster dose of each vaccine formulation raises neutralizing antibody titers that effectively neutralizes Omicron BA.1 and BA.4/5 variants. Responses are highest after the monovalent Beta variant booster and similar in magnitude to human convalescent plasma titers. Conclusion The findings of this study suggest the possibility to generate greater breadth of cross-neutralization to more recently emerging viral variants through use of a diverged spike vaccine in the form of a Beta variant booster vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lin Peng
- Clinical Sciences and Operations, Sanofi, Chengdu, China
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jinal N. Bhiman
- MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | - Penny L. Moore
- MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, School of Pathology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Müller S, Kröger C, Schultze JL, Aschenbrenner AC. Whole blood stimulation as a tool for studying the human immune system. Eur J Immunol 2024; 54:e2350519. [PMID: 38103010 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
The human immune system is best accessible via tissues and organs not requiring major surgical intervention, such as blood. In many circumstances, circulating immune cells correlate with an individual's health state and give insight into physiological and pathophysiological processes. Stimulating whole blood ex vivo is a powerful tool to investigate immune responses. In the context of clinical research, the applications of whole blood stimulation include host immunity, disease characterization, diagnosis, treatment, and drug development. Here, we summarize different setups and readouts of whole blood assays and discuss applications for preclinical research and clinical practice. Finally, we propose combining whole blood stimulation with high-throughput technologies, such as single-cell RNA-sequencing, to comprehensively analyze the human immune system for the identification of biomarkers, therapeutic interventions as well as companion diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Müller
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) e.V., Bonn, Germany
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Genomics & Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Charlotte Kröger
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) e.V., Bonn, Germany
- Genomics & Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Joachim L Schultze
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) e.V., Bonn, Germany
- Genomics & Immunoregulation, Life and Medical Sciences (LIMES) Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- PRECISE Platform for Single Cell Genomics and Epigenomics, DZNE and University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anna C Aschenbrenner
- Systems Medicine, Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE) e.V., Bonn, Germany
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Paramithiotis E, Varaklis C, Pillet S, Shafiani S, Lancelotta MP, Steinhubl S, Sugden S, Clutter M, Montamat-Sicotte D, Chermak T, Crawford SY, Lambert BL, Mattison J, Murphy RL. Integrated antibody and cellular immunity monitoring are required for assessment of the long term protection that will be essential for effective next generation vaccine development. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1166059. [PMID: 38077383 PMCID: PMC10701527 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1166059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID pandemic exposed the critical role T cells play in initial immunity, the establishment and maintenance of long term protection, and of durable responsiveness against novel viral variants. A growing body of evidence indicates that adding measures of cellular immunity will fill an important knowledge gap in vaccine clinical trials, likely leading to improvements in the effectiveness of the next generation vaccines against current and emerging variants. In depth cellular immune monitoring in Phase II trials, particularly for high risk populations such as the elderly or immune compromised, should result in better understanding of the dynamics and requirements for establishing effective long term protection. Such analyses can result in cellular immunity correlates that can then be deployed in Phase III studies using appropriate, scalable technologies. Measures of cellular immunity are less established than antibodies as correlates of clinical immunity, and some misconceptions persist about cellular immune monitoring usefulness, cost, complexity, feasibility, and scalability. We outline the currently available cellular immunity assays, review their readiness for use in clinical trials, their logistical requirements, and the type of information each assay generates. The objective is to provide a reliable source of information that could be leveraged to develop a rational approach for comprehensive immune monitoring during vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Steve Steinhubl
- Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
- PhysIQ, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Scott Sugden
- Medical and Scientific Affairs, Infectious Diseases, Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, United States
| | - Matt Clutter
- Research and Development, CellCarta, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Todd Chermak
- Regulatory and Government Affairs, CellCarta, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Stephanie Y. Crawford
- Department of Pharmacy Systems, Outcomes and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Bruce L. Lambert
- Department of Communication Studies, Institute for Global Health, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - John Mattison
