1
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Baydemir I, Dulfer EA, Netea MG, Domínguez-Andrés J. Trained immunity-inducing vaccines: Harnessing innate memory for vaccine design and delivery. Clin Immunol 2024; 261:109930. [PMID: 38342415 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2024.109930] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
While the efficacy of many current vaccines is well-established, various factors can diminish their effectiveness, particularly in vulnerable groups. Amidst emerging pandemic threats, enhancing vaccine responses is critical. Our review synthesizes insights from immunology and epidemiology, focusing on the concept of trained immunity (TRIM) and the non-specific effects (NSEs) of vaccines that confer heterologous protection. We elucidate the mechanisms driving TRIM, emphasizing its regulation through metabolic and epigenetic reprogramming in innate immune cells. Notably, we explore the extended protective scope of vaccines like BCG and COVID-19 vaccines against unrelated infections, underscoring their role in reducing neonatal mortality and combating diseases like malaria and yellow fever. We also highlight novel strategies to boost vaccine efficacy, incorporating TRIM inducers into vaccine formulations to enhance both specific and non-specific immune responses. This approach promises significant advancements in vaccine development, aiming to improve global public health outcomes, especially for the elderly and immunocompromised populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilayda Baydemir
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth A Dulfer
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Mihai G Netea
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Department of Immunology and Metabolism, Life & Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jorge Domínguez-Andrés
- Department of Internal Medicine and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, 6500HB Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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2
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Shaban AK, Gebretsadik G, Hakamata M, Takihara H, Inouchi E, Nishiyama A, Ozeki Y, Tateishi Y, Nishiuchi Y, Yamaguchi T, Ohara N, Okuda S, Matsumoto S. Mycobacterial DNA-binding protein 1 is critical for BCG survival in stressful environments and simultaneously regulates gene expression. Sci Rep 2023; 13:14157. [PMID: 37644087 PMCID: PMC10465568 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40941-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Survival of the live attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine amidst harsh host environments is key for BCG effectiveness as it allows continuous immune response induction and protection against tuberculosis. Mycobacterial DNA binding protein 1 (MDP1), a nucleoid associated protein, is essential in BCG. However, there is limited knowledge on the extent of MDP1 gene regulation and how this influences BCG survival. Here, we demonstrate that MDP1 conditional knockdown (cKD) BCG grows slower than vector control in vitro, and dies faster upon exposure to antibiotics (bedaquiline) and oxidative stress (H2O2 and menadione). MDP1-cKD BCG also exhibited low infectivity and survival in THP-1 macrophages and mice indicating possible susceptibility to host mediated stress. Consequently, low in vivo survival resulted in reduced cytokine (IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha) production by splenocytes. Temporal transcriptome profiling showed more upregulated (81-240) than downregulated (5-175) genes in response to MDP1 suppression. Pathway analysis showed suppression of biosynthetic pathways that coincide with low in vitro growth. Notable was the deferential expression of genes involved in stress response (sigI), maintenance of DNA integrity (mutT1), REDOX balance (WhiB3), and host interactions (PE/PE_PGRS). Thus, this study shows MDP1's importance in BCG survival and highlights MDP1-dependent gene regulation suggesting its role in growth and stress adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina K Shaban
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
| | - Gebremichal Gebretsadik
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Biology, Assosa University, Assosa, Ethiopia
| | - Mariko Hakamata
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Disease, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hayato Takihara
- Bioinformatics Department, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Erina Inouchi
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akihito Nishiyama
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yuriko Ozeki
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Tateishi
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yukiko Nishiuchi
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Toneyama Tuberculosis Research Institute, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
- Center for the Planetary Health and Innovation Science (PHIS), The IDEC Institute, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan
| | - Takehiro Yamaguchi
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
- Department of Pharmacology, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Naoya Ohara
- Department of Oral Microbiology, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan
| | - Shujiro Okuda
- Bioinformatics Department, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Sohkichi Matsumoto
- Department of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
- Laboratory of Tuberculosis, Institute of Tropical Disease, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia.
