Lipid A and liposomes containing lipid A as antigens and adjuvants

Monophosphoryl Lipid A-Rhamnose Conjugates as a New Class of Vaccine Adjuvants

Adjuvant is an integral part of all vaccine formulations but only a few adjuvants with limited efficacies or application scopes are available. Thus, developing more robust and diverse adjuvants is necessary. To this end, a new class of adjuvants having α- and β-rhamnose (Rha) attached to the 1- and 6'-positions of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) was designed, synthesized, and immunologically evaluated in mice. The results indicated a synergistic effect of MPLA and Rha, two immunostimulators that function via interacting with toll-like receptor 4 and recruiting endogenous anti-Rha antibodies, respectively. All the tested MPLA-Rha conjugates exhibited potent adjuvant activities to promote antibody production against both protein and carbohydrate antigens. Overall, MPLA-α-Rha exhibited better activities than MPLA-β-Rha, and 6'-linked conjugates were slightly better than 1-linked ones. Particularly, MPLA-1-α-Rha and MPLA-6'-α-Rha were the most effective adjuvants in promoting IgG antibody responses against protein antigen keyhole limpet hemocyanin and carbohydrate antigen sTn, respectively.

Top Down Tandem Mass Spectrometric Analysis of a Chemically Modified Rough-Type Lipopolysaccharide Vaccine Candidate

Recent advances in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) biology have led to its use in drug discovery pipelines, including vaccine and vaccine adjuvant discovery. Desirable characteristics for LPS vaccine candidates include both the ability to produce a specific antibody titer in patients and a minimal host inflammatory response directed by the innate immune system. However, in-depth chemical characterization of most LPS extracts has not been performed; hence, biological activities of these extracts are unpredictable. Additionally, the most widely adopted workflow for LPS structure elucidation includes nonspecific chemical decomposition steps before analyses, making structures inferred and not necessarily biologically relevant. In this work, several different mass spectrometry workflows that have not been previously explored were employed to show proof-of-principle for top down LPS primary structure elucidation, specifically for a rough-type mutant (J5) E. coli-derived LPS component of a vaccine candidate. First, ion mobility filtered precursor ions were subjected to collision induced dissociation (CID) to define differences in native J5 LPS v. chemically detoxified J5 LPS (dLPS). Next, ultra-high mass resolving power, accurate mass spectrometry was employed for unequivocal precursor and product ion empirical formulae generation. Finally, MS³ analyses in an ion trap instrument showed that previous knowledge about dissociation of LPS components can be used to reconstruct and sequence LPS in a top down fashion. A structural rationale is also explained for differential inflammatory dose-response curves, in vitro, when HEK-Blue hTLR4 cells were administered increasing concentrations of native J5 LPS v. dLPS, which will be useful in future drug discovery efforts. Graphical Abstract ᅟ.

Outer Membrane Vesicle Vaccines from Biosafe Surrogates Prevent Acute Lethal Glanders in Mice

Burkholderia mallei is a host-adapted Gram-negative mammalian pathogen that causes the severe disease glanders. Glanders can manifest as a rapid acute progression or a chronic debilitating syndrome primarily affecting solipeds and humans in close association with infected animals. In USA, B. mallei is classified as one of the most important bacterial biothreat agents. Presently, there is no licensed glanders vaccine available for humans or animals. In this work, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) were isolated from three attenuated biosafe bacterial strains, Burkholderia pseudomallei Bp82, B. thailandensis E555, and B. thailandensis TxDOH and used to vaccinate mice. B. thailandensis OMVs induced significantly higher antibody responses that were investigated. B. mallei specific serum antibody responses were of higher magnitude in mice vaccinated with B. thailandensis OMVs compared to levels in mice vaccinated with B. pseudomallei OMVs. OMVs derived from biosafe strains protected mice from acute lethal glanders with vesicles from the two B. thailandensis strains affording significant protection (>90%) up to 35 days post-infection with some up to 60 days. Organ loads from 35-day survivors indicated bacteria colonization of the lungs, liver, and spleen while those from 60 days had high CFUs in the spleens. The highest antibody producing vaccine (B. thailandensis E555 OMVs) also protected C57BL/6 mice from acute inhalational glanders with evidence of full protection.

