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Alkema M, Smit MJ, Marin-Mogollon C, Totté K, Teelen K, van Gemert GJ, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, Mordmüller BG, Reimer JM, Lövgren-Bengtsson KL, Sauerwein RW, Bousema T, Plieskatt J, Theisen M, Jore MM, McCall MBB. A Pfs48/45-based vaccine to block Plasmodium falciparum transmission: phase 1, open-label, clinical trial. BMC Med 2024; 22:170. [PMID: 38649867 PMCID: PMC11036667 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03379-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The stalling global progress in malaria control highlights the need for novel tools for malaria elimination, including transmission-blocking vaccines. Transmission-blocking vaccines aim to induce human antibodies that block parasite development in the mosquito and mosquitoes becoming infectious. The Pfs48/45 protein is a leading Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. The R0.6C fusion protein, consisting of Pfs48/45 domain 3 (6C) and the N-terminal region of P. falciparum glutamate-rich protein (R0), has previously been produced in Lactococcus lactis and elicited functional antibodies in rodents. Here, we assess the safety and transmission-reducing efficacy of R0.6C adsorbed to aluminium hydroxide with and without Matrix-M™ adjuvant in humans. METHODS In this first-in-human, open-label clinical trial, malaria-naïve adults, aged 18-55 years, were recruited at the Radboudumc in Nijmegen, the Netherlands. Participants received four intramuscular vaccinations on days 0, 28, 56 and 168 with either 30 µg or 100 µg of R0.6C and were randomised for the allocation of one of the two different adjuvant combinations: aluminium hydroxide alone, or aluminium hydroxide combined with Matrix-M1™ adjuvant. Adverse events were recorded from inclusion until 84 days after the fourth vaccination. Anti-R0.6C and anti-6C IgG titres were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transmission-reducing activity of participants' serum and purified vaccine-specific immunoglobulin G was assessed by standard membrane feeding assays using laboratory-reared Anopheles stephensi mosquitoes and cultured P. falciparum gametocytes. RESULTS Thirty-one participants completed four vaccinations and were included in the analysis. Administration of all doses was safe and well-tolerated, with one related grade 3 adverse event (transient fever) and no serious adverse events occurring. Anti-R0.6C and anti-6C IgG titres were similar between the 30 and 100 µg R0.6C arms, but higher in Matrix-M1™ arms. Neat participant sera did not induce significant transmission-reducing activity in mosquito feeding experiments, but concentrated vaccine-specific IgGs purified from sera collected two weeks after the fourth vaccination achieved up to 99% transmission-reducing activity. CONCLUSIONS R0.6C/aluminium hydroxide with or without Matrix-M1™ is safe, immunogenic and induces functional Pfs48/45-specific transmission-blocking antibodies, albeit at insufficient serum concentrations to result in transmission reduction by neat serum. Future work should focus on identifying alternative vaccine formulations or regimens that enhance functional antibody responses. TRIAL REGISTRATION The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov under identifier NCT04862416.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Alkema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M J Smit
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - C Marin-Mogollon
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - K Totté
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - K Teelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - G J van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M van de Vegte-Bolmer
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - B G Mordmüller
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - R W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Present Address: TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - T Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - J Plieskatt
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - M B B McCall
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
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Tiono AB, Plieskatt JL, Ouedraogo A, Soulama BI, Miura K, Bougouma EC, Naghizadeh M, Barry A, Yaro JBB, Ezinmegnon S, Henry N, Ofori EA, Adu B, Singh SK, Konkobo A, Lövgren Bengtsson K, Diarra A, Carnrot C, Reimer JM, Ouedraogo A, Tienta M, Long CA, Ouedraogo IN, Sagara I, Sirima SB, Theisen M. A randomized first-in-human phase I trial of differentially adjuvanted Pfs48/45 malaria vaccines in Burkinabé adults. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e175707. [PMID: 38290009 PMCID: PMC10977980 DOI: 10.1172/jci175707] [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: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUNDMalaria transmission-blocking vaccines aim to interrupt the transmission of malaria from one person to another.METHODSThe candidates R0.6C and ProC6C share the 6C domain of the Plasmodium falciparum sexual-stage antigen Pfs48/45. R0.6C utilizes the glutamate-rich protein (GLURP) as a carrier, and ProC6C includes a second domain (Pfs230-Pro) and a short 36-amino acid circumsporozoite protein (CSP) sequence. Healthy adults (n = 125) from a malaria-endemic area of Burkina Faso were immunized with 3 intramuscular injections, 4 weeks apart, of 30 μg or 100 μg R0.6C or ProC6C each adsorbed to Alhydrogel (AlOH) adjuvant alone or in combination with Matrix-M (15 μg or 50 μg, respectively). The allocation was random and double-blind for this phase I trial.RESULTSThe vaccines were safe and well tolerated with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. A total of 7 adverse events, mild to moderate in intensity and considered possibly related to the study vaccines, were recorded. Vaccine-specific antibodies were highest in volunteers immunized with 100 μg ProC6C-AlOH with Matrix-M, and 13 of 20 (65%) individuals in the group showed greater than 80% transmission-reducing activity (TRA) when evaluated in the standard membrane feeding assay at 15 mg/mL IgG. In contrast, R0.6C induced sporadic TRA.CONCLUSIONAll formulations were safe and well tolerated in a malaria-endemic area of Africa in healthy adults. The ProC6C-AlOH/Matrix-M vaccine elicited the highest levels of functional antibodies, meriting further investigation.TRIAL REGISTRATIONPan-African Clinical Trials Registry (https://pactr.samrc.ac.za) PACTR202201848463189.FUNDINGThe study was funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (grant RIA2018SV-2311).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfred B. Tiono
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Jordan L. Plieskatt
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Edith C. Bougouma
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Mohammad Naghizadeh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aissata Barry
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Sem Ezinmegnon
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Noelie Henry
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Ebenezer Addo Ofori
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bright Adu
- Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Susheel K. Singh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Augustin Konkobo
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | - Amidou Diarra
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | | | | | - Amidou Ouedraogo
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Moussa Tienta
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Mali–National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases International Center for Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Carole A. Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Issa N. Ouedraogo
- Groupe de Recherche Action en Santé (GRAS), Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
| | - Issaka Sagara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, Mali–National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases International Center for Excellence in Research, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | | | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut (SSI), Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Krishnan N, Jiang Y, Zhou J, Mohapatra A, Peng FX, Duan Y, Holay M, Chekuri S, Guo Z, Gao W, Fang RH, Zhang L. A modular approach to enhancing cell membrane-coated nanoparticle functionality using genetic engineering. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024; 19:345-353. [PMID: 37903891 PMCID: PMC10954421 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-023-01533-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Since their initial development, cell membrane-coated nanoparticles (CNPs) have become increasingly popular in the biomedical field. Despite their inherent versatility and ability to enable complex biological applications, there is considerable interest in augmenting the performance of CNPs through the introduction of additional functionalities. Here we demonstrate a genetic-engineering-based modular approach to CNP functionalization that can encompass a wide range of ligands onto the nanoparticle surface. The cell membrane coating is engineered to express a SpyCatcher membrane anchor that can readily form a covalent bond with any moiety modified with SpyTag. To demonstrate the broad utility of this technique, three unique targeted CNP formulations are generated using different classes of targeting ligands, including a designed ankyrin repeat protein, an affibody and a single-chain variable fragment. In vitro, the modified nanoparticles exhibit enhanced affinity towards cell lines overexpressing the cognate receptors for each ligand. When formulated with a chemotherapeutic payload, the modularly functionalized nanoparticles display strong targeting ability and growth suppression in a murine tumour xenograft model of ovarian cancer. Our data suggest genetic engineering offers a feasible approach for accelerating the development of multifunctional CNPs for a broad range of biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishta Krishnan
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yao Jiang
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jiarong Zhou
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Animesh Mohapatra
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Fei-Xing Peng
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yaou Duan
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Maya Holay
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sanam Chekuri
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Zhongyuan Guo
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Weiwei Gao
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Ronnie H Fang
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| | - Liangfang Zhang
- Department of NanoEngineering, Chemical Engineering Program, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Yao G, Min H, Yu X, Liu F, Cui L, Cao Y. A nanoparticle vaccine displaying the ookinete PSOP25 antigen elicits transmission-blocking antibody response against Plasmodium berghei. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:403. [PMID: 37932796 PMCID: PMC10626823 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safe and effective vaccines are crucial for the control and eventual elimination of malaria. Novel approaches to optimize and improve vaccine efficacy are urgently required. Nanoparticle-based delivery platforms are considered potent and powerful tools for vaccine development. METHODS In this study, we developed a transmission-blocking vaccine against malaria by conjugating the ookinete surface antigen PSOP25 to the Acinetobacter phage coat protein AP205, forming virus-like particles (VLPs) using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher adaptor system. The combination of AP205-2*SpyTag with PSOP25-SpyCatcher resulted in the formation of AP205-PSOP25 complexes (VLP-PSOP25). The antibody titers and avidity of serum from each immunization group were assessed by ELISA. Western blot and IFA were performed to confirm the specific reactivity of the elicit antisera to the native PSOP25 in Plasmodium berghei ookinetes. Both in vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to evaluate the transmission-blocking activity of VLP-PSOP25 vaccine. RESULTS Immunization of mice with VLP-PSOP25 could induced higher levels of high-affinity antibodies than the recombinant PSOP25 (rPSOP25) alone or mixtures of untagged AP205 and rPSOP25 but was comparable to rPSOP25 formulated with alum. Additionally, the VLP-PSOP25 vaccine enhanced Th1-type immune response with remarkably increased levels of IgG2a subclass. The antiserum generated by VLP-PSOP25 specifically recognizes the native PSOP25 antigen in P. berghei ookinetes. Importantly, antisera generated by inoculation with the VLP-PSOP25 could inhibit ookinete development in vitro and reduce the prevalence of infected mosquitoes or oocyst intensity in direct mosquito feeding assays. CONCLUSIONS Antisera elicited by immunization with the VLP-PSOP25 vaccine confer moderate transmission-reducing activity and transmission-blocking activity. Our results support the utilization of the AP205-SpyTag/SpyCatcher platform for next-generation TBVs development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixiang Yao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hui Min
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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5
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Salinas ND, Ma R, Dickey TH, McAleese H, Ouahes T, Long CA, Miura K, Lambert LE, Tolia NH. A potent and durable malaria transmission-blocking vaccine designed from a single-component 60-copy Pfs230D1 nanoparticle. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:124. [PMID: 37596283 PMCID: PMC10439124 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00709-8] [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: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) reduce disease transmission by breaking the continuous cycle of infection between the human host and the mosquito vector. Domain 1 (D1) of Pfs230 is a leading TBV candidate and comprises the majority of transmission-reducing activity (TRA) elicited by Pfs230. Here we show that the fusion of Pfs230D1 to a 60-copy multimer of the catalytic domain of dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase protein (E2p) results in a single-component nanoparticle composed of 60 copies of the fusion protein with high stability, homogeneity, and production yields. The nanoparticle presents a potent human transmission-blocking epitope within Pfs230D1, indicating the antigen is correctly oriented on the surface of the nanoparticle. Two vaccinations of New Zealand White rabbits with the Pfs230D1 nanoparticle elicited a potent and durable antibody response with high TRA when formulated in two distinct adjuvants suitable for translation to human use. This single-component nanoparticle vaccine may play a key role in malaria control and has the potential to improve production pipelines and the cost of manufacturing of a potent and durable TBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nichole D Salinas
