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Bravo-Vázquez LA, Mora-Hernández EO, Rodríguez AL, Sahare P, Bandyopadhyay A, Duttaroy AK, Paul S. Current Advances of Plant-Based Vaccines for Neurodegenerative Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:711. [PMID: 36840033 PMCID: PMC9963606 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are characterized by the progressive degeneration and/or loss of neurons belonging to the central nervous system, and represent one of the major global health issues. Therefore, a number of immunotherapeutic approaches targeting the non-functional or toxic proteins that induce neurodegeneration in NDDs have been designed in the last decades. In this context, due to unprecedented advances in genetic engineering techniques and molecular farming technology, pioneering plant-based immunogenic antigen expression systems have been developed aiming to offer reliable alternatives to deal with important NDDs, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. Diverse reports have evidenced that plant-made vaccines trigger significant immune responses in model animals, supported by the production of antibodies against the aberrant proteins expressed in the aforementioned NDDs. Moreover, these immunogenic tools have various advantages that make them a viable alternative for preventing and treating NDDs, such as high scalability, no risk of contamination with human pathogens, cold chain free production, and lower production costs. Hence, this article presents an overview of the current progress on plant-manufactured vaccines for NDDs and discusses its future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Alberto Bravo-Vázquez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Querétaro, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Av. Epigmenio González, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Querétaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Erick Octavio Mora-Hernández
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Mexico City, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Calle del Puente, No. 222 Col. Ejidos de Huipulco, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14380, Mexico
| | - Alma L. Rodríguez
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Querétaro, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Av. Epigmenio González, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Querétaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Padmavati Sahare
- Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus UNAM 3001, Juriquilla, Querétaro 76230, Mexico
| | - Anindya Bandyopadhyay
- International Rice Research Institute, Manila 4031, Philippines
- Reliance Industries Ltd., Navi Mumbai 400701, India
| | - Asim K. Duttaroy
- Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1046 Blindern, 0317 Oslo, Norway
| | - Sujay Paul
- School of Engineering and Sciences, Campus Querétaro, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Av. Epigmenio González, No. 500 Fracc. San Pablo, Querétaro 76130, Mexico
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YOSHIDA T, WATANABE Y, ISHIURA S. Production of the herb Ruta chalepensis L. expressing amyloid β-GFP fusion protein. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2019; 95:295-302. [PMID: 31189782 PMCID: PMC6751298 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.95.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The herb Ruta chalepensis L. exhibits medical effects, such as anti-inflammatory, central nervous system depressant, and antipyretic activities. However, a genetic transformation method has not yet been developed for this species. In this paper, a simple and efficient tissue culture and genetic transformation system for R. chalepensis is reported. An amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) gene, which is considered to be a causative agent of Alzheimer's disease (AD), fused with green-fluorescent protein (GFP), was introduced into R. chalepensis. When the leaves of R. chalepensis expressing Aβ-GFP were administered orally to C57BL/6J mice, serum anti-Aβ antibody titers of several mice were elevated without the use of an adjuvant. These results indicated that an oral vaccine against AD using R. chalepensis may be feasible. R. chalepensis is rich in bioactive compounds that may have synergistic effects with the vaccine for AD. Plant-derived vaccines are safer and cheaper than those produced from animal cells or microbes, because plants can serve as biofactories at low cost and with high biosynthetic capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuichiro WATANABE
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shoichi ISHIURA
- Department of Medical Life Systems, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyo-tanabe, Kyoto, Japan
