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Troitzsch D, Knop R, Dittmann S, Bartel J, Zühlke D, Möller TA, Trän L, Echelmeyer T, Sievers S. Characterizing the flavodoxin landscape in Clostridioides difficile. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0189523. [PMID: 38319052 PMCID: PMC10913485 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01895-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infections have become a major challenge in medical facilities. The bacterium is capable of spore formation allowing the survival of antibiotic treatment. Therefore, research on the physiology of C. difficile is important for the development of alternative treatment strategies. In this study, we investigated eight putative flavodoxins of C. difficile 630. Flavodoxins are small electron transfer proteins of specifically low potential. The unusually high number of flavodoxins in C. difficile suggests that they are expressed under different conditions. We determined high transcription levels for several flavodoxins during the exponential growth phase, especially for floX. Since flavodoxins are capable of replacing ferredoxins under iron deficiency conditions in other bacteria, we also examined their expression in C. difficile under low iron and no iron levels. In particular, the amount of fldX increased with decreasing iron concentration and thus could possibly replace ferredoxins. Moreover, we demonstrated that fldX is increasingly expressed under different oxidative stress conditions and thus may play an important role in the oxidative stress response. While increased fldX expression was detectable at both RNA and protein level, CD2825 showed increased expression only at mRNA level under H2O2 stress with sufficient iron availability and may indicate hydroxyl radical-dependent transcription. Although the exact function of the individual flavodoxins in C. difficile needs to be further investigated, the present study shows that flavodoxins could play an important role in several physiological processes and under infection-relevant conditions. IMPORTANCE The gram-positive, anaerobic, and spore-forming bacterium Clostridioides difficile has become a vast problem in human health care facilities. The antibiotic-associated infection with this intestinal pathogen causes serious and recurrent inflammation of the intestinal epithelium, in many cases with a severe course. To come up with novel targeted therapies against C. difficile infections, a more detailed knowledge on the pathogen's physiology is mandatory. Eight putative flavodoxins, an extraordinarily high copy number of this type of small electron transfer proteins, are annotated for C. difficile. Flavodoxins are known to be essential electron carriers in other bacteria, for instance, during infection-relevant conditions such as iron limitation and oxidative stress. This work is a first and comprehensive overview on characteristics and expression profiles of the putative flavodoxins in the pathogen C. difficile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Troitzsch
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Robert Knop
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Silvia Dittmann
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bartel
- Department of Microbial Proteomics, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Daniela Zühlke
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Timon Alexander Möller
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Linda Trän
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Thaddäus Echelmeyer
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Susanne Sievers
- Department of Microbial Physiology and Molecular Biology, Institute of Microbiology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Mancini F, Alfini R, Caradonna V, Monaci V, Carducci M, Gasperini G, Piccioli D, Biagini M, Giannelli C, Rossi O, Pizza M, Micoli F. Exploring the Role of GMMA Components in the Immunogenicity of a 4-Valent Vaccine against Shigella. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:2742. [PMID: 36769063 PMCID: PMC9916818 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigellosis is the leading cause of diarrheal disease, especially in children of low- and middle-income countries, and is often associated with anti-microbial resistance. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines widely available against Shigella, but several candidates based on the O-antigen (OAg) portion of lipopolysaccharides are in development. We have proposed Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) as an innovative delivery system for OAg, and a quadrivalent vaccine candidate containing GMMA from S. sonnei and three prevalent S. flexneri serotypes (1b, 2a and 3a) is moving to a phase II clinical trial, with the aim to elicit broad protection against Shigella. GMMA are able to induce anti-OAg-specific functional IgG responses in animal models and healthy adults. We have previously demonstrated that antibodies against protein antigens are also generated upon immunization with S. sonnei GMMA. In this work, we show that a quadrivalent Shigella GMMA-based vaccine is able to promote a humoral response against OAg and proteins of all GMMA types contained in the investigational vaccine. Proteins contained in GMMA provide T cell help as GMMA elicit a stronger anti-OAg IgG response in wild type than in T cell-deficient mice. Additionally, we observed that only the trigger of Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 4 and not of TLR2 contributed to GMMA immunogenicity. In conclusion, when tested in mice, GMMA of a quadrivalent Shigella vaccine candidate combine both adjuvant and carrier activities which allow an increase in the low immunogenic properties of carbohydrate antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mancini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Renzo Alfini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valentina Caradonna
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valentina Monaci
