Assembly of recombinant rotavirus proteins into virus-like particles and assessment of vaccine potential

Llama nanoantibodies with therapeutic potential against human norovirus diarrhea

Noroviruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis, but no vaccines or therapeutic drugs are available. Llama-derived single chain antibody fragments (also called VHH) are small, recombinant monoclonal antibodies of 15 kDa with several advantages over conventional antibodies. The aim of this study was to generate recombinant monoclonal VHH specific for the two major norovirus (NoV) genogroups (GI and GII) in order to investigate their potential as immunotherapy for the treatment of NoV diarrhea. To accomplish this objective, two llamas were immunized with either GI.1 (Norwalk-1968) or GII.4 (MD2004) VLPs. After immunization, peripheral blood lymphocytes were collected and used to generate two VHH libraries. Using phage display technology, 10 VHH clones specific for GI.1, and 8 specific for GII.4 were selected for further characterization. All VHH recognized conformational epitopes in the P domain of the immunizing VP1 capsid protein, with the exception of one GII.4 VHH that recognized a linear P domain epitope. The GI.1 VHHs were highly specific for the immunizing GI.1 genotype, with only one VHH cross-reacting with GI.3 genotype. The GII.4 VHHs reacted with the immunizing GII.4 strain and showed a varying reactivity profile among different GII genotypes. One VHH specific for GI.1 and three specific for GII.4 could block the binding of homologous VLPs to synthetic HBGA carbohydrates, saliva, and pig gastric mucin, and in addition, could inhibit the hemagglutination of red blood cells by homologous VLPs. The ability of Nov-specific VHHs to perform well in these surrogate neutralization assays supports their further development as immunotherapy for NoV treatment and immunoprophylaxis.

Vaccines and Vaccination

Livestock vaccines aim to increase livestock product and improve the health and welfare of livestock animals in a cost-efficient manner and prevent disease transmission. Successful livestock vaccines have been generated for pathogens including bacterial, viral, protozoan, and multicellular pathogens. These livestock vaccines have a significant effect on animal health and products and on human health through growing safe food procurement and preventing zoonotic diseases. There are successful production of biotechnological-based animal vaccines licensed for use that include virus-like particle vaccines, gene-deleted marker vaccines, subunit vaccines, DIVA vaccines, and DNA vaccines.

Improved characteristics and protective efficacy in an animal model of E. coli-derived recombinant double-layered rotavirus virus-like particles

Live rotavirus vaccines that are effective in middle- and high-income countries have been found to be less immunogenic and effective in infants in resource-limited settings. The virus-like particle (VLP) approach is promising for rotavirus vaccine development, but challenges remain for VLP production at large scale. In this study, rotavirus capsid VP2 and VP6 proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and were assembled with high efficiency into homogeneous single-layered VP6-VLPs or double-layered VP2/6-VLPs (dl2/6-VLPs) through a post-purification assembly process. The dl2/6-VLPs were observed to have better thermal stability and antigenicity. Although the immunogenicity of VP6 trimers, VP6-VLPs and dl2/6-VLPs was comparable, the efficacy of the dl2/6-VLPs to protect against rotavirus-induced diarrhea in pups was significantly higher than that of the trimeric VP6 or the VP6-VLPs when assessed using a mouse maternal antibody model. Taken together, the recombinant dl2/6-VLP antigen, which is highly analogous to rotavirus virion-derived double-layered particles, is a viable candidate for vaccine development and has the potential to be a parenterally administered safe and efficacious rotavirus vaccine.

Recombinant monovalent llama-derived antibody fragments (VHH) to rotavirus VP6 protect neonatal gnotobiotic piglets against human rotavirus-induced diarrhea

Group A Rotavirus (RVA) is the leading cause of severe diarrhea in children. The aims of the present study were to determine the neutralizing activity of VP6-specific llama-derived single domain nanoantibodies (VHH nanoAbs) against different RVA strains in vitro and to evaluate the ability of G6P[1] VP6-specific llama-derived single domain nanoantibodies (VHH) to protect against human rotavirus in gnotobiotic (Gn) piglets experimentally inoculated with virulent Wa G1P[8] rotavirus. Supplementation of the daily milk diet with 3B2 VHH clone produced using a baculovirus vector expression system (final ELISA antibody -Ab- titer of 4096; virus neutralization -VN- titer of 256) for 9 days conferred full protection against rotavirus associated diarrhea and significantly reduced virus shedding. The administration of comparable levels of porcine IgG Abs only protected 4 out of 6 of the animals from human RVA diarrhea but significantly reduced virus shedding. In contrast, G6P[1]-VP6 rotavirus-specific IgY Abs purified from eggs of hyperimmunized hens failed to protect piglets against human RVA-induced diarrhea or virus shedding when administering similar quantities of Abs. The oral administration of VHH nanoAb neither interfered with the host's isotype profiles of the Ab secreting cell responses to rotavirus, nor induced detectable host Ab responses to the treatment in serum or intestinal contents. This study shows that the oral administration of rotavirus VP6-VHH nanoAb is a broadly reactive and effective treatment against rotavirus-induced diarrhea in neonatal pigs. Our findings highlight the potential value of a broad neutralizing VP6-specific VHH nanoAb as a treatment that can complement or be used as an alternative to the current strain-specific RVA vaccines. Nanobodies could also be scaled-up to develop pediatric medication or functional food like infant milk formulas that might help treat RVA diarrhea.

