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Slepenkin A, Pal S, Rasley A, Coleman MA, de la Maza LM. Safety and efficacy of C. muridarum vaccines adjuvanted with CpG-1826 and four concentrations of Montanide-ISA-720-VG. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:104. [PMID: 38858418 PMCID: PMC11164897 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00880-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
It is recommended that the adjuvant Montanide ISA 720 VG be used at a concentration of 70% v/v. At this concentration, Montanide causes at the site of immunization a local granuloma that can last for several weeks. To determine the safety and protective efficacy of a Chlamydia muridarum MOMP vaccine, formulated with CpG-1826 and four different concentrations of Montanide (70%, 50%, 30% and 10%), BALB/c (H-2d) female mice were immunized twice intramuscularly. Local reactogenicity was significant for vaccines formulated with 70% or 50% Montanide but not for those inoculated with 30% or 10% Montanide. Robust humoral and cell mediated memory immune responses were elicited by the 70%, 50% and 30% Montanide formulations. Mice were challenged intranasally with 104 C. muridarum inclusion forming units (IFU). Based on changes in body weight, lungs's weight and number of IFU recovered, mice vaccinated with the 70%, 50% and 30% Montanide formulations were significantly protected, but not mice receiving 10% Montanide. To conclude, we recommend the 30% Montanide concentration to be tested in humans and animal models to determine its safety and efficacy, in comparison to the 70% Montanide concentration currently used. The 30% Montanide formulation could significantly facilitate licensing of this adjuvant for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatoli Slepenkin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4800, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4800, USA
| | - Amy Rasley
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550-9234, USA
| | - Matthew A Coleman
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, CA, 94550-9234, USA
- University of California Davis, School of Medicine, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sacramento, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, 92697-4800, USA.
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Pal S, Slepenkin A, Felgner J, Huw Davies D, Felgner P, de la Maza LM. Evaluation of Four Adjuvant Combinations, IVAX-1, IVAX-2, CpG-1826+Montanide ISA 720 VG and CpG-1018+Montanide ISA 720 VG, for Safety and for Their Ability to Elicit Protective Immune Responses in Mice against a Respiratory Challenge with Chlamydia muridarum. Pathogens 2023; 12:863. [PMID: 37513710 PMCID: PMC10383793 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12070863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
There is an urgent need to produce a vaccine for Chlamydia trachomatis infections. Here, using the Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) as an antigen, four adjuvant combinations IVAX-1 (MPLA+CpG-1018+AddaVax), IVAX-2 (MPLA+CpG-1018+AS03), CpG-1826+Montanide ISA 720 VG (CpG-1826+Mont) and CpG-1018+Montanide ISA 720 VG (CpG-1018+Mont), were tested for their local reactogenicity and ability to elicit protection in BALB/c mice against a respiratory challenge with C. muridarum. Immunization with IVAX-1 or IVAX-2 induced no significant local reactogenicity following intramuscular immunization. In contrast, vaccines containing Montanide resulted in the formation of a local granuloma. Based on the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio in serum, the four adjuvant combinations elicited Th1-biased responses. IVAX-1 induced the highest in vitro neutralization titers while CpG-1018+Mont stimulated the lowest. As determined by the levels of IFN-γ produced by T-cells, the most robust cellular immune responses were elicited in mice immunized with CpG-1018+Mont, while the weakest responses were mounted by mice receiving IVAX-1. Following the respiratory challenge, mice immunized with CpG-1018+Mont lost the least amount of body weight and had the lowest number of C. muridarum inclusion-forming units (IFUs) in the lungs, while those receiving IVAX-2 had lost the most weight and had the highest number of IFUs in their lungs. Animals vaccinated with CpG-1826+Mont had the lightest lungs while those immunized using IVAX-2 had the heaviest. To conclude, due to their safety and adjuvanticity, IVAX formulations should be considered for inclusion in human vaccines against Chlamydia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Anatoli Slepenkin
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jiin Felgner
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - D Huw Davies
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Philip Felgner
- Vaccine Research and Development Center, Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Vaccination against galectin-1 promotes cytotoxic T-cell infiltration in melanoma and reduces tumor burden. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 71:2029-2040. [PMID: 35018481 PMCID: PMC9293851 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-021-03139-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
