1
|
Codon optimization and improved delivery/immunization regimen enhance the immune response against wild-type and drug-resistant HIV-1 reverse transcriptase, preserving its Th2-polarity. Sci Rep 2018; 8:8078. [PMID: 29799015 PMCID: PMC5967322 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-26281-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/01/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccines require a considerable enhancement of immunogenicity. Here, we optimized a prototype DNA vaccine against drug-resistant HIV-1 based on a weak Th2-immunogen, HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT). We designed expression-optimized genes encoding inactivated wild-type and drug-resistant RTs (RT-DNAs) and introduced them into mice by intradermal injections followed by electroporation. RT-DNAs were administered as single or double primes with or without cyclic-di-GMP, or as a prime followed by boost with RT-DNA mixed with a luciferase-encoding plasmid (“surrogate challenge”). Repeated primes improved cellular responses and broadened epitope specificity. Addition of cyclic-di-GMP induced a transient increase in IFN-γ production. The strongest anti-RT immune response was achieved in a prime-boost protocol with electroporation by short 100V pulses done using penetrating electrodes. The RT-specific response, dominated by CD4+ T-cells, targeted epitopes at aa 199–220 and aa 528–543. Drug-resistance mutations disrupted the epitope at aa 205–220, while the CTL epitope at aa 202–210 was not affected. Overall, multiparametric optimization of RT strengthened its Th2- performance. A rapid loss of RT/luciferase-expressing cells in the surrogate challenge experiment revealed a lytic potential of anti-RT response. Such lytic CD4+ response would be beneficial for an HIV vaccine due to its comparative insensitivity to immune escape.
Collapse
|
2
|
Fusion to Flaviviral Leader Peptide Targets HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase for Secretion and Reduces Its Enzymatic Activity and Ability to Induce Oxidative Stress but Has No Major Effects on Its Immunogenic Performance in DNA-Immunized Mice. J Immunol Res 2017; 2017:7407136. [PMID: 28717654 PMCID: PMC5498913 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7407136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Reverse transcriptase (RT) is a key enzyme in viral replication and susceptibility to ART and a crucial target of immunotherapy against drug-resistant HIV-1. RT induces oxidative stress which undermines the attempts to make it immunogenic. We hypothesized that artificial secretion may reduce the stress and make RT more immunogenic. Inactivated multidrug-resistant RT (RT1.14opt-in) was N-terminally fused to the signal providing secretion of NS1 protein of TBEV (Ld) generating optimized inactivated Ld-carrying enzyme RT1.14oil. Promotion of secretion prohibited proteasomal degradation increasing the half-life and content of RT1.14oil in cells and cell culture medium, drastically reduced the residual polymerase activity, and downmodulated oxidative stress. BALB/c mice were DNA-immunized with RT1.14opt-in or parental RT1.14oil by intradermal injections with electroporation. Fluorospot and ELISA tests revealed that RT1.14opt-in and RT1.14oil induced IFN-γ/IL-2, RT1.14opt-in induced granzyme B, and RT1.14oil induced perforin production. Perforin secretion correlated with coproduction of IFN-γ and IL-2 (R = 0,97). Both DNA immunogens induced strong anti-RT antibody response. Ld peptide was not immunogenic. Thus, Ld-driven secretion inferred little change to RT performance in DNA immunization. Positive outcome was the abrogation of polymerase activity increasing safety of RT-based DNA vaccines. Identification of the molecular determinants of low cellular immunogenicity of RT requires further studies.
Collapse
|
3
|
Mucosal Immunization with Newcastle Disease Virus Vector Coexpressing HIV-1 Env and Gag Proteins Elicits Potent Serum, Mucosal, and Cellular Immune Responses That Protect against Vaccinia Virus Env and Gag Challenges. mBio 2015. [PMID: 26199332 PMCID: PMC4513081 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.01005-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Newcastle disease virus (NDV) avirulent strain LaSota was used to coexpress gp160 Env and p55 Gag from a single vector to enhance both Env-specific and Gag-specific immune responses. The optimal transcription position for both Env and Gag genes in the NDV genome was determined by generating recombinant NDV (rNDV)-Env-Gag (gp160 located between the P and M genes and Gag between the HN and L genes), rNDV-Gag-Env (Gag located between the P and M genes and gp160 between the HN and L genes), rNDV-Env/Gag (gp160 followed by Gag located between the P and M genes), and rNDV-Gag/Env (Gag followed by gp160 located between the P and M genes). All the recombinant viruses replicated at levels similar to those seen with parental NDV in embryonated chicken eggs and in chicken fibroblast cells. Both gp160 and Gag proteins were expressed at high levels in cell culture, with gp160 found to be incorporated into the envelope of NDV. The Gag and Env proteins expressed by all the recombinants except rNDV-Env-Gag self-assembled into human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) virus-like particles (VLPs). Immunization of guinea pigs by the intranasal route with these rNDVs produced long-lasting Env- and Gag-specific humoral immune responses. The Env-specific humoral and mucosal immune responses and Gag-specific humoral immune responses were higher in rNDV-Gag/Env and rNDV-Env/Gag than in the other recombinants. rNDV-Gag/Env and rNDV-Env/Gag were also more efficient in inducing cellular as well as protective immune responses to challenge with vaccinia viruses expressing HIV-1 Env and Gag in mice. These results suggest that vaccination with a single rNDV coexpressing Env and Gag represents a promising strategy to enhance immunogenicity and protective efficacy against HIV. A safe and effective vaccine that can induce both systemic and mucosal immune responses is needed to control HIV-1. In this study, we showed that coexpression of Env and Gag proteins of HIV-1 performed using a single Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vector led to the formation of HIV-1 virus-like particles (VLPs). Immunization of guinea pigs with recombinant NDVs (rNDVs) elicited potent long-lasting systemic and mucosal immune responses to HIV. Additionally, the rNDVs were efficient in inducing cellular immune responses to HIV and protective immunity to challenge with vaccinia viruses expressing HIV Env and Gag in mice. These results suggest that the use of a single NDV expressing Env and Gag proteins simultaneously is a novel strategy to develop a safe and effective vaccine against HIV.