- Division of Research Aids, Hokkaido University Institute for Vaccine Research & Development, Sapporo, Japan.
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3
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Mambelli F, Marinho FV, Andrade JM, de Araujo ACVSC, Abuna RPF, Fabri VMR, Santos BPO, da Silva JS, de Magalhães MTQ, Homan EJ, Leite LCC, Dias GB, Heck N, Mendes DAGB, Mansur DS, Báfica A, Oliveira SC. Recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Expressing SARS-CoV-2 Chimeric Protein Protects K18-hACE2 Mice against Viral Challenge. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:1925-1937. [PMID: 37098890 PMCID: PMC10247535 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 has accounted for more than 6 million deaths worldwide. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), the existing tuberculosis vaccine, is known to induce heterologous effects over other infections due to trained immunity and has been proposed to be a potential strategy against SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this report, we constructed a recombinant BCG (rBCG) expressing domains of the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid and spike proteins (termed rBCG-ChD6), recognized as major candidates for vaccine development. We investigated whether rBCG-ChD6 immunization followed by a boost with the recombinant nucleocapsid and spike chimera (rChimera), together with alum, provided protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in K18-hACE2 mice. A single dose of rBCG-ChD6 boosted with rChimera associated with alum elicited the highest anti-Chimera total IgG and IgG2c Ab titers with neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain when compared with control groups. Importantly, following SARS-CoV-2 challenge, this vaccination regimen induced IFN-γ and IL-6 production in spleen cells and reduced viral load in the lungs. In addition, no viable virus was detected in mice immunized with rBCG-ChD6 boosted with rChimera, which was associated with decreased lung pathology when compared with BCG WT-rChimera/alum or rChimera/alum control groups. Overall, our study demonstrates the potential of a prime-boost immunization system based on an rBCG expressing a chimeric protein derived from SARS-CoV-2 to protect mice against viral challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fábio Mambelli
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fábio V. Marinho
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juvana M. Andrade
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Ana C. V. S. C. de Araujo
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo P. F. Abuna
- Platform of Bi-Institutional Research in Translational Medicine, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation-Fiocruz, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Victor M. R. Fabri
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Bruno P. O. Santos
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João S. da Silva
- Platform of Bi-Institutional Research in Translational Medicine, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation-Fiocruz, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana T. Q. de Magalhães
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - E. Jane Homan
- ioGenetics LLC, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | | | - Greicy B.M. Dias
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Nicoli Heck
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Daniel A. G. B. Mendes
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Daniel S. Mansur
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - André Báfica
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Sergio C. Oliveira
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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4
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Grzywa R, Łupicka-Słowik A, Sieńczyk M. IgYs: on her majesty's secret service. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1199427. [PMID: 37377972 PMCID: PMC10291628 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1199427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been an increasing interest in using Immunoglobulin Y (IgY) antibodies as an alternative to "classical" antimicrobials. Unlike traditional antibiotics, they can be utilized on a continual basis without leading to the development of resistance. The veterinary IgY antibody market is growing because of the demand for minimal antibiotic use in animal production. IgY antibodies are not as strong as antibiotics for treating infections, but they work well as preventative agents and are natural, nontoxic, and easy to produce. They can be administered orally and are well tolerated, even by young animals. Unlike antibiotics, oral IgY supplements support the microbiome that plays a vital role in maintaining overall health, including immune system function. IgY formulations can be delivered as egg yolk powder and do not require extensive purification. Lipids in IgY supplements improve antibody stability in the digestive tract. Given this, using IgY antibodies as an alternative to antimicrobials has garnered interest. In this review, we will examine their antibacterial potential.
