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Schlich M, D'Apice L, Lai F, Sinico C, Valenti D, Catalano F, Marotta R, Decuzzi P, Italiani P, Maria Fadda A. Boosting antigen-specific T cell activation with lipid-stabilized protein nanoaggregates. Int J Pharm 2024; 661:124404. [PMID: 38945464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2024.124404] [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: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/27/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Vaccines based on protein antigens have numerous advantages over inactivated pathogens, including easier manufacturing and improved safety. However, purified antigens are weakly immunogenic, as they lack the spatial organization and the associated 'danger signals' of the pathogen. Formulating vaccines as nanoparticles enhances the recognition by antigen presenting cells, boosting the cell-mediated immune response. This study describes a nano-precipitation method to obtain stable protein nanoaggregates with uniform size distribution without using covalent cross-linkers. Nanoaggregates were formed via microfluidic mixing of ovalbumin (OVA) and lipids in the presence of high methanol concentrations. A purification protocol was set up to separate the nanoaggregates from OVA and liposomes, obtained as byproducts of the mixing. The nanoaggregates were characterized in terms of morphology, ζ-potential and protein content, and their interaction with immune cells was assessed in vitro. Antigen-specific T cell activation was over 6-fold higher for nanoaggregates compared to OVA, due in part to the enhanced uptake by immune cells. Lastly, a two-dose immunization with nanoaggregates in mice induced a significant increase in OVA-specific CD8+ T splenocytes compared to soluble OVA. Overall, this work presents for the first time the microfluidic production of lipid-stabilized protein nanoaggregates and provides a proof-of-concept of their potential for vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Schlich
- Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari Italy; Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa Italy.
| | - Luciana D'Apice
- National Research Council (CNR) - Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Francesco Lai
- Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari Italy
| | - Chiara Sinico
- Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari Italy
| | - Donatella Valenti
- Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari Italy
| | - Federico Catalano
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa Italy
| | - Roberto Marotta
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa Italy
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, 16163 Genoa Italy
| | - Paola Italiani
- National Research Council (CNR) - Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), 80131 Naples Italy
| | - Anna Maria Fadda
- Dept. of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari Italy.
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Ho JK, White PJ, Pouton CW. Self-Crosslinking Lipopeptide/DNA/PEGylated Particles: A New Platform for DNA Vaccination Designed for Assembly in Aqueous Solution. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2018; 12:504-517. [PMID: 30195787 PMCID: PMC6077166 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2018.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 05/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Delivery of plasmids for gene expression in vivo is an inefficient process that requires improvement and optimization to unlock the clinical potential of DNA vaccines. With ease of manufacture and biocompatibility in mind, we explored condensation of DNA in aqueous solution with a self-crosslinking, endosome-escaping lipopeptide (LP), stearoyl-Cys-His-His-Lys-Lys-Lys-amide (stearoyl-CH2K3), to produce cationic LP/DNA complexes. To test whether poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-ylation of these cationic complexes to neutralize the surface charge would improve the distribution, gene expression, and immune responses poly(ethylene glycol), these LP/DNA complexes were combined with 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000] (DSPE-PEG2000). Fluorescence imaging illustrated that the cationic complexes exhibited the highest degree of localization and lowest degree of dispersion throughout the injected muscle, suggesting impaired mobility of cationic particles upon administration. Nanoluciferase reporter assays over a 90-day period demonstrated that gene expression levels in muscle were highest for PEGylated particles, with over a 200-fold higher level of expression than the cationic particles observed at 30 days. Humoral and cell-mediated immune responses were evaluated in vivo after injection of an ovalbumin expression plasmid. PEGylation improved both immune responses to the DNA complexes in mice. Overall, this suggests that PEGylation of cationic lipopeptide complexes can significantly improve both the transgene expression and immunogenicity of intramuscular DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan K Ho
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul J White
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
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Dong X, Sun Z, Liang J, Wang H, Zhu D, Leng X, Wang C, Kong D, Lv F. A visible fluorescent nanovaccine based on functional genipin crosslinked ovalbumin protein nanoparticles. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2018; 14:1087-1098. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2018.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 01/29/2018] [Accepted: 02/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
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Sinha S, Kuo CY, Ho JK, White PJ, Jazayeri JA, Pouton CW. A suicidal strain of Listeria monocytogenes is effective as a DNA vaccine delivery system for oral administration. Vaccine 2017; 35:5115-5122. [PMID: 28822642 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Revised: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
