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Štěrbová P, Wang CH, Carillo KJD, Lou YC, Kato T, Namba K, Tzou DLM, Chang WH. Molecular Mechanism of pH-Induced Protrusion Configuration Switching in Piscine Betanodavirus Implies a Novel Antiviral Strategy. ACS Infect Dis 2024. [PMID: 39087906 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00407] [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: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Many viruses contain surface spikes or protrusions that are essential for virus entry. These surface structures can thereby be targeted by antiviral drugs to treat viral infections. Nervous necrosis virus (NNV), a simple nonenveloped virus in the genus of betanodavirus, infects fish and damages aquaculture worldwide. NNV has 60 conspicuous surface protrusions, each comprising three protrusion domains (P-domain) of its capsid protein. NNV uses protrusions to bind to common receptors of sialic acids on the host cell surface to initiate its entry via the endocytic pathway. However, structural alterations of NNV in response to acidic conditions encountered during this pathway remain unknown, while detailed interactions of protrusions with receptors are unclear. Here, we used cryo-EM to discover that Grouper NNV protrusions undergo low-pH-induced compaction and resting. NMR and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed to probe the atomic details. A solution structure of the P-domain at pH 7.0 revealed a long flexible loop (amino acids 311-330) and a pocket outlined by this loop. Molecular docking analysis showed that the N-terminal moiety of sialic acid inserted into this pocket to interact with conserved residues inside. MD simulations demonstrated that part of this loop converted to a β-strand under acidic conditions, allowing for P-domain trimerization and compaction. Additionally, a low-pH-favored conformation is attained for the linker connecting the P-domain to the NNV shell, conferring resting protrusions. Our findings uncover novel pH-dependent conformational switching mechanisms underlying NNV protrusion dynamics potentially utilized for facilitating NNV entry, providing new structural insights into complex NNV-host interactions with the identification of putative druggable hotspots on the protrusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Štěrbová
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- College of Life Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30044, Taiwan
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | | | | | - Yuan-Chao Lou
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Takayuki Kato
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Keiichi Namba
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Der-Lii M Tzou
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hau Chang
- Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Institute of Chemistry, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
- Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 11529, Taiwan
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2
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Koy C, Röwer C, Thiesen HJ, Neamtu A, Glocker MO. Intact Transition Epitope Mapping-Force Interferences by Variable Extensions (ITEM-FIVE). Biomolecules 2024; 14:454. [PMID: 38672470 PMCID: PMC11048379 DOI: 10.3390/biom14040454] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Investigations on binding strength differences of non-covalent protein complex components were performed by mass spectrometry. T4 fibritin foldon (T4Ff) is a well-studied miniprotein, which together with its biotinylated version served as model system to represent a compactly folded protein to which an Intrinsically Disordered Region (IDR) was attached. The apparent enthalpies of the gas phase dissociation reactions of the homo-trimeric foldon F-F-F and of the homo-trimeric triply biotinylated foldon bF-bF-bF have been determined to be rather similar (3.32 kJ/mol and 3.85 kJ/mol) but quite distinct from those of the singly and doubly biotinylated hetero-trimers F-F-bF and F-bF-bF (1.86 kJ/mol and 1.08 kJ/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the ground states of the (biotinylated) T4Ff trimers are highly symmetric and well comparable to each other, indicating that the energy levels of all four (biotinylated) T4Ff trimer ground states are nearly indistinguishable. The experimentally determined differences and/or similarities in enthalpies of the complex dissociation reactions are explained by entropic spring effects, which are noticeable in the T4Ff hetero-trimers but not in the T4Ff homo-trimers. A lowering of the transition state energy levels of the T4Ff hetero-trimers seems likely because the biotin moieties, mimicking intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), induced asymmetries in the transition states of the biotinylated T4Ff hetero-trimers. This transition state energy level lowering effect is absent in the T4Ff homo-trimer, as well as in the triply biotinylated T4Ff homo-trimer. In the latter, the IDR-associated entropic spring effects on complex stability cancel each other out. ITEM-FIVE enabled semi-quantitative determination of energy differences of complex dissociation reactions, whose differences were modulated by IDRs attached to compactly folded proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Koy
- Proteome Center Rostock, Medical Faculty and Natural Science Faculty, University of Rostock Schillingallee 69, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (C.K.)
| | - Claudia Röwer
- Proteome Center Rostock, Medical Faculty and Natural Science Faculty, University of Rostock Schillingallee 69, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (C.K.)
| | - Hans-Jürgen Thiesen
- Institute for Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rostock, Schillingallee 70, 18057 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Andrei Neamtu
- Department of Physiology, “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Str. Universitatii nr. 16, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- TRANSCEND Centre, Regional Institute of Oncology (IRO) Iasi, Str. General Henri Mathias Berthelot, Nr. 2–4, 700483 Iasi, Romania
| | - Michael O. Glocker
- Proteome Center Rostock, Medical Faculty and Natural Science Faculty, University of Rostock Schillingallee 69, 18057 Rostock, Germany; (C.K.)
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3
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Del Moral-Sánchez I, Wee EG, Xian Y, Lee WH, Allen JD, Torrents de la Peña A, Fróes Rocha R, Ferguson J, León AN, Koekkoek S, Schermer EE, Burger JA, Kumar S, Zwolsman R, Brinkkemper M, Aartse A, Eggink D, Han J, Yuan M, Crispin M, Ozorowski G, Ward AB, Wilson IA, Hanke T, Sliepen K, Sanders RW. Triple tandem trimer immunogens for HIV-1 and influenza nucleic acid-based vaccines. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:74. [PMID: 38582771 PMCID: PMC10998906 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00862-8] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Recombinant native-like HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) trimers are used in candidate vaccines aimed at inducing broadly neutralizing antibodies. While state-of-the-art SOSIP or single-chain Env designs can be expressed as native-like trimers, undesired monomers, dimers and malformed trimers that elicit non-neutralizing antibodies are also formed, implying that these designs could benefit from further modifications for gene-based vaccination approaches. Here, we describe the triple tandem trimer (TTT) design, in which three Env protomers are genetically linked in a single open reading frame and express as native-like trimers. Viral vectored Env TTT induced similar neutralization titers but with a higher proportion of trimer-specific responses. The TTT design was also applied to generate influenza hemagglutinin (HA) trimers without the need for trimerization domains. Additionally, we used TTT to generate well-folded chimeric Env and HA trimers that harbor protomers from three different strains. In summary, the TTT design is a useful platform for the design of HIV-1 Env and influenza HA immunogens for a multitude of vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iván Del Moral-Sánchez
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Edmund G Wee
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Yuejiao Xian
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Wen-Hsin Lee
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Joel D Allen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Alba Torrents de la Peña
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Rebeca Fróes Rocha
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - James Ferguson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - André N León
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sylvie Koekkoek
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Edith E Schermer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Judith A Burger
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Robby Zwolsman
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Mitch Brinkkemper
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Aafke Aartse
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
| | - Dirk Eggink
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Julianna Han
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Meng Yuan
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Max Crispin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Gabriel Ozorowski
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew B Ward
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ian A Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tomáš Hanke
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kwinten Sliepen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rogier W Sanders
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, NY, USA.
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4
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Anzai I, Fujita J, Ono C, Kosaka Y, Miyamoto Y, Shichinohe S, Takada K, Torii S, Taguwa S, Suzuki K, Makino F, Kajita T, Inoue T, Namba K, Watanabe T, Matsuura Y. Characterization of a neutralizing antibody that recognizes a loop region adjacent to the receptor-binding interface of the SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0365523. [PMID: 38415660 PMCID: PMC10986471 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03655-23] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Although the global crisis caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is over, the global epidemic of the disease continues. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), the cause of COVID-19, initiates infection via the binding of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of its spike protein to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme II (ACE2) receptor, and this interaction has been the primary target for the development of COVID-19 therapeutics. Here, we identified neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 by screening mouse monoclonal antibodies and characterized an antibody, CSW1-1805, that targets a narrow region at the RBD ridge of the spike protein. CSW1-1805 neutralized several variants in vitro and completely protected mice from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Cryo-EM and biochemical analyses revealed that this antibody recognizes the loop region adjacent to the ACE2-binding interface with the RBD in both a receptor-inaccessible "down" state and a receptor-accessible "up" state and could stabilize the RBD conformation in the up-state. CSW1-1805 also showed different binding orientations and complementarity determining region properties compared to other RBD ridge-targeting antibodies with similar binding epitopes. It is important to continuously characterize neutralizing antibodies to address new variants that continue to emerge. Our characterization of this antibody that recognizes the RBD ridge of the spike protein will aid in the development of future neutralizing antibodies.IMPORTANCESARS-CoV-2 cell entry is initiated by the interaction of the viral spike protein with the host cell receptor. Therefore, mechanistic findings regarding receptor recognition by the spike protein help uncover the molecular mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 infection and guide neutralizing antibody development. Here, we characterized a SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody that recognizes an epitope, a loop region adjacent to the receptor-binding interface, that may be involved in the conformational transition of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein from a receptor-inaccessible "down" state into a receptor-accessible "up" state, and also stabilizes the RBD in the up-state. Our mechanistic findings provide new insights into SARS-CoV-2 receptor recognition and guidance for neutralizing antibody development.
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Grants
- JP16H06429, JP16K21723, JP16H06432 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP16H06429, JP16K21723, JP16H06434 Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
- JP22H02521 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP21K15042 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP21H02736 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP25K000013 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP20K22630 MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)
- JP223fa627002, JP22am0401030, JP23fk0108659, JP20jk0210021, JP22gm1610010, JP19fk0108113 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP223fa627002 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP19fk0108113, JP20fk0108281, JP20pc0101047 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP20fk0108401, JP21fk0108493 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JP21am0101117, JP17pc0101020 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED)
- JPMJOP1861 MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
- JPMJMS2025 MEXT | Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST)
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Affiliation(s)
- Itsuki Anzai
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Junso Fujita
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- JEOL YOKOGUSHI Research Alliance Laboratories, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chikako Ono
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | | | | | - Shintaro Shichinohe
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kosuke Takada
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shiho Torii
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shuhei Taguwa
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Koichiro Suzuki
- The Research Foundation for Microbial Diseases of Osaka University (BIKEN), Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fumiaki Makino
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- JEOL YOKOGUSHI Research Alliance Laboratories, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- JEOL Ltd., Akishima, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Tsuyoshi Inoue
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keiichi Namba
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- JEOL YOKOGUSHI Research Alliance Laboratories, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research and Spring-8 Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tokiko Watanabe
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Matsuura
- Center for Infectious Disease Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Laboratory of Virus Control, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
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5
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Liu L, Wang J, Li R, Wu J, Zhao Y, Yan F, Wang T, Gao Y, Zhao Z, Feng N, Xia X. A Bacterium-like Particle Vaccine Displaying Envelope Proteins of Canine Distemper Virus Can Induce Immune Responses in Mice and Dogs. Viruses 2024; 16:549. [PMID: 38675892 PMCID: PMC11055036 DOI: 10.3390/v16040549] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Canine distemper virus (CDV) can cause fatal infections in giant pandas. Vaccination is crucial to prevent CDV infection in giant pandas. In this study, two bacterium-like particle vaccines F3-GEM and H4-GEM displaying the trimeric F protein or tetrameric H protein of CDV were constructed based on the Gram-positive enhanced-matrix protein anchor (GEM-PA) surface display system. Electron microscopy and Western blot results revealed that the F or H protein was successfully anchored on the surface of GEM particles. Furthermore, one more bacterium-like particle vaccine F3 and H4-GEM was also designed, a mixture consisting of F3-GEM and H4-GEM at a ratio of 1:1. To evaluate the effect of the three vaccines, mice were immunized with F3-GEM, H4-GEM or F3 and H4-GEM. It was found that the level of IgG-specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies in the F3 and H4-GEM group was higher than the other two groups. Additionally, F3 and H4-GEM also increased the secretion of Th1-related and Th2-related cytokines. Moreover, F3 and H4-GEM induce IgG and neutralizing antibodies' response in dogs. Conclusions: In summary, F3 and H4-GEM can provoke better immune responses to CDV in mice and dogs. The bacterium-like particle vaccine F3 and H4-GEM might be a potential vaccine candidate for giant pandas against CDV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun 130000, China;
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Jianzhong Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130122, China;
| | - Ranran Li
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130122, China;
| | - Jianzhao Wu
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130122, China;
| | - Yongkun Zhao
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Feihu Yan
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Tiecheng Wang
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Yuwei Gao
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Zongzheng Zhao
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
| | - Na Feng
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130122, China;
| | - Xianzhu Xia
- Changchun Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130122, China; (R.L.); (J.W.); (Y.Z.); (F.Y.); (T.W.); (Y.G.); (Z.Z.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130122, China;
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6
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Guo W, Wang C, Song X, Xu H, Zhao S, Gu J, Zou Z, Li J, Qian J, Zhang X, Guo R, Li J, Li L, Hu Z, Ren L, Fan B, Li B. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a trimeric full-length S protein subunit vaccine for porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. Vaccine 2024; 42:828-839. [PMID: 38220489 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) has caused serious economic losses to the pig husbandry worldwide, and the effects of existing commercialized vaccines are suboptimal. Therefore, research to develop an efficacious vaccine for prevention and control of PEDV is essential. In this study, we designed and produced trimerized proteins of full-length PEDV spike (S) protein, S1 subunit, and a tandem of multiple epitopes of S protein using an efficient mammalian expression vector system in HEK 293F cells. The immunogenicity of two commercial adjuvants, M401 and M103, was also evaluated in mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays demonstrated that all immunized mice generated highly systemic PEDV S-specific IgG and IgA antibodies. Mice in S/M103-immunized group generated the highest neutralizing antibody titer with 1:96. Compared with control group, the subunit vaccines elicited multifunctional CD3+CD4+ and CD3+CD8+ T cells, B220+CD19+ B cells, and CD3-CD49b+ natural killer cells in the spleen. PEDV S/M103 vaccine, which had the best immune effect, was selected for further evaluation in piglets. Immunization with S/M103 vaccine induced high levels of S-specific IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibodies, and increased the proliferation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the expression levels of interferon-γ and interleukin-4 in peripheral blood of piglets. Virus challenge test results showed significantly lower diarrheal index scores and fecal viral loads, and less pathological damage to the intestines in S/M103-immunized piglets than in controls, indicating that S/M103 provides good protection against the virulent virus challenge. Our findings suggest that trimeric PEDV S/M103 has potential as a clinical vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilu Guo
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Tech University, 5th Mofan Road, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China; Taizhou Polytechnic College, Taizhou 225300, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chuanhong Wang
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China; School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Xu Song
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Hong Xu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shuqing Zhao
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jun Gu
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhikun Zou
- Chengdu Yisikang Biotechnology LLC, Chendou 610095, China
| | - Jing Li
- Chengdu Yisikang Biotechnology LLC, Chendou 610095, China
| | - Jiali Qian
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Rongli Guo
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Jizong Li
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Li Li
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Zhaoyang Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Lili Ren
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Tech University, 5th Mofan Road, Nanjing 210009, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Baochao Fan
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China.
