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Kibria MG, Shiwaku Y, Brindha S, Kuroda Y. Biophysical and biochemical nature of amorphous protein oligomers determines the strength of immune response and the generation of T-cell memory. FEBS J 2023; 290:4712-4725. [PMID: 37287403 DOI: 10.1111/febs.16884] [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: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Here, we used domain 3 of dengue virus serotype 3 envelope protein (D3ED3), a natively folded globular low-immunogenicity protein, to ask whether the biophysical nature of amorphous oligomers can affect immunogenicity. We prepared nearly identical 30 ~ 50 nm-sized amorphous oligomers in five distinct ways and looked at any correlation between their biophysical properties and immunogenicity. One oligomer type was produced using our SCP tag (solubility controlling peptide) made of 5 isoleucines (C5I). The others were prepared by miss-shuffling the SS bonds (Ms), heating (Ht), stirring (St) and freeze-thaw (FT). Dynamic light scattering showed that all five formulations contained oligomers of approximately identical sizes with hydrodynamic radii (Rh) between 30 and 55 nm. Circular dichroism (cd) indicated that the secondary structure content of oligomers formed by stirring and freeze-thaw was essentially identical to that of the native monomeric D3ED3. The secondary structure content of the Ms showed moderate changes, whereas the C5I and heat-induced (Ht) oligomers exhibited a significant change. The Ms contained D3ED3 with intermolecular SS bonds as assessed by nonreducing size exclusion chromatography (SEC). Immunization in JcL:ICR mice showed that both C5I and Ms significantly increased the anti-D3ED3 IgG titre. Ht, St and FT were only mildly immunogenic, similar to the monomeric D3ED3. Cell surface CD marker analysis by flow cytometry confirmed that immunization with Ms generated a strong central and effector T-cell memory. Our observations indeed suggest that controlled oligomerization can provide a new, adjuvant-free method for increasing a protein's immunogenicity, yielding a potentially powerful platform for protein-based (subunit) vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Yukari Shiwaku
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
| | - Subbaian Brindha
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
- Institute of Global Innovation Research, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu-Shi, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Science, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei-shi, Japan
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2
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Sharifi E, Yousefiasl S, Trovato M, Sartorius R, Esmaeili Y, Goodarzi H, Ghomi M, Bigham A, Moghaddam FD, Heidarifard M, Pourmotabed S, Nazarzadeh Zare E, Paiva-Santos AC, Rabiee N, Wang X, Tay FR. Nanostructures for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of viral respiratory infections: from influenza virus to SARS-CoV-2 variants. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:199. [PMID: 37344894 PMCID: PMC10283343 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01938-8] [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: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses are a major cause of mortality and socio-economic downfall despite the plethora of biopharmaceuticals designed for their eradication. Conventional antiviral therapies are often ineffective. Live-attenuated vaccines can pose a safety risk due to the possibility of pathogen reversion, whereas inactivated viral vaccines and subunit vaccines do not generate robust and sustained immune responses. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of strategies that combine nanotechnology concepts with the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of viral infectious diseases. The present review provides a comprehensive introduction to the different strains of viruses involved in respiratory diseases and presents an overview of recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of viral infections based on nanotechnology concepts and applications. Discussions in diagnostic/therapeutic nanotechnology-based approaches will be focused on H1N1 influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, human parainfluenza virus type 3 infections, as well as COVID-19 infections caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus Delta variant and new emerging Omicron variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esmaeel Sharifi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, 6517838736, Iran.
| | - Satar Yousefiasl
- Dental Research Center, Dentistry Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maria Trovato
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Rossella Sartorius
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Yasaman Esmaeili
- School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Biosensor Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 8174673461, Iran
| | - Hamid Goodarzi
- Centre de recherche, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Départment d'Ophtalmologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Matineh Ghomi
- School of Chemistry, Damghan University, Damghan, 36716-45667, Iran
| | - Ashkan Bigham
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, 6517838736, Iran
| | - Farnaz Dabbagh Moghaddam
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies, National Research Council, Via Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Maryam Heidarifard
- Centre de recherche, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Départment d'Ophtalmologie, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Samiramis Pourmotabed
- Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, 6517838736, Iran
| | | | - Ana Cláudia Paiva-Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
- Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra, University of Coimbra, 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Navid Rabiee
- School of Engineering, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, 2109, Australia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), 77 Cheongam-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang, Gyeongbuk, 37673, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiangdong Wang
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Franklin R Tay
- The Graduate School, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, 30912, USA.