Group A rotavirus (RVA) is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in human infants worldwide. Live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines are available to prevent rotavirus diarrhea in children, although their efficacy in impoverished areas has been questioned, in addition to not being suitable for children suffering from immune deficiencies. Since no rotavirus-specific treatments are available as an alternative, we investigated llama-derived single-chain antibody fragments (VHH) as preventive therapy and a potential treatment option. Gnotobiotic piglets were chosen as an animal model because their gastrointestinal physiology and mucosal immune system resemble that of human infants. We evaluated the broad neutralizing activity of a VHH clone (3B2) to different genotypes of RVA circulating in humans, and tested the efficacy of oral administration of 3B2 VHH as a functional milk to prevent the diarrhea induced by one of the most prevalent human RVA strains (G1P[8]). Supplementation of the milk diet with 3B2 twice a day for 9 days conferred full protection against rotavirus-associated diarrhea and significantly reduced virus shedding in gnotobiotic piglets experimentally inoculated with a human RVA. This study demonstrates the potential application of VHH to prevent rotavirus-induced diarrhea, and suggests that VHHs should be further investigated as a suitable treatment for gastroenteritis.

Carrier molecules for use in veterinary vaccines

The practice of immunization of animals and humans has been carried out for centuries and is generally accepted as the most cost effective and sustainable method of infectious disease control. Over the past 20 years there have been significant changes in our ability to produce antigens by conventional extraction and purification, recombinant DNA and synthesis. However, many of these products need to be combined with carrier molecules to generate optimal immune responses. This review covers selected topics in the development of carrier technologies for use in the veterinary vaccine field, including glycoconjugate and peptide vaccines, microparticle and nanoparticle formulations, and finally virus-like particles.

IgY antibodies protect against human Rotavirus induced diarrhea in the neonatal gnotobiotic piglet disease model

Group A Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea in children worldwide. The aim of the present work was to evaluate protection against rotavirus (RV) diarrhea conferred by the prophylactic administration of specific IgY antibodies (Ab) to gnotobiotic piglets experimentally inoculated with virulent Wa G1P[8] human rotavirus (HRV). Chicken egg yolk IgY Ab generated from Wa HRV hyperimmunized hens specifically recognized (ELISA) and neutralized Wa HRV in vitro. Supplementation of the RV Ab free cow milk diet with Wa HRV-specific egg yolk IgY Ab at a final ELISA Ab titer of 4096 (virus neutralization -VN- titer = 256) for 9 days conferred full protection against Wa HRV associated diarrhea and significantly reduced virus shedding. This protection was dose-dependent. The oral administration of semi-purified passive IgY Abs from chickens did not affect the isotype profile of the pig Ab secreting cell (ASC) responses to Wa HRV infection, but it was associated with significantly fewer numbers of HRV-specific IgA ASC in the duodenum. We further analyzed the pigś immune responses to the passive IgY treatment. The oral administration of IgY Abs induced IgG Ab responses to chicken IgY in serum and local IgA and IgG Ab responses to IgY in the intestinal contents of neonatal piglets in a dose dependent manner. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that IgY Abs administered orally as a milk supplement passively protect neonatal pigs against an enteric viral pathogen (HRV). Piglets are an animal model with a gastrointestinal physiology and an immune system that closely mimic human infants. This strategy can be scaled-up to inexpensively produce large amounts of polyclonal IgY Abs from egg yolks to be applied as a preventive and therapeutic passive Ab treatment to control RV diarrhea.

IgY antibodies protect against human Rotavirus induced diarrhea in the neonatal gnotobiotic piglet disease model

Group A Rotaviruses are the most common cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea in children worldwide. The aim of the present work was to evaluate protection against rotavirus (RV) diarrhea conferred by the prophylactic administration of specific IgY antibodies (Ab) to gnotobiotic piglets experimentally inoculated with virulent Wa G1P[8] human rotavirus (HRV). Chicken egg yolk IgY Ab generated from Wa HRV hyperimmunized hens specifically recognized (ELISA) and neutralized Wa HRV in vitro. Supplementation of the RV Ab free cow milk diet with Wa HRV-specific egg yolk IgY Ab at a final ELISA Ab titer of 4096 (virus neutralization –VN- titer = 256) for 9 days conferred full protection against Wa HRV associated diarrhea and significantly reduced virus shedding. This protection was dose-dependent. The oral administration of semi-purified passive IgY Abs from chickens did not affect the isotype profile of the pig Ab secreting cell (ASC) responses to Wa HRV infection, but it was associated with significantly fewer numbers of HRV–specific IgA ASC in the duodenum. We further analyzed the pigś immune responses to the passive IgY treatment. The oral administration of IgY Abs induced IgG Ab responses to chicken IgY in serum and local IgA and IgG Ab responses to IgY in the intestinal contents of neonatal piglets in a dose dependent manner. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show that IgY Abs administered orally as a milk supplement passively protect neonatal pigs against an enteric viral pathogen (HRV). Piglets are an animal model with a gastrointestinal physiology and an immune system that closely mimic human infants. This strategy can be scaled-up to inexpensively produce large amounts of polyclonal IgY Abs from egg yolks to be applied as a preventive and therapeutic passive Ab treatment to control RV diarrhea.

