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Nourani L, Lotfi A, Vand-Rajabpour H, Pourhashem Z, Nemati F, Mehrizi AA. Optimized Refolding Buffers Oriented Humoral Immune Responses Versus PfGCS1 Self-Assembled Peptide Nanoparticle. Mol Biotechnol 2024; 66:2648-2664. [PMID: 38267696 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-023-01044-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Developing a novel class of vaccine is pivotal for eliminating and eradicating malaria. Preceding investigations demonstrated partial blocking activity in malaria transmission against recombinant vaccine PfHAP2-GCS1 and conserved region of the cd loop. The effectiveness of immune response varies with the size and shape of the self-assembly of peptide nanoparticles (SAPNs) displaying antigen, affected by different components in refolding buffers. Plasmodium falciparum Generative Cell Specific 1 (PfGCS1), a promising malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) candidate, was expressed, purified, and followed by a four-step refolding process to form nanoparticles (PfGCS1-SAPNs). The influence of buffer components on the size and shape of SAPNs was investigated by DLS and FESEM. Furthermore, the immunogenicity of nanostructures was assessed in different mouse groups. The results showed that PfGCS1-SAPN was immunogenic and its administration with Poly (I:C), stimulated humoral and cellular responses in the mouse model. In the immunized mice groups, the level of IgG antibodies against PfGCS1-SAPN was significantly increased in different time points (second and third boost) and heterogeneous boosters. The various IgG-subclasses profile shifted to Th1, Th2, or Th1/Th2 mix responses in mice immunized with PfGCS1-SAPN refolded in different buffers, indicating a prerequisite for further investigations to optimize vaccine formulation to enhance and modulate Th1/cellular responses. Such studies pave the way to improve biophysical features related to the nanoparticles' size, shape, and conformational epitopes of candidate antigens and T- and B-cells presented on the superficial structure to elicit robust immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Nourani
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box: 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Anita Lotfi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box: 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hediye Vand-Rajabpour
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box: 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zeinab Pourhashem
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box: 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fahimeh Nemati
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Abouie Mehrizi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, P.O. Box: 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
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Pourhashem Z, Nourani L, Pirahmadi S, Yousefi H, J. Sani J, Raz A, Zakeri S, Dinparast Djadid N, Abouie Mehrizi A. Malaria transmission blocking activity of Anopheles stephensi alanyl aminopeptidase N antigen formulated with MPL, CpG, and QS21 adjuvants. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306664. [PMID: 38968270 PMCID: PMC11226095 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Malaria, a preventive and treatable disease, is still responsible for annual deaths reported in most tropical regions, principally in sub-Saharan Africa. Subunit recombinant transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) have been proposed as promising vaccines to succeed in malaria elimination and eradication. Here, a provisional study was designed to assess the immunogenicity and functional activity of alanyl aminopeptidase N (APN1) of Anopheles stephensi, as a TBV candidate, administered with MPL, CpG, and QS21 adjuvants in the murine model. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The mouse groups were immunized with recombinant APN1 (rAPN1) alone or formulated with CpG, MPL, QS-21, or a combination of adjuvants (CMQ), and the elicited immune responses were evaluated after the third immunization. The standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA) measured the functional activity of antibodies against bacterial-expressed APN1 protein in adjuvanted vaccine groups on transmission of P. falciparum (NF54) to An. stephensi mosquitoes. Evaluation of mice vaccinated with rAPN1 formulated with distinct adjuvants manifested a significant increase in the high-avidity level of anti-APN1 IgG and IgG subclasses; however, rAPN1 induced the highest level of high-avidity anti-APN1 IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies in the immunized vaccine group 5 (APN1/CMQ). In addition, vaccine group 5 (receiving APN1/CMQ), had still the highest level of anti-APN1 IgG antibodies relative to other immunized groups after six months, on day 180. The SMFA data indicates a trend towards higher transmission-reducing activity in groups 2 and 5, which received the antigen formulated with CpG or a combination of three adjuvants. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE The results have shown the capability of admixture to stimulate high-affinity and long-lasting antibodies against the target antigen to hinder Plasmodium parasite development in the mid-gut of An. stephensi. The attained results authenticated APN1/CMQ and APN1/CpG as a potent APN1-based TBV formulation which will be helpful in designing a vaccine in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Pourhashem