In this study we determined the in vivo activity of model ovalbumin vaccines delivered by direct intramuscular delivery of plasmid DNA or oral delivery using a recombinant suicidal Listeria monocytogenes strain (rsΔ2). In a previous report we described how rsΔ2 is capable of delivering luciferase, as protein or DNA, in vitro, into non-dividing intestinal epithelial cells (Kuo et al., 2009). This is achieved by engineering a dual expression shuttle vector, pDuLX-Luc, that replicates in E. coli and rsΔ2 and drives gene expression from the Listeria promoter (Phly) as well as the eukaryotic cytomegalovirus promoter (CMV), thereby delivering both protein and plasmid DNA to the cell cytoplasm. For the current in vivo study rsΔ2 containing pDuLX-OVA was used to deliver both ovalbumin protein and the mammalian expression plasmid by the oral route. Controls were used to investigate the activity of this system versus positive and negative controls, as well as quantifying activity against direct intramuscular injection of expression plasmids. Oral administration of rsΔ2(pDuLX-OVA) produced significant titres of antibody and was effective at inducing targeted T-cell lysis (approximately 30% lysis relative to an experimental positive control, intravenous OVA-coated splenocytes+lipopolysaccharide). Intramuscular injection of plasmids pDuLX-OVA or p3L-OVA (which lacks the prokaryotic promoter) also produced significant CTL-mediated cell lysis. The delivery of the negative control rsΔ2 (pDuLX-Luc) confirmed that the observed activity was induced specifically by the ovalbumin vaccination. The data suggest that the oral activity of rsΔ2(pDuLX-OVA) is explained by delivery of OVA protein, expressed in rsΔ2 from the prokaryotic promoter present in pDuLX-OVA, but transfection of mammalian cells in vivo may also play a role. Antibody titres were also produced by oral delivery (in rsΔ2) of the p3L-OVA plasmid in which does not include a prokaryotic promoter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shubhra Sinha
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Cheng-Yi Kuo
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Joan K Ho
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul J White
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jalal A Jazayeri
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Abstract
Synthetic CpG oligonucleotides (ODN) have potent immunostimulatory properties exploited in clinical vaccine trials. How CpG ODN are captured and delivered to the intracellular receptor TLR9, however, has been elusive. Here we show that DEC-205, a multilectin receptor expressed by a variety of cells, is a receptor for CpG ODN. When CpG ODN are used as an adjuvant, mice deficient in DEC-205 have impaired dendritic cell (DC) and B-cell maturation, are unable to make some cytokines such as IL-12, and display suboptimal cytotoxic T-cell responses. We reveal that DEC-205 directly binds class B CpG ODN and enhances their uptake. The CpG-ODN binding function of DEC-205 is conserved between mouse and man, although human DEC-205 preferentially binds a specific class B CpG ODN that has been selected for human clinical trials. Our findings identify an important receptor for class B CpG ODN and reveal a unique function for DEC-205.
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White PJ, Hickey P, Sze Tu L, Headey SJ, Scanlon MJ, Boyd BJ, Pouton CW. Colloidal characteristics and formulation of pure protein particulate vaccines. J Pharm Pharmacol 2012; 64:1386-93. [DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-7158.2012.01513.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
We recently reported that dense gas processing of the protein ovalbumin (OVA) resulted in the formation of particles that were insoluble in water and which retained their immunogenicity in vivo. In the present study, the colloidal properties of these pure protein particles were investigated to in part inform rational formulation approaches.
Methods
The colloidal properties of the particles, in terms of size, zeta potential and pH-dependent surface and solution properties, were examined.
Key findings
In phosphate-buffered saline (pH 7.4), flocculation of the particles was observed, which was prevented when particles were suspended in acetate buffer at pH lower than 4. The resulting particle size was 300 nm with low polydispersity and zeta potential of 22.9 ± 3.1 mV (mean ± SEM, n = 3) at pH 3. Dense gas OVA particles were also prevented from flocculation using steric stabilisation with Pluronic F127. In this form the particles were stable in Krebs–Henseleit solution for 48 h at room temperature.
Conclusions
These findings indicate that insoluble pure protein particles produced by dense gas processing have desirable characteristics as particulate vaccines, including consistency of particle size under controlled conditions and high colloid stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul J White
- Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Action, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Pascal Hickey
- Telesso Technologies Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Linda Sze Tu
- Telesso Technologies Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Ben J Boyd
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University (Parkville Campus), Parkville, Victoria, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Action, New South Wales, Australia
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Immunogenicity of protein aggregates--concerns and realities. Int J Pharm 2012; 431:1-11. [PMID: 22546296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2012.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2012] [Revised: 04/10/2012] [Accepted: 04/13/2012] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Protein aggregation is one of the key challenges in the development of protein biotherapeutics. It is a critical product quality issue as well as a potential safety concern due to the increased immunogenicity potential of these aggregates. The overwhelming safety concern has led to an increased development effort and regulatory scrutiny in recent years. The main purposes of this review are to examine the literature data on the relationship between protein aggregates and immunogenicity, to highlight the linkage and existing inconsistencies/uncertainties, and to propose directions for future investigations/development.
