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Rzymski P, Jibril AT, Rahmah L, Abarikwu SO, Hashem F, Lawati AA, Morrison FMM, Marquez LP, Mohamed K, Khan A, Mushtaq S, Minakova K, Poniedziałek B, Zarębska-Michaluk D, Flisiak R. Is there still hope for the prophylactic hepatitis C vaccine? A review of different approaches. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29900. [PMID: 39234788 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 08/17/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Despite remarkable progress in the treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, it remains a significant global health burden, necessitating the development of an effective prophylactic vaccine. This review paper presents the current landscape of HCV vaccine candidates and approaches, including more traditional, based on inactivated virus, and more modern, such as subunit protein, vectored, based on nucleic acids (DNA and mRNA) and virus-like particles. The concept of the HCV vaccine is first put in the context of viral genetic diversity and adaptive responses to HCV infection, an understanding of which is crucial in guiding the development of an effective vaccine against such a complex virus. Because ethical dimensions are also significant in vaccine research, development, and potential deployment, we also address them in this paper. The road to a safe and effective vaccine to prevent HCV infection remains bumpy due to the genetic variation of HCV and its ability to evade immune responses. The progress in cell-culture systems allowed for the production of an inactivated HCV vaccine candidate, which can induce cross-neutralizing antibodies in vitro, but whether this could prevent infection in humans is unknown. Subunit protein vaccine candidates that entered clinical trials elicited HCV-specific humoral and cellular responses, though it remains to be shown whether they translate into effective prevention of HCV infection or progression of infection to a chronic state. Such responses were also induced by a clinically tested vector-based vaccine candidate, which decreased the viral HCV load but did not prevent chronic HCV infection. These disappointments were not readily predicted from preclinical animal studies. The vaccine platforms employing virus-like particles, DNA, and mRNA provide opportunities for the HCV vaccine, but their potential in this context has yet to be shown. Ensuring the designed vaccine is based on conserved epitope(s) and elicits broadly neutralizing immune responses is also essential. Given failures in developing a prophylactic HCV vaccine, it is crucial to continue supporting national strategies, including funding for screening and treatment programs. However, these actions are likely insufficient to permanently control the HCV burden, encouraging further mobilization of significant resources for HCV vaccine research as a missing element in the elimination of viral hepatitis as a global public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piotr Rzymski
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
| | - Aliyu Tijani Jibril
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Laila Rahmah
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
- Department of Digital Health, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sunny O Abarikwu
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, PMB, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| | - Fareeda Hashem
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abdullah Al Lawati
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Al Khoud, Muscat, Oman
| | | | - Leander Penaso Marquez
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Kawthar Mohamed
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amjad Khan
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Saima Mushtaq
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- Department of Pharmacy, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
- Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Kseniia Minakova
- Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN)
- Micro- and Nanoelectronics Department, National Technical University "Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute", Kharkiv, Ukraine
| | - Barbara Poniedziałek
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | | | - Robert Flisiak
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hepatology, Medical University of Białystok, Białystok, Poland
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Feitsma EA, Janssen YF, Boersma HH, van Sleen Y, van Baarle D, Alleva DG, Lancaster TM, Sathiyaseelan T, Murikipudi S, Delpero AR, Scully MM, Ragupathy R, Kotha S, Haworth JR, Shah NJ, Rao V, Nagre S, Ronca SE, Green FM, Aminetzah A, Sollie F, Kruijff S, Brom M, van Dam GM, Zion TC. A randomized phase I/II safety and immunogenicity study of the Montanide-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 spike protein-RBD-Fc vaccine, AKS-452. Vaccine 2023; 41:2184-2197. [PMID: 36842886 PMCID: PMC9946892 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous interim data from a phase I study of AKS-452, a subunit vaccine comprising an Fc fusion of the respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein receptor binding domain (SP/RBD) emulsified in the water-in-oil adjuvant, Montanide™ ISA 720, suggested a good safety and immunogenicity profile in healthy adults. This phase I study was completed and two dosing regimens were further evaluated in this phase II study. METHODS This phase II randomized, open-labelled, parallel group study was conducted at a single site in The Netherlands with 52 healthy adults (18 - 72 years) receiving AKS-452 subcutaneously at one 90 µg dose (cohort 1, 26 subjects) or two 45 µg doses 28 days apart (cohort 2, 26 subjects). Serum samples were collected at the first dose (day 0) and at days 28, 56, 90, and 180. Safety and immunogenicity endpoints were assessed, along with induction of IgG isotypes, cross-reactive immunity against viral variants, and IFN-γ T cell responses. RESULTS All AEs were mild/moderate (grades 1 or 2), and no SAEs were attributable to AKS-452. Seroconversion rates reached 100% in both cohorts, although cohort 2 showed greater geometric mean IgG titers that were stable through day 180 and associated with enhanced potencies of SP/RBD-ACE2 binding inhibition and live virus neutralization. AKS-452-induced IgG titers strongly bound mutant SP/RBD from several SARS-CoV-2 variants (including Omicrons) that were predominantly of the favorable IgG1/3 isotype and IFN-γ-producing T cell phenotype. CONCLUSION These favorable safety and immunogenicity profiles of the candidate vaccine as demonstrated in this phase II study are consistent with those of the phase I study (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04681092) and suggest that a total of 90 µg received in 2 doses may offer a greater duration of cross-reactive neutralizing titers than when given in a single dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline A Feitsma