| | - Bin Li
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biological Engineering and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210014, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China; School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biologicals, Taizhou 225300, China.
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7
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Bottero D, Rudi E, Martin Aispuro P, Zurita E, Gaillard E, Gonzalez Lopez Ledesma MM, Malito J, Stuible M, Ambrosis N, Durocher Y, Gamarnik AV, Wigdorovitz A, Hozbor D. Heterologous booster with a novel formulation containing glycosylated trimeric S protein is effective against Omicron. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1271209. [PMID: 38022542 PMCID: PMC10667599 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1271209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a heterologous three-dose vaccination schedule against the Omicron BA.1 SARS-CoV-2 variant infection using a mouse intranasal challenge model. The vaccination schedules tested in this study consisted of a primary series of 2 doses covered by two commercial vaccines: an mRNA-based vaccine (mRNA1273) or a non-replicative vector-based vaccine (AZD1222/ChAdOx1, hereafter referred to as AZD1222). These were followed by a heterologous booster dose using one of the two vaccine candidates previously designed by us: one containing the glycosylated and trimeric spike protein (S) from the ancestral virus (SW-Vac 2µg), and the other from the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 (SD-Vac 2µg), both formulated with Alhydrogel as an adjuvant. For comparison purposes, homologous three-dose schedules of the commercial vaccines were used. The mRNA-based vaccine, whether used in heterologous or homologous schedules, demonstrated the best performance, significantly increasing both humoral and cellular immune responses. In contrast, for the schedules that included the AZD1222 vaccine as the primary series, the heterologous schemes showed superior immunological outcomes compared to the homologous 3-dose AZD1222 regimen. For these schemes no differences were observed in the immune response obtained when SW-Vac 2µg or SD-Vac 2µg were used as a booster dose. Neutralizing antibody levels against Omicron BA.1 were low, especially for the schedules using AZD1222. However, a robust Th1 profile, known to be crucial for protection, was observed, particularly for the heterologous schemes that included AZD1222. All the tested schedules were capable of inducing populations of CD4 T effector, memory, and follicular helper T lymphocytes. It is important to highlight that all the evaluated schedules demonstrated a satisfactory safety profile and induced multiple immunological markers of protection. Although the levels of these markers were different among the tested schedules, they appear to complement each other in conferring protection against intranasal challenge with Omicron BA.1 in K18-hACE2 mice. In summary, the results highlight the potential of using the S protein (either ancestral Wuhan or Delta variant)-based vaccine formulation as heterologous boosters in the management of COVID-19, particularly for certain commercial vaccines currently in use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Bottero
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Erika Rudi
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Pablo Martin Aispuro
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Eugenia Zurita
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Emilia Gaillard
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Maria M. Gonzalez Lopez Ledesma
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Juan Malito
- INCUINTA Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), HURLINGHAM, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Matthew Stuible
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Ambrosis
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Yves Durocher
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Andrea V. Gamarnik
- Fundación Instituto Leloir-Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Buenos Aires (IIBBA) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés Wigdorovitz
- INCUINTA Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), HURLINGHAM, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Hozbor
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
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8
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Ye Z, Harmon J, Ni W, Li Y, Wich D, Xu Q. The mRNA Vaccine Revolution: COVID-19 Has Launched the Future of Vaccinology. ACS NANO 2023; 17:15231-15253. [PMID: 37535899 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c12584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA (mRNA) vaccines emerged as leading vaccine candidates in a record time. Nonreplicating mRNA (NRM) and self-amplifying mRNA (SAM) technologies have been developed into high-performing and clinically viable vaccines against a range of infectious agents, notably SARS-CoV-2. mRNA vaccines demonstrate efficient in vivo delivery, long-lasting stability, and nonexistent risk of infection. The stability and translational efficiency of in vitro transcription (IVT)-mRNA can be further increased by modulating its structural elements. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of the recent advances, key applications, and future challenges in the field of mRNA-based vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongfeng Ye
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Joseph Harmon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Wei Ni
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute at Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, United States
| | - Yamin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, New York 13210, United States
| | - Douglas Wich
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Qiaobing Xu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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9
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Che Y, Gribenko AV, Song X, Handke LD, Efferen KS, Tompkins K, Kodali S, Nunez L, Prasad AK, Phelan LM, Ammirati M, Yu X, Lees JA, Chen W, Martinez L, Roopchand V, Han S, Qiu X, DeVincenzo JP, Jansen KU, Dormitzer PR, Swanson KA. Rational Design of a Highly Immunogenic Prefusion-Stabilized F Glycoprotein Antigen for a Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine. Sci Transl Med 2023; 15:eade6422. [PMID: 37023209 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.ade6422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading, global cause of serious respiratory disease in infants and is an important cause of respiratory illness in older adults. No RSV vaccine is currently available. The RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein is a key antigen for vaccine development, and its prefusion conformation is the target of the most potent neutralizing antibodies. Here, we describe a computational and experimental strategy for designing immunogens that enhance the conformational stability and immunogenicity of RSV prefusion F. We obtained an optimized vaccine antigen after screening nearly 400 engineered F constructs. Through in vitro and in vivo characterization studies, we identified F constructs that are more stable in the prefusion conformation and elicit ~10-fold higher serum neutralizing titers in cotton rats than DS-Cav1. The stabilizing mutations of the lead construct (847) were introduced onto F glycoprotein backbones of strains representing the dominant circulating genotypes of the two major RSV subgroups, A and B. Immunization of cotton rats with a bivalent vaccine formulation of these antigens conferred complete protection against RSV challenge, with no evidence of disease enhancement. The resulting bivalent RSV prefusion F investigational vaccine has recently been shown to be efficacious against RSV disease in two pivotal phase 3 efficacy trials, one for passive protection of infants by immunization of pregnant women and the second for active protection of older adults by direct immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Che
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Inc; Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Alexey V Gribenko
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Xi Song
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Inc; Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Luke D Handke
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Kari S Efferen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Kristin Tompkins
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Srinivas Kodali
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Lorna Nunez
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - A Krishna Prasad
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Lynn M Phelan
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Mark Ammirati
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Inc; Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Xiaodi Yu
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Inc; Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Joshua A Lees
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Inc; Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Lyndsey Martinez
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Vidia Roopchand
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Seungil Han
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Inc; Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Xiayang Qiu
- Discovery Sciences, Pfizer Inc; Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - John P DeVincenzo
- Children's Foundation Research Institute at Le Bonheur Children's Hospital; Memphis, TN 38103, USA
| | - Kathrin U Jansen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Philip R Dormitzer
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
| | - Kena A Swanson
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc; Pearl River, NY 10965, USA
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10
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Chonira V, Kwon YD, Gorman J, Case JB, Ku Z, Simeon R, Casner RG, Harris DR, Olia AS, Stephens T, Shapiro L, Bender MF, Boyd H, Teng IT, Tsybovsky Y, Krammer F, Zhang N, Diamond MS, Kwong PD, An Z, Chen Z. A potent and broad neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern by DARPins. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:284-291. [PMID: 36411391 PMCID: PMC10294592 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01193-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We report the engineering and selection of two synthetic proteins-FSR16m and FSR22-for the possible treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. FSR16m and FSR22 are trimeric proteins composed of DARPin SR16m or SR22 fused with a T4 foldon. Despite selection by a spike protein from a now historical SARS-CoV-2 strain, FSR16m and FSR22 exhibit broad-spectrum neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 strains, inhibiting authentic B.1.351, B.1.617.2 and BA.1.1 viruses, with respective IC50 values of 3.4, 2.2 and 7.4 ng ml-1 for FSR16m. Cryo-EM structures revealed that these DARPins recognize a region of the receptor-binding domain (residues 456, 475, 486, 487 and 489) overlapping a critical portion of the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2)-binding surface. K18-hACE2 transgenic mice inoculated with B.1.617.2 and receiving intranasally administered FSR16m showed less weight loss and 10-100-fold lower viral burden in upper and lower respiratory tracts. The strong and broad neutralization potency makes FSR16m and FSR22 promising candidates for the prevention and treatment of infection by SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vikas Chonira
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Young D Kwon
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jason Gorman
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - James Brett Case
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Zhiqiang Ku
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Rudo Simeon
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Ryan G Casner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Darcy R Harris
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adam S Olia
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tyler Stephens
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Lawrence Shapiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael F Bender
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Hannah Boyd
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - I-Ting Teng
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research Inc, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), New York City, NY, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell based Medicine, ISMMS, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Ningyan Zhang
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Department of Molecular Microbiology, and The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Peter D Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Zhiqiang An
- Texas Therapeutics Institute, Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA.
| | - Zhilei Chen
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA.
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11
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Kobayashi N, Arai R. Protein Cages and Nanostructures Constructed from Protein Nanobuilding Blocks. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2671:79-94. [PMID: 37308639 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3222-2_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein cages and nanostructures are promising biocompatible medical materials, such as vaccines and drug carriers. Recent advances in designed protein nanocages and nanostructures have opened up cutting-edge applications in the fields of synthetic biology and biopharmaceuticals. A simple approach for constructing self-assembling protein nanocages and nanostructures is the design of a fusion protein composed of two different proteins forming symmetric oligomers. In this chapter, we describe the design and methods of protein nanobuilding blocks (PN-Blocks) using a dimeric de novo protein WA20 to construct self-assembling protein cages and nanostructures. A protein nanobuilding block (PN-Block), WA20-foldon, was developed by fusing an intermolecularly folded dimeric de novo protein WA20 and a trimeric foldon domain from bacteriophage T4 fibritin. The WA20-foldon self-assembled into several oligomeric nanoarchitectures in multiples of 6-mer. De novo extender protein nanobuilding blocks (ePN-Blocks) were also developed by fusing tandemly two WA20 with various linkers, to construct self-assembling cyclized and extended chain-like nanostructures. These PN-Blocks would be useful for the construction of self-assembling protein cages and nanostructures and their potential applications in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Kobayashi
- Division of Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, Ikoma, Nara, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Arai
- Department of Biomolecular Innovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, Japan.
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, Japan.