Galectin-1 (Gal1) is a glycan-binding protein that promotes tumor progression by several distinct mechanisms. Through direct binding to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-receptor 2, Gal1 is able to induce VEGF-like signaling, which contributes to tumor angiogenesis. Furthermore, several studies have demonstrated an immunosuppressive function of Gal1 through effects on both effector and regulatory T cells. Elevated Gal1 expression and secretion have been shown in many tumor types, and high Gal1 serum levels have been connected to poor prognosis in cancer patients. These findings suggest that therapeutic strategies directed against Gal1 would enable simultaneous targeting of angiogenesis, immune evasion and metastasis. In the current study, we have analyzed the potential of Gal1 as a cancer vaccine target. We show that it is possible to generate high anti-Gal1 antibody levels in mice immunized with a recombinant vaccine protein consisting of bacterial sequences fused to Gal1. Growth of Gal1 expressing melanomas was significantly impaired in the immunized mice compared to the control group. This was associated with improved perfusion of the tumor vasculature, as well as increased infiltration of macrophages and cytotoxic T cells (CTLs). The level of granzyme B, mainly originating from CTLs in our model, was significantly elevated in Gal1 vaccinated mice and correlated with a decrease in tumor burden. We conclude that vaccination against Gal1 is a promising pro-immunogenic approach for cancer therapy that could potentially enhance the effect of other immunotherapeutic strategies due to its ability to promote CTL influx in tumors.
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Blanas A, Karsjens H, de Ligt A, Huijbers EJ, van Loon K, Denisov SS, Durukan C, Engbersen DJ, Groen J, Hennig S, Hackeng TM, van Beijnum JR, Griffioen AW. Vaccination with a bacterial peptide conjugated to SARS-CoV-2 RBD accelerates immunity and protects against COVID-19. iScience 2022; 25:104719. [PMID: 35813877 PMCID: PMC9252865 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor immunogenicity of critical epitopes can hamper vaccine efficacy. To boost immune recognition of non- or low-immunogenic antigens, we developed a vaccine platform based on the conjugation of a target protein to a chimeric designer peptide (CDP) of bacterial origin. Here, we exploited this immune Boost (iBoost) technology to enhance the immune response against the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein. Despite its fundamental role during viral infection, RBD is only moderately immunogenic. Immunization studies in mice showed that the conjugation of CDP to RBD induced superior immune responses compared to RBD alone. CDP-RBD elicited cross-reactive antibodies against the variants of concern Delta and Omicron. Furthermore, hamsters vaccinated with CDP-RBD developed potent neutralizing antibody responses and were fully protected from lung lesion formation upon challenge with SARS-CoV-2. In sum, we show that the iBoost conjugate vaccine technology provides a valuable tool for both quantitatively and qualitatively enhancing anti-viral immunity. An iBoost-based CDP-RBD conjugate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 Induction of potent RBD-specific humoral and cellular responses CDP-RBD vaccination protects hamsters from lung lesion formation
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Blanas
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Haiko Karsjens
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Aafke de Ligt
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth J.M. Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Karlijn van Loon
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Stepan S. Denisov
- School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Canan Durukan
- Department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jan Groen
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - Sven Hennig
- Department of Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Amsterdam Institute of Molecules, Medicines and Systems, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tilman M. Hackeng
- School for Cardiovascular Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | - Arjan W. Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Corresponding author
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van Loon K, Huijbers EJM, de Haan JD, Griffioen AW. Cancer Vaccination against Extracellular Vimentin Efficiently Adjuvanted with Montanide ISA 720/CpG. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14112593. [PMID: 35681575 PMCID: PMC9179438 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14112593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Vaccination against specific proteins in the tumor vasculature has already shown promising results in several preclinical studies. However, the efficacy of vaccination highly depends on the adjuvant used. This study aimed to assess the potential use of the biodegradable adjuvant Montanide ISA 720 in combination with our vaccine against extracellular vimentin, a protein specifically secreted by the tumor vasculature. Compared to the potent but toxic Freund’s adjuvant, Montanide showed a comparable immune response and tumor growth inhibition in a preclinical vaccination experiment in mice, especially when supplemented with the immune stimulatory molecule CpG. We also observed that vaccination reduced the blood vessel count and increased the infiltration of immune cells. We conclude that Montanide ISA 720 shows potential to be used as an adjuvant for vaccination against extracellular vimentin for future clinical studies in cancer patients. Abstract Extracellular vimentin is a specific marker of the tumor vasculature, where it is secreted by tumor endothelial cells. Vaccination with a conjugate vaccine targeting extracellular vimentin was previously shown to induce a potent humoral immune response and tumor growth inhibition in mice. These data were obtained by vaccination using the toxic Freund’s adjuvant (FA) and are therefore not directly translatable into the clinic. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the potential of the biodegradable Montanide ISA 720 adjuvant. We tested Montanide either alone (MN) or supplemented with CpG 1826 (MN-C). Both adjuvant compositions, as well as FA, resulted in a significant tumor growth inhibition and decreased vessel density in the B16F10 melanoma tumor model. Vaccination of mice with either FA or MN-C resulted in an equally potent humoral immune response towards vimentin, while the antibody titers obtained with MN alone were significantly lower compared to FA. Vaccination coincided with the infiltration of immune cells. The highest number of intratumoral immune cells was seen in tumors from the MN-C group. Therefore, we conclude that Montanide ISA 720 supplemented with CpG allows efficient vaccination against extracellular vimentin, which is a prerequisite for the transfer of the vaccine into the clinic.
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Tifrea DF, Pal S, Le Bon C, Giusti F, Popot JL, Cocco MJ, Zoonens M, de la Maza LM. Co-delivery of amphipol-conjugated adjuvant with antigen, and adjuvant combinations, enhance immune protection elicited by a membrane protein-based vaccine against a mucosal challenge with Chlamydia. Vaccine 2018; 36:6640-6649. [PMID: 30293763 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chlamydial infections are spread worldwide and a vaccine is needed to control this pathogen. The goals of this study were to determine if the delivery of an adjuvant associated to the antigen, via a derivatized amphipol, and adjuvant combinations improve vaccine protection. METHODS A novel approach, trapping the Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) native MOMP (nMOMP) with amphipols (A8-35), bearing a covalently conjugated peptide (EP67), was used. Adjuvants incorporated were: EP67 either conjugated to A8-35, which was used to trap nMOMP (nMOMP/EP67-A8-35), or free as a control, added to nMOMP/A8-35 complexes (nMOMP/A8-35+EP67); Montanide ISA 720 to enhance humoral responses, and CpG-1826 to elicit robust cell-mediated immunity (CMI). BALB/c mice were immunized by mucosal and systemic routes. Intranasal immunization with live Cm was used as positive control and three negative controls were included. Mice were challenged intranasally with Cm and changes in body weight, lungs weight and number of Cm-inclusion forming units (IFU) recovered from the lungs were evaluated to establish protection. To assess local responses levels of IFN- γ and Cm-specific IgA were determined in lungs' supernatants. RESULTS Structural assays demonstrated that nMOMP secondary structure and thermal stability were maintained when A8-35 was covalently modified. Mice vaccinated with nMOMP/EP67-A8-35 were better protected than animals immunized with nMOMP/A8-35+EP67. Addition of Montanide enhanced Th2 responses and improved protection. Including CpG-1826 further broadened, intensified and switched to Th1-biased immune responses. With delivery of nMOMP and the three adjuvants, as determined by changes in body weight, lungs weight and number of IFU recovered from lungs, protection at 10 days post-challenge was equivalent to that induced by immunization with live Cm. CONCLUSIONS Covalent association of EP67 to A8-35, used to keep nMOMP water-soluble, improves protection over that conferred by free EP67. Adjuvant combinations including EP67+Montanide+CpG-1826, by broadening and intensifying cellular and humoral immune responses, further enhanced protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delia F Tifrea
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Sukumar Pal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA
| | - Christel Le Bon
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Fabrice Giusti
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Luc Popot
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France
| | - Melanie J Cocco
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 1218 Natural Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-3900, USA
| | - Manuela Zoonens
- C.N.R.S./Université Paris-7 UMR 7099, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, 13, rue Pierre-et-Marie-Curie, F-75005 Paris, France.