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Yester F Janssen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, UMCG, the Netherlands
| | - Hendrikus H Boersma
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, UMCG, the Netherlands; Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology, UMCG, the Netherlands
| | - Yannick van Sleen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, UMCG, the Netherlands
| | - Debbie van Baarle
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, UMCG, the Netherlands
| | - David G Alleva
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Thomas M Lancaster
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | | | - Sylaja Murikipudi
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Andrea R Delpero
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Melanie M Scully
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Ramya Ragupathy
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Sravya Kotha
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Jeffrey R Haworth
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Nishit J Shah
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Vidhya Rao
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Shashikant Nagre
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Shannon E Ronca
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor, College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Ave, 300.15, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Freedom M Green
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor, College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Ave, 300.15, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Ari Aminetzah
- TRACER BV, L.J. Zielstraweg 1, 9766 GX Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Frans Sollie
- ICON, van Swietenlaan 6, 9728 NZ Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Schelto Kruijff
- Department of Surgery, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Hanzeplein 1, 9700 RB Groningen, the Netherlands; Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, UMCG, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Brom
- TRACER BV, L.J. Zielstraweg 1, 9766 GX Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Gooitzen M van Dam
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, UMCG, the Netherlands; TRACER BV, L.J. Zielstraweg 1, 9766 GX Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Todd C Zion
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States.
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Akbari E, Ajdary S, Ardakani EM, Agi E, Milani A, Seyedinkhorasani M, Khalaj V, Bolhassani A. Immunopotentiation by linking Hsp70 T-cell epitopes to Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev multiepitope construct and increased IFN-gamma secretion in infected lymphocytes. Pathog Dis 2022; 80:6608937. [PMID: 35704612 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftac021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines can boost the anti-HIV host immunity to control viral replication and eliminate viral reservoirs in the absence of anti-retroviral therapy. In this study, two computationally designed multiepitope Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev and Hsp70-Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev constructs harboring immunogenic and highly conserved HIV T cell epitopes were generated in E. coli as polypeptide vaccine candidates. Furthermore, the multiepitope gag-pol-env-nef-rev and hsp70-gag-pol-env-nef-rev DNA vaccine constructs were prepared and complexed with MPG cell-penetrating peptide. The immunogenicity of the multiepitope constructs were evaluated using the homologous and heterologous prime/boost strategies in mice. Moreover, the secretion of IFN-γ was assessed in infected lymphocytes in vitro. Our data showed that the homologous polypeptide regimens could significantly induce a mixture of IgG1 and IgG2a antibody responses, activate T cells to secret IFN-γ, IL-5, IL-10, and generate Granzyme B. Moreover, IFN-γ secretion was significantly enhanced in single-cycle replicable (SCR) HIV-1 virions-infected splenocytes in these groups compared to uninfected splenocytes. The linkage of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) epitopes to Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev polypeptide in the homologous regimen increased significantly cytokines and Granzyme B levels, and IFN-γ secretion in virions-infected splenocytes. Briefly, both designed constructs in the homologous regimens can be used as a promising vaccine candidate against HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elahe Akbari
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soheila Ajdary
- Department of Immunology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Elnaz Agi
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Vahid Khalaj