- Health Technology Advisory Board, Arsenal Capital, New York, NY, United States
| | - Robert L. Murphy
- Robert J. Havey, MD Institute for Global Health, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, United States
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5
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Yamamoto T, Tanji M, Mitsunaga F, Nakamura S. SARS-CoV-2 sublingual vaccine with RBD antigen and poly(I:C) adjuvant: Preclinical study in cynomolgus macaques. Biol Methods Protoc 2023; 8:bpad017. [PMID: 37711440 PMCID: PMC10497375 DOI: 10.1093/biomethods/bpad017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucosal vaccine for sublingual route was prepared with recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain (RBD) antigen and poly(I:C) adjuvant components. The efficacy of this sublingual vaccine was examined using Cynomolgus macaques. Nine of the macaque monkeys were divided into three groups of three animals: control [just 400 µg poly(I:C) per head], low dose [30 µg RBD and 400 µg poly(I:C) per head], and high dose [150 µg RBD and 400 µg poly(I:C) per head], respectively. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a mild reducing agent losing mucin barrier, was used to enhance vaccine delivery to mucosal immune cells. RBD-specific IgA antibody secreted in pituita was detected in two of three monkeys of the high dose group and one of three animals of the low dose group. RBD-specific IgG and/or IgA antibodies in plasma were also detected in these monkeys. These indicated that the sublingual vaccine stimulated mucosal immune response to produce antigen-specific secretory IgA antibodies in pituita and/or saliva. This sublingual vaccine also affected systemic immune response to produce IgG (IgA) in plasma. Little RBD-specific IgE was detected in plasma, suggesting no allergic antigenicity of this sublingual vaccine. Thus, SARS-CoV-2 sublingual vaccine consisting of poly(I:C) adjuvant showed reasonable efficacy in a non-human primate model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsuro Yamamoto
- Innovation Research Center, EPS Holdings, Inc., 1-8 Tsukudocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0821, Japan
- EP Mediate Co., Ltd, 1-8 Tsukudocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0821, Japan
- Research Center, EPS Innovative Medicine Co., Ltd, 2-1 Tsukudohachimancho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0821, Japan
| | - Masanori Tanji
- Innovation Research Center, EPS Holdings, Inc., 1-8 Tsukudocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0821, Japan
- EP Mediate Co., Ltd, 1-8 Tsukudocho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-0821, Japan
| | - Fusako Mitsunaga
- Biomedical Institute, NPO Primate Agora, 52-2 Fukue, Kaizu-cho, Kaizu 503-0628, Japan
- Intelligence & Technology Lab, Inc., 52-1 Fukue, Kaizu-cho, Kaizu 503-0628, Japan
| | - Shin Nakamura
- Biomedical Institute, NPO Primate Agora, 52-2 Fukue, Kaizu-cho, Kaizu 503-0628, Japan
- Intelligence & Technology Lab, Inc., 52-1 Fukue, Kaizu-cho, Kaizu 503-0628, Japan
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6
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Cernera G, Gelzo M, De Placido P, Ottaviano M, Pietroluongo E, Raia M, Scalia G, Tortora M, Castaldo G, Formisano P, Palmieri G, Giuliano M. Immunocytometric analysis of patients with thymic epithelial tumors revealed that COVID-19 vaccine booster strongly enhanced the immune response. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1233056. [PMID: 37705978 PMCID: PMC10495582 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1233056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) are rare malignancies with heterogeneous clinical manifestations. The high frequency of autoimmune paraneoplastic disorders observed in such patients requires caution when using COVID-19 vaccines. Furthermore, TETs are often associated with severe immunodeficiency, making it difficult to predict vaccine immunization. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate immune response to COVID-19 vaccine in patients with TETs. Methods We conducted a prospective study enrolling patients who underwent the SARS-Cov-2 mRNA full vaccine cycle (two doses plus a booster after 6 months of BNT162b2). All patients were enrolled before receiving 1st vaccine dose and were followed over the vaccination cycle for up to 6 months after the booster dose to i) assess humoral and cellular responses, ii) define biomarkers predictive of effective immunization, and iii) evaluate the safety of the vaccine. Results At the end of the full vaccine cycle, 27 (61.4%) patients developed humoral and 38 (86.4%) cellular responses (IFN γ release by stimulated cells) and showed an increase in activated TH1 and TH17 cells, particularly significant after the booster dose. The number of B and T lymphocytes at baseline was predictive of humoral and cellular responses, respectively. Patients with no evidence of tumor lesions had a higher probability of achieving a humoral response than those with evidence of the disease. Furthermore, the percentage of patients with immune-related disorders (75%), particularly Good's syndrome (47.7%) and myasthenia gravis (29.5%), did not change over the entire vaccine cycle. Overall, 19 of the 44 enrolled patients (43.2%) had COVID-19 during the observation period; none required hospitalization or oxygen support, and no fatalities were observed. Conclusion SARS-Cov-2 mRNA vaccine determines the immune responses in patients with TET, particularly after the booster dose, and in patients with no evidence of tumor lesions. Preliminary analysis of B and T lymphocytes may help identify patients who have a lower probability of achieving effective humoral and cellular responses and thus may need passive immunization. The vaccine prevented severe COVID-19 infection and is safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Cernera