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12
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Rudi E, Martin Aispuro P, Zurita E, Gonzalez Lopez Ledesma M, Bottero D, Malito J, Gabrielli M, Gaillard E, Stuible M, Durocher Y, Gamarnik A, Wigdorovitz A, Hozbor D. Immunological study of COVID-19 vaccine candidate based on recombinant spike trimer protein from different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1020159. [PMID: 36248791 PMCID: PMC9560800 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1020159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergency of new SARS-CoV-2 variants that feature increased immune escape marks an urgent demand for better vaccines that will provide broader immunogenicity. Here, we evaluated the immunogenic capacity of vaccine candidates based on the recombinant trimeric spike protein (S) of different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), including the ancestral Wuhan, Beta and Delta viruses. In particular, we assessed formulations containing either single or combined S protein variants. Our study shows that the formulation containing the single S protein from the ancestral Wuhan virus at a concentration of 2µg (SW2-Vac 2µg) displayed in the mouse model the highest IgG antibody levels against all the three (Wuhan, Beta, and Delta) SARS-CoV-2 S protein variants tested. In addition, this formulation induced significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers against the three viral variants when compared with authorized Gam-COVID-Vac-rAd26/rAd5 (Sputnik V) or ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) vaccines. SW2-Vac 2µg was also able to induce IFN-gamma and IL-17, memory CD4 populations and follicular T cells. Used as a booster dose for schedules performed with different authorized vaccines, SW2-Vac 2µg vaccine candidate also induced higher levels of total IgG and IgG isotypes against S protein from different SARS-CoV-2 variants in comparison with those observed with homologous 3-dose schedule of Sputnik V or AstraZeneca. Moreover, SW2-Vac 2µg booster induced broadly strong neutralizing antibody levels against the three tested SARS-CoV-2 variants. SW2-Vac 2µg booster also induced CD4+ central memory, CD4+ effector and CD8+ populations. Overall, the results demonstrate that SW2-Vac 2 µg is a promising formulation for the development of a next generation COVID-19 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Rudi
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Pablo Martin Aispuro
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Eugenia Zurita
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | | | - Daniela Bottero
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan Malito
- INCUINTA INTA, CONICET, HURLINGHAM, INTA Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Magali Gabrielli
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Emilia Gaillard
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Matthew Stuible
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Andrés Wigdorovitz
- INCUINTA INTA, CONICET, HURLINGHAM, INTA Castelar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Daniela Hozbor
- Laboratorio VacSal, Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular (IBBM), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Centro Científico Tecnológico – Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CCT-CONICET), La Plata, Argentina
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13
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Ebel H, Benecke T, Vollmer B. Stabilisation of Viral Membrane Fusion Proteins in Prefusion Conformation by Structure-Based Design for Structure Determination and Vaccine Development. Viruses 2022; 14:1816. [PMID: 36016438 PMCID: PMC9415420 DOI: 10.3390/v14081816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2022] [Revised: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane surface of enveloped viruses contains dedicated proteins enabling the fusion of the viral with the host cell membrane. Working with these proteins is almost always challenging because they are membrane-embedded and naturally metastable. Fortunately, based on a range of different examples, researchers now have several possibilities to tame membrane fusion proteins, making them amenable for structure determination and immunogen generation. This review describes the structural and functional similarities of the different membrane fusion proteins and ways to exploit these features to stabilise them by targeted mutational approaches. The recent determination of two herpesvirus membrane fusion proteins in prefusion conformation holds the potential to apply similar methods to this group of viral fusogens. In addition to a better understanding of the herpesviral fusion mechanism, the structural insights gained will help to find ways to further stabilise these proteins using the methods described to obtain stable immunogens that will form the basis for the development of the next generation of vaccines and antiviral drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Ebel
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tim Benecke
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Vollmer
- Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB), 22607 Hamburg, Germany
- Department of Chemistry, University of Hamburg, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Virology (LIV), 20251 Hamburg, Germany
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14
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Subbiah J, Oh J, Kim KH, Shin CH, Park BR, Bhatnagar N, Seong BL, Wang BZ, Kang SM. A chimeric thermostable M2e and H3 stalk-based universal influenza A virus vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:68. [PMID: 35768475 PMCID: PMC9243060 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00498-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a new chimeric M2e and H3 hemagglutinin (HA) stalk protein vaccine (M2e-H3 stalk) by genetic engineering of modified H3 stalk domain conjugated with conserved M2e epitopes to overcome the drawbacks of low efficacy by monomeric domain-based universal vaccines. M2e-H3 stalk protein expressed and purified from Escherichia coli was thermostable, displaying native-like antigenic epitopes recognized by antisera of different HA subtype proteins and influenza A virus infections. Adjuvanted M2e-H3 stalk vaccination induced M2e and stalk-specific IgG antibodies recognizing viral antigens on virus particles and on the infected cell surface, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses, and antibody-dependent cytotoxic cell surrogate activity in mice. M2e-H3 stalk was found to confer protection against heterologous and heterosubtypic cross-group subtype viruses (H1N1, H5N1, H9N2, H3N2, H7N9) at similar levels in adult and aged mice. These results provide evidence that M2e-H3 stalk chimeric proteins can be developed as a universal influenza A virus vaccine candidate for young and aged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeeva Subbiah
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Judy Oh
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Ki-Hye Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Chong-Hyun Shin
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Bo Ryoung Park
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Noopur Bhatnagar
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Baik-Lin Seong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.,Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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15
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Chonira V, Kwon YD, Gorman J, Case JB, Ku Z, Simeon R, Casner RG, Harris DR, Olia AS, Stephens T, Shapiro L, Boyd H, Tsybovsky Y, Krammer F, Diamond MS, Kwong PD, An Z, Chen Z. Potent and pan-neutralization of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern by DARPins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2022:2022.05.30.493765. [PMID: 35677079 PMCID: PMC9176645 DOI: 10.1101/2022.05.30.493765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We report the engineering and selection of two synthetic proteins - FSR16m and FSR22 - for possible treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. FSR16m and FSR22 are trimeric proteins composed of DARPin SR16m or SR22 fused with a T4 foldon and exhibit broad spectrum neutralization of SARS-Cov-2 strains. The IC 50 values of FSR16m against authentic B.1.351, B.1.617.2 and BA.1.1 variants are 3.4 ng/mL, 2.2 ng/mL and 7.4 ng/mL, respectively, comparable to currently used therapeutic antibodies. Despite the use of the spike protein from a now historical wild-type virus for design, FSR16m and FSR22 both exhibit increased neutralization against newly-emerged variants of concern (39- to 296-fold) in pseudovirus assays. Cryo-EM structures revealed that these DARPins recognize a region of the receptor binding domain (RBD, residues 455-456, 486-489) overlapping a critical portion of the ACE2-binding surface. K18-hACE2 transgenic mice inoculated with a B.1.617.2 variant and receiving intranasally-administered FSR16m were protected as judged by less weight loss and 10-100-fold reductions in viral burden in the upper and lower respiratory tracts. The strong and broad neutralization potency make FSR16m and FSR22 promising candidates for prevention and treatment of infection by current and potential future strains of SARS-CoV-2.
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16
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Subbbiah J, Oh J, Kim KH, Shin CH, Park BR, Bhatnagar N, Jung YJ, Lee Y, Wang BZ, Seong BL, Kang SM. Thermostable H1 hemagglutinin stem with M2e epitopes provides broad cross-protection against group1 and 2 influenza A viruses. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:38-51. [PMID: 35755946 PMCID: PMC9198381 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hemagglutinin (HA) stem-based vaccines have limitations in providing broad and effective protection against cross-group influenza viruses, despite being a promising universal vaccine target. To overcome the limited cross-protection and low efficacy by HA stem vaccination, we genetically engineered a chimeric conjugate of thermostable H1 HA stem and highly conserved M2e repeat (M2e-H1stem), which was expressed at high yields in Escherichia coli. M2e-H1stem protein presented native-like epitopes reactive to antisera of live virus infection. M2e-H1stem protein vaccination of mice induced strong M2e- and HA stem-specific immune responses, conferring broadly effective cross-protection against both antigenically distinct group 1 (H1N1, H5N1, and H9N2 subtypes) and group 2 (H3N2 and H7N9 subtypes) seasonal and pandemic potential influenza viruses. M2e-H1stem vaccination generated CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and antibody-dependent cytotoxic cellular and humoral immunity, which contributed to enhancing cross-protection. Furthermore, comparable broad cross-group protection was observed in older aged mice after M2e-H1stem vaccination. This study provides evidence warranting further development of chimeric M2e-stem proteins as a promising universal influenza vaccine candidate in adult and aged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeeva Subbbiah
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Judy Oh
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Ki-Hye Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Chong Hyun Shin
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Bo Ryoung Park
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Noopur Bhatnagar
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yu-Jin Jung
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Youri Lee
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Baik-Lin Seong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Vaccine Innovative Technology Alliance (VITAL), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Corresponding author Sang-Moo Kang, PhD, Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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17
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Hunt AC, Case JB, Park YJ, Cao L, Wu K, Walls AC, Liu Z, Bowen JE, Yeh HW, Saini S, Helms L, Zhao YT, Hsiang TY, Starr TN, Goreshnik I, Kozodoy L, Carter L, Ravichandran R, Green LB, Matochko WL, Thomson CA, Vögeli B, Krüger A, VanBlargan LA, Chen RE, Ying B, Bailey AL, Kafai NM, Boyken SE, Ljubetič A, Edman N, Ueda G, Chow CM, Johnson M, Addetia A, Navarro MJ, Panpradist N, Gale M, Freedman BS, Bloom JD, Ruohola-Baker H, Whelan SPJ, Stewart L, Diamond MS, Veesler D, Jewett MC, Baker D. Multivalent designed proteins neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and confer protection against infection in mice. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn1252. [PMID: 35412328 PMCID: PMC9258422 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn1252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
New variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to arise and prolong the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Here, we used a cell-free expression workflow to rapidly screen and optimize constructs containing multiple computationally designed miniprotein inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. We found the broadest efficacy was achieved with a homotrimeric version of the 75-residue angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) mimic AHB2 (TRI2-2) designed to geometrically match the trimeric spike architecture. Consistent with the design model, in the cryo-electron microscopy structure TRI2-2 forms a tripod at the apex of the spike protein that engaged all three receptor binding domains simultaneously. TRI2-2 neutralized Omicron (B.1.1.529), Delta (B.1.617.2), and all other variants tested with greater potency than the monoclonal antibodies used clinically for the treatment of COVID-19. TRI2-2 also conferred prophylactic and therapeutic protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge when administered intranasally in mice. Designed miniprotein receptor mimics geometrically arrayed to match pathogen receptor binding sites could be a widely applicable antiviral therapeutic strategy with advantages over antibodies in greater resistance to viral escape and antigenic drift, and advantages over native receptor traps in lower chances of autoimmune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Hunt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - James Brett Case
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Longxing Cao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kejia Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Alexandra C. Walls
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John E. Bowen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Hsien-Wei Yeh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Shally Saini
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Louisa Helms
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Yan Ting Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tien-Ying Hsiang
- Department of Immunology, Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tyler N. Starr
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Inna Goreshnik
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lisa Kozodoy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lauren Carter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Rashmi Ravichandran
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lydia B. Green
- Amgen Research, Biologic Discovery, Burnaby, V5A 1V7, BC, Canada
| | | | | | - Bastian Vögeli
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Invizyne Technologies Inc., Monrovia, CA, 91016, USA
| | - Antje Krüger
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Laura A. VanBlargan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rita E. Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Baoling Ying
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Adam L. Bailey
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Madison, WI, 53705, USA
| | - Natasha M. Kafai
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Scott E. Boyken
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ajasja Ljubetič
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department for Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Natasha Edman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Graduate Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- USA Medical Scientist Training Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - George Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Cameron M. Chow
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Neolukin Therapeutics Inc., Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Max Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Amin Addetia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- The Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Mary Jane Navarro
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nuttada Panpradist
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael Gale
- Department of Immunology, Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Benjamin S. Freedman
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Jesse D. Bloom
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Hannele Ruohola-Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Sean P. J. Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Lance Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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18
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Lopez-Cantu DO, Wang X, Carrasco-Magallanes H, Afewerki S, Zhang X, Bonventre JV, Ruiz-Esparza GU. From Bench to the Clinic: The Path to Translation of Nanotechnology-Enabled mRNA SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines. NANO-MICRO LETTERS 2022; 14:41. [PMID: 34981278 PMCID: PMC8722410 DOI: 10.1007/s40820-021-00771-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
During the last decades, the use of nanotechnology in medicine has effectively been translated to the design of drug delivery systems, nanostructured tissues, diagnostic platforms, and novel nanomaterials against several human diseases and infectious pathogens. Nanotechnology-enabled vaccines have been positioned as solutions to mitigate the pandemic outbreak caused by the novel pathogen severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. To fast-track the development of vaccines, unprecedented industrial and academic collaborations emerged around the world, resulting in the clinical translation of effective vaccines in less than one year. In this article, we provide an overview of the path to translation from the bench to the clinic of nanotechnology-enabled messenger ribonucleic acid vaccines and examine in detail the types of delivery systems used, their mechanisms of action, obtained results during each phase of their clinical development and their regulatory approval process. We also analyze how nanotechnology is impacting global health and economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana O Lopez-Cantu
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Xichi Wang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, People's Republic of China
| | - Hector Carrasco-Magallanes
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 64849, Monterrey, NL, Mexico
| | - Samson Afewerki
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xingcai Zhang
- John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA.