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Alleva DG, Delpero AR, Scully MM, Murikipudi S, Ragupathy R, Greaves EK, Sathiyaseelan T, Haworth JR, Shah NJ, Rao V, Nagre S, Lancaster TM, Webb SS, Jasa AI, Ronca SE, Green FM, Elyard HA, Yee J, Klein J, Karnes L, Sollie F, Zion TC. Development of an IgG-Fc fusion COVID-19 subunit vaccine, AKS-452. Vaccine 2021; 39:6601-6613. [PMID: 34642088 PMCID: PMC8491978 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.09.077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AKS-452 is a biologically-engineered vaccine comprising an Fc fusion protein of the SARS-CoV-2 viral spike protein receptor binding domain antigen (Ag) and human IgG1 Fc (SP/RBD-Fc) in clinical development for the induction and augmentation of neutralizing IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 viral infection to address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fc moiety is designed to enhance immunogenicity by increasing uptake via Fc-receptors (FcγR) on Ag-presenting cells (APCs) and prolonging exposure due to neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) recycling. AKS-452 induced approximately 20-fold greater neutralizing IgG titers in mice relative to those induced by SP/RBD without the Fc moiety and induced comparable long-term neutralizing titers with a single dose vs. two doses. To further enhance immunogenicity, AKS-452 was evaluated in formulations containing a panel of adjuvants in which the water-in-oil adjuvant, Montanide™ ISA 720, enhanced neutralizing IgG titers by approximately 7-fold after one and two doses in mice, including the neutralization of live SARS-CoV-2 virus infection of VERO-E6 cells. Furthermore, ISA 720-adjuvanted AKS-452 was immunogenic in rabbits and non-human primates (NHPs) and protected from infection and clinical symptoms with live SARS-CoV-2 virus in NHPs (USA-WA1/2020 viral strain) and the K18 human ACE2-trangenic (K18-huACE2-Tg) mouse (South African B.1.351 viral variant). These preclinical studies support the initiation of Phase I clinical studies with adjuvanted AKS-452 with the expectation that this room-temperature stable, Fc-fusion subunit vaccine can be rapidly and inexpensively manufactured to provide billions of doses per year especially in regions where the cold-chain is difficult to maintain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David G Alleva
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Andrea R Delpero
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Melanie M Scully
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Sylaja Murikipudi
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Ramya Ragupathy
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Emma K Greaves
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | | | - Jeffrey R Haworth
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Nishit J Shah
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Vidhya Rao
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Shashikant Nagre
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Thomas M Lancaster
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States
| | - Sarah S Webb
- Biomere Biomedical Research Models, 57 Union St., Worcester, MA 01608, United States
| | - Allison I Jasa
- Biomere Biomedical Research Models, 57 Union St., Worcester, MA 01608, United States
| | - Shannon E Ronca
- Feigin ABSL-3 Facility, Baylor, College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Ave, 300.15, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Freedom M Green
- Feigin ABSL-3 Facility, Baylor, College of Medicine, 1102 Bates Ave, 300.15, Houston, TX 77030, United States
| | - Hanne Andersen Elyard
- BIOQUAL, Inc., 9600 Medical Center Drive, Suite 101, Rockville, MD 20850-3336, United States
| | - JoAnn Yee
- Primate Assay Laboratory, CA National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Jeffrey Klein
- Sinclair Research Center, 562 State Road DD, Auxvasse, MO 65231, United States
| | - Larry Karnes
- Sinclair Research Center, 562 State Road DD, Auxvasse, MO 65231, United States
| | - Frans Sollie
- Pharmaceutical Research Associates Group B.V., Amerikaweg 18, 9407 TK Assen, Netherlands
| | - Todd C Zion
- Akston Biosciences Corporation., 100 Cummings Center, Suite 454C, Beverly, MA 01915, United States.
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Hajikhezri Z, Roohvand F, Maleki M, Shahmahmoodi S, Amirzargar AA, Keshavarz A, Seyed N, Farahmand M, Samimi-Rad K. HCV Core/NS3 Protein Immunization with "N-Terminal Heat Shock gp96 Protein (rNT (gp96))" Induced Strong and Sustained Th1-Type Cytokines in Immunized Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030215. [PMID: 33802466 PMCID: PMC7999198 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Feeble cellular responses induced by T cell-based vaccines are a major challenge for the development of an effective vaccine against Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. To address this challenge, the potential of N-terminal fragment of gp96 heat shock protein (rNT (gp96) as an adjuvant was evaluated and compared to that of the CpG (as a recognized Th1-type adjuvant) in the formulation of HCV core/NS3 antigens in three immunization strategies of protein/protein, DNA/DNA, and DNA/protein. Immunized mice were evaluated for elicited immune responses in week 3 (W3) and 11 post-immunizations. Our results demonstrated that the protein (subunit) vaccine formulated with rNT (gp96) in protein/protein strategy (core/NS3 + gp96) was significantly more efficient than CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) formulation and all other immunization strategies in the induction of Th1-type cytokines. This group of mice (core/NS3 + gp96) also elicited a high level of anti-Core-NS3 total immunoglobulin G (IgG) with dominant IgG2a isotype at W3. Thus, the co-administration of recombinant NT (gp96) protein with rHCV proteins might be a promising approach in the formulation of HCV subunit vaccine candidates for induction of high levels of Th1 cytokines and humoral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zamaneh Hajikhezri
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (Z.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Farzin Roohvand
- Department of Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran;
| | - Monireh Maleki
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University of Tehran, Tehran 1477893855, Iran;
| | - Shohreh Shahmahmoodi
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (Z.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (M.F.)
- Food Microbiology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Amirzargar
- Molecular Immunology Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran;
- Immunogenetic Laboratory, Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Keshavarz
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (Z.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Negar Seyed
- Department of Immunotherapy and Leishmania Vaccine Research, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Farahmand
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (Z.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (M.F.)