Murine polyomavirus virus-like particles carrying full-length human PSA protect BALB/c mice from outgrowth of a PSA expressing tumor

Virus-like particles (VLPs) consist of capsid proteins from viruses and have been shown to be usable as carriers of protein and peptide antigens for immune therapy. In this study, we have produced and assayed murine polyomavirus (MPyV) VLPs carrying the entire human Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) (PSA-MPyVLPs) for their potential use for immune therapy in a mouse model system. BALB/c mice immunized with PSA-MPyVLPs were only marginally protected against outgrowth of a PSA-expressing tumor. To improve protection, PSA-MPyVLPs were co-injected with adjuvant CpG, either alone or loaded onto murine dendritic cells (DCs). Immunization with PSA-MPyVLPs loaded onto DCs in the presence of CpG was shown to efficiently protect mice from tumor outgrowth. In addition, cellular and humoral immune responses after immunization were examined. PSA-specific CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells were demonstrated, but no PSA-specific IgG antibodies. Vaccination with DCs loaded with PSA-MPyVLPs induced an eight-fold lower titre of anti-VLP antibodies than vaccination with PSA-MPyVLPs alone. In conclusion, immunization of BALB/c mice with PSA-MPyVLPs, loaded onto DCs and co-injected with CpG, induces an efficient PSA-specific tumor protective immune response, including both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells with a low induction of anti-VLP antibodies.

CD4+ and CD8+ T cells can act separately in tumour rejection after immunization with murine pneumotropic virus chimeric Her2/neu virus-like particles

Background

Immunization with murine pneumotropic virus virus-like particles carrying Her2/neu (Her2MPtVLPs) prevents tumour outgrowth in mice when given prophylactically, and therapeutically if combined with the adjuvant CpG. We investigated which components of the immune system are involved in tumour rejection, and whether long-term immunological memory can be obtained.

Methodology and Results

During the effector phase in BALB/c mice, only depletion of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ in combination, with or without NK cells, completely abrogated tumour protection. Depletion of single CD4⁺, CD8⁺ or NK cell populations only had minor effects. During the immunization/induction phase, combined depletion of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells abolished protection, while depletion of each individual subset had no or negligible effect. When tumour rejection was studied in knock-out mice with a C57Bl/6 background, protection was lost in CD4^−/−CD8^−/− and CD4^−/−, but not in CD8^−/− mice. In contrast, when normal C57Bl/6 mice were depleted of different cell types, protection was lost irrespective of whether only CD4⁺, only CD8⁺, or CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ cells in combination were eradicated. No anti-Her2/neu antibodies were detected but a Her2/neu-specific IFNγ response was seen. Studies of long-term memory showed that BALB/c mice could be protected against tumour development when immunized together with CpG as long as ten weeks before challenge.

Conclusion

Her2MPtVLP immunization is efficient in stimulating several compartments of the immune system, and induces an efficient immune response including long-term memory. In addition, when depleting mice of isolated cellular compartments, tumour protection is not as efficiently abolished as when depleting several immune compartments together.

Impact of physicochemical parameters on in vitro assembly and disassembly kinetics of recombinant triple-layered rotavirus-like particles

Virus-like particles constitute potentially relevant vaccine candidates. Nevertheless, their behavior in vitro and assembly process needs to be understood in order to improve their yield and quality. In this study we aimed at addressing these issues and for that purpose triple- and double-layered rotavirus-like particles (TLP 2/6/7 and DLP 2/6, respectively) size and zeta potential were measured using dynamic light scattering at different physicochemical conditions, namely pH, ionic strength, and temperature. Both TLP and DLP were stable within a pH range of 3-7 and at 5-25 degrees C. Aggregation occurred at 35-45 degrees C and their disassembly became evident at 65 degrees C. The isoelectric points of TLP and DLP were 3.0 and 3.8, respectively. In vitro kinetics of TLP disassembly was monitored. Ionic strength, temperature, and the chelating agent employed determined disassembly kinetics. Glycerol (10%) stabilized TLP by preventing its disassembly. Disassembled TLP was able to reassemble by dialysis at high calcium conditions. VP7 monomers were added to DLP in the presence of calcium to follow in vitro TLP assembly kinetics; its assembly rate being mostly affected by pH. Finally, DLP and TLP were found to coexist under certain conditions as determined from all reaction products analyzed by capillary electrophoresis. Overall, these results contribute to the design of new strategies for the improvement of TLP yield and quality by reducing the VP7 detachment from TLP.

Producing recombinant adeno-associated virus in foster cells: overcoming production limitations using a baculovirus-insect cell expression strategy

Establishing pharmacological parameters, such as efficacy, routes of administration, and toxicity, for recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors is a prerequisite for gaining acceptance for clinical applications. In fact, even a therapeutic window, that is, the dose range between therapeutic efficacy and toxicity, has yet to be determined for rAAV in vivo. Multiphase clinical trials investigating the safety and efficacy of recombinant AAV-based therapeutics will require unprecedented vector production capacity to meet the needs of preclinical toxicology studies, and the progressive clinical protocol phases of safety/dose escalation (phase I), efficacy (phase II), and high-enrollment, multicenter evaluations (phase III). Methods of rAAV production capable of supporting such trials must be scalable, robust, and efficient. We have taken advantage of the ease of scalability of nonadherent cell culture techniques coupled with the inherent efficiency of viral infection to develop an rAAV production method based on recombinant baculovirus-mediated expression of AAV components in insect-derived suspension cells.