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Martina Carducci
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Gasperini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Carlo Giannelli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Omar Rossi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Pizza
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy
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3
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Ge Y, Sun F, Zhao B, Kong F, Li Z, Kong X. Bacteria derived extracellular vesicles in the pathogenesis and treatment of gastrointestinal tumours. Front Oncol 2023; 12:1103446. [PMID: 36776356 PMCID: PMC9910087 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.1103446] [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: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles are fundamentally significant in the communication between cells. Outer Membrane Vesicles(OMVs) are a special kind of EVs produced by Gram-negative bacteria, which are minute exosome-like particles budding from the outer membrane, which have been found to play essential roles in diverse bacterial life events, including regulation of microbial interactions, pathogenesis promotion, stress responses and biofilm formation. Recently, and more researches have explored the substantial potentials of EVs as natural functional nanoparticles in the bioengineering applications in infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune diseases and neurological diseases, such as antibacterial therapy, cancer drugs and immunoadjuvants, with several candidates in clinical trials showing promising efficacy. However, due to the poor understanding of sources, membrane structures and biogenesis mechanisms of EVs, progress in clinical applications still remains timid. In this review, we summarize the latest findings of EVs, especially in gastrointestinal tract tumours, to provide a comprehensive introduction of EVs in tumorigenesis and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Ge
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fengyuan Sun
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Zhao
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fanyang Kong
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xiangyu Kong, ; Zhaoshen Li, ; Fanyang Kong,
| | - Zhaoshen Li
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xiangyu Kong, ; Zhaoshen Li, ; Fanyang Kong,
| | - Xiangyu Kong
- Changhai Clinical Research Unit, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,Department of Gastroenterology, Changhai Hospital, Naval Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,National Key Laboratory of Medical Immunology & Institute of Immunology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Xiangyu Kong, ; Zhaoshen Li, ; Fanyang Kong,
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4
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MacLennan CA, Grow S, Ma LF, Steele AD. The Shigella Vaccines Pipeline. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091376. [PMID: 36146457 PMCID: PMC9504713 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Shigella is the leading cause of global diarrheal deaths that currently lacks a licensed vaccine. Shigellosis drives antimicrobial resistance and leads to economic impact through linear growth faltering. Today, there is a robust pipeline of vaccines in clinical development which are broadly divided into parenteral glycoconjugate vaccines, consisting of O-antigen conjugated to carrier proteins, and oral live attenuated vaccines, which incorporate targeted genetic mutations seeking to optimize the balance between reactogenicity, immunogenicity and ultimately protection. Proof of efficacy has previously been shown with both approaches but for various reasons no vaccine has been licensed to date. In this report, we outline the requirements for a Shigella vaccine and describe the current pipeline in the context of the many candidates that have previously failed or been abandoned. The report refers to papers from individual vaccine developers in this special supplement of Vaccines which is focused on Shigella vaccines. Once readouts of safety and immunogenicity from current trials of lead candidate vaccines among the target population of young children in low- and middle-income countries are available, the likely time to licensure of a first Shigella vaccine will become clearer.
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5
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Micoli F, Nakakana UN, Berlanda Scorza F. Towards a Four-Component GMMA-Based Vaccine against Shigella. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:328. [PMID: 35214786 PMCID: PMC8880054 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigellosis remains a major public health problem around the world; it is one of the leading causes of diarrhoeal disease in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in young children. The increasing reports of Shigella cases associated with anti-microbial resistance are an additional element of concern. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines widely available against Shigella, but several vaccine candidates are in development. It has been demonstrated that the incidence of disease decreases following a prior Shigella infection and that serum and mucosal antibody responses are predominantly directed against the serotype-specific Shigella O-antigen portion of lipopolysaccharide membrane molecules. Many Shigella vaccine candidates are indeed O-antigen-based. Here we present the journey towards the development of a potential low-cost four-component Shigella vaccine, eliciting broad protection against the most prevalent Shigella serotypes, that makes use of the GMMA (Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens) technology, a novel platform based on bacterial outer membranes for delivery of the O-antigen to the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH) S.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy; (U.N.N.); (F.B.S.)