An inactivated hand-foot-and-mouth disease vaccine using the enterovirus 71 (C4a) strain isolated from a Korean patient induces a strong immunogenic response in mice

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a major causative agent of hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) frequently occurring in children. HFMD induced by EV71 can cause serious health problems and has been reported worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. In this study, we assessed the immunogenicity of a formalin-inactivated HFMD vaccine using an EV71 strain (FI-EV71 C4a) isolated from a Korean patient. The vaccine candidate was evaluated in mice to determine the vaccination doses and vaccine schedules. BALB/c mice were intramuscularly administered 5, 10, or 20 μg FI-EV71 vaccine, followed by a booster 2 weeks later. EV71-specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies were induced and maintained until the end of the experimental period in all vaccinated groups. To determine the effectiveness of adjuvant for the EV71 vaccine, three adjuvants, i.e., aluminium hydroxide gel, monophosphoryl lipid A, and polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid, were administered separately with the FI-EV71 vaccine to mice via the intramuscular route. Mice administered the FI-EV71 vaccine formulated with all three adjuvants induced a significantly increased antibody response compared with that of the single adjuvant groups. The vaccinated group with triple adjuvants exhibited more rapid induction of EV71-specific and neutralizing antibodies than the other groups. These results suggested that the role of adjuvant in inactivated vaccine was important for eliciting effective immune responses against EV71. In conclusion, our results showed that FI-EV71 was a potential candidate vaccine for prevention of EV71 infection.

Nanoparticulate STING agonists are potent lymph node-targeted vaccine adjuvants

Cyclic dinucleotides (CDNs) are agonists of stimulator of IFN genes (STING) and have potential as vaccine adjuvants. However, cyclic di-GMP (cdGMP) injected s.c. shows minimal uptake into lymphatics/draining lymph nodes (dLNs) and instead is rapidly distributed to the bloodstream, leading to systemic inflammation. Here, we encapsulated cdGMP within PEGylated lipid nanoparticles (NP-cdGMP) to redirect this adjuvant to dLNs. Compared with unformulated CDNs, encapsulation blocked systemic dissemination and markedly enhanced dLN accumulation in murine models. Delivery of NP-cdGMP increased CD8+ T cell responses primed by peptide vaccines and enhanced therapeutic antitumor immunity. A combination of a poorly immunogenic liposomal HIV gp41 peptide antigen and NP-cdGMP robustly induced type I IFN in dLNs, induced a greater expansion of vaccine-specific CD4+ T cells, and greatly increased germinal center B cell differentiation in dLNs compared with a combination of liposomal HIV gp41 and soluble CDN. Further, NP-cdGMP promoted durable antibody titers that were substantially higher than those promoted by the well-studied TLR agonist monophosphoryl lipid A and comparable to a much larger dose of unformulated cdGMP, without the systemic toxicity of the latter. These results demonstrate that nanoparticulate delivery safely targets CDNs to the dLNs and enhances the efficacy of this adjuvant. Moreover, this approach can be broadly applied to other small-molecule immunomodulators of interest for vaccines and immunotherapy.

Contribution of TLR4 and MyD88 for adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) activity in a DNA prime-protein boost HIV-1 vaccine

Recombinant protein vaccines are commonly formulated with an immune-stimulatory compound, or adjuvant, to boost immune responses to a particular antigen. Recent studies have shown that, through recognition of molecular motifs, receptors of the innate immune system are involved in the functions of adjuvants to generate and direct adaptive immune responses. However, it is not clear to which degree those receptors are also important when the adjuvant is used as part of a novel heterologous prime-boost immunization process in which the priming and boosting components are not the same type of vaccines. In the current study, we compared the immune responses elicited by a pentavalent HIV-1 DNA prime-protein boost vaccine in mice deficient in either Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) or myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) to wildtype mice. HIV gp120 protein administered in the boost phase was formulated with either monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), QS-21, or Al(OH)3. Endpoint antibody titer, serum cytokine response and T-cell memory response were assessed. Neither TLR4 nor MyD88 deficiency had a significant effect on the immune response of mice given vaccine formulated with QS-21 or Al(OH)3. However, TLR4- and MyD88-deficiency decreased both the antibody and T-cell responses in mice administered HIV gp120 formulated with MPLA. These results further our understanding of the activation of TLR4 and MyD88 by MPLA in the context of a DNA prime/protein boost immunization strategy.