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ISHIURA S, YOSHIDA T. Plant-based vaccines for Alzheimer's disease. PROCEEDINGS OF THE JAPAN ACADEMY. SERIES B, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES 2019; 95:290-294. [PMID: 31189781 PMCID: PMC6751297 DOI: 10.2183/pjab.95.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 03/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the major causes of chronic and progressive cognitive decline, with the pathological hallmarks of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid β peptide (Aβ) is the main component of senile plaques, and the pathological load of Aβ in the brain has been shown to be a marker of the severity of AD. To prevent the accumulation of plaques, novel and safer plant-based vaccine strategies have been suggested. In this review, we summarize the results of plant vaccines against Aβ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoichi ISHIURA
- Department of Medical Life Systems, Faculty of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto, Japan
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4
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Ortega-Berlanga B, Bañuelos-Hernández B, Rosales-Mendoza S. Efficient Expression of an Alzheimer's Disease Vaccine Candidate in the Microalga Schizochytrium sp. Using the Algevir System. Mol Biotechnol 2018; 60:362-368. [PMID: 29594986 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-018-0077-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, where β-amyloid (Aβ) plays a key role in forming conglomerated senile plaques. The receptor of advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is considered a therapeutic target since it transports Aβ into the central nervous system, favoring the pathology progression. Due to the lack of effective therapies for AD, several therapeutic approaches are under development, being vaccines considered a promising alternative. Herein, the use of the Algevir system was explored to produce in the Schizochytrium sp. microalga the LTB:RAGE vaccine candidate. Algevir relies in an inducible geminiviral vector and led to yields of up to 380 µg LTB:RAGE/g fresh weight biomass at 48-h post-induction. The Schizochytrium-produced LTB:RAGE vaccine retained its antigenic activity and was highly stable up to temperatures of 60 °C. These data demonstrate the potential of Schizochytrium sp. as a platform for high production of thermostable recombinant antigens useful for vaccination against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benita Ortega-Berlanga
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Bernardo Bañuelos-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, 78210, San Luis Potosí, SLP, Mexico.
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5
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Arevalo-Villalobos JI, Rosales-Mendoza S, Zarazua S. Immunotherapies for neurodegenerative diseases: current status and potential of plant-made biopharmaceuticals. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016; 16:151-159. [DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2016.1229602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jaime I Arevalo-Villalobos
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
| | - Sergio Zarazua
- Laboratorio de Neurotoxicología, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, México
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6
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Rosales-Mendoza S, Rubio-Infante N, Zarazúa S, Govea-Alonso DO, Martel-Gallegos G, Moreno-Fierros L. Plant-based vaccines for Alzheimer's disease: an overview. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 13:429-41. [PMID: 24405291 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2014.874948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Plants are considered advantageous platforms for biomanufacturing recombinant vaccines. This constitutes a field of intensive research and some plant-derived vaccines are expected to be marketed in the near future. In particular, plant-based production of immunogens targeting molecules with implications on the pathology of Alzheimer's has been explored over the last decade. These efforts involve targeting amyloid beta and β-secretase with several immunogen configurations that have been evaluated in test animals. The results of these developments are analyzed in this review. Perspectives on the topic are identified, such as exploring additional antigen configurations and adjuvants in order to improve immunization schemes, characterizing in detail the elicited immune responses, and immunological considerations in the achievement of therapeutic humoral responses via mucosal immunization. Safety concerns related to these therapies will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí , Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP, 78210 , México
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7