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6
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Micoli F, Alfini R, Giannelli C. Methods for Assessment of OMV/GMMA Quality and Stability. METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (CLIFTON, N.J.) 2021; 2414:227-279. [PMID: 34784041 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1900-1_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMV) represent a promising platform for the development of vaccines against bacterial pathogens. More recently, bacteria have been genetically modified to increase OMV yield and modulate the design of resulting particles, also named generalized modules for membrane antigens (GMMA). OMV/GMMA resemble the bacterial surface of the pathogen, where key antigens to elicit a protective immune response are and contain pathogen-associated molecular patterns (e.g., lipopolysaccharides, lipoproteins) conferring self-adjuvanticity. On the other hand, OMV/GMMA are quite complex molecules and a comprehensive panel of analytical methods is needed to ensure quality, consistency of manufacture and to follow their stability over time. Here, we describe several procedures that can be used for OMV/GMMA characterization as particles and for analysis of key antigens displayed on their surface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renzo Alfini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy
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7
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Citiulo F, Necchi F, Mancini F, Rossi O, Aruta MG, Gasperini G, Alfini R, Rondini S, Micoli F, Rappuoli R, Saul A, Martin LB. Rationalizing the design of a broad coverage Shigella vaccine based on evaluation of immunological cross-reactivity among S. flexneri serotypes. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009826. [PMID: 34644291 PMCID: PMC8589205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 11/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
No vaccine to protect against an estimated 238,000 shigellosis deaths per year is widely available. S. sonnei is the most prevalent Shigella, and multiple serotypes of S. flexneri, which change regionally and globally, also cause significant disease. The leading Shigella vaccine strategies are based on the delivery of serotype specific O-antigens. A strategy to minimize the complexity of a broadly-protective Shigella vaccine is to combine components from S. sonnei with S. flexneri serotypes that induce antibodies with maximum cross-reactivity between different serotypes. We used the GMMA-technology to immunize animal models and generate antisera against 14 S. flexneri subtypes from 8 different serotypes that were tested for binding to and bactericidal activity against a panel of 11 S. flexneri bacteria lines. Some immunogens induced broadly cross-reactive antibodies that interacted with most of the S. flexneri in the panel, while others induced antibodies with narrower specificity. Most cross-reactivity could not be assigned to modifications of the O-antigen, by glucose, acetate or phosphoethanolamine, common to several of the S. flexneri serotypes. This allowed us to revisit the current dogma of cross-reactivity among S. flexneri serotypes suggesting that a broadly protective vaccine is feasible with limited number of appropriately selected components. Thus, we rationally designed a 4-component vaccine selecting GMMA from S. sonnei and S. flexneri 1b, 2a and 3a. The resulting formulation was broadly cross-reactive in mice and rabbits, inducing antibodies that killed all S. flexneri serotypes tested. This study provides the framework for a broadly-protective Shigella vaccine which needs to be verified in human trials. A strategy to optimize the composition for a broadly-protective Shigella vaccine is to combine components directed against S. sonnei with S. flexneri serotypes to induce antibody responses with the maximum cross-reactivity between different serotypes. Based on mouse and rabbit immunogenicity, we selected 4 GMMA-immunogens, derived from S. sonnei and S. flexneri 1b, 2a and 3a, able to induce antibodies that were broadly bactericidal against most epidemiologically significant S. flexneri strains in mice and rabbits. This was not predicted on the basis of O-antigen modifications conferring serotype or group specificities and allowed revisiting the dogma of cross-protection among S. flexneri serotypes. Overall, this study provides a framework for the rational design of a broadly-protective vaccine that will be evaluated in upcoming human vaccine trials. It also tackles a key issue regarding Shigella vaccine development that is balancing a sufficient number of antigenic components in the vaccine to provide adequate coverage of serotype diversity while minimizing complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Citiulo
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | - Francesca Necchi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | - Omar Rossi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Renzo Alfini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | | | - Allan Saul
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | - Laura B. Martin
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health S.r.l. (GVGH), Siena, Italy
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8
