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Buckland B, Sanyal G, Ranheim T, Pollard D, Searles JA, Behrens S, Pluschkell S, Josefsberg J, Roberts CJ. Vaccine process technology-A decade of progress. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:2604-2635. [PMID: 38711222 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28703] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
In the past decade, new approaches to the discovery and development of vaccines have transformed the field. Advances during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed the production of billions of vaccine doses per year using novel platforms such as messenger RNA and viral vectors. Improvements in the analytical toolbox, equipment, and bioprocess technology have made it possible to achieve both unprecedented speed in vaccine development and scale of vaccine manufacturing. Macromolecular structure-function characterization technologies, combined with improved modeling and data analysis, enable quantitative evaluation of vaccine formulations at single-particle resolution and guided design of vaccine drug substances and drug products. These advances play a major role in precise assessment of critical quality attributes of vaccines delivered by newer platforms. Innovations in label-free and immunoassay technologies aid in the characterization of antigenic sites and the development of robust in vitro potency assays. These methods, along with molecular techniques such as next-generation sequencing, will accelerate characterization and release of vaccines delivered by all platforms. Process analytical technologies for real-time monitoring and optimization of process steps enable the implementation of quality-by-design principles and faster release of vaccine products. In the next decade, the field of vaccine discovery and development will continue to advance, bringing together new technologies, methods, and platforms to improve human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Buckland
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Gautam Sanyal
- Vaccine Analytics, LLC, Kendall Park, New Jersey, USA
| | - Todd Ranheim
- Advanced Analytics Core, Resilience, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - David Pollard
- Sartorius, Corporate Research, Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sue Behrens
- Engineering and Biopharmaceutical Processing, Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, California, USA
| | - Stefanie Pluschkell
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Jessica Josefsberg
- Merck & Co., Inc., Process Research & Development, Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Christopher J Roberts
- National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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2
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Pushko P, Lukashevich IS, Johnson DM, Tretyakova I. Single-Dose Immunogenic DNA Vaccines Coding for Live-Attenuated Alpha- and Flaviviruses. Viruses 2024; 16:428. [PMID: 38543793 PMCID: PMC10974764 DOI: 10.3390/v16030428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-dose, immunogenic DNA (iDNA) vaccines coding for whole live-attenuated viruses are reviewed. This platform, sometimes called immunization DNA, has been used for vaccine development for flavi- and alphaviruses. An iDNA vaccine uses plasmid DNA to launch live-attenuated virus vaccines in vitro or in vivo. When iDNA is injected into mammalian cells in vitro or in vivo, the RNA genome of an attenuated virus is transcribed, which starts replication of a defined, live-attenuated vaccine virus in cell culture or the cells of a vaccine recipient. In the latter case, an immune response to the live virus vaccine is elicited, which protects against the pathogenic virus. Unlike other nucleic acid vaccines, such as mRNA and standard DNA vaccines, iDNA vaccines elicit protection with a single dose, thus providing major improvement to epidemic preparedness. Still, iDNA vaccines retain the advantages of other nucleic acid vaccines. In summary, the iDNA platform combines the advantages of reverse genetics and DNA immunization with the high immunogenicity of live-attenuated vaccines, resulting in enhanced safety and immunogenicity. This vaccine platform has expanded the field of genetic DNA and RNA vaccines with a novel type of immunogenic DNA vaccines that encode entire live-attenuated viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Pushko
- Medigen, Inc., 8420 Gas House Pike Suite S, Frederick, MD 21701, USA;
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, 505 S Hancock St., Louisville, KY 40202, USA;
| | - Dylan M. Johnson
- Department of Biotechnology & Bioengineering, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA 945501, USA;
| | - Irina Tretyakova
- Medigen, Inc., 8420 Gas House Pike Suite S, Frederick, MD 21701, USA;
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3