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rui Ma
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Thayne H Dickey
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Holly McAleese
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tarik Ouahes
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Lynn E Lambert
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Niraj H Tolia
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Lee KS, Rader NA, Miller-Stump OA, Cooper M, Wong TY, Shahrier Amin M, Barbier M, Bevere JR, Ernst RK, Heath Damron F. Intranasal VLP-RBD vaccine adjuvanted with BECC470 confers immunity against Delta SARS-CoV-2 challenge in K18-hACE2-mice. Vaccine 2023; 41:5003-5017. [PMID: 37407405 PMCID: PMC10300285 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.06.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
As the COVID-19 pandemic transitions into endemicity, seasonal boosters are a plausible reality across the globe. We hypothesize that intranasal vaccines can provide better protection against asymptomatic infections and more transmissible variants of SARS-CoV-2. To formulate a protective intranasal vaccine, we utilized a VLP-based platform. Hepatitis B surface antigen-based virus like particles (VLP) linked with receptor binding domain (RBD) antigen were paired with the TLR4-based agonist adjuvant, BECC 470. K18-hACE2 mice were primed and boosted at four-week intervals with either VLP-RBD-BECC or mRNA-1273. Both VLP-RBD-BECC and mRNA-1273 vaccination resulted in production of RBD-specific IgA antibodies in serum. RBD-specific IgA was also detected in the nasal wash and lung supernatants and were highest in VLP-RBD-BECC vaccinated mice. Interestingly, VLP-RBD-BECC vaccinated mice showed slightly lower levels of pre-challenge IgG responses, decreased RBD-ACE2 binding inhibition, and lower neutralizing activity in vitro than mRNA-1273 vaccinated mice. Both VLP-RBD-BECC and mRNA-1273 vaccinated mice were protected against challenge with a lethal dose of Delta variant SARS-CoV-2. Both vaccines limited viral replication and viral RNA burden in the lungs of mice. CXCL10 is a biomarker of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection and we observed both vaccines limited expression of serum and lung CXCL10. Strikingly, VLP-RBD-BECC when administered intranasally, limited lung inflammation at early timepoints that mRNA-1273 vaccination did not. VLP-RBD-BECC immunization elicited antibodies that do recognize SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. However, VLP-RBD-BECC immunized mice were protected from Omicron challenge with low viral burden. Conversely, mRNA-1273 immunized mice had low to no detectable virus in the lungs at day 2. Together, these data suggest that VLP-based vaccines paired with BECC adjuvant can be used to induce protective mucosal and systemic responses against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine S Lee
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Nathaniel A Rader
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Olivia A Miller-Stump
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Melissa Cooper
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Ting Y Wong
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Md Shahrier Amin
- Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Laboratory Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Justin R Bevere
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA
| | - Robert K Ernst
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - F Heath Damron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA; Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, Morgantown, WV, USA.
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Li R, Song H, Chen Q, Sun H, Chang Y, Luo H. Effect of SpyTag/SpyCatcher cyclization on reactivation of covalently immobilized biocatalysts. Process Biochem 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2023.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Singh SK, Naghizadeh M, Plieskatt J, Singh S, Theisen M. Cloning and Recombinant Protein Expression in Lactococcus lactis. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2652:3-20. [PMID: 37093467 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3147-8_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
The Lactococcus lactis, a Gram-positive bacteria, is an ideal expression host for the overproduction of heterologous proteins in a properly folded and functional form. L. lactis has been identified as an efficient cell factory, generally recognized as safe (GRAS), has a long history of safe use in food production, and is known to have probiotic properties. Key desirable features of L. lactis include the following: (1) rapid growth to high cell densities, not requiring aeration which facilitates large-scale fermentation; (2) its Gram-positive nature precludes the presence of contaminating endotoxins; (3) the capacity to secrete stable recombinant protein into the growth medium with few proteases resulting in a properly folded, full-length protein; and (4) the availability of diverse expression vectors facilitating various cloning options. We have previously described production of several recombinant proteins with varying degrees of predicted structural complexities using the L. lactis pH-dependent P170 promoter. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a detailed protocol for facilitating wider application of L. lactis as a reliable platform for expression of heterologous recombinant proteins in soluble form. Here, we present details of the various steps involved such as cloning of the target gene in appropriate expression plasmid vector, determination of the expression levels of the heterologous protein, and initial purification of the expressed soluble recombinant protein of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susheel K Singh
- Biotherapeutic and Vaccine Research Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Mohammad Naghizadeh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jordan Plieskatt
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Subhash Singh
- Biotherapeutic and Vaccine Research Division, ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Virus-like Particles for TEM Regulation and Antitumor Therapy. J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:jfb13040304. [PMID: 36547564 PMCID: PMC9788044 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13040304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Tumor development and metastasis are intimately associated with the tumor microenvironment (TME), and it is difficult for vector-restricted drugs to act on the TME for long-term cancer immunotherapy. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanocage structures self-assembled from nucleic acid free viral proteins. Most VLPs range from 20-200 nm in diameter and can naturally drain into lymph nodes to induce robust humoral immunity. As natural nucleic acid nanocarriers, their surfaces can also be genetically or chemically modified to achieve functions such as TME targeting. This review focuses on the design ideas of VLP as nanocarriers and the progress of their research in regulating TME.
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10
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McLeod B, Mabrouk MT, Miura K, Ravichandran R, Kephart S, Hailemariam S, Pham TP, Semesi A, Kucharska I, Kundu P, Huang WC, Johnson M, Blackstone A, Pettie D, Murphy M, Kraft JC, Leaf EM, Jiao Y, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, van Gemert GJ, Ramjith J, King CR, MacGill RS, Wu Y, Lee KK, Jore MM, King NP, Lovell JF, Julien JP. Vaccination with a structure-based stabilized version of malarial antigen Pfs48/45 elicits ultra-potent transmission-blocking antibody responses. Immunity 2022; 55:1680-1692.e8. [PMID: 35977542 PMCID: PMC9487866 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) aim to elicit human antibodies that inhibit sporogonic development of Plasmodium falciparum in mosquitoes, thereby preventing onward transmission. Pfs48/45 is a leading clinical TBV candidate antigen and is recognized by the most potent transmission-blocking monoclonal antibody (mAb) yet described; still, clinical development of Pfs48/45 antigens has been hindered, largely by its poor biochemical characteristics. Here, we used structure-based computational approaches to design Pfs48/45 antigens stabilized in the conformation recognized by the most potently inhibitory mAb, achieving >25°C higher thermostability compared with the wild-type protein. Antibodies elicited in mice immunized with these engineered antigens displayed on liposome-based or protein nanoparticle-based vaccine platforms exhibited 1-2 orders of magnitude superior transmission-reducing activity, compared with immunogens bearing the wild-type antigen, driven by improved antibody quality. Our data provide the founding principles for using molecular stabilization solely from antibody structure-function information to drive improved immune responses against a parasitic vaccine target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon McLeod
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Moustafa T Mabrouk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Rashmi Ravichandran
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sally Kephart
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sophia Hailemariam
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Thao P Pham
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Anthony Semesi
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Iga Kucharska
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Prasun Kundu
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Wei-Chiao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Max Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Alyssa Blackstone
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Deleah Pettie
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michael Murphy
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - John C Kraft
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Leaf
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Yang Jiao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | | | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jordache Ramjith
- Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Department for Health Evidence, Biostatistics Section, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - C Richter King
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, 455 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Randall S MacGill
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, 455 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Yimin Wu
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, 455 Massachusetts Avenue NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Kelly K Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Neil P King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jonathan F Lovell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY 14260, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Julien
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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11
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RBD-VLP Vaccines Adjuvanted with Alum or SWE Protect K18-hACE2 Mice against SARS-CoV-2 VOC Challenge. mSphere 2022; 7:e0024322. [PMID: 35968964 PMCID: PMC9429941 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00243-22] [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] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has contributed largely to the global vaccine disparity. Development of protein subunit vaccines can help alleviate shortages of COVID-19 vaccines delivered to low-income countries. Here, we evaluated the efficacy of a three-dose virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine composed of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) decorated with the receptor binding domain (RBD) from the Wuhan or Beta SARS-CoV-2 strain adjuvanted with either aluminum hydroxide (alum) or squalene in water emulsion (SWE). RBD HBsAg vaccines were compared to the standard two doses of Pfizer mRNA vaccine. Alum-adjuvanted vaccines were composed of either HBsAg conjugated with Beta RBD alone (β RBD HBsAg+Al) or a combination of both Beta RBD HBsAg and Wuhan RBD HBsAg (β/Wu RBD HBsAg+Al). RBD vaccines adjuvanted with SWE were formulated with Beta RBD HBsAg (β RBD HBsAg+SWE) or without HBsAg (β RBD+SWE). Both alum-adjuvanted RBD HBsAg vaccines generated functional RBD IgG against multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC), decreased viral RNA burden, and lowered inflammation in the lung against Alpha or Beta challenge in K18-hACE2 mice. However, only β/Wu RBD HBsAg+Al was able to afford 100% survival to mice challenged with Alpha or Beta VOC. Furthermore, mice immunized with β RBD HBsAg+SWE induced cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies against major VOC of SARS-CoV-2, lowered viral RNA burden in the lung and brain, and protected mice from Alpha or Beta challenge similarly to mice immunized with Pfizer mRNA. However, RBD+SWE immunization failed to protect mice from VOC challenge. Our findings demonstrate that RBD HBsAg VLP vaccines provided similar protection profiles to the approved Pfizer mRNA vaccines used worldwide and may offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 VOC. IMPORTANCE Global COVID-19 vaccine distribution to low-income countries has been a major challenge of the pandemic. To address supply chain issues, RBD virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines that are cost-effective and capable of large-scale production were developed and evaluated for efficacy in preclinical mouse studies. We demonstrated that RBD-VLP vaccines protected K18-hACE2 mice against Alpha or Beta challenge similarly to Pfizer mRNA vaccination. Our findings showed that the VLP platform can be utilized to formulate immunogenic and efficacious COVID-19 vaccines.
