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Abucayon EG, Belikow-Crovetto I, Hussin E, Kim J, Matyas GR, Rao M, Alving CR. Water-Soluble and Freezable Aluminum Salt Vaccine Adjuvant. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:681. [PMID: 38932410 PMCID: PMC11209400 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Particulate aluminum salts have long occupied a central place worldwide as inexpensive immunostimulatory adjuvants that enable induction of protective immunity for vaccines. Despite their huge benefits and safety, the particulate structures of aluminum salts require transportation and storage at temperatures between 2 °C and 8 °C, and they all have exquisite sensitivity to damage caused by freezing. Here, we propose to solve the critical freezing vulnerability of particulate aluminum salt adjuvants by introducing soluble aluminum salts as adjuvants. The solubility properties of fresh and frozen aluminum chloride and aluminum triacetate, each buffered optimally with sodium acetate, were demonstrated with visual observations and with UV-vis scattering analyses. Two proteins, A244 gp120 and CRM197, adjuvanted either with soluble aluminum chloride or soluble aluminum triacetate, each buffered by sodium acetate at pH 6.5-7.4, elicited murine immune responses that were equivalent to those obtained with Alhydrogel®, a commercial particulate aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. The discovery of the adjuvanticity of soluble aluminum salts might require the creation of a new adjuvant mechanism for aluminum salts in general. However, soluble aluminum salts might provide a practical substitute for particulate aluminum salts as vaccine adjuvants, thereby avoiding the risk of inactivation of vaccines due to accidental freezing of aluminum salt particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin G. Abucayon
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA; (E.G.A.); (J.K.)
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (I.B.-C.); (G.R.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Ilya Belikow-Crovetto
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (I.B.-C.); (G.R.M.); (M.R.)
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Elizabeth Hussin
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA; (E.G.A.); (J.K.)
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (I.B.-C.); (G.R.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Jiae Kim
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA; (E.G.A.); (J.K.)
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (I.B.-C.); (G.R.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Gary R. Matyas
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (I.B.-C.); (G.R.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Mangala Rao
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (I.B.-C.); (G.R.M.); (M.R.)
| | - Carl R. Alving
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Center for Infectious Diseases Research, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (I.B.-C.); (G.R.M.); (M.R.)
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Xu AY, Rinee KC, Stemple C, Castellanos MM, Bakshi K, Krueger S, Curtis JE. Counting the water: Characterize the hydration level of aluminum adjuvants using contrast matching small-angle neutron scattering. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2022.129285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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3
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Górska P, Główka M, Woźnica K, Zasada AA. Evaluation of precipitation time of the aluminum salts adsorbed potentially frozen vaccines used in the Polish National Immunization Schedule for their pre-qualification before the administration. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2022; 11:155-162. [PMID: 35799879 PMCID: PMC9200651 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2022.11.2.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Vaccines adsorbed on aluminum adjuvants irreversibly lose potency after freezing and their safety is affected. To prevent the administration of such vaccines, the World Health Organization developed the Shake Test designed to determine whether adsorbed vaccines have been frozen or not. However, the Shake Test is difficult and time-consuming when routinely conducted at the place of vaccination. In this study, a modified shake test for prequalification of potentially frozen vaccines was elaborated. Materials and Methods Vaccines used in the Polish Immunization Schedule were investigated and the analysis includes an assessment of precipitation time and the influence of the container type, amount and type of aluminum compound, and a volume of vaccine dose on the precipitation time. Results Significant differences between the precipitation time of frozen and non-frozen vaccines routinely used in the Polish Immunization Schedule were observed. The precipitation time of all non-frozen vaccines was above 30 minutes. The longest precipitation time of frozen vaccines was 10 minutes. Conclusion The finding of the study can be used in practice by the personnel administering vaccines to patients. Step-by-step recommendations for the preparation of the test have been proposed in the article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Górska
- Department of Sera and Vaccines Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health NIH–National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Główka
- Department of Sera and Vaccines Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health NIH–National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Woźnica
- Department of Sera and Vaccines Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health NIH–National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra A. Zasada