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de la Cruz M, Kunert F, Taymaz-Nikerel H, Sigala JC, Gosset G, Büchs J, Lara AR. Increasing the Pentose Phosphate Pathway Flux to Improve Plasmid DNA Production in Engineered E. coli. Microorganisms 2024; 12:150. [PMID: 38257977 PMCID: PMC10820320 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12010150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The demand of plasmid DNA (pDNA) as a key element for gene therapy products, as well as mRNA and DNA vaccines, is increasing together with the need for more efficient production processes. An engineered E. coli strain lacking the phosphotransferase system and the pyruvate kinase A gene has been shown to produce more pDNA than its parental strain. With the aim of improving pDNA production in the engineered strain, several strategies to increase the flux to the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) were evaluated. The simultaneous consumption of glucose and glycerol was a simple way to increase the growth rate, pDNA production rate, and supercoiled fraction (SCF). The overexpression of key genes from the PPP also improved pDNA production in glucose, but not in mixtures of glucose and glycerol. Particularly, the gene coding for the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH) strongly improved the SCF, growth rate, and pDNA production rate. A linear relationship between the G6PDH activity and pDNA yield was found. A higher flux through the PPP was confirmed by flux balance analysis, which also estimates relevant differences in fluxes of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. These results are useful for developing further cell engineering strategies to increase pDNA production and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitzi de la Cruz
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 05348, Mexico
| | - Flavio Kunert
- Chair of Biochemical Engineering (AVT.BioVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hilal Taymaz-Nikerel
- Department of Genetics and Bioengineering, Istanbul Bilgi University, 34060 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Juan-Carlos Sigala
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Mexico City 05348, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Gosset
- Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuernavaca 62210, Mexico
| | - Jochen Büchs
- Chair of Biochemical Engineering (AVT.BioVT), RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Alvaro R. Lara
- Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
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4
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Kozak M, Hu J. DNA Vaccines: Their Formulations, Engineering and Delivery. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:71. [PMID: 38250884 PMCID: PMC10820593 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The concept of DNA vaccination was introduced in the early 1990s. Since then, advancements in the augmentation of the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines have brought this technology to the market, especially in veterinary medicine, to prevent many diseases. Along with the successful COVID mRNA vaccines, the first DNA vaccine for human use, the Indian ZyCovD vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, was approved in 2021. In the current review, we first give an overview of the DNA vaccine focusing on the science, including adjuvants and delivery methods. We then cover some of the emerging science in the field of DNA vaccines, notably efforts to optimize delivery systems, better engineer delivery apparatuses, identify optimal delivery sites, personalize cancer immunotherapy through DNA vaccination, enhance adjuvant science through gene adjuvants, enhance off-target and heritable immunity through epigenetic modification, and predict epitopes with bioinformatic approaches. We also discuss the major limitations of DNA vaccines and we aim to address many theoretical concerns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Kozak
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
| | - Jiafen Hu
- The Jake Gittlen Laboratories for Cancer Research, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
- The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA
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5
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Lundstrom K. Application of DNA Replicons in Gene Therapy and Vaccine Development. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030947. [PMID: 36986808 PMCID: PMC10054396 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-based gene therapy and vaccine development has received plenty of attention lately. DNA replicons based on self-replicating RNA viruses such as alphaviruses and flaviviruses have been of particular interest due to the amplification of RNA transcripts leading to enhanced transgene expression in transfected host cells. Moreover, significantly reduced doses of DNA replicons compared to conventional DNA plasmids can elicit equivalent immune responses. DNA replicons have been evaluated in preclinical animal models for cancer immunotherapy and for vaccines against infectious diseases and various cancers. Strong immune responses and tumor regression have been obtained in rodent tumor models. Immunization with DNA replicons has provided robust immune responses and protection against challenges with pathogens and tumor cells. DNA replicon-based COVID-19 vaccines have shown positive results in preclinical animal models.