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Nourani
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sakineh Pirahmadi
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Hemn Yousefi
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar J. Sani
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram Abouie Mehrizi
- Pasteur Institute of Iran, Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Tehran, Iran
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Chu KB, Quan FS. Respiratory Viruses and Virus-like Particle Vaccine Development: How Far Have We Advanced? Viruses 2023; 15:v15020392. [PMID: 36851606 PMCID: PMC9965150 DOI: 10.3390/v15020392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
With technological advancements enabling globalization, the intercontinental transmission of pathogens has become much easier. Respiratory viruses are one such group of pathogens that require constant monitoring since their outbreak leads to massive public health crises, as exemplified by the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused by the SARS-CoV-2. To prevent the transmission of these highly contagious viruses, developing prophylactic tools, such as vaccines, is of considerable interest to the scientific community. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are highly sought after as vaccine platforms for their safety and immunogenicity profiles. Although several VLP-based vaccines against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus have been approved for clinical use by the United States Food and Drug Administration, VLP vaccines against the three aforementioned respiratory viruses are lacking. Here, we summarize the most recent progress in pre-clinical and clinical VLP vaccine development. We also outline various strategies that contributed to improving the efficacy of vaccines against each virus and briefly discuss the stability aspect of VLPs that makes it a highly desired vaccine platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Back Chu
- Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, Core Research Institute (CRI), Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Fu-Shi Quan
- Medical Research Center for Bioreaction to Reactive Oxygen Species and Biomedical Science Institute, Core Research Institute (CRI), Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Department of Medical Zoology, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence:
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Cui C, Wang S, Lu W, Wang Y, Li J, Qu K, Yang M, Wang L, Yu Y. The adjuvanticity of manganese for microbial vaccines via activating the IRF5 signaling pathway. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114720. [PMID: 34363796 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Manganese (Mn2+) has been reported to activate macrophages and NK cells, and to induce the production of type-I interferons (IFNs) by activating the cGAS-STING pathway. Few studies have been conducted on its adjuvanticity to microbial vaccines, and on the involvement of the interferon regulatory factor (IRF) 5 signaling pathway in the adjuvanticity. In this study, we demonstrated that Mn2+ could facilitate various microbial vaccines to induce enhanced antibody responses, and facilitate the influenza virus vaccine to induce protective immunity against the influenza virus challenge. When formulated in vaccines, Mn2+ could activate murine CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, B cells and DCs, and induce the expression and phosphorylation of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and IRF5 in the splenocytes of the immunized mice, resulting in the increased expression of type-I IFNs, TNF-α, B cell-activating factor of the TNF family (BAFF) and B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp-1). The induced TBK1 could recruit and bind the IRF5. Furthermore, the Mn2+ induced expression of IRF5 and Blimp-1 was prohibited by a IRF5 interfering oligonucleotide. The data suggest the Mn2+ could be used as a novel type of adjuvants for microbial vaccines, and the activation of IRF5 signaling pathway might involve in the adjuvanticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cuiyun Cui
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Shengnan Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Wenting Lu
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Yangyang Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Jianhua Li
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Kuo Qu
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Liying Wang
- Department of Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China.
| | - Yongli Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, Jilin University, Jilin, Changchun 130021, China.