| | - Katayoun Samimi-Rad
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1449614535, Iran; (Z.H.); (S.S.); (A.K.); (M.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +98-2188950595; Fax: +98-2188962343
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Namazi F, Davoodi S, Bolhassani A. Comparison of the efficacy of HIV-1 Nef-Tat-Gp160-p24 polyepitope vaccine candidate with Nef protein in different immunization strategies. Curr Drug Deliv 2021; 19:142-156. [PMID: 33655833 DOI: 10.2174/1567201818666210224101144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES One of the promising strategies for effective HIV-1 vaccine design involves finding the polyepitope immunogens using T cell epitopes. METHODS Herein, an HIV-1 polyepitope construct (i.e., Nef-Tat-Gp160-P24) comprising of several epitopes from Nef, Tat, Gp160, and P24 proteins was designed. To improve its immunogenicity in BALB/c mice, cell-penetrating peptides (HR9 & MPG for DNA delivery, and LDP-NLS & CyLoP-1 for protein transfer), Montanide adjuvant, and heterologous DNA prime/polypeptide boost strategy were used. To compare the immunogenicity, Nef was utilized as a vaccine candidate. The levels of total IgG and its subclasses, cytokines, and Granzyme B were assessed using ELISA. RESULTS Immunological studies showed that heterologous prime-boost regimens for both antigens could considerably augment the levels of IgG2a, IgG2b, IFN-γ, and Granzyme B directed toward Th1 and CTL immune responses in comparison with homologous prime-boost strategies. The levels of IFN-γ, IL-10, total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2b were drastically higher in groups immunized with Nef-Tat-Gp160-P24 in heterologous prime-boost regimens than those in groups immunized with Nef. CONCLUSIONS The use of the Nef-Tat-Gp160-P24 polyepitope immunogen in heterologous prime-boost strategy could generate the mixture of Th1 and Th2 responses directed further toward Th1 response as a hopeful method for improvement of HIV-1 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Namazi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran. Iran
| | - Saba Davoodi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran. Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran. Iran
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Antibody response of a particle-inducing, liposome vaccine adjuvant admixed with a Pfs230 fragment. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:23. [PMID: 32218995 PMCID: PMC7080793 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pfs230 is a malaria transmission-blocking antigen candidate, expressed on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. A recombinant, his-tagged Pfs230 fragment (Pfs230C1; amino acids 443–731) formed serum-stable particles upon incubation with liposomes containing cobalt-porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP). In mice, immunization with Pfs230C1, admixed with the adjuvants Alum, Montanide ISA720 or CoPoP liposomes (also containing synthetic monophosphoryl lipid A; PHAD), resulted in elicitation of IgG antibodies, but only those induced with CoPoP/PHAD or ISA720 strongly reduced parasite transmission. Immunization with micrograms of Pfs230C1 adjuvanted with identical liposomes lacking cobalt (that did not induce particle formation) or Alum was less effective than immunization with nanograms of Pfs230C1 with CoPoP/PHAD. CoPoP/PHAD and ISA720 adjuvants induced antibodies with similar Pfs230C1 avidity but higher IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios than Alum, which likely contributed to enhanced functional activity. Unlike prior work with another transmission-blocking antigen (Pfs25), Pfs230C1 was found to be effectively taken up by antigen-presenting cells without particle formation. The anti-Pfs230C1 IgG response was durable in mice for 250 days following immunization with CoPoP/PHAD, as were antibody avidity and elevated IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios. Immunization of rabbits with 20 µg Pfs230C1 admixed with CoPoP/PHAD elicited antibodies that inhibited parasite transmission. Taken together, these results show that liposomes containing CoPoP and PHAD are an effective vaccine adjuvant platform for recombinant malaria transmission blocking antigens.
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Abdelwahab KS, Ahmed Said ZN. Status of hepatitis C virus vaccination: Recent update. World J Gastroenterol 2016; 22:862-873. [PMID: 26811632 PMCID: PMC4716084 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v22.i2.862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2015] [Revised: 05/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is still a major public health problem worldwide since its first identification in 1989. At the start, HCV infection was post-transfusion viral infection, particularly in developing countries. Recently, due to iv drug abuse, HCV infection became number one health problem in well-developed countries as well. Following acute HCV infection, the innate immune response is triggered in the form of activated coordinated interaction of NK cells, dendritic cells and interferon α. The acquired immune response is then developed in the form of the antibody-mediated immune response (ABIR) and the cell-mediated immune response (CMIR). Both are responsible for clearance of HCV infection in about 15% of infected patients. However, HCV has several mechanisms to evade these antivirus immune reactions. The current review gives an overview of HCV structure, immune response and viral evasion mechanisms. It also evaluates the available preventive and therapeutic vaccines that induce innate, ABIR, CMIR. Moreover, this review highlights the progress in recent HCV vaccination studies either in preclinical or clinical phases. The unsatisfactory identification of HCV infection by the current screening system and the limitations of currently available treatments, including the ineligibility of some chronic HCV patients to such antiviral agents, mandate the development of an effective HCV vaccine.