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Abbas MN, Jmel MA, Mekki I, Dijkgraaf I, Kotsyfakis M. Recent Advances in Tick Antigen Discovery and Anti-Tick Vaccine Development. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:4969. [PMID: 36902400 PMCID: PMC10003026 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks can seriously affect human and animal health around the globe, causing significant economic losses each year. Chemical acaricides are widely used to control ticks, which negatively impact the environment and result in the emergence of acaricide-resistant tick populations. A vaccine is considered as one of the best alternative approaches to control ticks and tick-borne diseases, as it is less expensive and more effective than chemical controls. Many antigen-based vaccines have been developed as a result of current advances in transcriptomics, genomics, and proteomic techniques. A few of these (e.g., Gavac® and TickGARD®) are commercially available and are commonly used in different countries. Furthermore, a significant number of novel antigens are being investigated with the perspective of developing new anti-tick vaccines. However, more research is required to develop new and more efficient antigen-based vaccines, including on assessing the efficiency of various epitopes against different tick species to confirm their cross-reactivity and their high immunogenicity. In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in the development of antigen-based vaccines (traditional and RNA-based) and provide a brief overview of recent discoveries of novel antigens, along with their sources, characteristics, and the methods used to test their efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Nadeem Abbas
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, China
| | - Mohamed Amine Jmel
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Imen Mekki
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ingrid Dijkgraaf
- Department of Biochemistry, CARIM, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Michail Kotsyfakis
- Laboratory of Genomics and Proteomics of Disease Vectors, Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Sciences, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
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7
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Islas F, Sabido A, Sigala J, Lara AR. Design of microaerobically inducible miniR1 plasmids. MLIFE 2023; 2:101-104. [PMID: 38818336 PMCID: PMC10989972 DOI: 10.1002/mlf2.12058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2024]
Abstract
Plasmid DNA manufacture is an essential step to produce gene therapy agents and next-generation vaccines. However, little attention has been paid toward developing alternative replicons that can be coupled with large-scale production conditions. Our results demonstrate that the miniR1 replicon can be efficiently induced by oxygen limitation when a copy of the regulatory protein RepA under control of a microaerobic promoter is used. The results are potentially attractive for industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Islas
- Departamento de Procesos y TecnologíaUniversidad Autónoma MetropolitanaCiudad de MexicoMéxico
| | - Andrea Sabido
- Departamento de Procesos y TecnologíaUniversidad Autónoma MetropolitanaCiudad de MexicoMéxico
| | - Juan‐Carlos Sigala
- Departamento de Procesos y TecnologíaUniversidad Autónoma MetropolitanaCiudad de MexicoMéxico
| | - Alvaro R. Lara
- Departamento de Procesos y TecnologíaUniversidad Autónoma MetropolitanaCiudad de MexicoMéxico
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8
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Lundstrom K. Impact of a Plasmid DNA-Based Alphavirus Vaccine on Immunization Efficiency. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2197:33-47. [PMID: 32827131 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0872-2_3] [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] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Alphavirus vectors have been engineered for high-level gene expression relying originally on replication-deficient recombinant particles, more recently designed for plasmid DNA-based administration. As alphavirus-based DNA vectors encode the alphavirus RNA replicon genes, enhanced transgene expression in comparison to conventional DNA plasmids is achieved. Immunization studies with alphavirus-based DNA plasmids have elicited specific antibody production, have generated tumor regression and protection against challenges with infectious agents and tumor cells in various animal models. A limited number of clinical trials have been conducted with alphavirus DNA vectors. Compared to conventional plasmid DNA-based immunization, alphavirus DNA vectors required 1000-fold less DNA to elicit similar immune responses in rodents.