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12
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Lyons FMT, Gabriela M, Tham WH, Dietrich MH. Plasmodium 6-Cysteine Proteins: Functional Diversity, Transmission-Blocking Antibodies and Structural Scaffolds. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:945924. [PMID: 35899047 PMCID: PMC9309271 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.945924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The 6-cysteine protein family is one of the most abundant surface antigens that are expressed throughout the Plasmodium falciparum life cycle. Many members of the 6-cysteine family have critical roles in parasite development across the life cycle in parasite transmission, evasion of the host immune response and host cell invasion. The common feature of the family is the 6-cysteine domain, also referred to as s48/45 domain, which is conserved across Aconoidasida. This review summarizes the current approaches for recombinant expression for 6-cysteine proteins, monoclonal antibodies against 6-cysteine proteins that block transmission and the growing collection of crystal structures that provide insights into the functional domains of this protein family.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frankie M. T. Lyons
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Mikha Gabriela
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wai-Hong Tham
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Melanie H. Dietrich
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Infectious Diseases and Immune Defence Division, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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13
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Freeze-Drying of a Capsid Virus-like Particle-Based Platform Allows Stable Storage of Vaccines at Ambient Temperature. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14061301. [PMID: 35745873 PMCID: PMC9229831 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14061301] [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: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The requirement of an undisrupted cold chain during vaccine distribution is a major economic and logistical challenge limiting global vaccine access. Modular, nanoparticle-based platforms are expected to play an increasingly important role in the development of the next-generation vaccines. However, as with most vaccines, they are dependent on the cold chain in order to maintain stability and efficacy. Therefore, there is a pressing need to develop thermostable formulations that can be stored at ambient temperature for extended periods without the loss of vaccine efficacy. Here, we investigate the compatibility of the Tag/Catcher AP205 capsid virus-like particle (cVLP) vaccine platform with the freeze-drying process. Tag/Catcher cVLPs can be freeze-dried under diverse buffer and excipient conditions while maintaining their original biophysical properties. Additionally, we show that for two model cVLP vaccines, including a clinically tested SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, freeze-drying results in a product that once reconstituted retains the structural integrity and immunogenicity of the original material, even following storage under accelerated heat stress conditions. Furthermore, the freeze-dried SARS-CoV-2 cVLP vaccine is stable for up to 6 months at ambient temperature. Our study offers a potential solution to overcome the current limitations associated with the cold chain and may help minimize the need for low-temperature storage.
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14
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Ochwedo KO, Ariri FO, Otambo WO, Magomere EO, Debrah I, Onyango SA, Orondo PW, Atieli HE, Ogolla SO, Otieno ACA, Mukabana WR, Githeko AK, Lee MC, Yan G, Zhong D, Kazura JW. Rare Alleles and Signatures of Selection on the Immunodominant Domains of Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 in Malaria Parasites From Western Kenya. Front Genet 2022; 13:867906. [PMID: 35656326 PMCID: PMC9152164 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.867906] [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: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Malaria elimination and eradication efforts can be advanced by including transmission-blocking or reducing vaccines (TBVs) alongside existing interventions. Key transmission-blocking vaccine candidates, such as Pfs230 domain one and Pfs48/45 domain 3, should be genetically stable to avoid developing ineffective vaccines due to antigenic polymorphisms. We evaluated genetic polymorphism and temporal stability of Pfs230 domain one and Pfs48/45 domain three in Plasmodium falciparum parasites from western Kenya. Methods: Dry blood spots on filter paper were collected from febrile malaria patients reporting to community health facilities in endemic areas of Homa Bay and Kisumu Counties and an epidemic-prone area of Kisii County in 2018 and 2019. Plasmodium speciation was performed using eluted DNA and real-time PCR. Amplification of the target domains of the two Pfs genes was performed on P. falciparum positive samples. We sequenced Pfs230 domain one on 156 clinical isolates and Pfs48/45 domain three on 118 clinical isolates to infer the levels of genetic variability, signatures of selection, genetic diversity indices and perform other evolutionary analyses. Results: Pfs230 domain one had low nucleotide diversity (π = 0.15 × 10-2) with slight variation per study site. Six polymorphic sites with nonsynonymous mutations and eight haplotypes were discovered. I539T was a novel variant, whereas G605S was nearing fixation. Pfs48/45 domain three had a low π (0.063 × 10-2), high conservation index, and three segregating sites, resulting in nonsynonymous mutation and four haplotypes. Some loci of Pfs230 D1 were in positive or negative linkage disequilibrium, had negative or positive selection signatures, and others (1813, 1955) and (1813, 1983) had a history of recombination. Mutated loci pairs in Pfs48/45 domain three had negative linkage disequilibrium, and some had negative and positive Tajima's D values with no history of recombination events. Conclusion: The two transmission blocking vaccine candidates have low nucleotide diversity, a small number of zone-specific variants, high nucleotide conservation index, and high frequency of rare alleles. With the near fixation a polymorphic site and the proximity of mutated codons to antibody binding epitopes, it will be necessary to continue monitoring sequence modifications of these domains when designing TBVs that include Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin O. Ochwedo
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Fredrick O. Ariri
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya,Department of Zoology, School of Physical and Biological Sciences, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Wilfred O. Otambo
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya,Department of Zoology, School of Physical and Biological Sciences, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Edwin O. Magomere
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya,Department of Biochemistry, Egerton University, Nakuru, Kenya
| | - Isaiah Debrah
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya,West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogen, Department of Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Shirley A. Onyango
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya,School of Zoological Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Pauline W. Orondo
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Harrysone E. Atieli
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Sidney O. Ogolla
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Antony C. A. Otieno
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Wolfgang R. Mukabana
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya,Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
| | - Andrew K. Githeko
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya,Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Ming-Chieh Lee
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Daibin Zhong,
| | - James W. Kazura
- Centre for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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15
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Edwardson TGW, Levasseur MD, Tetter S, Steinauer A, Hori M, Hilvert D. Protein Cages: From Fundamentals to Advanced Applications. Chem Rev 2022; 122:9145-9197. [PMID: 35394752 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Proteins that self-assemble into polyhedral shell-like structures are useful molecular containers both in nature and in the laboratory. Here we review efforts to repurpose diverse protein cages, including viral capsids, ferritins, bacterial microcompartments, and designed capsules, as vaccines, drug delivery vehicles, targeted imaging agents, nanoreactors, templates for controlled materials synthesis, building blocks for higher-order architectures, and more. A deep understanding of the principles underlying the construction, function, and evolution of natural systems has been key to tailoring selective cargo encapsulation and interactions with both biological systems and synthetic materials through protein engineering and directed evolution. The ability to adapt and design increasingly sophisticated capsid structures and functions stands to benefit the fields of catalysis, materials science, and medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stephan Tetter
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Angela Steinauer
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mao Hori
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Donald Hilvert
- Laboratory of Organic Chemistry, ETH Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
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16
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Song H, Wang Y, Dong W, Chen Q, Sun H, Peng H, Li R, Chang Y, Luo H. Effect of SpyTag/SpyCatcher cyclization on stability and refolding of green fluorescent protein. Biotechnol Lett 2022; 44:613-621. [PMID: 35359178 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-022-03246-x] [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: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
To study the effect of SpyTag/SpyCatcher cyclization on stability and refolding of protein, we constructed a cyclized green fluorescent protein (SRGFP) and its derivative to act as a linear structure control (L-SRGFP). SRGFP and L-SRGFP showed similar fluorescence characteristics to the wild-type GFP, while compared with GFP and L-SRGFP, the thermal stability and denaturation resistance of SRGFP were improved. The refolding efficiencies of these three denatured proteins were investigated under different pH, temperature and initial protein concentration conditions, and it was found that SRGFP was superior to GFP and L-SRGFP in terms of refolding yield and refolding speed. In the pH range of 8.0-8.5, SRGFP could basically recover all fluorescence, while GFP and L-SRGFP recovered only about 87.52% and 88.58%. When refolded at a high temperature (37 °C), SRGFP still recovered 85.27% of the fluorescence, whereas GFP and L-SRGFP recovered only around 69.43% and 68.45%. At a high initial protein concentration (5 mg/mL), the refolding yield of SRGFP was about 15% higher than that of both GFP and L-SRGFP. These results suggest that the introduction of SpyRing structure (head-to-tail cyclization via SpyTag and SpyCatcher) improved the protein's stability and facilitated the refolding of denatured protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Song
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wenge Dong
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Qiwei Chen
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hongxu Sun
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Hui Peng
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Ren Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Yanhong Chang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Hui Luo
- Department of Biological Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
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17
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Dalvie NC, Tostanoski LH, Rodriguez-Aponte SA, Kaur K, Bajoria S, Kumru OS, Martinot AJ, Chandrashekar A, McMahan K, Mercado NB, Yu J, Chang A, Giffin VM, Nampanya F, Patel S, Bowman L, Naranjo CA, Yun D, Flinchbaugh Z, Pessaint L, Brown R, Velasco J, Teow E, Cook A, Andersen H, Lewis MG, Camp DL, Silverman JM, Nagar GS, Rao HD, Lothe RR, Chandrasekharan R, Rajurkar MP, Shaligram US, Kleanthous H, Joshi SB, Volkin DB, Biswas S, Love JC, Barouch DH. SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain displayed on HBsAg virus-like particles elicits protective immunity in macaques. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl6015. [PMID: 35294244 PMCID: PMC8926328 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl6015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Authorized vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 remain less available in low- and middle-income countries due to insufficient supply, high costs, and storage requirements. Global immunity could still benefit from new vaccines using widely available, safe adjuvants, such as alum and protein subunits, suited to low-cost production in existing manufacturing facilities. Here, a clinical-stage vaccine candidate comprising a SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain-hepatitis B surface antigen virus-like particle elicited protective immunity in cynomolgus macaques. Titers of neutralizing antibodies (>104) induced by this candidate were above the range of protection for other licensed vaccines in nonhuman primates. Including CpG 1018 did not significantly improve the immunological responses. Vaccinated animals challenged with SARS-CoV-2 showed reduced median viral loads in bronchoalveolar lavage (~3.4 log10) and nasal mucosa (~2.9 log10) versus sham controls. These data support the potential benefit of this design for a low-cost modular vaccine platform for SARS-CoV-2 and other variants of concern or betacoronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil C. Dalvie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lisa H. Tostanoski
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sergio A. Rodriguez-Aponte
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Sakshi Bajoria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Ozan S. Kumru
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Amanda J. Martinot
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Departments of Infectious Diseases and Global Health and Comparative Pathobiology, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | - Abishek Chandrashekar
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Katherine McMahan
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Noe B. Mercado
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jingyou Yu
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Aiquan Chang
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Victoria M. Giffin
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Felix Nampanya
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Shivani Patel
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Lesley Bowman
- SpyBiotech Limited, Oxford Business Park North, Oxford OX4 2JZ, UK
| | - Christopher A. Naranjo
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dongsoo Yun
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Danielle L. Camp
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Sangeeta B. Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - David B. Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Sumi Biswas
- SpyBiotech Limited, Oxford Business Park North, Oxford OX4 2JZ, UK
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - J. Christopher Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dan H. Barouch
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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18
