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Ahn HS, Park BJ, Go HJ, Lyoo EL, Kim DH, Lee JB, Park SY, Song CS, Lee SW, Choi YK, Jung HJ, Kim HM, Choi IS. Induction of immunocontraceptive effects in both male and female mice immunized with GnRH vaccine. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:1999-2007. [PMID: 34236748 PMCID: PMC8464238 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) plays a pivotal role in regulating the reproductive endocrine system. Objective An immunocontraception vaccine aimed at inhibiting the functions of GnRH is tested as a potential tool for controlling animal populations. Methods We developed a recombinant immunocontraceptive vaccine composed of GnRH‐I and GnRH‐II (GnRH I+II), which was conjugated with Salmonella typhimurium flagellin. Forty‐eight BALB/c mice aged 4 weeks were divided into four groups (each group had n = 12): non‐vaccinated male (NVM), non‐vaccinated female (NVF), vaccinated male (VM), and vaccinated female (VF). Mice in the vaccinated groups were vaccinated twice by intramuscular injection at 0 and 2 weeks with 300 μg of the recombinant GnRH protein complex per mouse. Mice in the non‐vaccinated groups were injected with saline and served as the unimmunized controls. Twenty‐four pairs of male and female mice were mated for 10–12 weeks after initial immunization in four groups: 6 NVF × 6 NVM, 6 VF × 6 NVM, 6 NVF × 6 VM, and 6 VF × 6 VM. Results: An increase (p < 0.001) in antibody titers in VM and VF mice was observed. The testosterone levels and the number of spermatocytes were lower (p < 0.001) in VM mice than those in the control mice. The progesterone levels and the number of corpora lutea were lower (p < 0.001) than those in the control mice. Mating results in both VM and VF mice confirmed a 60% reduction in pregnancy rates and offspring numbers. Conclusions The recombinant GnRH vaccine can be used for birth control in both male and female animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee-Seop Ahn
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Byung-Joo Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Jeong Go
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eu-Lim Lyoo
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Hwi Kim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joong-Bok Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Seung-Yong Park
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Seon Song
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sang-Won Lee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yang-Kyu Choi
- Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyun-Ju Jung
- Department of Applied Statistics, College of Social Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyoung-Moon Kim
- Department of Applied Statistics, College of Social Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - In-Soo Choi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
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Pujol-Navarro N, Kubiak-Ossowska K, Ferro V, Mulheran P. Simulating Peptide Monolayer Formation: GnRH-I on Silica. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115523. [PMID: 34073815 PMCID: PMC8197186 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations can provide a detailed view of molecule behaviour at an atomic level, which can be useful when attempting to interpret experiments or design new systems. The decapeptide gonadotrophin-releasing hormone I (GnRH-I) is known to control fertility in mammals for both sexes. It was previously shown that inoculation with silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) coated with GnRH-I makes an effective anti-fertility vaccine due to how the peptide adsorbs to the nanoparticle and is presented to the immune system. In this paper, we develop and employ a protocol to simulate the development of a GnRH-I peptide adlayer by allowing peptides to diffuse and adsorb in a staged series of trajectories. The peptides start the simulation in an immobile state in solution above the model silica surface, and are then released sequentially. This facile approach allows the adlayer to develop in a natural manner and appears to be quite versatile. We find that the GnRH-I adlayer tends to be sparse, with electrostatics dominating the interactions. The peptides are collapsed to the surface and are seemingly free to interact with additional solutes, supporting the interpretations of the GNRH-I/SiNP vaccine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neret Pujol-Navarro
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK;
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK;
- Correspondence:
| | - Karina Kubiak-Ossowska
- ARCHIE-WeSt, Department of Physics, University of Strathclyde, 107 Rottenrow East, Glasgow G4 0NG, UK;
| | - Valerie Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK;
| | - Paul Mulheran
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, UK;
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Connell DJ, Gebril A, Khan MAH, Patwardhan SV, Kubiak-Ossowska K, Ferro VA, Mulheran PA. Rationalising drug delivery using nanoparticles: a combined simulation and immunology study of GnRH adsorbed to silica nanoparticles. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17115. [PMID: 30459397 PMCID: PMC6244087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) have been shown to have significant potential for drug delivery and as adjuvants for vaccines. We have simulated the adsorption of GnRH-I (gonadotrophin releasing hormone I) and a cysteine-tagged modification (cys-GnRH-I) to model silica surfaces, as well as its conjugation to the widely-used carrier protein bovine serum albumin (BSA). Our subsequent immunological studies revealed no significant antibody production was caused by the peptide-SiNP systems, indicating that the treatment was not effective. However, the testosterone response with the native peptide-SiNPs indicated a drug effect not found with cys-GnRH-I-SiNPs; this behaviour is explained by the specific orientation of the peptides at the silica surface found in the simulations. With the BSA systems, we found significant testosterone reduction, particularly for the BSA-native conjugates, and an antibody response that was notably higher with the SiNPs acting as an adjuvant; this behaviour again correlates well with the epitope presentation predicted by the simulations. The range of immunological and hormone response can therefore be interpreted and understood by the simulation results and the presentation of the peptides to solution, paving the way for the future rational design of drug delivery and vaccine systems guided by biomolecular simulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Connell
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK
| | - Ayman Gebril
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Mohammad A H Khan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Siddharth V Patwardhan
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Karina Kubiak-Ossowska
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK
| | - Valerie A Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G4 0RE, UK
| | - Paul A Mulheran
- Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK.