Avanti lipid tools: connecting lipids, technology, and cell biology

Lipid research is challenging owing to the complexity and diversity of the lipidome. Here we review a set of experimental tools developed for the seasoned lipid researcher, as well as, those who are new to the field of lipid research. Novel tools for probing protein-lipid interactions, applications for lipid binding antibodies, enhanced systems for the cellular delivery of lipids, improved visualization of lipid membranes using gold-labeled lipids, and advances in mass spectrometric analysis techniques will be discussed. Because lipid mediators are known to participate in a host of signal transduction and trafficking pathways within the cell, a comprehensive lipid toolbox that aids the science of lipidomics research is essential to better understand the molecular mechanisms of interactions between cellular components. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Tools to study lipid functions.

Adjuvants for vaccines to drugs of abuse and addiction

Immunotherapeutic vaccines to drugs of abuse, including nicotine, cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, methamphetamine, and others are being developed. The theoretical basis of such vaccines is to induce antibodies that sequester the drug in the blood in the form of antibody-bound drug that cannot cross the blood brain barrier, thereby preventing psychoactive effects. Because the drugs are haptens a successful vaccine relies on development of appropriate hapten-protein carrier conjugates. However, because induction of high and prolonged levels of antibodies is required for an effective vaccine, and because injection of T-independent haptenic drugs of abuse does not induce memory recall responses, the role of adjuvants during immunization plays a critical role. As reviewed herein, preclinical studies often use strong adjuvants such as complete and incomplete Freund's adjuvant and others that cannot be, or in the case of many newer adjuvants, have never been, employed in humans. Balanced against this, the only adjuvant that has been included in candidate vaccines in human clinical trials to nicotine and cocaine has been aluminum hydroxide gel. While aluminum salts have been widely utilized worldwide in numerous licensed vaccines, the experience with human responses to aluminum salt-adjuvanted vaccines to haptenic drugs of abuse has suggested that the immune responses are too weak to allow development of a successful vaccine. What is needed is an adjuvant or combination of adjuvants that are safe, potent, widely available, easily manufactured, and cost-effective. Based on our review of the field we recommend the following adjuvant combinations either for research or for product development for human use: aluminum salt with adsorbed monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA); liposomes containing MPLA [L(MPLA)]; L(MPLA) adsorbed to aluminum salt; oil-in-water emulsion; or oil-in-water emulsion containing MPLA.

Synthesis and evaluation of monophosphoryl lipid A derivatives as fully synthetic self-adjuvanting glycoconjugate cancer vaccine carriers

A fully synthetic carbohydrate-based cancer vaccine is an attractive concept, but an important topic in the area is to develop proper vaccine carriers that can improve the immunogenicity and other immunological properties of tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens (TACAs). In this context, four monophosphoryl derivatives of Neisseria meningitidis lipid A were synthesized via a highly convergent and effective strategy and evaluated as vaccine carriers and adjuvants. The conjugates of these monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) derivatives with a modified form of the sTn antigen were found to elicit high titers of antigen-specific IgG antibodies, indicating a T cell-dependent immune response, in the absence of an external adjuvant. It was concluded that MPLAs could be utilized as potent vaccine carriers and built-in adjuvants to create fully synthetic self-adjuvanting carbohydrate-based cancer vaccines. The lipid composition and structure of MPLA were shown to have a significant influence on its immunological activity, and among the MPLAs examined, natural N. meningitidis MPLA exhibited the most promising properties. Moreover, Titermax Gold, a conventional vaccine adjuvant, was shown to inhibit, rather than promote, the immunological activity of MPLA conjugates, maybe via interacting with MPLA.

Adjuvants containing natural and synthetic Toll-like receptor 4 ligands

The last decade has seen an increased focus on the development of adjuvants for vaccines, and several novel adjuvants are now in licensed products or in late-stage clinical development. These advancements have been aided by the discovery of receptors and signaling pathways of the innate immune system and an increased understanding of how these innate responses influence the adaptive immune response. Successful vaccine development relies on knowledge of which adjuvants to use and the proper formulation of adjuvants and antigens to achieve safe, stable and immunogenic vaccines. In this review, the authors focus on the current use of natural and synthetic lipopolysaccharide analogues that retain their adjuvant properties with reduced toxicity compared with the parent compound for use in emerging vaccines. The authors review how these compounds initiate signal transduction through Toll-like receptor 4, insights from structure-function studies and how formulation parameters can influence their effectiveness as vaccine adjuvants.

