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Trentini MM, Rodriguez D, Kanno AI, Goulart C, Darrieux M, de Cerqueira Leite LC. Robust Immune Response and Protection against Lethal Pneumococcal Challenge with a Recombinant BCG-PspA-PdT Prime/Boost Scheme Administered to Neonatal Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:122. [PMID: 38400107 PMCID: PMC10893189 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020122] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Pneumococcal diseases are an important public health problem, with high mortality rates in young children. Although conjugated pneumococcal vaccines offer high protection against invasive pneumococcal diseases, this is restricted to vaccine serotypes, leading to serotype replacement. Furthermore, the current vaccines do not protect neonates. Therefore, several protein-based pneumococcal vaccines have been studied over the last few decades. Our group established a recombinant BCG expressing rPspA-PdT as a prime/rPspA-PdT boost strategy, which protected adult mice against lethal intranasal pneumococcal challenge. Here, we immunized groups of neonate C57/Bl6 mice (6-10) (at 5 days) with rBCG PspA-PdT and a boost with rPspA-PdT (at 12 days). Controls were saline or each antigen alone. The prime/boost strategy promoted an IgG1 to IgG2c isotype shift compared to protein alone. Furthermore, there was an increase in specific memory cells (T and B lymphocytes) and higher cytokine production (IFN-γ, IL-17, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-6). Immunization with rBCG PspA-PdT/rPspA-PdT showed 100% protection against pulmonary challenge with the WU2 pneumococcal strain; two doses of rPspA-PdT showed non-significant protection in the neonates. These results demonstrate that a prime/boost strategy using rBCG PspA-PdT/rPspA-PdT is effective in protecting neonates against lethal pneumococcal infection via the induction of strong antibody and cytokine responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dunia Rodriguez
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Alex Issamu Kanno
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Cibelly Goulart
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Michelle Darrieux
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular e Clínica, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista 12916-900, Brazil;
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Shafaghi M, Bahadori Z, Barzi SM, Afshari E, Madanchi H, Mousavi SF, Shabani AA. A new candidate epitope-based vaccine against PspA PhtD of Streptococcus pneumoniae: a computational experimental approach. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1271143. [PMID: 38035337 PMCID: PMC10684780 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1271143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pneumococcus is an important respiratory pathogen that is associated with high rates of death in newborn children and the elderly. Given the disadvantages of current polysaccharide-based vaccines, the most promising alternative for developing improved vaccines may be to use protein antigens with different roles in pneumococcus virulence. PspA and PhtD, highly immunogenic surface proteins expressed by almost all pneumococcal strains, are capable of eliciting protective immunity against lethal infections. Methods In this study using immunoinformatics approaches, we constructed one fusion construct (called PAD) by fusing the immunodominant regions of PspA from families 1 & 2 (PA) to the immunodominant regions of PhtD (PD). The objective of this project was to test the immunogenicity of the fusion protein PAD and to compare its protective activity against S. pneumoniae infection with PA or PD alone and a combination of PA and PD. The prediction of physicochemical properties, antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and 3D-structure of the constructs, as well as molecular docking with HLA receptor and immune simulation were performed using computational tools. Finally, mice were immunized and the serum levels of antibodies/cytokines and functionality of antibodies in vitro were evaluated after immunization. The mice survival rates and decrease of bacterial loads in the blood/spleen were examined following the challenge. Results The computational analyses indicated the proposed constructs could be antigenic, non-allergenic, non-toxic, soluble and able to elicit robust immune responses. The results of actual animal experiments revealed the candidate vaccines could induce the mice to produce high levels of antibodies and cytokines. The complement-mediated bactericidal activity of antibodies was confirmed and the antibodies provided favorable survival in immunized mice after bacterial challenge. In general, the experimental results verified the immunoinformatics studies. Conclusion For the first time this report presents novel peptide-based vaccine candidates consisting of immunodominant regions of PspA and PhtD antigens. The obtained findings confirmed that the fusion formulation could be relatively more efficient than the individual and combination formulations. The results propose that the fusion protein alone could be used as a serotype-independent pneumococcal vaccine or as an effective partner protein for a conjugate polysaccharide vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Shafaghi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zohreh Bahadori
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Elnaz Afshari