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Lahoud MH, Ahmet F, Kitsoulis S, Wan SS, Vremec D, Lee CN, Phipson B, Shi W, Smyth GK, Lew AM, Kato Y, Mueller SN, Davey GM, Heath WR, Shortman K, Caminschi I. Targeting antigen to mouse dendritic cells via Clec9A induces potent CD4 T cell responses biased toward a follicular helper phenotype. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2011; 187:842-50. [PMID: 21677141 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1101176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Three surface molecules of mouse CD8(+) dendritic cells (DCs), also found on the equivalent human DC subpopulation, were compared as targets for Ab-mediated delivery of Ags, a developing strategy for vaccination. For the production of cytotoxic T cells, DEC-205 and Clec9A, but not Clec12A, were effective targets, although only in the presence of adjuvants. For Ab production, however, Clec9A excelled as a target, even in the absence of adjuvant. Potent humoral immunity was a result of the highly specific expression of Clec9A on DCs, which allowed longer residence of targeting Abs in the bloodstream, prolonged DC Ag presentation, and extended CD4 T cell proliferation, all of which drove highly efficient development of follicular helper T cells. Because Clec9A shows a similar expression pattern on human DCs, it has particular promise as a target for vaccines of human application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireille H Lahoud
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
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van Beers MMC, Jiskoot W, Schellekens H. On the role of aggregates in the immunogenicity of recombinant human interferon beta in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Interferon Cytokine Res 2011; 30:767-75. [PMID: 20874254 DOI: 10.1089/jir.2010.0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Like many other therapeutic proteins, recombinant human interferon beta (rhIFN-β) elicits undesirable immune responses. rhIFN-β-treated multiple sclerosis patients may form binding antibodies and neutralizing antibodies (NAbs), with the latter being responsible for inhibition of the therapeutic effect of the protein. The incidence of binding antibodies and NAbs against rhIFN-β as well as the titer and persistence of NAbs differ among the marketed products. The proportion of patients forming antibodies against rhIFN-β-1b is higher than that against rhIFN-β-1a, which is likely explained by the differences in protein structure and aggregation behavior between the 2 types of rhIFN-β. Here, we summarize the different factors influencing the immunogenicity of rhIFN-β in patients with multiple sclerosis and discuss the role played by rhIFN-β aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miranda M C van Beers
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences (UIPS), Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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10
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Singh SK. Impact of product-related factors on immunogenicity of biotherapeutics. J Pharm Sci 2010; 100:354-87. [PMID: 20740683 DOI: 10.1002/jps.22276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 250] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2009] [Revised: 05/13/2010] [Accepted: 05/24/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
All protein therapeutics have the potential to be immunogenic. Several factors, including patient characteristics, disease state, and the therapy itself, influence the generation of an immune response. Product-related factors such as the molecule design, the expression system, post-translational modifications, impurities, contaminants, formulation and excipients, container, closure, as well as degradation products are all implicated. However, a critical examination of the available data shows that clear unequivocal evidence for the impact of these latter factors on clinical immunogenicity is lacking. No report could be found that clearly deconvolutes the clinical impact of the product attributes on patient susceptibility. Aggregation carries the greatest concern as a risk factor for immunogenicity, but the impact of aggregates is likely to depend on their structure as well as on the functionality (e.g., immunostimulatory or immunomodulatory) of the therapeutic. Preclinical studies are not yet capable of assessing the clinically relevant immunogenicity potential of these product-related factors. Simply addressing these risk factors as part of product development will not eliminate immunogenicity. Minimization of immunogenicity has to begin at the molecule design stage by reducing or eliminating antigenic epitopes and building in favorable physical and chemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Kumar Singh
- Pfizer, Inc., BioTherapeutics Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Research and Development, Chesterfield, Missouri 63017, USA.
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Singh SK, Afonina N, Awwad M, Bechtold-Peters K, Blue JT, Chou D, Cromwell M, Krause HJ, Mahler HC, Meyer BK, Narhi L, Nesta DP, Spitznagel T. An Industry Perspective on the Monitoring of Subvisible Particles as a Quality Attribute for Protein Therapeutics. J Pharm Sci 2010; 99:3302-21. [DOI: 10.1002/jps.22097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 255] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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12
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Lahoud MH, Proietto AI, Ahmet F, Kitsoulis S, Eidsmo L, Wu L, Sathe P, Pietersz S, Chang HW, Walker ID, Maraskovsky E, Braley H, Lew AM, Wright MD, Heath WR, Shortman K, Caminschi I. The C-Type Lectin Clec12A Present on Mouse and Human Dendritic Cells Can Serve as a Target for Antigen Delivery and Enhancement of Antibody Responses. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2009; 182:7587-94. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0900464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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