Emerging research and clinical development trends of liposome and lipid nanoparticle drug delivery systems

Liposomes are spherical-enclosed membrane vesicles mainly constructed with lipids. Lipid nanoparticles are loaded with therapeutics and may not contain an enclosed bilayer. The majority of those clinically approved have diameters of 50-300 nm. The growing interest in nanomedicine has fueled lipid-drug and lipid-protein studies, which provide a foundation for developing lipid particles that improve drug potency and reduce off-target effects. Integrating advances in lipid membrane research has enabled therapeutic development. At present, about 600 clinical trials involve lipid particle drug delivery systems. Greater understanding of pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and disposition of lipid-drug particles facilitated particle surface hydration technology (with polyethylene glycol) to reduce rapid clearance and provide sufficient blood circulation time for drug to reach target tissues and cells. Surface hydration enabled the liposome-encapsulated cancer drug doxorubicin (Doxil) to gain clinical approval in 1995. Fifteen lipidic therapeutics are now clinically approved. Although much research involves attaching lipid particles to ligands selective for occult cells and tissues, preparation procedures are often complex and pose scale-up challenges. With emerging knowledge in drug target and lipid-drug distribution in the body, a systems approach that integrates knowledge to design and scale lipid-drug particles may further advance translation of these systems to improve therapeutic safety and efficacy.

Nanoparticle conjugation of CpG enhances adjuvancy for cellular immunity and memory recall at low dose

In subunit vaccines, strong CD8(+) T-cell responses are desired, yet they are elusive at reasonable adjuvant doses. We show that targeting adjuvant to the lymph node (LN) via ultrasmall polymeric nanoparticles (NPs), which rapidly drain to the LN after intradermal injection, greatly enhances adjuvant efficacy at low doses. Coupling CpG-B or CpG-C oligonucleotides to NPs led to better dual-targeting of adjuvant and antigen (codelivered on separate NPs) in cross-presenting dendritic cells compared with free adjuvant. This led to enhanced dendritic cell maturation and T helper 1 (Th1)-cytokine secretion, in turn driving stronger effector CD8(+) T-cell activation with enhanced cytolytic profiles and, importantly, more powerful memory recall. With only 4 μg CpG, NP-CpG-B could substantially protect mice from syngeneic tumor challenge, even after 4 mo of vaccination, compared with free CpG-B. Together, these results show that nanocarriers can enhance vaccine efficacy at a low adjuvant dose for inducing potent and long-lived cellular immunity.

Serum cytokine profiles associated with specific adjuvants used in a DNA prime-protein boost vaccination strategy

In recent years, heterologous prime-boost vaccines have been demonstrated to be an effective strategy for generating protective immunity, consisting of both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against a variety of pathogens including HIV-1. Previous reports of preclinical and clinical studies have shown the enhanced immunogenicity of viral vector or DNA vaccination followed by heterologous protein boost, compared to using either prime or boost components alone. With such approaches, the selection of an adjuvant for inclusion in the protein boost component is expected to impact the immunogenicity and safety of a vaccine. In this study, we examined in a mouse model the serum cytokine and chemokine profiles for several candidate adjuvants: QS-21, Al(OH)3, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and ISCOMATRIX™ adjuvant, in the context of a previously tested pentavalent HIV-1 Env DNA prime-protein boost formulation, DP6-001. Our data revealed that the candidate adjuvants in the context of the DP6-001 formulation are characterized by unique serum cytokine and chemokine profiles. Such information will provide valuable guidance in the selection of an adjuvant for future AIDS vaccine development, with the ultimate goal of enhancing immunogenicity while minimizing reactogenicity associated with the use of an adjuvant. More significantly, results reported here will add to the knowledge on how to include an adjuvant in the context of a heterologous prime-protein boost vaccination strategy in general.