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Singh SK, Singh V. Method for Production of Cysteine-Rich Proteins in Lactococcus lactis Expression System. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2406:189-203. [PMID: 35089558 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1859-2_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis is an ideal expression host for the overproduction of heterologous proteins in a functional form. L. lactis has recently been identified as an efficient Gram-positive cell factory for the production of recombinant proteins and the safety of this production system has been confirmed in multiple clinical trials. Key desirable features of L. lactis include its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status, long history of safe use in food production, probiotic properties, absence of endotoxins, capacity to secrete stable recombinant protein to the growth medium, the presence of few proteases, and a diverse selection of cloning and inducible expression vectors. Growth of lactococci is rapid, proceeds to high cell densities, and does not require aeration, which facilitates large-scale fermentation. We have previously described the production of several Plasmodium falciparum antigens with varying degrees of predicted structural complexities, those which are considered difficult-to-produce proteins by using L. lactis pH-dependent inducible promoter (P170). The purpose of this chapter is to provide a detailed protocol for the expression of difficult-to-produce proteins, mainly high cysteine-rich proteins, in the soluble form in L. lactis from cloning of the target gene to the determination of expression levels and purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susheel K Singh
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Vandana Singh
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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19
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Goel D, Sinha S. Naturally occurring protein nano compartments: basic structure, function, and genetic engineering. NANO EXPRESS 2021. [DOI: 10.1088/2632-959x/ac2c93] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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20
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Dalvie NC, Rodriguez-Aponte SA, Hartwell BL, Tostanoski LH, Biedermann AM, Crowell LE, Kaur K, Kumru OS, Carter L, Yu J, Chang A, McMahan K, Courant T, Lebas C, Lemnios AA, Rodrigues KA, Silva M, Johnston RS, Naranjo CA, Tracey MK, Brady JR, Whittaker CA, Yun D, Brunette N, Wang JY, Walkey C, Fiala B, Kar S, Porto M, Lok M, Andersen H, Lewis MG, Love KR, Camp DL, Silverman JM, Kleanthous H, Joshi SB, Volkin DB, Dubois PM, Collin N, King NP, Barouch DH, Irvine DJ, Love JC. Engineered SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain improves manufacturability in yeast and immunogenicity in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2106845118. [PMID: 34493582 PMCID: PMC8463846 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2106845118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Global containment of COVID-19 still requires accessible and affordable vaccines for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Recently approved vaccines provide needed interventions, albeit at prices that may limit their global access. Subunit vaccines based on recombinant proteins are suited for large-volume microbial manufacturing to yield billions of doses annually, minimizing their manufacturing cost. These types of vaccines are well-established, proven interventions with multiple safe and efficacious commercial examples. Many vaccine candidates of this type for SARS-CoV-2 rely on sequences containing the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which mediates viral entry to cells via ACE2. Here we report an engineered sequence variant of RBD that exhibits high-yield manufacturability, high-affinity binding to ACE2, and enhanced immunogenicity after a single dose in mice compared to the Wuhan-Hu-1 variant used in current vaccines. Antibodies raised against the engineered protein exhibited heterotypic binding to the RBD from two recently reported SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (501Y.V1/V2). Presentation of the engineered RBD on a designed virus-like particle (VLP) also reduced weight loss in hamsters upon viral challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil C Dalvie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Sergio A Rodriguez-Aponte
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Brittany L Hartwell
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Lisa H Tostanoski
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Andrew M Biedermann
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Laura E Crowell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics, and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047
| | - Ozan S Kumru
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics, and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047
| | - Lauren Carter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Jingyou Yu
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Aiquan Chang
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Katherine McMahan
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Thomas Courant
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Celia Lebas
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ashley A Lemnios
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Kristen A Rodrigues
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Murillo Silva
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Ryan S Johnston
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Christopher A Naranjo
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Mary Kate Tracey
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Joseph R Brady
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Charles A Whittaker
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Dongsoo Yun
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Natalie Brunette
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Jing Yang Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Carl Walkey
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Brooke Fiala
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kerry R Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Danielle L Camp
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | | | | | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics, and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics, and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66047
| | - Patrice M Dubois
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Collin
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Neil P King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
| | - Dan H Barouch
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815
| | - J Christopher Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA 02139;
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
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21
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Stander J, Chabeda A, Rybicki EP, Meyers AE. A Plant-Produced Virus-Like Particle Displaying Envelope Protein Domain III Elicits an Immune Response Against West Nile Virus in Mice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:738619. [PMID: 34589108 PMCID: PMC8475786 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.738619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally disseminated Flavivirus that is associated with encephalitis outbreaks in humans and horses. The continuous global outbreaks of West Nile disease in the bird, human, and horse populations, with no preventative measures for humans, pose a major public health threat. The development of a vaccine that contributes to the "One Health" Initiative could be the answer to prevent the spread of the virus and control human and animal disease. The current commercially available veterinary vaccines are generally costly and most require high levels of biosafety for their manufacture. Consequently, we explored making a particulate vaccine candidate made transiently in plants as a more cost-effective and safer means of production. A WNV virus-like particle-display-based vaccine candidate was generated by the use of the SpyTag/SpyCatcher (ST/SC) conjugation system. The WNV envelope protein domain III (EDIII), which contains WNV-specific epitopes, was fused to and displayed on AP205 phage virus-like particles (VLPs) following the production of both separately in Nicotiana benthamiana. Co-purification of AP205 and EDIII genetically fused to ST and SC, respectively, resulted in the conjugated VLPs displaying EDIII with an average coupling efficiency of 51%. Subcutaneous immunisation of mice with 5 μg of purified AP205: EDIII VLPs elicited a potent IgG response to WNV EDIII. This study presents the potential plants being used as biofactories for making significant pharmaceutical products for the "One Health" Initiative and could be used to address the need for their local production in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Stander
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aleyo Chabeda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ann E. Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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22
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Virus-Like Particle Vaccines Against Respiratory Viruses and Protozoan Parasites. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2021; 433:77-106. [PMID: 33650036 DOI: 10.1007/82_2021_232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The field of vaccinology underwent massive advances over the past decades with the introduction of virus-like particles (VLPs), a supra-molecular nanoparticle vaccine platform that resembles viral structures without the ability to replicate in hosts. This innovative approach has been remarkably effective, as evidenced by its profound immunogenicity and safety. These highly desirable intrinsic properties enabled their further development as vaccines against a multitude of diseases. To date, several VLP-based vaccines have already been commercialized and many more are undergoing clinical evaluation prior to FDA approval. However, efficacious vaccines against a plethora of pathogens are still lacking, which imposes a tremendous socioeconomic burden and continues to threaten public health throughout the globe. This is especially the case for several respiratory pathogens and protozoan parasites. In this review, we briefly describe the fundamentals of VLP vaccines and the unique properties that enable these to be such valuable vaccine candidates and summarize current advances in VLP-based vaccines targeting respiratory and parasitic diseases of global importance.
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23
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Dalvie NC, Tostanoski LH, Rodriguez-Aponte SA, Kaur K, Bajoria S, Kumru OS, Martinot AJ, Chandrashekar A, McMahan K, Mercado NB, Yu J, Chang A, Giffin VM, Nampanya F, Patel S, Bowman L, Naranjo CA, Yun D, Flinchbaugh Z, Pessaint L, Brown R, Velasco J, Teow E, Cook A, Andersen H, Lewis MG, Camp DL, Silverman JM, Kleanthous H, Joshi SB, Volkin DB, Biswas S, Love JC, Barouch DH. A modular protein subunit vaccine candidate produced in yeast confers protection against SARS-CoV-2 in non-human primates. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.07.13.452251. [PMID: 34282417 PMCID: PMC8288147 DOI: 10.1101/2021.07.13.452251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have been distributed at massive scale in developed countries, and have been effective at preventing COVID-19. Access to vaccines is limited, however, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) due to insufficient supply, high costs, and cold storage requirements. New vaccines that can be produced in existing manufacturing facilities in LMICs, can be manufactured at low cost, and use widely available, proven, safe adjuvants like alum, would improve global immunity against SARS-CoV-2. One such protein subunit vaccine is produced by the Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd. and is currently in clinical testing. Two protein components, the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) and hepatitis B surface antigen virus-like particles (VLPs), are each produced in yeast, which would enable a low-cost, high-volume manufacturing process. Here, we describe the design and preclinical testing of the RBD-VLP vaccine in cynomolgus macaques. We observed titers of neutralizing antibodies (>104) above the range of protection for other licensed vaccines in non-human primates. Interestingly, addition of a second adjuvant (CpG1018) appeared to improve the cellular response while reducing the humoral response. We challenged animals with SARS-CoV-2, and observed a ~3.4 and ~2.9 log10 reduction in median viral loads in bronchoalveolar lavage and nasal mucosa, respectively, compared to sham controls. These results inform the design and formulation of current clinical COVID-19 vaccine candidates like the one described here, and future designs of RBD-based vaccines against variants of SARS-CoV-2 or other betacoronaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil C Dalvie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Lisa H Tostanoski
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sergio A Rodriguez-Aponte
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, USA
| | - Sakshi Bajoria
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, USA
| | - Ozan S Kumru
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, USA
| | - Amanda J Martinot
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Departments of Infectious Diseases and Global Health and Comparative Pathobiology, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA
| | - Abishek Chandrashekar
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Katherine McMahan
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Noe B Mercado
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jingyou Yu
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aiquan Chang
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Victoria M Giffin
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Felix Nampanya
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shivani Patel
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lesley Bowman
- SpyBiotech Limited, Oxford Business Park North, Oxford, OX4 2JZ, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher A Naranjo
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Dongsoo Yun
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Danielle L Camp
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, USA
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, USA
| | - Sumi Biswas
- Bill&Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - J Christopher Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Dan H Barouch
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA 02115, USA
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24
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Aebischer A, Wernike K, König P, Franzke K, Wichgers Schreur PJ, Kortekaas J, Vitikainen M, Wiebe M, Saloheimo M, Tchelet R, Audonnet JC, Beer M. Development of a Modular Vaccine Platform for Multimeric Antigen Display Using an Orthobunyavirus Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060651. [PMID: 34203630 PMCID: PMC8232151 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060651] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases represent an increasing threat to human and animal health. Therefore, safe and effective vaccines that could be available within a short time frame after an outbreak are required for adequate prevention and control. Here, we developed a robust and versatile self-assembling multimeric protein scaffold particle (MPSP) vaccine platform using lumazine synthase (LS) from Aquifex aeolicus. This scaffold allowed the presentation of peptide epitopes by genetic fusion as well as the presentation of large antigens by bacterial superglue-based conjugation to the pre-assembled particle. Using the orthobunyavirus model Schmallenberg virus (SBV) we designed MPSPs presenting major immunogens of SBV and assessed their efficacy in a mouse model as well as in cattle, a target species of SBV. All prototype vaccines conferred protection from viral challenge infection and the multivalent presentation of the selected antigens on the MPSP markedly improved their immunogenicity compared to the monomeric subunits. Even a single shot vaccination protected about 80% of mice from an otherwise lethal dose of SBV. Most importantly, the MPSPs induced a virtually sterile immunity in cattle. Altogether, LS represents a promising platform for modular and rapid vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Aebischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Kerstin Wernike
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Patricia König
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Kati Franzke
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
| | - Paul J. Wichgers Schreur
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (P.J.W.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Laboratory of Virology, Wageningen Bioveterinary Research, 8221 RA Lelystad, The Netherlands; (P.J.W.S.); (J.K.)