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9
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Chen Y, Yang Z, Dong Y, Chen Y. Recombinant PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine provides protective immunity against Legionella pneumophila in BALB/c mice. BMC Biotechnol 2020; 20:28. [PMID: 32423439 PMCID: PMC7236329 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-020-00620-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Legionella pneumophila (L.pneumophila), a Gram-negative small microorganism, causes hospital-acquired pneumonia especially in immunocompromised patients. Vaccination may be an effective method for preventing L.pneumophila infection. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a better vaccine against this disease. In this study, we developed a recombinant peptidoglycan-associated lipoprotein (PAL)/type IV pilin (PilE)/lagellin (FlaA) DNA vaccine and evaluated its immunogenicity and efficacy to protect against L.pneumophila infection. Results According to the results, the expression of PAL, PilE, FlaA proteins and PAL/PilE/FlaA fusion protein in 293 cells was confirmed. Immunization with PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine resulted in highest IgG titer and strongest cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response. Furthermore, the histopathological changes in lung tissues of mice challenged with a lethal dose of L.pneumophila were alleviated by PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine immunization. The production of T-helper-1 (Th1) cytokines (IFNγ, TGF-α, and IL-12), and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10) were promoted in PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine group. Finally, immunization with PAL/PilE/FlaA vaccine raised the survival rate of mice to 100% after challenging with a lethal dose of L.pneumophila for 10 consecutive days. Conclusions Our study suggests that the newly developed PAL/PilE/FlaA DNA vaccine stimulates strong humoral and cellular immune responses and may be a potential intervention on L.pneumophila infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingying Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zehui Yang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying Dong
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, 36 Sanhao Street, Shenyang, 110004, People's Republic of China.
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10
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Jaén KE, Velazquez D, Delvigne F, Sigala JC, Lara AR. Engineering E. coli for improved microaerobic pDNA production. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2019; 42:1457-1466. [PMID: 31079222 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-019-02142-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Revised: 03/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Escherichia coli strains W3110 and BL21 were engineered for the production of plasmid DNA (pDNA) under aerobic and transitions to microaerobic conditions. The gene coding for recombinase A (recA) was deleted in both strains. In addition, the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb) gene (vgb) was chromosomally inserted and constitutively expressed in each E. coli recA mutant and wild type. The recA inactivation increased the supercoiled pDNA fraction (SCF) in both strains, while VHb expression improved the pDNA production in W3110, but not in BL21. Therefore, a codon-optimized version of vgb was inserted in strain BL21recA-, which, together with W3110recA-vgb+, was tested in cultures with shifts from aerobic to oxygen-limited regimes. VHb expression lowered the accumulation of fermentative by-products in both strains. VHb-expressing cells displayed higher oxidative activity as indicated by the Redox Sensor Green fluorescence, which was more intense in BL21 than in W3110. Furthermore, VHb expression did not change pDNA production in W3110, but decreased it in BL21. These results are useful for understanding the physiological effects of VHb expression in two industrially relevant E. coli strains, and for the selection of a host for pDNA production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim E Jaén
- Posgrado en Ciencias Naturales e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe, 05348, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Daniela Velazquez
- Posgrado en Ciencias Naturales e Ingeniería, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe, 05348, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Frank Delvigne
- Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, TERRA Research and Teaching Centre, Microbial Processes and Interactions (MiPI), University of Liege, Gembloux, Belgium
| | - Juan-Carlos Sigala
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe, 05348, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alvaro R Lara
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Santa Fe, 05348, Mexico City, Mexico.
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11
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Design of a synthetic miniR1 plasmid and its production by engineered Escherichia coli. Bioprocess Biosyst Eng 2019; 42:1391-1397. [PMID: 31006041 DOI: 10.1007/s00449-019-02129-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A synthetic plasmid consisting of the minimal elements for replication control of the R1 replicon and kanamycin resistance marker, which was named pminiR1, was developed. pminiR1 production was tested at 30 °C under aerobic and microaerobic conditions in Escherichia coli W3110 recA- (W1). The plasmid DNA yields from biomass (YpDNA/X) were only 0.06 ± 0.02 and 0.22 ± 0.11 mg/g under aerobic and microaerobic conditions, respectively. As an option to increase YpDNA/X values, pminiR1 was introduced in an engineered E. coli strain expressing the Vitreoscilla hemoglobin inserted in chromosome (W12). The YpDNA/X values using strain W12 increased to 0.85 ± 0.05 and 1.53 ± 0.14 mg/g under aerobic and microaerobic conditions, respectively. pminiR1 production in both strains was compared with that of pUC57Kan at 37 °C under aerobic and microaerobic conditions. The YpDNA/X values for pminiR1 using strain W12 were 6.25 ± 0.16 and 9.27 ± 0.95 mg/g under aerobic and microaerobic conditions, respectively. Such yields were similar to those obtained for plasmid pUC57Kan using strain W12 (6.9 ± 0.64 and 10.85 ± 1.06 mg/g for aerobic and microaerobic cultures, respectively). Therefore, the synthetic minimal plasmid based on the R1 replicon is a valuable alternative to pUC plasmids for biotechnological applications.