Enhancing nicotine vaccine immunogenicity with liposomes

A major liability of existing nicotine vaccine candidates is the wide variation in anti-nicotine immune responses among clinical trial participants. In order to address this liability, significant emphasis has been directed at evaluating adjuvants and delivery systems that confer more robust potentiation of the anti-nicotine immune response. Toward that end, we have initiated work that seeks to exploit the adjuvant effect of liposomes, with or without Toll-like receptor agonist(s). The results of the murine immunization study described herein support the hypothesis that a liposomal nicotine vaccine formulation may provide a means for addressing the immunogenicity challenge.

Liposomes containing lipid A: an effective, safe, generic adjuvant system for synthetic vaccines

Liposomes containing monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) have previously exhibited considerable potency and safety in human trials with a variety of candidate vaccines, including vaccines to malaria, HIV-1 and several different types of cancer. The long history of research and development of MPLA and liposomal MPLA as vaccine adjuvants reveals that there are numerous opportunities for creation and development of generic (nonproprietary) adjuvant system formulations with these materials that are not only highly potent and safe, but also readily available as native materials or as synthetic compounds. They are easily manufactured as potentially inexpensive and easy to use adjuvant systems and might be effective even with synthetic peptides as antigens.

Design considerations for liposomal vaccines: influence of formulation parameters on antibody and cell-mediated immune responses to liposome associated antigens

Liposomes (phospholipid bilayer vesicles) are versatile and robust delivery systems for induction of antibody and T lymphocyte responses to associated subunit antigens. In the last 15 years, liposome vaccine technology has matured and now several vaccines containing liposome-based adjuvants have been approved for human use or have reached late stages of clinical evaluation. Given the intensifying interest in liposome-based vaccines, it is important to understand precisely how liposomes interact with the immune system and stimulate immunity. It has become clear that the physicochemical properties of liposomal vaccines - method of antigen attachment, lipid composition, bilayer fluidity, particle charge, and other properties - exert dramatic effects on the resulting immune response. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the physicochemical properties of liposomal vaccines and how they influence immune responses. A discussion of novel and emerging immunomodulators that are suitable for inclusion in liposomal vaccines is also presented. Through a comprehensive analysis of the body of liposomal vaccine literature, we enumerate a series of principles that can guide the rational design of liposomal vaccines to elicit immune responses of a desired magnitude and quality. We also identify major unanswered questions in the field, pointing the direction for future study.

Liposomes containing glucosyl ceramide specifically bind T4 bacteriophage: a self-assembling nanocarrier formulation

A unique formulation is described comprising liposomes containing glucosyl ceramide (GluCer) in the lipid bilayer to which bacteriophage T4 was attached. Binding of the phage T4 did not occur to glycolipids, such as galactosyl ceramide, containing an aldose in which the C-2 or C-4 conformations were not identical to glucose. These results strongly support previous proposals that glucose is a major receptor moiety for T4 binding to Escherichia coli. By using the binding of T4 to liposomal GluCer, we further describe a formulation that can be used as a self-assembling combined antigen and adjuvant carrier. A peptide antigen derived from C-trimer (Ct) of HIV-1 gp41 was fused to the highly antigenic outer capsid protein (Hoc), a nonessential protein of T4 that spontaneously binds to the T4 capsid. This resulted in display of the Ct-Hoc construct on the T4 capsid, and specific binding of a human monoclonal antibody that recognizes a peptide sequence of Ct was demonstrated. Liposomes containing monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) have been demonstrated to have potent adjuvant activities for experimental vaccines both in humans and animals, and because of this, mice were immunized with the Ct-Hoc-T4 construct that was bound to liposomes containing both GluCer and MPLA, resulting in the induction of high titers of Ct-specific antibodies. We conclude that liposomes containing both GluCer and MPLA can spontaneously bind to a construct of T4 that displays antigens that spontaneously binds to the capsid of T4 bacteriophage. This formulation could be utilized as an easily manufactured self-assembling antigen and adjuvant carrier.

