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Lin Q, Zhong Y, Wang B. Mafosfamide Boosts GMI-HBVac against HBV via Treg Depletion in HBV-Infected Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1026. [PMID: 37376415 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061026] [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: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B infection remains a significant worldwide health burden, placing persons at risk for hepatocellular cancer and hepatic fibrosis. Chronic hepatitis B virus (CHB) infection is characterized by elevated levels of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs), which can inhibit the function of effector T cells and lead to an insufficient immune clearance response against HBV. Theoretically, suppression of Treg cell functionality and percentage could increase anti-HBV reactivity in CHB-infected patients, although this has not yet been explored. We attempted to enhance our previously established anti-CHB protocol utilizing the GM-CSF+IFN-α+rHBVvac regimen (GMI-HBVac) by incorporating mafosfamide (MAF), which has been utilized in anticancer therapy in the past. Intravenous administration of MAF to rAAV8-1.3HBV-infected mice resulted in a dose-dependent reduction of Tregs in the blood, rebounding to pretreatment levels 10 days later. To assess the potential benefit of adding MAF to the anti-CHB protocol, 2 μg/mL MAF was combined with the GMI-HBVac as an anti-Treg treatment in an HBV-infected animal model. When rAAV8-1.3HBV-infected mice were immunized with MAF+GMI-HBVac, peripheral blood Tregs decreased significantly, leading to dendritic cell activation, HBV-specific T cell proliferation, and the upregulation of IFN-gamma-producing CD8+T cells. In addition, MAF+GMI-HBVac vaccination stimulated T cell infiltration in HBV-infected livers. These effects may contribute to an enhanced immune response and the clearance of HBV-associated antigens, including serum HBsAg, serum HBcAg, and HBcAg+ hepatocytes. Overall, this is the first indication that MAF can act as an adjuvant with GMI-HBVac to deplete Tregs in mice with an established CHB infection. This unique therapeutic vaccine regimen produced a functional cure, as revealed by the remarkable clearance of HBsAg.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Lin
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yiwei Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Pathogenic Microorganisms and Infection, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
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Aguilar JC, Aguiar JA, Akbar SMF. Action Mechanisms and Scientific Rationale of Using Nasal Vaccine (HeberNasvac) for the Treatment of Chronic Hepatitis B. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:2087. [PMID: 36560498 PMCID: PMC9787858 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nasvac (HeberNasvac®) is a novel therapeutic vaccine for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This product is a formulation of the core (HBcAg) and surface (HBsAg) antigens of the hepatitis B virus (HBV), administered by nasal and subcutaneous routes, in a distinctive schedule of immunizations. In the present review article, we discuss the action mechanisms of HeberNasvac, considering the immunological properties of the product and their antigens. Specifically, we discuss the capacity of HBcAg to activate different pathways of innate immunity and the signal transduction after a multi-TLR agonist effect, and we review the results of recent clinical trials and in vitro studies. Aimed at understanding the clinical results of Nasvac and other therapeutic vaccines under development, we discuss the rationale of administering a therapeutic vaccine through the nasal route and also the current alternatives to combine therapeutic vaccines and antivirals (NUCs). We also disclose potential applications of this product in novel fields of immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Cesar Aguilar
- Hepatitis B Therapeutic Vaccine Project, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, La Habana 10600, Cuba
| | - Jorge Agustin Aguiar
- Hepatitis B Therapeutic Vaccine Project, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, La Habana 10600, Cuba
| | - Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Matsuyama 791-0295, Japan
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Akbar SMF, Al Mahtab M, Khan S, Yoshida O, Aguilar JC, Gerardo GN, Hiasa Y. Innovative Therapies Targeting the Virus and the Host for Treating Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection: From Bench to Bedside. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050746. [PMID: 35632502 PMCID: PMC9144882 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a highly complicated pathological process in which the disease is initiated by the hepatitis B virus (HBV); however, host immune responses are primarily responsible for variable extents of liver damage. If the patients with CHB remain untreated, many CHB patients will eventually develop complications like cirrhosis of the liver (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In 2019, an estimated 882,000 patients died due to HBV-related complications worldwide. Accordingly, several drugs with antiviral properties have been used to treat CHB patients during the last four decades. However, the treatment outcome is not satisfactory because viral suppression is not usually related to the containment of progressive liver damage. Although proper reconstruction of host immunity is essential in CHB patients, as of today, there is no acceptable immune therapeutic protocol for them. These realities have exposed new, novel, and innovative therapeutic regimens for the management of CHB patients. This review will update the scope and limitation of the different innovative antiviral and immune therapeutic approaches for restoring effective host immunity and containing the virus in CHB patients to block progression to LC and HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheikh Mohammad Fazle Akbar
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; (O.Y.); (Y.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-89-960-5308; Fax: +81-89-960-5310
| | - Mamun Al Mahtab
- Department of Hepatology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, BSMMU, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh;
| | - Sakirul Khan
- Department of Microbiology, Oita University, Oita 879-5593, Japan;
| | - Osamu Yoshida
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; (O.Y.); (Y.H.)
| | - Julio Cesar Aguilar
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana 10600, Cuba; (J.C.A.); (G.N.G.)
| | - Guillen Nieto Gerardo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana 10600, Cuba; (J.C.A.); (G.N.G.)
| | - Yoichi Hiasa
- Department of Gastroenterology and Metabology, Graduate School of Medicine, Ehime University, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; (O.Y.); (Y.H.)