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12
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Lundstrom K. Plasmid DNA-based Alphavirus Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7010029. [PMID: 30857255 PMCID: PMC6466081 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7010029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alphaviruses have been engineered as vectors for high-level transgene expression. Originally, alphavirus-based vectors were applied as recombinant replication-deficient particles, subjected to expression studies in mammalian and non-mammalian cell lines, primary cell cultures, and in vivo. However, vector engineering has expanded the application range to plasmid DNA-based delivery and expression. Immunization studies with DNA-based alphavirus vectors have demonstrated tumor regression and protection against challenges with infectious agents and tumor cells in animal tumor models. The presence of the RNA replicon genes responsible for extensive RNA replication in the RNA/DNA layered alphavirus vectors provides superior transgene expression in comparison to conventional plasmid DNA-based expression. Immunization with alphavirus DNA vectors revealed that 1000-fold less DNA was required to elicit similar immune responses compared to conventional plasmid DNA. In addition to DNA-based delivery, immunization with recombinant alphavirus particles and RNA replicons has demonstrated efficacy in providing protection against lethal challenges by infectious agents and tumor cells.
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13
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Hobernik D, Bros M. DNA Vaccines-How Far From Clinical Use? Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19113605. [PMID: 30445702 PMCID: PMC6274812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19113605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 290] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Two decades ago successful transfection of antigen presenting cells (APC) in vivo was demonstrated which resulted in the induction of primary adaptive immune responses. Due to the good biocompatibility of plasmid DNA, their cost-efficient production and long shelf life, many researchers aimed to develop DNA vaccine-based immunotherapeutic strategies for treatment of infections and cancer, but also autoimmune diseases and allergies. This review aims to summarize our current knowledge on the course of action of DNA vaccines, and which factors are responsible for the poor immunogenicity in human so far. Important optimization steps that improve DNA transfection efficiency comprise the introduction of DNA-complexing nano-carriers aimed to prevent extracellular DNA degradation, enabling APC targeting, and enhanced endo/lysosomal escape of DNA. Attachment of virus-derived nuclear localization sequences facilitates nuclear entry of DNA. Improvements in DNA vaccine design include the use of APC-specific promotors for transcriptional targeting, the arrangement of multiple antigen sequences, the co-delivery of molecular adjuvants to prevent tolerance induction, and strategies to circumvent potential inhibitory effects of the vector backbone. Successful clinical use of DNA vaccines may require combined employment of all of these parameters, and combination treatment with additional drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Hobernik
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Matthias Bros
- Department of Dermatology, University Medical Center, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
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14
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Feng Y, Yin Z, Zhang D, Srivastava A, Ling C. Chinese Medicine Protein and Peptide in Gene and Cell Therapy. Curr Protein Pept Sci 2018; 20:251-264. [PMID: 29895243 DOI: 10.2174/1389203719666180612082432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The success of gene and cell therapy in clinic during the past two decades as well as our expanding ability to manipulate these biomaterials are leading to new therapeutic options for a wide range of inherited and acquired diseases. Combining conventional therapies with this emerging field is a promising strategy to treat those previously-thought untreatable diseases. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has evolved for thousands of years in China and still plays an important role in human health. As part of the active ingredients of TCM, proteins and peptides have attracted long-term enthusiasm of researchers. More recently, they have been utilized in gene and cell therapy, resulting in promising novel strategies to treat both cancer and non-cancer diseases. This manuscript presents a critical review on this field, accompanied with perspectives on the challenges and new directions for future research in this emerging frontier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinlu Feng
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 401 Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China.,Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, United States
| | - Zifei Yin
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, United States
| | - Daniel Zhang
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, United States
| | - Arun Srivastava
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, United States
| | - Chen Ling