- School of Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Joseph V Bonventre
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Guillermo U Ruiz-Esparza
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University - Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
- Division of Renal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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19
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Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic has substantially accelerated the demands for efficient vaccines. A wide spectrum of approaches includes live attenuated and inactivated viruses, protein subunits and peptides, viral vector-based delivery, DNA plasmids, and synthetic mRNA. Preclinical studies have demonstrated robust immune responses, reduced viral loads and protection against challenges with SARS-CoV-2 in rodents and primates. Vaccine candidates based on all delivery systems mentioned above have been subjected to clinical trials in healthy volunteers. Phase I clinical trials have demonstrated in preliminary findings good safety and tolerability. Evaluation of immune responses in a small number of individuals has demonstrated similar or superior levels of neutralizing antibodies in comparison to immunogenicity detected in COVID-19 patients. Both adenovirus- and mRNA-based vaccines have entered phase II and study protocols for phase III trials with 30,000 participants have been finalized.
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20
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Cattel L, Giordano S, Traina S, Lupia T, Corcione S, Angelone L, La Valle G, De Rosa FG, Cattel F. Vaccine development and technology for SARS-CoV-2: Current insight. J Med Virol 2021; 94:878-896. [PMID: 34713912 PMCID: PMC8662109 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 is associated with a severe respiratory disease in China, that rapidly spread across continents. Since the beginning of the pandemic, available data suggested the asymptomatic transmission and patients were treated with specific drugs with efficacy and safety data not always satisfactory. The aim of this review is to describe the vaccines developed by three companies, Pfizer‐BioNTech, Moderna, and University of Oxford/AstraZeneca, in terms of both technological and pharmaceutical formulation, safety, efficacy, and immunogenicity. A critical analysis of Phases 1, 2, and 3 clinical trial results available was conducted, comparing the three vaccine candidates, underlining their similarities and differences. All candidates showed consistent efficacy and tolerability; although some differences can be noted, such as their technological formulation, temperature storage, which will be related to logistics and costs. Further studies will be necessary to evaluate long‐term effects and to assess the vaccine safety and efficacy in the general population. The rapid development of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines has been possible because in the last 20 years there have been rapid improvements in vaccine development in different scientific areas, such as molecular biology, genetic engineering, nano‐materials and lipid nanotechnology. The first three SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines developed by Pfizer–BioNTech, Moderna and the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca are described, in terms of technology, pharmaceutical formulation, safety, efficacy and immunogenicity. The main detectable difference concerns the technological formulation, influencing logistics: two of these are mRNA‐based vaccines encapsulated in LNPs, whereas one is a DNA‐based vaccine encapsulated in viral vector. mRNA‐based vaccines have an advantage over DNA ones, because mRNA is directly translated in the cytoplasm form ribosomes once inside the cell. Technological and scientific advances allowed the encapsulation of mRNA into custom‐designed LNPs that mimic the structural features of a viral vector. Efficacy and safety studies of Pfizer–BioNTech, Moderna and the University of Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccines are reported, to report the massive pharmaceutical innovation brought.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Cattel
- Department of Drug Science and Technology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Susanna Giordano
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Traina
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Tommaso Lupia
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Cardinal Massaia Hospital, Asti, Italy
| | - Silvia Corcione
- Department of Medical Sciences, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Angelone
- General Management, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni La Valle
- General Management, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco G De Rosa
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Cardinal Massaia Hospital, Asti, Italy.,Department of Medical Sciences, Infectious Diseases, Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesco Cattel
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
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21
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Mittal N, Sengupta N, Malladi SK, Reddy P, Bhat M, Rajmani RS, Sedeyn K, Saelens X, Dutta S, Varadarajan R. Protective Efficacy of Recombinant Influenza Hemagglutinin Ectodomain Fusions. Viruses 2021; 13:v13091710. [PMID: 34578291 PMCID: PMC8473191 DOI: 10.3390/v13091710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In current seasonal influenza vaccines, neutralizing antibody titers directed against the hemagglutinin surface protein are the primary correlate of protection. These vaccines are, therefore, quantitated in terms of their hemagglutinin content. Adding other influenza surface proteins, such as neuraminidase and M2e, to current quadrivalent influenza vaccines would likely enhance vaccine efficacy. However, this would come with increased manufacturing complexity and cost. To address this issue, as a proof of principle, we have designed genetic fusions of hemagglutinin ectodomains from H3 and H1 influenza A subtypes. These recombinant H1-H3 hemagglutinin ectodomain fusions could be transiently expressed at high yield in mammalian cell culture using Expi293F suspension cells. Fusions were trimeric, and as stable in solution as their individual trimeric counterparts. Furthermore, the H1-H3 fusion constructs were antigenically intact based on their reactivity with a set of conformation-specific monoclonal antibodies. H1-H3 hemagglutinin ectodomain fusion immunogens, when formulated with the MF59 equivalent adjuvant squalene-in-water emulsion (SWE), induced H1 and H3-specific humoral immune responses equivalent to those induced with an equimolar mixture of individually expressed H1 and H3 ectodomains. Mice immunized with these ectodomain fusions were protected against challenge with heterologous H1N1 (Bel/09) and H3N2 (X-31) mouse-adapted viruses with higher neutralizing antibody titers against the H1N1 virus. Use of such ectodomain-fused immunogens would reduce the number of components in a vaccine formulation and allow for the inclusion of other protective antigens to increase influenza vaccine efficacy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Cross Protection/immunology
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/administration & dosage
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/genetics
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/genetics
- Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/genetics
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Vaccine Efficacy
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidhi Mittal
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (N.M.); (N.S.); (S.K.M.); (R.S.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Nayanika Sengupta
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (N.M.); (N.S.); (S.K.M.); (R.S.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Sameer Kumar Malladi
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (N.M.); (N.S.); (S.K.M.); (R.S.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Poorvi Reddy
- Mynvax Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (P.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Madhuraj Bhat
- Mynvax Private Limited, ES12, Entrepreneurship Centre, SID, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (P.R.); (M.B.)
| | - Raju S. Rajmani
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (N.M.); (N.S.); (S.K.M.); (R.S.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Koen Sedeyn
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (K.S.); (X.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; (K.S.); (X.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Somnath Dutta
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (N.M.); (N.S.); (S.K.M.); (R.S.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Raghavan Varadarajan
- Molecular Biophysics Unit (MBU), Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560012, India; (N.M.); (N.S.); (S.K.M.); (R.S.R.); (S.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +91-80-22932612; Fax: +91-80-23600535
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22
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Shrestha A, Sadeyen JR, Lukosaityte D, Chang P, Van Hulten M, Iqbal M. Targeting Haemagglutinin Antigen of Avian Influenza Virus to Chicken Immune Cell Receptors Dec205 and CD11c Induces Differential Immune-Potentiating Responses. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070784. [PMID: 34358200 PMCID: PMC8310205 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Improving the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of vaccines is critical to reducing disease impacts. One strategy used to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines is the selective delivery of protective antigens to the antigen presenting cells (APCs). In this study, we have developed a targeted antigen delivery vaccine (TADV) system by recombinantly fusing the ectodomain of hemagglutinin (HA) antigen of H9N2 influenza A virus to single chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies specific for the receptors expressed on chicken APCs; Dec205 and CD11c. Vaccination of chickens with TADV containing recombinant H9HA Foldon-Dec205 scFv or H9HA Foldon-CD11c scFv proteins elicited faster (as early as day 6 post primary vaccination) and higher anti-H9HA IgM and IgY, haemagglutination inhibition, and virus neutralisation antibodies compared to the untargeted H9HA protein. Comparatively, CD11c scFv conjugated H9HA protein showed higher immunogenic potency compared to Dec205 scFv conjugated H9HA protein. The higher immune potentiating ability of CD11c scFv was also reflected in ex-vivo chicken splenocyte stimulation assay, whereby H9HA Foldon-CD11c scFv induced higher levels of cytokines (IFNγ, IL6, IL1β, and IL4) compared to H9HA Foldon-Dec205 scFv. Overall, the results conclude that TADV could be a better alternative to the currently available inactivated virus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angita Shrestha
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; (A.S.); (J.-R.S.); (D.L.); (P.C.)
- Department of Zoology, Peter Medawar Building, South Parks Road, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3SY, UK
| | - Jean-Remy Sadeyen
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; (A.S.); (J.-R.S.); (D.L.); (P.C.)
| | - Deimante Lukosaityte
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; (A.S.); (J.-R.S.); (D.L.); (P.C.)
| | - Pengxiang Chang
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; (A.S.); (J.-R.S.); (D.L.); (P.C.)
| | - Marielle Van Hulten
- Global Poultry R&D Biologicals Boxmeer, Intervet International BV, MSD Animal Health, Wim De Körverstraat 35, 5831 AN Boxmeer, The Netherlands;
| | - Munir Iqbal
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, Surrey GU24 0NF, UK; (A.S.); (J.-R.S.); (D.L.); (P.C.)
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +44-(0)-1483-231441
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23
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Hunt AC, Case JB, Park YJ, Cao L, Wu K, Walls AC, Liu Z, Bowen JE, Yeh HW, Saini S, Helms L, Zhao YT, Hsiang TY, Starr TN, Goreshnik I, Kozodoy L, Carter L, Ravichandran R, Green LB, Matochko WL, Thomson CA, Vögeli B, Krüger-Gericke A, VanBlargan LA, Chen RE, Ying B, Bailey AL, Kafai NM, Boyken S, Ljubetič A, Edman N, Ueda G, Chow C, Addetia A, Panpradist N, Gale M, Freedman BS, Lutz BR, Bloom JD, Ruohola-Baker H, Whelan SPJ, Stewart L, Diamond MS, Veesler D, Jewett MC, Baker D. Multivalent designed proteins protect against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.07.07.451375. [PMID: 34268509 PMCID: PMC8282097 DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.07.451375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Escape variants of SARS-CoV-2 are threatening to prolong the COVID-19 pandemic. To address this challenge, we developed multivalent protein-based minibinders as potential prophylactic and therapeutic agents. Homotrimers of single minibinders and fusions of three distinct minibinders were designed to geometrically match the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) trimer architecture and were optimized by cell-free expression and found to exhibit virtually no measurable dissociation upon binding. Cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) showed that these trivalent minibinders engage all three receptor binding domains on a single S trimer. The top candidates neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern with IC 50 values in the low pM range, resist viral escape, and provide protection in highly vulnerable human ACE2-expressing transgenic mice, both prophylactically and therapeutically. Our integrated workflow promises to accelerate the design of mutationally resilient therapeutics for pandemic preparedness. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY We designed, developed, and characterized potent, trivalent miniprotein binders that provide prophylactic and therapeutic protection against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew C. Hunt
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - James Brett Case
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Longxing Cao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kejia Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Alexandra C. Walls
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John E. Bowen
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Hsien-Wei Yeh
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Shally Saini
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Louisa Helms
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Nephrology and Kidney Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Yan Ting Zhao
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Oral Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tien-Ying Hsiang
- Department of Immunology, Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tyler N. Starr
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Inna Goreshnik
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lisa Kozodoy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Lauren Carter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Rashmi Ravichandran
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | | | | | | | - Bastain Vögeli
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Antje Krüger-Gericke
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Laura A. VanBlargan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rita E. Chen
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Baoling Ying
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Adam L. Bailey
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Natasha M. Kafai
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Scott Boyken
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ajasja Ljubetič
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Natasha Edman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - George Ueda
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Cameron Chow
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Amin Addetia
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- The Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Nuttada Panpradist
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael Gale
- Department of Immunology, Center for Innate Immunity and Immune Disease, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Benjamin S. Freedman
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Division of Nephrology and Kidney Research Institute, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Barry R. Lutz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jesse D. Bloom
- Basic Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Hannele Ruohola-Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Sean P. J. Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Lance Stewart
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael C. Jewett
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Center for Synthetic Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
- Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - David Baker
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
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24
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Liu Z, Wu H, Egland KA, Gilliland TC, Dunn MD, Luke TC, Sullivan EJ, Klimstra WB, Bausch CL, Whelan SPJ. Human immunoglobulin from transchromosomic bovines hyperimmunized with SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen efficiently neutralizes viral variants. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2021; 18:1940652. [PMID: 34228597 PMCID: PMC8290372 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2021.1940652] [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] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with amino-acid substitutions and deletions in spike protein (S) can reduce the effectiveness of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and may compromise immunity induced by vaccines. We report a polyclonal, fully human, anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin produced in transchromosomic bovines (Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2) hyperimmunized with two doses of plasmid DNA encoding the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain S gene, followed by repeated immunization with S protein purified from insect cells. The resulting Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2, termed SAB-185, efficiently neutralizes SARS-CoV-2, and vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) SARS-CoV-2 chimeras in vitro. Neutralization potency was retained for S variants including S477N, E484K, and N501Y, substitutions present in recent variants of concern. In contrast to the ease of selection of escape variants with mAbs and convalescent human plasma, we were unable to isolate VSV-SARS-CoV-2 mutants resistant to Tc-hIgG-SARS-CoV-2 neutralization. This fully human immunoglobulin that potently inhibits SARS-CoV-2 infection may provide an effective therapeutic to combat COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoming Liu
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hua Wu
- , SAB Biotherapeutics Inc, Sioux Fall, SD, USA
| | | | - Theron C Gilliland
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Matthew D Dunn
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | | | - William B Klimstra
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Sean P J Whelan
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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25
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Lainšček D, Fink T, Forstnerič V, Hafner-Bratkovič I, Orehek S, Strmšek Ž, Manček-Keber M, Pečan P, Esih H, Malenšek Š, Aupič J, Dekleva P, Plaper T, Vidmar S, Kadunc L, Benčina M, Omersa N, Anderluh G, Pojer F, Lau K, Hacker D, Correia BE, Peterhoff D, Wagner R, Bergant V, Herrmann A, Pichlmair A, Jerala R. A Nanoscaffolded Spike-RBD Vaccine Provides Protection against SARS-CoV-2 with Minimal Anti-Scaffold Response. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9050431. [PMID: 33925446 PMCID: PMC8146944 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9050431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The response of the adaptive immune system is augmented by multimeric presentation of a specific antigen, resembling viral particles. Several vaccines have been designed based on natural or designed protein scaffolds, which exhibited a potent adaptive immune response to antigens; however, antibodies are also generated against the scaffold, which may impair subsequent vaccination. In order to compare polypeptide scaffolds of different size and oligomerization state with respect to their efficiency, including anti-scaffold immunity, we compared several strategies of presentation of the RBD domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, an antigen aiming to generate neutralizing antibodies. A comparison of several genetic fusions of RBD to different nanoscaffolding domains (foldon, ferritin, lumazine synthase, and β-annulus peptide) delivered as DNA plasmids demonstrated a strongly augmented immune response, with high titers of neutralizing antibodies and a robust T-cell response in mice. Antibody titers and virus neutralization were most potently enhanced by fusion to the small β-annulus peptide scaffold, which itself triggered a minimal response in contrast to larger scaffolds. The β-annulus fused RBD protein increased residence in lymph nodes and triggered the most potent viral neutralization in immunization by a recombinant protein. Results of the study support the use of a nanoscaffolding platform using the β-annulus peptide for vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duško Lainšček
- EN-FIST, Centre of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.L.); (I.H.-B.); (M.M.-K.); (M.B.)