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3
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Facciolà A, Visalli G, Laganà A, Di Pietro A. An Overview of Vaccine Adjuvants: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050819. [PMID: 35632575 PMCID: PMC9147349 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccinations are one of the most important preventive tools against infectious diseases. Over time, many different types of vaccines have been developed concerning the antigen component. Adjuvants are essential elements that increase the efficacy of vaccination practises through many different actions, especially acting as carriers, depots, and stimulators of immune responses. For many years, few adjuvants have been included in vaccines, with aluminium salts being the most commonly used adjuvant. However, recent research has focused its attention on many different new compounds with effective adjuvant properties and improved safety. Modern technologies such as nanotechnologies and molecular biology have forcefully entered the production processes of both antigen and adjuvant components, thereby improving vaccine efficacy. Microparticles, emulsions, and immune stimulators are currently in the spotlight for their huge potential in vaccine production. Although studies have reported some potential side effects of vaccine adjuvants such as the recently recognised ASIA syndrome, the huge worth of vaccines remains unquestionable. Indeed, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines, especially in regard to managing future potential pandemics. In this field, research into adjuvants could play a leading role in the production of increasingly effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Facciolà
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppa Visalli
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
| | - Antonio Laganà
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
- Multi-Specialist Clinical Institute for Orthopaedic Trauma Care (COT), 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
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Potent Induction of Envelope-Specific Antibody Responses by Virus-Like Particle (VLP) Immunogens Based on HIV-1 Envelopes from Patients with Early Broadly Neutralizing Responses. J Virol 2021; 96:e0134321. [PMID: 34668778 PMCID: PMC8754226 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01343-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Longitudinal studies in HIV-1-infected individuals have indicated that 2 to 3 years of infection are required to develop broadly neutralizing antibodies. However, we have previously identified individuals with broadly neutralizing activity (bNA) in early HIV-1 infection, indicating that a vaccine may be capable of bNA induction after short periods of antigen exposure. Here, we describe 5 HIV-1 envelope sequences from individuals who have developed bNA within the first 100 days of infection (early neutralizers) and selected two of them to design immunogens based on HIV-1-Gag virus-like particles (VLPs). These VLPs were homogeneous and incorporated the corresponding envelopes (7 to 9 μg of gp120 in 1010 VLPs). Both envelopes (Envs) bound to well-characterized broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), including trimer-specific antibodies (PGT145, VRC01, and 35022). For immunogenicity testing, we immunized rabbits with the Env-VLPs or with the corresponding stabilized soluble envelope trimers. A short immunization protocol (105 days) was used to recapitulate the early nAb induction observed after HIV-1 infection in these two individuals. All VLP and trimeric envelope immunogens induced a comparably strong anti-gp120 response despite having immunized rabbits with 30 times less gp120 in the case of the Env-VLPs. In addition, animals immunized with VLP-formulated Envs induced antibodies that cross-recognized the corresponding soluble stabilized trimer and vice versa, even though no neutralizing activity was observed. Nevertheless, our data may provide a new platform of immunogens, based on HIV-1 envelopes from patients with early broadly neutralizing responses, with the potential to generate protective immune responses using vaccination protocols similar to those used in classical preventive vaccines. IMPORTANCE It is generally accepted that an effective HIV-1 vaccine should be able to induce broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies. Since most of these antibodies require long periods of somatic maturation in vivo, several groups are developing immunogens, based on the HIV envelope protein, that require complex and lengthy immunization protocols that would be difficult to implement in the general population. Here, we show that rabbits immunized with new envelopes (VLP formulated) from two individuals who demonstrated broadly neutralizing activity very early after infection induced specific HIV-1 antibodies after a short immunization protocol. This evidence provides the basis for generating protective immune responses with classic vaccination protocols with vaccine prototypes based on HIV envelope sequences from individuals who have developed early broadly neutralizing responses.