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Enhanced resistance to bacterial pathogen in transgenic tomato plants expressing cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-013-0392-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Zhang XX, Yu H, Wang XH, Li XZ, Zhu YP, Li HX, Luo SJ, Yuan ZG. Protective efficacy against Chlamydophila psittaci by oral immunization based on transgenic rice expressing MOMP in mice. Vaccine 2012. [PMID: 23196208 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Avian chlamydiosis is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci (Cp. psittaci) and major outer membrane protein (MOMP) of Cp. psittaci is an excellent vaccine candidate. In this study, the MOMP gene was expressed in rice callus by the Agrobacterium tumefaciens vector. The production of protein in transgenic rice seeds was confirmed and quantified by Western-blot and ELISA, the results demonstrating that the antigen was expressed stably. The transgenic rice seeds expressing the MOMP protein were administered by the oral route to BALB/c mice, which developed MOMP-specific serum IgG and fecal IgA antibodies and a splenocyte MOMP-specific proliferative response and significant levels of IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and TGF-β production. Immunization with MOMP transgenic seeds induced partial protection (50%) against a lethal challenge with the highly virulent Cp. psittaci 6BC strain. Lung function after challenge was less affected compared non-MOMP immunized animals. The results demonstrate the feasibility of using transgenic rice seeds as an oral vaccine to generate protective immunity and reduce the lung lesions in mice against virulent Cp. psittaci 6BC strain. This finding has implications for further development of an oral vaccine against avian chlamydiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Xiang Zhang
- College of Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Tianhe District, Guangzhou 510642, Guangdong Province, PR China
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9
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Hamley IW. The Amyloid Beta Peptide: A Chemist’s Perspective. Role in Alzheimer’s and Fibrillization. Chem Rev 2012; 112:5147-92. [DOI: 10.1021/cr3000994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 670] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- I. W. Hamley
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD,
U.K
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10
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Jiang XR, Zhou XY, Jiang WY, Gao XR, Li WL. Expressions of thermostable bacterial cellulases in tobacco plant. Biotechnol Lett 2011; 33:1797-803. [PMID: 21618025 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-011-0642-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2011] [Accepted: 05/17/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
An economical method for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass is to use plants as bioreactors for cellulases production. Two bacterial thermostable cellulases (E2 and E3) and a E3-E2 fusion form were expressed in tobacco, driven by a double 35S promoter and 5' TEV-UTL. The enzymes were targeted to the apoplast and cytosol via 5' signal peptides and 3' retention signal peptides, respectively, and all showed functional activities. All transgenic plants exhibited normal growth compared to wild type. Transgenic plants that expressed apoplast-localized E2 had the highest average activity, about 1.5 and 3 times higher than those expressed ER-localized and cytosolic E2, respectively. Effect of subcellular compartment localization was due primarily to post-transcriptional modification, since mRNA abundances were similar despite the range of cellulase activities obtained. The recombinant cellulases exhibited good thermostability below 65 °C. After storing for 3 days at -20 and 28 °C, the enzymes lost nearly 20 and 80% of activity, respectively. The results suggested a potential application for heterologous expression of cellulases in plant for biomass conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi-ran Jiang
- School of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, People's Republic of China
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11
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Yoshida T, Kimura E, Koike S, Nojima J, Futai E, Sasagawa N, Watanabe Y, Ishiura S. Transgenic rice expressing amyloid β-peptide for oral immunization. Int J Biol Sci 2011; 7:301-7. [PMID: 21448341 PMCID: PMC3065743 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.7.301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2010] [Accepted: 03/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Various vaccine therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been investigated. Here we report transgenic rice expressing amyloid β-peptide (Aβ). The Aβ42 gene fused with a green fluorescent protein gene was introduced into rice using the Agrobacterium method. When transgenic brown rice expressing Aβ was orally administered to mice, serum anti-Aβ antibody titers were elevated. The same results were observed when mice were fed boiled, transgenic brown rice. The results indicate that an edible vaccine against AD using rice may be feasible. A vaccine derived from rice would be far cheaper than existing medical vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiji Yoshida
- National Agricultural Research Center for Tohoku Region, National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, 4 Akahira, Shimo-kuriyagawa, Morioka, Iwate 020-0198, Japan.