| | - Luis M de la Maza
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical Sciences I, Room D440, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697-4800, USA.
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Huijbers EJM, van Beijnum JR, Lê CT, Langman S, Nowak-Sliwinska P, Mayo KH, Griffioen AW. An improved conjugate vaccine technology; induction of antibody responses to the tumor vasculature. Vaccine 2018; 36:3054-3060. [PMID: 29655625 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.03.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/24/2018] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
The induction of an antibody response against self-antigens requires a conjugate vaccine technology, where the self-antigen is conjugated to a foreign protein sequence, and the co-application of a potent adjuvant. The choice of this foreign sequence is crucial as a very strong antibody response towards it may compromise the anti-self immune response. Here, we aimed to optimize the conjugate design for application of vaccination against the tumor vasculature, using two different approaches. First, the immunogenicity of the previously employed bacterial thioredoxin (TRX) was reduced by using a truncated from (TRXtr). Second, the Escherichia coli proteome was scrutinized to identify alternative proteins, based on immunogenicity and potency to increase solubility, suitable for use in a conjugate vaccine. This technology was used for vaccination against a marker of the tumor vasculature, the well-known extra domain B (EDB) of fibronectin. We demonstrate that engineering of the foreign sequence of a conjugate vaccine can significantly improve antibody production. The TRXtr construct outperformed the one containing full-length TRX, for the production of anti-self antibodies to EDB. In addition, efficient tumor growth inhibition was observed with the new TRXtr-EDB vaccine. Microvessel density was decreased and enhanced leukocyte infiltration was observed, indicative of an active immune response directed against the tumor vasculature. Summarizing, we have identified a truncated form of the foreign antigen TRX that can improve conjugate vaccine technology for induction of anti-self antibody titers. This technology was named Immuno-Boost (I-Boost). Our findings are important for the clinical development of cancer vaccines directed against self antigens, e.g. the ones selectively found in the tumor vasculature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Judy R van Beijnum
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Chung T Lê
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sofya Langman
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Kevin H Mayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- Angiogenesis Laboratory, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Ferguson HJM, Wragg JW, Ward S, Heath VL, Ismail T, Bicknell R. Glutamate dependent NMDA receptor 2D is a novel angiogenic tumour endothelial marker in colorectal cancer. Oncotarget 2018; 7:20440-54. [PMID: 26943033 PMCID: PMC4991466 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.7812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2015] [Accepted: 01/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Current vascular-targeted therapies in colorectal cancer (CRC) have shown limited benefit. The lack of novel, specific treatment in CRC has been hampered by a dearth of specific endothelial markers. Microarray comparison of endothelial gene expression in patient-matched CRC and normal colon identified a panel of putative colorectal tumour endothelial markers. Of these the glutamate dependent NMDA receptor GRIN2D emerged as the most interesting target. GRIN2D expression was shown to be specific to colorectal cancer vessels by RTqPCR and IHC analysis. Its expression was additionally shown be predictive of improved survival in CRC. Targeted knockdown studies in vitro demonstrated a role for GRIN2D in endothelial function and angiogenesis. This effect was also shown in vivo as vaccination against the extracellular region of GRIN2D resulted in reduced vascularisation in the subcutaneous sponge angiogenesis assay. The utility of immunologically targeting GRIN2D in CRC was demonstrated by the vaccination approach inhibiting murine CRC tumour growth and vascularisation. GRIN2D represents a promising target for the future treatment of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henry J M Ferguson
- Molecular Angiogenesis Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.,Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK