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Pirahmadi S, Afzali S, Zargar M, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA. How can we develop an effective subunit vaccine to achieve successful malaria eradication? Microb Pathog 2021; 160:105203. [PMID: 34547408 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, a mosquito-borne infection, is the most widespread parasitic disease. Despite numerous efforts to eradicate malaria, this disease is still a health concern worldwide. Owing to insecticide-resistant vectors and drug-resistant parasites, available controlling measures are insufficient to achieve a malaria-free world. Thus, there is an urgent need for new intervention tools such as efficient malaria vaccines. Subunit vaccines are the most promising malaria vaccines under development. However, one of the major drawbacks of subunit vaccines is the lack of efficient and durable immune responses including antigen-specific antibody, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell responses, long-lived plasma cells, memory cells, and functional antibodies for parasite neutralization or inhibition of parasite invasion. These types of responses could be induced by whole organism vaccines, but eliciting these responses with subunit vaccines has been proven to be more challenging. Consequently, subunit vaccines require several policies to overcome these challenges. In this review, we address common approaches that can improve the efficacy of subunit vaccines against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakineh Pirahmadi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Afzali
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Zargar
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Akram Abouie Mehrizi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Rahman N, Miura S, Okawa M, Kibria MG, Islam MM, Kuroda Y. Solubility Controlling Peptide Tags of Opposite Charges Generate a Bivalent Immune Response Against Dengue ED3 Serotypes 3 and 4. Front Immunol 2021; 12:671590. [PMID: 34177912 PMCID: PMC8226127 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.671590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that a protein’s immunogenicity could be substantially increased by attaching a hydrophobic solubility controlling peptide tag (SCP-tag) producing small sub-visible aggregates. Here, we report the oligomerization of Dengue envelop protein domain 3 (ED3), and consequently, its immunogenicity increase by mixing ED3s attached with SCP-tags of opposite charges at equimolar concentration. We used ED3 of serotype 3 (D3ED3) and serotype 4 (D4ED3), which are, respectively, moderately and poorly immunogenic, and their SCP tagged variants constructed by attaching either a C-termini 5-Aspartic acid (C5D) or a 5-Lysine (C5K) tag. Light scattering indicated that the isolated tagged ED3s remained monomeric, but mixing the C5D and C5K tagged ED3s at equimolar concentration generated sub-visible aggregates or oligomers of ~500 nm through electrostatic interaction. In addition, the oligomerized ED3s remained in a native-like state, as assessed by fluorescence spectroscopy and circular dichroism. The in vivo immunogenicity of the D3ED3 and D4ED3 oligomers generated by the charged tags increased by 5 and 16 fold, respectively. Furthermore, injection of heterotypic ED3 oligomers (D3C5D+D4C5K) induced an immune response against both D3ED3 and D4ED3 in 3 of 4 responsive mice, and the IgG titer of the bivalent anti-D3C5D-D4C5K sera was over 100 times higher than that generated by co-injecting the untagged D3ED3 and D4ED3 (D3+D4). Altogether, these observations suggest that SCP-tags could be used as a platform for producing a long-sought tetravalent dengue vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsoon Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shiho Miura
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Okawa
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohammad Monirul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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7
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Nguyen B, Tolia NH. Protein-based antigen presentation platforms for nanoparticle vaccines. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:70. [PMID: 33986287 PMCID: PMC8119681 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00330-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern vaccine design has sought a minimalization approach, moving to the isolation of antigens from pathogens that invoke a strong neutralizing immune response. This approach has created safer vaccines but may limit vaccine efficacy due to poor immunogenicity. To combat global diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, and AIDS there is a clear urgency for more effective next-generation vaccines. One approach to improve the immunogenicity of vaccines is the use of nanoparticle platforms that present a repetitive array of antigen on its surface. This technology has been shown to improve antigen presenting cell uptake, lymph node trafficking, and B-cell activation through increased avidity and particle size. With a focus on design, we summarize natural platforms, methods of antigen attachment, and advancements in generating self-assembly that have led to new engineered platforms. We further examine critical parameters that will direct the usage and development of more effective platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Nguyen
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Niraj H Tolia
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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8
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Pirahmadi S, Zakeri S, Djadid ND, Mehrizi AA. A review of combination adjuvants for malaria vaccines: a promising approach for vaccine development. Int J Parasitol 2021; 51:699-717. [PMID: 33798560 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2021.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
It is obvious that there is a critical need for an efficient malaria vaccine to accelerate malaria eradication. Currently, recombinant subunit vaccination against malaria using proteins and peptides is gaining attention. However, one of the major drawbacks of this approach is the lack of an efficient and durable immune response. Therefore, subunit vaccines require adjuvants to make the vaccine sufficiently immunogenic. Considering the history of the RTS,S vaccine, it seems likely that no single adjuvant is capable of eliciting all the protective immune responses required in many malarial subunit vaccines and the use of combination adjuvants will be increasingly important as the science of malaria vaccines advances. In light of this, it appears that identifying the most effective mixture of adjuvants with minimal adverse effects offers tremendous opportunities in improving the efficacy of vaccines against malaria. Owing to the importance of a multi-adjuvanted approach in subunit malaria vaccine development, this review paper outlines some of the best known combination adjuvants used in malaria subunit vaccines, focusing on their proposed mechanisms of action, their immunological properties, and their notable results. The aim of the present review is to consolidate these findings to aid the application of these combination adjuvants in experimental malaria vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakineh Pirahmadi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Navid D Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Akram A Mehrizi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Stiepel RT, Batty CJ, MacRaild CA, Norton RS, Bachelder E, Ainslie KM. Merozoite surface protein 2 adsorbed onto acetalated dextran microparticles for malaria vaccination. Int J Pharm 2020; 593:120168. [PMID: 33309558 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2020.120168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Malaria remains a global health threat, with significant morbidity and mortality worldwide despite current interventions. The human disease is caused by five different parasitic species, with Plasmodium falciparum being the deadliest. As a result, vaccine research against P. falciparum is a global priority. Merozoite surface protein 2 (MSP2) is a promising vaccine antigen as MSP2-specific antibodies have been shown previously to be protective against malaria infection. In this study, the formulation of an MSP2 vaccine was explored to enhance antigen uptake and achieve both an antibody and Th1 immune response by adsorbing MSP2 antigen onto a biomaterial carrier system. Specifically, MSP2 antigen was adsorbed onto acetalated dextran (Ace-DEX) microparticles (MPs). IgG and IgG2a titers elicited by the Ace-DEX MP platform were compared to titer levels elicited by MSP2 adsorbed to an FDA-approved alum adjuvant, MSP2 alone, and PBS alone. Both adsorption of MSP2 to Ace-DEX MPs and to alum elicited antibody responses in vivo, but only the formulation containing Ace-DEX MPs was able to elicit a significant Th1-biased response needed to combat the intracellular pathogen. As such, MSP2 adsorbed to Ace-DEX MPs demonstrates promise as a malaria vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca T Stiepel
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Cole J Batty
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Christopher A MacRaild
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Raymond S Norton
- Medicinal Chemistry, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; ARC Centre for Fragment-Based Design, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Eric Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
| | - Kristy M Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
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10
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Rahman N, Islam MM, Kibria MG, Unzai S, Kuroda Y. A systematic mutational analysis identifies a 5-residue proline tag that enhances the in vivo immunogenicity of a non-immunogenic model protein. FEBS Open Bio 2020; 10:1947-1956. [PMID: 33017095 PMCID: PMC7530378 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Poor immunogenicity of small proteins is a major hurdle in developing vaccines or producing antibodies for biopharmaceutical usage. Here, we systematically analyzed the effects of 10 solubility controlling peptide tags (SCP‐tags) on the immunogenicity of a non‐immunogenic model protein, bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI‐19A; 6 kDa). CD, fluorescence, DLS, SLS, and AUC measurements indicated that the SCP‐tags did not change the secondary structure content nor the tertiary structures of the protein nor its monomeric state. ELISA results indicated that the 5‐proline (C5P) and 5‐arginine (C5R) tags unexpectedly increased the IgG level of BPTI‐19A by 240‐ and 73‐fold, respectively, suggesting that non‐oligomerizing SCP‐tags may provide a novel method for increasing the immunogenicity of a protein in a highly specific manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafsoon Rahman
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mohammad Monirul Islam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Chittagong, Chittagong, Bangladesh
| | - Md Golam Kibria
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satoru Unzai
- Department of Frontier Bioscience, Faculty of Bioscience and Applied Chemistry, Hosei University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kuroda
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Graduate School of Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Chung YH, Cai H, Steinmetz NF. Viral nanoparticles for drug delivery, imaging, immunotherapy, and theranostic applications. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 156:214-235. [PMID: 32603813 PMCID: PMC7320870 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.06.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 202] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) encompass a diverse array of naturally occurring nanomaterials derived from plant viruses, bacteriophages, and mammalian viruses. The application and development of VNPs and their genome-free versions, the virus-like particles (VLPs), for nanomedicine is a rapidly growing. VLPs can encapsulate a wide range of active ingredients as well as be genetically or chemically conjugated to targeting ligands to achieve tissue specificity. VLPs are manufactured through scalable fermentation or molecular farming, and the materials are biocompatible and biodegradable. These properties have led to a wide range of applications, including cancer therapies, immunotherapies, vaccines, antimicrobial therapies, cardiovascular therapies, gene therapies, as well as imaging and theranostics. The use of VLPs as drug delivery agents is evolving, and sufficient research must continuously be undertaken to translate these therapies to the clinic. This review highlights some of the novel research efforts currently underway in the VNP drug delivery field in achieving this greater goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hun Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Hui Cai
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Department of Radiology, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Moores Cancer Center, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States; Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, United States.
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12
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We will discuss recent advances in the development of nanoparticle vaccines presenting HIV-1 envelope trimer vaccines and the immunological mechanisms by which they act. RECENT FINDINGS The multivalent presentation of Env trimers on nanoparticles is a promising strategy to increase Env immunogenicity. Recent studies have shed light on how Env nanoparticles increase lymph node trafficking and germinal center formation by using the lectin-mediated complement pathway and enhancing the interaction with naïve B cells. Meanwhile, research on different nanoparticle platforms has resulted in improved designs, such as liposomes with improved stability, and the emergence of novel platforms such as protein nanoparticles that self-assemble in vitro. Immmunogenicity studies with these nanoparticles delineate the advantages and expose the limitations of the different nanoparticle platforms. SUMMARY It is becoming increasingly clear that HIV-1 vaccine research might benefit greatly from using nanoparticles presenting Env trimers, particularly during the priming stage of immunization. Among the different nanoparticles that are being pursued, in vitro-assembling nanoparticles allow for greater control of Env quality making them a promising nanoparticle platform.
