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Huang M, Gao Y, Liao D, Li J, Tang B, Ma Y, Yin X, Li Y, Liu Z. Effects of intrauterine exposure to maternal-derived HBeAg on T cell immunity in cord blood. Scand J Immunol 2020; 92:e12914. [PMID: 32533709 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12914] [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: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Immature immune system and immune tolerance induced by exposure to HBeAg in utero and/or shortly after infection in newborns were reportedly the causes of chronic HBV infection. To investigate the effect of maternal-derived HBeAg on neonatal T cell immunity, we analysed and compared T cell phenotypes and functions among neonates born to HBsAg+ /HBeAg+ mothers (HBeAg+ neonates), HBsAg+ /HBeAg- mothers (HBeAg- neonates) and healthy control mothers (HC neonates), using flow cytometry. The results showed that neonatal T cell phenotypes were similar regardless of HBeAg exposure. Upon anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 stimulation in HBeAg+ neonates, CD4+ T cell production of IFN-γ (P < .05) was significantly enhanced, while CD8+ T cells secreted significantly more IL-2 compared with those in HBeAg- and HC groups (P < .05). Moreover, similar levels of IFN-γ and IL-10 were observed in the culture supernatant after stimulation with rHBsAg, rHBcAg or rHBeAg among HBeAg+ , HBeAg- and HC neonates, whereas HBeAg+ neonates produced more TNF-α than HBeAg- neonates upon stimulation with rHBcAg. In conclusion, the results indicated that the HBsAg+ /HBeAg+ maternal environment did not influence the phenotypes of cord blood T cells but boosted neonatal non-specific Th1-type cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiting Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunfei Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Dandan Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jinna Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanchen Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueru Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongyin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhihua Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Viral Hepatitis Research, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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Ma A, Motyka B, Gutfreund K, Shi YE, George R. A dendritic cell receptor-targeted chimeric immunotherapeutic protein (C-HBV) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 16:756-778. [PMID: 31687879 PMCID: PMC7227630 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1689080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infections HBV-specific T cells are functionally impaired. Immunotherapy may restore HBV-specific T cell responses essential for sustained disease remission off-treatment and induction of a functional cure. Chimigen® Molecules are fusion proteins of antigen(s) with the Fc fragment of a xenotypic antibody designed to target specific receptors on dendritic cells (DCs). Here we describe the production and pre-clinical evaluation of Chimigen® HBV (C-HBV), containing HBV PreS1 and PreS2 peptide fragments, HBV core and murine Fc, produced in insect cells. C-HBV binding to immature DCs and internalization by endocytosis was FcγRII (CD32) and mannose receptor (CD206) dependent and led to increased MHC I and MHC II surface expression. Upon exposure of human T cells isolated from HBV un-infected healthy and chronically HBV-infected donors to C-HBV-pulsed mature DCs ex vivo, C-HBV induced vigorous T cell proliferation and enhanced expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α, perforin and granzyme B in both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets. Re-stimulation of C-HBV-activated T cells from chronically infected donors with HBV PreS1/PreS2 and core overlapping peptides induced IFN-γ production in both CD4+ and CD8+ populations. C-HBV-activation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from chronically HBV-infected patients stimulated granzyme B production by CD4+CD25- T responder (Tresp) cells, accompanied by an increase in Annexin V staining on CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Treg) cell phenotype, consistent with apoptosis. The observed HBV-specific cellular responses induced by C-HBV ex vivo suggest that C-HBV is a promising immunotherapeutic candidate for the treatment of chronic HBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan Ma
- Akshaya Bio Inc., Edmonton, Canada
| | - Bruce Motyka
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Klaus Gutfreund
- Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Yuenian Eric Shi
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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3
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Zhuo M, Song L, Tang Y, Dai S, Chen X, Yu Y, Zang G, Tang Z. Vaccination with ubiquitin-hepatitis B core antigen-cytoplasmic transduction peptide enhances the hepatitis B virus-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte immune response and inhibits hepatitis B virus replication in transgenic mice. Mol Med Rep 2015; 12:3591-3598. [PMID: 26004262 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.3834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is characterized by functionally impaired type 1 T-helper cell (Thl) immunity and poor HBV‑specific T‑cell responses. Ubiquitin (Ub), a highly conserved small regulatory protein, commonly serves as a signal for target proteins that are recognized and degraded in proteasomes. The rapid degradation of Ub‑mediated antigens results in efficient stimulation of cell‑mediated immune responses. Thus, the Ub‑HBV core antigen (HBcAg)‑cytoplasmic transduction peptide (CTP) fusion protein was designed for specific delivery of a foreign modified antigen to the cytoplasm of antigen‑presenting cells. HBV transgenic mice were used to determine whether Ub‑HBcAg‑CTP would restore