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Development of a Monocyte Activation Test as an Alternative to the Rabbit Pyrogen Test for Mono- and Multi-Component Shigella GMMA-Based Vaccines. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9071375. [PMID: 34202832 PMCID: PMC8306433 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9071375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Generalised modules for membrane antigens (GMMA)-based vaccines comprise the outer membrane from genetically modified Gram-negative bacteria containing membrane proteins, phospholipids and lipopolysaccharides. Some lipoproteins and lipopolysaccharides are pyrogens; thus, GMMA-based vaccines are intrinsically pyrogenic. It is important to control the pyrogenic content of biological medicines, including vaccines, to prevent adverse reactions such as febrile responses. The rabbit pyrogen test (RPT) and bacterial endotoxin test (BET) are the most commonly employed safety assays used to detect pyrogens. However, both tests are tailored for detecting pyrogenic contaminants and have considerable limitations when measuring the pyrogen content of inherently pyrogenic products. We report the adaptation of the monocyte activation test (MAT) as an alternative to the RPT for monitoring the pyrogenicity of Shigella GMMA-based vaccines. The European Pharmacopoeia endorses three MAT methods (A–C). Of these, method C, the reference lot comparison test, was identified as the most suitable. This method was evaluated with different reference materials to ensure parallelism and consistency for a mono- and multi-component Shigella GMMA vaccine. We demonstrate the drug substance as a promising reference material for safety testing of the matched drug product. Our results support the implementation of MAT as an alternative to the RPT and use of the defined parameters can be extended to GMMA-based vaccines currently in development, aiding vaccine batch release.
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The Effect of Growth Stage and Isolation Method on Properties of ClearColi™ Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs). Curr Microbiol 2021; 78:1602-1614. [PMID: 33687512 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02414-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are nanosized spherical blebs derived from the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) play important roles in various physiological functions of bacteria. They can be applied as native vaccines or vaccine adjuvants. The objective of this study was to determine the appropriate growth phase and isolation method for OMV separation from ClearColi™, an endotoxin-free strain of E. coli. It was demonstrated that the yield of OMVs is increased while the bacteria are growing. Herein, although total protein concentration of OMVs isolated from the stationary phase is more than other phases; the pre-stationary phase was selected for OMV isolation due to release of smaller size of OMVs as compared to other phases. In the current study, to obtain OMVs with high yield, proper size, and homogeneity, different concentration methods including protein precipitation by ammonium sulfate (AS) and ultrafiltration (UF) were combined to ultracentrifugation (UC) or precipitation-based exosome isolation kit. Among the examined isolation methods, AS (70%) + UC resulted in the highest yield of OMVs. The TEM results demonstrated bilayer round-shaped OMVs isolated by this method. Although AS (70%) + kit resulted in more heterogeneous in size and larger OMVs as compared to AS (70%) + UC, it is applicable when high yield of OMVs is required and UC is not available. Totally, isolation of ClearColi™ OMVs from pre-stationary phase using AS (70%) + UC with enhanced yield can be applied in vaccine research studies.
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Hajialibeigi A, Amani J, Gargari SLM. Identification and evaluation of novel vaccine candidates against Shigella flexneri through reverse vaccinology approach. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2021; 105:1159-1173. [PMID: 33452891 PMCID: PMC7811352 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-020-11054-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Shigellosis is a significant type of diarrhea that causes 160,000 deaths annually in a global scale. The mortality occurs mainly in children less than 5 years of age. No licensed vaccine is available, and conventional efforts for developing an effective and safe vaccine against shigellosis have not been succeeded yet. The reverse vaccinology is a novel promising method that screens genome or proteome of an organism for finding new vaccine candidates. In this study, through reverse vaccinology approach, new vaccine candidates against Shigella flexneri were identified and experimentally evaluated. Proteomes of S. flexneri were obtained from UniProt, and then outer membrane and extracellular proteins were predicted and selected for the evaluation of transmembrane domains, protein conservation, host homology, antigenicity, and solubility. From 103 proteins, 7 high-scored proteins were introduced as novel vaccine candidates, and after B- and T-cell epitope prediction, the best protein was selected for experimental studies. Recombinant protein was expressed, purified, and injected to BALB/c mice. The adhesion inhibitory effect of sera was also studied. The immunized mice demonstrated full protection against the lethal dose challenge. The sera remarkably inhibited S. flexneri adhesion to Caco-2 epithelial cells. The results indicate that identified antigen can serve for vaccine development against shigellosis and support reverse vaccinology for discovering novel effective antigens. KEY POINTS: • Seven Shigella new antigens were identified by reverse vaccinology (RV) approach. • The best antigen experimented demonstrated full protection against lethal dose. • In vivo results verified RV analyses and suggest FimG as a new potent vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Hajialibeigi