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He L, Zang A, Du M, Ma D, Yuan C, Zhou C, Mu J, Shi H, Li D, Huang X, Deng Q, Xiao J, Yan H, Hui L, Lan K, Xiong S, Li X, Huang Z, Xiao H. mTOR regulates TLR-induced c-fos and Th1 responses to HBV and HCV vaccines. Virol Sin 2015; 30:174-89. [PMID: 26122641 DOI: 10.1007/s12250-015-3606-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Although IL-12 plays a critical role in priming Th1 and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses, Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling only induces low amounts of IL-12 in dendritic cells and macrophages, implying the existence of stringent regulatory mechanisms. In this study, we sought to uncover the mechanisms underlying TLR-induced IL-12 expression and the Th1 response. By systemic screening, we identified a number of protein kinases involved in the regulation of TLRinduced IL-12 expression. In particular, PI3K, ERK, and mTOR play critical roles in the TLR-induced Th1 response by regulating IL-12 and IL-10 production in innate immune cells. Moreover, we identified c-fos as a key molecule that mediates mTOR-regulated IL-12 and IL-10 expression in TLR signaling. Mechanistically, mTOR plays a crucial role in c-fos expression, thereby modulating NFκB binding to promoters of IL-12 and IL-10. By controlling the expression of a special innate gene program, mTOR can specifically regulate the TLR-induced T cell response in vivo. Furthermore, blockade of mTOR by rapamycin efficiently boosted TLR-induced antigen-specific T and B cell responses to HBV and HCV vaccines. Taken together, these results reveal a novel mechanism through which mTOR regulates TLR-induced IL-12 and IL-10 production, contributing new insights for strategies to improve vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- Institute of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Soochow, 215123, China
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10
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Shawky H, Maghraby AS, Solliman MED, El-Mokadem MT, Sherif MM, Arafa A, Bahgat MM. Expression, immunogenicity and diagnostic value of envelope proteins from an Egyptian hepatitis C virus isolate. Arch Virol 2015; 160:945-58. [PMID: 25631616 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-015-2334-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The present work aimed at 1) characterization of the E1 and E2 proteins (HCV-E) from an Egyptian hepatitis C virus genotype 4a (HCV-4a) isolate at the molecular and immunological level, 2) in silico identification of the B- and T-cell epitopes responsible for the immunogenicity of HCV-E, and 3) evaluation of the diagnostic potential of both the recombinant HCV-E and antibodies raised using mammalian expression constructs encoding the protein. The region encoding the E1 and E2 proteins was amplified by RT-PCR from RNA isolated from blood of a human infected with HCV-4 and cloned into the pSC-TA plasmid, and the sequence was verified and used to construct a neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree. The translated nucleotide sequence was used to predict the HCV-E secondary structure using the PREDICT-PROTEIN server and PSI-PRED. A 3D model of HCV-E was generated using the online tool 3Dpro. B- and T-cell epitopes were predicted using the online tools BCPred and Epijen v1.0, respectively. The HCV-E-encoding sequence was later subcloned into the mammalian expression plasmid pQE, and the constructs that were generated were used to immunize mice in the absence and presence of adjuvants of plant origin. The maximum sequence identity obtained by nucleotide and protein BLAST analysis with previously published HCV-E sequences was 85 and 77 %, respectively. The B-cell epitope CFTPSPVVV at position 203 and the T-cell epitope ALSTGLIHL at position 380 were found to be highly conserved among all HCV genotypes. Both ELISA and Western blotting experiments on crude and purified recombinant HCV envelope proteins using mouse antisera raised using the HCV-E mammalian expression construct confirmed the specific antigenicity of the expressed protein. The antibodies raised in mice using the HCV-E-encoding construct could efficiently capture circulating antigens in patients' sera with good sensitivity that correlated with liver enzyme levels (r = 0.4052, P < 0.0001 for ALT; r = -0.5439, P = 0.0019 for AST). Moreover, combining the HCV-E-encoding construct with extracts prepared from Echinacea purpurea and Nigella sativa prior to immunizing mice significantly (P < 0.05) increased both the humoral (14.9- to 20-fold increase in antibodies) and the cellular (CD4(+) and cytotoxic CD8(+)- T lymphocytes) responses compared to mice that received the DNA construct alone or PBS-treated mice. Both recombinant HCV-E protein preparations and antibodies raised using the HCV-E-encoding mammalian expression construct represent useful diagnostic tools that can report on active HCV infection. Also, the immunostimulatory effects induced by the two plant extracts used at the cellular and humoral level highlight the potential of natural products for inducing protection against HCV infection. The neutralizing capacity of the induced antibodies is a subject of future investigations. Furthermore, the predicted B- and T-cell epitopes may be useful for tailoring future diagnostics and candidate vaccines against various HCV genotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heba Shawky
- The Immunology and Infectious Diseases Laboratory, Therapeutic Chemistry Department, The Center of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, The National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, 12622, Egypt,
