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Abstract
Discovery of tumor antigenic epitopes is important for cancer vaccine development. Such epitopes can be designed and modified to become more antigenic and immunogenic in order to overcome immunosuppression towards the native tumor antigen. In silico-guided modification of epitope sequences allows predictive discrimination of those that may be potentially immunogenic. Therefore, only candidates predicted with high antigenicity will be selected, constructed, and tested in the lab. Here, we described the employment of in silico tools using a multiparametric approach to assess both potential T-cell epitopes (MHC class I/II binding) and B-cell epitopes (hydrophilicity, surface accessibility, antigenicity, and linear epitope). A scoring and ranking system based on these parameters was developed to shortlist potential mimotope candidates for further development as peptide cancer vaccines.
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de Oliveira LMF, Morale MG, Chaves AAM, Cavalher AM, Lopes AS, Diniz MDO, Schanoski AS, de Melo RL, Ferreira LCDS, de Oliveira MLS, Demasi M, Ho PL. Design, Immune Responses and Anti-Tumor Potential of an HPV16 E6E7 Multi-Epitope Vaccine. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0138686. [PMID: 26390407 PMCID: PMC4577214 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0138686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/02/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is a common type of cancer among women worldwide and infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPVs) types represents the major risk factor for the etiopathogenesis of the disease. HPV-16 is the most frequently identified HPV type in cervical lesions and expression of E6 and E7 oncoproteins is required for the uncontrolled cellular proliferation. In the present study we report the design and experimental testing of a recombinant multi-epitope protein containing immunogenic epitopes of HPV-16 E6 and E7. Tumor preventive assays, based on the engraftment of TC-1 cells in mice, showed that the E6E7 multi-epitope protein induced a full preventive anti-tumor protection in wild-type mice, as well as in mice deficient in expression of CD4+ T cells and TLR4 receptor. Nonetheless, no anti-tumor protection was observed in mice deficient in CD8+ T cells. Also, the vaccine promoted high activation of E6/E7-specific T cells and in a therapeutic-approach, E6E7 protein conferred full anti-tumor protection in mice. These results show a potential use of this E6E7 multi-epitope antigen as a new and promising antigen for the development of a therapeutic vaccine against tumors induced by HPV.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mirian Galliote Morale
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Molecular I, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Agatha A. Muniz Chaves
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Molecular I, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Marques Cavalher
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Molecular I, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Aline Soriano Lopes
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada-CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Mariana de Oliveira Diniz
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | | | - Robson Lopes de Melo
- Laboratório Especial de Toxinologia Aplicada-CeTICS, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marilene Demasi
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Biofísica, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Lee Ho
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Molecular I, Instituto Butantan, Av. Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo-SP, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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kumar SR, Prabakaran M, Ashok raj KV, He F, Kwang J. Amino Acid Substitutions Improve the Immunogenicity of H7N7HA Protein and Protect Mice against Lethal H7N7 Viral Challenge. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128940. [PMID: 26030920 PMCID: PMC4452345 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Avian influenza A H7N7/NL/219/03 virus creates a serious pandemic threat to human health because it can transmit directly from domestic poultry to humans and from human to human. Our previous vaccine study reported that mice when immunized intranasally (i.n) with live Bac-HA were protected from lethal H7N7/NL/219/03 challenge, whereas incomplete protection was obtained when administered subcutaneously (s.c) due to the fact that H7N7 is a poor inducer of neutralizing antibodies. Interestingly, our recent vaccine studies reported that mice when vaccinated subcutaneously with Bac-HA (H7N9) was protected against both H7N9 (A/Sh2/2013) and H7N7 virus challenge. HA1 region of both H7N7 and H7N9 viruses are differ at 15 