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Therapy, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32611, FL, United States
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15
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Pushko P, Lukashevich IS, Weaver SC, Tretyakova I. DNA-launched live-attenuated vaccines for biodefense applications. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016; 15:1223-34. [PMID: 27055100 PMCID: PMC5033646 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2016.1175943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
A novel vaccine platform uses DNA immunization to launch live-attenuated virus vaccines in vivo. This technology has been applied for vaccine development against positive-strand RNA viruses with global public health impact including alphaviruses and flaviviruses. The DNA-launched vaccine represents the recombinant plasmid that encodes the full-length genomic RNA of live-attenuated virus downstream from a eukaryotic promoter. When administered in vivo, the genomic RNA of live-attenuated virus is transcribed. The RNA initiates limited replication of a genetically defined, live-attenuated vaccine virus in the tissues of the vaccine recipient, thereby inducing a protective immune response. This platform combines the strengths of reverse genetics, DNA immunization and the advantages of live-attenuated vaccines, resulting in a reduced chance of genetic reversions, increased safety, and improved immunization. With this vaccine technology, the field of DNA vaccines is expanded from those that express subunit antigens to include a novel type of DNA vaccines that launch live-attenuated viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Pushko
- Medigen, Inc. 8420 Gas House Pike Suite S, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Igor S. Lukashevich
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine, Center for Predictive Medicine and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Louisville, 505 S Hancock St., Louisville, KY 40202, USA
| | - Scott C. Weaver
- Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, Sealy Center for Vaccine Development and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, GNL, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Irina Tretyakova
- Medigen, Inc. 8420 Gas House Pike Suite S, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
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Galindo J, Barrón BL, Lara AR. Improved production of large plasmid DNA by enzyme-controlled glucose release. ANN MICROBIOL 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s13213-016-1218-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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17
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Cortés JT, Flores N, Bolívar F, Lara AR, Ramírez OT. Physiological effects of pH gradients onEscherichia coliduring plasmid DNA production. Biotechnol Bioeng 2015; 113:598-611. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.25817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2015] [Revised: 08/02/2015] [Accepted: 08/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- José T. Cortés
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos; Instituto de Biotecnología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México
| | - Noemí Flores
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biotecnología; Instituto de Biotecnología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa CP 62210 Cuernavaca Morelos México
| | - Francisco Bolívar
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biotecnología; Instituto de Biotecnología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; Av. Universidad 2001, Col. Chamilpa CP 62210 Cuernavaca Morelos México
| | - Alvaro R. Lara
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología; Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa; Av. Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Col. Santa Fe, Del. Cuajimalpa, México, D.F. CP 05348 México
| | - Octavio T. Ramírez
- Departamento de Medicina Molecular y Bioprocesos; Instituto de Biotecnología; Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México; México
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Freudenau I, Lutter P, Baier R, Schleef M, Bednarz H, Lara AR, Niehaus K. ColE1-Plasmid Production in Escherichia coli: Mathematical Simulation and Experimental Validation. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2015; 3:127. [PMID: 26389114 PMCID: PMC4555960 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2015] [Accepted: 08/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmids have become very important as pharmaceutical gene vectors in the fields of gene therapy and genetic vaccination in the past years. In this study, we present a dynamic model to simulate the ColE1-like plasmid replication control, once for a DH5α-strain carrying a low copy plasmid (DH5α-pSUP 201-3) and once for a DH5α-strain carrying a high copy plasmid (DH5α-pCMV-lacZ) by using ordinary differential equations and the MATLAB software. The model includes the plasmid replication control by two regulatory RNA molecules (RNAI and RNAII) as well as the replication control by uncharged tRNA molecules. To validate the model, experimental data like RNAI- and RNAII concentration, plasmid copy number (PCN), and growth rate for three different time points in the