Murine pneumotropic virus chimeric Her2/neu virus-like particles as prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines against Her2/neu expressing tumors

Virus-like particles (VLPs) have increasingly attracted attention as DNA-free and safe antigen carriers in tumor immunotherapy, requiring only minute amounts of antigens. Previously, we have immunized with murine polyomavirus (MPyV) VLPs carrying human Her2/neu and prevented the outgrowth of a human Her2/neu expressing tumor in a transplantable tumor model as well as outgrowth of spontaneous rat Her2/neu carcinomas in BALB-neuT mice. Here, we examine if prophylactic and therapeutic protection could be obtained with murine pneumotropic virus (MPtV) VLPs, and study the cross-reactivity between human and rat Her2/neu. VLPs from MPyV and MPtV carrying human or rat Her2/neu were tested in two transplantable tumor models against a human Her2/neu positive (D2F2/E2) and a rat Her2/neu positive tumor cell line (TUBO). Rat Her2/neu-VLPs were also tested in BALB-neuT mice. Her2/neu-MPtVLPs were as efficient as prophylactic vaccines against D2F2/E2 and TUBO as those from MPyV. Homologous Her2/neu was better than heterologous, i.e. human Her2/neu-VLPs were better than rat Her2/neu-VLPs against D2F2/E2 and vice versa. Moreover, therapeutic immunization with human Her2/neu-VLPs together with CpG given up to 6 days after challenge protected against D2F2/E2. In BALB-neuT mice, rat Her2/neu-VLPs were less efficient than human Her2/neu-VLPs used in our previous study, implying that protection seen in that study was partly due to the use of human rather than rat Her2/neu. In conclusion, Her2/neu-MPtVLPs are effective both as prophylactic and therapeutic tumor vaccines. Homologous Her2/neu-VLPs are superior to heterologous in transplantable tumor models, while the opposite is true in BALB-neuT mice.

Llama-derived single-chain antibody fragments directed to rotavirus VP6 protein possess broad neutralizing activity in vitro and confer protection against diarrhea in mice

Group A rotavirus is one of the most common causes of severe diarrhea in human infants and newborn animals. Rotavirus virions are triple-layered particles. The outer capsid proteins VP4 and VP7 are highly variable and represent the major neutralizing antigens. The inner capsid protein VP6 is conserved among group A rotaviruses, is highly immunogenic, and is the target antigen of most immunodiagnosis tests. Llama-derived single-chain antibody fragments (VHH) are the smallest molecules with antigen-binding capacity and can therefore be expected to have properties different from conventional antibodies. In this study a library containing the VHH genes of a llama immunized with recombinant inner capsid protein VP6 was generated. Binders directed to VP6, in its native conformation within the viral particle, were selected and characterized. Four selected VHH directed to conformational epitopes of VP6 recognized all human and animal rotavirus strains tested and could be engineered for their use in immunodiagnostic tests for group A rotavirus detection. Three of the four VHH neutralized rotavirus in vivo independently of the strain serotype. Furthermore, this result was confirmed by in vivo partial protection against rotavirus challenge in a neonatal mouse model. The present study demonstrates for the first time a broad neutralization activity of VP6 specific VHH in vitro and in vivo. Neutralizing VHH directed to VP6 promise to become an essential tool for the prevention and treatment of rotavirus diarrhea.

Assembly of highly infectious rotavirus particles recoated with recombinant outer capsid proteins

Assembly of the rotavirus outer capsid is the final step of a complex pathway. In vivo, the later steps include a maturational membrane penetration that is dependent on the scaffolding activity of a viral nonstructural protein. In vitro, simply adding the recombinant outer capsid proteins VP4 and VP7 to authentic double-layered rotavirus subviral particles (DLPs) in the presence of calcium and acidic pH increases infectivity by a factor of up to 10(7), yielding particles as infectious as authentic purified virions. VP4 must be added before VP7 for high-level infectivity. Steep dependence of infectious recoating on VP4 concentration suggests that VP4-VP4 interactions, probably oligomerization, precede VP4 binding to particles. Trypsin sensitivity analysis identifies two populations of VP4 associated with recoated particles: properly mounted VP4 that can be specifically primed by trypsin, and nonspecifically associated VP4 that is degraded by trypsin. A full complement of properly assembled VP4 is not required for efficient infectivity. Minimal dependence of recoating on VP7 concentration suggests that VP7 binds DLPs with high affinity. The parameters for efficient recoating and the characterization of recoated particles suggest a model in which, after a relatively weak interaction between oligomeric VP4 and DLPs, VP7 binds the particles and locks VP4 in place. Recoating will allow the use of infectious modified rotavirus particles to explore rotavirus assembly and cell entry and could lead to practical applications in novel immunization strategies.