amino acid positions. Among those, we selected three amino acid positions (T143, T198 and I211) in HA1 region of H7N7. These amino acids are located within or near the receptor binding site. Following the selection, we substituted the amino acid at these three positions with amino acids found on H7N9HA wild-type. In this study, we evaluate the impact of amino acid substitutions in the H7N7 HA-protein on the immunogenicity. We generated six mutant constructs from wild-type influenza H7N7HA cDNA by site directed mutagenesis, and individually expressed mutant HA protein on the surface of baculovirus (Bac-HAm) and compared their protective efficacy of the vaccines with Bac-H7N7HA wild-type (Bac-HA) by lethal H7N7 viral challenge in a mouse model. We found that mice immunized subcutaneously with Bac-HAm constructs T143A or T198A-I211V or I211V-T143A serum showed significantly higher hemagglutination inhibition and neutralization titer against H7N7 and H7N9 viruses when compared to Bac-HA vaccinated mice groups. We also observed low level of lung viral titer, negligible weight loss and complete protection against lethal H7N7 viral challenge. Our results indicated that amino acid substitution at position 143 or 211 improve immunogenicity of H7N7HA vaccine against H7N7/NL/219/03 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subaschandrabose Rajesh kumar
- Animal Health Biotechnology, Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Mookkan Prabakaran
- Animal Health Biotechnology, Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Kattur Venkatachalam Ashok raj
- Animal Health Biotechnology, Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Fang He
- Animal Health Biotechnology, Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
| | - Jimmy Kwang
- Animal Health Biotechnology, Temasek Lifesciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
- * E-mail:
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Turksma AW, Bontkes HJ, Ruizendaal JJ, Scholten KBJ, Akershoek J, Rampersad S, Moesbergen LM, Cillessen SAGM, Santegoets SJAM, de Gruijl TD, Leemans CR, Meijer CJLM, Hooijberg E. Exploring dendritic cell based vaccines targeting survivin for the treatment of head and neck cancer patients. J Transl Med 2013; 11:152. [PMID: 23787039 PMCID: PMC3695847 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-11-152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2013] [Accepted: 06/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background New treatment modalities are needed for the treatment of cancers of the head and neck region (HNSCC). Survivin is important for the survival and proliferation of tumor cells and may therefore provide a target for immunotherapy. Here we focused on the ex vivo presence and in vitro induction of survivin specific T cells. Methods Tetramer staining and ELIspot assays were used to document the presence of survivin specific T cells in patient derived material, and to monitor the presence and persistence of survivin specific T cells after repeated in vitro stimulation with autologous dendritic cells. Results Ex vivo analysis showed the presence of survivin-specific T cells in the peripheral blood (by tetramer analysis) and in the draining lymph node (by ELIspot analysis) in a HNSCC and a locally advanced breast cancer patient respectively. However, we were unable to maintain isolated survivin specific T cells for prolonged periods of time. For the in vitro generation of survivin specific T cells, monocyte derived DC were electroporated with mRNA encoding full length survivin or a survivin mini-gene together with either IL21 or IL12 mRNA. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining of dendritic cell cytospin preparations confirmed translation of the full length survivin protein. After repeated stimulation we observed an increase, followed by a decrease, of the number of survivin specific T cells. FACS sorted or limiting dilution cloned survivin specific T cells could not be maintained on feeder mix for prolonged periods of time. Protein expression analysis subsequently showed that activated, but not resting T cells contain survivin protein. Conclusions Here we have shown that survivin specific T cells can be detected ex vivo in patient derived material. Furthermore, survivin specific T cells can be induced in vitro using autologous dendritic cells with enforced expression of survivin and cytokines. However, we were unable to maintain enriched or cloned survivin specific T cells for prolonged periods of time. Endogenous expression of survivin in activated T cells and subsequent fratricide killing might explain our in vitro observations. We therefore conclude that survivin, although it is a universal tumor antigen, might not be the ideal target for immunotherapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer of the head and neck.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelies W Turksma