- Faculty of Basic Sciences, Department of Cell Biology, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jafar Amani
- Applied Microbiology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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de Alwis R, Liang L, Taghavian O, Werner E, The HC, Thu TNH, Duong VT, Davies DH, Felgner PL, Baker S. The identification of novel immunogenic antigens as potential Shigella vaccine components. Genome Med 2021; 13:8. [PMID: 33451348 PMCID: PMC7809897 DOI: 10.1186/s13073-020-00824-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Shigella is a major diarrheal pathogen for which there is presently no vaccine. Whole genome sequencing provides the ability to predict and derive novel antigens for use as vaccines. Here, we aimed to identify novel immunogenic Shigella antigens that could serve as Shigella vaccine candidates, either alone, or when conjugated to Shigella O-antigen. METHODS Using a reverse vaccinology approach, where genomic analysis informed the Shigella immunome via an antigen microarray, we aimed to identify novel immunogenic Shigella antigens. A core genome analysis of Shigella species, pathogenic and non-pathogenic Escherichia coli, led to the selection of 234 predicted immunogenic Shigella antigens. These antigens were expressed and probed with acute and convalescent serum from microbiologically confirmed Shigella infections. RESULTS Several Shigella antigens displayed IgG and IgA seroconversion, with no difference in sero-reactivity across by sex or age. IgG sero-reactivity to key Shigella antigens was observed at birth, indicating transplacental antibody transfer. Six antigens (FepA, EmrK, FhuA, MdtA, NlpB, and CjrA) were identified in in vivo testing as capable of producing binding IgG and complement-mediated bactericidal antibody. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide six novel immunogenic Shigella proteins that could serve as candidate vaccine antigens, species-specific carrier proteins, or targeted adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruklanthi de Alwis
- Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
- Viral Research and Experimental Medicine Centre, SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Li Liang
- Vaccine Research & Development Center, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Omid Taghavian
- Vaccine Research & Development Center, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Emma Werner
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - Hao Chung The
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Trang Nguyen Hoang Thu
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Vu Thuy Duong
- The Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Wellcome Trust Major Overseas Programme, Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - D Huw Davies
- Vaccine Research & Development Center, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Philip L Felgner
- Vaccine Research & Development Center, School of Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Stephen Baker
- Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology & Infectious Disease (CITIID), Level 5, Jeffery Cheah Biomedical Centre, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AW, UK.
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Mancini F, Gasperini G, Rossi O, Aruta MG, Raso MM, Alfini R, Biagini M, Necchi F, Micoli F. Dissecting the contribution of O-Antigen and proteins to the immunogenicity of Shigella sonnei generalized modules for membrane antigens (GMMA). Sci Rep 2021; 11:906. [PMID: 33441861 PMCID: PMC7806729 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80421-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
GMMA are exosomes released from engineered Gram-negative bacteria resembling the composition of outer membranes. We applied the GMMA technology for the development of an O-Antigen (OAg) based vaccine against Shigella sonnei, the most epidemiologically relevant cause of shigellosis. S. sonnei OAg has been identified as a key antigen for protective immunity, and GMMA are able to induce anti-OAg-specific IgG response in animal models and healthy adults. The contribution of protein-specific antibodies induced upon vaccination with GMMA has never been fully elucidated. Anti-protein antibodies are induced in mice upon immunization with either OAg-negative and OAg-positive GMMA. Here we demonstrated that OAg chains shield the bacteria from anti-protein antibody binding and therefore anti-OAg antibodies were the main drivers of bactericidal activity against OAg-positive bacteria. Interestingly, antibodies that are not targeting the OAg are functional against OAg-negative bacteria. The immunodominant protein antigens were identified by proteomic analysis. Our study confirms a critical role of the OAg on the immune response induced by S. sonnei GMMA. However, little is known about OAg length and density regulation during infection and, therefore, protein exposure. Hence, the presence of protein antigens on S. sonnei GMMA represents an added value for GMMA vaccines compared to other OAg-based formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mancini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Gasperini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Omar Rossi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Aruta
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Michelina Raso
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Renzo Alfini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Francesca Necchi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), via Fiorentina 1, 53100, Siena, Italy.