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13
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Vaccination with virosomally formulated recombinant CyRPA elicits protective antibodies against Plasmodium falciparum parasites in preclinical in vitro and in vivo models. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:9. [PMID: 32025340 PMCID: PMC6994490 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0158-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) cysteine-rich protective antigen (PfCyRPA) has emerged as a promising blood-stage candidate antigen for inclusion into a broadly cross-reactive malaria vaccine. This highly conserved protein among various geographical strains plays a key role in the red blood cell invasion process by P. falciparum merozoites, and antibodies against PfCyRPA can efficiently prevent the entry of the malaria parasites into red blood cells. The aim of the present study was to develop a human-compatible formulation of the PfCyRPA vaccine candidate and confirming its activity in preclinical studies. Recombinant PfCyRPA expressed in HEK 293 cells was chemically coupled to phosphoethanolamine and then incorporated into the membrane of unadjuvanted influenza virosomes approved as antigen delivery system for humans. Laboratory animals were immunised with the virosome-based PfCyRPA vaccine to determine its immunogenic properties and in particular, its capacity to elicit parasite binding and growth-inhibitory antibodies. The vaccine elicited in mice and rabbits high titers of PfCyRPA-specific antibodies that bound to the blood-stage parasites. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL, purified total serum IgG from immunised rabbits inhibited parasite growth in vitro by about 80%. Furthermore, in a P. falciparum infection mouse model, passive transfer of 10 mg of purified total IgG from PfCyRPA vaccinated rabbits reduced the in vivo parasite load by 77%. Influenza virosomes thus represent a suitable antigen delivery system for the induction of protective antibodies against the recombinant PfCyRPA, designating it as a highly suitable component for inclusion into a multivalent and multi-stage virosomal malaria vaccine.
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Feachem RGA, Chen I, Akbari O, Bertozzi-Villa A, Bhatt S, Binka F, Boni MF, Buckee C, Dieleman J, Dondorp A, Eapen A, Sekhri Feachem N, Filler S, Gething P, Gosling R, Haakenstad A, Harvard K, Hatefi A, Jamison D, Jones KE, Karema C, Kamwi RN, Lal A, Larson E, Lees M, Lobo NF, Micah AE, Moonen B, Newby G, Ning X, Pate M, Quiñones M, Roh M, Rolfe B, Shanks D, Singh B, Staley K, Tulloch J, Wegbreit J, Woo HJ, Mpanju-Shumbusho W. Malaria eradication within a generation: ambitious, achievable, and necessary. Lancet 2019; 394:1056-1112. [PMID: 31511196 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31139-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Richard G A Feachem
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid Chen
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Omar Akbari
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Amelia Bertozzi-Villa
- Malaria Atlas Project, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Institute for Disease Modeling, Bellevue, WA, USA
| | - Samir Bhatt
- Malaria Atlas Project, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Fred Binka
- School of Public Health, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Ghana
| | - Maciej F Boni
- Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, Department of Biology, Penn State, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Caroline Buckee
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Dieleman
- Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Arjen Dondorp
- Mahidol-Oxford Tropical Medicine Research Unit, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Alex Eapen
- National Institute of Malaria Research, Chennai, India
| | - Neelam Sekhri Feachem
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Scott Filler
- The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Peter Gething
- Malaria Atlas Project, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Roly Gosling
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Annie Haakenstad
- Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Kelly Harvard
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Arian Hatefi
- Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dean Jamison
- Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kate E Jones
- Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK
| | | | | | - Altaf Lal
- Sun Pharma Industries, Mumbai, India
| | - Erika Larson
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Margaret Lees
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Neil F Lobo
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angela E Micah
- Institute for Health Metrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Bruno Moonen
- Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gretchen Newby
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Xiao Ning
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, China
| | - Muhammad Pate
- Duke Global Health Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Martha Quiñones
- Department of Public Health, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogota, Colombia
| | - Michelle Roh
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ben Rolfe
- Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance, Singapore
| | | | - Balbir Singh
- Malaria Research Center, University Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | | | - Jennifer Wegbreit
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hyun Ju Woo
- Global Health Group, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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15
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Shi S, Zhu H, Xia X, Liang Z, Ma X, Sun B. Vaccine adjuvants: Understanding the structure and mechanism of adjuvanticity. Vaccine 2019; 37:3167-3178. [PMID: 31047671 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.04.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
In conjugate, inactivated, recombinant, and toxoid vaccines, adjuvants are extensively and essentially used for enhanced and long-lasting protective immune responses. Depending on the type of diseases and immune responses required, adjuvants with different design strategies are developed. With aluminum salt-based adjuvants as the most used ones in commercial vaccines, other limited adjuvants, e.g., AS01, AS03, AS04, CpG ODN, and MF59, are used in FDA-approved vaccines for human use. In this paper, we review the uses of different adjuvants in vaccines including the ones used in FDA-approved vaccines and vaccines under clinical investigations. We discuss how adjuvants with different formulations could affect the magnitude and quality of adaptive immune response for optimized protection against specific pathogens. We emphasize the molecular mechanisms of various adjuvants, with the aim to establish structure-activity relationships (SARs) for designing more effective and safer adjuvants for both preventative and therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuting Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China; School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China
| | - Haoru Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China; School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China
| | - Xinyu Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China; School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China
| | - Zhihui Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China; School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China
| | - Xuehu Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China; School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China
| | - Bingbing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China; School of Chemical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, 116024 Dalian, China.