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center-Cancer Center Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Cytolytic activity of the human papillomavirus type 16 E711-20 epitope-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte is enhanced by heat shock protein 110 in HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2013; 20:1027-33. [PMID: 23658393 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00721-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Heat shock proteins (HSPs) have been successfully applied to a broad range of vaccines as biological adjuvants to enhance the immune response. The recently defined HSP110, in particular, exhibits strong protein binding affinity and is capable of enhancing the immunogenicity of protein antigens remarkably more than other HSP family members. In our previous study, we verified that murine HSP110 (mHSP110) significantly enhanced the immune response of a C57BL/6 mouse model to the H-2(d)-restricted human papillomavirus (HPV) E749-57 epitope (short peptide spanning the 49th to 57th amino acid residues in the E7 protein). To determine whether HSP110 similarly enhances the immunogenicity of human epitope peptides, we used the HLA-A2 transgenic mouse model to investigate the efficacy of the mHSP110 chaperone molecule as an immunoadjuvant of the human HLA-A2-restricted HPV16 E711-20 epitope vaccine. Results showed that mHSP110 efficiently formed a noncovalently bound complex with the E711-20 epitope. The mHSP110-E711-20 complex induced epitope-specific splenocyte proliferation and E711-20-specific gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion. Importantly, cytotoxic T lymphocytes primed by the mHSP110-E711-20 complex exerted strong cytolytic effects on target T2 cells pulsed with the E711-20 peptide or TC-1 cells transfected with the HLA-A2 gene. In addition, the mHSP110-E711-20 complex elicited stronger ex vivo and in vivo antitumor responses than either emulsified complete Freund's adjuvant or HSP70-chaperoned E711-20 peptide. These collective data suggest that HSP110 is a promising immunomodulator candidate for peptide-based human cancer vaccines, such as for the HLA-A2-restricted E711-20 epitope.
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Scholten KBJ, Turksma AW, Ruizendaal JJ, van den Hende M, van der Burg SH, Heemskerk MHM, Meijer CJLM, Hooijberg E. Generating HPV specific T helper cells for the treatment of HPV induced malignancies using TCR gene transfer. J Transl Med 2011; 9:147. [PMID: 21892941 PMCID: PMC3176193 DOI: 10.1186/1479-5876-9-147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2011] [Accepted: 09/05/2011] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Infection with high risk Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is associated with cancer of the cervix, vagina, penis, vulva, anus and some cases of head and neck carcinomas. The HPV derived oncoproteins E6 and E7 are constitutively expressed in tumor cells and therefore potential targets for T cell mediated adoptive immunotherapy. Effective immunotherapy is dependent on the presence of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. However, low precursor frequencies of HPV16 specific T cells in patients and healthy donors hampers routine isolation of these cells for adoptive transfer purposes. An alternative to generate HPV specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is TCR gene transfer. Methods HPV specific CD4+ T cells were generated using either a MHC class I or MHC class II restricted TCR (from clones A9 and 24.101 respectively) directed against HPV16 antigens. Functional analysis was performed by interferon-γ secretion, proliferation and cytokine production assays. Results Introduction of HPV16 specific TCRs into blood derived CD4+ recipient T cells resulted in recognition of the relevant HPV16 epitope as determined by IFN-γ secretion. Importantly, we also show recognition of the endogenously processed and HLA-DP1 presented HPV16E6 epitope by 24.101 TCR transgenic CD4+ T cells and recognition of the HLA-A2 presented HPV16E7 epitope by A9 TCR transgenic CD4+ T cells. Conclusion Our data indicate that TCR transfer is feasible as an alternative strategy to generate human HPV16 specific CD4+ T helper cells for the treatment of patients suffering from cervical cancer and other HPV16 induced malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten B J Scholten