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Tina Fink
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Vida Forstnerič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Iva Hafner-Bratkovič
- EN-FIST, Centre of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.L.); (I.H.-B.); (M.M.-K.); (M.B.)
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Sara Orehek
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Žiga Strmšek
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mateja Manček-Keber
- EN-FIST, Centre of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.L.); (I.H.-B.); (M.M.-K.); (M.B.)
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Peter Pečan
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Hana Esih
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Špela Malenšek
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jana Aupič
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Petra Dekleva
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tjaša Plaper
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Sara Vidmar
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Lucija Kadunc
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Mojca Benčina
- EN-FIST, Centre of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.L.); (I.H.-B.); (M.M.-K.); (M.B.)
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
| | - Neža Omersa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (N.O.); (G.A.)
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (N.O.); (G.A.)
| | - Florence Pojer
- Protein Production and Structure Core Facility PTPSP- EPFL SV PTECH PTPSP, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (F.P.); (K.L.); (D.H.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Kelvin Lau
- Protein Production and Structure Core Facility PTPSP- EPFL SV PTECH PTPSP, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (F.P.); (K.L.); (D.H.); (B.E.C.)
| | - David Hacker
- Protein Production and Structure Core Facility PTPSP- EPFL SV PTECH PTPSP, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (F.P.); (K.L.); (D.H.); (B.E.C.)
| | - Bruno E. Correia
- Protein Production and Structure Core Facility PTPSP- EPFL SV PTECH PTPSP, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (F.P.); (K.L.); (D.H.); (B.E.C.)
| | - David Peterhoff
- Molecular Microbiology (Virology), Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (R.W.)
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Molecular Microbiology (Virology), Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (D.P.); (R.W.)
- Institute of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Valter Bergant
- Immunopathology of Virus Infections Laboratory, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.B.); (A.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Alexander Herrmann
- Immunopathology of Virus Infections Laboratory, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.B.); (A.H.); (A.P.)
| | - Andreas Pichlmair
- Immunopathology of Virus Infections Laboratory, Institute of Virology, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany; (V.B.); (A.H.); (A.P.)
- German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Munich Partner Site, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Roman Jerala
- EN-FIST, Centre of Excellence, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (D.L.); (I.H.-B.); (M.M.-K.); (M.B.)
- Department of Synthetic Biology and Immunology, National Institute of Chemistry, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.F.); (V.F.); (S.O.); (Ž.S.); (P.P.); (H.E.); (Š.M.); (J.A.); (P.D.); (T.P.); (S.V.); (L.K.)
- Correspondence:
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26
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Miller LM, Barnes LF, Raab SA, Draper BE, El-Baba TJ, Lutomski CA, Robinson CV, Clemmer DE, Jarrold MF. Heterogeneity of Glycan Processing on Trimeric SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Revealed by Charge Detection Mass Spectrometry. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:3959-3966. [PMID: 33657316 PMCID: PMC8543487 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The heterogeneity associated with glycosylation of the 66 N-glycan sites on the protein trimer making up the spike (S) region of the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been assessed by charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). CDMS allows simultaneous measurement of the mass-to-charge ratio and charge of individual ions, so that mass distributions can be determined for highly heterogeneous proteins such as the heavily glycosylated S protein trimer. The CDMS results are compared to recent glycoproteomics studies of the structure and abundance of glycans at specific sites. Interestingly, average glycan masses determined by "top-down" CDMS measurements are 35-47% larger than those obtained from the "bottom-up" glycoproteomics studies, suggesting that the glycoproteomic measurements underestimated the abundances of larger, more-complex glycans. Moreover, the distribution of glycan masses determined by CDMS is much broader than the distribution expected from the glycoproteomics studies, assuming that glycan processing on each trimer is not correlated. The breadth of the glycan mass distribution therefore indicates heterogeneity in the extent of glycan processing of the S protein trimers, with some trimers being much more heavily processed than others. This heterogeneity may have evolved as a way of further confounding the host's immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lohra M Miller
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Lauren F Barnes
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Shannon A Raab
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Benjamin E Draper
- Megadalton Solutions, 3520 E Bluebird Ln, Bloomington Indiana 47401, United States
| | - Tarick J El-Baba
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OXI 3QZ, U.K
| | - Corinne A Lutomski
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OXI 3QZ, U.K
| | - Carol V Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OXI 3QZ, U.K
| | - David E Clemmer
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Martin F Jarrold
- Chemistry Department, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington Indiana 47405, United States
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27
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Miller CJ, McGinnis JE, Martinez MJ, Wang G, Zhou J, Simmons E, Amet T, Abdeen SJ, Van Huysse JW, Bowsher RR, Kay BK. FN3-based monobodies selective for the receptor binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. N Biotechnol 2021; 62:79-85. [PMID: 33556628 PMCID: PMC7863792 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2021.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A phage library displaying 1010 variants of the fibronectin type III (FN3) domain was affinity selected with the biotinylated form of the receptor binding domain (RBD, residues 319-541) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein. Nine binding FN3 variants (i.e. monobodies) were recovered, representing four different primary structures. Soluble forms of the monobodies bound to several different preparations of the RBD and the S1 spike subunit, with affinities ranging from 3 to 14 nM as measured by bio-layer interferometry. Three of the four monobodies bound selectively to the RBD of SARS-CoV-2, with the fourth monobody showing slight cross-reactivity to the RBD of SARS-CoV-1 virus. Examination of binding to the spike fragments and its trimeric form revealed that the monobodies recognise at least three overlapping epitopes on the RBD of SARS-CoV-2. While pairwise tests failed to identify a monobody pair that could bind simultaneously to the RBD, one monobody could simultaneously bind to the RBD with the ectodomain of the cellular receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). All four monobodies successfully bound the RBD after overexpression in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells as fusions to the Fc domain of human IgG1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina J Miller
- Tango Biosciences, Inc., 2201 W. Campbell Park Drive, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | | | - Michael J Martinez
- Tango Biosciences, Inc., 2201 W. Campbell Park Drive, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Guangli Wang
- Euprotein Inc., 675 US Highway 1, Suite 129, North Brunswick, NJ 08902 USA
| | - Jian Zhou
- LifeTein LLC, 100 Randolph Road, Suite 2D, Somerset, NJ 08873 USA
| | - Erica Simmons
- B2S Life Sciences, 97 East Monroe Street, Franklin, IN 46131 USA
| | - Tohti Amet
- B2S Life Sciences, 97 East Monroe Street, Franklin, IN 46131 USA
| | - Sanofar J Abdeen
- B2S Life Sciences, 97 East Monroe Street, Franklin, IN 46131 USA
| | | | - Ronald R Bowsher
- B2S Life Sciences, 97 East Monroe Street, Franklin, IN 46131 USA
| | - Brian K Kay
- Tango Biosciences, Inc., 2201 W. Campbell Park Drive, Chicago, IL 60612 USA.
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28
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Eastep GN, Ghanam RH, Green TJ, Saad JS. Structural characterization of HIV-1 matrix mutants implicated in envelope incorporation. J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100321. [PMID: 33485964 PMCID: PMC7952133 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During the late phase of HIV-1 infection, viral Gag polyproteins are targeted to the plasma membrane (PM) for assembly. Gag localization at the PM is a prerequisite for the incorporation of the envelope protein (Env) into budding particles. Gag assembly and Env incorporation are mediated by the N-terminal myristoylated matrix (MA) domain of Gag. Nonconservative mutations in the trimer interface of MA (A45E, T70R, and L75G) were found to impair Env incorporation and infectivity, leading to the hypothesis that MA trimerization is an obligatory step for Env incorporation. Conversely, Env incorporation can be rescued by a compensatory mutation in the MA trimer interface (Q63R). The impact of these MA mutations on the structure and trimerization properties of MA is not known. In this study, we employed NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and sedimentation techniques to characterize the structure and trimerization properties of HIV-1 MA A45E, Q63R, T70R, and L75G mutant proteins. NMR data revealed that these point mutations did not alter the overall structure and folding of MA but caused minor structural perturbations in the trimer interface. Analytical ultracentrifugation data indicated that mutations had a minimal effect on the MA monomer–trimer equilibrium. The high-resolution X-ray structure of the unmyristoylated MA Q63R protein revealed hydrogen bonding between the side chains of adjacent Arg-63 and Ser-67 on neighboring MA molecules, providing the first structural evidence for an additional intermolecular interaction in the trimer interface. These findings advance our knowledge of the interplay of MA trimerization and Env incorporation into HIV-1 particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar N Eastep
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Ruba H Ghanam
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Todd J Green
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Jamil S Saad
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
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29
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Weissman D, Alameh MG, de Silva T, Collini P, Hornsby H, Brown R, LaBranche CC, Edwards RJ, Sutherland L, Santra S, Mansouri K, Gobeil S, McDanal C, Pardi N, Hengartner N, Lin PJC, Tam Y, Shaw PA, Lewis MG, Boesler C, Şahin U, Acharya P, Haynes BF, Korber B, Montefiori DC. D614G Spike Mutation Increases SARS CoV-2 Susceptibility to Neutralization. Cell Host Microbe 2021; 29:23-31.e4. [PMID: 33306985 PMCID: PMC7707640 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 244] [Impact Index Per Article: 81.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Revised: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein acquired a D614G mutation early in the pandemic that confers greater infectivity and is now the globally dominant form. To determine whether D614G might also mediate neutralization escape that could compromise vaccine efficacy, sera from spike-immunized mice, nonhuman primates, and humans were evaluated for neutralization of pseudoviruses bearing either D614 or G614 spike. In all cases, the G614 pseudovirus was moderately more susceptible to neutralization. The G614 pseudovirus also was more susceptible to neutralization by receptor-binding domain (RBD) monoclonal antibodies and convalescent sera from people infected with either form of the virus. Negative stain electron microscopy revealed a higher percentage of the 1-RBD "up" conformation in the G614 spike, suggesting increased epitope exposure as a mechanism of enhanced vulnerability to neutralization. Based on these findings, the D614G mutation is not expected to be an obstacle for current vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drew Weissman
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Mohamad-Gabriel Alameh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Thushan de Silva
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; South Yorkshire Regional Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul Collini
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK; South Yorkshire Regional Department of Infection and Tropical Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield, UK
| | - Hailey Hornsby
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Rebecca Brown
- Department of Infection, Immunity and Cardiovascular Disease, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Celia C LaBranche
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Robert J Edwards
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Duke University, Department of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Laura Sutherland
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sampa Santra
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katayoun Mansouri
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sophie Gobeil
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Charlene McDanal
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Nick Hengartner
- T6: Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | | | - Ying Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, CA
| | - Pamela A Shaw
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Priyamvada Acharya
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Barton F Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Bette Korber
- T6: Theoretical Biology and Biophysics, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM USA
| | - David C Montefiori
- Department of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA; Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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30
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Galibert F. [Anti-COVID-19 RNA vaccines]. BULLETIN DE L ACADEMIE NATIONALE DE MEDECINE 2021; 205:199-202. [PMID: 33456058 PMCID: PMC7796673 DOI: 10.1016/j.banm.2021.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- F Galibert
- Institut de Génomique et Développement de Rennes (IGDR), Faculté de Médecine, Université de Rennes 1 Hôpital de Pontchaillou, 35000 Rennes, France
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31
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Walsh EE, Frenck RW, Falsey AR, Kitchin N, Absalon J, Gurtman A, Lockhart S, Neuzil K, Mulligan MJ, Bailey R, Swanson KA, Li P, Koury K, Kalina W, Cooper D, Fontes-Garfias C, Shi PY, Türeci Ö, Tompkins KR, Lyke KE, Raabe V, Dormitzer PR, Jansen KU, Şahin U, Gruber WC. Safety and Immunogenicity of Two RNA-Based Covid-19 Vaccine Candidates. N Engl J Med 2020; 383:2439-2450. [PMID: 33053279 PMCID: PMC7583697 DOI: 10.1056/nejmoa2027906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1767] [Impact Index Per Article: 441.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and the resulting disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), have spread to millions of persons worldwide. Multiple vaccine candidates are under development, but no vaccine is currently available. Interim safety and immunogenicity data about the vaccine candidate BNT162b1 in younger adults have been reported previously from trials in Germany and the United States. METHODS In an ongoing, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded, dose-escalation, phase 1 trial conducted in the United States, we randomly assigned healthy adults 18 to 55 years of age and those 65 to 85 years of age to receive either placebo or one of two lipid nanoparticle-formulated, nucleoside-modified RNA vaccine candidates: BNT162b1, which encodes a secreted trimerized SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain; or BNT162b2, which encodes a membrane-anchored SARS-CoV-2 full-length spike, stabilized in the prefusion conformation. The primary outcome was safety (e.g., local and systemic reactions and adverse events); immunogenicity was a secondary outcome. Trial groups were defined according to vaccine candidate, age of the participants, and vaccine dose level (10 μg, 20 μg, 30 μg, and 100 μg). In all groups but one, participants received two doses, with a 21-day interval between doses; in one group (100 μg of BNT162b1), participants received one dose. RESULTS A total of 195 participants underwent randomization. In each of 13 groups of 15 participants, 12 participants received vaccine and 3 received placebo. BNT162b2 was associated with a lower incidence and severity of systemic reactions than BNT162b1, particularly in older adults. In both younger and older adults, the two vaccine candidates elicited similar dose-dependent SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing geometric mean titers, which were similar to or higher than the geometric mean titer of a panel of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent serum samples. CONCLUSIONS The safety and immunogenicity data from this U.S. phase 1 trial of two vaccine candidates in younger and older adults, added to earlier interim safety and immunogenicity data regarding BNT162b1 in younger adults from trials in Germany and the United States, support the selection of BNT162b2 for advancement to a pivotal phase 2-3 safety and efficacy evaluation. (Funded by BioNTech and Pfizer; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04368728.).