exponential phase were determined. Depending on the sampled time point, the measured RNAI- and RNAII concentrations for DH5α-pSUP 201-3 reside between 6 ± 0.7 and 34 ± 7 RNAI molecules per cell and 0.44 ± 0.1 and 3 ± 0.9 RNAII molecules per cell. The determined PCNs averaged between 46 ± 26 and 48 ± 30 plasmids per cell. The experimentally determined data for DH5α-pCMV-lacZ reside between 345 ± 203 and 1086 ± 298 RNAI molecules per cell and 22 ± 2 and 75 ± 10 RNAII molecules per cell with an averaged PCN of 1514 ± 1301 and 5806 ± 4828 depending on the measured time point. As the model was shown to be consistent with the experimentally determined data, measured at three different time points within the growth of the same strain, we performed predictive simulations concerning the effect of uncharged tRNA molecules on the ColE1-like plasmid replication control. The hypothesis is that these tRNA molecules would have an enhancing effect on the plasmid production. The in silico analysis predicts that uncharged tRNA molecules would indeed increase the plasmid DNA production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Freudenau
- Abteilung für Proteom- und Metabolomforschung, Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Petra Lutter
- Abteilung für Proteom- und Metabolomforschung, Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Ruth Baier
- PlasmidFactory GmbH & Co. KG, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Hanna Bednarz
- Abteilung für Proteom- und Metabolomforschung, Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institut für Genomforschung und Systembiologie, Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Alvaro R. Lara
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Karsten Niehaus
- Abteilung für Proteom- und Metabolomforschung, Fakultät für Biologie, Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
- Institut für Genomforschung und Systembiologie, Centrum für Biotechnologie (CeBiTec), Universität Bielefeld, Bielefeld, Germany
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Arce-Fonseca M, Rios-Castro M, Carrillo-Sánchez SDC, Martínez-Cruz M, Rodríguez-Morales O. Prophylactic and therapeutic DNA vaccines against Chagas disease. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:121. [PMID: 25885641 PMCID: PMC4343048 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0738-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chagas disease is a zoonosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi in which the most affected organ is the heart. Conventional chemotherapy has a very low effectiveness; despite recent efforts, there is currently no better or more effective treatment available. DNA vaccines provide a new alternative for both prevention and treatment of a variety of infectious disorders, including Chagas disease. Recombinant DNA technology has allowed some vaccines to be developed using recombinant proteins or virus-like particles capable of inducing both a humoral and cellular specific immune response. This type of immunization has been successfully used in preclinical studies and there are diverse models for viral, bacterial and/or parasitic diseases, allergies, tumors and other diseases. Therefore, several research groups have been given the task of designing a DNA vaccine against experimental infection with T. cruzi. In this review we explain what DNA vaccines are and the most recent studies that have been done to develop them with prophylactic or therapeutic purposes against Chagas disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minerva Arce-Fonseca
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Martha Rios-Castro
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Silvia del Carmen Carrillo-Sánchez
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Mariana Martínez-Cruz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Olivia Rodríguez-Morales
- Department of Molecular Biology, Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Proteomics. Instituto Nacional de Cardiología "Ignacio Chávez", Juan Badiano No. 1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Abstract
DNA vaccines against infection with Plasmodium have been highly successful in rodent models of malaria and have shown promise in the very limited number of clinical trials conducted so far. The vaccine platform is highly attractive for numerous reasons, such as low cost and a very favorable safety profile. Gene gun delivery of DNA plasmids drastically reduces the vaccine dose and does not only have the potential to make vaccines more accessible and affordable, but also simplifies (a) the testing of novel antigens as vaccine candidates, (b) the testing of antigen combinations, and (c) the co-delivery of antigens with molecular adjuvants such as cytokines or costimulatory molecules. Described in this chapter are the preparation of the inoculum (i.e., DNA plasmids attached to gold particles, coating to the inside of plastic tubing also referred to as gene gun "bullets" or cartridges), the gene gun vaccination procedure, and the challenge of mice with Plasmodium berghei parasites to test the efficacy of the experimental vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elke S Bergmann-Leitner
- Malaria Vaccine Branch, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA.
| | - Wolfgang W Leitner
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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