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5
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de Oliveira NR, Santos FDS, Dos Santos VAC, Maia MAC, Oliveira TL, Dellagostin OA. Challenges and Strategies for Developing Recombinant Vaccines against Leptospirosis: Role of Expression Platforms and Adjuvants in Achieving Protective Efficacy. Pathogens 2023; 12:787. [PMID: 37375478 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12060787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The first leptospiral recombinant vaccine was developed in the late 1990s. Since then, progress in the fields of reverse vaccinology (RV) and structural vaccinology (SV) has significantly improved the identification of novel surface-exposed and conserved vaccine targets. However, developing recombinant vaccines for leptospirosis faces various challenges, including selecting the ideal expression platform or delivery system, assessing immunogenicity, selecting adjuvants, establishing vaccine formulation, demonstrating protective efficacy against lethal disease in homologous challenge, achieving full renal clearance using experimental models, and reproducibility of protective efficacy against heterologous challenge. In this review, we highlight the role of the expression/delivery system employed in studies based on the well-known LipL32 and leptospiral immunoglobulin-like (Lig) proteins, as well as the choice of adjuvants, as key factors to achieving the best vaccine performance in terms of protective efficacy against lethal infection and induction of sterile immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil
| | - Francisco Denis Souza Santos
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Mara Andrade Colares Maia
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil
| | - Thaís Larré Oliveira
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil
| | - Odir Antônio Dellagostin
- Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas 96010-610, RS, Brazil
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6
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Du J, Su Y, Wang R, Dong E, Cao Y, Zhao W, Gong W. Research progress on specific and non-specific immune effects of BCG and the possibility of BCG protection against COVID-19. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1118378. [PMID: 36798128 PMCID: PMC9927227 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1118378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the only approved vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) prevention worldwide. BCG has an excellent protective effect on miliary tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis in children or infants. Interestingly, a growing number of studies have shown that BCG vaccination can induce nonspecific and specific immunity to fight against other respiratory disease pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2. The continuous emergence of variants of SARS-CoV-2 makes the protective efficiency of COVID-19-specific vaccines an unprecedented challenge. Therefore, it has been hypothesized that BCG-induced trained immunity might protect against COVID-19 infection. This study comprehensively described BCG-induced nonspecific and specific immunity and the mechanism of trained immunity. In addition, this study also reviewed the research on BCG revaccination to prevent TB, the impact of BCG on other non-tuberculous diseases, and the clinical trials of BCG to prevent COVID-19 infection. These data will provide new evidence to confirm the hypotheses mentioned above.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingli Du
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Su
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ruilan Wang
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Enjun Dong
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Cao
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjuan Zhao
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenping Gong
- Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Key Laboratory/Beijing Key Laboratory of New Techniques of Tuberculosis Diagnosis and Treatment, Senior Department of Tuberculosis, The 8th Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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7
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Tarabini RF, Rigo MM, Faustino Fonseca A, Rubin F, Bellé R, Kavraki LE, Ferreto TC, Amaral Antunes D, de Souza APD. Large-Scale Structure-Based Screening of Potential T Cell Cross-Reactivities Involving Peptide-Targets From BCG Vaccine and SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2022; 12:812176. [PMID: 35095907 PMCID: PMC8793865 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.812176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although not being the first viral pandemic to affect humankind, we are now for the first time faced with a pandemic caused by a coronavirus. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide. Despite unprecedented efforts, with vaccines being developed in a record time, SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread worldwide with new variants arising in different countries. Such persistent spread is in part enabled by public resistance to vaccination in some countries, and limited access to vaccines in other countries. The limited vaccination coverage, the continued risk for resistant variants, and the existence of natural reservoirs for coronaviruses, highlight the importance of developing additional therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. At the beginning of the pandemic it was suggested that countries with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination programs could be associated with a reduced number and/or severity of COVID-19 cases. Preliminary studies have provided evidence for this relationship and further investigation is being conducted in ongoing clinical trials. The protection against SARS-CoV-2 induced by BCG vaccination may be mediated by cross-reactive T cell lymphocytes, which recognize peptides displayed by class I Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA-I) on the surface of infected cells. In order to identify potential targets of T cell cross-reactivity, we implemented an in silico strategy combining sequence-based and structure-based methods to screen over 13,5 million possible cross-reactive peptide pairs from BCG and SARS-CoV-2. Our study produced (i) a list of immunogenic BCG-derived peptides that may prime T cell cross-reactivity against SARS-CoV-2, (ii) a large dataset of modeled peptide-HLA structures for the screened targets, and (iii) new computational methods for structure-based screenings that can be used by others in future studies. Our study expands the list of BCG peptides potentially involved in T cell cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides, and identifies multiple high-density "neighborhoods" of cross-reactive peptides which could be driving heterologous immunity induced by BCG vaccination, therefore providing insights for future vaccine development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Fioravanti Tarabini