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward E Walsh
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Robert W Frenck
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Ann R Falsey
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Nicholas Kitchin
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Judith Absalon
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Alejandra Gurtman
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Stephen Lockhart
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Kathleen Neuzil
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Mark J Mulligan
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Ruth Bailey
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Kena A Swanson
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Ping Li
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Kenneth Koury
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Warren Kalina
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - David Cooper
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Camila Fontes-Garfias
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Pei-Yong Shi
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Özlem Türeci
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Kristin R Tompkins
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Kirsten E Lyke
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Vanessa Raabe
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Philip R Dormitzer
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Kathrin U Jansen
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - Uğur Şahin
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
| | - William C Gruber
- From the University of Rochester and Rochester General Hospital, Rochester (E.E.W., A.R.F.), Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Pearl River (J.A., A.G., K.A.S., K.K., W.K., D.C., K.R.T., P.R.D., K.U.J., W.C.G.), and New York University Langone Vaccine Center and Grossman School of Medicine, New York (M.J.M., V.R.) - all in New York; Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati (R.W.F.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Hurley, United Kingdom (N.K., S.L., R.B.); the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore (K.N., K.E.L.); Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer, Collegeville, PA (P.L.); the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (C.F.-G., P.-Y.S.); and BioNTech, Mainz, Germany (ÖT., U.Ş.)
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Trimeric SARS-CoV-2 Spike Proteins Produced from CHO Cells in Bioreactors Are High-Quality Antigens. Processes (Basel) 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/pr8121539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The spike protein of the pandemic human corona virus is essential for its entry into human cells. In fact, most neutralizing antibodies against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are directed against the Virus-surface exposed spike protein, making it the antigen of choice for use in vaccines and diagnostic tests. In the current pandemic context, global demand for spike proteins has rapidly increased and could exceed hundreds of grams to kilograms annually. Coronavirus spikes are large heavily glycosylated homo-trimeric complexes, with inherent instability. The poor manufacturability now threatens the availability of these proteins for vaccines and diagnostic tests. Here, we outline scalable, Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) compliant, and chemically defined processes for the production of two cell-secreted stabilized forms of the trimeric spike proteins (Wuhan and D614G variant). The processes are chemically defined and based on clonal suspension-CHO cell populations and on protein purification via a two-step scalable downstream process. The trimeric conformation was confirmed using electron microscopy and HPLC analysis. Binding to susceptible cells was shown using a virus-inhibition assay. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for detection of serum SARS-CoV-2-specific-immunoglobulin molecules was found to exceed that of spike fragments (Spike subunit-1, S1 and Receptor Binding Domain, RBD). The process described here will enable production of sufficient high-quality trimeric spike protein to meet the global demand for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic tests and potentially vaccines.
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Arai R. Design of helical linkers for fusion proteins and protein-based nanostructures. Methods Enzymol 2020; 647:209-230. [PMID: 33482989 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mie.2020.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The construction of recombinant fusion/chimeric proteins has been widely used for expression of soluble proteins and protein purification in a variety of fields of protein engineering and biotechnology. Fusion proteins are constructed by the linking of two protein domains with a peptide linker. The selection of a linker sequence is important for the construction of stable and bioactive fusion proteins. Empirically designed linkers are generally classified into two categories according to their structural features: flexible linkers and rigid linkers. Rigid linkers with the α-helix-forming sequences A(EAAAK)nA (n=2-5) were first designed about two decades ago to control the distance between two protein domains and to reduce their interference. Thereafter, the helical linkers have been applied to the construction of many fusion proteins to improve expression and bioactivity. In addition, the design of fusion proteins that self-assemble into supramolecular complexes is useful for nanobiotechnology and synthetic biology. A protein that forms a self-assembling oligomer was fused by a rigid helical linker to another protein that forms another self-assembling oligomer, and the fusion protein symmetrically self-assembled into a designed protein nanoparticle or nanomaterial. Moreover, to construct chain-like polymeric nanostructures, extender protein nanobuilding blocks were designed by tandemly fusing two dimeric de novo proteins with helical or flexible linkers. The linker design of fusion proteins can affect conformation and dynamics of self-assembling nanostructures. The present review and methods focus on useful helical linkers to construct bioactive fusion proteins and protein-based nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi Arai
- Department of Biomolecular Innovation, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, Japan; Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano, Japan.
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Džupponová V, Huntošová V, Žoldák G. A kinetic coupling between protein unfolding and aggregation controls time-dependent solubility of the human myeloma antibody light chain. Protein Sci 2020; 29:2408-2421. [PMID: 33030218 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Protein aggregation is one of the most critical processes affecting protein solubility in various contexts-from protein therapeutics formulation to protein diseases. In general, time-dependent changes in protein solubility are complex kinetically driven processes that often involve a triggering event that consists of a protein unfolding/misfolding followed by the assembling of aggregation-competent protein species. In this study, we have examined the relation between stability and time-dependent solubility of the recombinant human antibody light chain, hLC, which was found to form renal tubular casts in the multiple myeloma patient. To analyze the aggregation quantitatively, the hLC stability and protein solubility assays were performed in vitro at elevated temperatures. A differential acceleration of the processes at high temperatures enabled us to dissect observed kinetics of irreversible hLC unfolding and aggregation. We find that for hLC these processes have different molecularity and activation energy barriers. While the irreversible unfolding of hLC is a unimolecular step with a substantial activation energy barrier of 260 kJ/mol, the aggregation is rate-limited by the bimolecular reaction, which is characterized by a lower activation energy barrier of 40 kJ/mol. By the combination of experimental assays at different temperatures, different protein concentrations and kinetic modeling using ordinary differential equations, we were able to extrapolate time-dependent protein solubility to temperatures where both unfolding and aggregation processes are strongly kinetically coupled. Our study enables mechanism-based evaluation and interpretation of different physico-chemical factors contributing to the hLC unfolding and aggregation and their effect on the formation of extracellular protein deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Džupponová
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Science, P. J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Veronika Huntošová
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation Park P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
| | - Gabriel Žoldák
- Center for Interdisciplinary Biosciences, Technology and Innovation Park P.J. Šafárik University, Košice, Slovakia
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35
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Mulligan MJ, Lyke KE, Kitchin N, Absalon J, Gurtman A, Lockhart S, Neuzil K, Raabe V, Bailey R, Swanson KA, Li P, Koury K, Kalina W, Cooper D, Fontes-Garfias C, Shi PY, Türeci Ö, Tompkins KR, Walsh EE, Frenck R, Falsey AR, Dormitzer PR, Gruber WC, Şahin U, Jansen KU. Phase I/II study of COVID-19 RNA vaccine BNT162b1 in adults. Nature 2020; 586:589-593. [PMID: 32785213 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2639-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 985] [Impact Index Per Article: 246.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)1, a pandemic. With rapidly accumulating numbers of cases and deaths reported globally2, a vaccine is urgently needed. Here we report the available safety, tolerability and immunogenicity data from an ongoing placebo-controlled, observer-blinded dose-escalation study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04368728) among 45 healthy adults (18-55 years of age), who were randomized to receive 2 doses-separated by 21 days-of 10 μg, 30 μg or 100 μg of BNT162b1. BNT162b1 is a lipid-nanoparticle-formulated, nucleoside-modified mRNA vaccine that encodes the trimerized receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. Local reactions and systemic events were dose-dependent, generally mild to moderate, and transient. A second vaccination with 100 μg was not administered because of the increased reactogenicity and a lack of meaningfully increased immunogenicity after a single dose compared with the 30-μg dose. RBD-binding IgG concentrations and SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing titres in sera increased with dose level and after a second dose. Geometric mean neutralizing titres reached 1.9-4.6-fold that of a panel of COVID-19 convalescent human sera, which were obtained at least 14 days after a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR. These results support further evaluation of this mRNA vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J Mulligan
- New York University Langone Vaccine Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kirsten E Lyke
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Judith Absalon
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA.
| | | | | | - Kathleen Neuzil
- University of Maryland School of Medicine, Center for Vaccine Development and Global Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vanessa Raabe
- New York University Langone Vaccine Center, New York, NY, USA
- New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ruth Bailey
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Hurley, UK
| | - Kena A Swanson
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Ping Li
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Collegeville, PA, USA
| | - Kenneth Koury
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - Warren Kalina
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | - David Cooper
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | | | - Pei-Yong Shi
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | | | - Edward E Walsh
- University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Ann R Falsey
- University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
- Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - William C Gruber
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA
| | | | - Kathrin U Jansen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Pfizer Inc, Pearl River, NY, USA
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36
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Walsh EE, Frenck R, Falsey AR, Kitchin N, Absalon J, Gurtman A, Lockhart S, Neuzil K, Mulligan MJ, Bailey R, Swanson KA, Li P, Koury K, Kalina W, Cooper D, Fontes-Garfias C, Shi PY, Türeci Ö, Thompkins KR, Lyke KE, Raabe V, Dormitzer PR, Jansen KU, Sahin U, Gruber WC. RNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine BNT162b2 Selected for a Pivotal Efficacy Study. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2020. [PMID: 32839784 DOI: 10.1101/2020.08.17.20176651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections and the resulting disease, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), have spread to millions of people globally. Multiple vaccine candidates are under development, but no vaccine is currently available. METHODS Healthy adults 18-55 and 65-85 years of age were randomized in an ongoing, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded dose-escalation study to receive 2 doses at 21-day intervals of placebo or either of 2 lipid nanoparticle-formulated, nucleoside-modified RNA vaccine candidates: BNT162b1, which encodes a secreted trimerized SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain, or BNT162b2, which encodes a prefusion stabilized membrane-anchored SARS-CoV-2 full-length spike. In each of 13 groups of 15 participants, 12 received vaccine and 3 received placebo. Groups were distinguished by vaccine candidate, age of participant, and vaccine dose level. Interim safety and immunogenicity data of BNT162b1 in younger adults have been reported previously from US and German trials. We now present additional safety and immunogenicity data from the US Phase 1 trial that supported selection of the vaccine candidate advanced to a pivotal Phase 2/3 safety and efficacy evaluation. RESULTS In both younger and older adults, the 2 vaccine candidates elicited similar dose-dependent SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing geometric mean titers (GMTs), comparable to or higher than the GMT of a panel of SARS-CoV-2 convalescent sera. BNT162b2 was associated with less systemic reactogenicity, particularly in older adults. CONCLUSION These results support selection of the BNT162b2 vaccine candidate for Phase 2/3 large-scale safety and efficacy evaluation, currently underway.
