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Miura K, Flores-Garcia Y, Long CA, Zavala F. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies: new tools for malaria control. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007123. [PMID: 38656211 PMCID: PMC11237600 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00071-23] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYMalaria remains one of the biggest health problems in the world. While significant reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality had been achieved from 2000 to 2015, the favorable trend has stalled, rather significant increases in malaria cases are seen in multiple areas. In 2022, there were 249 million estimated cases, and 608,000 malaria-related deaths, mostly in infants and children aged under 5 years, globally. Therefore, in addition to the expansion of existing anti-malarial control measures, it is critical to develop new tools, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), to fight malaria. In the last 2 years, the first and second malaria vaccines, both targeting Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins (PfCSP), have been recommended by the World Health Organization to prevent P. falciparum malaria in children living in moderate to high transmission areas. While the approval of the two malaria vaccines is a considerable milestone in vaccine development, they have much room for improvement in efficacy and durability. In addition to the two approved vaccines, recent clinical trials with mAbs against PfCSP, blood-stage vaccines against P. falciparum or P. vivax, and transmission-blocking vaccine or mAb against P. falciparum have shown promising results. This review summarizes the development of the anti-PfCSP vaccines and mAbs, and recent topics in the blood- and transmission-blocking-stage vaccine candidates and mAbs. We further discuss issues of the current vaccines and the directions for the development of next-generation vaccines.
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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, Maryland, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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2
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Bansal GP, Kumar N. Immune mechanisms targeting malaria transmission: opportunities for vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2024; 23:645-654. [PMID: 38888098 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2024.2369583] [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: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Malaria continues to remain a major global health problem with nearly a quarter of a billion clinical cases and more than 600,000 deaths in 2022. There has been significant progress toward vaccine development, however, poor efficacy of approved vaccines requiring multiple immunizing doses emphasizes the need for continued efforts toward improved vaccines. Progress to date, nonetheless, has provided impetus for malaria elimination. AREAS COVERED In this review we will focus on diverse immune mechanisms targeting gametocytes in the human host and gametocyte-mediated malaria transmission via the mosquito vector. EXPERT OPINION To march toward the goal of malaria elimination it will be critical to target the process of malaria transmission by mosquitoes, mediated exclusively by the sexual stages, i.e. male, and female gametocytes, ingested from infected vertebrate host. Studies over several decades have established antigens in the parasite sexual stages developing in the mosquito midgut as attractive targets for the development of transmission blocking vaccines (TBVs). Immune clearance of gametocytes in the vertebrate host can synergize with TBVs and directly aid in maintaining effective transmission reducing immune potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetha P Bansal
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
- Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, The Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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3
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Pfotenhauer AC, Reuter DN, Clark M, Harbison SA, Schimel TM, Stewart CN, Lenaghan SC. Development of new binary expression systems for plant synthetic biology. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 43:22. [PMID: 38150091 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE A novel plant binary expression system was developed from the compactin biosynthetic pathway 27 of Penicillium citrinum ML-236B. The system achieved >fivefold activation of gene expression in 28 transgenic tobacco. A diverse and well-characterized genetic toolset is fundamental to achieve the overall goals of plant synthetic biology. To properly coordinate expression of a multigene pathway, this toolset should include binary systems that control gene expression at the level of transcription. In plants, few highly functional, orthogonal transcriptional regulators have been identified. Here, we describe the process of developing synthetic plant transcription factors using regulatory elements from the Penicillium citrinum ML-236B (compactin) pathway. This pathway contains several genes including mlcA and mlcC that are transcriptionally regulated in a dose-dependent manner by the activator mlcR. In Nicotiana benthamiana, we first expressed mlcR with several cognate synthetic promoters driving expression of GFP. Synthetic promoters contained operator sequences from the compactin gene cluster. Following identification of the most active synthetic promoter, the DNA-binding domain from mlcR was used to generate chimeric transcription factors containing variable activation domains, including QF from the Neurospora crassa Q-system. Activity was measured at both protein and RNA levels which correlated with an R2 value of 0.94. A synthetic transcription factor with a QF activation domain increased gene expression from its synthetic promoter up to sixfold in N. benthamiana. Two systems were characterized in transgenic tobacco plants. The QF-based plants maintained high expression in tobacco, increasing expression from the cognate synthetic promoter by fivefold. Transgenic plants and non-transgenic plants were morphologically indistinguishable. The framework of this study can easily be adopted for other putative transcription factors to continue improvement of the plant synthetic biology toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Pfotenhauer
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - D Nikki Reuter
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Mikayla Clark
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Stacee A Harbison
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Tayler M Schimel
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - C Neal Stewart
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
- Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Scott C Lenaghan
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
- Department of Food Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA.
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4
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Abstract
Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. Despite significant declines in malaria-attributable morbidity and mortality over the last two decades, it remains a major public health burden in many countries. This underscores the critical need for improved strategies to prevent, treat and control malaria if we are to ultimately progress towards the eradication of this disease. Ideally, this will include the development and deployment of a highly effective malaria vaccine that is able to induce long-lasting protective immunity. There are many malaria vaccine candidates in development, with more than a dozen of these in clinical development. RTS,S/AS01 (also known as Mosquirix) is the most advanced malaria vaccine and was shown to have modest efficacy against clinical malaria in phase III trials in 5- to 17-month-old infants. Following pilot implementation trials, the World Health Organisation has recommended it for use in Africa in young children who are most at risk of infection with P. falciparum, the deadliest of the human malaria parasites. It is well recognised that more effective malaria vaccines are needed. In this review, we discuss malaria vaccine candidates that have progressed into clinical evaluation and highlight the most advanced candidates: Sanaria's irradiated sporozoite vaccine (PfSPZ Vaccine), the chemoattenuated sporozoite vaccine (PfSPZ-CVac), RTS,S/AS01 and the novel malaria vaccine candidate, R21, which displayed promising, high-level efficacy in a recent small phase IIb trial in Africa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle I Stanisic
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia.
| | - Michael F Good
- Institute for Glycomics, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, QLD, Australia.
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5
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Wang Y, Demirer GS. Synthetic biology for plant genetic engineering and molecular farming. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:1182-1198. [PMID: 37012119 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
Many efforts have been put into engineering plants to improve crop yields and stress tolerance and boost the bioproduction of valuable molecules. Yet, our capabilities are still limited due to the lack of well-characterized genetic building blocks and resources for precise manipulation and given the inherently challenging properties of plant tissues. Advancements in plant synthetic biology can overcome these bottlenecks and release the full potential of engineered plants. In this review, we first discuss the recently developed plant synthetic elements from single parts to advanced circuits, software, and hardware tools expediting the engineering cycle. Next, we survey the advancements in plant biotechnology enabled by these recent resources. We conclude the review with outstanding challenges and future directions of plant synthetic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunqing Wang
- Department of Bioengineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Gozde S Demirer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
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6
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Nikitin N, Vasiliev Y, Kovalenko A, Ryabchevskaya E, Kondakova O, Evtushenko E, Karpova O. Plant Viruses as Adjuvants for Next-Generation Vaccines and Immunotherapy. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1372. [PMID: 37631940 PMCID: PMC10458565 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are the cornerstone of infectious disease control and prevention. The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has confirmed the urgent need for a new approach to the design of novel vaccines. Plant viruses and their derivatives are being used increasingly for the development of new medical and biotechnological applications, and this is reflected in a number of preclinical and clinical studies. Plant viruses have a unique combination of features (biosafety, low reactogenicity, inexpensiveness and ease of production, etc.), which determine their potential. This review presents the latest data on the use of plant viruses with different types of symmetry as vaccine components and adjuvants in cancer immunotherapy. The discussion concludes that the most promising approaches might be those that use structurally modified plant viruses (spherical particles) obtained from the Tobacco mosaic virus. These particles combine high adsorption properties (as a carrier) with strong immunogenicity, as has been confirmed using various antigens in animal models. According to current research, it is evident that plant viruses have great potential for application in the development of vaccines and in cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolai Nikitin
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | | | - Angelina Kovalenko
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Ryabchevskaya
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Olga Kondakova
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Evtushenko
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
| | - Olga Karpova
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119234, Russia
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7
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Shukla N, Tang WK, Coelho CH, Long CA, Healy SA, Sagara I, Miura K, Duffy PE, Tolia NH. A human antibody epitope map of the malaria vaccine antigen Pfs25. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:108. [PMID: 37542029 PMCID: PMC10403551 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00712-z] [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: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Pfs25 is a leading antigen for a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine and shows moderate transmission-blocking activity and induction of rapidly decreasing antibody titers in clinical trials. A comprehensive definition of all transmission-reducing epitopes of Pfs25 will inform structure-guided design to enhance Pfs25-based vaccines, leading to potent transmission-blocking activity. Here, we compiled a detailed human antibody epitope map comprising epitope binning data and structures of multiple human monoclonal antibodies, including three new crystal structures of Pfs25 in complex with transmission-reducing antibodies from Malian volunteers immunized with Pfs25 conjugated to EPA and adjuvanted with AS01. These structures revealed additional epitopes in Pfs25 capable of reducing transmission and expanded this characterization to malaria-exposed humans. This work informs immunogen design to focus the antibody response to transmission-reducing epitopes of Pfs25, enabling development of more potent transmission-blocking vaccines for malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niharika Shukla
- 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, USA
| | - Wai Kwan Tang
- 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, USA
| | - Camila H Coelho
- Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VARPP), Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Sara A Healy
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Issaka Sagara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technology, Bamako, Mali
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Patrick E Duffy
- Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, 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, USA.