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Gelzo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro De Placido
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Margaret Ottaviano
- Dipartimento di Melanoma, Immunoterapia Oncologica e Terapie Innovative, IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Naples, Italy
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Erica Pietroluongo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | - Marianna Tortora
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Castaldo
- CEINGE-Biotecnologie avanzate, scarl, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Molecolare e Biotecnologie Mediche, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Formisano
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche Traslazionali, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Giovannella Palmieri
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
| | - Mario Giuliano
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
- Centro Regionale di Coordinamento Tumori Rari Regione Campania (CRCTR), Naples, Italy
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7
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Zamani P, Mashreghi M, Rezazade Bazaz M, Zargari S, Alizadeh F, Dorrigiv M, Abdoli A, Aminianfar H, Hatamipour M, Zarqi J, Behboodifar S, Samsami Y, Khorshid Sokhangouy S, Sefidbakht Y, Uskoković V, Rezayat SM, Jaafari MR, Mozaffari-Jovin S. Characterization of stability, safety and immunogenicity of the mRNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine Iribovax® against COVID-19 in nonhuman primates. J Control Release 2023; 360:316-334. [PMID: 37355212 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccines have proved their efficacy, versatility and unprecedented manufacturing speed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here we report on the physicochemical properties, thermostability, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of the nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP vaccine candidate Iribovax® (also called SNEG2c). Injection of BALB/c mice, rabbits and nonhuman primates with two doses of SNEG2c induced production of high-titers of SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific and receptor-binding domain (RBD)-neutralizing antibodies in immunized animals. In addition to the strong humoral response, SNEG2c elicited substantial Th1-biased T-cell response. Sera from rhesus macaques immunized with a low dose of the vaccine showed robust spike-specific antibody titers 3-24× as high as those in convalescent sera from a panel of COVID-19 patients and 50% virus neutralization geometric mean titer of 1024 against SARS-CoV-2. Strikingly, immunization with SNEG2c completely cleared infectious SARS-CoV-2 from the upper and lower respiratory tracts of challenged macaques and protected them from viral-induced lung and trachea lesions. In contrast, the non-vaccinated macaques developed moderate to severe pulmonary pathology after the viral challenge. We present the results of repeat-dose and local tolerance toxicity and thermostability studies showing how the physicochemical properties of the mRNA-LNPs change over time and demonstrating that SNEG2 is safe, well tolerated and stable for long-term. These results support the planned human trials of SNEG2c.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvin Zamani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mashreghi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahere Rezazade Bazaz
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Research Group, Research Institute of Biotechnology, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Selma Zargari
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Alizadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahyar Dorrigiv
- Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Asghar Abdoli
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Tehran, Iran; Amirabad Virology Laboratory, Vaccine Unit, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Aminianfar
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; Institute of Biomedical Research, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Hatamipour
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Javad Zarqi
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saeed Behboodifar
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Yalda Samsami
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Saeideh Khorshid Sokhangouy
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Yahya Sefidbakht
- Protein Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vuk Uskoković
- College of Engineering, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Seyed Mahdi Rezayat
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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8
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Cohen KW, De Rosa SC, Fulp WJ, deCamp AC, Fiore-Gartland A, Mahoney CR, Furth S, Donahue J, Whaley RE, Ballweber-Fleming L, Seese A, Schwedhelm K, Geraghty D, Finak G, Menis S, Leggat DJ, Rahaman F, Lombardo A, Borate BR, Philiponis V, Maenza J, Diemert D, Kolokythas O, Khati N, Bethony J, Hyrien O, Laufer DS, Koup RA, McDermott AB, Schief WR, McElrath MJ. A first-in-human germline-targeting HIV nanoparticle vaccine induced broad and publicly targeted helper T cell responses. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eadf3309. [PMID: 37224227 PMCID: PMC11036875 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adf3309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The engineered outer domain germline targeting version 8 (eOD-GT8) 60-mer nanoparticle was designed to prime VRC01-class HIV-specific B cells that would need to be matured, through additional heterologous immunizations, into B cells that are able to produce broadly neutralizing antibodies. CD4 T cell help will be critical for the development of such high-affinity neutralizing antibody responses. Thus, we assessed the induction and epitope specificities of the vaccine-specific T cells from the IAVI G001 phase 1 clinical trial that tested immunization with eOD-GT8 60-mer adjuvanted with AS01B. Robust polyfunctional CD4 T cells specific for eOD-GT8 and the lumazine synthase (LumSyn) component of eOD-GT8 60-mer were induced after two vaccinations with either the 20- or 100-microgram dose. Antigen-specific CD4 T helper responses to eOD-GT8 and LumSyn were observed in 84 and 93% of vaccine recipients, respectively. CD4 helper T cell epitope "hotspots" preferentially targeted across participants were identified within both the eOD-GT8 and LumSyn proteins. CD4 T cell responses specific to one of these three LumSyn epitope hotspots were observed in 85% of vaccine recipients. Last, we found that induction of vaccine-specific peripheral CD4 T cells correlated with expansion of eOD-GT8-specific memory B cells. Our findings demonstrate strong human CD4 T cell responses to an HIV vaccine candidate priming immunogen and identify immunodominant CD4 T cell epitopes that might improve human immune responses either to heterologous boost immunogens after this prime vaccination or to other human vaccine immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen W. Cohen
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Stephen C. De Rosa
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - William J. Fulp
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Allan C. deCamp
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Andrew Fiore-Gartland
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Celia R. Mahoney
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sarah Furth
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Josh Donahue
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Rachael E. Whaley
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Lamar Ballweber-Fleming
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Aaron Seese
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Katharine Schwedhelm
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Daniel Geraghty
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Greg Finak
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Sergey Menis
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92307, USA
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92307, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92307, USA
| | - David J. Leggat
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Farhad Rahaman
- IAVI, 125 Broad Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10004, USA
| | | | - Bhavesh R. Borate
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Janine Maenza
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - David Diemert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052, USA
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
| | - Orpheus Kolokythas
- Department of Radiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nadia Khati
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC 20052, USA
| | - Jeffrey Bethony
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington DC, 20052, USA
| | - Ollivier Hyrien
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | | | - Richard A. Koup
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Adrian B. McDermott
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - William R. Schief
- IAVI Neutralizing Antibody Center, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92307, USA
- Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92307, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92307, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - M. Juliana McElrath
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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9
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Schroeder SM, Nelde A, Walz JS. Viral T-cell epitopes - Identification, characterization and clinical application. Semin Immunol 2023; 66:101725. [PMID: 36706520 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2023.101725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
T-cell immunity, mediated by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, represents a cornerstone in the control of viral infections. Virus-derived T-cell epitopes are represented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-presented viral peptides on the surface of virus-infected cells. They are the prerequisite for the recognition of infected cells by T cells. Knowledge of viral T-cell epitopes provides on the one hand a diagnostic tool to decipher protective T-cell immune responses in the human population and on the other hand various prophylactic and therapeutic options including vaccination approaches and the transfer of virus-specific T cells. Such approaches have already been proven to be effective against various viral infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients lacking sufficient humoral, antibody-based immune response. This review provides an overview on the state of the art as well as current studies regarding the identification and characterization of viral T-cell epitopes and approaches of clinical application. In the first chapter in silico prediction tools and direct, mass spectrometry-based identification of viral T-cell epitopes is compared. The second chapter provides an overview of commonly used assays for further characterization of T-cell responses and phenotypes. The final chapter presents an overview of clinical application of viral T-cell epitopes with a focus on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), being representatives of relevant viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah M Schroeder