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Murphy RE, Samal AB, Vlach J, Mas V, Prevelige PE, Saad JS. Structural and biophysical characterizations of HIV-1 matrix trimer binding to lipid nanodiscs shed light on virus assembly. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:18600-18612. [PMID: 31640987 PMCID: PMC6901326 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
During the late phase of the HIV-1 replication cycle, the viral Gag polyproteins are targeted to the plasma membrane for assembly. The Gag-membrane interaction is mediated by binding of Gag's N-terminal myristoylated matrix (MA) domain to phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PI(4,5)P2). The viral envelope (Env) glycoprotein is then recruited to the assembly sites and incorporated into budding particles. Evidence suggests that Env incorporation is mediated by interactions between Gag's MA domain and the cytoplasmic tail of the gp41 subunit of Env (gp41CT). MA trimerization appears to be an obligatory step for this interaction. Insufficient production of a recombinant MA trimer and unavailability of a biologically relevant membrane system have been barriers to detailed structural and biophysical characterization of the putative MA-gp41CT-membrane interactions. Here, we engineered a stable recombinant HIV-1 MA trimer construct by fusing a foldon domain (FD) of phage T4 fibritin to the MA C terminus. Results from NMR experiments confirmed that the FD attachment does not adversely alter the MA structure. Employing hydrogen-deuterium exchange MS, we identified an MA-MA interface in the MA trimer that is implicated in Gag assembly and Env incorporation. Utilizing lipid nanodiscs as a membrane mimetic, we show that the MA trimer binds to membranes 30-fold tighter than does the MA monomer and that incorporation of PI(4,5)P2 and phosphatidylserine enhances the binding of MA to nanodiscs. These findings advance our understanding of a fundamental mechanism in HIV-1 assembly and provide a template for investigating the interaction of MA with gp41CT.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Elliot Murphy
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Alexandra B Samal
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Jiri Vlach
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Peter E Prevelige
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294
| | - Jamil S Saad
- Department of Microbiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294.
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38
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Kubyshkin V. Stabilization of the triple helix in collagen mimicking peptides. Org Biomol Chem 2019; 17:8031-8047. [PMID: 31464337 DOI: 10.1039/c9ob01646e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Collagen mimics are peptides designed to reproduce structural features of natural collagen. A triple helix is the first element in the hierarchy of collagen folding. It is an assembly of three parallel peptide chains stabilized by packing and interchain hydrogen bonds. In this review we summarize the existing chemical approaches towards stabilization of this structure including the most recent developments. Currently proposed methods include manipulation of the amino acid composition, application of unnatural amino acid analogues, stimuli-responsive modifications, chain tethering approaches, peptide amphiphiles, modifications that target interchain interactions and more. This ability to manipulate the triple helix as a supramolecular self-assembly contributes to our understanding of the collagen folding. It also provides essential information needed to design collagen-based biomaterials of the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Kubyshkin
- Institute of Chemistry, University of Manitoba, Dysart Rd. 144, R3T 2N2, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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39
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Harker AJ, Katkar HH, Bidone TC, Aydin F, Voth GA, Applewhite DA, Kovar DR. Ena/VASP processive elongation is modulated by avidity on actin filaments bundled by the filopodia cross-linker fascin. Mol Biol Cell 2019; 30:851-862. [PMID: 30601697 PMCID: PMC6589784 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e18-08-0500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Ena/VASP tetramers are processive actin elongation factors that localize to diverse F-actin networks composed of filaments bundled by different cross-linking proteins, such as filopodia (fascin), lamellipodia (fimbrin), and stress fibers (α-actinin). Previously, we found that Ena takes approximately threefold longer processive runs on trailing barbed ends of fascin-bundled F-actin. Here, we used single-molecule TIRFM (total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy) and developed a kinetic model to further dissect Ena/VASP’s processive mechanism on bundled filaments. We discovered that Ena’s enhanced processivity on trailing barbed ends is specific to fascin bundles, with no enhancement on fimbrin or α-actinin bundles. Notably, Ena/VASP’s processive run length increases with the number of both fascin-bundled filaments and Ena “arms,” revealing avidity facilitates enhanced processivity. Consistently, Ena tetramers form more filopodia than mutant dimer and trimers in Drosophila culture cells. Moreover, enhanced processivity on trailing barbed ends of fascin-bundled filaments is an evolutionarily conserved property of Ena/VASP homologues, including human VASP and Caenorhabditis elegans UNC-34. These results demonstrate that Ena tetramers are tailored for enhanced processivity on fascin bundles and that avidity of multiple arms associating with multiple filaments is critical for this process. Furthermore, we discovered a novel regulatory process whereby bundle size and bundling protein specificity control activities of a processive assembly factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa J Harker
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
| | - Harshwardhan H Katkar
- Department of Chemistry, cThe James Franck Institute, and dInstitute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.,Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202
| | - Tamara C Bidone
- Department of Chemistry, cThe James Franck Institute, and dInstitute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.,Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202
| | - Fikret Aydin
- Department of Chemistry, cThe James Franck Institute, and dInstitute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.,Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202
| | - Gregory A Voth
- Department of Chemistry, cThe James Franck Institute, and dInstitute for Biophysical Dynamics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.,Department of Biology, Reed College, Portland, OR 97202
| | | | - David R Kovar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637.,Department of Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637
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40
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Gómez-González J, Peña DG, Barka G, Sciortino G, Maréchal JD, Vázquez López M, Vázquez ME. Directed Self-Assembly of Trimeric DNA-Bindingchiral Miniprotein Helicates. Front Chem 2018; 6:520. [PMID: 30425980 PMCID: PMC6218460 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2018.00520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
We propose that peptides are highly versatile platforms for the precise design of supramolecular metal architectures, and particularly, for the controlled assembly of helicates. In this context, we show that the bacteriophage T4 Fibritin foldon (T4Ff) can been engineered on its N-terminus with metal-chelating 2,2'-bipyridine units that stereoselectively assemble in the presence of Fe(II) into parallel, three-stranded peptide helicates with preferred helical orientation. Modeling studies support the proposed self-assembly and the stability of the final helicate. Furthermore, we show that these designed mini-metalloproteins selectively recognize three-way DNA junctions over double-stranded DNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacobo Gómez-González
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Diego G Peña
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ghofrane Barka
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Giuseppe Sciortino
- Departament de Química, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola, Spain.,Dipartimento di Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Sassari, Sassari, Italy
| | | | - Miguel Vázquez López
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Inorgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - M Eugenio Vázquez
- Centro Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica e Materiais Moleculares (CiQUS), Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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41
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Kobayashi N, Inano K, Sasahara K, Sato T, Miyazawa K, Fukuma T, Hecht MH, Song C, Murata K, Arai R. Self-Assembling Supramolecular Nanostructures Constructed from de Novo Extender Protein Nanobuilding Blocks. ACS Synth Biol 2018; 7:1381-1394. [PMID: 29690759 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.8b00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The design of novel proteins that self-assemble into supramolecular complexes is important for development in nanobiotechnology and synthetic biology. Recently, we designed and created a protein nanobuilding block (PN-Block), WA20-foldon, by fusing an intermolecularly folded dimeric de novo WA20 protein and a trimeric foldon domain of T4 phage fibritin (Kobayashi et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2015, 137, 11285). WA20-foldon formed several types of self-assembling nanoarchitectures in multiples of 6-mers, including a barrel-like hexamer and a tetrahedron-like dodecamer. In this study, to construct chain-like polymeric nanostructures, we designed de novo extender protein nanobuilding blocks (ePN-Blocks) by tandemly fusing two de novo binary-patterned WA20 proteins with various linkers. The ePN-Blocks with long helical linkers or flexible linkers were expressed in soluble fractions of Escherichia coli, and the purified ePN-Blocks were analyzed by native PAGE, size exclusion chromatography-multiangle light scattering (SEC-MALS), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and transmission electron microscopy. These results suggest formation of various structural homo-oligomers. Subsequently, we reconstructed hetero-oligomeric complexes from extender and stopper PN-Blocks by denaturation and refolding. The present SEC-MALS and SAXS analyses show that extender and stopper PN-Block (esPN-Block) heterocomplexes formed different types of extended chain-like conformations depending on their linker types. Moreover, atomic force microscopy imaging in liquid suggests that the esPN-Block heterocomplexes with metal ions further self-assembled into supramolecular nanostructures on mica surfaces. Taken together, the present data demonstrate that the design and construction of self-assembling PN-Blocks using de novo proteins is a useful strategy for building polymeric nanoarchitectures of supramolecular protein complexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoya Kobayashi
- Exploratory Research Center on Life and Living Systems, National Institutes of Natural Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8787, Japan
| | | | | | - Takaaki Sato
- Center for Energy and Environmental Science, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Nagano, Nagano 380-8553, Japan
| | - Keisuke Miyazawa
- Division of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Takeshi Fukuma
- Division of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Michael H Hecht
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States
| | - Chihong Song
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Kazuyoshi Murata
- National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Aichi 444-8585, Japan
| | - Ryoichi Arai
- Division of Structural and Synthetic Biology, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Tsurumi, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan
- Department of Supramolecular Complexes, Research Center for Fungal and Microbial Dynamism, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
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42
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Yang SW, Jang YH, Kwon SB, Lee YJ, Chae W, Byun YH, Kim P, Park C, Lee YJ, Kim CK, Kim YS, Choi SI, Seong BL. Harnessing an RNA-mediated chaperone for the assembly of influenza hemagglutinin in an immunologically relevant conformation. FASEB J 2018; 32:2658-2675. [PMID: 29295864 PMCID: PMC5901386 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700747rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
A novel protein-folding function of RNA has been recognized, which can outperform previously known molecular chaperone proteins. The RNA as a molecular chaperone (chaperna) activity is intrinsic to some ribozymes and is operational during viral infections. Our purpose was to test whether influenza hemagglutinin (HA) can be assembled in a soluble, trimeric, and immunologically activating conformation by means of an RNA molecular chaperone (chaperna) activity. An RNA-interacting domain (RID) from the host being immunized was selected as a docking tag for RNA binding, which served as a transducer for the chaperna function for de novo folding and trimeric assembly of RID-HA1. Mutations that affect tRNA binding greatly increased the soluble aggregation defective in trimer assembly, suggesting that RNA interaction critically controls the kinetic network in the folding/assembly pathway. Immunization of mice resulted in strong hemagglutination inhibition and high titers of a neutralizing antibody, providing sterile protection against a lethal challenge and confirming the immunologically relevant HA conformation. The results may be translated into a rapid response to a new influenza pandemic. The harnessing of the novel chaperna described herein with immunologically tailored antigen-folding functions should serve as a robust prophylactic and diagnostic tool for viral infections.-Yang, S. W., Jang, Y. H., Kwon, S. B., Lee, Y. J., Chae, W., Byun, Y. H., Kim, P., Park, C., Lee, Y. J., Kim, C. K., Kim, Y. S., Choi, S. I., Seong, B. L. Harnessing an RNA-mediated chaperone for the assembly of influenza hemagglutinin in an immunologically relevant conformation.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Female
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/biosynthesis
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/chemistry
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Immunization
- Influenza A virus/genetics
- Influenza A virus/immunology
- Influenza A virus/metabolism
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Molecular Chaperones/chemistry
- Molecular Chaperones/genetics
- Molecular Chaperones/immunology
- Molecular Chaperones/metabolism
- Mutation
- Protein Folding
- Protein Multimerization
- RNA, Transfer/chemistry
- RNA, Transfer/genetics
- RNA, Transfer/immunology
- RNA, Transfer/metabolism
- Rabbits
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung Won Yang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yo Han Jang
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Soon Bin Kwon
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoon Jae Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Wonil Chae
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Ho Byun
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Paul Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Chan Park
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Jae Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Choon Kang Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Seok Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seong Il Choi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Baik Lin Seong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
- Vaccine Translational Research Center, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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43
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Sutton TC, Chakraborty S, Mallajosyula VVA, Lamirande EW, Ganti K, Bock KW, Moore IN, Varadarajan R, Subbarao K. Protective efficacy of influenza group 2 hemagglutinin stem-fragment immunogen vaccines. NPJ Vaccines 2017; 2:35. [PMID: 29263889 PMCID: PMC5732283 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-017-0036-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 10/30/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The stem of the influenza A virus hemagglutinin (HA) is highly conserved and represents an attractive target for a universal influenza vaccine. The 18 HA subtypes of influenza A are phylogenetically divided into two groups, and while protection with group 1 HA stem vaccines has been demonstrated in animal models, studies on group 2 stem vaccines are limited. Thus, we engineered group 2 HA stem-immunogen (SI) vaccines targeting the epitope for the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody CR9114 and evaluated vaccine efficacy in mice and ferrets. Immunization induced antibodies that bound to recombinant HA protein and viral particles, and competed with CR9114 for binding to the HA stem. Mice vaccinated with H3 and H7-SI were protected from lethal homologous challenge with X-79 (H3N2) or A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9), and displayed moderate heterologous protection. In ferrets, H7-SI vaccination did not significantly reduce weight loss or nasal wash titers after robust 107 TCID50 H7N9 virus challenge. Epitope mapping revealed ferrets developed lower titers of antibodies that bound a narrow range of HA stem epitopes compared to mice, and this likely explains the lower efficacy in ferrets. Collectively, these findings indicate that while group 2 SI vaccines show promise, their immunogenicity and efficacy are reduced in larger outbred species, and will have to be enhanced for successful translation to a universal vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Troy C Sutton
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Saborni Chakraborty
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka India
| | | | | | - Ketaki Ganti
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Kevin W Bock
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Ian N Moore
- Comparative Medicine Branch, Infectious Disease Pathogenesis Section, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Raghavan Varadarajan
- Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, Karnataka India
| | - Kanta Subbarao
- Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD USA.,Present Address: WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Influenza at the Peter Doherty Institute, 792 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC Australia
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44
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Arai R. Hierarchical design of artificial proteins and complexes toward synthetic structural biology. Biophys Rev 2017; 10:391-410. [PMID: 29243094 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-017-0376-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 11/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In multiscale structural biology, synthetic approaches are important to demonstrate biophysical principles and mechanisms underlying the structure, function, and action of bio-nanomachines. A central goal of "synthetic structural biology" is the design and construction of artificial proteins and protein complexes as desired. In this paper, I review recent remarkable progress of an array of approaches for hierarchical design of artificial proteins and complexes that signpost the path forward toward synthetic structural biology as an emerging interdisciplinary field. Topics covered include combinatorial and protein-engineering approaches for directed evolution of artificial binding proteins and membrane proteins, binary code strategy for structural and functional de novo proteins, protein nanobuilding block strategy for constructing nano-architectures, protein-metal-organic frameworks for 3D protein complex crystals, and rational and computational approaches for design/creation of artificial proteins and complexes, novel protein folds, ideal/optimized protein structures, novel binding proteins for targeted therapeutics, and self-assembling nanomaterials. Protein designers and engineers look toward a bright future in synthetic structural biology for the next generation of biophysics and biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryoichi Arai
- Department of Applied Biology, Faculty of Textile Science and Technology, Shinshu University, Ueda, Nagano 386-8567, Japan. .,Department of Supramolecular Complexes, Research Center for Fungal and Microbial Dynamism, Shinshu University, Minamiminowa, Nagano 399-4598, Japan. .,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Interdisciplinary Cluster for Cutting Edge Research, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, Nagano 390-8621, Japan. .,Division of Structural and Synthetic Biology, RIKEN Center for Life Science Technologies, Tsurumi, Yokohama, Kanagawa 230-0045, Japan.