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8
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Kheirvari M, Liu H, Tumban E. Virus-like Particle Vaccines and Platforms for Vaccine Development. Viruses 2023; 15:1109. [PMID: 37243195 PMCID: PMC10223759 DOI: 10.3390/v15051109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) have gained a lot of interest within the past two decades. The use of VLP-based vaccines to protect against three infectious agents-hepatitis B virus, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis E virus-has been approved; they are very efficacious and offer long-lasting immune responses. Besides these, VLPs from other viral infectious agents (that infect humans, animals, plants, and bacteria) are under development. These VLPs, especially those from human and animal viruses, serve as stand-alone vaccines to protect against viruses from which the VLPs were derived. Additionally, VLPs, including those derived from plant and bacterial viruses, serve as platforms upon which to display foreign peptide antigens from other infectious agents or metabolic diseases such as cancer, i.e., they can be used to develop chimeric VLPs. The goal of chimeric VLPs is to enhance the immunogenicity of foreign peptides displayed on VLPs and not necessarily the platforms. This review provides a summary of VLP vaccines for human and veterinary use that have been approved and those that are under development. Furthermore, this review summarizes chimeric VLP vaccines that have been developed and tested in pre-clinical studies. Finally, the review concludes with a snapshot of the advantages of VLP-based vaccines such as hybrid/mosaic VLPs over conventional vaccine approaches such as live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ebenezer Tumban
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
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9
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Siddiqui AJ, Bhardwaj J, Saxena J, Jahan S, Snoussi M, Bardakci F, Badraoui R, Adnan M. A Critical Review on Human Malaria and Schistosomiasis Vaccines: Current State, Recent Advancements, and Developments. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040792. [PMID: 37112704 PMCID: PMC10146311 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria and schistosomiasis are two major parasitic diseases that remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Co-infections of these two parasites are common in the tropics, where both diseases are endemic. The clinical consequences of schistosomiasis and malaria are determined by a variety of host, parasitic, and environmental variables. Chronic schistosomiasis causes malnutrition and cognitive impairments in children, while malaria can cause fatal acute infections. There are effective drugs available to treat malaria and schistosomiasis. However, the occurrence of allelic polymorphisms and the rapid selection of parasites with genetic mutations can confer reduced susceptibility and lead to the emergence of drug resistance. Moreover, the successful elimination and complete management of these parasites are difficult due to the lack of effective vaccines against Plasmodium and Schistosoma infections. Therefore, it is important to highlight all current vaccine candidates undergoing clinical trials, such as pre-erythrocytic and erythrocytic stage malaria, as well as a next-generation RTS,S-like vaccine, the R21/Matrix-M vaccine, that conferred 77% protection against clinical malaria in a Phase 2b trial. Moreover, this review also discusses the progress and development of schistosomiasis vaccines. Furthermore, significant information is provided through this review on the effectiveness and progress of schistosomiasis vaccines currently under clinical trials, such as Sh28GST, Sm-14, and Sm-p80. Overall, this review provides insights into recent progress in malarial and schistosomiasis vaccines and their developmental approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arif Jamal Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha’il, Ha’il P.O. Box 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jyoti Bhardwaj
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Juhi Saxena
- Department of Biotechnology, University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, NH-95, Ludhiana—Chandigarh State Hwy, Mohali 140413, India
| | - Sadaf Jahan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah 11952, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mejdi Snoussi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha’il, Ha’il P.O. Box 2440, Saudi Arabia
- Laboratory of Genetics, Biodiversity and Valorization of Bio-Resources (LR11ES41), Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, University of Monastir, Avenue TaharHaddas BP74, Monastir 5000, Tunisia
| | - Fevzi Bardakci
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha’il, Ha’il P.O. Box 2440, Saudi Arabia
| | - Riadh Badraoui
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha’il, Ha’il P.O. Box 2440, Saudi Arabia
- Section of Histology-Cytology, Medicine Faculty of Tunis, University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1017, Tunisia
| | - Mohd Adnan
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Ha’il, Ha’il P.O. Box 2440, Saudi Arabia
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10
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Wang X, Prokhnevsky AI, Skarjinskaia M, Razzak MA, Streatfield SJ, Lee J. Facilitating viral vector movement enhances heterologous protein production in an established plant system. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:635-645. [PMID: 36511837 PMCID: PMC9946140 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13977] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Molecular farming technology using transiently transformed Nicotiana plants offers an economical approach to the pharmaceutical industry to produce an array of protein targets including vaccine antigens and therapeutics. It can serve as a desirable alternative approach for those proteins that are challenging or too costly to produce in large quantities using other heterologous protein expression systems. However, since cost metrics are such a critical factor in selecting a production host, any system-wide modifications that can increase recombinant protein yields are key to further improving the platform and making it applicable for a wider range of target molecules. Here, we report on the development of a new approach to improve target accumulation in an established plant-based expression system that utilizes viral-based vectors to mediate transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana. We show that by engineering the host plant to support viral vectors to spread more effectively between host cells through plasmodesmata, protein target accumulation can be increased by up to approximately 60%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Wang
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesUniversity of DelawareDelawareNewarkUSA
- Present address:
Department of Plant Physiology and BiochemistryUniversity of HohenheimBaden‐WürttembergStuttgartGermany
| | | | - Marina Skarjinskaia
- Fraunhofer USA Inc.Center Mid‐Atlantic, Biotechnology DivisionDelawareNewarkUSA
| | - Md Abdur Razzak
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesUniversity of DelawareDelawareNewarkUSA
| | | | - Jung‐Youn Lee
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural ResourcesUniversity of DelawareDelawareNewarkUSA
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and SciencesUniversity of DelawareDelawareNewarkUSA
- Delaware Biotechnology InstituteUniversity of DelawareDelawareNewarkUSA
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11
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Tang WK, Coelho CH, Miura K, Nguemwo Tentokam BC, Salinas ND, Narum DL, Healy SA, Sagara I, Long CA, Duffy PE, Tolia NH. A human antibody epitope map of Pfs230D1 derived from analysis of individuals vaccinated with a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine. Immunity 2023; 56:433-443.e5. [PMID: 36792576 PMCID: PMC9989938 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Pfs230 domain 1 (Pfs230D1) is an advanced malaria transmission-blocking vaccine antigen demonstrating high functional activity in clinical trials. However, the structural and functional correlates of transmission-blocking activity are not defined. Here, we characterized a panel of human monoclonal antibodies (hmAbs) elicited in vaccinees immunized with Pfs230D1. These hmAbs exhibited diverse transmission-reducing activity, yet all bound to Pfs230D1 with nanomolar affinity. We compiled epitope-binning data for seventeen hmAbs and structures of nine hmAbs complexes to construct a high-resolution epitope map and revealed that potent transmission-reducing hmAbs bound to one face of Pfs230D1, while non-potent hmAbs bound to the opposing side. The structure of Pfs230D1D2 revealed that non-potent transmission-reducing epitopes were occluded by the second domain. The hmAb epitope map delineated binary hmAb combinations that synergized for extremely high-potency, transmission-reducing activity. This work provides a high-resolution guide for structure-based design of enhanced immunogens and informs diagnostics that measure the transmission-reducing response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wai Kwan Tang
- 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
| | - Camila H Coelho
- Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Bergeline C Nguemwo Tentokam
- Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - 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
| | - David L Narum
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Sara A Healy
- Vaccine Development Unit, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Issaka Sagara
- Malaria Research and Training Center, University of Sciences, Techniques, and Technology, Bamako, Mali
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Patrick E Duffy
- Pathogenesis and Immunity Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; 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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12
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Tottey S, Shoji Y, Mark Jones R, Musiychuk K, Chichester JA, Miura K, Zhou L, Lee SM, Plieskatt J, Wu Y, Long CA, Streatfield SJ, Yusibov V. Engineering of a plant-produced virus-like particle to improve the display of the Plasmodium falciparum Pfs25 antigen and transmission-blocking activity of the vaccine candidate. Vaccine 2023; 41:938-944. [PMID: 36585278 PMCID: PMC9888754 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.12.048] [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: 05/02/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Malaria kills around 409,000 people a year, mostly children under the age of five. Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines work to reduce malaria prevalence in a community and have the potential to be part of a multifaceted approach required to eliminate the parasites causing the disease. Pfs25 is a leading malaria transmission-blocking antigen and has been successfully produced in a plant expression system as both a subunit vaccine and as a virus-like particle. This study demonstrates an improved version of the virus-like particle antigen display molecule by eliminating known protease sites from the prior A85 variant. This re-engineered molecule, termed B29, displays three times the number of Pfs25 antigens per virus-like particle compared to the original Pfs25 virus-like particle. An improved purification scheme was also developed, resulting in a substantially higher yield and improved purity. The molecule was evaluated in a mouse model and found to induce improved transmission-blocking activity at lower doses and longer durations than the original molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Tottey
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Yoko Shoji
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - R Mark Jones
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Konstantin Musiychuk
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
| | - Jessica A Chichester
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, 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
| | - Luwen Zhou
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Shwu-Maan Lee
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | | | - Yimin Wu
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 12735 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Stephen J Streatfield
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA.
| | - Vidadi Yusibov
- Fraunhofer USA Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9 Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19711, USA
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13
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Malaria Vaccines. Infect Dis (Lond) 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2463-0_536] [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: 02/10/2023] Open
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14
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Mathew M, Thomas J. Tobacco-Based Vaccines, Hopes, and Concerns: A Systematic Review. Mol Biotechnol 2022:10.1007/s12033-022-00627-5. [PMID: 36528727 PMCID: PMC9759281 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-022-00627-5] [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: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases have vigorously devastated the global economy and health sector; cost-effective plant-based vaccines (PBV) can be the potential solution to withstand the current health economic crisis. The prominent role of tobacco as an efficient expression system for PBV has been well-established for decades, through this review we highlight the importance of tobacco-based vaccines (TBV) against evolving infectious diseases in humans. Studies focusing on the use of TBV for human infectious diseases were searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, and science direct from 1995 to 2021 using the keywords Tobacco-based vaccines OR transgenic tobacco OR Nicotiana benthamiana vaccines AND Infectious diseases or communicable diseases. We carried out a critical review of the articles and studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. Of 976 studies identified, only 63 studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria were included, which focused on either the in vitro, in vivo, or clinical studies on TBV for human infectious diseases. Around 43 in vitro studies of 23 different infectious pathogens expressed in tobacco-based systems were identified and 23 in vivo analysis studies were recognized to check the immunogenicity of vaccine candidates while only 10 of these were subjected to clinical trials. Viral infectious pathogens were studied more than bacterial pathogens. From our review, it was evident that TBV can be an effective health strategy to combat the emerging viral infectious diseases which are very difficult to manage with the current health facilities. The timely administration of cost-effective TBV can prevent the outburst of viral infections, thereby can protect the global healthcare system to a greater extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mintu Mathew
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi, Kerala India
| | - Jaya Thomas
- Department of Pharmacology, Amrita School of Pharmacy, Kochi, Kerala India
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15
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Hayashi CTH, Cao Y, Clark LC, Tripathi AK, Zavala F, Dwivedi G, Knox J, Alameh MG, Lin PJC, Tam YK, Weissman D, Kumar N. mRNA-LNP expressing PfCSP and Pfs25 vaccine candidates targeting infection and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:155. [PMID: 36456563 PMCID: PMC9715627 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00577-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly disease responsible for between 550,000 and 627,000 deaths annually. There is a pressing need to develop vaccines focused on malaria elimination. The complex lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum provides opportunities not only to target the infectious sporozoite stage, introduced by anopheline mosquitoes, but also the sexual stages, which are ingested by mosquitoes during blood feeding, leading to parasite transmission. It is widely recognized that a vaccine targeting multiple stages would induce efficacious transmission reducing immunity. Technological advancements offer new vaccine platforms, such as mRNA-LNPs, which can be used to develop highly effective malarial vaccines. We evaluated the immunogenicity of two leading P. falciparum vaccine candidates, Pfs25 and PfCSP, delivered as mRNA-LNP vaccines. Both vaccines induced extremely potent immune responses when administered alone or in combination, which were superior to Pfs25 and PfCSP DNA vaccine formulations. Purified IgGs from Pfs25 mRNA-LNPs immunized mice were highly potent in reducing malaria transmission to mosquitoes. Additionally, mice after three and four immunizations with PfCSP mRNA-LNP provided evidence for varying degrees of protection against sporozoite challenge. The comparison of immune responses and stage-specific functional activity induced by each mRNA-LNP vaccine, administered alone or in combination, also supports the development of an effective combination vaccine without any risk of immune interference for targeting malaria parasites at various life cycle stages. A combination of vaccines targeting both the infective stage and sexual/midgut stages is expected to interrupt malaria transmission, which is critical for achieving elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford T H Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Yi Cao
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Leor C Clark
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Abhai K Tripathi
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA
| | - Garima Dwivedi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - James Knox
- Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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16
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Structural analysis of Plasmodium falciparum ookinete surface antigen Pfs28 relevant for malaria vaccine design. Sci Rep 2022; 12:19556. [PMID: 36379968 PMCID: PMC9664031 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-24054-3] [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: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Pfs28 is a Plasmodium falciparum malaria transmission-blocking vaccine candidate that is anchored to the parasite surface through a C-terminal glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) moiety, and plays a role in parasite survival in the mosquito midgut. Pfs28 contains epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and is part of a family of sexual stage malaria proteins that includes the related vaccine antigen Pfs25. The lack of structural definition of Pfs28 and the immune response to this candidate has limited further malaria vaccine development for this antigen. Here, we present the crystal structure of Pfs28, examine its conservation with P. vivax Pvs28, and evaluate the cross-reactivity of Pfs28 to antibodies that recognize Pfs25. Pfs28 is comprised of four EGF-like domains stabilized by ten disulfide bridges with an overall architecture that highly resembles Pfs25. Despite the high sequence and structural similarity between these antigens, no cross reactivity of Pfs28 to anti-Pfs25 monoclonal antibodies could be demonstrated.