| | - Marika Vitikainen
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02150 Espoo, Finland; (M.V.); (M.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Marilyn Wiebe
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02150 Espoo, Finland; (M.V.); (M.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Markku Saloheimo
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., 02150 Espoo, Finland; (M.V.); (M.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Ronen Tchelet
- Dyadic Netherland B.V., 6709 PA Wageningen, The Netherlands;
| | | | - Martin Beer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany; (A.A.); (K.W.); (P.K.); (K.F.)
- Correspondence:
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25
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Dalvie NC, Rodriguez-Aponte SA, Hartwell BL, Tostanoski LH, Biedermann AM, Crowell LE, Kaur K, Kumru O, Carter L, Yu J, Chang A, McMahan K, Courant T, Lebas C, Lemnios AA, Rodrigues KA, Silva M, Johnston RS, Naranjo CA, Tracey MK, Brady JR, Whittaker CA, Yun D, Kar S, Porto M, Lok M, Andersen H, Lewis MG, Love KR, Camp DL, Silverman JM, Kleanthous H, Joshi SB, Volkin DB, Dubois PM, Collin N, King NP, Barouch DH, Irvine DJ, Love JC. Engineered SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain improves immunogenicity in mice and elicits protective immunity in hamsters. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2021:2021.03.03.433558. [PMID: 33688647 PMCID: PMC7941618 DOI: 10.1101/2021.03.03.433558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Global containment of COVID-19 still requires accessible and affordable vaccines for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).1 Recently approved vaccines provide needed interventions, albeit at prices that may limit their global access.2 Subunit vaccines based on recombinant proteins are suited for large-volume microbial manufacturing to yield billions of doses annually, minimizing their manufacturing costs.3 These types of vaccines are well-established, proven interventions with multiple safe and efficacious commercial examples.4-6 Many vaccine candidates of this type for SARS-CoV-2 rely on sequences containing the receptor-binding domain (RBD), which mediates viral entry to cells via ACE2.7,8 Here we report an engineered sequence variant of RBD that exhibits high-yield manufacturability, high-affinity binding to ACE2, and enhanced immunogenicity after a single dose in mice compared to the Wuhan-Hu-1 variant used in current vaccines. Antibodies raised against the engineered protein exhibited heterotypic binding to the RBD from two recently reported SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (501Y.V1/V2). Presentation of the engineered RBD on a designed virus-like particle (VLP) also reduced weight loss in hamsters upon viral challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil C Dalvie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Sergio A Rodriguez-Aponte
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Brittany L Hartwell
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Lisa H Tostanoski
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew M Biedermann
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Laura E Crowell
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, United States
| | - Ozan Kumru
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, United States
| | - Lauren Carter
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jingyou Yu
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aiquan Chang
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katherine McMahan
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas Courant
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Celia Lebas
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ashley A Lemnios
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Kristen A Rodrigues
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Murillo Silva
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Ryan S Johnston
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Christopher A Naranjo
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Mary Kate Tracey
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Joseph R Brady
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Charles A Whittaker
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Dongsoo Yun
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Megan Lok
- Bioqual, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | | | | | - Kerry R Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | - Danielle L Camp
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
| | | | | | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, United States
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66047, United States
| | - Patrice M Dubois
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Collin
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, 1228 Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Neil P King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Dan H Barouch
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Massachusetts Consortium on Pathogen Readiness, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
| | - J Christopher Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
- The Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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Janitzek CM, Carlsen PHR, Thrane S, Khanna VM, Jakob V, Barnier-Quer C, Collin N, Theander TG, Salanti A, Nielsen MA, Sander AF. The Immunogenicity of Capsid-Like Particle Vaccines in Combination with Different Adjuvants Using Different Routes of Administration. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020131. [PMID: 33562114 PMCID: PMC7915698 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid-like particle (CLP) displays can be used to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccine antigens, but a better understanding of how CLP vaccines are best formulated and delivered is needed. This study compared the humoral immune responses in mice elicited against two different vaccine antigens (a bacterial protein and a viral peptide) delivered on an AP205 CLP platform using six different adjuvant formulations. In comparison to antibody responses obtained after immunization with the unadjuvanted CLP vaccine, three of the adjuvant systems (neutral liposomes/monophosphoryl lipid A/quillaja saponaria 21, squalene-in-water emulsion, and monophosphoryl lipid A) caused significantly increased antibody levels, whereas formulation with the three other adjuvants (aluminum hydroxide, cationic liposomes, and cationic microparticles) resulted in similar or even decreased antibody responses. When delivering the soluble bacterial protein in a squalene-in-water emulsion, 4-log lower IgG levels were obtained compared to when the protein was delivered on CLPs without the adjuvant. The AP205 CLP platform promoted induction of both IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses, which could be skewed towards a higher production of IgG1 (aluminum hydroxide). Compared to other routes, intramuscular administration elicited the highest IgG levels. These results indicate that the effect of the external adjuvant does not always synergize with the adjuvant effect of the CLP display, which underscores the need for empirical testing of different extrinsic adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph M. Janitzek
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philip H. R. Carlsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susan Thrane
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vijansh M. Khanna
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Virginie Jakob
- Vaccine Formulation Institute, Plan-Les-Ouates, 1228 Geneva, Switzerland;
| | - Christophe Barnier-Quer
- Vaccine Formulation Laboratory, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.B.-Q.); (N.C.)
| | - Nicolas Collin
- Vaccine Formulation Laboratory, University of Lausanne, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland; (C.B.-Q.); (N.C.)
| | - Thor G. Theander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Morten A. Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adam F. Sander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 1165 København, Denmark; (C.M.J.); (P.H.R.C.); (S.T.); (V.M.K.); (T.G.T.); (A.S.); (M.A.N.)
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-30111529
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Duffy PE. Transmission-Blocking Vaccines: Harnessing Herd Immunity for Malaria Elimination. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:185-198. [PMID: 33478283 PMCID: PMC11127254 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1878028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) prevent community spread of malaria by targeting mosquito sexual stage parasites, a life-cycle bottleneck, and will be used in elimination programs. TBV rely on herd immunity to reduce mosquito infections and thereby new infections in both vaccine recipients and non-recipients, but do not provide protection once an individual receives an infectious mosquito bite which complicates clinical development. AREAS COVERED Here, we describe the concept and biology behind TBV, and we provide an update on clinical development of the leading vaccine candidate antigens. Search terms 'malaria vaccine,' 'sexual stages,' 'transmission blocking vaccine,' 'VIMT' and 'SSM-VIMT' were used for PubMed queries to identify relevant literature. EXPERT OPINION Candidates targeting P. falciparum zygote surface antigen Pfs25, and its P. vivax orthologue Pvs25, induced functional activity in humans that reduced mosquito infection in surrogate assays, but require increased durability to be useful in the field. Candidates targeting gamete surface antigens Pfs230 and Pfs48/45, respectively, are in or nearing clinical trials. Nanoparticle platforms and adjuvants are being explored to enhance immunogenicity. Efficacy trials require special considerations, such as cluster-randomized designs to measure herd immunity that reduces human and mosquito infection rates, while addressing human and mosquito movements as confounding factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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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28
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Singh SK, Plieskatt J, Chourasia BK, Fabra-García A, Garcia-Senosiain A, Singh V, Bengtsson KL, Reimer JM, Sauerwein R, Jore MM, Theisen M. A Reproducible and Scalable Process for Manufacturing a Pfs48/45 Based Plasmodium falciparum Transmission-Blocking Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 11:606266. [PMID: 33505395 PMCID: PMC7832176 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.606266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The cysteine-rich Pfs48/45 protein, a Plasmodium falciparum sexual stage surface protein, has been advancing as a candidate antigen for a transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) for malaria. However, Pfs48/45 contains multiple disulfide bonds, that are critical for proper folding and induction of transmission-blocking (TB) antibodies. We have previously shown that R0.6C, a fusion of the 6C domain of Pfs48/45 and a fragment of PfGLURP (R0), expressed in Lactococcus lactis, was properly folded and induced transmission-blocking antibodies. Here we describe the process development and technology transfer of a scalable and reproducible process suitable for R0.6C manufacturing under current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). This process resulted in a final purified yield of 25 mg/L, sufficient for clinical evaluation. A panel of analytical assays for release and stability assessment of R0.6C were developed including HPLC, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting with the conformation-dependent TB mAb45.1. Intact mass analysis of R0.6C confirmed the identity of the product including the three disulfide bonds and the absence of post-translational modifications. Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) coupled to size exclusion chromatography (SEC-MALS), further confirmed that R0.6C was monomeric (~70 kDa) in solution. Lastly, preclinical studies demonstrated that the R0.6C Drug Product (adsorbed to Alhydrogel®) elicited functional antibodies in small rodents and that adding Matrix-M™ adjuvant further increased the functional response. Here, building upon our past work, we filled the gap between laboratory and manufacturing to ready R0.6C for production under cGMP and eventual clinical evaluation as a malaria TB vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susheel K Singh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jordan Plieskatt
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Bishwanath K Chourasia
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Amanda Fabra-García
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Asier Garcia-Senosiain
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Vandana Singh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Robert Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hofmann T, Krah S, Sellmann C, Zielonka S, Doerner A. Greatest Hits-Innovative Technologies for High Throughput Identification of Bispecific Antibodies. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6551. [PMID: 32911608 PMCID: PMC7554978 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent years have shown a tremendous increase and diversification in antibody-based therapeutics with advances in production techniques and formats. The plethora of currently investigated bi- to multi-specific antibody architectures can be harnessed to elicit a broad variety of specific modes of actions in oncology and immunology, spanning from enhanced selectivity to effector cell recruitment, all of which cannot be addressed by monospecific antibodies. Despite continuously growing efforts and methodologies, the identification of an optimal bispecific antibody as the best possible combination of two parental monospecific binders, however, remains challenging, due to tedious cloning and production, often resulting in undesired extended development times and increased expenses. Although automated high throughput screening approaches have matured for pharmaceutical small molecule development, it was only recently that protein bioconjugation technologies have been developed for the facile generation of bispecific antibodies in a 'plug and play' manner. In this review, we provide an overview of the most relevant methodologies for bispecific screening purposes-the DuoBody concept, paired light chain single cell production approaches, Sortase A and Transglutaminase, the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system, and inteins-and elaborate on the benefits as well as drawbacks of the different technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Hofmann
- Advanced Cell Culture Technologies, Merck Life Sciences KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany;
| | - Simon Krah
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Carolin Sellmann
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Stefan Zielonka
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Achim Doerner
- Protein Engineering and Antibody Technologies, Merck Healthcare KGaA, Frankfurter Strasse 250, D-64293 Darmstadt, Germany; (S.K.); (C.S.); (S.Z.)