Lactogenic antibody responses in cows vaccinated with recombinant bovine rotavirus-like particles (VLPs) of two serotypes or inactivated bovine rotavirus vaccines

Triple-layered virus-like particles (VLPs) were produced in a baculovirus expression system from the two prevalent bovine rotavirus (BRV) serotypes, IND (P[5]G6) and 2292B (P[11]G10). Five groups of pregnant cows were inoculated intramuscularly and intramammarily with IND VLPs [BRV RF VP2, and IND VP4, 6, and 7, 250 microg per dose], 2292B VLPs [RF VP2, Cr VP4 (P[11]), and 2292B VP6 and 7, 250 microg per dose], combined IND/2292B VLPs (125 microg each VLP per dose), inactivated IND BRV (5x10(7)PFU per dose, pre-inactivation), or cell supernatant (mock-controls) in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Serum, colostrum and milk were collected and tested for isotype-specific antibodies, and homologous and heterologous neutralizing antibodies (VN) to BRV by ELISA and VN tests, respectively. After vaccination, the IgG1 and homologous VN geometric mean antibody titers (GMTs) to BRV in serum of vaccinated groups were significantly (P<0.05) higher than in the mock-controls through postpartum day (PPD) 30. In colostrum, the IgG1 and IgA, and the homologous and heterologous VN GMTs of the IND VLP, 2292B VLP, combined IND/2292B VLP and the inactivated IND groups were significantly enhanced compared to the mock-controls, except for the heterologous VN GMTs in the inactivated IND group. However, the VLP vaccine groups had significantly higher homologous and heterologous VN GMTs than the inactivated IND group. The VN GMTs of the IND/2292B VLP group were statistically similar to the homologous VN GMTs of the IND or 2292B VLP groups, although the IgG1 GMT was lower. In milk, the IgG1 and homologous VN GMTs of the VLP groups were significantly higher than the inactivated IND or the mock-control groups through PPD30. However, the heterologous and homologous VN GMTs of inactivated IND group were statistically similar to the mock-control group at PPD0 and 30, respectively. These results demonstrate that the BRV antibody titers in serum, colostrum and milk are significantly enhanced by the use of triple-layered VLPs and inactivated IND vaccines, but significantly higher antibody responses were observed in the VLP vaccinated cows. The combined IND/2292B VLP vaccine induced comparable VN responses to BRV in serum, colostrum and milk compared to those induced by the individual IND or 2292B VLP vaccines, suggesting that at least two different serotypes can be mixed to confer maximum antibody responses to the incorporated serotypes.

Protective efficacy of rotavirus 2/6-virus-like particles combined with CT-E29H, a detoxified cholera toxin adjuvant

Identifying a safe and efficacious mucosal adjuvant is crucial for the development of subunit vaccines against rotavirus and other mucosal pathogens. Moreover, recognition of determinants of protective immunity to rotavirus infection is essential to the design of the means to prevent or control this viral gastrointestinal disease. We have studied the kinetics of systemic and mucosal antibody responses elicited upon mucosal immunization of mice with rotavirus recombinant virus-like particles (rVLPs) alone or combined with a detoxified version of cholera toxin, CT-E29H. CT-E29H has been shown to maintain the adjuvant effect of parental cholera holotoxin. Both inbred BALB/c and outbred CD-1 mice were immunized with rotavirus VP2/6-rVLPs (2/6-VLPs) combined with CT-E29H, orally or intranasally (i.n.), and the comparative efficacy of different formulations was then determined. Rotavirus-specific serum and fecal IgA, IgM, and IgG antibodies were determined by enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) weekly (or every other week) following vaccination. Animals then were challenged with a murine rotavirus strain, EDIM. The degree to which vaccinated animals were protected from the wild-type rotavirus challenge was reflected in the levels of viral antigen shed in stools (percent reduction in antigen shedding, PRAS). BALB/c mice immunized by either route produced rotavirus-specific serum IgA, IgM and IgG, as well as fecal IgA and IgG, but not IgM; however, the intranasal immunization induced stronger systemic IgG and IgM responses than did oral immunization. Similar levels of prechallenge rotavirus-specific fecal and serum IgA were detected in both the orally and the i.n. immunized groups. Two immunizations with 2-6VLPs and CT-E29H were sufficient to protect BALB/c mice, regardless of the route of administration. PRAS was 99.6, 98.8, and 98.8% for oral, i.n. and the oral + i.n. groups, respectively; in contrast vaccination with 2/6-VLPs alone was not protective (PRAS = 39%), indicating the critical role of CT-E29H in inducing protective levels of immune responses. Two of four outbred CD-1 mice that were immunized orally with 2/6-VLPs-CT-E29H showed no humoral responses (PRAS, 65%), but four of four i.n. immunized CD-1 mice displayed humoral responses (PRAS, 97.9%). Serum anti-VP6 and VP2 antibodies were detected in all immunoresponsive mice. The combined results in two strains of mice indicate that CTE29H is an effective mucosal adjuvant capable of inducing protective immune responses and suggest that intranasal administration is the preferred route of immunization.

Rotavirus VP7 epitope mapping using fragments of VP7 displayed on phages

cDNA copies of the complete porcine rotavirus CRW-8 VP7 gene were randomly digested to fragments of about 30-60 or 30-500 base pairs by DNase1 in the presence of Mn(2+). The fragments were cloned and expressed in a filamentous phage fd-tet-derived vector to create specific-gene-related peptide libraries. Polyclonal antibodies were then used to pan the SGRP libraries for antibody-binding phages. Analysis of the phage isolates revealed that the majority (86%) of them only had a single insert. However, phages displaying composite inserts containing the VP7 antigenic regions A, B, and C, originally defined by neutralising monoclonal antibody escape mutants, were also isolated. Inserts containing A or C region peptide were found to contain extra sequences from the C region, while the B region epitope was linear and had additional sequence from either upstream or downstream. In addition a dominant and possibly non-neutralising VP7 epitope was identified around amino acids 263-270. One of the recreated antigenic epitopes has also been fused to the outer membrane protein A (OmpA) of Escherichia coli and shown to maintain its antigenicity. The results in this study may have significant implication for recreation of conformational epitopes and vaccine development.