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17
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Kulshreshtha A, Sharma S, Padilla CS, Mandadi KK. Plant-based expression platforms to produce high-value metabolites and proteins. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1043478. [PMID: 36426139 PMCID: PMC9679013 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1043478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plant-based heterologous expression systems can be leveraged to produce high-value therapeutics, industrially important proteins, metabolites, and bioproducts. The production can be scaled up, free from pathogen contamination, and offer post-translational modifications to synthesize complex proteins. With advancements in molecular techniques, transgenics, CRISPR/Cas9 system, plant cell, tissue, and organ culture, significant progress has been made to increase the expression of recombinant proteins and important metabolites in plants. Methods are also available to stabilize RNA transcripts, optimize protein translation, engineer proteins for their stability, and target proteins to subcellular locations best suited for their accumulation. This mini-review focuses on recent advancements to enhance the production of high-value metabolites and proteins necessary for therapeutic applications using plants as bio-factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Kulshreshtha
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Weslaco, TX, United States
| | - Shweta Sharma
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Dr. GCN College of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, Palampur, India
| | - Carmen S. Padilla
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Weslaco, TX, United States
| | - Kranthi K. Mandadi
- Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Weslaco, TX, United States
- Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, United States
- Institute for Advancing Health Through Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife, College Station, TX, United States
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18
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Iyori M, Blagborough AM, Mizuno T, Abe YI, Nagaoka M, Hori N, Yamagoshi I, Da DF, Gregory WF, Hasyim AA, Yamamoto Y, Sakamoto A, Yoshida K, Mizukami H, Shida H, Yoshida S. Sterile protection and transmission blockade by a multistage anti-malarial vaccine in the pre-clinical study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1005476. [PMID: 36248835 PMCID: PMC9558734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1005476] [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: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap 2013 (World Health Organization) aims to develop safe and effective vaccines by 2030 that will offer at least 75% protective efficacy against clinical malaria and reduce parasite transmission. Here, we demonstrate a highly effective multistage vaccine against both the pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum that protects and reduces transmission in a murine model. The vaccine is based on a viral-vectored vaccine platform, comprising a highly-attenuated vaccinia virus strain, LC16m8Δ (m8Δ), a genetically stable variant of a licensed and highly effective Japanese smallpox vaccine LC16m8, and an adeno-associated virus (AAV), a viral vector for human gene therapy. The genes encoding P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) and the ookinete protein P25 (Pfs25) are expressed as a Pfs25-PfCSP fusion protein, and the heterologous m8Δ-prime/AAV-boost immunization regimen in mice provided both 100% protection against PfCSP-transgenic P. berghei sporozoites and up to 100% transmission blocking efficacy, as determined by a direct membrane feeding assay using parasites from P. falciparum-positive, naturally-infected donors from endemic settings. Remarkably, the persistence of vaccine-induced immune responses were over 7 months and additionally provided complete protection against repeated parasite challenge in a murine model. We propose that application of the m8Δ/AAV malaria multistage vaccine platform has the potential to contribute to the landmark goals of the malaria vaccine technology roadmap, to achieve life-long sterile protection and high-level transmission blocking efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | | | - Tetsushi Mizuno
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yu-ichi Abe
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mio Nagaoka
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Naoto Hori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Iroha Yamagoshi
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Dari F. Da
- Département de Biologie Médicale et Santé Publique, Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - William F. Gregory
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ammar A. Hasyim
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yutaro Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kunitaka Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Gene Therapy, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hisatoshi Shida
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
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19
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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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20
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González-Gamboa I, Velázquez-Lam E, Lobo-Zegers MJ, Frías-Sánchez AI, Tavares-Negrete JA, Monroy-Borrego A, Menchaca-Arrendondo JL, Williams L, Lunello P, Ponz F, Alvarez MM, Trujillo-de Santiago G. Gelatin-methacryloyl hydrogels containing turnip mosaic virus for fabrication of nanostructured materials for tissue engineering. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:907601. [PMID: 36118588 PMCID: PMC9480610 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.907601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Current tissue engineering techniques frequently rely on hydrogels to support cell growth, as these materials strongly mimic the extracellular matrix. However, hydrogels often need ad hoc customization to generate specific tissue constructs. One popular strategy for hydrogel functionalization is to add nanoparticles to them. Here, we present a plant viral nanoparticle the turnip mosaic virus (TuMV), as a promising additive for gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels for the engineering of mammalian tissues. TuMV is a flexuous, elongated, tubular protein nanoparticle (700–750 nm long and 12–15 nm wide) and is incapable of infecting mammalian cells. These flexuous nanoparticles spontaneously form entangled nanomeshes in aqueous environments, and we hypothesized that this nanomesh structure could serve as a nanoscaffold for cells. Human fibroblasts loaded into GelMA-TuMV hydrogels exhibited similar metabolic activity to that of cells loaded in pristine GelMA hydrogels. However, cells cultured in GelMA-TuMV formed clusters and assumed an elongated morphology in contrast to the homogeneous and confluent cultures seen on GelMA surfaces, suggesting that the nanoscaffold material per se did not favor cell adhesion. We also covalently conjugated TuMV particles with epidermal growth factor (EGF) using a straightforward reaction scheme based on a Staudinger reaction. BJ cells cultured on the functionalized scaffolds increased their confluency by approximately 30% compared to growth with unconjugated EGF. We also provide examples of the use of GelMA-TuMV hydrogels in different biofabrication scenarios, include casting, flow-based-manufacture of filaments, and bioprinting. We envision TuMV as a versatile nanobiomaterial that can be useful for tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivonne González-Gamboa
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Edith Velázquez-Lam
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (CBGP, UPM-INIA/CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Matías José Lobo-Zegers
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecatrónica y Eléctrica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Ada Itzel Frías-Sánchez
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecatrónica y Eléctrica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Jorge Alfonso Tavares-Negrete
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Andrea Monroy-Borrego
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Jorge Luis Menchaca-Arrendondo
- Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Físico Matemáticas (CICFIM), Facultad de Ciencias Físico-Matemáticas, Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | | | | | - Fernando Ponz
- Centro de Biotecnología y Genómica de Plantas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid—Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Tecnología Agraria y Alimentaria (CBGP, UPM-INIA/CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Mario Moisés Alvarez
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Mario Moisés Alvarez, ; Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago,
| | - Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecatrónica y Eléctrica, Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico
- *Correspondence: Mario Moisés Alvarez, ; Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago,
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21
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Cao Y, Hayashi CTH, Zavala F, Tripathi AK, Simonyan H, Young CN, Clark LC, Usuda Y, Van Parys JM, Kumar N. Effective Functional Immunogenicity of a DNA Vaccine Combination Delivered via In Vivo Electroporation Targeting Malaria Infection and Transmission. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1134. [PMID: 35891298 PMCID: PMC9323668 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) and Pfs25 are leading candidates for the development of pre-erythrocytic and transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV), respectively. Although considerable progress has been made in developing PfCSP- and Pfs25-based vaccines, neither have elicited complete protection or transmission blocking in clinical trials. The combination of antigens targeting various life stages is an alternative strategy to develop a more efficacious malaria vaccine. In this study, female and male mice were immunized with DNA plasmids encoding PfCSP and Pfs25, administered alone or in combination via intramuscular in vivo electroporation (EP). Antigen-specific antibodies were analyzed for antibody titers, avidity and isotype by ELISA. Immune protection against sporozoite challenge, using transgenic P. berghei expressing PfCSP and a GFP-luciferase fusion protein (PbPfCSP-GFP/Luc), was assessed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging and blood-stage parasite growth. Transmission reducing activity (TRA) was evaluated in standard membrane feeding assays (SMFA). High levels of PfCSP- and Pfs25-specific antibodies were induced in mice immunized with either DNA vaccine alone or in combination. No difference in antibody titer and avidity was observed for both PfCSP and Pfs25 between the single DNA and combined DNA immunization groups. When challenged by PbPfCSP-GFP/Luc sporozoites, mice immunized with PfCSP alone or combined with Pfs25 revealed significantly reduced liver-stage parasite loads as compared to mice immunized with Pfs25, used as a control. Furthermore, parasite liver loads were negatively correlated with PfCSP-specific antibody levels. When evaluating TRA, we found that immunization with Pfs25 alone or in combination with PfCSP elicited comparable significant transmission reduction. Our studies reveal that the combination of PfCSP and Pfs25 DNAs into a vaccine delivered by in vivo EP in mice does not compromise immunogenicity, infection protection and transmission reduction when compared to each DNA vaccine individually, and provide support for further evaluation of this DNA combination vaccine approach in larger animals and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Clifford T. H. Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (F.Z.); (A.K.T.)
| | - Abhai K. Tripathi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (F.Z.); (A.K.T.)
| | - Hayk Simonyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (H.S.); (C.N.Y.)
| | - Colin N. Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (H.S.); (C.N.Y.)
| | - Leor C. Clark
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Yukari Usuda
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Jacob M. Van Parys
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
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22
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Abstract
The idea of producing vaccines in plants originated in the late 1980s. Initially, it was contemplated that this notion could facilitate the concept of edible vaccines, making them more cost effective and easily accessible. Initial studies on edible vaccines focussed on the use of a variety of different transgenic plant host species for the production of vaccine antigens. However, adequate expression levels of antigens, the difficulties predicted with administration of consistent doses, and regulatory rules required for growth of transgenic plants gave way to the development of vaccine candidates that could be purified and administered parenterally. The field has subsequently advanced with improved expression techniques including a shift from using transgenic to transient expression of antigens, refinement of purification protocols, a deeper understanding of the biological processes and a wealth of evidence of immunogenicity and efficacy of plant-produced vaccine candidates, all contributing to the successful practice of what is now known as biopharming or plant molecular farming. The establishment of this technology has resulted in the development of many different types of vaccine candidates including subunit vaccines and various different types of nanoparticle vaccines targeting a wide variety of bacterial and viral diseases. This has brought further acceptance of plants as a suitable platform for vaccine production and in this review, we discuss the most recent advances in the production of vaccines in plants for human use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Stander
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | - Sandiswa Mbewana
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
| | - Ann E Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa.
