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Hartmeier PR, Ostrowski SM, Busch EE, Empey KM, Meng WS. Lymphatic distribution considerations for subunit vaccine design and development. Vaccine 2024; 42:2519-2529. [PMID: 38494411 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.03.033] [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: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines are an important platform for controlling current and emerging infectious diseases. The lymph nodes are the primary site generating the humoral response and delivery of antigens to these sites is critical to effective immunization. Indeed, the duration of antigen exposure within the lymph node is correlated with the antibody response. While current licensed vaccines are typically given through the intramuscular route, injecting vaccines subcutaneously allows for direct access to lymphatic vessels and therefore can enhance the transfer of antigen to the lymph nodes. However, protein subunit antigen uptake into the lymph nodes is inefficient, and subunit vaccines require adjuvants to stimulate the initial immune response. Therefore, formulation strategies have been developed to enhance the exposure of subunit proteins and adjuvants to the lymph nodes by increasing lymphatic uptake or prolonging the retention at the injection site. Given that lymph node exposure is a crucial consideration in vaccine design, in depth analyses of the pharmacokinetics of antigens and adjuvants should be the focus of future preclinical and clinical studies. This review will provide an overview of formulation strategies for targeting the lymphatics and prolonging antigen exposure and will discuss pharmacokinetic evaluations which can be applied toward vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul R Hartmeier
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Sarah M Ostrowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Emelia E Busch
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Kerry M Empey
- Center for Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA; Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA; Department of Immunology, School of Medicine University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Wilson S Meng
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA; McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA.
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Jia Z, Liu R, Chang Q, Zhou X, De X, Yang Z, Li Y, Zhang C, Wang F, Ge J. Proof of concept in utilizing the peptidoglycan skeleton of pathogenic bacteria as antigen delivery platform for enhanced immune response. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 264:130591. [PMID: 38437938 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines are becoming increasingly important because of their safety and effectiveness. However, subunit vaccines often exhibit limited immunogenicity, necessitating the use of suitable adjuvants to elicit robust immune responses. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that pathogenic bacteria can be prepared into a purified peptidoglycan skeleton without nucleic acids and proteins, presenting bacterium-like particles (pBLP). Our results showed that the peptidoglycan skeletons screened from four pathogens could activate Toll-like receptor1/2 receptors better than bacterium-like particles from Lactococcus lactis in macrophages. We observed that pBLP was safe in mouse models of multiple ages. Furthermore, pBLP improved the performance of two commercial vaccines in vivo. We confirmed that pBLP successfully loaded antigens onto the surface and proved to be an effective antigen delivery platform with enhanced antibody titers, antibody avidity, balanced subclass distribution, and mucosal immunity. These results indicate that the peptidoglycan skeleton of pathogenic bacteria represents a new strategy for developing subunit vaccine delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Jia
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China
| | - Runhang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China; State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China
| | - Qingru Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China
| | - Xinyao Zhou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China
| | - Xinqi De
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China
| | - Zaixing Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China
| | - Yifan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China
| | - Chuankun Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China
| | - Fang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin 150086, China.
| | - Junwei Ge
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150036, China; Heilongjiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Harbin 150036, China.
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Aminzadeh A, Hilgers L, Paul Platenburg P, Riou M, Perrot N, Rossignol C, Cauty A, Barc C, Jørgensen R. Immunogenicity and safety in rabbits of a Clostridioides difficile vaccine combining novel toxoids and a novel adjuvant. Vaccine 2024; 42:1582-1592. [PMID: 38336558 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.01.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a serious healthcare-associated disease, causing symptoms such as diarrhea and pseudomembranous colitis. The major virulence factors responsible for the disease symptoms are two secreted cytotoxic proteins, TcdA and TcdB. A parenteral vaccine based on formaldehyde-inactivated TcdA and TcdB supplemented with alum adjuvant, has previously been investigated in humans but resulted in an insufficient immune response. In search for an improved response, we investigated a novel toxin inactivation method and a novel, potent adjuvant. Inactivation of toxins by metal-catalyzed oxidation (MCO) was previously shown to preserve neutralizing epitopes and to annihilate reversion to toxicity. The immunogenicity and safety of TcdA and TcdB inactivated by MCO and combined with a novel carbohydrate fatty acid monosulphate ester-based (CMS) adjuvant were investigated in rabbits. Two or three intramuscular immunizations generated high serum IgG and neutralizing antibody titers against both toxins. The CMS adjuvant increased antibody responses to both toxins while an alum adjuvant control was effective only against TcdA. Systemic safety was evaluated by monitoring body weight, body temperature, and analysis of red and white blood cell counts shortly after immunization. Local safety was assessed by histopathologic examination of the injection site at the end of the study. Body weight gain was constant in all groups. Body temperature increased up to 1 ˚C one day after the first immunization but less after the second or third immunization. White blood cell counts, and percentage of neutrophils increased one day after immunization with CMS-adjuvanted vaccines, but not with alum. Histopathology of the injection sites 42 days after the last injection did not reveal any abnormal tissue reactions. From this study, we conclude that TcdA and TcdB inactivated by MCO and combined with CMS adjuvant demonstrated promising immunogenicity and safety in rabbits and could be a candidate for a vaccine against CDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aria Aminzadeh