| | - Joseph W Wragg
- Molecular Angiogenesis Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Stephen Ward
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK
| | - Victoria L Heath
- Molecular Angiogenesis Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Tariq Ismail
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Medical Centre, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TH, UK
| | - Roy Bicknell
- Molecular Angiogenesis Group, Institute for Biomedical Research, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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Huijbers EJM, Griffioen AW. The revival of cancer vaccines - The eminent need to activate humoral immunity. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1112-1114. [PMID: 28118089 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1276140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In light of the increasing number of approved monoclonal antibodies for the treatment of cancer, it seems peculiar that the development of antibody inducing vaccines gets so little attention. In our view there is a tremendous opportunity in the development of cancer vaccines inducing humoral immune responses, involving a couple of major advantages. Firstly, the effectivity of a polyclonal antibody response is expected to exceed the one of monoclonal antibodies. This is supported by preclinical data that show pronounced anti-tumor responses and early clinical trials in which benefit is observed in patients with advanced cancer. Secondly, vaccination strategies are expected to reduce hospital visits, resulting in enhanced quality of life. And last but not least, vaccination strategies are extremely cost effective, alleviating the socioeconomic problems of prohibitively high drug costs. To reach further clinical success, efforts should focus on target identification, optimization of vaccination strategies and adjuvant development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- a Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
| | - Arjan W Griffioen
- a Angiogenesis Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology , VU University Medical Center , Amsterdam , The Netherlands
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10
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Saupe F, Reichel M, Huijbers EJM, Femel J, Markgren PO, Andersson CE, Deindl S, Danielson UH, Hellman LT, Olsson AK. Development of a novel therapeutic vaccine carrier that sustains high antibody titers against several targets simultaneously. FASEB J 2016; 31:1204-1214. [PMID: 27993994 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600820r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
With the aim to improve the efficacy of therapeutic vaccines that target self-antigens, we have developed a novel fusion protein vaccine on the basis of the C-terminal multimerizing end of the variable lymphocyte receptor B (VLRB), the Ig equivalent in jawless fishes. Recombinant vaccines were produced in Escherichia coli by fusing the VLRB sequence to 4 different cancer-associated target molecules. The anti-self-immune response generated in mice that were vaccinated with VLRB vaccines was compared with the response in mice that received vaccines that contained bacterial thioredoxin (TRX), previously identified as an efficient carrier. The anti-self-Abs were analyzed with respect to titers, binding properties, and duration of response. VLRB-vaccinated mice displayed a 2- to 10-fold increase in anti-self-Ab titers and a substantial decrease in Abs against the foreign part of the fusion protein compared with the response in TRX-vaccinated mice (P < 0.01). VLRB-generated Ab response had duration similar to the corresponding TRX-generated Abs, but displayed a higher diversity in binding characteristics. Of importance, VLRB vaccines could sustain an immune response against several targets simultaneously. VLRB vaccines fulfill several key criteria for an efficient therapeutic vaccine that targets self-antigens as a result of its small size, its multimerizing capacity, and nonexposed foreign sequences in the fusion protein.-Saupe, F., Reichel, M., Huijbers, E. J. M., Femel, J., Markgren, P.-O., Andersson, C. E., Deindl, S., Danielson, U. H., Hellman, L. T., Olsson, A.-K. Development of a novel therapeutic vaccine carrier that sustains high antibody titers against several targets simultaneously.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Saupe
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Matthias Reichel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julia Femel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per-Olof Markgren