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Infant Center, School of Health Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - André Faustino Fonseca
- Antunes Lab, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Felipe Rubin
- School of Technology - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rafael Bellé
- Laboratório de alto desempenho – Centro de Apoio ao desenvolvimento cientifico e tecnológico da (IDEIA), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lydia E Kavraki
- Kavraki Lab, Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tiago Coelho Ferreto
- School of Technology - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil,Laboratório de alto desempenho – Centro de Apoio ao desenvolvimento cientifico e tecnológico da (IDEIA), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dinler Amaral Antunes
- Antunes Lab, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Ana Paula Duarte de Souza, ; Dinler Amaral Antunes,
| | - Ana Paula Duarte de Souza
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Infant Center, School of Health Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil,*Correspondence: Ana Paula Duarte de Souza, ; Dinler Amaral Antunes,
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8
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Finotti P. Sequence similarity of HSP65 of Mycobacterium bovis BCG with SARS-CoV-2 spike and nuclear proteins: may it predict an antigen-dependent immune protection of BCG against COVID-19? Cell Stress Chaperones 2022; 27:37-43. [PMID: 34755305 PMCID: PMC8577642 DOI: 10.1007/s12192-021-01244-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is known to have protective effects not only against tuberculosis but also against other unrelated infectious diseases caused by different pathogens. Several epidemiological studies have also documented the beneficial influence of BCG vaccine in reducing both susceptibility to and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection. The protective, non-specific effects of BCG vaccination would be related to an antigen-independent enhancement of the innate immunity, termed trained immunity. However, the knowledge that heat shock protein (HSP)65 is the main antigen of Mycobacterium bovis BCG prompted us to verify whether sequence similarity existed between HSP65 and SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nuclear (N) proteins that could support an antigen-driven immune protection of BCG vaccine. The results of the in silico investigation showed an extensive sequence similarity of HSP65 with both the viral proteins, especially SARS-CoV-2 S, that also involved the regions comprising immunodominant epitopes. The finding that the predicted B cell and CD4+ T cell epitopes of HSP65 shared strong similarity with the predicted B and T cell epitopes of both SARS-CoV-2 S and N would support the possibility of a cross-immune reaction of HSP65 of BCG with SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Finotti
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Building "C," Largo E. Meneghetti 2, 35135, Padua, Italy.
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9
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Tripathi D, Sodani M, Gupta PK, Kulkarni S. Host directed therapies: COVID-19 and beyond. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2021; 2:100058. [PMID: 34870156 PMCID: PMC8464038 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2021.100058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The global spread of SARS-CoV-2 has necessitated the development of novel, safe and effective therapeutic agents against this virus to stop the pandemic, however the development of novel antivirals may take years, hence, the best alternative available, is to repurpose the existing antiviral drugs with known safety profile in humans. After more than one year into this pandemic, global efforts have yielded the fruits and with the launch of many vaccines in the market, the world is inching towards the end of this pandemic, nonetheless, future pandemics of this magnitude or even greater cannot be denied. The preparedness against viruses of unknown origin should be maintained and the broad-spectrum antivirals with activity against range of viruses should be developed to curb future viral pandemics. The majority of antivirals developed till date are pathogen specific agents, which target critical viral pathways and lack broad spectrum activity required to target wide range of viruses. The surge in drug resistance among pathogens has rendered a compelling need to shift our focus towards host directed factors in the treatment of infectious diseases. This gains special relevance in the case of viral infections, where the pathogen encodes a handful of genes and predominantly depends on host factors for their propagation and persistence. Therefore, future antiviral drug development should focus more on targeting molecules of host pathways that are often hijacked by many viruses. Such cellular proteins of host pathways offer attractive targets for the development of broad-spectrum anticipatory antivirals. In the present article, we have reviewed the host directed therapies (HDTs) effective against viral infections with a special focus on COVID-19. This article also discusses the strategies involved in identifying novel host targets and subsequent development of broad spectrum HDTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devavrat Tripathi
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, C/O Tata Memorial Hospital Annexe, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Megha Sodani
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, C/O Tata Memorial Hospital Annexe, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
| | - Pramod Kumar Gupta
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, C/O Tata Memorial Hospital Annexe, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
- Corresponding author.