- Department of Sera and Vaccines Evaluation, National Institute of Public Health NIH–National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Prygiel M, Mosiej E, Górska P, Zasada AA. Diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine: past, current & future. Future Microbiol 2021; 17:185-197. [PMID: 34856810 DOI: 10.2217/fmb-2021-0167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccine can prevent diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis. The component antigens of the DTP vaccine had long been monovalent vaccines. The pertussis vaccine was licensed in 1914. The same year, the mixtures of diphtheria toxin and antitoxin were put into use. In 1926, alum-precipitated diphtheria toxoid was registered, and in 1937 adsorbed tetanus toxoid was put on the market. The development of numerous effective DTP vaccines quickly stimulated efforts to combine DTP with other routine vaccines for infants. This overview covers the most important information regarding the invention of DTP vaccines, their modifications and the needs that should be focused on in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Prygiel
- Department of Vaccine & Sera Evaluation, The National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Mosiej
- Department of Vaccine & Sera Evaluation, The National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Paulina Górska
- Department of Vaccine & Sera Evaluation, The National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra A Zasada
- Department of Vaccine & Sera Evaluation, The National Institute of Public Health NIH - National Research Institute, Warsaw, Poland
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5
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Affiliation(s)
- Munishwar Nath Gupta
- Former Professor, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
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Hasan T, Kumari K, Devi SC, Handa J, Rehman T, Ansari NA, Singh LR. Osmolytes in vaccine production, flocculation and storage: a critical review. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 15:514-525. [PMID: 30273503 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2018.1526585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Small molecule osmolytes, responsible for protecting stresses have long been known to rescue proteins and enzymes from loss of function. In addition to protecting macromolecules integrity, many osmolytes also act as potential antioxidant and also help to prevent protein aggregation, amyloid formation or misfolding, and therefore are considered promising molecules for neurodegenerative and many other genetic diseases. Osmolytes are also known to be involved in the regulation of several key immunological processes. In the present review we discuss in detail the effect of these compounds on important aspects of vaccines i.e., increasing the efficiency, production and purification steps. The present review therefore will help researchers to make a better strategy in vaccine production to formulation by incorporating specific and appropriate osmolytes in the processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauheed Hasan
- a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research , University of Delhi , Delhi , India
| | - Kritika Kumari
- a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research , University of Delhi , Delhi , India
| | | | - Jaya Handa
- a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research , University of Delhi , Delhi , India
| | - Tabish Rehman
- a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research , University of Delhi , Delhi , India
| | - Nasim Akhtar Ansari
- a Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Center for Biomedical Research , University of Delhi , Delhi , India
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7
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Genetic fusion of tetanus toxin fragment C (Hc) gene to cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) gene as a preparatory step for double vaccine production. GENE REPORTS 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.genrep.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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8
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Modh HB, Bhadra AK, Patel KA, Chaudhary RK, Jain NK, Roy I. Specific detection of tetanus toxoid using an aptamer-based matrix. J Biotechnol 2016; 238:15-21. [PMID: 27637315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2016.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Batch-to-batch variation of therapeutic proteins produced by biological means requires rigorous monitoring at all stages of the production process. A large number of animals are employed for risk assessment of biologicals, which has low ethical and economic acceptability. Research is now focussed on the validation of in vitro and ex vivo tests to replace live challenges. Among in vitro methods, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is considered to be the gold standard for estimation of integrity of tetanus toxoid. ELISA utilizes antibodies for detection, which, because of their biological origin and limited modifiability, may have low stability and result in irreproducibility. We have developed a method using highly specific and selective RNA aptamers for detection of tetanus toxoid. Using displacement assay, we first identified aptamers which bind to different aptatopes on the surface of the toxoid. Pairs of these aptamers were employed as capture-detection ligands in a sandwich-ALISA (aptamer-linked immobilized sorbent assay) format. The binding efficiency was confirmed by the fluorescence intensity in each microtire plate well. Using aptamers alone, detection of tetanus toxoid was possible with the same level of sensitivity as antibody. Aptamers were also used in the capture ALISA format. Adjuvanted tetanus toxoid was subjected to accelerated stress testing, including thermal, mechanical and freeze-thawing stress conditions. The loss in antigenicity of the preparation determined by ALISA in each case was found to be similar to that determined by conventional ELISA. Thus, it is possible to replace antibodies with aptamers to develop a more robust detection tool for tetanus toxoid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harshvardhan B Modh
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Ankan K Bhadra
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Kinjal A Patel
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Rajeev K Chaudhary
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Nishant K Jain
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India.