- Department of Chemistry-BMC, Biomedical Center, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - C Evalena Andersson
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Deindl
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - U Helena Danielson
- Department of Chemistry-BMC, Biomedical Center, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars T Hellman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden;
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11
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Fibronectin-targeted drug delivery in cancer. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2016; 97:101-10. [PMID: 26639577 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2015] [Revised: 11/21/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Fibronectin is an extracellular matrix protein with pivotal physiological and pathological functions in development and adulthood. Alternative splicing of the precursor mRNA, produced from the single copy fibronectin gene, occurs at three sites coding for the EDA, EDB and IIICS domains. Fibronectin isoforms comprising the EDA or EDB domains are known as oncofetal forms due to their developmental importance and their re-expression in tumors, contrasting with restricted presence in normal adult tissues. These isoforms are also recognized as important markers of angiogenesis, a crucial physiological process in development and required by tumor cells in cancer progression. Attributed to this feature, EDA and EDB domains have been extensively used for the targeted delivery of cytokines, cytotoxic agents, chemotherapy drugs and radioisotopes to fibronectin-expressing tumors to exert therapeutic effects on primary cancers and metastatic lesions. In addition to drug delivery, the EDA and EDB domains of fibronectin have also been utilized to develop imaging strategies for tumor tissues. Furthermore, EDA and EDB based vaccines seem to be promising for the treatment and prevention of certain cancer types. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in fibronectin EDA and EDB-based therapeutic strategies developed to treat cancer.
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Rivera F, Espino AM. Adjuvant-enhanced antibody and cellular responses to inclusion bodies expressing FhSAP2 correlates with protection of mice to Fasciola hepatica. Exp Parasitol 2015; 160:31-8. [PMID: 26632503 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Fasciola hepatica saposin-like protein-2 (FhSAP2) is a protein differentially expressed in various developmental stages of F. hepatica. Recombinant FhSAP2 has demonstrated the induction of partial protection in mice and rabbits when it is administered subcutaneously (SC) in Freund's adjuvant. Because FhSAP2 is overexpressed in bacteria in the form of inclusion bodies (IBs), we isolated IBs expressing FhSAP2 and tested their immunogenicity when administered SC in mice emulsified in two different adjuvants: QS-21 and Montanide TM ISA720. Animals received three injections containing 20 μg of protein two weeks apart and 4 weeks after the third injection, mice were infected with 10 F. hepatica metacercariae by oral route. The percentages of protection induced by FhSAP2-IBs were estimated to be between 60.0 and 62.5% when compared with adjuvant-vaccinated, infected controls. By determining the levels of IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies and IL-4 and IFNγ cytokines in the serum of experimental animals, it was found that both Th1 and Th2 immune responses were significantly increased in the FhSAP2-IBs vaccinated groups compared with the adjuvant-vaccinated, infected control groups. The adjuvant-vaccinated groups had significantly lower IgG1 to IgG2a ratios and lower IL-4 to IFNγ ratios than the FhSAP2-IBs vaccinated animals, which is indicative of higher levels of Th2 immune responses. Irrespective to the adjuvant used, animals vaccinated with FhSAP2-IBs exhibited significantly higher survival percentage and less liver damage than the adjuvant-control groups. This study suggests that FhSAP2 has potential as vaccine against F. hepatica and that the protection elicited by this molecule could be linked to a mechanism driven by the CD4-Th1 cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francheska Rivera
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Puerto Rico
| | - Ana M Espino
- Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology, University of Puerto Rico, School of Medicine, Puerto Rico.