Synthesis of rotavirus-like particles in insect cells: comparative and quantitative analysis

When the three major structural proteins, VP2, VP6, and VP7, of rotavirus are co-expressed in insect cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses, they self-assemble into triple-layered virus-like particles (VLPs) that are similar in morphology to native rotavirus. In order to establish the most favorable conditions for the synthesis of rotavirus VLPs, we have compared the kinetics of 2/6/7-VLP synthesis in two different insect cell lines: High Five cells propagated in Excell 405 medium and Spodoptera frugiperda 9 cells in Excell 400 medium. The majority of VLPs produced in both cell lines were released into the culture medium, and these released VLPs were predominantly triple-layered and were found to be stable for the period of six or seven days examined. The optimal synthesis of VLPs depended upon the cell line and the culture medium used as well as the time of harvesting infected cell cultures. The highest yield of VLPs was obtained from High Five cultures in the late phase of infection when the yield was at least 5-fold higher than that from S. frugiperda 9 cultures on a per cell basis. Our results demonstrate the usefulness of High Five cells for the production of VLPs as potential rotavirus subunit vaccines.

Core particles of hepatitis B virus as carrier for foreign epitopes

To be effective as vaccines, most monomeric proteins and peptides either require chemical coupling to high molecular weight carriers or application together with adjuvants. More recently, recombinant DNA techniques have been used to insert foreign epitopes into proteins with inherent multimerization capacity, such as particle-forming viral capsid or envelope proteins. The core protein of hepatitis B virus (HBcAg), because of its unique structural and immunological properties, has gained widespread interest as a potential antigen carrier. Foreign sequences of up to approximately 40 amino acid residues at the N terminus, 50 or 100 amino acids in the central immunodominant c/e 1 epitope region of HBcAg, and up to 100 or even more residues at the C terminus, did not interfere with particle formation. The humoral immunogenicity of inserted epitopes is determined by the immunogenicity of the peptide itself and its surface exposure, and is influenced by the route of application. The probably flexible and surface-exposed c/e1 region emerged as the most promising insertion site. When applied together with adjuvants approved for human and veterinary use, or even without adjuvants, such chimeric particles induced B and T cell immune responses against the inserted epitopes. In some cases neutralizing antibodies, cytotoxic T cells and protection against challenge with the intact pathogen were demonstrated. Major factors for the potentiated immune response against the foreign epitopes are the multimeric structure of chimeric HBcAg that results in a high epitope density per particle, and the provision of T cell help by the carrier moiety. Beyond its use as subunit vaccine, chimeric HBcAg produced in attenuated Salmonella strains may be applicable as live vaccine.

Assembly of viroplasm and virus-like particles of rotavirus by a Semliki Forest virus replicon

In this study we have used an expression system based on Semliki Forest virus (SFV) to study assembly and intracellular localization of certain capsid proteins of rotavirus in neurons and mammalian epithelial cells. The complete genes of vp2 (vp2A) and vp6 (vp6A) of group A rotavirus (SA-11) and gene 5 encoding vp6 (vp6C) of porcine group C rotavirus (strain Cowden/AmC-1) were inserted into an SFV expression replicon. Transfection of BHK-21 cells with in vitro-made SFV transcripts resulted in a high level of expression of the heterologous genes. Cotransfection with helper RNA encoding the SFV structural proteins, but lacking the genomic RNA packing signal, resulted in production of recombinant infectious virus. Immunological and biochemical analysis revealed that vp6 was expressed to high levels in primary neurons and mammalian epithelial cells and that vp6 was retained as an authentic homotrimer, stabilized by noncovalent interactions with native antigenic determinants. Thin section electron microscopy analysis revealed that vp6 alone assembled into viroplasm-like structures in the cytoplasm. While coexpression of vp2 and vp6 of group A rotavirus resulted in formation of single-shelled-like particles, no evidence of intracellular assembly was found, suggesting that other viral proteins are required for intracellular formation of single-shelled particles. A notable observation was that the vp6 proteins of group A and C rotaviruses showed different immunofluorescence patterns in BHK-21 cells; vp6C displayed an intense punctate immunofluorescence pattern, while vp6A was characterized by a pronounced filamentous staining in close vicinity to the cytoskeleton.

Passive immunity to bovine rotavirus in newborn calves fed colostrum supplements from cows immunized with recombinant SA11 rotavirus core-like particle (CLP) or virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines

Heterotypic passive immunity to IND (P/5/G6) bovine rotavirus (BRV) was evaluated. Three groups of calves (n = 5 per group) were fed 1% pooled colostrum supplements (birth to 7 days of age) from BRV seropositive cows vaccinated with recombinant SA11(P/2/G3) rotavirus-like particles (VLPs), recombinant SA11 rotavirus core-like particles (CLPs), or inactivated SA11 rotavirus (SA11). Control calves (n = 5 per group) received either pooled colostrum from unvaccinated (BRV field exposure seropositive) control cows, or no colostrum. IgG1 antibody titers to IND BRV for the pooled colostrum were: 1,048,576 (VLP); 1,048,576 (CLP); 262,144 (SA11); and 16,384 (control colostrum). Elevated titers of BRV neutralizing (VN) antibodies were present in VLP colostrum (98,000), and SA11 colostrum (25,000), but not in CLP colostrum (1400), compared to colostrum from nonvaccinates (2081). Calves were orally inoculated with virulent IND BRV at 2 days of age and challenged at post-inoculation day (PID) 21. Calves were monitored daily for diarrhea and faecal BRV shedding through PID 10 and post-challenge day (PCD) 10. After colostrum feeding, the IgG1 antibody titers were highest in serum and faeces of calves fed VLP and CLP colostrum, but VN and IgA antibodies were highest in calves fed VLP colostrum. After BRV inoculation, calves fed colostrum from vaccinated cows had significantly fewer days of BRV-associated diarrhea and BRV shedding than control calves. All calves fed VLP colostrum were protected from diarrhea after BRV inoculation; two calves shed BRV. In the CLP colostrum group, one calf developed BRV-associated diarrhea and all calves shed virus. In the SA11 colostrum group, three calves developed BRV-associated diarrhea and four calves shed virus. BRV-associated diarrhea and shedding occurred in 9 of 10 control calves. Active IgM antibody responses occurred in faeces and/or serum of most calves after BRV inoculation. However, the highest active antibody responses (IgM and IgG1 in serum, and IgM, IgG1 or IgA in faeces) after BRV inoculation were in calves fed control or no colostrum, in association with clinical diarrhea in most of these calves. After challenge at PID 21, BRV-associated diarrhea and shedding were of short duration or absent, in all groups. These results demonstrate the efficacy of colostrum from VLP vaccinated cows to provide heterologous, passive protection against BRV diarrhea and shedding in calves. In comparison, calves fed CLP or SA11 colostrum were only partially protected against BRV diarrhea or shedding.

Particulate vaccine candidate for Japanese encephalitis induces long-lasting virus-specific memory T lymphocytes in mice

We previously reported that extracellular particles (EPs) composed of premembrane (prM) and envelope (E) proteins were released from cells infected with recombinant vaccinia viruses encoding Japanese encephalitis (JE) virus prM and E genes. In the present study, EPs were evaluated for induction of JE virus-specific antibody and specific T lymphocytes in mice. Six- to 8-week-old male Balb/c mice were inoculated intraperitoneally once or twice (at a 3-week interval) with purified EPs containing 1 microgram of E without adjuvant. Neutralizing antibody was detected and spleen cells proliferated against JE viral antigen 3 weeks after the second immunization with EPs. Neutralizing antibody and JE virus-specific T lymphocytes were also detected 10 months after immunization with EPs containing 2 micrograms of E. Spleen cells obtained from EP-immunized mice and stimulated in vitro with live JE virus, expressed JE virus-specific cytotoxic activity. The cytotoxic activity was reduced by treatment with anti-CD3 antibody and complement. These results indicate that immunization with EPs induces long-lasting specific antibody and memory T cells in mice.

Isotype-specific antibody responses to rotavirus and virus proteins in cows inoculated with subunit vaccines composed of recombinant SA11 rotavirus core-like particles (CLP) or virus-like particles (VLP)

The isotype antibody responses to bovine IND P5, G6 and simian SA11 P2, G3 rotavirus and SA11 rotavirus proteins (VP4, VP6 and VP7) in serum, colostrum and milk were analysed by ELISA in three groups of vaccinated cows and nonvaccinated controls. Pregnant cows were vaccinated intramuscularly and intramammarily with recombinant baculovirus-expressed SA11 rotavirus VLP (triple-layered virus-like particles containing rotavirus VP2, VP4, VP6 and VP7); CLP (double-layered core-like particles containing rotavirus VP2 and VP6); or inactivated SA11 rotavirus, respectively. Rotavirus antigen titers were highest (30-200-fold) in ELISA in the VLP vaccine compared to the inactivated SA11 vaccine. The IgG1, IgG2 and IgM geometric mean antibody titers (GMT) to rotavirus (titers to bovine rotavirus vs SA11 rotavirus did not differ significantly for any isotype or group) and the IgG2 GMT to VP6 in serum at calving in the vaccinated groups were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than in the control group. In colostrum, IgG1 and IgA rotavirus antibody titers were significantly elevated for VLP (IgG1 GMT 832225; IgA GMT 16384), CLP (IgG1 GMT 660561; IgA GMT 10321) and SA11 (IgG1 GMT 131072; IgA GMT 1448) vaccinated cows compared to control cows (IgG1 GMT 11585; IgA GMT 45). The IgG1 and IgA GMT to rotavirus were significantly elevated (6-100-fold) in milk of VLP and CLP vaccinated cows compared to SA11 vaccinated or control cows. The isotype antibody responses to VP6 in serum, colostrum and milk paralleled the responses to rotavirus, but titers were approximately 2-10-fold lower. Only cows vaccinated with VLP had significantly enhanced serum, colostral and milk antibody titers to rotavirus VP4 and VP7. These results demonstrate that rotavirus antibody titers in serum, colostrum and milk are significantly enhanced by use of non-infectious VLP, CLP and inactivated SA11 rotavirus vaccines, but the VLP or CLP vaccines induced the highest antibody responses, corresponding to their higher rotavirus antigen titers measured by ELISA.