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23
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Kaslow DC. Efforts to Develop Pfs25 Vaccines. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2022; 107:tpmd211326. [PMID: 35895392 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.21-1326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Acknowledging the fallibilities of recalling events from more than three decades ago, the recollection of Richard Carter's impact on the identification and development of Pfs25, a major surface protein of Plasmodium falciparum zygotes and ookinetes, and target of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines, remains unassailable. In fondest memories of Richard Carter's many contributions, herein retells some memorable events along the tortuous journey toward the development of Pfs25 vaccines.
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24
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Ramjith J, Alkema M, Bradley J, Dicko A, Drakeley C, Stone W, Bousema T. Quantifying Reductions in Plasmodium falciparum Infectivity to Mosquitos: A Sample Size Calculator to Inform Clinical Trials on Transmission-Reducing Interventions. Front Immunol 2022; 13:899615. [PMID: 35720362 PMCID: PMC9205189 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.899615] [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: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission depends on the presence of mature Plasmodium transmission stages (gametocytes) that may render blood-feeding Anopheles mosquitos infectious. Transmission-blocking antimalarial drugs and vaccines can prevent transmission by reducing gametocyte densities or infectivity to mosquitos. Mosquito infection outcomes are thereby informative biological endpoints of clinical trials with transmission blocking interventions. Nevertheless, trials are often primarily designed to determine intervention safety; transmission blocking efficacy is difficult to incorporate in sample size considerations due to variation in infection outcomes and considerable inter-study variation. Here, we use clinical trial data from studies in malaria naive and naturally exposed study participants to present an online sample size calculator tool. This sample size calculator allows studies to be powered to detect reductions in the proportion of infected mosquitos or infection burden (oocyst density) in mosquitos. The utility of this online tool is illustrated using trial data with transmission blocking malaria drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordache Ramjith
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
- Department for Health Evidence, Biostatistics Research Group, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Manon Alkema
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - John Bradley
- Medical Research Council (MRC) International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alassane Dicko
- Malaria Research and Training Centre, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Science, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako, Bamako, Mali
| | - Chris Drakeley
- Medical Research Council (MRC) International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Will Stone
- Medical Research Council (MRC) International Statistics and Epidemiology Group, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
| | - Teun Bousema
- Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Department of Medical Microbiology, Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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25
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Mulamba C, Williams C, Kreppel K, Ouedraogo JB, Olotu AI. Evaluation of the Pfs25-IMX313/Matrix-M malaria transmission-blocking candidate vaccine in endemic settings. Malar J 2022; 21:159. [PMID: 35655174 PMCID: PMC9161629 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-022-04173-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria control relies heavily on the use of anti-malarial drugs and insecticides against malaria parasites and mosquito vectors. Drug and insecticide resistance threatens the effectiveness of conventional malarial interventions; alternative control approaches are, therefore, needed. The development of malaria transmission-blocking vaccines that target the sexual stages in humans or mosquito vectors is among new approaches being pursued. Here, the immunological mechanisms underlying malaria transmission blocking, status of Pfs25-based vaccines are viewed, as well as approaches and capacity for first in-human evaluation of a transmission-blocking candidate vaccine Pfs25-IMX313/Matrix-M administered to semi-immune healthy individuals in endemic settings. It is concluded that institutions in low and middle income settings should be supported to conduct first-in human vaccine trials in order to stimulate innovative research and reduce the overdependence on developed countries for research and local interventions against many diseases of public health importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Mulamba
- Interventions & Clinical Trials Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.,Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tengeru, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | - Chris Williams
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Headington, Oxford, OX3 7DQ, UK
| | - Katharina Kreppel
- Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology, Tengeru, P. O. Box 447, Arusha, Tanzania
| | | | - Ally I Olotu
- Interventions & Clinical Trials Department, Ifakara Health Institute, P.O. Box 74, Bagamoyo, Tanzania.
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26
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The transcriptome from asexual to sexual in vitro development of Cystoisospora suis (Apicomplexa: Coccidia). Sci Rep 2022; 12:5972. [PMID: 35396557 PMCID: PMC8993856 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09714-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
The apicomplexan parasite Cystoisospora suis is an enteropathogen of suckling piglets with woldwide distribution. As with all coccidian parasites, its lifecycle is characterized by asexual multiplication followed by sexual development with two morphologically distinct cell types that presumably fuse to form a zygote from which the oocyst arises. However, knowledge of the sexual development of C. suis is still limited. To complement previous in vitro studies, we analysed transcriptional profiles at three different time points of development (corresponding to asexual, immature and mature sexual stages) in vitro via RNASeq. Overall, transcription of genes encoding proteins with important roles in gametes biology, oocyst wall biosynthesis, DNA replication and axonema formation as well as proteins with important roles in merozoite biology was identified. A homologue of an oocyst wall tyrosine rich protein of Toxoplasma gondii was expressed in macrogametes and oocysts of C. suis. We evaluated inhibition of sexual development in a host-free culture for C. suis by antiserum specific to this protein to evaluate whether it could be exploited as a candidate for control strategies against C. suis. Based on these data, targets can be defined for future strategies to interrupt parasite transmission during sexual development.
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27
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Ochwedo KO, Onyango SA, Omondi CJ, Orondo PW, Ondeto BM, Lee MC, Atieli HE, Ogolla SO, Githeko AK, Otieno ACA, Mukabana WR, Yan G, Zhong D, Kazura JW. Signatures of selection and drivers for novel mutation on transmission-blocking vaccine candidate Pfs25 gene in western Kenya. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0266394. [PMID: 35390042 PMCID: PMC8989228 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0266394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leading transmission-blocking vaccine candidates such as Plasmodium falciparum surface protein 25 (Pfs25 gene) may undergo antigenic alterations which may render them ineffective or allele-specific. This study examines the level of genetic diversity, signature of selection and drivers of Pfs25 polymorphisms of parasites population in regions of western Kenya with varying malaria transmission intensities. METHODS Dry blood spots (DBS) were collected in 2018 and 2019 from febrile outpatients with malaria at health facilities in malaria-endemic areas of Homa Bay, Kisumu (Chulaimbo) and the epidemic-prone highland area of Kisii. Parasites DNA were extracted from DBS using Chelex method. Species identification was performed using real-time PCR. The 460 base pairs (domains 1-4) of the Pfs25 were amplified and sequenced for a total of 180 P. falciparum-infected blood samples. RESULTS Nine of ten polymorphic sites were identified for the first time. Overall, Pfs25 exhibited low nucleotide diversity (0.04×10-2) and low mutation frequencies (1.3% to 7.7%). Chulaimbo had the highest frequency (15.4%) of mutated sites followed by Kisii (6.7%) and Homa Bay (5.1%). Neutrality tests of Pfs25 variations showed significant negative values of Tajima's D (-2.15, p<0.01) and Fu's F (-10.91, p<0.001) statistics tests. Three loci pairs (123, 372), (364, 428) and (390, 394) were detected to be under linkage disequilibrium and none had history of recombination. These results suggested that purifying selection and inbreeding might be the drivers of the observed variation in Pfs25. CONCLUSION Given the low level of nucleotide diversity, it is unlikely that a Pfs25 antigen-based vaccine would be affected by antigenic variations. However, continued monitoring of Pfs25 immunogenic domain 3 for possible variants that might impact vaccine antibody binding is warranted.