- Department of Bacteriology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Madanchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
- Drug Design and Bioinformatics Unit, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ali Akbar Shabani
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, faculty of Medicine, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
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3
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Schultz BM, Acevedo OA, Kalergis AM, Bueno SM. Role of Extracellular Trap Release During Bacterial and Viral Infection. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:798853. [PMID: 35154050 PMCID: PMC8825568 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.798853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Neutrophils are innate immune cells that play an essential role during the clearance of pathogens that can release chromatin structures coated by several cytoplasmatic and granular antibacterial proteins, called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). These supra-molecular structures are produced to kill or immobilize several types of microorganisms, including bacteria and viruses. The contribution of the NET release process (or NETosis) to acute inflammation or the prevention of pathogen spreading depends on the specific microorganism involved in triggering this response. Furthermore, studies highlight the role of innate cells different from neutrophils in triggering the release of extracellular traps during bacterial infection. This review summarizes the contribution of NETs during bacterial and viral infections, explaining the molecular mechanisms involved in their formation and the relationship with different components of such pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara M Schultz
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Orlando A Acevedo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Alexis M Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.,Departamento de Endocrinología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Susan M Bueno
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and Immunotherapy, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
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4
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Marques-Neto LM, Piwowarska Z, Kanno AI, Moraes L, Trentini MM, Rodriguez D, Silva JLSC, Leite LCC. Thirty years of recombinant BCG: new trends for a centenary vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1001-1011. [PMID: 34224293 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1951243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Global perception of the potential for Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and consequently recombinant BCG (rBCG), in a variety of prophylactic and therapeutic applications has been increasing. A century of information on BCG, and three decades of experience with rBCG, has generated solid knowledge in this field.Area covered: Here, we review the current state of knowledge of BCG and rBCG development. Molecular tools have facilitated the expression of a variety of molecules in BCG, with the aim of improving its efficacy as a tuberculosis vaccine, generating polyvalent vaccines against other pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, and developing immunotherapy approaches against noninvasive bladder cancer. BCG's recently appraised heterologous effects and prospects for expanding its application to other diseases are also addressed.Expert opinion: There are high expectations for new tuberculosis vaccines currently undergoing advanced clinical trials, which could change the prospects of the field. Systems biology could reveal effective biomarkers of protection, which would greatly support vaccine development. The development of appropriate large-scale production processes would further support implementation of new vaccines and rBCG products. The next few years should consolidate the broader applications of BCG and produce insights into improvements using the recombinant BCG technology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zuzanna Piwowarska
- Laboratório De Desenvolvimento De Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.,UnivLyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Alex I Kanno
- Laboratório De Desenvolvimento De Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luana Moraes
- Laboratório De Desenvolvimento De Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa De Pós-Graduação Interunidades Em Biotecnologia USP-Instituto Butantan-IPT, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monalisa M Trentini
- Laboratório De Desenvolvimento De Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dunia Rodriguez
- Laboratório De Desenvolvimento De Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jose L S C Silva
- Laboratório De Desenvolvimento De Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil.,Programa De Pós-Graduação Interunidades Em Biotecnologia USP-Instituto Butantan-IPT, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana C C Leite
- Laboratório De Desenvolvimento De Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
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5