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16
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Charlton Hume HK, Vidigal J, Carrondo MJT, Middelberg APJ, Roldão A, Lua LHL. Synthetic biology for bioengineering virus-like particle vaccines. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:919-935. [PMID: 30597533 PMCID: PMC7161758 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 11/08/2018] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective method of disease prevention and control. Many viruses and bacteria that once caused catastrophic pandemics (e.g., smallpox, poliomyelitis, measles, and diphtheria) are either eradicated or effectively controlled through routine vaccination programs. Nonetheless, vaccine manufacturing remains incredibly challenging. Viruses exhibiting high antigenic diversity and high mutation rates cannot be fairly contested using traditional vaccine production methods and complexities surrounding the manufacturing processes, which impose significant limitations. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are recombinantly produced viral structures that exhibit immunoprotective traits of native viruses but are noninfectious. Several VLPs that compositionally match a given natural virus have been developed and licensed as vaccines. Expansively, a plethora of studies now confirms that VLPs can be designed to safely present heterologous antigens from a variety of pathogens unrelated to the chosen carrier VLPs. Owing to this design versatility, VLPs offer technological opportunities to modernize vaccine supply and disease response through rational bioengineering. These opportunities are greatly enhanced with the application of synthetic biology, the redesign and construction of novel biological entities. This review outlines how synthetic biology is currently applied to engineer VLP functions and manufacturing process. Current and developing technologies for the identification of novel target-specific antigens and their usefulness for rational engineering of VLP functions (e.g., presentation of structurally diverse antigens, enhanced antigen immunogenicity, and improved vaccine stability) are described. When applied to manufacturing processes, synthetic biology approaches can also overcome specific challenges in VLP vaccine production. Finally, we address several challenges and benefits associated with the translation of VLP vaccine development into the industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley K. Charlton Hume
- The University of Queensland, Australian Institute of Bioengineering and NanotechnologySt LuciaQueenslandAustralia
| | - João Vidigal
- Health & Pharma Division, Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET)OeirasPortugal
- Health & Pharma Division, Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da RepúblicaOeirasPortugal
| | - Manuel J. T. Carrondo
- Health & Pharma Division, Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET)OeirasPortugal
| | - Anton P. J. Middelberg
- Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, The University of AdelaideAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - António Roldão
- Health & Pharma Division, Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica (iBET)OeirasPortugal
- Health & Pharma Division, Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da RepúblicaOeirasPortugal
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17
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Production, quality control, stability, and potency of cGMP-produced Plasmodium falciparum RH5.1 protein vaccine expressed in Drosophila S2 cells. NPJ Vaccines 2018; 3:32. [PMID: 30131879 PMCID: PMC6098134 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0071-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2018] [Revised: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (PfRH5) is a leading asexual blood-stage vaccine candidate for malaria. In preparation for clinical trials, a full-length PfRH5 protein vaccine called “RH5.1” was produced as a soluble product under cGMP using the ExpreS2 platform (based on a Drosophila melanogaster S2 stable cell line system). Following development of a high-producing monoclonal S2 cell line, a master cell bank was produced prior to the cGMP campaign. Culture supernatants were processed using C-tag affinity chromatography followed by size exclusion chromatography and virus-reduction filtration. The overall process yielded >400 mg highly pure RH5.1 protein. QC testing showed the MCB and the RH5.1 product met all specified acceptance criteria including those for sterility, purity, and identity. The RH5.1 vaccine product was stored at −80 °C and is stable for over 18 months. Characterization of the protein following formulation in the adjuvant system AS01B showed that RH5.1 is stable in the timeframe needed for clinical vaccine administration, and that there was no discernible impact on the liposomal formulation of AS01B following addition of RH5.1. Subsequent immunization of mice confirmed the RH5.1/AS01B vaccine was immunogenic and could induce functional growth inhibitory antibodies against blood-stage P. falciparum in vitro. The RH5.1/AS01B was judged suitable for use in humans and has since progressed to phase I/IIa clinical trial. Our data support the future use of the Drosophila S2 cell and C-tag platform technologies to enable cGMP-compliant biomanufacture of other novel and “difficult-to-express” recombinant protein-based vaccines. A vaccine candidate for blood-stage malaria has overcome previous hurdles to enter clinical trials. The protein PfRH5 is an essential blood-stage infection facilitator of malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum, and a promising target for vaccine strategies. Unfortunately, efforts to produce the protein in an immunogenic, clinically-viable way have been met with difficulty. Here, researchers led by Simon Draper, from the UK’s Jenner Institute, used a fruit fly expression system to produce over 400 mg of high-purity protein. Formulated with an immunity-boosting adjuvant, the vaccine elicited antibodies in mice that proved inhibitory to blood-stage P. falciparum during in vitro assays. The PfRH5 vaccine candidate and its adjuvant have been approved for a clinical trial in the UK, and the authors hope that the expression system used may be beneficial in the expression of other ‘difficult’ proteins.