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Pishraft Sabet L, Taheri T, Memarnejadian A, Mokhtari Azad T, Asgari F, Rahimnia R, Alavian SM, Rafati S, Samimi Rad K. Immunogenicity of Multi-Epitope DNA and Peptide Vaccine Candidates Based on Core, E2, NS3 and NS5B HCV Epitopes in BALB/c Mice. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2014; 14:e22215. [PMID: 25419219 PMCID: PMC4238154 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.22215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2014] [Revised: 09/10/2014] [Accepted: 09/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hypervariability of HCV proteins is an important obstacle to design an efficient vaccine for HCV infection. Multi-epitope vaccines containing conserved epitopes of the virus could be a promising approach for protection against HCV. OBJECTIVES Cellular and humoral immune responses against multi-epitope DNA and peptide vaccines were evaluated in BALB/c mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS In this experimental study, multi-epitope DNA- and peptide-based vaccines for HCV infection harboring immunodominant CD8+ T cell epitopes (HLA-A2 and H2-Dd) from Core (132-142), NS3 (1073-1081) and NS5B (2727-2735), a Th CD4+ epitope from NS3 (1248-1262) and a B-cell epitope from E2 (412-426) were designed. Multi-epitope DNA and peptide vaccines were tested in two regimens as heterologous DNA/peptide (group 1) and homologous peptide/peptide (group 2) prime/boost vaccine in BALB/c mice model. Electroporation was used for delivery of the DNA vaccine. Peptide vaccine was formulated with Montanide ISA 720 (M720) as adjuvant. Cytokine assay and antibody detection were performed to analyze the immune responses. RESULTS Mice immunized with multi-epitope peptide formulated with M720 developed higher HCV-specific levels of total IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a than those immunized with multi-epitope DNA vaccine. IFN-γ levels in group 2 were significantly higher than group 1 (i.e. 3 weeks after the last immunization; 37.61 ± 2.39 vs. 14.43 ± 0.43, P < 0.05). Moreover, group 2 had a higher IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio compared to group 1, suggesting a shift toward Th1 response. In addition, in the present study, induced immune responses were long lasting and stable after 9 weeks of the last immunization. CONCLUSIONS Evaluation of multi-epitope DNA and peptide-vaccines confirmed their specific immunogenicity in BALB/c mice. However, lower Th1 immune responses in mice immunized with DNA vaccine suggests further investigations to improve the immunogenicity of the multi-epitope DNA vaccine through immune enhancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Pishraft Sabet
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Karaj, IR Iran
| | - Tahereh Taheri
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran
| | | | - Talat Mokhtari Azad
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Fatemeh Asgari
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Ramin Rahimnia
- Department of Nano Medicine, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Seyed Moayed Alavian
- Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
- Middle East Liver Disease Center (MELD), Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Sima Rafati
- Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Laboratory, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, IR Iran
| | - Katayoun Samimi Rad
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran
- Corresponding Author: Katayoun Samimi Rad, Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P. O. Box: 6446, Tehran, IR Iran. Tel +98-2188950595; Fax: +98-2166462267, E-mail:
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The role of Montanide ISA 70 as an adjuvant in immune responses against Leishmania major induced by thiol-specific antioxidant-based protein vaccine. J Parasit Dis 2014; 40:760-7. [PMID: 27605780 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-014-0574-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by several species of the genus Leishmania. Montanide ISA 70 is an adjuvant composed of a natural metabolizable oil and a very refined emulsifier from the manide monooleate family. The TSA (thiol-specific antioxidant) is a important antigen of Leishmania major. The purpose of this work was protein-vaccine efficacy as an protection and excellent candidate in the presence Montanide. The expression of recombinant protein was confirmed with SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate) page and Western bloting. 48 BALB/c mice were divided into four groups (TSA/Freund,TSA/Alum + BCG, TSA/Montanide and PBS groups) and immunized with 20 μg of vaccine subcutaneously three times intervals on days 0, 14 and 28. The mice were challenged with parasite 21 days after final immunization. The lymphocyte proliferation was evaluated with Brdu method. Cytokines and also total antibody and subclasses were evaluated with ELISA method. The vaccine formulated with the recombinant TSA protein with Montanide induced lymphocytes proliferation cytokines and total antibody and subclasses as compared with the control group.
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Construction of an immunostimulatory plasmid, pUCpGs10, and research on its immune adjuvant effect. Mol Biotechnol 2013; 54:58-67. [PMID: 22544607 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-012-9544-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
In order to overcome the instability of CpG ODN in vivo, sequence diversity, and individual differences, eleven CpG ODN fragments were meticulously selected and linked to form a Multi-CpG, which were repeatedly inserted into the cloning vector pUC19 for constructing the recombinant plasmid pUCpGs10 containing ten of Multi-CpG. Using the multi-genotype HCV E1 and multi-epitope complex HCV-T as immunogens, and plasmid pUCpGs10 as the immune adjuvant, Balb/c mice were immunized through nasal and subcutaneous immunization. Strong-specific humoral and cellular immune response were induced, which can obviously inhibit the growth of homograft expressing HCV antigen. The immune adjuvant effect of pUCpGs10 closely matched that of Freund's complete adjuvant. The plasmid pUCpGs10 can significantly improve IgA content in serum and different mucosal extract and systematical T-cell response via intranasal immunization. In conclusions, the newly constructed immunostimulatory plasmid pUCpGs10 is able to effectively activate the humoral and cellular immune activity, and possesses activation on mucosal immune response.