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30
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Yenkoidiok-Douti L, Canepa GE, Barletta ABF, Barillas-Mury C. In vivo Characterization of Plasmodium berghei P47 (Pbs47) as a Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Target. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1496. [PMID: 32719666 PMCID: PMC7348136 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An effective vaccine to reduce malaria transmission is central to control and ultimately achieve disease eradication. Recently, we demonstrated that antibodies targeting the Plasmodium falciparum surface protein P47 (Pfs47) reduce parasite transmission to Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Here, Plasmodium berghei (Pb) was used as a model to assess the in vivo efficacy of a P47-targeted transmission blocking vaccine (Pbs47). Mice were immunized following a prime/boost regimen and infected with P. berghei. The effect of immunization on infectivity to mosquitoes was evaluated by direct feeding on P. berghei-infected mice. The key region in Pbs47 where antibody binding confers protection was mapped, and the immunogenicity of this protective antigen was enhanced by conjugation to a virus-like particle. Passive immunization with 100 and 50 μg/mL of anti-Pbs47 IgG reduced oocyst density by 77 and 67%, respectively. Furthermore, affinity purified Pbs47-specific IgG significantly reduced oocyst density by 88 and 77%, respectively at doses as low as 10 and 1 μg/mL. These studies suggest that P47 is a promising transmission blocking target and show that antibodies to the same specific region in Pfs47 and Pbs47 confer protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lampouguin Yenkoidiok-Douti
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Gaspar E. Canepa
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Ana Beatriz F. Barletta
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
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31
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Abstract
Much of the gain in malaria control, in terms of regional achievements in restricting geographical spread and reducing malaria cases and deaths, can be attributed to large-scale deployment of antimalarial drugs, insecticide-treated bed nets, and early diagnostics. However, despite impressive progress, control efforts have stalled because of logistics, unsustainable delivery, or short-term effectiveness of existing interventions or a combination of these reasons. A highly efficacious malaria vaccine as an additional tool would go a long way, but success in the development of this important intervention remains elusive. Moreover, most of the vaccine candidate antigens that were investigated in early-stage clinical trials, selected partly because of their immunogenicity and abundance during natural malaria infection, were polymorphic or structurally complex or both. Likewise, we have a limited understanding of immune mechanisms that confer protection. We reflect on some considerable technological and scientific progress that has been achieved and the lessons learned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirianne Marie Q Palacpac
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Horii
- Department of Malaria Vaccine Development, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
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32
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Harmsen C, Turner L, Thrane S, Sander AF, Theander TG, Lavstsen T. Immunization with virus-like particles conjugated to CIDRα1 domain of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 induces inhibitory antibodies. Malar J 2020; 19:132. [PMID: 32228596 PMCID: PMC7106694 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03201-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the erythrocytic cycle, Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites express P. falciparum Erythrocyte Membrane Protein 1 (PfEMP1) that anchor the infected erythrocytes (IE) to the vascular lining of the host. The CIDRα1 domain of PfEMP1 is responsible for binding host endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), and increasing evidence support that this interaction triggers severe malaria, accounting for the majority of malaria-related deaths. In high transmission regions, children develop immunity to severe malaria after the first few infections. This immunity is believed to be mediated by antibodies targeting and inhibiting PfEMP1, causing infected erythrocytes to circulate and be cleared in the spleen. The development of immunity to malaria coincides with acquisition of broad antibody reactivity across the CIDRα1 protein family. Altogether, this identifies CIDRα1 as an important vaccine target. However, the antigenic diversity of the CIDRα1 domain family is a challenge for vaccine development. METHODS Immune responses in mice vaccinated with Virus-Like Particles (VLP) presenting CIDRα1 antigens were investigated. Antibody reactivity was tested to a panel of recombinant CIDRα1 domains, and the antibodies ability to inhibit EPCR binding by the recombinant CIDRα1 domains was tested in Luminex-based multiplex assays. RESULTS VLP-presented CIDRα1.4 antigens induced a rapid and strong IgG response capable of inhibiting EPCR-binding of multiple CIDRα1 domains mainly within the group A CIDRα1.4-7 subgroups. CONCLUSIONS The study observations mirror those from previous CIDRα1 vaccine studies using other vaccine constructs and platforms. This suggests that broad CIDRα1 antibody reactivity may be achieved through vaccination with a limited number of CIDRα1 variants. In addition, this study suggest that this may be achieved through vaccination with a human compatible VLP vaccine platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Harmsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Louise Turner
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susan Thrane
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adam F Sander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thor G Theander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Thomas Lavstsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology, Department of Immunology and Microbiology (ISIM), Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Antibody response of a particle-inducing, liposome vaccine adjuvant admixed with a Pfs230 fragment. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:23. [PMID: 32218995 PMCID: PMC7080793 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-0173-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Pfs230 is a malaria transmission-blocking antigen candidate, expressed on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. A recombinant, his-tagged Pfs230 fragment (Pfs230C1; amino acids 443–731) formed serum-stable particles upon incubation with liposomes containing cobalt-porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP). In mice, immunization with Pfs230C1, admixed with the adjuvants Alum, Montanide ISA720 or CoPoP liposomes (also containing synthetic monophosphoryl lipid A; PHAD), resulted in elicitation of IgG antibodies, but only those induced with CoPoP/PHAD or ISA720 strongly reduced parasite transmission. Immunization with micrograms of Pfs230C1 adjuvanted with identical liposomes lacking cobalt (that did not induce particle formation) or Alum was less effective than immunization with nanograms of Pfs230C1 with CoPoP/PHAD. CoPoP/PHAD and ISA720 adjuvants induced antibodies with similar Pfs230C1 avidity but higher IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios than Alum, which likely contributed to enhanced functional activity. Unlike prior work with another transmission-blocking antigen (Pfs25), Pfs230C1 was found to be effectively taken up by antigen-presenting cells without particle formation. The anti-Pfs230C1 IgG response was durable in mice for 250 days following immunization with CoPoP/PHAD, as were antibody avidity and elevated IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios. Immunization of rabbits with 20 µg Pfs230C1 admixed with CoPoP/PHAD elicited antibodies that inhibited parasite transmission. Taken together, these results show that liposomes containing CoPoP and PHAD are an effective vaccine adjuvant platform for recombinant malaria transmission blocking antigens.
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Yenkoidiok-Douti L, Jewell CM. Integrating Biomaterials and Immunology to Improve Vaccines Against Infectious Diseases. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:759-778. [PMID: 33313391 PMCID: PMC7725244 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.9b01255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite the success of vaccines in preventing many infectious diseases, effective vaccines against pathogens with ongoing challenges - such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis - remain unavailable. The emergence of new pathogen variants, the continued prevalence of existing pathogens, and the resurgence of yet other infectious agents motivate the need for new, interdisciplinary approaches to direct immune responses. Many current and candidate vaccines, for example, are poorly immunogenic, provide only transient protection, or create risks of regaining pathogenicity in certain immune-compromised conditions. Recent advances in biomaterials research are creating new potential to overcome these challenges through improved formulation, delivery, and control of immune signaling. At the same time, many of these materials systems - such as polymers, lipids, and self-assembly technologies - may achieve this goal while maintaining favorable safety profiles. This review highlights ways in which biomaterials can advance existing vaccines to safer, more efficacious technologies, and support new vaccines for pathogens that do not yet have vaccines. Biomaterials that have not yet been applied to vaccines for infectious disease are also discussed, and their potential in this area is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lampouguin Yenkoidiok-Douti
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
| | - Christopher M. Jewell
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD, 20742, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, 10. N Green Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, 8278 Paint Branch Drive, College Park, MD 20742, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Medical School, 685 West Baltimore Street, HSF-I Suite 380, Baltimore, MD, 21201, United States
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, 22 S. Greene Street, Suite N9E17, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States
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35
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Akiba H, Takayanagi K, Kusano-Arai O, Iwanari H, Hamakubo T, Tsumoto K. Generation of biparatopic antibody through two-step targeting of fragment antibodies on antigen using SpyTag and SpyCatcher. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 25:e00418. [PMID: 31993343 PMCID: PMC6976922 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2020.e00418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Biparatopic fragment antibodies can overcome deficiencies in avidity of conventional antibody fragments. Here, we describe a technology for generating biparatopic antibodies through two-step targeting using a pair of polypeptides, SpyTag and SpyCatcher, that spontaneously react to form a covalent bond between antibody fragments. In this method, two antibody fragments, each targeting different epitopes of the antigen, are fused to SpyTag and to SpyCatcher. When the two polypeptides are serially added to the antigen, their proximity on the antigen results in covalent bond formation and generation of a biparatopic antibody. We validated the system with purified recombinant antigen. Results in antigen-overexpressing cells were promising although further optimization will be required. Because this strategy results in high-affinity targeting with a bipartite molecule that has considerably lower molecular weight than an antibody, this technology is potentially useful for diverse applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroki Akiba
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kensuke Takayanagi
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan
| | - Osamu Kusano-Arai
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8904, Japan
| | - Hiroko Iwanari
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8904, Japan
| | - Takao Hamakubo
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 153-8904, Japan.,Department of Protein-protein Interaction Research, Institute for Advanced Medical Sciences, Nippon Medical School, 1-396 Kosugimachi, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki, 211-8533, Japan
| | - Kouhei Tsumoto
- Center for Drug Design Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, 7-6-8 Saito-Asagi, Ibaraki, Osaka, 567-0085, Japan.,Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8656, Japan.,Medical Proteomics Laboratory, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, 4-6-1 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
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36
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de Jong RM, Tebeje SK, Meerstein‐Kessel L, Tadesse FG, Jore MM, Stone W, Bousema T. Immunity against sexual stage Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasites. Immunol Rev 2020; 293:190-215. [PMID: 31840844 PMCID: PMC6973022 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The efficient spread of malaria from infected humans to mosquitoes is a major challenge for malaria elimination initiatives. Gametocytes are the only Plasmodium life stage infectious to mosquitoes. Here, we summarize evidence for naturally acquired anti-gametocyte immunity and the current state of transmission blocking vaccines (TBV). Although gametocytes are intra-erythrocytic when present in infected humans, developing Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes may express proteins on the surface of red blood cells that elicit immune responses in naturally exposed individuals. This immune response may reduce the burden of circulating gametocytes. For both P. falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, there is a solid evidence that antibodies against antigens present on the gametocyte surface, when co-ingested with gametocytes, can influence transmission to mosquitoes. Transmission reducing immunity, reducing the burden of infection in mosquitoes, is a well-acknowledged but poorly quantified phenomenon that forms the basis for the development of TBV. Transmission enhancing immunity, increasing the likelihood or intensity of transmission to mosquitoes, is more speculative in nature but is convincingly demonstrated for P. vivax. With the increased interest in malaria elimination, TBV and monoclonal antibodies have moved to the center stage of malaria vaccine development. Methodologies to prioritize and evaluate products are urgently needed.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Blocking/immunology
- Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology
- Host-Parasite Interactions/immunology
- Humans
- Immunity
- Immunomodulation
- Life Cycle Stages
- Malaria Vaccines/immunology
- Malaria, Falciparum/immunology
- Malaria, Falciparum/parasitology
- Malaria, Falciparum/prevention & control
- Malaria, Falciparum/transmission
- Malaria, Vivax/immunology
- Malaria, Vivax/parasitology
- Malaria, Vivax/prevention & control
- Malaria, Vivax/transmission
- Plasmodium falciparum/growth & development
- Plasmodium falciparum/immunology
- Plasmodium vivax/growth & development
- Plasmodium vivax/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Roos M. de Jong
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | | | - Lisette Meerstein‐Kessel
- Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Centre for Molecular and Biomolecular InformaticsRadboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Fitsum G. Tadesse
- Armauer Hansen Research InstituteAddis AbabaEthiopia
- Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Matthijs M. Jore
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
| | - Will Stone
- Department of Immunology and InfectionLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
| | - Teun Bousema
- Radboud Institute for Health SciencesRadboud University Medical CenterNijmegenThe Netherlands
- Department of Immunology and InfectionLondon School of Hygiene and Tropical MedicineLondonUK
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37
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Angrisano F, Sala KA, Tapanelli S, Christophides GK, Blagborough AM. Male-Specific Protein Disulphide Isomerase Function is Essential for Plasmodium Transmission and a Vulnerable Target for Intervention. Sci Rep 2019; 9:18300. [PMID: 31797966 PMCID: PMC6892906 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54613-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibiting transmission of Plasmodium is an essential strategy in malaria eradication, and the biological process of gamete fusion during fertilization is a proven target for this approach. Lack of knowledge of the mechanisms underlying fertilization have been a hindrance in the development of transmission-blocking interventions. Here we describe a protein disulphide isomerase essential for malarial transmission (PDI-Trans/PBANKA_0820300) to the mosquito. We show that PDI-Trans activity is male-specific, surface-expressed, essential for fertilization/transmission, and exhibits disulphide isomerase activity which is up-regulated post-gamete activation. We demonstrate that PDI-Trans is a viable anti-malarial drug and vaccine target blocking malarial transmission with the use of PDI inhibitor bacitracin (98.21%/92.48% reduction in intensity/prevalence), and anti-PDI-Trans antibodies (66.22%/33.16% reduction in intensity/prevalence). To our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence that PDI function is essential for malarial transmission, and emphasize the potential of anti-PDI agents to act as anti-malarials, facilitating the future development of novel transmission-blocking interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiona Angrisano
- Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, United Kingdom
| | - Katarzyna A Sala
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Sofia Tapanelli
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - George K Christophides
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew M Blagborough
- Division of Microbiology and Parasitology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, United Kingdom. .,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom.
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38
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Yenkoidiok-Douti L, Williams AE, Canepa GE, Molina-Cruz A, Barillas-Mury C. Engineering a Virus-Like Particle as an Antigenic Platform for a Pfs47-Targeted Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16833. [PMID: 31727945 PMCID: PMC6856133 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53208-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently characterized Pfs47, a protein expressed on the surface of sexual stages and ookinetes of Plasmodium falciparum, as a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) target. Mice immunization induced antibodies that conferred strong transmission-reducing activity (TRA) at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. Here, we sought to optimize the Pfs47 vaccine to elicit higher titers of high-affinity antibodies, capable of inducing strong TRA at a lower concentration. We report the development and evaluation of a Pfs47-based virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine generated by conjugating our 58 amino acid Pfs47 antigen to Acinetobacter phage AP205-VLP using the SpyCatcher:SpyTag adaptor system. AP205-Pfs47 complexes (VLP-P47) formed particles of ~22 nm diameter that reacted with polyclonal anti-Pfs47 antibodies, indicating that the antigen was accessible on the surface of the particle. Mice immunized with VLP-P47 followed by a boost with Pfs47 monomer induced significantly higher antibody titers, with higher binding affinity to Pfs47, than mice that received two immunizations with either VLP-P47 (VLP-P47/VLP-P47) or the Pfs47 monomer (P47/P47). Purified IgG from VLP-P47/P47 mice had strong TRA (83-98%) at concentrations as low as 5 μg/mL. These results indicate that conjugating the Pfs47 antigen to AP205-VLP significantly enhanced antigenicity and confirm the potential of Pfs47 as a TBV candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lampouguin Yenkoidiok-Douti
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA.,Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Adeline E Williams
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Gaspar E Canepa
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Alvaro Molina-Cruz
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
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39
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Prospects for Malaria Vaccines: Pre-Erythrocytic Stages, Blood Stages, and Transmission-Blocking Stages. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:9751471. [PMID: 31687404 PMCID: PMC6794966 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9751471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Malaria is a disease of public health importance in many parts of the world. Currently, there is no effective way to eradicate malaria, so developing safe, efficient, and cost-effective vaccines against this disease remains an important goal. Current research on malaria vaccines is focused on developing vaccines against pre-erythrocytic stage parasites and blood-stage parasites or on developing a transmission-blocking vaccine. Here, we briefly describe the progress made towards a vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, the most pathogenic of the malaria parasite species to infect humans.
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40
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Surface display of classical swine fever virus E2 glycoprotein on gram-positive enhancer matrix (GEM) particles via the SpyTag/SpyCatcher system. Protein Expr Purif 2019; 167:105526. [PMID: 31689499 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2019.105526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
The E2 envelope protein is the main protective antigen of classical swine fever virus (CSFV). Importantly, gram-positive enhancer matrix (GEM) particles can work as an immunostimulant and/or carrier system to improve the immune effect of antigens. In this study, the artificially designed E2-Spy was expressed and glycosylated in Pichia pastoris, and subsequently conjugated with SpyCatcher-PA which was expressed in Escherichia coli. The conjugated E2-Spy-PA was displayed on the surface of GEM particles, generating the E2-Spy-PA-GEM complex. Blocking ELISA analysis and neutralization assays showed that both E2-Spy and E2-Spy-PA-GEM complexes induced high levels of anti-CSFV antibodies in mice. Furthermore, statistical analyses indicated that the E2-Spy-PA-GEM complex exhibited enhanced immunogenicity compared with E2-Spy alone.
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41
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Miura K, Tachibana M, Takashima E, Morita M, Kanoi BN, Nagaoka H, Baba M, Torii M, Ishino T, Tsuboi T. Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines: wheat germ cell-free technology can accelerate vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2019; 18:1017-1027. [PMID: 31566026 PMCID: PMC11000147 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2019.1674145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Highly effective malaria vaccines are essential component toward malaria elimination. Although the leading malaria vaccine, RTS,S/AS01, with modest efficacy is being evaluated in a pilot feasibility trial, development of a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) could make a major contribution toward malaria elimination. Only a few TBV antigens have reached pre-clinical or clinical development but with several challenges including difficulties in the expression of malaria recombinant proteins and low immunogenicity in humans. Therefore, novel approaches to accelerate TBV research to preclinical development are critical to generate an efficacious TBV.Areas covered: PubMed was searched to review the progress and future prospects of malaria TBV research and development. We also reviewed registered trials at ClinicalTrials.gov as well as post-genome TBV candidate discovery research including our efforts.Expert opinion: Wheat germ cell-free protein synthesis technology can accelerate TBV development by overcoming some current challenges of TBV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Bernard N Kanoi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Hikaru Nagaoka
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Minami Baba
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Japan
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Japan
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42
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Kim H, Choi H, Bae Y, Kang S. Development of target‐tunable P22 VLP‐based delivery nanoplatforms using bacterial superglue. Biotechnol Bioeng 2019; 116:2843-2851. [DOI: 10.1002/bit.27129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hansol Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life SciencesUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan Korea
| | - Hyukjun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life SciencesUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan Korea
| | - Yoonji Bae
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life SciencesUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan Korea
| | - Sebyung Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Life SciencesUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) Ulsan Korea
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43
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Outer membrane protein complex as a carrier for malaria transmission blocking antigen Pfs230. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:24. [PMID: 31312527 PMCID: PMC6614402 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0121-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) target the mosquito stage of parasite development by passive immunization of mosquitoes feeding on a vaccinated human. Through uptake of vaccine-induced antibodies in a blood meal, mosquito infection is halted and hence transmission to another human host is blocked. Pfs230 is a gametocyte and gamete surface antigen currently under clinical evaluation as a TBV candidate. We have previously shown that chemical conjugation of poorly immunogenic TBV antigens to Exoprotein A (EPA) can enhance their immunogenicity. Here, we assessed Outer Membrane Protein Complex (OMPC), a membrane vesicle derived from Neisseria meningitidis, as a carrier for Pfs230. We prepared Pfs230-OMPC conjugates with varying levels of antigen load and examined immunogenicity in mice. Chemical conjugation of Pfs230 to OMPC enhanced immunogenicity and functional activity of the Pfs230 antigen, and OMPC conjugates achieved 2-fold to 20-fold higher antibody titers than Pfs230-EPA/AdjuPhos® at different doses. OMPC conjugates were highly immunogenic even at low doses, indicating a dose-sparing effect. EPA conjugates induced an IgG subclass profile biased towards a Th2 response, whereas OMPC conjugates induced a strong Th1-biased immune response with high levels of IgG2, which can benefit Pfs230 antibody functional activity, which depends on complement activation. OMPC is a promising carrier for Pfs230 vaccines. Malaria transmission blocking vaccines (TBV) target Plasmodium stages that transmit between human and mosquitos in order to interrupt the parasite’s life cycle and reduce spread. One TBV antigen currently under clinical development is Pf230, which is expressed on sexual Plasmodium stages. In this study, led by Patrick Duffy from the NIAID, researchers improve immunogenicity of Pf230. They chemically conjugate a part of Pf230 to membrane vesicles derived from bacteria, so-called outer membrane protein complexes (OMPC). Immunization of mice with Pf230-OMPC elicits a higher antibody response and a more balanced IgG subclass profile than control immunizations. Serum from Pf230-OMPC-vaccinated mice efficiently blocks infection of mosquitoes. These results with mice encourage further pre-clinical and clinical characterization of OMPC as a carrier for TBV antigens.