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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
| | - Shirley A. Onyango
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- School of Zoological Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Collince J. Omondi
- 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
| | - Pauline W. Orondo
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- Department of Biochemistry, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Benyl M. Ondeto
- 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
| | - Ming-Chieh Lee
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Harrysone E. Atieli
- Sub-Saharan Africa International Centre for Excellence in Malaria Research, Homa Bay, Kenya
- School of Public Health and Community Development, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Sidney O. Ogolla
- Centre for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, 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
| | - 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
| | - Guiyun Yan
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - Daibin Zhong
- Program in Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California, United States of America
| | - James W. Kazura
- Centre for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
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28
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Arévalo-Herrera M, Miura K, Solano E, Ramírez JS, Long CA, Corradin G, Herrera S. Immunogenicity of full-length P. vivax rPvs48/45 protein formulations in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2022; 40:133-140. [PMID: 34802791 PMCID: PMC9109962 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pvs48/45 is a Plasmodium vivax gametocyte surface protein involved in the parasite fertilization process. Previous studies showed that Pvs48/45 proteins expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were highly immunoreactive with sera from malaria-endemic areas and highly immunogenic in animal models. Here the immunogenicity in mice of three different vaccine formulations was compared. METHODS Recombinant (r) Pvs48/45 proteins were expressed in E. coli and CHO, purified, formulated in Alhydrogel, GLA-SE and Montanide ISA-51 adjuvants and used to immunize BALB/c mice. Animals were immunized on days 0, 20 and 40, and serum samples were collected for serological analyses of specific antibody responses using ELISA and immunofluorescence (IFAT). Additionally, ex-vivo transmission-reducing activity (TRA) of sera on P. vivax gametocyte-infected human blood fed to Anopheles albimanus in direct membrane feeding assays (DMFA) was evaluated. RESULTS Most immunized animals seroconverted after the first immunization, and some developed antibody peaks of 106 with all adjuvants. However, the three adjuvant formulations induced different antibody responses and TRA efficacy. While GLA-SE formulations of both proteins induced similar antibody profiles, Montanide ISA-51 formulations resulted in higher and longer-lasting antibody titers with CHO-rPvs48/45 than with the E. coli formulation. Although the CHO protein formulated in Alhydrogel generated a high initial antibody peak, antibody responses to both proteins rapidly waned. Likewise, anti-Pvs48/45 antibodies displayed differential recognition of the parasite proteins in IFAT and ex vivo blockade of parasite transmission to mosquitoes. The CHO-rPvs48/45 formulated in Montanide ISA-51 induced the most effective ex vivo parasite blockage. CONCLUSIONS Three out of six vaccine formulations elicited antibodies with ex vivo TRA. The CHO-rPvs48/45 Montanide ISA-51 formulation induced the most stable antibody response, recognizing the native protein and the most robust ex vivo TRA. These results encourage further testing of the vaccine potential of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Arévalo-Herrera
- Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia.,Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia.,Corresponding author: Myriam Arevalo-Herrera, PhD, , Phone: (+57 2) 521 6232, Fax: (+57 2) 521 6228, Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Carrera 37 2 Bis # 5E-08. Cali, Colombia
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | | | | | - Carole A. Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | | | - Sócrates Herrera
- Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia.,Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia
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29
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Liu T, Li L, Cheng C, He B, Jiang T. Emerging prospects of protein/peptide-based nanoassemblies for drug delivery and vaccine development. NANO RESEARCH 2022; 15:7267-7285. [PMID: 35692441 PMCID: PMC9166156 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-022-4385-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Proteins have been widely used in the biomedical field because of their well-defined architecture, accurate molecular weight, excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, and easy-to-functionalization. Inspired by the wisdom of nature, increasing proteins/peptides that possess self-assembling capabilities have been explored and designed to generate nanoassemblies with unique structure and function, including spatially organized conformation, passive and active targeting, stimuli-responsiveness, and high stability. These characteristics make protein/peptide-based nanoassembly an ideal platform for drug delivery and vaccine development. In this review, we focus on recent advances in subsistent protein/peptide-based nanoassemblies, including protein nanocages, virus-like particles, self-assemblable natural proteins, and self-assemblable artificial peptides. The origin and characteristics of various protein/peptide-based assemblies and their applications in drug delivery and vaccine development are summarized. In the end, the prospects and challenges are discussed for the further development of protein/peptide-based nanoassemblies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiyu Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 China
| | - Lu Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 China
| | - Cheng Cheng
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 China
| | - Bingfang He
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 China
| | - Tianyue Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, 211816 China
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30
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Recent advances in molecular farming using monocot plants. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 58:107913. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.107913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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31
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Scaria PV, Anderson C, Muratova O, Alani N, Trinh HV, Nadakal ST, Zaidi I, Lambert L, Beck Z, Barnafo EK, Rausch KM, Rowe C, Chen B, Matyas GR, Rao M, Alving CR, Narum DL, Duffy PE. Malaria transmission-blocking conjugate vaccine in ALFQ adjuvant induces durable functional immune responses in rhesus macaques. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:148. [PMID: 34887448 PMCID: PMC8660773 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00407-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines candidates based on Pfs25 and Pfs230 have advanced to clinical studies. Exoprotein A (EPA) conjugate of Pfs25 in Alhydrogel® developed functional immunity in humans, with limited durability. Pfs230 conjugated to EPA (Pfs230D1-EPA) with liposomal adjuvant AS01 is currently in clinical trials in Mali. Studies with these conjugates revealed that non-human primates are better than mice to recapitulate the human immunogenicity and functional activity. Here, we evaluated the effect of ALFQ, a liposomal adjuvant consisting of TLR4 agonist and QS21, on the immunogenicity of Pfs25-EPA and Pfs230D1-EPA in Rhesus macaques. Both conjugates generated strong antibody responses and functional activity after two vaccinations though activity declined rapidly. A third vaccination of Pfs230D1-EPA induced functional activity lasting at least 9 months. Antibody avidity increased with each vaccination and correlated strongly with functional activity. IgG subclass analysis showed induction of Th1 and Th2 subclass antibody levels that correlated with activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puthupparampil V. Scaria
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Charles Anderson
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Olga Muratova
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Nada Alani
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Hung V. Trinh
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA ,grid.201075.10000 0004 0614 9826Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA
| | - Steven T. Nadakal
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Irfan Zaidi
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Lynn Lambert
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Zoltan Beck
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA ,grid.201075.10000 0004 0614 9826Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20817 USA ,grid.410513.20000 0000 8800 7493Present Address: Pfizer, Vaccine Research and Development, Pearl River, NY USA
| | - Emma K. Barnafo
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Kelly M. Rausch
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Chris Rowe
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Beth Chen
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Gary R. Matyas
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA
| | - Mangala Rao
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA
| | - Carl R. Alving
- grid.507680.c0000 0001 2230 3166U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910 USA
| | - David L. Narum
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
| | - Patrick E. Duffy
- grid.419681.30000 0001 2164 9667Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, NIAID/NIH, 29 Lincoln Drive, Building 29B, Bethesda, MD 20892-2903 USA
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Tachibana M, Takashima E, Morita M, Sattabongkot J, Ishino T, Culleton R, Torii M, Tsuboi T. Plasmodium vivax transmission-blocking vaccines: Progress, challenges and innovation. Parasitol Int 2021; 87:102525. [PMID: 34896614 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Existing control measures have significantly reduced malaria morbidity and mortality in the last two decades, although these reductions are now stalling. Significant efforts have been undertaken to develop malaria vaccines. Recently, extensive progress in malaria vaccine development has been made for Plasmodium falciparum. To date, only the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine has been tested in Phase 3 clinical trials and is now under implementation, despite modest efficacy. Therefore, the development of a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) will be essential for malaria elimination. Only a limited number of TBVs have reached pre-clinical or clinical development with several major challenges impeding their development, including low immunogenicity in humans. TBV development efforts against P. vivax, the second major cause of malaria morbidity, lag far behind those for P. falciparum. In this review we summarize the latest progress, challenges and innovations in P. vivax TBV research and discuss how to accelerate its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mayumi Tachibana
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Eizo Takashima
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Masayuki Morita
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
| | - Tomoko Ishino
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Richard Culleton
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
| | - Motomi Torii
- Division of Molecular Parasitology, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Toon, Ehime 791-0295, Japan; Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
| | - Takafumi Tsuboi
- Division of Malaria Research, Proteo-Science Center, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime 790-8577, Japan.
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Keleta Y, Ramelow J, Cui L, Li J. Molecular interactions between parasite and mosquito during midgut invasion as targets to block malaria transmission. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:140. [PMID: 34845210 PMCID: PMC8630063 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00401-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite considerable effort, malaria remains a major public health burden. Malaria is caused by five Plasmodium species and is transmitted to humans via the female Anopheles mosquito. The development of malaria vaccines against the liver and blood stages has been challenging. Therefore, malaria elimination strategies advocate integrated measures, including transmission-blocking approaches. Designing an effective transmission-blocking strategy relies on a sophisticated understanding of the molecular mechanisms governing the interactions between the mosquito midgut molecules and the malaria parasite. Here we review recent advances in the biology of malaria transmission, focusing on molecular interactions between Plasmodium and Anopheles mosquito midgut proteins. We provide an overview of parasite and mosquito proteins that are either targets for drugs currently in clinical trials or candidates of promising transmission-blocking vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yacob Keleta
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Julian Ramelow
- Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA
| | - Liwang Cui
- College of Public Health, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
- Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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Hemmati F, Hemmati-Dinarvand M, Karimzade M, Rutkowska D, Eskandari MH, Khanizadeh S, Afsharifar A. Plant-derived VLP: a worthy platform to produce vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Biotechnol Lett 2021; 44:45-57. [PMID: 34837582 PMCID: PMC8626723 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03211-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
After its emergence in late 2019 SARS-CoV-2 was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020 and has claimed more than 2.8 million lives. There has been a massive global effort to develop vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and the rapid and low cost production of large quantities of vaccine is urgently needed to ensure adequate supply to both developed and developing countries. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are composed of viral antigens that self-assemble into structures that mimic the structure of native viruses but lack the viral genome. Thus they are not only a safer alternative to attenuated or inactivated vaccines but are also able to induce potent cellular and humoral immune responses and can be manufactured recombinantly in expression systems that do not require viral replication. VLPs have successfully been produced in bacteria, yeast, insect and mammalian cell cultures, each production platform with its own advantages and limitations. Plants offer a number of advantages in one production platform, including proper eukaryotic protein modification and assembly, increased safety, low cost, high scalability as well as rapid production speed, a critical factor needed to control outbreaks of potential pandemics. Plant-based VLP-based viral vaccines currently in clinical trials include, amongst others, Hepatitis B virus, Influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Here we discuss the importance of plants as a next generation expression system for the fast, scalable and low cost production of VLP-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farshad Hemmati