- Proxi Biotech ApS, Egeskellet 6, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark; Department of Science and Environment, University of Roskilde, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Luuk Hilgers
- LiteVax BV, Akkersestraat 50, 4061BJ Ophemert, the Netherlands
| | | | - Mickaël Riou
- INRAE, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), Centre Val de Loire, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Noémie Perrot
- INRAE, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), Centre Val de Loire, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Christelle Rossignol
- INRAE-Université de Tours, UMR-1282 Infectiologie et Santé publique (ISP), équipe IMI, Centre Val de Loire, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Axel Cauty
- INRAE, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), Centre Val de Loire, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Céline Barc
- INRAE, UE-1277 Plateforme d'Infectiologie expérimentale (PFIE), Centre Val de Loire, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - René Jørgensen
- Proxi Biotech ApS, Egeskellet 6, 2000 Frederiksberg, Denmark; Department of Science and Environment, University of Roskilde, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Srinivasan A, Herzog RW, Khan I, Sherman A, Bertolini T, Wynn T, Daniell H. Preclinical development of plant-based oral immune modulatory therapy for haemophilia B. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1952-1966. [PMID: 33949086 PMCID: PMC8486253 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Anti-drug antibody (ADA) formation is a major complication in treatment of the X-linked bleeding disorder haemophilia B (deficiency in coagulation factor IX, FIX). Current clinical immune tolerance protocols are often not effective due to complications such as anaphylactic reactions against FIX. Plant-based oral tolerance induction may address this problem, as illustrated by the recent first regulatory approval of orally delivered plant cells to treat peanut allergy. Our previous studies showed that oral delivery of plant cells expressing FIX fused to the transmucosal carrier CTB (cholera toxin subunit B) in chloroplasts suppressed ADA in animals with haemophilia B. We report here creation of the first lettuce transplastomic lines expressing a coagulation factor, in the absence of antibiotic resistance gene. Stable integration of the CTB-FIX gene and homoplasmy (transformation of ˜10 000 copies in each cell) were maintained in both T1 and T2 generation marker-free plants. CTB-FIX expression in lyophilized leaves of T1 and T2 marker-free plants was 1.0-1.5 mg/g dry weight, confirming that the marker excision did not affect antigen levels. Oral administration of CTB-FIX to Sprague Dawley rats at 0.25, 1 or 2.5 mg/kg did not produce overt adverse effects or toxicity. The no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) is at least 2.5 mg/kg for a single oral administration in rats. Oral administration of CTB-FIX at 0.3 or 1.47 mg/kg either mixed in food or as an oral suspension to Beagle dogs did not produce any observable toxicity. These toxicology studies should facilitate filing of regulatory approval documents and evaluation in haemophilia B patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aparajitha Srinivasan
- Department of Basic and Translational SciencesSchool of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Roland W. Herzog
- Department of PediatricsHerman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Imran Khan
- Department of Basic and Translational SciencesSchool of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Alexandra Sherman
- Department of PediatricsHerman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Thais Bertolini
- Department of PediatricsHerman B Wells Center for Pediatric ResearchIndiana University School of MedicineIndianapolisINUSA
| | - Tung Wynn
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Henry Daniell
- Department of Basic and Translational SciencesSchool of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Mottram L, Lundgren A, Svennerholm AM, Leach S. A Systems Biology Approach Identifies B Cell Maturation Antigen (BCMA) as a Biomarker Reflecting Oral Vaccine Induced IgA Antibody Responses in Humans. Front Immunol 2021; 12:647873. [PMID: 33828557 PMCID: PMC8019727 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.647873] [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: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines against enteric diseases could improve global health. Despite this, only a few oral vaccines are currently available for human use. One way to facilitate such vaccine development could be to identify a practical and relatively low cost biomarker assay to assess oral vaccine induced primary and memory IgA immune responses in humans. Such an IgA biomarker assay could complement antigen-specific immune response measurements, enabling more oral vaccine candidates to be tested, whilst also reducing the work and costs associated with early oral vaccine development. With this in mind, we take a holistic systems biology approach to compare the transcriptional signatures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolated from volunteers, who following two oral priming doses with the oral cholera vaccine Dukoral®, had either strong or no vaccine specific IgA responses. Using this bioinformatical method, we identify TNFRSF17, a gene encoding the B cell maturation antigen (BCMA), as a candidate biomarker of oral vaccine induced IgA immune responses. We then assess the ability of BCMA to reflect oral vaccine induced primary and memory IgA responses using an ELISA BCMA assay on a larger number of samples collected in clinical trials with Dukoral® and the oral enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli vaccine candidate ETVAX. We find significant correlations between levels of BCMA and vaccine antigen-specific IgA in antibodies in lymphocyte secretion (ALS) specimens, as well as with proportions of circulating plasmablasts detected by flow cytometry. Importantly, our results suggest that levels of BCMA detected early after primary mucosal vaccination may be a biomarker for induction of long-lived vaccine specific memory B cell responses, which are otherwise difficult to measure in clinical vaccine trials. In addition, we find that ALS-BCMA responses in individuals vaccinated with ETVAX plus the adjuvant double mutant heat-labile toxin (dmLT) are significantly higher than in subjects given ETVAX only. We therefore propose that as ALS-BCMA responses may reflect the total vaccine induced IgA responses to oral vaccination, this BCMA ELISA assay could also be used to estimate the total adjuvant effect on vaccine induced-antibody responses, independently of antigen specificity, further supporting the usefulness of the assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynda Mottram
- Gothenburg University Vaccine Research Institute (GUVAX), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anna Lundgren
- Gothenburg University Vaccine Research Institute (GUVAX), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ann-Mari Svennerholm
- Gothenburg University Vaccine Research Institute (GUVAX), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Susannah Leach
- Gothenburg University Vaccine Research Institute (GUVAX), Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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