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12
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Youm JW, Jeon JH, Kim H, Min SR, Kim MS, Joung H, Jeong WJ, Kim HS. High-level expression of a human β-site APP cleaving enzyme in transgenic tobacco chloroplasts and its immunogenicity in mice. Transgenic Res 2010; 19:1099-108. [PMID: 20229285 PMCID: PMC7089353 DOI: 10.1007/s11248-010-9383-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2009] [Accepted: 03/04/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Plastid transformation has to date been applied to the expression of heterologous genes involved in agronomic traits and to the production of useful recombinant proteins. Here, we report a feasibility study for producing the human β-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE) via transformation of tobacco chloroplasts. Stable integration of human BACE into the plastome was confirmed by PCR. Genomic Southern blot analysis detected the presence of the tobacco aadA and human BACE genes between trnI and trnA in the plastome. Northern blot analysis revealed that the aadA and BACE genes were both properly transcribed into a dicistronic transcriptional unit. Human BACE protein expression in transplastomic tobacco was determined by western blot analysis. ELISA analysis revealed that, based on a dilution series of E. coli-derived BACE as a standard, transplastomic lines accumulated BACE to levels of 2.0% of total soluble proteins. When mice were gavaged with the transplastomic tobacco extracts, they showed an immune response against the BACE antigen. The successful production of plastid-based BACE protein has the potential for developing a plant-based vaccine against Alzheimer disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Won Youm
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806 Korea
| | - Jae Heung Jeon
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806 Korea
| | - Hee Kim
- Digital Biotech Inc., R&D, Ansan City, KyungGiDo, 425-839 Korea
| | - Sung Ran Min
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806 Korea
| | - Mi Sun Kim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806 Korea
| | - Hyouk Joung
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806 Korea
| | - Won Joong Jeong
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806 Korea
| | - Hyun Soon Kim
- Plant Systems Engineering Research Center, KRIBB, Daejeon, 305-806 Korea
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Panza F, Frisardi V, Imbimbo BP, D’Onofrio G, Pietrarossa G, Seripa D, Pilotto A, Solfrizzi V. Bapineuzumab: anti-β-amyloid monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Immunotherapy 2010; 2:767-82. [DOI: 10.2217/imt.10.80] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, new therapeutic approaches targeting β-amyloid (Aβ) have been discovered and developed with the hope of modifying the natural history of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The most revolutionary of these approaches consists in the removal of brain Aβ via anti-Aβ antibodies. After an active vaccine (AN1792) was discontinued in 2002 due to occurrence of meningoencephalitis in approximately 6% of patients, several other second-generation active Aβ vaccines and passive Aβ immunotherapies have been developed and are under clinical investigation with the aim of accelerating Aβ clearance from the brain of AD patients. The most advanced of these immunological approaches is bapineuzumab, which is composed of humanized anti-Aβ monoclonal antibodies that has been tested in two Phase II trials. Bapineuzumab has been shown to reduce Aβ burden in the brain of AD patients. However, its preliminary cognitive efficacy appears uncertain, particularly in ApoE ε4 carriers, and vasogenic edema may limit its clinical use. The results of four ongoing large Phase III trials on bapineuzumab will provide answers regarding whether passive anti-Aβ immunization is able to alter the course of this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenza Frisardi
- Department of Geriatrics, Center for Aging Brain, Memory Unit, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- Research & Development Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Parma, Italy
| | - Grazia D’Onofrio
- Geriatric Unit & Gerontology-Geriatric Research Laboratory, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | | | - Davide Seripa
- Geriatric Unit & Gerontology-Geriatric Research Laboratory, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Alberto Pilotto
- Geriatric Unit & Gerontology-Geriatric Research Laboratory, IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Solfrizzi
- Department of Geriatrics, Center for Aging Brain, Memory Unit, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
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14
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Ishii-Katsuno R, Nakajima A, Katsuno T, Nojima J, Futai E, Sasagawa N, Yoshida T, Watanabe Y, Ishiura S. Reduction of amyloid beta-peptide accumulation in Tg2576 transgenic mice by oral vaccination. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2010; 399:593-9. [PMID: 20682291 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2010.07.120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2010] [Accepted: 07/29/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by the presence of extracellular senile plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. Amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) is the main component of senile plaques, and the pathological load of Abeta in the brain has been shown to be a marker of the severity of AD. Abeta is produced from the amyloid precursor protein by membrane proteases and is known to aggregate. Recently, immune-mediated cerebral clearance of Abeta has been studied extensively as potential therapeutic strategy. In previous studies that used a purified Abeta challenge in a mouse model of AD, symptomatic improvement was reported. However, a clinical Alzheimer's vaccine trial in the United States was stopped because of severe side effects. Immunization with the strong adjuvant used in these trials might have activated an inflammatory Th1 response. In this study, to establish a novel, safer, lower-cost therapy for AD, we tested an oral vaccination in a wild-type and a transgenic mouse model of AD administered via green pepper leaves expressing GFP-Abeta. Anti-Abeta antibodies were effectively induced after oral immunization. We examined the immunological effects in detail and identified no inflammatory reactions. Furthermore, we demonstrated a reduction of Abeta in the immunized AD-model mice. These results suggest this edible vehicle for Abeta vaccination has a potential clinical application in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rika Ishii-Katsuno