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Patel KA, Sethi R, Dhara AR, Roy I. Challenges with osmolytes as inhibitors of protein aggregation: Can nucleic acid aptamers provide an answer? Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 100:75-88. [PMID: 27156694 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2015] [Revised: 05/03/2016] [Accepted: 05/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Protein aggregation follows some common motifs. Whether in the formation of inclusion bodies in heterologous overexpression systems or inclusions in protein conformational diseases, or aggregation during storage or transport of protein formulations, aggregates form cross beta-sheet structures and stain with amyloidophilic dyes like Thioflavin T and Congo Red, irrespective of the concerned protein. Traditionally, osmolytes are used to stabilize proteins against stress conditions. They are employed right from protein expression, through production and purification, to formulation and administration. As osmolytes interact with the solvent, the differential effect of the stress condition on the solvent mostly determines the effect of the osmolyte on protein stability. Nucleic acid aptamers, on the other hand, are highly specific for their targets. When selected against monomeric, natively folded proteins, they bind to them with very high affinity. This binding inhibits the unfolding of the protein and/or monomer-monomer interaction which are the initial common steps of protein aggregation. Thus, by changing the approach to a protein-centric model, aptamers are able to function as universal stabilizers of proteins. The review discusses cases where osmolytes were unable to provide stabilization to proteins against different stress conditions, a gap which the aptamers seem to be able to fill.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinjal A Patel
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Ratnika Sethi
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Anita R Dhara
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India
| | - Ipsita Roy
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Sector 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Punjab 160 062, India.
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10
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Jain NK, Sahni N, Kumru OS, Joshi SB, Volkin DB, Russell Middaugh C. Formulation and stabilization of recombinant protein based virus-like particle vaccines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2015; 93:42-55. [PMID: 25451136 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Revised: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 10/18/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vaccine formulation development has traditionally focused on improving antigen storage stability and compatibility with conventional adjuvants. More recently, it has also provided an opportunity to modify the interaction and presentation of an antigen/adjuvant to the immune system to better stimulate the desired immune responses for maximal efficacy. In the last decade, there has been a paradigm shift in vaccine antigen and formulation design involving an improved physical understanding of antigens and a better understanding of the immune system. In addition, the discovery of novel adjuvants and delivery systems promises to further improve the design of new, more effective vaccines. Here we describe some of the fundamental aspects of formulation design applicable to virus-like-particle based vaccine antigens (VLPs). Case studies are presented for commercially approved VLP vaccines as well as some investigational VLP vaccine candidates. An emphasis is placed on the biophysical analysis of vaccines to facilitate formulation and stabilization of these particulate antigens.
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11
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Hassett KJ, Meinerz NM, Semmelmann F, Cousins MC, Garcea RL, Randolph TW. Development of a highly thermostable, adjuvanted human papillomavirus vaccine. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2015; 94:220-8. [PMID: 25998700 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2015.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2015] [Revised: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
A major impediment to economical, worldwide vaccine distribution is the requirement for a "cold chain" to preserve antigenicity. We addressed this problem using a model human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine stabilized by immobilizing HPV16 L1 capsomeres, i.e., pentameric subunits of the virus capsid, within organic glasses formed by lyophilization. Lyophilized glass and liquid vaccine formulations were incubated at 50°C for 12weeks, and then analyzed for retention of capsomere conformational integrity and the ability to elicit neutralizing antibody responses after immunization of BALB/c mice. Capsomeres in glassy-state vaccines retained tertiary and quaternary structure, and critical conformational epitopes. Moreover, glassy formulations adjuvanted with aluminum hydroxide or aluminum hydroxide and glycopyranoside lipid A were not only as immunogenic as the commercially available HPV vaccine Cervarix®, but also retained complete neutralizing immunogenicity after high-temperature storage. The thermal stability of such adjuvanted vaccine powder preparations may thus eliminate the need for the cold chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Hassett
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
| | - Natalie M Meinerz
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States; The Bio Frontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
| | - Florian Semmelmann
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
| | - Megan C Cousins
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
| | - Robert L Garcea
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States; The Bio Frontiers Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States
| | - Theodore W Randolph
- Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, United States.
