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Zinsou JF, Diemert DJ, Dejon-Agobé JC, Adégbité BR, Honkpehedji YJ, Vodonou KG, Bikangui R, Edoa JR, Massinga Loembe M, Li G, Yazdanbakhsh M, Bottazzi ME, van Leeuwen R, Kremsner PG, Hotez PJ, Bethony JM, Grobusch MP, Adegnika AA. Safety and immunogenicity of the co-administered Na-APR-1 and Na-GST-1 hookworm vaccines in school-aged children in Gabon: a randomised, controlled, observer-blind, phase 1, dose-escalation trial. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2024; 24:760-774. [PMID: 38513684 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(24)00104-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A human hookworm vaccine is being developed to protect children against iron deficiency and anaemia associated with chronic infection with hookworms. Necator americanus aspartic protease-1 (Na-APR-1) and N americanus glutathione S-transferase-1 (Na-GST-1) are components of the blood digestion pathway critical to hookworm survival in the host. Recombinant Na-GST-1 and catalytically inactive Na-APR-1 (Na-APR-1[M74]) adsorbed to Alhydrogel were safe and immunogenic when delivered separately or co-administered to adults in phase 1 trials in non-endemic and endemic areas. We aimed to investigate the safety and immunogenicity of these antigens in healthy children in a hookworm-endemic area. METHODS This was a randomised, controlled, observer-blind, phase 1, dose-escalation trial, conducted in a clinical research centre, in 60 children aged six to ten years in Lambaréné, a hookworm-endemic region of Gabon. Healthy children (determined by clinical examination and safety laboratory testing) were randomised 4:1 to receive co-administered Na-GST-1 on Alhydrogel plus Na-APR-1(M74) on Alhydrogel and glucopyranosyl lipid A in aqueous formulation (GLA-AF), or co-administered ENGERIX-B hepatitis B vaccine (HBV) and saline placebo, injected into the deltoid of each arm. Allocation to vaccine groups was observer-masked. In each vaccine group, children were randomised 1:1 to receive intramuscular injections into each deltoid on two vaccine schedules, one at months 0, 2, and 4 or at months 0, 2, and 6. 10 μg, 30 μg, and 100 μg of each antigen were administered in the first, second, and third cohorts, respectively. The intention-to-treat population was used for safety analyses; while for immunogenicity analyses, the per-protocol population was used (children who received all scheduled vaccinations). The primary outcome was to evaluate the vaccines' safety and reactogenicity in healthy children aged between six and ten years. The secondary outcome was to measure antigen-specific serum IgG antibody levels at pre-vaccination and post-vaccination timepoints by qualified ELISAs. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02839161, and is completed. FINDINGS Between Jan 23 and Oct 3, 2017, 137 children were screened, of whom 76 were eligible for this trial. 60 children were recruited, and allocated to either 10 μg of the co-administered antigens (n=8 for each injection schedule), 30 μg (n=8 for each schedule), 100 μg (n=8 for each schedule), or HBV and placebo (n=6 for each schedule) in three sequential cohorts. Co-administration of the vaccines was well tolerated; the most frequent solicited adverse events were mild-to-moderate injection-site pain, observed in up to 12 (75%) of 16 participants per vaccine group, and mild headache (12 [25%] of 48) and fever (11 [23%] of 48). No vaccine-related serious adverse events were observed. Significant anti-Na-APR-1(M74) and anti-Na-GST-1 IgG levels were induced in a dose-dependent manner, with peaks seen 14 days after the third vaccinations, regardless of dose (for Na-APR-1[M74], geometric mean levels [GML]=2295·97 arbitrary units [AU] and 726·89 AU, while for Na-GST-1, GMLs=331·2 AU and 21·4 AU for the month 0, 2, and 6 and month 0, 2, and 4 schedules, respectively). The month 0, 2, and 6 schedule induced significantly higher IgG responses to both antigens (p=0·01 and p=0·04 for Na-APR-1[M74] and Na-GST-1, respectively). INTERPRETATION Co-administration of recombinant Na-APR-1(M74) and Na-GST-1 to school-aged Gabonese children was well tolerated and induced significant IgG responses. These results justify further evaluation of this antigen combination in proof-of-concept controlled-infection and efficacy studies in hookworm-endemic areas. FUNDING European Union Seventh Framework Programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannot F Zinsou
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany; Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique (FORS), Cotonou, Benin
| | - David J Diemert
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA.
| | | | - Bayodé R Adégbité
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany; Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yabo Josiane Honkpehedji
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique (FORS), Cotonou, Benin; Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Kafui G Vodonou
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Rodrigue Bikangui
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | - Jean Ronald Edoa
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon
| | | | - Guangzhao Li
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Maria Yazdanbakhsh
- Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- Departments of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Remko van Leeuwen
- Amsterdam Institute for Global Development (AIGHD), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Peter G Kremsner
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Peter J Hotez
- Departments of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Tropical Medicine, and Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Texas Children's Hospital Center for Vaccine Development, National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jeffrey M Bethony
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Martin P Grobusch
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany; Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Division of Internal Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Ayola A Adegnika
- Centre de Recherches Médicales de Lambaréné (CERMEL), Lambaréné, Gabon; Institut für Tropenmedizin, Universität Tübingen and German Center for Infection Research, Tübingen, Germany; Fondation pour la Recherche Scientifique (FORS), Cotonou, Benin; Department of Parasitology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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Ilík V, Schwarz EM, Nosková E, Pafčo B. Hookworm genomics: dusk or dawn? Trends Parasitol 2024; 40:452-465. [PMID: 38677925 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2024.04.003] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Hookworms are parasites, closely related to the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, that are a major economic and health burden worldwide. Primarily three hookworm species (Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, and Ancylostoma ceylanicum) infect humans. Another 100 hookworm species from 19 genera infect primates, ruminants, and carnivores. Genetic data exist for only seven of these species. Genome sequences are available from only four of these species in two genera, leaving 96 others (particularly those parasitizing wildlife) without any genomic data. The most recent hookworm genomes were published 5 years ago, leaving the field in a dusk. However, assembling genomes from single hookworms may bring a new dawn. Here we summarize advances, challenges, and opportunities for studying these neglected but important parasitic nematodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav Ilík
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Erich M Schwarz
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Eva Nosková
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Barbora Pafčo
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic.
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Lekki-Jóźwiak J, Bąska P. The Roles of Various Immune Cell Populations in Immune Response against Helminths. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 25:420. [PMID: 38203591 PMCID: PMC10778651 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25010420] [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: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Helminths are multicellular parasites that are a substantial problem for both human and veterinary medicine. According to estimates, 1.5 billion people suffer from their infection, resulting in decreased life quality and burdens for healthcare systems. On the other hand, these infections may alleviate autoimmune diseases and allergy symptoms. The immune system is programmed to combat infections; nevertheless, its effector mechanisms may result in immunopathologies and exacerbate clinical symptoms. This review summarizes the role of the immune response against worms, with an emphasis on the Th2 response, which is a hallmark of helminth infections. We characterize non-immune cells (enteric tuft cells-ETCs) responsible for detecting parasites, as well as the role of hematopoietic-derived cells (macrophages, basophils, eosinophils, neutrophils, innate lymphoid cells group 2-ILC2s, mast cells, T cells, and B cells) in initiating and sustaining the immune response, as well as the functions they play in granulomas. The aim of this paper is to review the existing knowledge regarding the immune response against helminths, to attempt to decipher the interactions between cells engaged in the response, and to indicate the gaps in the current knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Lekki-Jóźwiak
- Division of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Piotr Bąska
- Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
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