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Kanno AI, Barbosa MMF, Moraes L, Leite LCC. SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development and how Brazil is contributing. Genet Mol Biol 2021; 44:e20200320. [PMID: 33818582 PMCID: PMC8020624 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2020-0320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic calls for coordinated efforts by the scientific community for the development of vaccines. The most advanced strategies have focused on modifications of technologies that were already under development for other viruses, such as SARS, MERS, and even Influenza. Classic and new technologies, such as inactivated and attenuated viruses (non-replicative and replicative), DNA and mRNA vaccines, and nanoparticles containing SARS-CoV-2 antigens, are some of the strategies currently investigated. Although there is a very high expectation for the effectiveness of the most advanced vaccine candidates, there are still no established correlates of protection. Previous experience in vaccine development for other pathogens shows that differences in vaccine formulation can result in diverse immune responses and consequently, different protective properties. Therefore the importance of continuing investigations on a broad range of strategies. Expertise in vaccine development in Brazil was refocused to the new coronavirus. Impressive collaboration between institutions will support further developments until we have available a safe, effective, and economically viable vaccine. Established competence and collaborations will allow preparedness for future challenges and can also be used to address local issues as neglected infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex I Kanno
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Mayra M F Barbosa
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luana Moraes
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Universidade de São Paulo, Programa de Pós-Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana C C Leite
- Instituto Butantan, Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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6
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Farias LP, Vitoriano-Souza J, Cardozo LE, Gama LDR, Singh Y, Miyasato PA, Almeida GT, Rodriguez D, Barbosa MMF, Fernandes RS, Barbosa TC, Neto APDS, Nakano E, Ho PL, Verjovski-Almeida S, Nakaya HI, Wilson RA, Leite LCDC. Systems Biology Analysis of the Radiation-Attenuated Schistosome Vaccine Reveals a Role for Growth Factors in Protection and Hemostasis Inhibition in Parasite Survival. Front Immunol 2021; 12:624191. [PMID: 33777004 PMCID: PMC7996093 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.624191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In spite of several decades of research, an effective vaccine against schistosomiasis remains elusive. The radiation-attenuated (RA) cercarial vaccine is still the best model eliciting high protection levels, although the immune mechanisms have not yet been fully characterized. In order to identify genes and pathways underlying protection we investigated patterns of gene expression in PBMC and skin draining Lymph Nodes (LN) from mice using two exposure comparisons: vaccination with 500 attenuated cercariae versus infection with 500 normal cercariae; one versus three doses. Vaccinated mice were challenged with 120 normal parasites. Integration of PBMC and LN data from the infected group revealed early up-regulation of pathways associated with Th2 skewing and polarization of IgG antibody profiles. Additionally, hemostasis pathways were downregulated in infected mice, correlating with platelet reduction, potentially a mechanism to assist parasite migration through capillary beds. Conversely, up regulation of such mechanisms after vaccination may explain parasite blockade in the lungs. In contrast, a single exposure to attenuated parasites revealed early establishment of a Th1 bias (signaling of IL-1, IFN-γ; and Leishmania infection). Genes encoding chemokines and their receptors were more prominent in vaccinated mice, indicating an enhanced capacity for inflammation, potentially augmenting the inhibition of intravascular migration. Increasing the vaccinations from one to three did not dramatically elevate protection, but there was a clear shift towards antibody-mediated effectors. However, elements of the Th1 bias were still evident. Notable features after three vaccinations were markers of cytotoxicity (including IL-6 and NK cells) together with growth factors and their receptors (FGFR/VEGF/EGF) and the apoptosis pathway. Indeed, there is evidence for the development of anergy after three vaccinations, borne out by the limited responses detected in samples after challenge. We infer that persistence of a Th1 response puts a limit on expression of antibody-mediated mechanisms. This feature may explain the failure of multiple doses to drive protection towards sterile immunity. We suggest that the secretions of lung stage parasites would make a novel cohort of antigens for testing in protection experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Paiva Farias
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Youvika Singh
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giulliana Tessarin Almeida
- Laboratorio de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Dunia Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mayra Mara Ferrari Barbosa
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia—USP-Butantan-IPT, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Sachetto Fernandes