Induction of mucosal and systemic antibody and T-cell responses following prime-boost immunization with novel adjuvanted human immunodeficiency virus-1-vaccine formulations

As sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) occurs via the mucosa, an ideal HIV-1 vaccine should induce both mucosal and systemic immunity. We therefore sought to evaluate the induction of mucosal responses using a DNA env prime–gp120 protein boost approach in which sequential nasal and parenteral protein administration was performed with two novel carbohydrate-based adjuvants. These adjuvants, Advax-M and Advax-P, were specifically designed for mucosal and systemic immune enhancement, respectively. Murine intranasal immunization with gp120/Advax-M adjuvant elicited gp120-specific IgA in serum and mucosal secretions that was markedly enhanced by DNA priming. Boosting of DNA-primed mice with gp120/Advax-M and gp120/Advax-P by sequential intranasal and intramuscular immunization, or vice versa, elicited persistent mucosal gp120-specific IgA, systemic IgG and memory T- and B-cell responses. Induction of homologous, but not heterologous, neutralizing activity was noted in the sera of all immunized groups. While confirmation of efficacy is required in challenge studies using non-human primates, these results suggest that the combination of DNA priming with sequential nasal and parenteral protein boosting, with appropriate mucosal and systemic adjuvants, could generate strong mucosal and systemic immunity and may block HIV-1 mucosal transmission and infection.

Antibody response to polyhistidine-tagged peptide and protein antigens attached to liposomes via lipid-linked nitrilotriacetic acid in mice

Particulate delivery systems enhance antibody responses to subunit antigens. However, covalent attachment of protein antigens can disrupt protein structure and mask critical epitopes, altering the antibody response to the antigen. In this report, we evaluate noncovalent metal chelation via nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) as a nondestructive method to attach peptide and protein antigens to liposomes. Two model antigens, ovalbumin (OVA) and a peptide derived from the membrane-proximal region of HIV-1 gp41 (N-MPR), were polyhistidinylated and attached to liposomes via monovalent NTA (mono-NTA; K(D) [equilibrium dissociation constant], ∼10 μM), trivalent NTA (tris-NTA; K(D), ∼1 nM), or a covalent linkage. Attachment of N-MPR, but not OVA, to liposomes via an NTA lipid elicited stronger antibody responses in BALB/c mice than a formulation in which unassociated antigen was simply admixed with control liposomes lacking NTA. However, the tris-NTA linkage did not increase antibody responses to either N-MPR or OVA compared to the level for the mono-NTA linkage, despite the greater liposomal association of the antigen. For both antigens, covalently attaching them to a lipid elicited significantly stronger antibody responses than NTA-anchored antigens (OVA titer, 3.4 × 10(6) versus 1.4 × 10(6) to 1.6 × 10(6) [P < 0.001]; N-MPR titer, 4.4 × 10(4) versus 5.5 × 10(2) to 7.6 × 10(2) [P < 0.003]). The data indicate that NTA linkages may increase antibody titers to weak antigens such as N-MPR, but NTA-mediated attachment remains inferior to covalent conjugation. Moreover, enhancements in antigen-liposome affinity do not result in increased antibody titers. Thus, additional improvements of NTA-mediated conjugation technology are necessary to achieve an effective, nondestructive method for increasing the humoral response to antigens in particulate vaccines.

Chemical synthesis and proinflammatory responses of monophosphoryl lipid A adjuvant candidates

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which are structural components of the outer surface membrane of Gram-negative bacteria, trigger innate immune responses through activation of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Such responses may be exploited for the development of adjuvants and in particular monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) obtained by controlled hydrolysis of LPS of Salmonella minnesota, exhibits low toxicity yet possesses beneficial immuno-stimulatory properties. We have developed an efficient synthetic approach for the preparation of a major component of MPLA (1), which has as a key feature the use of allyloxycarbonates (Alloc) as permanent protecting groups for the C-3 and C-4 hydroxyls of the proximal glucosamine unit. The latter protecting groups greatly facilitated deprotection of the fully assembled compound. Furthermore, the amino functions were protected as N-2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbamates (Troc), which performed efficient neighboring group participation to give selectively 1,2-trans-glycosides and could easily be removed under mild conditions without affecting the permanent Alloc carbonates and anomeric dimethylthexylsilyl (TDS) ether. The synthetic methodology was also employed for the preparation of a monophosphoryl lipid A (2) derivative that has the anomeric center of the proximal sugar modified as a methyl glycoside. Compound 1 was not able to induce cytokine production in mouse macrophages whereas methyl glycoside 2 displayed activity, however it has a lower potency and efficacy than lipid A obtained by controlled hydrolysis S. minnesota. This indicates compound 2 is an attractive candidate for adjuvant development and that 1 is not the active substance of MPLA obtained by controlled hydrolysis of LPS.