HBV‑specific immune responses and anti‑viral immunity in these animals. The results demonstrated that synthesized Ub‑HBcAg‑CTP not only significantly increased the levels of interleukin‑2 and interferon (IFN)‑γ compared with those in the HBcAg‑CTP, IFN‑α, Ub‑HBcAg, HBcAg and phosphate‑buffered saline groups, but additionally induced the highest IFN‑γ+ CD8+ T‑cell numbers and HBV‑specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, indicating a strong immune response. In addition, enhancement of specific CTL activity provoked by the fusion protein reduced hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA serum levels and diminished the expression of HBsAg and HBcAg in liver tissue of HBV transgenic mice, suggesting that there was a therapeutic effect. In conclusion, the present study provided evidence that Ub‑HBcAg‑CTP activated the Th1‑dependent immunity, triggered functional T cell responses and subsequently inhibited viral replication in HBV transgenic mice. These observations suggested that the fusion protein may represent an innovative and promising candidate for active immunotherapy during chronic and persistent HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Zhuo
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Linlin Song
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Yuyan Tang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Shenglan Dai
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Xiaohua Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Yongsheng Yu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Guoqing Zang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
| | - Zhenghao Tang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200233, P.R. China
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Tan WS, Ho KL. Phage display creates innovative applications to combat hepatitis B virus. World J Gastroenterol 2014; 20:11650-11670. [PMID: 25206271 PMCID: PMC4155357 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i33.11650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2013] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) has killed countless lives in human history. The invention of HBV vaccines in the 20th century has reduced significantly the rate of the viral infection. However, currently there is no effective treatment for chronic HBV carriers. Newly emerging vaccine escape mutants and drug resistant strains have complicated the viral eradication program. The entire world is now facing a new threat of HBV and human immunodeficiency virus co-infection. Could phage display provide solutions to these life-threatening problems? This article reviews critically and comprehensively the innovative and potential applications of phage display in the development of vaccines, therapeutic agents, diagnostic reagents, as well as gene and drug delivery systems to combat HBV. The application of phage display in epitope mapping of HBV antigens is also discussed in detail. Although this review mainly focuses on HBV, the innovative applications of phage display could also be extended to other infectious diseases.
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Zhou CM, Zhang GX, Ma XX. Characterization and evaluation of the immune responses elicited by a novel human papillomavirus (HPV) therapeutic vaccine: HPV 16E7-HBcAg-Hsp65 fusion protein. J Virol Methods 2013; 197:1-6. [PMID: 24291739 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2013.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/22/2013] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPV), particularly HPV16, are associated with most cervical cancers. Currently, although prophylactic vaccines have been developed, there is still an urgent need to develop therapeutic HPV vaccines. In this study, a novel fusion protein, HPV 16 E7-HBcAg-Hsp65 (VR111), with the goal of increasing anti-HPV16 cellular immunity was developed. VR111 was analyzed using SDS-PAGE, western-blotting, capillary isoelectric focusing (cIEF), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) secretion assay was performed by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) and ELISA to test their ability to induce cellular immune response. Significant correlation between ELISPOT and ELISA was observed (r=0.8680, p<0.0001). It was shown that VR111 could induce a significant increase in E7-specific CD8(+) T cell responses. Humoral immune response was also observed. The antibody titer levels were measured by ELISA. These results indicated that VR111 was a promising therapeutic vaccine for treatment of cervical cancer with possible therapeutic potential in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao-Ming Zhou
- Department of Quality Research, Shanghai Zerun Biotechnology Co., Ltd. , No. 1399, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Gao-Xia Zhang
- Department of Quality Research, Shanghai Zerun Biotechnology Co., Ltd. , No. 1399, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xin-Xing Ma
- Department of Quality Research, Shanghai Zerun Biotechnology Co., Ltd. , No. 1399, Zhangheng Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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Wang XJ, Gu K, Xu JS, Li MH, Cao RY, Wu J, Li TM, Liu JJ. Immunization with a recombinant GnRH vaccine fused to heat shock protein 65 inhibits mammary tumor growth in vivo. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2010; 59:1859-66. [PMID: 20803011 PMCID: PMC11031030 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-010-0911-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2010] [Accepted: 08/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is the prime decapeptide hormone in the regulation of mammalian reproduction. Active immunization against GnRH has been a good treatment option to fight against hormone-dependent disease such as breast cancer. We designed and purified a novel protein vaccine Hsp65-GnRH(6) containing heat shock protein 65 (Hsp65) and six copies of GnRH in linear alignment. Immunization with Hsp65-GnRH(6) evoked strong humoral response in female mice. The generation of specific anti-GnRH antibodies was detected by ELISA and verified by western blot. In addition, anti-GnRH antibodies effectively neutralized endogenous GnRH activity in vivo, as demonstrated by the degeneration of the ovaries and uteri in the vaccinated mice. Moreover, the growth of EMT-6 mammary tumor allografts was inhibited by anti-GnRH antibodies. Histological examinations have shown that there was increased focal necrosis in tumors. Taken together, our results showed that immunization with Hsp65-GnRH(6) elicited high titer of specific anti-GnRH antibodies and further led to atrophy of reproductive organs. The specific antibodies could inhibit the growth of EMT-6 murine mammary tumor probably via an indirect mechanism that includes the depletion of estrogen. In view of these results, the protein vaccine Hsp65-GnRH(6) appears to be a promising candidate vaccine for hormone-dependent cancer therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Human Functional Genomics of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029 China
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029 China
- Minigene Pharmacy Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Xiang 24, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Kai Gu
- Minigene Pharmacy Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Xiang 24, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Jin Shu Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Hanzhong Road 140, Nanjing, 210029 China
| | - Ming Hui Li
- Minigene Pharmacy Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Xiang 24, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Rong Yue Cao
- Minigene Pharmacy Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Xiang 24, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Jie Wu
- Minigene Pharmacy Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Xiang 24, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Tai Ming Li
- Minigene Pharmacy Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Xiang 24, Nanjing, 210009 China
| | - Jing Jing Liu
- Minigene Pharmacy Laboratory, School of Life Science and Technology, China Pharmaceutical University, Tongjia Xiang 24, Nanjing, 210009 China
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Abstract
HSP65-MUCI is a fusion protein between BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin)-derived HSP65 (heat-shock protein 65) and human MUCI (mucin I) VNTR (variable number of tandem repeats)-domain peptides that has shown antitumour efficacy. China's Food and Drug Administration has recently approved a Phase I clinical trial using HSP65-MUCI for the treatment of MUCI-positive breast cancer. In order to produce sufficient quantities of clinical-grade HSP65-MUCI, we established a pilot-scale purification scheme comprising two steps of column chromatography: HIC (hydrophobic-interaction chromatography) and IEX (ion-exchange chromatography). The pH values of the buffers used in homogenization and HIC were adjusted to pH 9.0 to maintain protein stability and prevent protein degradation. Using this manufacturing process, we obtained clinical-grade HSP65-MUCI with a yield of 400 mg per 70 g of wet cell pellet and >96% purity.
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Liang J, Aihua Z, Yu W, Yong L, Jingjing L. HSP65 serves as an immunogenic carrier for a diabetogenic peptide P277 inducing anti-inflammatory immune response in NOD mice by nasal administration. Vaccine 2010; 28:3312-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.02.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2009] [Revised: 02/22/2010] [Accepted: 02/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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A novel DNA vaccine containing multiple TB-specific epitopes casted in a natural structure (ECANS) confers protective immunity against pulmonary mycobacterial challenge. Vaccine 2009; 27:5313-9. [PMID: 19615961 PMCID: PMC7115364 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.06.093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2009] [Revised: 06/09/2009] [Accepted: 06/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Epitope-based DNA vaccines designed to induce T cell responses specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) are being developed as a means of addressing vaccine potency. In this study, we predicted 4 T cell epitopes from ESAT-6, Ag85A/B and CFP-10 antigens and constructed an ECANS (epitopes casted in a natural structure) DNA vaccine by inserting the epitope DNA segments separately into the gene backbone of M. tb-derived HSP65 (heat shock protein 65) carrier. The immunogenicity and protective efficacy of pECANS DNA vaccine were assessed in BALB/c mice after intramuscular immunization with 4 doses of 50 microg ECANS DNA and followed by mycobaterial challenge 4 weeks after the last immunization. Compared to plasmid encoding HSP65, pECANS DNA immunization elicited remarkably higher levels of IFN-gamma production by both CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, which were coupled with higher frequencies of antigen-specific T cells and higher CTL activity. Significantly enhanced levels of Th1 cytokines (IFN-gamma and IL-12) and increased serum IgG2a/IgG1 ratio were also noted, indicating a predominant Th1 immune response achieved by pECANS DNA immunization. In the consequence, a better protection against Mycobacterium bovis BCG challenge was achieved which was evidenced by reduced bacterial loads in lungs and spleens and profound attenuation of lung inflammation and injury. Our results suggested that multi-T cell-epitope based ECANS gene vaccine induced T cell response to multiple T cell epitopes and led to enhanced protection against mycobacterial challenge. This strategy might be a useful platform to design multi-T cell epitope-based vaccine against M. tb infection.
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