- Department of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Japan
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15
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Metabolic profiles of genetically modified potatoes using a combination of metabolite fingerprinting and multivariate analysis. BIOTECHNOL BIOPROC E 2010. [DOI: 10.1007/s12257-009-0168-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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16
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Tabira T. Immunization Therapy for Alzheimer Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Active Immunization Strategies. TOHOKU J EXP MED 2010; 220:95-106. [DOI: 10.1620/tjem.220.95] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Tabira
- Department of Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment of Dementia, Graduate School of Juntendo University
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17
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Götz J, Ittner LM. Animal models of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Nat Rev Neurosci 2008; 9:532-44. [PMID: 18568014 DOI: 10.1038/nrn2420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 475] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Insoluble protein aggregates have been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Recent work in transgenic mice has shed light on the role of these aggregates by identifying soluble oligomeric species that may interfere with essential cellular mechanisms at an early disease stage. This review summarizes what we have learned about the roles of these proteins from transgenic mice and invertebrate species such as flies and worms. Proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of tissue from these animal models have identified new molecules with crucial roles in disease. Moreover, transgenic animals have been instrumental in defining drug targets and designing novel therapeutic strategies. With advanced imaging techniques that can be used in both humans and mice an early, preclinical diagnosis of AD and FTD could be within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jürgen Götz
- Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Disease Laboratory, Brain & Mind Research Institute, University of Sydney, 100 Mallett Street, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
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18
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Youm JW, Jeon JH, Kim H, Kim YH, Ko K, Joung H, Kim H. Transgenic tomatoes expressing human beta-amyloid for use as a vaccine against Alzheimer's disease. Biotechnol Lett 2008; 30:1839-45. [PMID: 18604480 PMCID: PMC2522325 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-008-9759-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2008] [Accepted: 05/23/2008] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Human β-amyloid (Aβ) is believed to be one of the main components of Alzheimer’s disease, so reduction of Aβ is considered a key therapeutic target. Using Agrobacterium-mediated nuclear transformation, we generated transgenic tomatoes for Aβ with tandem repeats. Integration of the human Aβ gene into the tomato genome and its transcription were detected by PCR and Northern blot, respectively. Expression of the Aβ protein was confirmed by western blot and ELISA, and then the transgenic tomato line expressing the highest protein level was selected for vaccination. Mice immunized orally with total soluble extracts from the transgenic tomato plants elicited an immune response after receiving a booster. The results indicate that tomato plants may provide a useful system for the production of human Aβ antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung Won Youm
- Plant Genomics Research Center, KRIBB, 111 Gwahangno, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-806, Korea
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Friedland RP, Tedesco JM, Wilson AC, Atwood CS, Smith MA, Perry G, Zagorski MG. Antibodies to potato virus Y bind the amyloid beta peptide: immunohistochemical and NMR studies. J Biol Chem 2008; 283:22550-6. [PMID: 18505725 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m802088200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies in transgenic mice bearing mutated human Alzheimer disease (AD) genes show that active vaccination with the amyloid beta (Abeta) protein or passive immunization with anti-Abeta antibodies has beneficial effects on the development of disease. Although a trial of Abeta vaccination in humans was halted because of autoimmune meningoencephalitis, favorable effects on Abeta deposition in the brain and on behavior were seen. Conflicting results have been observed concerning the relationship of circulating anti-Abeta antibodies and AD. Although these autoantibodies are thought to arise from exposure to Abeta, it is also possible that homologous proteins may induce antibody synthesis. We propose that the long-standing presence of anti-Abeta antibodies or antibodies to immunogens homologous to the Abeta protein may produce protective effects. The amino acid sequence of the potato virus Y (PVY) nuclear inclusion b protein is highly homologous to the immunogenic N-terminal region of Abeta. PVY infects potatoes and related crops worldwide. Here, we show through immunocytochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and NMR studies that mice inoculated with PVY develop antibodies that bind to Abeta in both neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, whereas antibodies to material from uninfected potato leaf show only modest levels of background immunoreactivity. NMR data show that the anti-PVY antibody binds to Abeta within the Phe4-Ser8 and His13-Leu17 regions. Immune responses generated from dietary exposure to proteins homologous to Abeta may induce antibodies that could influence the normal physiological processing of the protein and the development or progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert P Friedland
- Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio 44106, USA.