Synthetic and natural TLR4 agonists as safe and effective vaccine adjuvants

Natural derivatives and synthetic analogues of lipopolysaccharide are potent stimulators of the mammalian immune system. Retained adjuvant activity with reduced toxicity was obtained by the development of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL((R))), which is approved for use in several vaccine products. Ongoing research and development of synthetic TLR4 agonists may offer increased purity and biological activity with reduced cost. Extensive research has elucidated the mechanism of action of TLR4 agonists and structure-function relationships. Moreover, the formulation of TLR4 agonists has been shown to significantly affect the type and magnitude of elicited immune response. TLR4 agonists comprise a promising class of adjuvants for safe and effective vaccines.

Neutralizing antibodies induced by liposomal HIV-1 glycoprotein 41 peptide simultaneously bind to both the 2F5 or 4E10 epitope and lipid epitopes

OBJECTIVES

There is a need to develop HIV-1 vaccine formulations that incorporate inexpensive antigens and clinically acceptable potent adjuvants for inducing neutralizing antibodies. The purpose of this initial vaccine study was to produce peptide- and lipid-induced murine mAbs that replicate the characteristics of the 2F5 and/or 4E10 human antibodies in binding both to the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of glycoprotein 41 and the adjacent lipid bilayer for neutralizing HIV-1 infection of CD4 lymphocytes.

RESEARCH DESIGNS AND METHODS

Liposomes containing a synthetic MPER peptide as a peptide antigen, phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate (PIP) as a lipid antigen, and monophosphoryl lipid A as a potent adjuvant were used as a formulation to immunize mice. mAbs were then produced and tested for binding to MPER, glycoprotein 41, and PIP and for the ability to neutralize HIV-1 infection of CD4 cells in a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell assay.

RESULTS

Polyclonal antisera contained antibodies that bound both to MPER and PIP. Immunoglobulin M mAbs were produced that bound both to the core MPER site of 2F5, or that overlapped with the 4E10 site, and that simultaneously bound PIP. High concentrations of these mAbs neutralized infection of peripheral blood lymphocytes by a primary infectious molecular clone of HIV-1.

CONCLUSION

Liposomes containing MPER peptide as an antigen, PIP as a lipid antigen, and lipid A as an adjuvant induce anti-MPER-specific multispecific antibodies that simultaneously bind glycoprotein 41 MPER and adjacent lipid and neutralize HIV-1 infection in a human peripheral blood mononuclear cell assay.

Immunological effect of subunit influenza vaccine entrapped by liposomes

OBJECTIVE

To elevate the immunological effect of subunit influenza vaccine in infants and aged people (over 60) using liposomal adjuvant in the context of its relatively low immunity and to investigate the relation between vaccine antigens and liposomal characteristics.

METHODS

Several formulations of liposomal subunit influenza vaccine were prepared. Their relevant characteristics were investigated to optimize the preparation method. Antisera obtained from immunizinged mice were used to evaluate the antibody titers of various samples by HI and ELISA.

RESULTS

Liposomal trivalent influenza vaccine prepared by film evaporation in combinedation with freeze-drying significantly increased its immunological effect in SPF Balb/c mice. Liposomal vaccine stimulated the antibody titer of H3N2, H1N1, and B much stronger than conventional influenza vaccine. As a result, liposomal vaccine (mean size: 4.5-5.5 microm, entrapment efficiency: 30%-40%) significantly increased the immunological effect of subunit influenza vaccine.

CONCLUSION

The immune effect of liposomal vaccine depends on different antigens, and enhanced immunity is not positively correlated with the mean size of liposome or its entrapped efficiency.