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18
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Engineering detoxified pneumococcal pneumolysin derivative ΔA146PLY for self-biomineralization of calcium phosphate: Assessment of their protective efficacy in murine infection models. Biomaterials 2018; 155:152-164. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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19
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Parzych EM, Miura K, Ramanathan A, Long CA, Burns JM. Evaluation of a Plasmodium-Specific Carrier Protein To Enhance Production of Recombinant Pfs25, a Leading Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Candidate. Infect Immun 2018; 86:e00486-17. [PMID: 28993460 PMCID: PMC5736822 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00486-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Challenges with the production and suboptimal immunogenicity of malaria vaccine candidates have slowed the development of a Plasmodium falciparum multiantigen vaccine. Attempting to resolve these issues, we focused on the use of highly immunogenic merozoite surface protein 8 (MSP8) as a vaccine carrier protein. Previously, we showed that a genetic fusion of the C-terminal 19-kDa fragment of merozoite surface protein 1 (MSP119) to P. falciparum MSP8 (PfMSP8) facilitated antigen production and folding and the induction of neutralizing antibodies to conformational B cell epitopes of MSP119 Here, using the PfMSP1/8 construct, we further optimized the recombinant PfMSP8 (rPfMSP8) carrier by the introduction of two cysteine-to-serine substitutions (CΔS) to improve the yield of the monomeric product. We then sought to test the broad applicability of this approach using the transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs25. The production of rPfs25-based vaccines has presented challenges. Antibodies directed against the four highly constrained epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains of Pfs25 block sexual-stage development in mosquitoes. The sequence encoding mature Pfs25 was codon harmonized for expression in Escherichia coli We produced a rPfs25-PfMSP8 fusion protein [rPfs25/8(CΔS)] as well as unfused, mature rPfs25. rPfs25 was purified with a modest yield but required the incorporation of refolding protocols to obtain a proper conformation. In comparison, chimeric rPfs25/8(CΔS) was expressed and easily purified, with the Pfs25 domain bearing the proper conformation without renaturation. Both antigens were immunogenic in rabbits, inducing IgG that bound native Pfs25 and exhibited potent transmission-reducing activity. These data further demonstrate the utility of PfMSP8 as a parasite-specific carrier protein to enhance the production of complex malaria vaccine targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Parzych
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Malaria Immunology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Aarti Ramanathan
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Malaria Immunology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - James M Burns
- Center for Molecular Parasitology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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20
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Coelho CH, Doritchamou JYA, Zaidi I, Duffy PE. Advances in malaria vaccine development: report from the 2017 malaria vaccine symposium. NPJ Vaccines 2017. [PMID: 29522056 PMCID: PMC5709382 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-017-0035-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Malaria Vaccine Symposium occurred at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, USA on April 25th, 2017, coinciding with World Malaria Day and the WHO announcement that the RTS,S malaria vaccine would begin pilot implementation programs in Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi in 2018. Scientists from several disciplines reported progress on an array of malaria vaccine concepts and product candidates, including pre-erythrocytic vaccines that prevent infection, blood-stage vaccines that limit infection and disease, and transmission-blocking vaccines that interrupt the spread of infection. Other speakers highlighted the immunological and genetic considerations that must be addressed by vaccinologists to yield the most efficacious vaccines. Here, we highlight the advances in malaria vaccinology that were reported at the symposium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Henriques Coelho
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Justin Yai Alamou Doritchamou
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Irfan Zaidi
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Patrick E Duffy
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
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21
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Accelerating the clinical development of protein-based vaccines for malaria by efficient purification using a four amino acid C-terminal 'C-tag'. Int J Parasitol 2017; 47:435-446. [PMID: 28153778 PMCID: PMC5482323 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2016.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 12/19/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Fusion of a four amino acid ‘C-tag’ allows purification of a PfRH5 malaria vaccine. Overall process yield of 40–45% and very high product purity (>99%) was achieved. His6-tagged and C-tagged PfRH5 are conformational and bind to basigin. C-tag will facilitate the clinical translation of difficult-to-produce antigens.