- Laboratorio de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia—USP-Butantan-IPT, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Almiro Pires da Silva Neto
- Laboratório de Inflamação e Biomarcadores, Instituto Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Salvador, Brazil
| | - Eliana Nakano
- Laboratorio de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo Lee Ho
- Centro BioIndustrial, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Verjovski-Almeida
- Laboratorio de Parasitologia, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Instituto de Química, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Helder Imoto Nakaya
- Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Robert Alan Wilson
- York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, United Kingdom
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7
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Goulart C, Rodriguez D, Kanno AI, Silva JLSC, Leite LCC. Early pneumococcal clearance in mice induced by systemic immunization with recombinant BCG PspA-PdT prime and protein boost correlates with cellular and humoral immune response in bronchoalveolar fluids (BALF). Vaccine X 2020; 4:100049. [PMID: 31891153 PMCID: PMC6928339 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvacx.2019.100049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
An effective immunological response in the lungs during a pneumococcal infection is a key factor to the bacteria clearance and prevention of sepsis. In order to develop broad-range pneumococcal vaccines several pneumococcal proteins and strong adjuvants have been investigated. Previously, we constructed a recombinant BCG (rBCG) strain expressing a fragment of PspA (Pneumococcal surface protein A) fused to PdT (detoxified form of pneumolysin). Immunization of mice with a priming dose of rBCG PspA-PdT followed by a booster dose of rPspA-PdT fused protein induced a high antibody response in the serum and protected mice against lethal challenge. Here, we investigated the humoral and cellular immune response in the Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Immunization of mice with rBCG PspA-PdT / rPspA-PdT induced rapid clearance of bacteria after challenge, an early control of the cellular influx and reduced inflammatory cytokine levels in the BALF. In addition, rBCG PspA-PdT / rPspA-PdT induced higher lymphocyte recruitment to the lungs at 48 h, showing an increased percentage of CD4+ T cells. Furthermore, BALF samples from mice immunized with rBCG PspA-PdT / PspA-PdT showed high binding of IgG2c and enhanced complement deposition on the pneumococcal surface; antibody binding was specific to PspA as no binding was observed to a PspA-knockout strain. Taken together, our results show that the immunization with rBCG PspA-PdT / rPspA-PdT induces humoral and cellular immune responses in the lungs, promotes an early clearance of pneumococci and protects against the systemic dissemination of pneumococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cibelly Goulart
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Brazil
| | - Dunia Rodriguez
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Brazil
| | - Alex I Kanno
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Brazil
| | - José Lourenço S C Silva
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação Interunidades em Biotecnologia, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Luciana C C Leite
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, Brazil
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8
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Kwambana-Adams BA, Mulholland EK, Satzke C. State-of-the-art in the pneumococcal field: Proceedings of the 11 th International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD-11). Pneumonia (Nathan) 2020; 12:2. [PMID: 32042572 PMCID: PMC7001343 DOI: 10.1186/s41479-019-0064-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The International Symposium on Pneumococci and Pneumococcal Diseases (ISPPD) is the premier global scientific symposium dedicated to the exchange, advancement and dissemination of the latest research on the pneumococcus, one of the world's deadliest bacterial pathogens. Since the first ISPPD was held in 1998, substantial progress has been made to control pneumococcal disease, for instance, more than half of surviving infants (78.6 million) from 143 countries now have access to the life-saving pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). The 11th ISPPD (ISPPD-11) was held in Melbourne, Australia in April 2018 and the proceedings of the symposium are captured in this report. Twenty years on from the first ISPPD, there remain many challenges and unanswered questions such as the continued disparity in disease incidence in Indigenous populations, the slow roll-out of PCV in some regions such as Asia, the persisting burden of disease in adults, serotype replacement and diagnosis of pneumococcal pneumonia. ISPPD-11 also put the spotlight on cutting-edge science including metagenomic, transcriptomic, microscopy, medical imaging and mathematical modelling approaches. ISPPD-11 was highly diverse, bringing together 1184 delegates from 86 countries, representing various fields including academia, primary healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, policymakers and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Anna Kwambana-Adams
- NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Mucosal Pathogens, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, UK