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Femel J, Huijbers EJM, Saupe F, Cedervall J, Zhang L, Roswall P, Larsson E, Olofsson H, Pietras K, Dimberg A, Hellman L, Olsson AK. Therapeutic vaccination against fibronectin ED-A attenuates progression of metastatic breast cancer. Oncotarget 2015; 5:12418-27. [PMID: 25360764 PMCID: PMC4322999 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.2628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccination targeting self-molecules is an attractive alternative to monoclonal antibody-based therapies for cancer and various inflammatory diseases. However, development of cancer vaccines targeting self-molecules has proven difficult. One complicating factor is that tumor cells have developed strategies to escape recognition by the immune system. Antigens specifically expressed by the tumor vasculature can therefore provide alternative targets. The alternatively spliced extra domain-A and B (ED-A and ED-B) of fibronectin are expressed during vasculogenesis in the embryo, but essentially undetectable under normal conditions in the adult. However, these domains are re-expressed during tumor angiogenesis and matrix remodeling, which renders them highly interesting for targeted cancer therapies. Using the MMTV-PyMT transgenic model of metastatic mammary carcinoma, we show that tumor burden can be significantly decreased by immunization against ED-A in a therapeutic setting. Furthermore, we found that in mice carrying anti-ED-A antibodies the number of metastases was reduced. ED-A immunization increased infiltration of macrophages and compromised tumor blood vessel function. These findings implicate an attack of the tumor vasculature by the immune system, through a polyclonal antibody response. We conclude that tumor vascular antigens are promising candidates for development of therapeutic vaccines targeting growth of primary tumors as well as disseminated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Femel
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala
| | - Falk Saupe
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala
| | - Jessica Cedervall
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala
| | - Pernilla Roswall
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm
| | - Erik Larsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala
| | - Helena Olofsson
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala
| | - Kristian Pietras
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lund University, Medicon Village AB, Lund
| | - Anna Dimberg
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Uppsala University, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala
| | - Lars Hellman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Biomedical Center, Uppsala
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Lei Y, Boinapally V, Zoltowska A, Adner M, Hellman L, Nilsson G. Vaccination against IL-33 Inhibits Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation in a House Dust Mite Model of Asthma. PLoS One 2015. [PMID: 26214807 PMCID: PMC4516261 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In several clinical and experimental studies IL-33 and its receptor have been found to play important roles in the development of asthma and allergic airway inflammation. We evaluated the effects of vaccination against IL-33 in a mouse model of airway inflammation induced by house dust mite (HDM) allergen. Balb/c mice received the IL-33 vaccine subcutaneously, followed by intranasal administration of HDM for up to six weeks. Vaccination against IL-33 induced high titers of specific anti-IL-33 IgG antibodies that inhibited HDM-induced airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in the conducting airways and tissue damping. The vaccination also attenuated the HDM-induced elevation in the numbers of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and suppressed the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the airways. Furthermore, the levels of IL-17A, IL-25, IL-33 and TSLP in lung tissue homogenates were reduced by vaccination against IL-33. These observations demonstrate that vaccination against IL-33 inhibits HDM-induced development of AHR, airway inflammation and production of inflammatory cytokines. The results also indicate an important role of IL-33 in the regulation of AHR of the distal lung compartments. Thus, administration of such a vaccine is potentially an effective therapeutic tool for treating allergic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Lei
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
| | - Vamsi Boinapally
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Zoltowska
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mikael Adner
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Allergy Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Hellman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- * E-mail: (GN); (LH)
| | - Gunnar Nilsson
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Center for Allergy Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- * E-mail: (GN); (LH)
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Abstract
Therapeutic vaccination targeting self-molecules could provide a cost-efficient alternative to monoclonal antibody-based therapies for cancer and various inflammatory diseases. However, development of cancer vaccines targeting self-molecules has proven difficult. One complicating factor is that tumour cells have developed strategies to escape recognition by the immune system. Antigens specifically expressed by the tumour vasculature can therefore provide alternative targets. The present mini-review highlights potential target molecules associated with tumour angiogenesis and the approaches made to direct an immune response against them. Furthermore, the requirements on a vaccine targeting self-molecules, in contrast with those directed against virus or bacteria, are discussed.