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OMV Vaccines and the Role of TLR Agonists in Immune Response. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21124416. [PMID: 32575921 PMCID: PMC7352230 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMVs) are bacterial nanoparticles that are spontaneously released during growth both in vitro and in vivo by Gram-negative bacteria. They are spherical, bilayered membrane nanostructures that contain many components found within the external surface of the parent bacterium. Naturally, OMVs serve the bacteria as a mechanism to deliver DNA, RNA, proteins, and toxins, as well as to promote biofilm formation and remodel the outer membrane during growth. On the other hand, as OMVs possess the optimal size to be uptaken by immune cells, and present a range of surface-exposed antigens in native conformation and Toll-like receptor (TLR) activating components, they represent an attractive and powerful vaccine platform able to induce both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. This work reviews the TLR-agonists expressed on OMVs and their capability to trigger individual TLRs expressed on different cell types of the immune system, and then focuses on their impact on the immune responses elicited by OMVs compared to traditional vaccines.
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IgG Responses to Porins and Lipopolysaccharide within an Outer Membrane-Based Vaccine against Nontyphoidal Salmonella Develop at Discordant Rates. mBio 2018; 9:mBio.02379-17. [PMID: 29511082 PMCID: PMC5844998 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02379-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibodies acquired after vaccination or natural infection with Gram-negative bacteria, such as invasive Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, can protect against disease. Immunization with naturally shed outer membrane vesicles from Gram-negative bacteria is being studied for its potential to protect against many infections, since antigens within vesicles maintain their natural conformation and orientation. Shedding can be enhanced through genetic modification, and the resulting particles, generalized modules for membrane antigens (GMMA), not only offer potential as vaccines but also can facilitate the study of B-cell responses to bacterial antigens. Here we show that the response to immunization with GMMA from S. Typhimurium (STmGMMA) provides B-cell-dependent protection and induces antibodies to two immunodominant antigens, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and porins. Antibodies to LPS O antigen (O-Ag) markedly enhance protection in the spleen, but this effect is less marked in the liver. Strikingly, IgG responses to LPS and porins develop with distinct kinetics. In the first week after immunization, there is a dramatic T-cell-independent B1b-cell-associated induction of all IgG isotypes, except IgG1, to porins but not to LPS. In contrast, production of IgG1 to either antigen was delayed and T cell dependent. Nevertheless, after 1 month, cells in the bone marrow secreting IgG against porins or LPS were present at a similar frequency. Unexpectedly, immunization with O-Ag-deficient STmGMMA did not substantially enhance the anti-porin response. Therefore, IgG switching to all antigens does not develop synchronously within the same complex and so the rate of IgG switching to a single component does not necessarily reflect its frequency within the antigenic complex. Vaccines save millions of lives, yet for some infections there are none. This includes some types of Salmonella infections, killing hundreds of thousands of people annually. We show how a new type of vaccine, called GMMA, that is made from blebs shed from the Salmonella cell wall, works to protect against infection in mice by inducing host proteins (antibodies) specifically recognizing bacterial components (antigens). The rate of development of IgG antibody to antigens within GMMA occurred with different kinetics. However, the antibody response to GMMA persists and is likely to provide prolonged protection for those who need it. These results help show how antibody responses to bacterial antigens develop and how vaccines like GMMA can work and help prevent infection.