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44
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Syomin BV, Ilyin YV. Virus-Like Particles as an Instrument of Vaccine Production. Mol Biol 2019; 53:323-334. [PMID: 32214478 PMCID: PMC7088979 DOI: 10.1134/s0026893319030154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The paper discusses the techniques which are currently implemented for vaccine production based on virus-like particles (VLPs). The factors which determine the characteristics of VLP monomers assembly are provided in detail. Analysis of the literature demonstrates that the development of the techniques of VLP production and immobilization of target antigens on their surface have led to the development of universal platforms which make it possible for virtually any known antigen to be exposed on the particle surface in a highly concentrated form. As a result, the focus of attention has shifted from the approaches to VLP production to the development of a precise interface between the organism's immune system and the peptides inducing a strong immune response to pathogens or the organism's own pathological cells. Immunome-specified methods for vaccine design and the prospects of immunoprophylaxis are discussed. Certain examples of vaccines against viral diseases and cancers are considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. V. Syomin
- Institute for Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge (ISSEK),
National Research University Higher School of Economics, 101000 Moscow, Russia
| | - Y. V. Ilyin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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45
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Singh SK, Thrane S, Chourasia BK, Teelen K, Graumans W, Stoter R, van Gemert GJ, van de Vegte-Bolmer MG, Nielsen MA, Salanti A, Sander AF, Sauerwein RW, Jore MM, Theisen M. Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 Fusion Proteins Elicit Strong Transmission-Blocking Antibody Responses Against Plasmodium falciparum. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1256. [PMID: 31231386 PMCID: PMC6560166 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Plasmodium falciparum Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 proteins are expressed during transmission from man to mosquito and are leading candidates for a malaria transmission blocking vaccine. Individually they generate transmission blocking (TB) antibodies in rodent models. Whether the single protein vaccines are suitable to use in field settings will primarily depend on their potency to elicit functional antibodies. We hypothesized that a combination of both proteins will be more potent than each protein individually. Therefore we designed chimeric proteins composed of fragments of both Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 as well as single protein fragments, and expressed these in Lactoccus lactis. Both the individual Pfs230 and Pfs48/45 fragments and chimeras elicited high levels of functional antibodies in mice. Importantly, one of the chimeric proteins elicited over threefold higher transmission blocking antibody responses than the single antigens alone. Furthermore the immunogenicity of one of the chimeras could be enhanced through coupling to a virus-like particle (VLP). Altogether these data support further clinical development of these novel constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susheel K Singh
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Susan Thrane
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bishwanath K Chourasia
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Karina Teelen
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Graumans
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Rianne Stoter
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | | | - Morten A Nielsen
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ali Salanti
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Adam F Sander
- Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Michael Theisen
- Department for Congenital Disorders, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Centre for Medical Parasitology at Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen and Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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46
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Janitzek CM, Peabody J, Thrane S, H R Carlsen P, G Theander T, Salanti A, Chackerian B, A Nielsen M, Sander AF. A proof-of-concept study for the design of a VLP-based combinatorial HPV and placental malaria vaccine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5260. [PMID: 30918267 PMCID: PMC6437161 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41522-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In Africa, cervical cancer and placental malaria (PM) are a major public health concern. There is currently no available PM vaccine and the marketed Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines are prohibitively expensive. The idea of a combinatorial HPV and PM vaccine is attractive because the target population for vaccination against both diseases, adolescent girls, would be overlapping in Sub-Saharan Africa. Here we demonstrate proof-of-concept for a combinatorial vaccine utilizing the AP205 capsid-based virus-like particle (VLP) designed to simultaneously display two clinically relevant antigens (the HPV RG1 epitope and the VAR2CSA PM antigen). Three distinct combinatorial VLPs were produced displaying one, two or five concatenated RG1 epitopes without obstructing the VLP’s capacity to form. Co-display of VAR2CSA was achieved through a split-protein Tag/Catcher interaction without hampering the vaccine stability. Vaccination with the combinatorial vaccine(s) was able to reduce HPV infection in vivo and induce anti-VAR2CSA IgG antibodies, which inhibited binding between native VAR2CSA expressed on infected red blood cells and chondroitin sulfate A in an in vitro binding-inhibition assay. These results show that the Tag/Catcher AP205 VLP system can be exploited to make a combinatorial vaccine capable of eliciting antibodies with dual specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Julianne Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, USA
| | - 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
| | - Philip H R Carlsen
- 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
| | - Bryce Chackerian
- Department of Molecular Genetics & Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, 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
| | - 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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Andersson AMC, Buldun CM, Pattinson DJ, Draper SJ, Howarth M. SnoopLigase peptide-peptide conjugation enables modular vaccine assembly. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4625. [PMID: 30874593 PMCID: PMC6420506 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40985-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
For many infectious diseases there is still no vaccine, even though potential protective antigens have been identified. Suitable platforms and conjugation routes are urgently needed to convert the promise of such antigens into broadly protective and scalable vaccines. Here we apply a newly established peptide-peptide ligation approach, SnoopLigase, for specific and irreversible coupling of antigens onto an oligomerization platform. SnoopLigase was engineered from a Streptococcus pneumoniae adhesin and enables isopeptide bond formation between two peptide tags: DogTag and SnoopTagJr. We expressed in bacteria DogTag linked to the self-assembling coiled-coil nanoparticle IMX313. This platform was stable over months at 37 °C when lyophilized, remaining reactive even after boiling. IMX-DogTag was efficiently coupled to two blood-stage malarial proteins (from PfEMP1 or CyRPA), with SnoopTagJr fused at the N- or C-terminus. We also showed SnoopLigase-mediated coupling of a telomerase peptide relevant to cancer immunotherapy. SnoopLigase-mediated nanoassembly enhanced the antibody response to both malaria antigens in a prime-boost model. Including or depleting SnoopLigase from the conjugate had little effect on the antibody response to the malarial antigens. SnoopLigase decoration represents a promising and accessible strategy for modular plug-and-display vaccine assembly, as well as providing opportunities for robust nanoconstruction in synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Can M Buldun
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK
| | | | - Simon J Draper
- Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Mark Howarth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QU, UK.
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Bermúdez-Méndez E, Fuglsang-Madsen A, Føns S, Lomonte B, Gutiérrez JM, Laustsen AH. Innovative Immunization Strategies for Antivenom Development. Toxins (Basel) 2018; 10:toxins10110452. [PMID: 30400220 PMCID: PMC6265855 DOI: 10.3390/toxins10110452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Snakes, scorpions, and spiders are venomous animals that pose a threat to human health, and severe envenomings from the bites or stings of these animals must be treated with antivenom. Current antivenoms are based on plasma-derived immunoglobulins or immunoglobulin fragments from hyper-immunized animals. Although these medicines have been life-saving for more than 120 years, opportunities to improve envenoming therapy exist. In the later decades, new biotechnological tools have been applied with the aim of improving the efficacy, safety, and affordability of antivenoms. Within the avenues explored, novel immunization strategies using synthetic peptide epitopes, recombinant toxins (or toxoids), or DNA strings as immunogens have demonstrated potential for generating antivenoms with high therapeutic antibody titers and broad neutralizing capacity. Furthermore, these approaches circumvent the need for venom in the production process of antivenoms, thereby limiting some of the complications associated with animal captivity and venom collection. Finally, an important benefit of innovative immunization approaches is that they are often compatible with existing antivenom manufacturing setups. In this review, we compile all reported studies examining venom-independent innovative immunization strategies for antivenom development. In addition, a brief description of toxin families of medical relevance found in snake, scorpion, and spider venoms is presented, as well as how biochemical, bioinformatic, and omics tools could aid the development of next-generation antivenoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Albert Fuglsang-Madsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200 København N, Denmark.
| | - Sofie Føns
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
| | - José María Gutiérrez
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado, Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José 11501-2060, Costa Rica.
| | - Andreas Hougaard Laustsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
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Antimalarial Transmission-Blocking Interventions: Past, Present, and Future. Trends Parasitol 2018; 34:735-746. [PMID: 30082147 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Malaria remains a major global health challenge. Appropriate use of current antimalarial tools has reduced the disease burden, but morbidity and mortality remain unacceptably high. It is widely accepted that, to achieve long-term control/eradication, it will be necessary to use interventions that inhibit the transmission of parasites to mosquitoes - these tools are termed transmission-blocking interventions (TBIs). This article aims to outline the rationale for the development of TBIs, with a focus on transmission-blocking drugs and (parasite-derived) transmission-blocking vaccines. We describe and summarise the current status of each of these intervention classes and attempt to identify future requirements in development, with a focus on the challenges of establishing each method within an integrated malarial control programme in the future.
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50
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Brune KD, Howarth M. New Routes and Opportunities for Modular Construction of Particulate Vaccines: Stick, Click, and Glue. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1432. [PMID: 29997617 PMCID: PMC6028521 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines based on virus-like particles (VLPs) can induce potent B cell responses. Some non-chimeric VLP-based vaccines are highly successful licensed products (e.g., hepatitis B surface antigen VLPs as a hepatitis B virus vaccine). Chimeric VLPs are designed to take advantage of the VLP framework by decorating the VLP with a different antigen. Despite decades of effort, there have been few licensed chimeric VLP vaccines. Classic approaches to create chimeric VLPs are either genetic fusion or chemical conjugation, using cross-linkers from lysine on the VLP to cysteine on the antigen. We describe the principles that make these classic approaches challenging, in particular for complex, full-length antigens bearing multiple post-translational modifications. We then review recent advances in conjugation approaches for protein-based non-enveloped VLPs or nanoparticles, to overcome such challenges. This includes the use of strong non-covalent assembly methods (stick), unnatural amino acids for bio-orthogonal chemistry (click), and spontaneous isopeptide bond formation by SpyTag/SpyCatcher (glue). Existing applications of these methods are outlined and we critically consider the key practical issues, with particular insight on Tag/Catcher plug-and-display decoration. Finally, we highlight the potential for modular particle decoration to accelerate vaccine generation and prepare for pandemic threats in human and veterinary realms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl D Brune
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Howarth
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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