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Wang Y, Mei Y, Ao Z, Chen Y, Jiang Y, Chen X, Qi R, Fu B, Tang J, Fang M, You M, Zhang T, Yuan Q, Luo W, Xia N. A broad-spectrum nanobody targeting the C-terminus of the hepatitis B surface antigen for chronic hepatitis B infection therapy. Antiviral Res 2022; 199:105265. [PMID: 35183645 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Sustainable viral suppression with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is the new treatment goal for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). The role of antibodies in therapies for persistent hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection has received constant attention. While immunotherapy holds great promise, challenges for the antibody-based prevention and control of HBV in CHB include broad HBV antigenic diversity and the need for long-term viral suppression. In this study, we identified a new anti-HBsAg nanobody (Nb), 125s, isolated from HBsAg-immunized alpaca and confirmed its excellent potency in HBsAg clearance and broad-spectrum therapeutic activity against three HBV subtypes in vivo. In addition, we characterized a novel epitope at the C-terminus of the HBsAg surface motif from amino acids 157 to 174. A 125s-based long-term passive immunization program was efficacious at HBsAg clearance and inducing cellular immune responses, offering a promising outlook for CHB immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Yaxian Mei
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Zhenghong Ao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Yuanzhi Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Yichao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Ruoyao Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Baorong Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Jixian Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Mujin Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Min You
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Tianying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
| | - Quan Yuan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China.
| | - Wenxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China.
| | - Ningshao Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Institute of Diagnostics and Vaccine Development in Infectious Diseases, School of Public Health, School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361105, China
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Ku MW, Bourgine M, Authié P, Lopez J, Nemirov K, Moncoq F, Noirat A, Vesin B, Nevo F, Blanc C, Souque P, Tabbal H, Simon E, Hardy D, Le Dudal M, Guinet F, Fiette L, Mouquet H, Anna F, Martin A, Escriou N, Majlessi L, Charneau P. Intranasal vaccination with a lentiviral vector protects against SARS-CoV-2 in preclinical animal models. Cell Host Microbe 2020; 29:236-249.e6. [PMID: 33357418 PMCID: PMC7738935 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
To develop a vaccine candidate against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we generated a lentiviral vector (LV) eliciting neutralizing antibodies against the Spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Systemic vaccination by this vector in mice, in which the expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor hACE2 has been induced by transduction of respiratory tract cells by an adenoviral vector, confers only partial protection despite high levels of serum neutralizing activity. However, eliciting an immune response in the respiratory tract through an intranasal boost results in a >3 log10 decrease in the lung viral loads and reduces local inflammation. Moreover, both integrative and non-integrative LV platforms display strong vaccine efficacy and inhibit lung deleterious injury in golden hamsters, which are naturally permissive to SARS-CoV-2 replication and closely mirror human COVID-19 physiopathology. Our results provide evidence of marked prophylactic effects of LV-based vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and designate intranasal immunization as a powerful approach against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Wen Ku
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Maryline Bourgine
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France; Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Pierre Authié
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Jodie Lopez
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Kirill Nemirov
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Fanny Moncoq
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Amandine Noirat
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Benjamin Vesin
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Fabien Nevo
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Catherine Blanc
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Philippe Souque
- Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Houda Tabbal
- Molecular Genetics of RNA Viruses Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3569, Université de Paris, Paris 75015, France
| | - Emeline Simon
- Molecular Genetics of RNA Viruses Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3569, Université de Paris, Paris 75015, France; Université de Paris, Paris 75006, France
| | - David Hardy
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Global Health Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | | | - Françoise Guinet
- Lymphocytes and Immunity Unit, Immunology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | | | - Hugo Mouquet
- Laboratory of Humoral Immunology, Immunology Department, Institut Pasteur, INSERM U1222, Paris, France
| | - François Anna
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Annette Martin
- Molecular Genetics of RNA Viruses Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR3569, Université de Paris, Paris 75015, France
| | - Nicolas Escriou
- Innovation Lab, Vaccines, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France
| | - Laleh Majlessi
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France.
| | - Pierre Charneau
- Institut Pasteur-TheraVectys Joint Lab, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France; Molecular Virology and Vaccinology Unit, Virology Department, Institut Pasteur, Paris 75015, France.
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6
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Immunopathogenesis of HBV Infection. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1179:71-107. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-9151-4_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Song M, Xia L, Sun M, Yang C, Wang F. Circular RNA in Liver: Health and Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1087:245-257. [PMID: 30259372 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-1426-1_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Circular RNA (circRNA) is an important class of noncoding RNA characterized by covalently closed continuous loop structures. In recent years, the various functions of circRNAs have been continuously documented, including effects on cell proliferation and apoptosis and nutrient metabolism. The liver is the largest solid organ in mammals, and it also performs many functions in the body, which is considered to be the busiest organ in the body. At the same time, the liver is vulnerable to multiple pathogenic factors, causing various acute and chronic liver diseases. The pathogenesis of liver disease is still not fully understood. As a rising star for the past few years, circRNAs have been proven involved in the regulation of liver homeostasis and disease. This chapter will explain the role of circRNAs in liver health and diseases and sort out the confusion in the present study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiyi Song
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Xia
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengxue Sun
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Changqing Yang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
| | - Fei Wang
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Digestive Disease Institute, Shanghai Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
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