| | - E. Kim Mulholland
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, WC1H UK
| | - Catherine Satzke
- Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC Australia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria Australia
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9
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Converso TR, Assoni L, André GO, Darrieux M, Leite LCC. The long search for a serotype independent pneumococcal vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2020; 19:57-70. [PMID: 31903805 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2020.1711055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Serotype replacement - a consequence of polysaccharide vaccine use - will continue to drive the inclusion of new serotypes on conjugate vaccines, increasing production complexity and costs, and making an already expensive vaccine less accessible to developing countries, where prevalence is higher and resources available for health systems, scarcer. Serotype-independent formulations are a promising option, but so far they have not been successful in reducing colonization/transmission.Areas covered: Protein-based and whole-cell vaccine candidates studied in the past 30 years. Challenges for serotype-independent vaccine development and alternative approaches.Expert opinion: Clinical trials performed so far demonstrated the importance to establish more reliable animal models and better correlates of protection. Defining appropriate endpoints for clinical trials of serotype-independent vaccine candidates has been a challenge. Inhibition of colonization has been evaluated, but concern on the extent of bacterial elimination is still a matter of debate. Challenges on establishing representative sites for clinical trials, sample sizes and appropriate age groups are discussed. On a whole, although many challenges will have to be overcome, establishing protein-based antigens as serotype-independent vaccines is still the best alternative against the huge burden of pneumococcal diseases in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- T R Converso
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - L Assoni
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - G O André
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - M Darrieux
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular de Microrganismos, Universidade São Francisco, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - L C C Leite
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento de Vacinas, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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10
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Lagousi T, Basdeki P, Routsias J, Spoulou V. Novel Protein-Based Pneumococcal Vaccines: Assessing the Use of Distinct Protein Fragments Instead of Full-Length Proteins as Vaccine Antigens. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7010009. [PMID: 30669439 PMCID: PMC6466302 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-serotype-specific protein-based pneumococcal vaccines have received extensive research focus due to the limitations of polysaccharide-based vaccines. Pneumococcal proteins (PnPs), universally expressed among serotypes, may induce broader immune responses, stimulating humoral and cellular immunity, while being easier to manufacture and less expensive. Such an approach has raised issues mainly associated with sequence/level of expression variability, chemical instability, as well as possible undesirable reactogenicity and autoimmune properties. A step forward employs the identification of highly-conserved antigenic regions within PnPs with the potential to retain the benefits of protein antigens. Besides, their low-cost and stable construction facilitates the combination of several antigenic regions or peptides that may impair different stages of pneumococcal disease offering even wider serotype coverage and more efficient protection. This review discusses the up-to-date progress on PnPs that are currently under clinical evaluation and the challenges for their licensure. Focus is given on the progress on the identification of antigenic regions/peptides within PnPs and their evaluation as vaccine candidates, accessing their potential to overcome the issues associated with full-length protein antigens. Particular mention is given of the use of newer delivery system technologies including conjugation to Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and reformulation into nanoparticles to enhance the poor immunogenicity of such antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theano Lagousi
- First Department of Paediatrics, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Immunobiology Research Laboratory and Infectious Diseases Department "MAKKA," Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece.
| | - Paraskevi Basdeki
- First Department of Paediatrics, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Immunobiology Research Laboratory and Infectious Diseases Department "MAKKA," Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece.
| | - John Routsias
- Department of Microbiology, Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece.
| | - Vana Spoulou
- First Department of Paediatrics, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Immunobiology Research Laboratory and Infectious Diseases Department "MAKKA," Athens Medical School, 11527 Athens, Greece.