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Appavu R, Chesson CB, Koyfman AY, Snook JD, Kohlhapp FJ, Zloza A, Rudra JS. Enhancing the Magnitude of Antibody Responses through Biomaterial Stereochemistry. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2015; 1:601-609. [DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.5b00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Frederick J. Kohlhapp
- Departments
of Microbiology/Immunology and Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Andrew Zloza
- Departments
of Microbiology/Immunology and Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
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Saupe F, Huijbers EJM, Hein T, Femel J, Cedervall J, Olsson AK, Hellman L. Vaccines targeting self-antigens: mechanisms and efficacy-determining parameters. FASEB J 2015; 29:3253-62. [PMID: 25868727 DOI: 10.1096/fj.15-271502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
We recently showed that it is possible to compromise tumor vessel function and, as a consequence, suppress growth of aggressive preclinical tumors by immunizing against the tumor vascular markers extra domain-A (ED-A) or -B (ED-B) of fibronectin, using a fusion protein consisting of the ED-A or ED-B peptide fused to bacterial thioredoxin. To address the mechanism behind fusion protein-induced immunization and the specific contribution of the different vaccine constituents to elicit an anti-self-antibody response, we immunized mice with modified or unmodified self-antigens, combined with different adjuvant components, and analyzed antibody responses by ELISA in sera. Several essential requirements to circumvent tolerance were identified: (1) a potent pattern recognition receptor agonist like an oligonucleotide containing unmethylated cytosine and guanine dinucleotides (CpG); (2) a depot adjuvant to keep the CpG at the site of injection; and (3) the presence of foreign sequences in the vaccine protein. Lack of either of these factors abolished the anti-self-response (P = 0.008). In mice genetically deficient for type I IFN signaling, there was a 60% reduction in the anti-self-response compared with wild-type (P = 0.011), demonstrating a key role of this pathway in CpG-induced circumvention of self-tolerance. Identification of these mechanistic requirements to generate a potent anti-self-immune response should significantly aid the design of efficient, specific, and safe therapeutic cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Falk Saupe
- *Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Elisabeth J M Huijbers
- *Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Tobias Hein
- *Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Julia Femel
- *Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessica Cedervall
- *Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- *Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Hellman
- *Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, and Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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Zhuang X, Ahmed F, Zhang Y, Ferguson HJ, Steele JC, Steven NM, Nagy Z, Heath VL, Toellner KM, Bicknell R. Robo4 vaccines induce antibodies that retard tumor growth. Angiogenesis 2014; 18:83-95. [PMID: 25348086 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-014-9448-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Tumor endothelial specific expression of Robo4 in adults identifies this plasma membrane protein as an anti-cancer target for immunotherapeutic approaches, such as vaccination. In this report, we describe how vaccination against Robo4 inhibits angiogenesis and tumor growth. To break tolerance to the auto-antigen Robo4, mice were immunised with the extracellular domain of mouse Robo4, fused to the Fc domain of human immunoglobulin within an adjuvant. Vaccinated mice show a strong antibody response to Robo4, with no objectively detectable adverse effects on health. Robo4 vaccinated mice showed impaired fibrovascular invasion and angiogenesis in a rodent sponge implantation assay, as well as a reduced growth of implanted syngeneic Lewis lung carcinoma. The anti-tumor effect of Robo4 vaccination was present in CD8 deficient mice but absent in B cell or IgG1 knockout mice, suggesting antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity as the anti-vascular/anti-tumor mechanism. Finally, we show that an adjuvant free soluble Robo4-carrier conjugate can retard tumor growth in carrier primed mice. These results point to appropriate Robo4 conjugates as potential anti-angiogenic vaccines for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhuang
- Institute for Biomedical Research, Schools of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
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