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45
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Shah MA, Mishra S, Chaudhuri TK. Marginal stability drives irreversible unfolding of large multi-domain family 3 glycosylhydrolases from thermo-tolerant yeast. Int J Biol Macromol 2017; 108:1322-1330. [PMID: 29141194 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.11.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/08/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein folding is an extremely complex and fast, yet perfectly defined process, involving interplay of many intra and inter-molecular forces. In vitro, these molecular interactions are reversible for many proteins e.g., smaller and monomeric, organized into single domains. However, refolding of larger multi-domain/multimeric proteins is much more complicated, proceeds in a hierarchal way and is often irreversible. In a comparative study on two large, multi-domain and multimeric isozymes, β-glucosidase I (BGLI) and β-glucosidase II (BGLII) from Pichia etchellsii, we studied spontaneous and assisted refolding under three denaturing conditions viz. GdnHCl, alkaline pH and heat. During refolding, higher refolding yields were obtained for BGLII in case of pH induced unfolding (13.89%±0.25) than BGLI (6%±0.85) while for GdnHCl induced unfolding, refolding was marginal (BGLI=5%±0.5; BGLII=6%±0.69). Thermal unfolding was irreversible while assisted refolding also showed little structural gain for both proteins. When the apparent free energies of unfolding (ΔGUapp) were calculated from GdnHCl unfolding data, their values were strikingly found to be lower (BGLI ΔGUapp=3.02kcal/mol; BGLII ΔGUapp=2.99kcal/mol) than reported for globular (ΔGU=5-15kcal/mol)/multimeric proteins (ΔGU=23-29kcal/mol) indicating marginal stability results in low refolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Asif Shah
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
| | - Saroj Mishra
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
| | - Tapan Kumar Chaudhuri
- Department of Biochemical Engineering & Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India; Ksuma School of Biological Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
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46
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Abstract
We describe the development and potential use of various designs of recombinant HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimers that mimic the structure of the virion-associated spike, which is the target for neutralizing antibodies. The goal of trimer development programs is to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies with the potential to intervene against multiple circulating HIV-1 strains. Among the topics we address are the designs of various constructs; how native-like trimers can be produced and purified; the properties of such trimers in vitro and their immunogenicity in various animals; and the immunization strategies that may lead to the eventual elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies. In summary, native-like trimers are a now a platform for structure- and immunology-based design improvements that could eventually yield immunogens of practical value for solving the long-standing HIV-1 vaccine problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogier W. Sanders
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyWeill Medical College of Cornell UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of Medical MicrobiologyAcademic Medical CenterUniversity of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - John P. Moore
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyWeill Medical College of Cornell UniversityNew YorkNYUSA
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47
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Boyington JC, Joyce MG, Sastry M, Stewart-Jones GBE, Chen M, Kong WP, Ngwuta JO, Thomas PV, Tsybovsky Y, Yang Y, Zhang B, Chen L, Druz A, Georgiev IS, Ko K, Zhou T, Mascola JR, Graham BS, Kwong PD. Structure-Based Design of Head-Only Fusion Glycoprotein Immunogens for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159709. [PMID: 27463224 PMCID: PMC4963090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of severe respiratory illness worldwide, particularly in infants, young children, and the elderly. Although no licensed vaccine is currently available, an engineered version of the metastable RSV fusion (F) surface glycoprotein-stabilized in the pre-fusion (pre-F) conformation by "DS-Cav1" mutations-elicits high titer RSV-neutralizing responses. Moreover, pre-F-specific antibodies, often against the neutralization-sensitive antigenic site Ø in the membrane-distal head region of trimeric F glycoprotein, comprise a substantial portion of the human response to natural RSV infection. To focus the vaccine-elicited response to antigenic site Ø, we designed a series of RSV F immunogens that comprised the membrane-distal head of the F glycoprotein in its pre-F conformation. These "head-only" immunogens formed monomers, dimers, and trimers. Antigenic analysis revealed that a majority of the 70 engineered head-only immunogens displayed reactivity to site Ø-targeting antibodies, which was similar to that of the parent RSV F DS-Cav1 trimers, often with increased thermostability. We evaluated four of these head-only immunogens in detail, probing their recognition by antibodies, their physical stability, structure, and immunogenicity. When tested in naïve mice, a head-only trimer, half the size of the parent RSV F trimer, induced RSV titers, which were statistically comparable to those induced by DS-Cav1. When used to boost DS-Cav1-primed mice, two head-only RSV F immunogens, a dimer and a trimer, boosted RSV-neutralizing titers to levels that were comparable to those boosted by DS-Cav1, although with higher site Ø-directed responses. Our results provide proof-of-concept for the ability of the smaller head-only RSV F immunogens to focus the vaccine-elicited response to antigenic site Ø. Decent primary immunogenicity, enhanced physical stability, potential ease of manufacture, and potent immunogenicity upon boosting suggest these head-only RSV F immunogens, engineered to retain the pre-fusion conformation, may have advantages as candidate RSV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Boyington
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - M. Gordon Joyce
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Mallika Sastry
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Guillaume B. E. Stewart-Jones
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Man Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Wing-Pui Kong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Joan O. Ngwuta
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Paul V. Thomas
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yongping Yang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Baoshan Zhang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Lei Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Aliaksandr Druz
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Ivelin S. Georgiev
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Kiyoon Ko
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Tongqing Zhou
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - John R. Mascola
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Barney S. Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
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48
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Cui X, Cao Z, Chen Q, Arjunaraja S, Snow AL, Snapper CM. Rabbits immunized with Epstein-Barr virus gH/gL or gB recombinant proteins elicit higher serum virus neutralizing activity than gp350. Vaccine 2016; 34:4050-5. [PMID: 27291087 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is the primary cause of infectious mononucleosis and has been strongly implicated in the etiology of multiple epithelial and lymphoid cancers, such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, gastric carcinoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder. There is currently no licensed prophylactic vaccine for EBV. Most efforts to develop prophylactic vaccines have focused on EBV gp350, which binds to CD21/CD35 to gain entry into B cells, and is a major target of serum neutralizing antibody in EBV seropositive humans. However, a recombinant monomeric gp350 protein failed to prevent EBV infection in a phase II clinical trial. Thus, alternative or additional target antigens may be necessary for a successful prophylactic vaccine. EBV gH/gL and gB proteins coordinately mediate EBV fusion and entry into B cells and epithelial cells, strongly suggesting that vaccination with these proteins might elicit antibodies that will prevent EBV infection. We produced recombinant trimeric and monomeric EBV gH/gL heterodimeric proteins and a trimeric EBV gB protein, in addition to tetrameric and monomeric gp350(1-470) proteins, in Chinese hamster ovary cells. We demonstrated that vaccination of rabbits with trimeric and monomeric gH/gL, trimeric gB, and tetrameric gp350(1-470) induced serum EBV-neutralizing titers, using cultured human B cells, that were >100-fold, 20-fold, 18-fold, and 4-fold higher, respectively, than monomeric gp350(1-470). These data strongly suggest a role for testing EBV gH/gL and EBV gB in a future prophylactic vaccine to prevent EBV infection of B cells, as well as epithelial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinle Cui
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
| | - Zhouhong Cao
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
| | - Quanyi Chen
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
| | - Swadhinya Arjunaraja
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
| | - Andrew L Snow
- Department of Pharmacology & Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States
| | - Clifford M Snapper
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, United States.
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49
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Valkenburg SA, Mallajosyula VVA, Li OTW, Chin AWH, Carnell G, Temperton N, Varadarajan R, Poon LLM. Stalking influenza by vaccination with pre-fusion headless HA mini-stem. Sci Rep 2016; 6:22666. [PMID: 26947245 PMCID: PMC4780079 DOI: 10.1038/srep22666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Inaccuracies in prediction of circulating viral strain genotypes and the possibility of novel reassortants causing a pandemic outbreak necessitate the development of an anti-influenza vaccine with increased breadth of protection and potential for rapid production and deployment. The hemagglutinin (HA) stem is a promising target for universal influenza vaccine as stem-specific antibodies have the potential to be broadly cross-reactive towards different HA subtypes. Here, we report the design of a bacterially expressed polypeptide that mimics a H5 HA stem by protein minimization to focus the antibody response towards the HA stem. The HA mini-stem folds as a trimer mimicking the HA prefusion conformation. It is resistant to thermal/chemical stress, and it binds to conformation-specific, HA stem-directed broadly neutralizing antibodies with high affinity. Mice vaccinated with the group 1 HA mini-stems are protected from morbidity and mortality against lethal challenge by both group 1 (H5 and H1) and group 2 (H3) influenza viruses, the first report of cross-group protection. Passive transfer of immune serum demonstrates the protection is mediated by stem-specific antibodies. Furthermore, antibodies indudced by these HA stems have broad HA reactivity, yet they do not have antibody-dependent enhancement activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A Valkenburg
- HKU-Pasteur Research Pole, School of Public Health, HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.,Center of Influenza Research and School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | | | - Olive T W Li
- Center of Influenza Research and School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Alex W H Chin
- Center of Influenza Research and School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - George Carnell
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom
| | - Nigel Temperton
- Viral Pseudotype Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Kent, Kent, United Kingdom
| | | | - Leo L M Poon
- Center of Influenza Research and School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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50
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White EM, Miranker AD. A solenoid design for assessing determinants of parallel β-sheet registration. Protein Eng Des Sel 2015; 28:577-83. [PMID: 26487712 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzv053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Accepted: 09/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A novel protein construct is presented that combines a homotrimeric, triple-stranded β-helix as a guest to a homotrimeric foldon unit from bacteriophage T4 fibritin. The β-helical solenoid selected is short (46 residues) and is part of a subdomain of the T4 cell-puncturing device. The resultant design is trimeric and displays greatly enhanced stability over each sub-component alone. The intended goal is a design that will enable evaluation of sequence determinants that promote in-register versus out-of-register parallel β-sheet homotrimerization. Towards that end, the importance of a set of three buried salt-bridges was evaluated by converting them to residues otherwise consistently found throughout the natural solenoid at the same positions. The critical role of the charged residues in the salt-bridges was evident in that their elimination resulted in amyloid-like aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen M White
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
| | - Andrew D Miranker
- Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, 260 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA
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