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11
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Laiño J, Villena J, Suvorov A, Zelaya H, Ortiz Moyano R, Salva S, Alvarez S. Nasal immunization with recombinant chimeric pneumococcal protein and cell wall from immunobiotic bacteria improve resistance of infant mice to Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206661. [PMID: 30395582 PMCID: PMC6218053 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2018] [Accepted: 10/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory tract infections and invasive disease caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae in high-risk groups are a major global health problem. Available human vaccines have reduced immunogenicity and low immunological memory in these populations, as well as high cost as a public health strategy in poor communities. In addition, no single pneumococcal protein antigen has been able to elicit protection comparable to that achieved using protein-polysaccharide conjugate vaccines. In this context, chimeric pneumococcal proteins raise as potential good vaccine candidates because of their simplicity of production and reduced cost. The aim of this work was to study whether the nasal immunization of infant mice with the recombinant chimeric pneumococcal protein (PSFP) was able to improve resistance to S. pneumoniae, and whether the immunomodulatory strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 or its cell wall (CW1505) could be used as effective mucosal adjuvants. Our results showed that the nasal immunization with PSPF improved pneumococcal-specific IgA and IgG levels in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL), reduced lung bacterial counts, and avoided dissemination of pneumococci into the blood. Of interest, immunization with PSPF elicited cross-protective immunity against different pneumococcal serotypes. It was also observed that the nasal immunization of infant mice with PSPF+CW1505 significantly increased the production of pneumococcal-specific IgA and IgG in BAL, as well as IgM and IgG in serum when compared with PSPF alone. PSPF+CW1505 immunization also improved the reduction of pneumococcal lung colonization and its dissemination in to the bloodstream when compared to PSPF alone. Our results suggest that immunization with PSPF together with the cell wall of the immunomodulatory strain L. rhamnosus CRL1505 as a mucosal adjuvant could be an interesting alternative to improve protection against pneumococcal infection in children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Laiño
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Tucuman, Argentina
| | - Julio Villena
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Tucuman, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JV); (AS); (SA)
| | - Alexander Suvorov
- Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution “Institute of Experimental Medicine”, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- Saint-Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
- * E-mail: (JV); (AS); (SA)
| | - Hortensia Zelaya
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Tucuman, Argentina
| | - Ramiro Ortiz Moyano
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Tucuman, Argentina
| | - Susana Salva
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Tucuman, Argentina
| | - Susana Alvarez
- Laboratory of Immunobiotechnology, Reference Centre for Lactobacilli (CERELA-CONICET), Tucuman, Argentina
- * E-mail: (JV); (AS); (SA)
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A Combination of Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG Strains Expressing Pneumococcal Proteins Induces Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses and Protects against Pneumococcal Colonization and Sepsis. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2017; 24:CVI.00133-17. [PMID: 28768668 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00133-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Pneumococcal diseases remain a substantial cause of mortality in young children in developing countries. The development of potentially serotype-transcending vaccines has been extensively studied; ideally, such a vaccine should include antigens that are able to induce protection against colonization (likely mediated by interleukin-17A [IL-17A]) and invasive disease (likely mediated by antibody). The use of strong adjuvants or alternative delivery systems that are able to improve the immunological response of recombinant proteins has been proposed but poses potential safety and practical concerns in children. We have previously constructed a recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain expressing a pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA)-PdT fusion protein (rBCG PspA-PdT) that was able to induce an effective immune response and protection against sepsis in a prime-boost strategy. Here, we constructed two new rBCG strains expressing the pneumococcal proteins SP 0148 and SP 2108, which confer IL-17A-dependent protection against pneumococcal colonization in mouse models. Immunization of mice with rBCG 0148 or rBCG 2108 in a prime-boost strategy induced IL-17A and gamma interferon (IFN-γ) production. The combination of these rBCG strains with rBCG PspA-PdT (rBCG Mix), followed by a booster dose of the combined recombinant proteins (rMix) induced an IL-17A response against SP 0148 and SP 2108 and a humoral response characterized by increased levels of IgG2c against PspA and functional antibodies against pneumolysin. Furthermore, immunization with the rBCG Mix prime/rMix booster (rBCG Mix/rMix) provides protection against pneumococcal colonization and sepsis. These results suggest the use of combined rBCG strains as a potentially serotype-transcending pneumococcal vaccine in a prime-boost strategy, which could provide protection against pneumococcal colonization and sepsis.
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