| | - Savita Kulkarni
- Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, C/O Tata Memorial Hospital Annexe, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India
- Homi Bhabha National Institute, Anushakti Nagar, Mumbai, 400094, India
- Corresponding author. Radiation Medicine Centre, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, C/O Tata Memorial Hospital Annexe, Parel, Mumbai, 400012, India.
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McNair D, Hu H, Selwyn C. Looking in the medicine cabinet: methods for using real-world data to assess the impact of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) and recombinant adjuvanted varicella-zoster vaccines on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention and case fatality. Gates Open Res 2021. [DOI: 10.12688/gatesopenres.13329.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Analysis of real-world data can be used to identify promising leads and dead ends among products being repurposed for clinical practice for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This paper uses real-world data from Cerner Labs collected from 90 source institutions in the United States to assess the potential impact of two viral vaccines on COVID-19 case fatality rates. Methods: We identified 373,032 polymerase chase reaction (PCR)-positive COVID-19 cases in the Cerner Labs database between 01-MAR-2020 and 31-DEC-2020 and identified patients that had received measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) or a recombinant adjuvanted varicella-zoster vaccine within the previous 5 years. We calculated heterogeneity scores to support interpretation of results across institutions, and used stepwise forward variable selection to construct covariable-based propensity scores. These scores were used to match cases and control for biasing and confounding issues inherent in observational data. Results: Neither the recombinant adjuvanted varicella-zoster vaccine nor MMR showed significant efficacy in prevention of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We could not derive clinically significant results on the impact of MMR for case fatality rates due to persistently high rates of heterogeneity between institutions. However, we were able to achieve acceptable levels of heterogeneity for the analysis of the recombinant adjuvanted varicella-zoster vaccine, and found a clinically meaningful benefit of reduced case fatality rate, with an odds ratio of 0.43 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.38 – 0.48). Conclusions: Using propensity score matching and heterogeneity statistics can help guide our interpretation of real-world data, and rigorous statistical methods are needed to reduce bias or disparities in data interpretation. Applying these methods to the impact of viral vaccines on COVID-19 case fatalities yields actionable findings for further analysis.
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11
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SARS-CoV-2 Genetic Variability and Non-Specific Immunity Associated with the Use of Different BCG Strains-A Molecular and Clinical Approach. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060639. [PMID: 34200951 PMCID: PMC8230610 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of BCG vaccination against tuberculosis on the reduction in COVID-19 infection is related to the effect of the BCG vaccine on the immunomodulation of non-specific immunity. In the early stages of the pandemic, countries with universal BCG vaccination programs registered a low number of new cases of COVID-19, with the situation now reversed, as exemplified by India. The high genetic variability of SARS-CoV-2, a known characteristic of RNA viruses, causing the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 variants may have led to the virus adapting to overcome the initial immune protection. The strains from the United Kingdom (B1.1.7), Brazil (B1.1.28 and B1.1.33), South Africa (B.1.351), and India (B.1.617) are characterized by a greater ability to spread in the environment, in comparison with the original infectious agent of SARS-CoV-2. It should be remembered that the large variation in the genetic makeup of SARS-CoV-2 may result in future changes in its pathogenicity, immunogenicity and antigenicity, and therefore it is necessary to carefully study the mutations occurring within the virus to determine whether the current vaccines will remain effective. However, most studies show that monoclonal antibodies produced after vaccination against COVID-19 are effective against the newly developed variants.