Nucleocapsid- and virus-like particles assemble in cells infected with recombinant baculoviruses or vaccinia viruses expressing the M and the S segments of Hantaan virus

The formation of Hantaan (HTN) virus nucleocapsid-like structures (NLS) or virus-like particles (VLP) from expressed gene products was investigated in two eukaryotic systems. Baculovirus expression of the HTN virus small segment (S), which encodes the viral nucleocapsid protein, resulted in assembly of NLS inside infected insect cells. The NLS and authentic ribonucleocapsids, prepared by detergent disruption of HTN virions, had similar sedimentation characteristics and morphologies, and were recognized by HTN virus N-specific antibodies. Co-expression of S and the medium segment (M), which encodes the two viral envelope glycoproteins (G1 and G2), did not efficiently generate VLP in the baculovirus-insect cell system, but VLP were observed in lysates and supernatants of cells infected with a recombinant vaccinia virus co-expressing HTN virus M and S. The VLP sedimented in sucrose to densities consistent with HTN virions, and some of them bore a striking resemblance to Hantaan virions when examined by immunoelectron microscopy.

Characterization of virus-like particles produced by the expression of rotavirus capsid proteins in insect cells

Rotaviruses are triple-layered particles that contain four major capsid proteins, VP2, VP4, VP6, and VP7, and two minor proteins, VP1 and VP3. We have cloned each of the rotavirus genes coding for a major capsid protein into the baculovirus expression system and expressed each protein in insect cells. Coexpression of different combinations of the rotavirus major structural proteins resulted in the formation of stable virus-like particles (VLPs). The coexpression of VP2 and VP6 alone or with VP4 resulted in the production of VP2/6 or VP2/4/6 VLPs, which were similar to double-layered rotavirus particles. Coexpression of VP2, VP6, and VP7, with or without VP4, produced triple-layered VP2/6/7 or VP2/4/6/7 VLPs, which were similar to native infectious rotavirus particles. The VLPs maintained the structural and functional characteristics of native particles, as determined by electron microscopic examination of the particles, the presence of nonneutralizing and neutralizing epitopes on VP4 and VP7, and hemagglutination activity of the VP2/4/6/7 VLPs. The production of VP2/4/6 particles indicated that VP4 interacts with VP6. Cell binding assays performed with each of the VLPs indicated that VP4 is the viral attachment protein. Chimeric particles containing VP7 from two different G serotypes also were obtained. The ability to express individual proteins or to coexpress different subsets of proteins provides a system with which to examine the interactions of the rotavirus structural proteins, the role of individual proteins in virus morphogenesis, and the feasibility of a subunit vaccine.

The rotavirus genus

Human rotaviruses, discovered nearly 20 years ago, have been proven to be major cause of paediatric diarrhoeal disease morbidity and mortality. The clinical significance of these viruses stimulated basic studies on their biology, molecular and antigenic properties and epidemiology. General features, clinical relevance, epidemiologic pattern and laboratory diagnosis of human rotavirus infections are here reviewed.

Rotaviruses: immunological determinants of protection against infection and disease

Although studies of rotavirus immunity in experimental animals and humans have often yielded conflicting data, a preponderance of evidence supports the following answers to the questions initially posed. 1. What is the importance of virus serotype in formulating an optimal vaccine? Both vp4 and vp7 induce virus-neutralizing antibodies after either natural infection or immunization; the capacity of vp4 to induce rotavirus-specific neutralizing antibodies is probably greater than that of vp7. However, protection against disease after immunization of infants and young children is induced by strains heterotypic to the challenge virus (e.g., immunization with WC3 induces protection against disease induced by serotypically distinct human G1 strains). In addition, oral inoculation of infants with primate or bovine reassortant rotaviruses containing genes that encode human vp7 has not consistently induced a higher level of protection against challenge than that induced by parent animal rotaviruses (see Table I). Therefore, although vp4 or vp7 or both are probably important in inducing protection against challenge, it has not been clearly demonstrated that inclusion of the epidemiologically important human (as distinct from animal) P or G type is important in protection against human disease. 2. Which immunological effector arm most likely protects against rotavirus disease? No immunological effector arm clearly explains protection against heterotypic challenge. Protection against disease is not predicted by rotavirus-specific neutralizing antibodies in serum. Rotavirus-specific, binding sIgA in feces [detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)] induced after natural infection does correlate with protection against disease induced by subsequent infection. However, protection after immunization with WC3 may occur in the absence of a detectable fecal sIgA response. The relationship between rotavirus-binding sIgA and sIgA-mediated neutralizing activity directed against the challenge virus remains to be determined. Binding rotavirus-specific sIgA in feces detected by ELISA may only be a correlate of other events occurring at the intestinal mucosal surface. The presence of broadly cross-reactive, rotavirus-specific CTLs at the intestinal mucosal surface of mice acutely after infection is intriguing. It would be of interest to determine the degree to which the presence of cross-reactive, rotavirus-specific CTLs in the circulation is predictive of the presence of virus-specific CTLs among intestinal lymphocytes and protection against challenge. Unfortunately, studies of virus-specific CTLs are difficult to perform in children. 3. By what means is virus antigen best presented to the host to elicit a protective immune response? Oral inoculation may not be necessary to induce a protective, virus-specific immune response at the intestinal mucosal surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Veterinary vaccines

Vaccination of animals for the prevention of infectious diseases has been practised for a number of years with little change in product composition. Recent advances in molecular biology, pathogenesis and immunology have laid the groundwork for the development of a new generation of veterinary vaccines based on pure subunits as well as live vectored bacteria and viruses. Along with novel methods of antigen preparation, the use of new adjuvants and delivery systems will permit targeting of the appropriate immune response as well as offering flexibility in terms of vaccination protocols. These new technologies are also being applied to the development of vaccines to enhance animal productivity and to control reproduction.