Liposome-encapsulated HIV-1 Gag p24 containing lipid A induces effector CD4+ T-cells, memory CD8+ T-cells, and pro-inflammatory cytokines

Liposomal lipid A is an effective adjuvant for the delivery of antigens and for the induction of both cellular and humoral immunity. In this study, we demonstrate that following the third immunization with HIV-1 Gag p24 encapsulated in liposomes containing lipid A [L(p24+LA)], central memory CD8+ T-cells were localized in the spleen and lymph nodes of mice while effector memory CD8+ T-cells and effector CD4+ T-cells were found in the PBMC. Effector CD4+ T-cells were also detected in the spleen and lymph nodes. The predominant cytokine secreted from splenic lymphocytes and lymph nodes was IFN-gamma. In contrast, IL-6 and IL-10 were the major cytokines produced from PBMC. The peptide stimulation indicated that the cytokine responses observed were T-cell specific. The results demonstrate the importance of the adjuvant liposomal lipid A for the induction of HIV-1 Gag p24 -specific CD8+ T-cells, effector CD4+ T-cells, and cytokines with a Th-1 type profile after immunization with L(p24+LA).

Role of lipid structure in the humoral immune response in mice to covalent lipid-peptides from the membrane proximal region of HIV-1 gp41

The membrane proximal region (MPR) of HIV-1 gp41 is a desirable target for development of a vaccine that elicits neutralizing antibodies since the patient-derived monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 4E10, bind to the MPR and neutralize primary HIV isolates. The 2F5 and 4E10 antibodies cross-react with lipids and structural studies suggest that MPR immunogens may be presented in a membrane environment. We hypothesized that covalent attachment of lipid anchors would enhance the humoral immune response to MPR-derived peptides presented in liposomal bilayers. In a comparison of eight lipids conjugated to an extended 2F5 epitope peptide, a sterol, cholesterol hemisuccinate (CHEMS), was found to promote the strongest anti-peptide IgG titers (6.4 x 10(4)) in sera of BALB/C mice. Two lipid anchors, palmitic acid and phosphatidylcholine, failed to elicit a detectable serum anti-peptide IgG response. Association with the liposomal vehicle contributed to the ability of a lipopeptide to elicit anti-peptide antibodies, but no other single factor, such as position of the lipid anchor, peptide helical content, lipopeptide partition coefficient, or presence of phosphate on the anchor clearly determined lipopeptide potency. Conjugation to CHEMS also rendered a 4E10 epitope peptide immunogenic (5.6 x 10(2) IgG titer in serum). Finally, attachment of CHEMS to a peptide spanning both the 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes elicited serum IgG antibodies that bound to each of the individual epitopes as well as to recombinant gp140. Further research into the mechanism of how structure influences the immune response to the MPR may lead to immunogens that could be useful in prime-boost regimens for focusing the immune response in an HIV vaccine.

Lipid binding properties of 4E10, 2F5, and WR304 monoclonal antibodies that neutralize HIV-1

Two human mAbs (2F5 and 4E10), originally derived from HIV-1-infected patients, are important, but rare, mAbs that exhibit broad cross-clade neutralizing activities against HIV-1. In addition to peptide sequences on the gp41 envelope protein, both antibodies reportedly also bound specifically to several phospholipid antigens. However, the phospholipid binding property of 2F5 has been disputed and, because of uncertainly regarding phospholipid binding, the modeling of neutralizing mechanisms has been difficult. To explore this issue, we examined the binding of 4E10 and 2F5 to a broad range of lipid antigens by ELISA. 4E10 and 2F5 both bound to a variety of purified phospholipids, and 4E10 bound, but 2F5 did not bind, to cardiolipin. Both mAbs also bound to a sulfated glycolipid, sulfogalactosyl ceramide (sulfatide), and to two neutral glycolipids, galactosyl ceramide and glucosyl ceramide, but not to other galactosyl glycolipids. 4E10, but not 2F5, also bound to cholesterol, although both mAbs bound to squalene. Interestingly, 4E10, but not 2F5, exhibited striking binding to lipid A, the lipid moiety of Gram-negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The binding properties of 4E10 to phospholipids, sulfatide, cholesterol, squalene, and lipid A were similar to those of a neutralizing murine mAb (WR304) induced by liposomes containing phosphatidylinositol phosphate and lipid A, although WR304 did not bind to neutral glycolipids. The discovery of a binding specificity of 4E10 for lipid A, a widely used vaccine adjuvant, suggests that innate immunity stimulated by lipid A could have played a role for induction of multispecific antibodies that simultaneously recognize both HIV-1 protein and lipid antigens.