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Obiero CW, Ndiaye AGW, Sciré AS, Kaunyangi BM, Marchetti E, Gone AM, Schütte LD, Riccucci D, Auerbach J, Saul A, Martin LB, Bejon P, Njuguna P, Podda A. A Phase 2a Randomized Study to Evaluate the Safety and Immunogenicity of the 1790GAHB Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigen Vaccine against Shigella sonnei Administered Intramuscularly to Adults from a Shigellosis-Endemic Country. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1884. [PMID: 29375556 PMCID: PMC5763125 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Shigellosis is a mild-to-severe diarrheal infection, caused by the genus Shigella, and is responsible for significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of an investigational Shigella sonnei vaccine (1790GAHB) based on generalized modules for membrane antigens (GMMA) in Kenya, a Shigella-endemic country. This phase 2a, observer-blind, controlled randomized study (NCT02676895) enrolled 74 healthy adults aged 18–45 years, of whom 72 were vaccinated. Participants received, in a 1:1:1 ratio, two vaccinations with the 1790GAHB vaccine at doses of either 1.5/25 μg of O antigen (OAg)/protein (group 1.5/25 μg) or 5.9/100 μg (group 5.9/100 μg) at day (D) 1 and D29, or vaccination with a quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine at D1 and tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis vaccine at D29 (control group). Solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs), serious AEs (SAEs), and AEs of special interest (neutropenia and reactive arthritis) were collected. Anti-S. sonnei lipopolysaccharide (LPS) serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) geometric mean concentrations (GMC) were evaluated at D1, D29, and D57 and compared to anti-S. sonnei LPS antibody levels in convalescent patients naturally exposed to S. sonnei. The percentages of participants with seroresponse were also calculated. The most frequently reported solicited local and systemic AEs across all groups were pain and headache, respectively. Only one case of severe systemic reaction was reported (severe headache after first vaccination in group 5.9/100 μg). Seven and three episodes of neutropenia, assessed as probably or possibly related to vaccination respectively, were reported in the investigational and control groups, respectively. No other SAEs were reported. Despite very high baseline anti-S. sonnei LPS serum IgG levels, the 1790GAHB vaccine induced robust antibody responses. At D29, GMC increased 2.10- and 4.43-fold from baseline in groups 1.5/25 and 5.9/100 μg, respectively, whereas no increase was observed in the control group. Antibody titers at D57 were not statistically different from those at D29. Seroresponse was 68% at D29 and 90% at D57 in group 1.5/25 μg, and 96% after each vaccination in group 5.9/100 μg. The 1790GAHB vaccine was well tolerated and highly immunogenic in a population of African adults, regardless of the GMMA OAg/protein content used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina W Obiero
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Clinical Research Department, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Bonface M Kaunyangi
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Clinical Research Department, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | - Ann M Gone
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Clinical Research Department, Kilifi, Kenya
| | | | | | | | - Allan Saul
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Philip Bejon
- Clinical Tropical Medicine, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Headington, United Kingdom
| | - Patricia Njuguna
- KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme, Clinical Research Department, Kilifi, Kenya.,Department of Public Health, Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya
| | - Audino Podda
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy
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Pastor Y, Camacho A, Gil AG, Ramos R, Ceráin ALD, Peñuelas I, Irache JM, Gamazo C. Effective protection of mice against Shigella flexneri with a new self-adjuvant multicomponent vaccine. J Med Microbiol 2017; 66:946-958. [PMID: 28721849 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to develop an immunogenic protective product against Shigella flexneri by employing a simple and safe heat treatment-based strategy. METHODOLOGY The physicochemical characteristics of naturally produced (OMV) and heat-induced (HT) outer-membrane vesicles from S. flexneri were examined, including a comparison of the protein content of the products. Toxicological and biodistribution studies, and a preliminary experiment to examine the protective effectiveness of HT in a murine model of S. flexneri infection, were also included. RESULTS This method simultaneously achieves complete bacterial inactivation and the production of the HT vaccine product, leading to a safe working process. The obtained HT complex presented a similar morphology (electron microscopy) and chemical composition to the classical OMV, although it was enriched in some immunogens, such as lipoproteins, OmpA or OmpC, among others. The HT formulation was not toxic and biodistribution studies performed in mice demonstrated that the vaccine product remained in the small intestine after nasal administration. Finally, a single dose of HT administered nasally was able to protect mice against S. flexneri 2a. CONCLUSION The convenient and safe manufacturing process, and the preliminary biological evaluation, support the use of the self-adjuvanted HT complex as a new vaccine candidate to face shigellosis. Further development is required, such as additional immune analyses, to evaluate whether this new subunit vaccine can be useful in achieving full protection against Shigella.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yadira Pastor
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Camacho
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ana Gloria Gil
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Rocío Ramos