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Ip PP, Nijman HW, Wilschut J, Daemen T. Therapeutic vaccination against chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Antiviral Res 2012; 96:36-50. [PMID: 22841700 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2012.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2012] [Revised: 06/25/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 170 million people worldwide are chronic carriers of Hepatitis C virus (HCV). To date, there is no prophylactic vaccine available against HCV. The standard-of-care therapy for HCV infection involves a combination of pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin. This therapy, which is commonly associated with side effects, has a curative rate varying from 43% (HCV genotype 1) to 80% (HCV genotype 2). In 2011, two direct-acting antiviral agents, telaprevir and boceprevir, were approved by the US Food and drug Administration and are now being used in combination with standard-of-care therapy in selected patients infected with HCV genotype 1. Although both drugs are promising, resulting in a shortening of therapy, these drugs also induce additional side effects and have reduced efficacy in patients who did not respond to standard-of-care previously. An alternative approach would be to treat HCV by stimulating the immune system with a therapeutic vaccine ideally aimed at (i) the eradication of HCV-infected cells and (ii) neutralization of infectious HCV particles. The challenge is to develop therapeutic vaccination strategies that are either at least as effective as antiviral drugs but with lower side effects, or vaccines that, when combined with antiviral drugs, can circumvent long-term use of these drugs thereby reducing their side effects. In this review, we summarize and discuss recent preclinical developments in the area of therapeutic vaccination against chronic HCV infection. Although neutralizing antibodies have been described to exert protective immunity, clinical studies on the induction of neutralizing antibodies in therapeutic settings are limited. Therefore, we will primarily discuss therapeutic vaccines which aim to induce effective cellular immune response against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Peng Ip
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Molecular Virology Section, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
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15
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Masalova OV, Lesnova EI, Shingarova LN, Tunitskaya VL, Ulanova TI, Burkov AN, Kushch AA. The combined application of nucleotide and amino acid sequences of NS3 hepatitis C virus protein, DNA encoding granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and inhibitor of regulatory T cells induces effective immune responce against Hepatitis C virus. Mol Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893312030077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Roohvand F, Kossari N. Advances in hepatitis C virus vaccines, part two: advances in hepatitis C virus vaccine formulations and modalities. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2012; 22:391-415. [PMID: 22455502 DOI: 10.1517/13543776.2012.673589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Developing a vaccine against HCV is an important medical and global priority. Unavailability and potential dangers associated with using attenuated HCV viral particles for vaccine preparation have resulted in the use of HCV genes and proteins formulated in novel vaccine modalities. AREAS COVERED In part one of this review, advances in basic knowledge for HCV vaccine design were provided. Herein, a detailed and correlated patents (searched by Espacenet) and literatures (searched by Pubmed) review on HCV vaccine formulations and modalities is provided, including: subunit, DNA, epitopic-peptide/polytopic, live vector- and whole yeast-based vaccines. Less-touched areas in vaccine studies such as mucosal, plant-based, and chimeric HBV/HCV vaccines are also discussed. Furthermore, results of preclinical/clinical studies on selected HCV vaccines as well as pros and cons of different strategies are reviewed. Finally, potential strategies for creation and/or improvement of HCV vaccine formulations are discussed. EXPERT OPINION Promising outcomes of a few HCV vaccine modalities in phase I/II clinical trials predict the accessibility of at least partially effective vaccines to inhibit or treat the chronic state of HCV infection (specially in combination with standard antiviral therapy). ChronVac-C (plasmid DNA), TG4040 (MVA-based), and GI-5005 (whole yeast-based) might be the most obvious HCV vaccine candidates to be approved in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzin Roohvand
- Hepatitis & AIDS Department, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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17
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Morecki S, Slavin S. Immunoregulation of GVHD by triggering the innate immune system with CpG. Expert Rev Hematol 2011; 2:443-53. [PMID: 21082948 DOI: 10.1586/ehm.09.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Stimulation of Toll-like receptors by oligodeoxynucleotide sequences containing a CpG motif provides signals capable of triggering the innate and adaptive immune systems, thereby leading either to stimulation or suppression of immunoreactivities. Similar immunoregulatory capabilities are necessary for achieving the fine balance between engraftment and graft-versus-host disease required in the setup of allogeneic cell therapy. Ligation of CpG to its Toll-like receptors can be accomplished by treatment of the host or pretransplant treatment of the donor in vivo. These different strategies are presented in this review, which summarizes the attempts to maximize beneficial alloreactivity against malignant or other undesirable host cells, while controlling graft-versus-host disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoshana Morecki
- Department of Bone Marrow Transplantation and Cancer Immunotherapy, Cell Therapy and Transplantation Research Laboratory, Hadassah University Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Hepatitis C virus soluble E2 in combination with QuilA and CpG ODN induces neutralizing antibodies in mice. Vaccine 2011; 29:2910-7. [PMID: 21338680 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2010] [Revised: 12/16/2010] [Accepted: 02/05/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have emphasized the importance of an early, highly neutralizing antibody response in the clearance of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The envelope glycoprotein E2 is a major target for HCV neutralizing antibodies. Here, we compared antibody responses in mice immunized with native soluble E2 (sE2) from the H77 1a isolate coupled with different adjuvants or combinations of adjuvants. Adjuvanting sE2 with Freund's, monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), cytosine phosphorothioate guanine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG ODN), or alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer) derivatives elicited only moderate antibody responses. In contrast, immunizations with sE2 and QuilA elicited exceptionally high anti-E2 antibody titers. Sera from these mice effectively neutralized HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp) 1a entry. Moreover, the combination of QuilA and CpG ODN further enhanced neutralizing antibody titers wherein cross-neutralization of HCVpp 4 was observed. We conclude that the combination of QuilA and CpG ODN is a promising adjuvant combination that should be further explored for the development of an HCV subunit vaccine. Our work also emphasizes that the ideal combination of adjuvant and immunogen has to be determined empirically.