- Department of Pathology, VU University Medical Center, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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de Araujo Souza PS, Sichero L, Maciag PC. HPV variants and HLA polymorphisms: the role of variability on the risk of cervical cancer. Future Oncol 2009; 5:359-70. [DOI: 10.2217/fon.09.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is linked to the development of cervical cancer, and several cofactors contribute to the risk of disease. Research on the intratypic variability of HPVs has defined variants that are associated with persistent infections and are potentially more oncogenic, translating to a higher risk of malignant disease. The genetic variability of the host also plays a role in the risk of cervical cancer, especially genes controlling the immune response, such as HLA class I and II. These highly polymorphic genes are important risk determinants of HPV persistence and disease progression. The interaction between host and viral factors is complex and needs to be further investigated, paving the way to better define the patients at the highest risk of developing malignant diseases linked to HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Savio de Araujo Souza
- Division of Cellular Biology, Brazilian National Cancer Institute, R Andre Cavalcanti, 37–5o andar, 22231–090 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Laura Sichero
- Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz, R. João Julião, 245, 01323–903 São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Paulo Cesar Maciag
- Advaxis Inc., 675 US Highway 1, Suite 120, North Brunswick, NJ 08902, USA
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Kopsidas G, Carman RK, Stutt EL, Raicevic A, Roberts AS, Siomos MAV, Dobric N, Pontes-Braz L, Coia G. RNA mutagenesis yields highly diverse mRNA libraries for in vitro protein evolution. BMC Biotechnol 2007; 7:18. [PMID: 17425805 PMCID: PMC1855321 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-7-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2006] [Accepted: 04/11/2007] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In protein drug development, in vitro molecular optimization or protein maturation can be used to modify protein properties. One basic approach to protein maturation is the introduction of random DNA mutations into the target gene sequence to produce a library of variants that can be screened for the preferred protein properties. Unfortunately, the capability of this approach has been restricted by deficiencies in the methods currently available for random DNA mutagenesis and library generation. Current DNA based methodologies generally suffer from nucleotide substitution bias that preferentially mutate particular base pairs or show significant bias with respect to transitions or transversions. In this report, we describe a novel RNA-based random mutagenesis strategy that utilizes Qbeta replicase to manufacture complex mRNA libraries with a mutational spectrum that is close to the ideal. RESULTS We show that Qbeta replicase generates all possible base substitutions with an equivalent preference for mutating A/T or G/C bases and with no significant bias for transitions over transversions. To demonstrate the high diversity that can be sampled from a Qbeta replicase-generated mRNA library, the approach was used to evolve the binding affinity of a single domain VNAR shark antibody fragment (12Y-2) against malarial apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) via ribosome display. The binding constant (KD) of 12Y-2 was increased by 22-fold following two consecutive but discrete rounds of mutagenesis and selection. The mutagenesis method was also used to alter the substrate specificity of beta-lactamase which does not significantly hydrolyse the antibiotic cefotaxime. Two cycles of RNA mutagenesis and selection on increasing concentrations of cefotaxime resulted in mutants with a minimum 10,000-fold increase in resistance, an outcome achieved faster and with fewer overall mutations than in comparable studies using other mutagenesis strategies. CONCLUSION The RNA based approach outlined here is rapid and simple to perform and generates large, highly diverse populations of proteins, each differing by only one or two amino acids from the parent protein. The practical implications of our results are that suitable improved protein candidates can be recovered from in vitro protein evolution approaches using significantly fewer rounds of mutagenesis and selection, and with little or no collateral damage to the protein or its mRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- George Kopsidas
- EvoGenix Ltd., 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Rachael K Carman
- EvoGenix Ltd., 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Emma L Stutt
- EvoGenix Ltd., 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Anna Raicevic
- CSIRO, Molecular and Health Technologies, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Anthony S Roberts
- EvoGenix Ltd., 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | | | - Nada Dobric
- EvoGenix Ltd., 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Luisa Pontes-Braz
- CSIRO, Molecular and Health Technologies, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
| | - Greg Coia
- CSIRO, Molecular and Health Technologies, 343 Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
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