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Adela López de Ceráin
- Department of Toxicology, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Iván Peñuelas
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra 31008, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Juan M Irache
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Carlos Gamazo
- Department of Microbiology, Institute of Tropical Health, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
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Launay O, Lewis DJM, Anemona A, Loulergue P, Leahy J, Sciré AS, Maugard A, Marchetti E, Zancan S, Huo Z, Rondini S, Marhaba R, Finco O, Martin LB, Auerbach J, Cohen D, Saul A, Gerke C, Podda A. Safety Profile and Immunologic Responses of a Novel Vaccine Against Shigella sonnei Administered Intramuscularly, Intradermally and Intranasally: Results From Two Parallel Randomized Phase 1 Clinical Studies in Healthy Adult Volunteers in Europe. EBioMedicine 2017; 22:164-172. [PMID: 28735965 PMCID: PMC5552227 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Approximately 164,000 deaths yearly are due to shigellosis, primarily in developing countries. Thus, a safe and affordable Shigella vaccine is an important public health priority. The GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH) developed a candidate Shigella sonnei vaccine (1790GAHB) using the Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) technology. The paper reports results of 1790GAHB Phase 1 studies in healthy European adults. Methods To evaluate the safety and immunogenicity profiles of 1790GAHB, we performed two parallel, phase 1, observer-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose escalation studies in France (“study 1”) and the United Kingdom (“study 2”) between February 2014 and April 2015 (ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02017899 and NCT02034500, respectively) in 18–45 years old subjects (50 in study 1, 52 in study 2). Increasing doses of Alhydrogel adsorbed 1790, expressed by both O Antigen (OAg) and protein quantity, or placebo were given either by intramuscular route (0.059/1, 0.29/5, 1.5/25, 2.9/50, 5.9/100 μg of OAg/μg of protein; study 1) or by intradermal (ID), intranasal (IN) or intramuscular (IM) route of immunization (0.0059/0.1, 0.059/1, 0.59/10 μg ID, 0.29/5, 1.2/20, 4.8/80 μg IN and 0.29/5 μg IM, respectively; study 2). In absence of serologic correlates of protection for Shigella sonnei, vaccine induced immunogenicity was compared to anti-LPS antibody in a population naturally exposed to S. sonnei. Findings Vaccines were well tolerated in both studies and no death or vaccine related serious adverse events were reported. In study 1, doses ≥ 1.5/25 μg elicited serum IgG median antibody greater than median level in convalescent subjects after the first dose. No vaccine group in study 2 achieved median antibody greater than the median convalescent antibody. Interpretation Intramuscularly administered Shigella sonnei GMMA vaccine is well tolerated, up to and including 5.9/100 μg and induces antibody to the OAg of at least the same magnitude of those observed following natural exposure to the pathogen. Vaccine administered by ID or IN, although well tolerated, is poorly immunogenic at the doses delivered. The data support the use of the GMMA technology for the development of intramuscular multivalent Shigella vaccines. GVGH GMMA vaccine against S. sonnei was well tolerated by IM, IN and ID routes of immunization in young European adults. Doses ≥ 1.5/25 μg elicited serum IgG median antibody greater than median level in convalescent subjects after the first dose. Clinical data support the use of the GMMA technology for the development of intramuscular Shigella multivalent vaccines.
Shigellosis is an important cause of diarrhoea especially in children of developing countries. No vaccine is available. Based on the 2015 Global Burden of Disease, Shigella caused approximately 164,000 deaths due to diarrhoea in 2015, supporting the public health relevance of the disease and the need for a vaccine. The GMMA (Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens) technology was used for the development of a vaccine against Shigella sonnei which, tested in these trials for the first time, was shown to be well tolerated in young adults and induced specific antibody titres at least as high as after natural infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odile Launay
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris cité, Paris, France; Inserm CIC 1417, Paris, France; Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, CIC Cochin-Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Pierre Loulergue
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris cité, Paris, France; Inserm CIC 1417, Paris, France; Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, CIC Cochin-Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jo Leahy
- University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Anaïs Maugard
- Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris cité, Paris, France; Inserm CIC 1417, Paris, France; Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, CIC Cochin-Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | | | - Zhiming Huo
- University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Cohen
- Tel Aviv University School of Public Health, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Allan Saul
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Audino Podda
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Siena, Italy.
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Biological, mechanical, optical and physicochemical properties of natural chitin films obtained from the dorsal pronotum and the wing of cockroach. Carbohydr Polym 2017; 163:162-169. [DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2017.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Revised: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 01/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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