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Department for Otorhinolaryngology, Head, and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika Nelde
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Juliane S Walz
- Department of Peptide-based Immunotherapy, University and University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Institute for Cell Biology, Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) 'Image-Guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies', University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany; Clinical Collaboration Unit Translational Immunology, German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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10
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Gemmati D, Longo G, Gallo I, Silva JA, Secchiero P, Zauli G, Hanau S, Passaro A, Pellegatti P, Pizzicotti S, Serino ML, Singh AV, Tisato V. Host genetics impact on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine-induced immunoglobulin levels and dynamics: The role of TP53, ABO, APOE, ACE2, HLA-A, and CRP genes. Front Genet 2022; 13:1028081. [PMID: 36531241 PMCID: PMC9748098 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1028081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Development and worldwide availability of safe and effective vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) to fight severe symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and block the pandemic have been a great achievement and stimulated researchers on understanding the efficacy and duration of different vaccine types. Methods: We investigated the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG) and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in 195 healthy adult subjects belonging to the staff of the University-Hospital of Ferrara (Italy) starting from 15 days up to 190 days (about 6 months) after the second dose of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) mRNA-based vaccine (n = 128) or ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) adenovirus-based vaccine (n = 67) using a combined approach of serological and genomics investigations. Results: A strong correlation between IgG and NAb levels was detected during the 190 days of follow-up (r 2 = 0.807; p < 0.0001) and was confirmed during the first 90 days (T1) after vaccination (r 2 = 0.789; p = 0.0001) and 91-190 days (T2) after vaccination (r 2 = 0.764; p = 0.0001) for both vaccine types (r 2 = 0.842; p = 0.0001 and r 2 = 0.780; p = 0.0001 for mRNA- and adenovirus-based vaccine, respectively). In addition to age (p < 0.01), sex (p = 0.03), and type of vaccine (p < 0.0001), which partially accounted for the remarkable individual differences observed in the antibody levels and dynamics, interesting genetic determinants appeared as significant modifiers of both IgG and NAb responses among the selected genes investigated (TP53, rs1042522; APOE, rs7412/rs429358; ABO, rs657152; ACE2, rs2285666; HLA-A rs2571381/rs2499; CRP, rs2808635/rs876538; LZTFL1, rs35044562; OAS3, rs10735079; SLC6A20, rs11385942; CFH, rs1061170; and ACE1, ins/del, rs4646994). In detail, regression analysis and mean antibody level comparison yielded appreciable differences after genotype stratification (P1 and P2, respectively, for IgG and NAb distribution) in the whole cohort and/or in the mRNA-based vaccine in the following genes: TP53, rs1042522 (P1 = 0.03; P2 = 0.04); ABO, rs657152 (P1 = 0.01; P2 = 0.03); APOE, rs7412/rs429358 (P1 = 0.0018; P2 = 0.0002); ACE2, rs2285666 (P1 = 0.014; P2 = 0.009); HLA-A, rs2571381/rs2499 (P1 = 0.02; P2 = 0.03); and CRP, rs2808635/rs876538 (P1 = 0.01 and P2 = 0.09). Conclusion: High- or low-responsive subjects can be identified among healthy adult vaccinated subjects after targeted genetic screening. This suggests that favorable genetic backgrounds may support the progression of an effective vaccine-induced immune response, though no definite conclusions can be drawn on the real effectiveness ascribed to a specific vaccine or to the different extent of a genotype-driven humoral response. The interplay between data from the polygenic predictive markers and serological screening stratified by demogeographic information can help to recognize the individual humoral response, accounting for ethnic and geographical differences, in both COVID-19 and anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donato Gemmati
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Haemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- University Centre for Gender Medicine Studies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giovanna Longo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Haemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ines Gallo
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Haemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Juliana Araujo Silva
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Centre Haemostasis & Thrombosis, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Paola Secchiero
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Giorgio Zauli
- Research Department, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Stefania Hanau
- Department of Neuroscience & Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Angelina Passaro
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Ajay Vikram Singh
- Department of Chemical & Product Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Veronica Tisato
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- University Centre for Gender Medicine Studies, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
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