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Production of Multi-Subtype Influenza Virus-Like Particles by Molecular Fusion with BAFF or APRIL for Vaccine Development. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 33185873 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1130-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Virus-like particle (VLP) technology is an alternative platform for developing vaccines to combat seasonal and pandemic influenza. Influenza VLPs are non-infectious nanoparticles that can elicit effective vaccine immunogenicity in hosts. B-cell-activating factor (BAFF, or BLyS) and a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) are members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily of cytokines. Both BAFF and APRIL are homotrimers that interact with homotrimeric receptors. Here, we report a method of the production of influenza VLPs by molecular incorporation with BAFF or APRIL homotrimers to interact with their receptors. We engineered the VLPs by direct fusion of BAFF or APRIL to the transmembrane anchored domain of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene. We also describe procedures for the production of BAFF-VLPs containing H5H7 and H1H5H7 for multi-subtype vaccine development.
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Sicard T, Kassardjian A, Julien JP. B cell targeting by molecular adjuvants for enhanced immunogenicity. Expert Rev Vaccines 2020; 19:1023-1039. [PMID: 33252273 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1857736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Adjuvants are critical components of vaccines to improve the quality and durability of immune responses. Molecular adjuvants are a specific subclass of adjuvants where ligands of known immune-modulatory receptors are directly fused to an antigen. Co-stimulation of the B cell receptor (BCR) and immune-modulatory receptors through this strategy can augment downstream signaling to improve antibody titers and/or potency, and survival in challenge models. AREAS COVERED C3d has been the most extensively studied molecular adjuvant and shown to improve immune responses to a number of antigens. Similarly, tumor necrosis superfamily ligands, such as BAFF and APRIL, as well as CD40, CD180, and immune complex ligands can also improve humoral immunity as molecular adjuvants. EXPERT OPINION However, no single strategy has emerged that improves immune outcomes in all contexts. Thus, systematic exploration of molecular adjuvants that target B cell receptors will be required to realize their full potential as next-generation vaccine technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor Sicard
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute , Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto , ON, Canada
| | - Audrey Kassardjian
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute , Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto , ON, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Julien
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute , Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto , ON, Canada.,Department of Immunology, University of Toronto , ON, Canada
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Pan J, Cui Z. Self-Assembled Nanoparticles: Exciting Platforms for Vaccination. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e2000087. [PMID: 33411412 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is successfully advanced to control several fatal diseases and improve human life expectancy. However, additional innovations are required in this field because there are no effective vaccines to prevent some infectious diseases. The shift from the attenuated or inactivated pathogens to safer but less immunogenic protein or peptide antigens has led to a search for effective antigen delivery carriers that can function as both antigen vehicles and intrinsic adjuvants. Among these carriers, self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) have shown great potential to be the best representative. For the nanoscale and multiple presentation of antigens, with accurate control over size, geometry, and functionality, these nanoparticles are assembled spontaneously and mimic pathogens, resulting in enhanced antigen presentation and increased cellular and humoral immunity responses. In addition, they may be applied through needle-free routes due to their adhesive ability, which gives them a great future in vaccination applications. This review provides an overview of various SANPs and their applications in prophylactic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingdi Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zongqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Pushko P, Tretyakova I. Influenza Virus Like Particles (VLPs): Opportunities for H7N9 Vaccine Development. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050518. [PMID: 32397182 PMCID: PMC7291233 DOI: 10.3390/v12050518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
In the midst of the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, influenza virus remains a major threat to public health due to its potential to cause epidemics and pandemics with significant human mortality. Cases of H7N9 human infections emerged in eastern China in 2013 and immediately raised pandemic concerns as historically, pandemics were caused by the introduction of new subtypes into immunologically naïve human populations. Highly pathogenic H7N9 cases with severe disease were reported recently, indicating the continuing public health threat and the need for a prophylactic vaccine. Here we review the development of recombinant influenza virus-like particles (VLPs) as vaccines against H7N9 virus. Several approaches to vaccine development are reviewed including the expression of VLPs in mammalian, plant and insect cell expression systems. Although considerable progress has been achieved, including demonstration of safety and immunogenicity of H7N9 VLPs in the human clinical trials, the remaining challenges need to be addressed. These challenges include improvements to the manufacturing processes, as well as enhancements to immunogenicity in order to elicit protective immunity to multiple variants and subtypes of influenza virus.
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