- Plant Virology Research Center, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mohsen Hemmati-Dinarvand
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Marziye Karimzade
- Plant Pathology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Daria Rutkowska
- CSIR Next Generation Health, PO Box 395, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa
| | - Mohammad Hadi Eskandari
- Department of Food Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sayyad Khanizadeh
- Hepatitis Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Alireza Afsharifar
- Plant Virology Research Center, College of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
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Sookpongthai P, Utayopas K, Sitthiyotha T, Pengsakul T, Kaewthamasorn M, Wangkanont K, Harnyuttanakorn P, Chunsrivirot S, Pattaradilokrat S. Global diversity of the gene encoding the Pfs25 protein-a Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking vaccine candidate. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:571. [PMID: 34749796 PMCID: PMC8574928 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05078-6] [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: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vaccines against the sexual stages of the malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum are indispensable for controlling malaria and abrogating the spread of drug-resistant parasites. Pfs25, a surface antigen of the sexual stage of P. falciparum, is a leading candidate for transmission-blocking vaccine development. While clinical trials have reported that Pfs25-based vaccines are safe and effective in inducing transmission-blocking antibodies, the extent of the genetic diversity of Pfs25 in malaria endemic populations has rarely been studied. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the global diversity of Pfs25 in P. falciparum populations. Methods A database of 307 Pfs25 sequences of P. falciparum was established. Population genetic analyses were performed to evaluate haplotype and nucleotide diversity, analyze haplotypic distribution patterns of Pfs25 in different geographical populations, and construct a haplotype network. Neutrality tests were conducted to determine evidence of natural selection. Homology models of the Pfs25 haplotypes were constructed, subjected to molecular dynamics (MD), and analyzed in terms of flexibility and percentages of secondary structures. Results The Pfs25 gene of P. falciparum was found to have 11 unique haplotypes. Of these, haplotype 1 (H1) and H2, the major haplotypes, represented 70% and 22% of the population, respectively, and were dominant in Asia, whereas only H1 was dominant in Africa, Central America, and South America. Other haplotypes were rare and region-specific, resulting in unique distribution patterns in different geographical populations. The diversity in Pfs25 originated from ten single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci located in the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains and anchor domain. Of these, an SNP at position 392 (GGA/GCA), resulting in amino acid substitution 131 (Gly/Ala), defined the two major haplotypes. The MD results showed that the structures of H1 and H2 variants were relatively similar. Limited polymorphism in Pfs25 could likely be due to negative selection. Conclusions The study successfully established a Pfs25 sequence database that can become an essential tool for monitoring vaccine efficacy, designing assays for detecting malaria carriers, and conducting epidemiological studies of P. falciparum. The discovery of the two major haplotypes, H1 and H2, and their conserved structures suggests that the current Pfs25-based vaccines could be used globally for malaria control. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-021-05078-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pornpawee Sookpongthai
- M.Sc. program in Zoology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Korawich Utayopas
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Thassanai Sitthiyotha
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Theerakamol Pengsakul
- Faculty of Medical Technology, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, 90110, Thailand
| | - Morakot Kaewthamasorn
- Veterinary Parasitology Research Unit, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Kittikhun Wangkanont
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Surasak Chunsrivirot
- Structural and Computational Biology Research Unit, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
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Zaric M, Marini A, Nielsen CM, Gupta G, Mekhaiel D, Pham TP, Elias SC, Taylor IJ, de Graaf H, Payne RO, Li Y, Silk SE, Williams C, Hill AVS, Long CA, Miura K, Biswas S. Poor CD4 + T Cell Immunogenicity Limits Humoral Immunity to P. falciparum Transmission-Blocking Candidate Pfs25 in Humans. Front Immunol 2021; 12:732667. [PMID: 34659219 PMCID: PMC8515144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.732667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) targeting the Pfs25 antigen have shown promise in mice but the same efficacy has never been achieved in humans. We have previously published pre-clinical data related to a TBV candidate Pfs25-IMX313 encoded in viral vectors which was very promising and hence progressed to human clinical trials. The results from the clinical trial of this vaccine were very modest. Here we unravel why, contrary to mice, this vaccine has failed to induce robust antibody (Ab) titres in humans to elicit transmission-blocking activity. We examined Pfs25-specific B cell and T follicular helper (Tfh) cell responses in mice and humans after vaccination with Pfs25-IMX313 encoded by replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus serotype 63 (ChAd63) and the attenuated orthopoxvirus modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) delivered in the heterologous prime-boost regimen via intramuscular route. We found that after vaccination, the Pfs25-IMX313 was immunologically suboptimal in humans compared to mice in terms of serum Ab production and antigen-specific B, CD4+ and Tfh cell responses. We identified that the key determinant for the poor anti-Pfs25 Ab formation in humans was the lack of CD4+ T cell recognition of Pfs25-IMX313 derived peptide epitopes. This is supported by correlations established between the ratio of proliferated antigen-specific CD4+/Tfh-like T cells, CXCL13 sera levels, and the corresponding numbers of circulating Pfs25-specific memory B cells, that consequently reflected on antigen-specific IgG sera levels. These correlations can inform the design of next-generation Pfs25-based vaccines for robust and durable blocking of malaria transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marija Zaric
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Arianna Marini
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carolyn M Nielsen
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Gaurav Gupta
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Mekhaiel
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Thao P Pham
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Sean C Elias
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iona J Taylor
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Hans de Graaf
- NIHR Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth O Payne
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Silk
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Chris Williams
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Adrian V S Hill
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Sumi Biswas
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Yang MH, Hu CC, Wong CH, Liang JJ, Ko HY, He MH, Lin YL, Lin NS, Hsu YH. Convenient Auto-Processing Vector Based on Bamboo Mosaic Virus for Presentation of Antigens Through Enzymatic Coupling. Front Immunol 2021; 12:739837. [PMID: 34721406 PMCID: PMC8551676 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.739837] [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: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We have developed a new binary epitope-presenting CVP platform based on bamboo mosaic virus (BaMV) by using the sortase A (SrtA)-mediated ligation technology. The reconstructed BaMV genome harbors two modifications: 1) a coat protein (CP) with N-terminal extension of the tobacco etch virus (TEV) protease recognition site plus 4 extra glycine (G) residues as the SrtA acceptor; and 2) a TEV protease coding region replacing that of the triple-gene-block proteins. Inoculation of such construct, pKB5G, on Nicotiana benthamiana resulted in the efficient production of filamentous CVPs ready for SrtA-mediated ligation with desired proteins. The second part of the binary platform includes an expression vector for the bacterial production of donor proteins. We demonstrated the applicability of the platform by using the recombinant envelope protein domain III (rEDIII) of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) as the antigen. Up to 40% of the BaMV CP subunits in each CVP were loaded with rEDIII proteins in 1 min. The rEDIII-presenting BaMV CVPs (BJLPET5G) could be purified using affinity chromatography. Immunization assays confirmed that BJLPET5G could induce the production of neutralizing antibodies against JEV infections. The binary platform could be adapted as a useful alternative for the development and mass production of vaccine candidates.
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MESH Headings
- Aminoacyltransferases/genetics
- Aminoacyltransferases/metabolism
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/blood
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Bacterial Proteins/genetics
- Bacterial Proteins/metabolism
- Cell Line
- Cysteine Endopeptidases/genetics
- Cysteine Endopeptidases/metabolism
- Disease Models, Animal
- Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/genetics
- Encephalitis Virus, Japanese/immunology
- Encephalitis, Japanese/blood
- Encephalitis, Japanese/immunology
- Encephalitis, Japanese/prevention & control
- Encephalitis, Japanese/virology
- Endopeptidases/genetics
- Endopeptidases/metabolism
- Escherichia coli/genetics
- Escherichia coli/immunology
- Escherichia coli/metabolism
- Female
- Genetic Vectors
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines/genetics
- Japanese Encephalitis Vaccines/immunology
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics
- Plants, Genetically Modified/immunology
- Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism
- Potexvirus/enzymology
- Potexvirus/genetics
- Potexvirus/immunology
- Nicotiana/genetics
- Nicotiana/immunology
- Nicotiana/metabolism
- Virion/enzymology
- Virion/genetics
- Virion/immunology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hao Yang
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Chi Hu
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hzeng Wong
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Jian-Jong Liang
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Ying Ko
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Hsun He
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ling Lin
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- Biomedical Translation Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Na-Sheng Lin
- Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yau-Heiu Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Advanced Plant Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Cruz-Bustos T, Feix AS, Ruttkowski B, Joachim A. Sexual Development in Non-Human Parasitic Apicomplexa: Just Biology or Targets for Control? Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11102891. [PMID: 34679913 PMCID: PMC8532714 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cellular reproduction is a key part of the apicomplexan life cycle, and both mitotic (asexual) and meiotic (sexual) cell divisions produce new individual cells. Sexual reproduction in most eukaryotic taxa indicates that it has had considerable success during evolution, and it must confer profound benefits, considering its significant costs. The phylum Apicomplexa consists of almost exclusively parasitic single-celled eukaryotic organisms that can affect a wide host range of animals from invertebrates to mammals. Their development is characterized by complex steps in which asexual and sexual replication alternate and the fertilization of a macrogamete by a microgamete results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, thus forming a new generation of asexual stages. In apicomplexans, sex is assumed to be induced by the (stressful) condition of having to leave the host, and either gametes or zygotes (or stages arising from it) are transmitted to a new host. Therefore, sex and meiosis are linked to parasite transmission, and consequently dissemination, which are key to the parasitic lifestyle. We hypothesize that improved knowledge of the sexual biology of the Apicomplexa will be essential to design and implement effective transmission-blocking strategies for the control of the major parasites of this group. Abstract The phylum Apicomplexa is a major group of protozoan parasites including gregarines, coccidia, haemogregarines, haemosporidia and piroplasms, with more than 6000 named species. Three of these subgroups, the coccidia, hemosporidia, and piroplasms, contain parasites that cause important diseases of humans and animals worldwide. All of them have complex life cycles involving a switch between asexual and sexual reproduction, which is key to their development. Fertilization (i.e., fusion of female and male cells) results in the formation of a zygote that undergoes meiosis, forming a new generation of asexual stages. In eukaryotes, sexual reproduction is the predominant mode of recombination and segregation of DNA. Sex is well documented in many protist groups, and together with meiosis, is frequently linked with transmission to new hosts. Apicomplexan sexual stages constitute a bottleneck in the life cycle of these parasites, as they are obligatory for the development of new transmissible stages. Consequently, the sexual stages represent attractive targets for vaccination. Detailed understanding of apicomplexan sexual biology will pave the way for the design and implementation of effective transmission-blocking strategies for parasite control. This article reviews the current knowledge on the sexual development of Apicomplexa and the progress in transmission-blocking vaccines for their control, their advantages and limitations and outstanding questions for the future.