Development of bespoke biomanufacturing processes remains a critical bottleneck for translational studies, in particular when modest quantities of a novel product are required for proof-of-concept Phase I/II clinical trials. In these instances the ability to develop a biomanufacturing process quickly and relatively cheaply, without risk to product quality or safety, provides a great advantage by allowing new antigens or concepts in immunogen design to more rapidly enter human testing. These challenges with production and purification are particularly apparent when developing recombinant protein-based vaccines for difficult parasitic diseases, with Plasmodium falciparum malaria being a prime example. To that end, we have previously reported the expression of a novel protein vaccine for malaria using the ExpreS2Drosophila melanogaster Schneider 2 stable cell line system, however, a very low overall process yield (typically <5% recovery of hexa-histidine-tagged protein) meant the initial purification strategy was not suitable for scale-up and clinical biomanufacture of such a vaccine. Here we describe a newly available affinity purification method that was ideally suited to purification of the same protein which encodes the P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 – currently the leading antigen for assessment in next generation vaccines aiming to prevent red blood cell invasion by the blood-stage parasite. This purification system makes use of a C-terminal tag known as ‘C-tag’, composed of the four amino acids, glutamic acid – proline – glutamic acid – alanine (E-P-E-A), which is selectively purified on a CaptureSelect™ affinity resin coupled to a camelid single chain antibody, called NbSyn2. The C-terminal fusion of this short C-tag to P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 achieved >85% recovery and >70% purity in a single step purification directly from clarified, concentrated Schneider 2 cell supernatant under mild conditions. Biochemical and immunological analysis showed that the C-tagged and hexa-histidine-tagged P. falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 proteins are comparable. The C-tag technology has the potential to form the basis of a current good manufacturing practice-compliant platform, which could greatly improve the speed and ease with which novel protein-based products progress to clinical testing.
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22
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Thrane S, Janitzek CM, Matondo S, Resende M, Gustavsson T, de Jongh WA, Clemmensen S, Roeffen W, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, van Gemert GJ, Sauerwein R, Schiller JT, Nielsen MA, Theander TG, Salanti A, Sander AF. Bacterial superglue enables easy development of efficient virus-like particle based vaccines. J Nanobiotechnology 2016; 14:30. [PMID: 27117585 PMCID: PMC4847360 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-016-0181-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virus-like particles (VLPs) represent a significant advance in the development of subunit vaccines, combining high safety and efficacy. Their particulate nature and dense repetitive subunit organization makes them ideal scaffolds for display of vaccine antigens. Traditional approaches for VLP-based antigen display require labor-intensive trial-and-error optimization, and often fail to generate dense antigen display. Here we utilize the split-intein (SpyTag/SpyCatcher) conjugation system to generate stable isopeptide bound antigen-VLP complexes by simply mixing of the antigen and VLP components. RESULTS Genetic fusion of SpyTag or SpyCatcher to the N-terminus and/or C-terminus of the Acinetobacter phage AP205 capsid protein resulted in formation of stable, nonaggregated VLPs expressing one SpyCatcher, one SpyTag or two SpyTags per capsid protein. Mixing of spy-VLPs with eleven different vaccine antigens fused to SpyCatcher or SpyTag resulted in formation of antigen-VLP complexes with coupling efficiencies (% occupancy of total VLP binding sites) ranging from 22-88 %. In mice, spy-VLP vaccines presenting the malaria proteins Pfs25 or VAR2CSA markedly increased antibody titer, affinity, longevity and functional efficacy compared to corresponding vaccines employing monomeric proteins. The spy-VLP vaccines also effectively broke B cell self-tolerance and induced potent and durable antibody responses upon vaccination with cancer or allergy-associated self-antigens (PD-L1, CTLA-4 and IL-5). CONCLUSIONS The spy-VLP system constitutes a versatile and rapid method to develop highly immunogenic VLP-based vaccines. Our data provide proof-of-concept for the technology's ability to present complex vaccine antigens to the immune system and elicit robust functional antibody responses as well as to efficiently break B cell self-tolerance. The spy-VLP-system may serve as a generic tool for the cost-effective development of effective VLP-vaccines against both infectious- and non-communicable diseases and could facilitate rapid and unbiased screening of vaccine candidate antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Thrane
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christoph M Janitzek
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sungwa Matondo
- Kilimanjaro Clinical Research Institute, KCMC, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Mafalda Resende
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tobias Gustavsson
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Stine Clemmensen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.,ExpreS2ion Biotechnologies, SCION-DTU Science Park, Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Will Roeffen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Geert Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Robert Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - John T Schiller
- Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Morten A Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thor G Theander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Adam F Sander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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23
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Affiliation(s)
- R W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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