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Desaulniers AT, Cederberg RA, Lents CA, White BR. Expression and Role of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone 2 and Its Receptor in Mammals. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2017; 8:269. [PMID: 29312140 PMCID: PMC5732264 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2017.00269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone 1 (GnRH1) and its receptor (GnRHR1) drive mammalian reproduction via regulation of the gonadotropins. Yet, a second form of GnRH (GnRH2) and its receptor (GnRHR2) also exist in mammals. GnRH2 has been completely conserved throughout 500 million years of evolution, signifying high selection pressure and a critical biological role. However, the GnRH2 gene is absent (e.g., rat) or inactivated (e.g., cow and sheep) in some species but retained in others (e.g., human, horse, and pig). Likewise, many species (e.g., human, chimpanzee, cow, and sheep) retain the GnRHR2 gene but lack the appropriate coding sequence to produce a full-length protein due to gene coding errors; although production of GnRHR2 in humans remains controversial. Certain mammals lack the GnRHR2 gene (e.g., mouse) or most exons entirely (e.g., rat). In contrast, old world monkeys, musk shrews, and pigs maintain the coding sequence required to produce a functional GnRHR2. Like GnRHR1, GnRHR2 is a 7-transmembrane, G protein-coupled receptor that interacts with Gαq/11 to mediate cell signaling. However, GnRHR2 retains a cytoplasmic tail and is only 40% homologous to GnRHR1. A role for GnRH2 and its receptor in mammals has been elusive, likely because common laboratory models lack both the ligand and receptor. Uniquely, both GnRH2 and GnRHR2 are ubiquitously expressed; transcript levels are abundant in peripheral tissues and scarcely found in regions of the brain associated with gonadotropin secretion, suggesting a divergent role from GnRH1/GnRHR1. Indeed, GnRH2 and its receptor are not physiological modulators of gonadotropin secretion in mammals. Instead, GnRH2 and GnRHR2 coordinate the interaction between nutritional status and sexual behavior in the female brain. Within peripheral tissues, GnRH2 and its receptor are novel regulators of reproductive organs. GnRH2 and GnRHR2 directly stimulate steroidogenesis within the porcine testis. In the female, GnRH2 and its receptor may help mediate placental function, implantation, and ovarian steroidogenesis. Furthermore, both the GnRH2 and GnRHR2 genes are expressed in human reproductive tumors and represent emerging targets for cancer treatment. Thus, GnRH2 and GnRHR2 have diverse functions in mammals which remain largely unexplored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy T. Desaulniers
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | - Rebecca A. Cederberg
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
| | | | - Brett R. White
- Department of Animal Science, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE, United States
- *Correspondence: Brett R. White,
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Gebril AM, Lamprou DA, Alsaadi MM, Stimson WH, Mullen AB, Ferro VA. Assessment of the antigen-specific antibody response induced by mucosal administration of a GnRH conjugate entrapped in lipid nanoparticles. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2013; 10:971-9. [PMID: 24374362 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2013.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2012] [Revised: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 12/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Vaccines administered parenterally have been developed against gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) for anti-fertility and anti-cancer purposes. The aim of this study was to demonstrate whether mucosal delivery using GnRH immunogens entrapped in lipid nanoparticles (LNP) could induce anti-GnRH antibody titers. Immunogens consisting of KLH (keyhole limpet hemocyanin) conjugated to either GnRH-I or GnRH-III analogues were entrapped in LNP. Loaded non-ionic surfactant vesicles (NISVs) were administered subcutaneously, while nasal delivery was achieved using NISV in xanthan gum and oral delivery using NISV containing deoxycholate (bilosomes). NISV and bilosomes had similar properties: they were spherical, in the nanometre size range, with a slightly negative zeta potential and surface properties that changed with protein loading and inclusion of xanthan gum. Following immunization in female BALB/c mice, systemic antibody responses were similar for both GnRH-I and GnRH-III immunization. Only nasal delivery proved to be successful in terms of producing systemic and mucosal antibodies. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR The main research question addressed in this study was whether mucosal delivery using gonadotrophin-releasing hormone immunogens entrapped in lipid nanoparticles could induce anti-GnRH antibody titers. Only nasal delivery proved to be successful in terms of producing systemic and mucosal antibodies with this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayman M Gebril
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Al-Bayda, Libya
| | - Dimitrios A Lamprou
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Manal M Alsaadi
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - William H Stimson
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Alexander B Mullen
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Valerie A Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.
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Khan MAH, Ogita K, Ferro VA, Kumasawa K, Tsutsui T, Kimura T. Immunisation with a plasmid DNA vaccine encoding gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I) and T-helper epitopes in saline suppresses rodent fertility. Vaccine 2008; 26:1365-74. [PMID: 18262690 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.12.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2007] [Revised: 12/10/2007] [Accepted: 12/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Research into active immunisation against gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH-I) has gained widespread acceptance as a means of controlling reproduction and behaviour of farm, companion and wild animals. Many studies describe the use of multiple copies of the self-peptide in linear alignment and conjugation with a large carrier protein to increase the immune response to the peptide. However, problems resulting from carrier protein epitope suppression have seen a diversion of interest into the use of genetic materials to elicit an optimum immune response. In this study, a 533-bp long DNA vaccine was constructed in pcDNAV5-HisB coding for 18.871 kDa GnRH-I-T-helper-V5 epitopes fusion protein. COS1 cells transfected with the vaccine construct were found to release fusion protein into culture supernatant. The vaccine construct (100 microg/mice) in saline solution administered into the anterior quadriceps muscle of ICR male and female mice stimulated antigen-specific IgG antibody responses. Testosterone levels in the vaccinated male mice were significantly (p = 0.021) reduced. A significant reduction in uterine implants were noted following mating between immunised males and control females (p = 0.028), as well as between immunised females and control males (p = 0.004). Histological examination of both the male and female gonads in study week 13 showed atrophy of the seminiferous epithelium and suppression of folliculogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad A H Khan
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
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