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He W, Baysal C, Lobato Gómez M, Huang X, Alvarez D, Zhu C, Armario‐Najera V, Blanco Perera A, Cerda Bennaser P, Saba‐Mayoral A, Sobrino‐Mengual G, Vargheese A, Abranches R, Alexandra Abreu I, Balamurugan S, Bock R, Buyel JF, da Cunha NB, Daniell H, Faller R, Folgado A, Gowtham I, Häkkinen ST, Kumar S, Sathish Kumar R, Lacorte C, Lomonossoff GP, Luís IM, K.‐C. Ma J, McDonald KA, Murad A, Nandi S, O’Keef B, Parthiban S, Paul MJ, Ponndorf D, Rech E, Rodrigues JC, Ruf S, Schillberg S, Schwestka J, Shah PS, Singh R, Stoger E, Twyman RM, Varghese IP, Vianna GR, Webster G, Wilbers RHP, Christou P, Oksman‐Caldentey K, Capell T. Contributions of the international plant science community to the fight against infectious diseases in humans-part 2: Affordable drugs in edible plants for endemic and re-emerging diseases. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1921-1936. [PMID: 34181810 PMCID: PMC8486237 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The fight against infectious diseases often focuses on epidemics and pandemics, which demand urgent resources and command attention from the health authorities and media. However, the vast majority of deaths caused by infectious diseases occur in endemic zones, particularly in developing countries, placing a disproportionate burden on underfunded health systems and often requiring international interventions. The provision of vaccines and other biologics is hampered not only by the high cost and limited scalability of traditional manufacturing platforms based on microbial and animal cells, but also by challenges caused by distribution and storage, particularly in regions without a complete cold chain. In this review article, we consider the potential of molecular farming to address the challenges of endemic and re-emerging diseases, focusing on edible plants for the development of oral drugs. Key recent developments in this field include successful clinical trials based on orally delivered dried leaves of Artemisia annua against malarial parasite strains resistant to artemisinin combination therapy, the ability to produce clinical-grade protein drugs in leaves to treat infectious diseases and the long-term storage of protein drugs in dried leaves at ambient temperatures. Recent FDA approval of the first orally delivered protein drug encapsulated in plant cells to treat peanut allergy has opened the door for the development of affordable oral drugs that can be manufactured and distributed in remote areas without cold storage infrastructure and that eliminate the need for expensive purification steps and sterile delivery by injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshu He
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Can Baysal
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Maria Lobato Gómez
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Derry Alvarez
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Changfu Zhu
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Victoria Armario‐Najera
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Aamaya Blanco Perera
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Pedro Cerda Bennaser
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Andrea Saba‐Mayoral
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | | | - Ashwin Vargheese
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Rita Abranches
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Isabel Alexandra Abreu
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Shanmugaraj Balamurugan
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Johannes F. Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Nicolau B. da Cunha
- Centro de Análise Proteômicas e Bioquímicas de BrasíliaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasíliaBrazil
| | - Henry Daniell
- School of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Roland Faller
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - André Folgado
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Iyappan Gowtham
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Suvi T. Häkkinen
- Industrial Biotechnology and Food SolutionsVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland LtdEspooFinland
| | - Shashi Kumar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyNew DelhiIndia
| | - Ramalingam Sathish Kumar
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Cristiano Lacorte
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | | | - Ines M. Luís
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Julian K.‐C. Ma
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Karen A. McDonald
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Global HealthShare InitiativeUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Andre Murad
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Global HealthShare InitiativeUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Barry O’Keef
- Division of Cancer Treatment and DiagnosisMolecular Targets ProgramCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer Institute, and Natural Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics ProgramNational Cancer Institute, NIHFrederickMDUSA
| | - Subramanian Parthiban
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Mathew J. Paul
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Daniel Ponndorf
- Department of Biological ChemistryJohn Innes CentreNorwich Research Park, NorwichUK
| | - Elibio Rech
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Julio C.M. Rodrigues
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Stephanie Ruf
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for PhytopathologyJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Jennifer Schwestka
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Priya S. Shah
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Rahul Singh
- School of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Eva Stoger
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | | | - Inchakalody P. Varghese
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Giovanni R. Vianna
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Gina Webster
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Ruud H. P. Wilbers
- Laboratory of NematologyPlant Sciences GroupWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Paul Christou
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
- ICREACatalan Institute for Research and Advanced StudiesBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Teresa Capell
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
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Pirahmadi S, Afzali S, Zargar M, Zakeri S, Mehrizi AA. How can we develop an effective subunit vaccine to achieve successful malaria eradication? Microb Pathog 2021; 160:105203. [PMID: 34547408 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2021.105203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Malaria, a mosquito-borne infection, is the most widespread parasitic disease. Despite numerous efforts to eradicate malaria, this disease is still a health concern worldwide. Owing to insecticide-resistant vectors and drug-resistant parasites, available controlling measures are insufficient to achieve a malaria-free world. Thus, there is an urgent need for new intervention tools such as efficient malaria vaccines. Subunit vaccines are the most promising malaria vaccines under development. However, one of the major drawbacks of subunit vaccines is the lack of efficient and durable immune responses including antigen-specific antibody, CD4+, and CD8+ T-cell responses, long-lived plasma cells, memory cells, and functional antibodies for parasite neutralization or inhibition of parasite invasion. These types of responses could be induced by whole organism vaccines, but eliciting these responses with subunit vaccines has been proven to be more challenging. Consequently, subunit vaccines require several policies to overcome these challenges. In this review, we address common approaches that can improve the efficacy of subunit vaccines against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakineh Pirahmadi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shima Afzali
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Zargar
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Akram Abouie Mehrizi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
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Maharjan PM, Choe S. Plant-Based COVID-19 Vaccines: Current Status, Design, and Development Strategies of Candidate Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:992. [PMID: 34579229 PMCID: PMC8473425 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9090992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in its second year has led to massive global human and economic losses. The high transmission rate and the emergence of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants demand rapid and effective approaches to preventing the spread, diagnosing on time, and treating affected people. Several COVID-19 vaccines are being developed using different production systems, including plants, which promises the production of cheap, safe, stable, and effective vaccines. The potential of a plant-based system for rapid production at a commercial scale and for a quick response to an infectious disease outbreak has been demonstrated by the marketing of carrot-cell-produced taliglucerase alfa (Elelyso) for Gaucher disease and tobacco-produced monoclonal antibodies (ZMapp) for the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Currently, two plant-based COVID-19 vaccine candidates, coronavirus virus-like particle (CoVLP) and Kentucky Bioprocessing (KBP)-201, are in clinical trials, and many more are in the preclinical stage. Interim phase 2 clinical trial results have revealed the high safety and efficacy of the CoVLP vaccine, with 10 times more neutralizing antibody responses compared to those present in a convalescent patient's plasma. The clinical trial of the CoVLP vaccine could be concluded by the end of 2021, and the vaccine could be available for public immunization thereafter. This review encapsulates the efforts made in plant-based COVID-19 vaccine development, the strategies and technologies implemented, and the progress accomplished in clinical trials and preclinical studies so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puna Maya Maharjan
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 123 Uiryodanji-gil, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28161, Korea;
| | - Sunghwa Choe
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 38 Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08790, Korea
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
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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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Citiulo F, Crosatti C, Cattivelli L, Biselli C. Frontiers in the Standardization of the Plant Platform for High Scale Production of Vaccines. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1828. [PMID: 34579360 PMCID: PMC8467261 DOI: 10.3390/plants10091828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the value of technologies that allow a fast setup and production of biopharmaceuticals in emergency situations. The plant factory system can provide a fast response to epidemics/pandemics. Thanks to their scalability and genome plasticity, plants represent advantageous platforms to produce vaccines. Plant systems imply less complicated production processes and quality controls with respect to mammalian and bacterial cells. The expression of vaccines in plants is based on transient or stable transformation systems and the recent progresses in genome editing techniques, based on the CRISPR/Cas method, allow the manipulation of DNA in an efficient, fast, and easy way by introducing specific modifications in specific sites of a genome. Nonetheless, CRISPR/Cas is far away from being fully exploited for vaccine expression in plants. In this review, an overview of the potential conjugation of the renewed vaccine technologies (i.e., virus-like particles-VLPs, and industrialization of the production process) with genome editing to produce vaccines in plants is reported, illustrating the potential advantages in the standardization of the plant platforms, with the overtaking of constancy of large-scale production challenges, facilitating regulatory requirements and expediting the release and commercialization of the vaccine products of genome edited plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Citiulo
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health, Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Cristina Crosatti
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Via San Protaso 302, 29017 Fiorenzuola d’Arda, Italy; (C.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Luigi Cattivelli
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Genomics and Bioinformatics, Via San Protaso 302, 29017 Fiorenzuola d’Arda, Italy; (C.C.); (L.C.)
| | - Chiara Biselli
- Council for Agricultural Research and Economics, Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology, Viale Santa Margherita 80, 52100 Arezzo, Italy
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Zhang Y, Liu F, Zhao Y, Yang F, Bai J, Jia X, Roobsoong W, Sattabongkot J, Cui L, Cao Y, Luo E, Wang M. Evaluation of two Plasmodium vivax sexual stage antigens as transmission-blocking vaccine candidates. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:407. [PMID: 34399829 PMCID: PMC8366161 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04909-w] [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: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium vivax transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) are receiving increasing attention. Based on excellent transmission-blocking activities of the PbPH (PBANKA_0417200) and PbSOP26 (PBANKA_1457700) antigens in Plasmodium berghei, their orthologs in P. vivax, PVX_098655 (PvPH) and PVX_101120 (PvSOP26), were selected for the evaluation of their potential as TBVs. METHODS Fragments of PvPH (amino acids 22-304) and PvSOP26 (amino acids 30-272) were expressed in the yeast expression system. The recombinant proteins were used to immunize mice to obtain antisera. The transmission-reducing activities of these antisera were evaluated using the direct membrane feeding assay (DMFA) using Anopheles dirus mosquitoes and P. vivax clinical isolates. RESULTS The recombinant proteins PvPH and PvSOP26 induced robust antibody responses in mice. The DMFA showed that the anti-PvSOP26 sera significantly reduced oocyst densities by 92.0 and 84.1% in two parasite isolates, respectively, whereas the anti-PvPH sera did not show evident transmission-reducing activity. The variation in the DMFA results was unlikely due to the genetic polymorphisms of the two genes since their respective sequences were identical in the clinical P. vivax isolates. CONCLUSION PvSOP26 could be a promising TBV candidate for P. vivax, which warrants further evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongzhe Zhang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
- Department of Nephrology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110004, Liaoning, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Jie Bai
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Xitong Jia
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Wanlapa Roobsoong
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Jetsumon Sattabongkot
- Mahidol Vivax Research Unit, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Suite 304, Tampa, FL, 33612-9415, USA
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China
| | - Enjie Luo
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
| | - Meilian Wang
- Department of Pathogen Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, China.
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de Jong RM, Meerstein-Kessel L, Da DF, Nsango S, Challenger JD, van de Vegte-Bolmer M, van Gemert GJ, Duarte E, Teyssier N, Sauerwein RW, Churcher TS, Dabire RK, Morlais I, Locke E, Huynen MA, Bousema T, Jore MM. Monoclonal antibodies block transmission of genetically diverse Plasmodium falciparum strains to mosquitoes. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:101. [PMID: 34385463 PMCID: PMC8361195 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00366-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria parasite transmission to mosquitoes relies on the uptake of sexual stage parasites during a blood meal and subsequent formation of oocysts on the mosquito midgut wall. Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) target sexual stage antigens to interrupt human-to-mosquito transmission and may form important tools for malaria elimination. Although most epitopes of these antigens are considered highly conserved, little is known about the impact of natural genetic diversity on the functional activity of transmission-blocking antibodies. Here we measured the efficacy of three mAbs against leading TBV candidates (Pfs48/45, Pfs25 and Pfs230) in transmission assays with parasites from naturally infected donors compared to their efficacy against the strain they were raised against (NF54). Transmission-reducing activity (TRA) was measured as reduction in mean oocyst intensity. mAb 45.1 (α-Pfs48/45) and mAb 4B7 (α-Pfs25) reduced transmission of field parasites from almost all donors with IC80 values similar to NF54. Sequencing of oocysts that survived high mAb concentrations did not suggest enrichment of escape genotypes. mAb 2A2 (α-Pfs230) only reduced transmission of parasites from a minority of the donors, suggesting that it targets a non-conserved epitope. Using six laboratory-adapted strains, we revealed that mutations in one Pfs230 domain correlate with mAb gamete surface binding and functional TRA. Our findings demonstrate that, despite the conserved nature of sexual stage antigens, minor sequence variation can significantly impact the efficacy of transmission-blocking mAbs. Since mAb 45.1 shows high potency against genetically diverse strains, our findings support its further clinical development and may inform Pfs48/45 vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roos M de Jong