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12
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Marín-Hernández D, Nixon DF, Hupert N. Heterologous vaccine interventions: boosting immunity against future pandemics. Mol Med 2021; 27:54. [PMID: 34058986 PMCID: PMC8165337 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-021-00317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
While vaccines traditionally have been designed and used for protection against infection or disease caused by one specific pathogen, there are known off-target effects from vaccines that can impact infection from unrelated pathogens. The best-known non-specific effects from an unrelated or heterologous vaccine are from the use of the Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine, mediated partly through trained immunity. Other vaccines have similar heterologous effects. This review covers molecular mechanisms behind the heterologous effects, and the potential use of heterologous vaccination in the current COVID-19 pandemic. We then discuss novel pandemic response strategies based on rapidly deployed, widespread heterologous vaccination to boost population-level immunity for initial, partial protection against infection and/or clinical disease, while specific vaccines are developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Marín-Hernández
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Belfer Research Building, Room 530, 413 E. 69th street, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Douglas F. Nixon
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Belfer Research Building, Room 530, 413 E. 69th street, New York, NY 10065 USA
| | - Nathaniel Hupert
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, 402 E. 67th Street, New York, NY 10065 USA
- Cornell Institute for Disease and Disaster Preparedness, Weill Cornell Medicine, 402 E. 67th Street, New York, NY 10065 USA
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13
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Caron J, Ridgley LA, Bodman-Smith M. How to Train Your Dragon: Harnessing Gamma Delta T Cells Antiviral Functions and Trained Immunity in a Pandemic Era. Front Immunol 2021; 12:666983. [PMID: 33854516 PMCID: PMC8039298 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.666983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of viruses with pandemic potential such as the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causing COVID-19 poses a global health challenge. There is remarkable progress in vaccine technology in response to this threat, but their design often overlooks the innate arm of immunity. Gamma Delta (γδ) T cells are a subset of T cells with unique features that gives them a key role in the innate immune response to a variety of homeostatic alterations, from cancer to microbial infections. In the context of viral infection, a growing body of evidence shows that γδ T cells are particularly equipped for early virus detection, which triggers their subsequent activation, expansion and the fast deployment of antiviral functions such as direct cytotoxic pathways, secretion of cytokines, recruitment and activation of other immune cells and mobilization of a trained immunity memory program. As such, γδ T cells represent an attractive target to stimulate for a rapid and effective resolution of viral infections. Here, we review the known aspects of γδ T cells that make them crucial component of the immune response to viruses, and the ways that their antiviral potential can be harnessed to prevent or treat viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Caron
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Alice Ridgley
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Bodman-Smith
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Nachega JB, Maeurer M, Sam-Agudu NA, Chakaya J, Katoto PDM, Zumla A. Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine and potential cross-protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection - Assumptions, knowns, unknowns and need for developing an accurate scientific evidence base. Int J Infect Dis 2021; 113 Suppl 1:S78-S81. [PMID: 33794380 PMCID: PMC8006492 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.03.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
After a century of controversies on its usefulness in protection against TB, underlying mechanisms of action, and benefits in various groups and geographical areas, the BCG vaccine is yet again a focus of global attention- this time due to the global COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Recent studies have shown that human CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells primed with a BCG-derived peptide developed high reactivity to its corresponding SARS-CoV-2-derived peptide. Furthermore, BCG vaccine has been shown to substantially increase interferon-gamma (IFN-g) production and its effects on CD4+ T-cells and these non-specific immune responses through adjuvant effect could be harnessed as cross protection against severe forms of COVID-19.The completion of ongoing BGG trials is important as they may shed light on the mechanisms underlying BCG-mediated immunity and could lead to improved efficacy, increased tolerance of treatment, and identification of other ways of combining BCG with other immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean B Nachega
- Department of Medicine and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Epidemiology, Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, and Center for Global Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Markus Maeurer
- ImmunoSurgery Unit, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal; Medizinische Klinik, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Germany; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Nadia A Sam-Agudu
- International Research Center of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria; Institute of Human Virology and Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Jeremiah Chakaya
- Department of Medicine, Therapeutics, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Patrick D M Katoto
- Department of Medicine and Center for Infectious Diseases, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Cape Town, South Africa; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
| | - Alimuddin Zumla
- Department of Medicine, Therapeutics, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya; Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK; NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, University College London Hospitals, London, UK.