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Spencer B, Rockenstein E, Crews L, Marr R, Masliah E. Novel strategies for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2007; 7:1853-67. [PMID: 18034651 DOI: 10.1517/14712598.7.12.1853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Considerable progress has been made in recent years towards better understanding the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a dementing neurodegenerative disorder that affects > 10 million individuals in the US and Europe combined. Recent studies suggest that alterations in the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), resulting in the accumulation of amyloid-beta protein (Abeta) and the formation of oligomers leads to synaptic damage and neurodegeneration. Therefore, strategies for treatment development have been focused on reducing Abeta accumulation using, among other approaches, antiaggregation molecules, regulators of the APP proteolysis and processing, reducing APP production (e.g., small-interfering RNA), and increasing Abeta clearance with antibodies, apolipoprotein E and Abeta-degrading enzymes (e.g., neprilysin). The main focus of this review is on novel treatments for AD with a special emphasis on delivering neuroprotective and antiamyloidogenic molecules by gene therapy and by promoting neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Spencer
- University of California, Department of Neurosciences, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0624, USA
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Lambert MP, Velasco PT, Chang L, Viola KL, Fernandez S, Lacor PN, Khuon D, Gong Y, Bigio EH, Shaw P, De Felice FG, Krafft GA, Klein WL. Monoclonal antibodies that target pathological assemblies of Aβ. J Neurochem 2007; 100:23-35. [PMID: 17116235 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.04157.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 256] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Abeta) immunotherapy for Alzheimer's disease has shown initial success in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and in human patients. However, because of meningoencephalitis in clinical trials of active vaccination, approaches using therapeutic antibodies may be preferred. As a novel antigen to generate monoclonal antibodies, the current study has used Abeta oligomers (amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands, ADDLs), pathological assemblies known to accumulate in Alzheimer's disease brain. Clones were selected for the ability to discriminate Alzheimer's disease from control brains in extracts and tissue sections. These antibodies recognized Abeta oligomers and fibrils but not the physiologically prevalent Abeta monomer. Discrimination derived from an epitope found in assemblies of Abeta1-28 and ADDLs but not in other sequences, including Abeta1-40. Immunoneutralization experiments showed that toxicity and attachment of ADDLs to synapses in culture could be prevented. ADDL-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was also inhibited, establishing this response to be oligomer-dependent. Inhibition occurred whether ADDLs were prepared in vitro or obtained from Alzheimer's disease brain. As conformationally sensitive monoclonal antibodies that selectively immunoneutralize binding and function of pathological Abeta assemblies, these antibodies provide tools by which pathological Abeta assemblies from Alzheimer's disease brain might be isolated and evaluated, as well as offering a valuable prototype for new antibodies useful for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary P Lambert
- Department of Neurobiology and Physiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
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22
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Lee HE, Shin D, Park SR, Han SE, Jeong MJ, Kwon TR, Lee SK, Park SC, Yi BY, Kwon HB, Byun MO. Ethylene responsive element binding protein 1 (StEREBP1) from Solanum tuberosum increases tolerance to abiotic stress in transgenic potato plants. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2006; 353:863-8. [PMID: 17207469 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2006.12.095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2006] [Accepted: 12/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