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Lisette Meerstein-Kessel
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Dari F Da
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Sandrine Nsango
- Malaria Research Laboratory, OCEAC, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Cameroon
| | - Joseph D Challenger
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infections Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Marga van de Vegte-Bolmer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Geert-Jan van Gemert
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Elias Duarte
- EPPIcenter Research Program, Division of HIV, ID, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Noam Teyssier
- EPPIcenter Research Program, Division of HIV, ID, and Global Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert W Sauerwein
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- TropIQ Health Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Thomas S Churcher
- Medical Research Council Centre for Global Infections Disease Analysis, Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Roch K Dabire
- Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Direction Régionale, Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - Isabelle Morlais
- Malaria Research Laboratory, OCEAC, Yaoundé, Cameroon
- MIVEGEC, Université Montpellier, IRD, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Emily Locke
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Martijn A Huynen
- Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Bousema
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
| | - Matthijs M Jore
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Radboud Center for Infectious Diseases, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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de Graaf H, Payne RO, Taylor I, Miura K, Long CA, Elias SC, Zaric M, Minassian AM, Silk SE, Li L, Poulton ID, Baker M, Draper SJ, Gbesemete D, Brendish NJ, Martins F, Marini A, Mekhaiel D, Edwards NJ, Roberts R, Vekemans J, Moyle S, Faust SN, Berrie E, Lawrie AM, Hill F, Hill AVS, Biswas S. Safety and Immunogenicity of ChAd63/MVA Pfs25-IMX313 in a Phase I First-in-Human Trial. Front Immunol 2021; 12:694759. [PMID: 34335606 PMCID: PMC8318801 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.694759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transmission blocking vaccines targeting the sexual-stages of the malaria parasite could play a major role to achieve elimination and eradication of malaria. The Plasmodium falciparum Pfs25 protein (Pfs25) is the most clinically advanced candidate sexual-stage antigen. IMX313, a complement inhibitor C4b-binding protein that forms heptamers with the antigen fused to it, improve antibody responses. This is the first time that viral vectors have been used to induce antibodies in humans against an antigen that is expressed only in the mosquito vector. Methods Clinical trial looking at safety and immunogenicity of two recombinant viral vectored vaccines encoding Pfs25-IMX313 in healthy malaria-naive adults. Replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus serotype 63 (ChAd63) and the attenuated orthopoxvirus modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA), encoding Pfs25-IMX313, were delivered by the intramuscular route in a heterologous prime-boost regimen using an 8-week interval. Safety data and samples for immunogenicity assays were taken at various time-points. Results The reactogenicity of the vaccines was similar to that seen in previous trials using the same viral vectors encoding other antigens. The vaccines were immunogenic and induced both antibody and T cell responses against Pfs25, but significant transmission reducing activity (TRA) was not observed in most volunteers by standard membrane feeding assay. Conclusion Both vaccines were well tolerated and demonstrated a favorable safety profile in malaria-naive adults. However, the transmission reducing activity of the antibodies generated were weak, suggesting the need for an alternative vaccine formulation. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02532049.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hans de Graaf
- NIHR Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth O Payne
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iona Taylor
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Carol A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Sean C Elias
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marija Zaric
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah E Silk
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Lee Li
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ian D Poulton
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Megan Baker
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Simon J Draper
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Diane Gbesemete
- NIHR Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Nathan J Brendish
- NIHR Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Filipa Martins
- NIHR Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Arianna Marini
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Mekhaiel
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nick J Edwards
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Roberts
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Sarah Moyle
- Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Saul N Faust
- NIHR Clinical Research Facility, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Berrie
- Clinical Biomanufacturing Facility, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alison M Lawrie
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Adrian V S Hill
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sumi Biswas
- The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Venkataraman S, Hefferon K, Makhzoum A, Abouhaidar M. Combating Human Viral Diseases: Will Plant-Based Vaccines Be the Answer? Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070761. [PMID: 34358177 PMCID: PMC8310141 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular pharming or the technology of application of plants and plant cell culture to manufacture high-value recombinant proteins has progressed a long way over the last three decades. Whether generated in transgenic plants by stable expression or in plant virus-based transient expression systems, biopharmaceuticals have been produced to combat several human viral diseases that have impacted the world in pandemic proportions. Plants have been variously employed in expressing a host of viral antigens as well as monoclonal antibodies. Many of these biopharmaceuticals have shown great promise in animal models and several of them have performed successfully in clinical trials. The current review elaborates the strategies and successes achieved in generating plant-derived vaccines to target several virus-induced health concerns including highly communicable infectious viral diseases. Importantly, plant-made biopharmaceuticals against hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), the cancer-causing virus human papillomavirus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza virus, zika virus, and the emerging respiratory virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been discussed. The use of plant virus-derived nanoparticles (VNPs) and virus-like particles (VLPs) in generating plant-based vaccines are extensively addressed. The review closes with a critical look at the caveats of plant-based molecular pharming and future prospects towards further advancements in this technology. The use of biopharmed viral vaccines in human medicine and as part of emergency response vaccines and therapeutics in humans looks promising for the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srividhya Venkataraman
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada; (K.H.); (M.A.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Kathleen Hefferon
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada; (K.H.); (M.A.)
| | - Abdullah Makhzoum
- Department of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science & Technology, Palapye, Botswana;
| | - Mounir Abouhaidar
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Cell & Systems Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada; (K.H.); (M.A.)
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48
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Arévalo-Herrera M, Miura K, Cespedes N, Echeverry C, Solano E, Castellanos A, Ramirez JS, Miranda A, Kajava AV, Long C, Corradin G, Herrera S. Immunoreactivity of Sera From Low to Moderate Malaria-Endemic Areas Against Plasmodium vivax r Pvs48/45 Proteins Produced in Escherichia coli and Chinese Hamster Ovary Systems. Front Immunol 2021; 12:634738. [PMID: 34248932 PMCID: PMC8264144 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.634738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
P48/45 is a conserved gametocyte antigen involved in Plasmodium parasite fertilization. A recombinant Plasmodium vivax P48/45 (Pvs48/45) protein expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) was highly antigenic and immunogenic in experimental animals and elicited specific transmission-blocking (TB) antibodies in a previous pilot study. Here, a similar Pvs48/45 gene was expressed in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells and we compared its immunoreactivity with the E. coli product. Specific antibody titers were determined using plasma from Colombian individuals (n=227) living in endemic areas where both P. vivax and P. falciparum are prevalent and from Guatemala (n=54) where P. vivax is highly prevalent. In Colombia, plasma seroprevalence to CHO-rPvs48/45 protein was 46.3%, while for E. coli-rPvs48/45 protein was 36.1% (p<0.001). In Guatemala, the sero prevalence was 24.1% and 14.8% (p<0.001), respectively. Reactivity index (RI) against both proteins showed an age-dependent increase. IgG2 was the predominant subclass and the antibody avidity index evaluated by ELISA ranged between 4-6 mol/L. Ex vivo P. vivax mosquito direct membrane feeding assays (DMFA) performed in presence of study plasmas, displayed significant parasite transmission-blocking (TB), however, there was no direct correlation between antibody titers and oocysts transmission reduction activity (%TRA). Nevertheless, DMFA with CHO rPvs48/45 affinity purified IgG showed a dose response; 90.2% TRA at 100 μg/mL and 71.8% inhibition at 10 μg/mL. In conclusion, the CHO-rPvs48/45 protein was more immunoreactive in most of the malaria endemic places studied, and CHO-rPvs48/45 specific IgG showed functional activity, supporting further testing of the protein vaccine potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myriam Arévalo-Herrera
- Immunology Department, Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia
- Immunology Department, Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Nora Cespedes
- Immunology Department, Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia
| | - Carlos Echeverry
- Immunology Department, Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia
| | - Eduardo Solano
- Immunology Department, Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia
| | - Angélica Castellanos
- Immunology Department, Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia
| | | | - Adolfo Miranda
- Parasitology Department, Centro Nacional de Epidemiología (CNE), Guatemala City, Guatemala
| | - Andrey V. Kajava
- Centre de Recherche en Biologie Cellulaire de Montpellier, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Carole Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | | | - Sócrates Herrera
- Immunology Department, Malaria Vaccine and Drug Development Center, Cali, Colombia
- Immunology Department, Caucaseco Scientific Research Center, Cali, Colombia
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49
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Tripathi AK, Oakley MS, Verma N, Mlambo G, Zheng H, Meredith SM, Essuman E, Puri A, Skelton RA, Takeda K, Majam V, Quakyi IA, Locke E, Morin M, Miura K, Long CA, Kumar S. Plasmodium falciparum Pf77 and male development gene 1 as vaccine antigens that induce potent transmission-reducing antibodies. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabg2112. [PMID: 34108248 PMCID: PMC11018285 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abg2112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Malaria vaccines that disrupt the Plasmodium life cycle in mosquitoes and reduce parasite transmission in endemic areas are termed transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs). Despite decades of research, there are only a few Plasmodium falciparum antigens that indisputably and reproducibly demonstrate transmission-blocking immunity. So far, only two TBV candidates have advanced to phase 1/2 clinical testing with limited success. By applying an unbiased transcriptomics-based approach, we have identified Pf77 and male development gene 1 (PfMDV-1) as two P. falciparum TBV antigens that, upon immunization, induced antibodies that caused reductions in oocyst counts in Anopheles mosquito midguts in a standard membrane feeding assay. In-depth studies were performed to characterize the genetic diversity of, stage-specific expression by, and natural immunity to these two molecules to evaluate their suitability as TBV candidates. Pf77 and PfMDV-1 display limited antigenic polymorphism, are pan-developmentally expressed within the parasite, and induce naturally occurring antibodies in Ghanaian adults, which raises the prospect of natural boosting of vaccine-induced immune response in endemic regions. Together, these biological properties suggest that Pf77 and PfMDV-1 may warrant further investigation as TBV candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhai K Tripathi
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Miranda S Oakley
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Nitin Verma
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Godfree Mlambo
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Malaria Research Institute, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Hong Zheng
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Scott M Meredith
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Edward Essuman
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Ankit Puri
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Richard A Skelton
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Kazuyo Takeda
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | - Victoria Majam
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA
| | | | - Emily Locke
- PATH-Malaria Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC 20001, USA
| | | | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD 20993, USA.
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50
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Delfi M, Sartorius R, Ashrafizadeh M, Sharifi E, Zhang Y, De Berardinis P, Zarrabi A, Varma RS, Tay FR, Smith BR, Makvandi P. Self-assembled peptide and protein nanostructures for anti-cancer therapy: Targeted delivery, stimuli-responsive devices and immunotherapy. NANO TODAY 2021; 38:101119. [PMID: 34267794 PMCID: PMC8276870 DOI: 10.1016/j.nantod.2021.101119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled peptides and proteins possess tremendous potential as targeted drug delivery systems and key applications of these well-defined nanostructures reside in anti-cancer therapy. Peptides and proteins can self-assemble into nanostructures of diverse sizes and shapes in response to changing environmental conditions such as pH, temperature, ionic strength, as well as host and guest molecular interactions; their countless benefits include good biocompatibility and high loading capacity for hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. These self-assembled nanomaterials can be adorned with functional moieties to specifically target tumor cells. Stimuli-responsive features can also be incorporated with respect to the tumor microenvironment. This review sheds light on the growing interest in self-assembled peptides and proteins and their burgeoning applications in cancer treatment and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoud Delfi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples “Federico II”, Complesso Universitario Monte S. Angelo, Via Cintia, Naples 80126, Italy
| | - Rossella Sartorius
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Orta Mahalle, Üniversite Caddesi No. 27, Orhanlı, Tuzla, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Esmaeel Sharifi
- Department of Tissue Engineering and Biomaterials, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, 6517838736, Hamadan, Iran
- Institute for Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials, National Research Council, IPCB-CNR, Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Yapei Zhang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | | | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Rajender S. Varma
- Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials, Palacký University Olomouc, Šlechtitelů 27, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic
| | - Franklin R Tay
- The Graduate School, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Bryan Ronain Smith
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Quantitative Health Science & Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
- Department of Radiology and the Molecular Imaging Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Pooyan Makvandi
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Centre for Micro-BioRobotics, Viale Rinaldo Piaggio 34, 56025 Pontedera, Pisa, Italy
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