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15
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Chilamakuri R, Agarwal S. COVID-19: Characteristics and Therapeutics. Cells 2021; 10:206. [PMID: 33494237 PMCID: PMC7909801 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel coronavirus (COVID-19 or 2019-nCoV or SARS-CoV-2), which suddenly emerged in December 2019 is still haunting the entire human race and has affected not only the healthcare system but also the global socioeconomic balances. COVID-19 was quickly designated as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization as there have been about 98.0 million confirmed cases and about 2.0 million confirmed deaths, as of January 2021. Although, our understanding of COVID-19 has significantly increased since its outbreak, and multiple treatment approaches and pharmacological interventions have been tested or are currently under development to mitigate its risk-factors. Recently, some vaccine candidates showed around 95% clinical efficacy, and now receiving emergency use approvals in different countries. US FDA recently approved BNT162 and mRNA-1273 vaccines developed by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna Inc. for emergency use and vaccination in the USA. In this review, we present a succinct overview of the SARS-CoV-2 virus structure, molecular mechanisms of infection, COVID-19 epidemiology, diagnosis, and clinical manifestations. We also systematize different treatment strategies and clinical trials initiated after the pandemic outbreak, based on viral infection and replication mechanisms. Additionally, we reviewed the novel pharmacological intervention approaches and vaccine development strategies against COVID-19. We speculate that the current pandemic emergency will trigger detailed studies of coronaviruses, their mechanism of infection, development of systematic drug repurposing approaches, and novel drug discoveries for current and future pandemic outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saurabh Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St. John’s University, 8000 Utopia Parkway, Queens, NY 11439, USA;
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16
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Covián C, Ríos M, Berríos-Rojas RV, Bueno SM, Kalergis AM. Induction of Trained Immunity by Recombinant Vaccines. Front Immunol 2021; 11:611946. [PMID: 33584692 PMCID: PMC7873984 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.611946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines represent an important strategy to protect humans against a wide variety of pathogens and have even led to eradicating some diseases. Although every vaccine is developed to induce specific protection for a particular pathogen, some vaccine formulations can also promote trained immunity, which is a non-specific memory-like feature developed by the innate immune system. It is thought that trained immunity can protect against a wide variety of pathogens other than those contained in the vaccine formulation. The non-specific memory of the trained immunity-based vaccines (TIbV) seems beneficial for the immunized individual, as it may represent a powerful strategy that contributes to the control of pathogen outbreaks, reducing morbidity and mortality. A wide variety of respiratory viruses, including respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and metapneumovirus (hMPV), cause serious illness in children under 5 years old and the elderly. To address this public health problem, we have developed recombinant BCG vaccines that have shown to be safe and immunogenic against hRSV or hMPV. Besides the induction of specific adaptive immunity against the viral antigens, these vaccines could generate trained immunity against other respiratory pathogens. Here, we discuss some of the features of trained immunity induced by BCG and put forward the notion that recombinant BCGs expressing hRSV or hMPV antigens have the capacity to simultaneously induce specific adaptive immunity and non-specific trained immunity. These recombinant BCG vaccines could be considered as TIbV capable of inducing simultaneously the development of specific protection against hRSV or hMPV, as well as non-specific trained-immunity-based protection against other pathogenic viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Covián
- Millenium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Mariana Ríos
- Millenium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roslye V. Berríos-Rojas
- Millenium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M. Bueno
- Millenium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millenium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Departamento de Genética Molecular y Microbiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Escuela de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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17
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Mustafa AS. BCG as a Vector for Novel Recombinant Vaccines against Infectious Diseases and Cancers. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E736. [PMID: 33291702 PMCID: PMC7761935 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) has been widely used globally as a prophylactic vaccine to protect against tuberculosis (TB) for about a century [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Abu Salim Mustafa
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait
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