To identify components of the plant stress signal transduction cascade and response mechanisms, we screened plant genes using reverse Northern blot analysis, and chose the ethylene responsive element binding protein 1 (StEREBP1) for further characterization. To investigate its biological function in the potato, we performed Northern blot analysis and observed enhanced levels of transcription in response to several environmental stresses including low temperature. In vivo targeting experiments using a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter indicated that StEREBP1 localized to the nucleus of onion epidermal cells. StEREBP1 was found to bind to GCC and DRE/CRT cis-elements and both microarray and RT-PCR analyses indicated that overexpression of StEREBP1 induced expression of several GCC box-containing stress response genes. In addition, overexpression of StEREBP1 enhanced tolerance to cold and salt stress in transgenic potato plants. The results of this study suggest that StEREBP1 is a functional transcription factor that may be involved in abiotic stress responses in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Eun Lee
- Postharvest Technology Division, National Horticulture Research Institute, RDA, Suwon 440-706, Republic of Korea
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Li JT, Fei L, Mou ZR, Wei J, Tang Y, He HY, Wang L, Wu YZ. Immunogenicity of a plant-derived edible rotavirus subunit vaccine transformed over fifty generations. Virology 2006; 356:171-8. [PMID: 16956640 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.07.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2006] [Revised: 06/23/2006] [Accepted: 07/27/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Major efforts have been put forth for the development of effective rotavirus vaccines including transgenic plant vaccines. Previous studies have reported that rotavirus VP7 maintains its neutralizing immunity when it is transformed into the potato genome. The present study was aimed at investigating the hereditary stability of VP7-transformed potatoes over fifty generations. The VP7 gene was stably transcribed and expressed in potato cells as detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Humeral and mucosal responses were successfully induced in BALB/c mice fed with the fiftieth generation transformed potato tubers. There were no significant differences in serum IgG and fecal IgA between the mice fed with the first and fiftieth generation potatoes (P>0.05). Profiles of cytokines such as IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5 and TGF-beta in immunized mice showed a naive T-cells bias to Th1 and Th3 polarization. Moreover, specific CTL responses were also detected in C57BL/6 mice fed with transformed potatoes. This research represents a significant step towards the development of rotavirus vaccines derived from a transgenic plant that can be obtained by long-term and large-scale vegetative reproduction. To our knowledge, this is the first finding regarding vaccines derived from plants that can be propagated for many generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Tao Li
- Institute of Immunology, PLA, The Third Military Medical University, Shapingba District, Chongqing 400038, China
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Masters CL, Cappai R, Barnham KJ, Villemagne VL. Molecular mechanisms for Alzheimer's disease: implications for neuroimaging and therapeutics. J Neurochem 2006; 97:1700-25. [PMID: 16805778 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2006.03989.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the gradual onset of dementia. The pathological hallmarks of the disease are beta-amyloid (Abeta) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic loss and reactive gliosis. The current therapeutic effort is directed towards developing drugs that reduce Abeta burden or toxicity by inhibiting secretase cleavage, Abeta aggregation, Abeta toxicity, Abeta metal interactions or by promoting Abeta clearance. A number of clinical trials are currently in progress based on these different therapeutic strategies and they should indicate which, if any, of these approaches will be efficacious. Current diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is made by clinical, neuropsychologic and neuroimaging assessments. Routine structural neuroimaging evaluation with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is based on non-specific features such as atrophy, a late feature in the progression of the disease, hence the crucial importance of developing new approaches for early and specific recognition at the prodromal stages of Alzheimer's disease. Functional neuroimaging techniques such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography, possibly in conjunction with other related Abeta biomarkers in plasma and CSF, could prove to be valuable in the differential diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, as well as in assessing prognosis. With the advent of new therapeutic strategies there is increasing interest in the development of magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents and positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomography radioligands that will permit the assessment of Abeta burden in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin L Masters
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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