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12
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Hassett KJ, Vance DJ, Jain NK, Sahni N, Rabia LA, Cousins MC, Joshi S, Volkin DB, Middaugh CR, Mantis NJ, Carpenter JF, Randolph TW. Glassy-state stabilization of a dominant negative inhibitor anthrax vaccine containing aluminum hydroxide and glycopyranoside lipid A adjuvants. J Pharm Sci 2015; 104:627-39. [PMID: 25581103 DOI: 10.1002/jps.24295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2014] [Revised: 10/11/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
During transport and storage, vaccines may be exposed to temperatures outside of the range recommended for storage, potentially causing efficacy losses. To better understand and prevent such losses, dominant negative inhibitor (DNI), a recombinant protein antigen for a candidate vaccine against anthrax, was formulated as a liquid and as a glassy lyophilized powder with the adjuvants aluminum hydroxide and glycopyranoside lipid A (GLA). Freeze-thawing of the liquid vaccine caused the adjuvants to aggregate and decreased its immunogenicity in mice. Immunogenicity of liquid vaccines also decreased when stored at 40°C for 8 weeks, as measured by decreases in neutralizing antibody titers in vaccinated mice. Concomitant with efficacy losses at elevated temperatures, changes in DNI structure were detected by fluorescence spectroscopy and increased deamidation was observed by capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF) after only 1 week of storage of the liquid formulation at 40°C. In contrast, upon lyophilization, no additional deamidation after 4 weeks at 40°C and no detectable changes in DNI structure or reduction in immunogenicity after 16 weeks at 40°C were observed. Vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide and GLA elicited higher immune responses than vaccines adjuvanted with only aluminum hydroxide, with more mice responding to a single dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J Hassett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Center for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, Colorado, 80303
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Jetani HC, Bhadra AK, Jain NK, Roy I. Nucleic acid aptamers stabilize proteins against different types of stress conditions. J Pharm Sci 2013; 103:100-6. [PMID: 24258428 DOI: 10.1002/jps.23785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2013] [Revised: 10/18/2013] [Accepted: 10/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
It has been observed that the same osmolyte cannot provide protection to a protein exposed to more than one stress condition. We wanted to study the effect of nucleic acid aptamers on the stabilization of proteins against a variety of stress conditions. Adjuvanted tetanus toxoid was exposed to thermal, freeze-thawing, and agitation stress. The stability and antigenicity of the toxoid were measured. Using nucleic acid aptamers selected against tetanus toxoid, we show that these specific RNA sequences were able to stabilize alumina-adsorbed tetanus toxoid against thermal-, agitation-, and freeze-thawing-induced stress. Binding affinity of the aptamer-protein complex did not show any significant change at elevated temperature as compared with that at room temperature, indicating that the aptamer protected the protein by remaining bound to it under stress conditions and did not allow either the protein to unfold or to promote protein-protein interaction. Thus, we show that by changing the stabilization strategy from a solvent-centric to a protein-centric approach, the same molecule can be employed as a stabilizer against more than one stress condition and thus probably reduce the cost of the product during its formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hardik C Jetani
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Punjab, 160 062, India
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14
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Hassett KJ, Cousins MC, Rabia LA, Chadwick CM, O’Hara JM, Nandi P, Brey RN, Mantis NJ, Carpenter JF, Randolph TW. Stabilization of a recombinant ricin toxin A subunit vaccine through lyophilization. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2013; 85:279-86. [PMID: 23583494 PMCID: PMC3797224 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2013.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2013] [Revised: 03/12/2013] [Accepted: 03/23/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Lyophilization was used to prepare dry, glassy solid vaccine formulations of recombinant ricin toxin A-chain containing suspensions of colloidal aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Four lyophilized formulations were prepared by using combinations of rapid or slow cooling during lyophilization and one of two buffers, histidine or ammonium acetate. Trehalose was used as the stabilizing excipient. Aggregation of the colloidal aluminum hydroxide suspension was reduced in formulations processed with a rapid cooling rate. Aluminum hydroxide particle size distributions, glass transition temperatures, water contents, and immunogenicities of lyophilized vaccines were independent of incubation time at 40 °C for up to 15 weeks. Mice immunized with reconstituted ricin toxin subunit A (RTA) vaccines produced RTA-specific antibodies and toxin-neutralizing antibodies (TNAs) regardless of the length of high temperature vaccine storage or the degree of aluminum adjuvant aggregation that occurred during lyophilization. In murine studies, lyophilized formulations of vaccines conferred protection against exposure to lethal doses of ricin, even after the lyophilized formulations had been stored at 40 °C for 4 weeks. A corresponding liquid formulation of vaccine stored at 40 °C elicited RTA-specific antibody titers but failed to confer immunity during a ricin challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly J. Hassett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Megan C. Cousins