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Immune response of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and possibility of vaccine development for hepatitis C virus infection. J Biomed Biotechnol 2010; 2010:263810. [PMID: 20508848 PMCID: PMC2874944 DOI: 10.1155/2010/263810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2009] [Revised: 01/25/2010] [Accepted: 03/15/2010] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune responses of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are implicated in viral eradication and the pathogenesis of hepatitis C. Weak CTL response against hepatitis C virus (HCV) may lead to a persistent infection. HCV infection impairs the function of HCV-specific CTLs; HCV proteins are thought to actively suppress host immune responses, including CTLs. Induction of a strong HCV-specific CTL response in HCV-infected patients can facilitate complete HCV clearance. Thus, the development of a vaccine that can induce potent CTL response against HCV is strongly expected. We investigated HCV-specific CTL responses by enzyme-linked immuno-spot assay and/or synthetic peptides and identified over 40 novel CTL epitopes in the HCV protein. Our findings may contribute to the development of the HCV vaccine. In this paper, we describe the CTL responses in HCV infection and the attempts at vaccine development based on recent scientific articles.
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Memarnejadian A, Roohvand F. Fusion of HBsAg and prime/boosting augment Th1 and CTL responses to HCV polytope DNA vaccine. Cell Immunol 2010; 261:93-8. [PMID: 20056196 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellimm.2009.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2009] [Revised: 11/01/2009] [Accepted: 11/13/2009] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Correlation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) spontaneous resolution with Th1 and CD8(+)CTL responses during natural infection implies the potentiality of poly-CTL-epitopic HCV vaccines. We recently reported in silico design and construction of DNA vaccines (pcPOL-plasmids) harboring HCV CTL epitopes. Herein, we provide data of mice immunization by pcPOL, (encoding; core(132-142) [C], E2(405-414) [E(4)], E2(614-622) [E(6)] and NS3(1406-1415) [N] CD8(+)CTL epitopes as CE(4)E(6)N polytope) and its HBsAg-fused counterpart (pcHPOL), compared to the adjuvant-formulated (Montanide+CpG) CE(4)E(6)N synthetic-peptide immunization. All vaccinated groups developed different levels of cellular responses, however, only the pcHPOL-immunized mice elicited strong CTLs and IFN-gamma-secreting cells that were further augmented towards a Th1 response and partial tumor protection by DNA-prime/peptide-boosting regimen. Priming with HBsAg alone could not afford its augmenting effect indicating the importance of priming by polytope itself. Hence, fusion of immunocarriers like HBsAg conjoined with DNA-prime/peptide-boost immunization regimen seems a strategy to enhance the epitope-specific immune responses towards poly-CTL-epitopic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arash Memarnejadian
- Hepatitis & AIDS Department-NRGB Laboratory, Pasteur institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Ringvall M, Huijbers EJM, Ahooghalandari P, Alekseeva L, Andronova T, Olsson AK, Hellman L. Identification of potent biodegradable adjuvants that efficiently break self-tolerance--a key issue in the development of therapeutic vaccines. Vaccine 2009; 28:48-52. [PMID: 19835827 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.09.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2009] [Revised: 09/24/2009] [Accepted: 09/26/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are used successfully in the treatment of many human disorders. However, these antibodies are expensive and have in many countries put a major strain on the health care economy. Therapeutic vaccines, directed against the same target molecules, may offer a solution to this problem. Vaccines usually involve lower amount of recombinant protein, approximately 10,000-20,000 times less, which is significantly more cost effective. Attempts to develop such therapeutic vaccines have also been made. However, their efficacy has been limited by the lack of potent immunostimulatory compounds, adjuvants, for human use. To address this problem we have conducted a broad screening for adjuvants that can enhance the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines, whilst at the same time being non-toxic and biodegradable. We have now identified adjuvants that show these desired characteristics. A combination of Montanide ISA720 and phosphorothioate stabilized CpG stimulatory DNA, induced similar or even higher anti-self-antibody titers compared to Freund's adjuvant, currently the most potent, but also toxic, adjuvant available. This finding removes one of the major limiting factors in the field and facilitates the development of a broad range of novel therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ringvall
- Dept of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, BMC, Box 589, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
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