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Lilia A. Rabia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Chrystal M. Chadwick
- Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health, Albany, New York 12208, United States
| | - Joanne M. O’Hara
- Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health, Albany, New York 12208, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - Pradyot Nandi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Robert N. Brey
- Soligenix, Inc., Princeton, New Jersey 08540, United States
| | - Nicholas J. Mantis
- Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health, Albany, New York 12208, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany School of Public Health, Albany, NY 12201, United States
| | - John F. Carpenter
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States
| | - Theodore W. Randolph
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
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15
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Jain NK, Jetani HC, Roy I. Nucleic acid aptamers as stabilizers of proteins: the stability of tetanus toxoid. Pharm Res 2013; 30:1871-82. [PMID: 23568526 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-013-1030-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2012] [Accepted: 03/12/2013] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Exposure of tetanus toxoid to moisture leads to its aggregation and reduction of potency. The aim of this work was to use SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) protocol and select aptamers which recognize tetanus toxoid (Mr ~150 kDa) with high affinity. METHODS Colyophilized preparations of tetanus toxoid and specific aptamers were encapsulated in PLGA microspheres and sustained release of the antigen was observed up to 55 days using different techniques. RESULTS The total protein released was between 40-55% (24-45% residual antigenicity) in the presence of the aptamers as compared to 25% (11% residual antigenicity) for the antigen alone. We show that instead of inhibiting absorption of moisture, the aptamers blocked the protein unfolding upon absorption of moisture, inhibiting the initiation of aggregation. When exposed to accelerated storage conditions, some of the RNA sequences were able to inhibit moisture-induced aggregation in vitro and retain antigenicity of tetanus toxoid. CONCLUSIONS Nucleic acid aptamers represent a novel class of protein stabilizers which stabilize the protein by interacting directly with it. This mechanism is unlike that of small molecules which alter the medium properties and hence depend on the stress condition a protein is exposed to.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Kumar Jain
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research-NIPER, Sector 67, SAS, Nagar, Punjab 160062, India
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16
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Solanki VA, Jain NK, Roy I. Stabilization of tetanus toxoid formulation containing aluminium hydroxide adjuvant against agitation. Int J Pharm 2012; 423:297-302. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2011.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2011] [Revised: 11/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Harris JR, Soliakov A, Lewis RJ, Depoix F, Watkinson A, Lakey JH. Alhydrogel® adjuvant, ultrasonic dispersion and protein binding: a TEM and analytical study. Micron 2011; 43:192-200. [PMID: 21831642 DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2011.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2011] [Revised: 07/10/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Aluminium-based vaccine adjuvants have been in use since the 1920s. Aluminium hydroxide (alum) that is the chemical basis of Alhydrogel, a widely used adjuvant, is a colloid that binds proteins to the particular surface for efficient presentation to the immune system during the vaccination process. Using conventional TEM and cryo-TEM we have shown that Alhydrogel can be finely dispersed by ultrasonication of the aqueous suspension. Clusters of ultrasonicated aluminium hydroxide micro-fibre crystals have been produced (∼ 10-100 nm), that are significantly smaller than those present the untreated Alhydrogel (∼ 2-12 μm). However, even prolonged ultrasonication did not produce a homogenous suspension of single aluminium hydroxide micro-fibres. The TEM images of unstained and negatively stained air-dried Alhydrogel are very similar to those obtained by cryo-electron microscopy. Visualization of protein on the surface of the finely dispersed Alhydrogel by TEM is facilitated by prior ultrasonication. Several examples are given, including some of medical relevance, using proteins of widely ranging molecular mass and oligomerization state. Even with the smaller mass proteins, their presence on the Alhydrogel surface can be readily defined by TEM. It has been found that low quantities of protein tend to cross-link and aggregate the small Alhydogel clusters, in a more pronounced manner than high protein concentrations. This indicates that complete saturation of the available Alhydrogel surface with protein may be achieved, with minimal cross-linkage, and future exploitation of this treatment of Alhydrogel is likely to be of immediate value for more efficient vaccine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Robin Harris
- Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK.
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