Collapse
|
4
|
Ross TM, Pereira LE, Luckay A, McNicholl JM, García-Lerma JG, Heneine W, Eugene HS, Pierce-Paul BR, Zhang J, Hendry RM, Smith JM. A polyvalent Clade B virus-like particle HIV vaccine combined with partially protective oral preexposure prophylaxis prevents simian-human immunodeficiency virus Infection in macaques and primes for virus-amplified immunity. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014; 30:1072-81. [PMID: 24914761 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2014.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with antiretrovirals have shown only partial protection from HIV-1 infection in human trials. Oral Truvada (emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) is FDA approved as PrEP but partial adherence reduces efficacy. If combined as biomedical preventions (CBP), an HIV vaccine could protect when PrEP adherence is low and PrEP could prevent vaccine breakthroughs. The efficacy of combining oral PrEP with an HIV vaccine has not been evaluated in humans. We determined the efficacy of combining a DNA/virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine with partially effective intermittent PrEP in Indian rhesus macaques (RM). Eight RM received intramuscular inoculations of five DNA plasmids encoding four HIV-1 Clade B primary isolate Envs and SIVmac239 Gag (at weeks 0 and 4), followed by intramuscular and intranasal inoculations of homologous Gag VLPs and four Env VLPs (at weeks 12, 16, and 53). At week 61, we initiated weekly rectal exposures with heterologous SHIV162p3 (10 TCID50) along with oral Truvada (TDF, 22 mg/kg; FTC 20 mg/kg) dosing 2 h before and 22 h after each exposure. This PrEP regimen previously demonstrated 50% efficacy. Five controls (no vaccine, no PrEP) received weekly SHIV162p3. All controls were infected after a median of four exposures; the mean peak plasma viral load (VL) was 3.9×10(7) vRNA copies/ml. CBP protected seven of eight (87.5%) RM. The one infected CBP RM had a reduced peak VL of 8.8×10(5) copies/ml. SHIV exposures during PrEP amplified Gag and Env antibody titers in protected RM. These results suggest that combining oral PrEP with HIV vaccines could enhance protection against HIV-1 infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ted M. Ross
- University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Amara Luckay
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Janet M. McNicholl
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - J. Gerardo García-Lerma
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Walid Heneine
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Hermancia S. Eugene
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Brooke R. Pierce-Paul
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Jining Zhang
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - R. Michael Hendry
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - James M. Smith
- Laboratory Branch, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Eugene HS, Pierce-Paul BR, Cragio JK, Ross TM. Rhesus macaques vaccinated with consensus envelopes elicit partially protective immune responses against SHIV SF162p4 challenge. Virol J 2013; 10:102. [PMID: 23548077 PMCID: PMC3637437 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-10-102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2012] [Accepted: 02/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of a preventative HIV/AIDS vaccine is challenging due to the diversity of viral genome sequences, especially in the viral envelope (Env₁₆₀). Since it is not possible to directly match the vaccine strain to the vast number of circulating HIV-1 strains, it is necessary to develop an HIV-1 vaccine that can protect against a heterologous viral challenge. Previous studies from our group demonstrated that a mixture of wild type clade B Env(gp160s) were able to protect against a heterologous clade B challenge more effectively than a consensus clade B Envg(p160) vaccine. In order to broaden the immune response to other clades of HIV, in this study rhesus macaques were vaccinated with a polyvalent mixture of purified HIV-1 trimerized consensus Envg(p140) proteins representing clades A, B, C, and E. The elicited immune responses were compared to a single consensus Env(gp140) representing all isolates in group M (Con M). Both vaccines elicited anti- Env(gp140) IgG antibodies that bound an equal number of HIV-1 Env(gp160) proteins representing clades A, B and C. In addition, both vaccines elicited antibodies that neutralized the HIV-1(SF162) isolate. However, the vaccinated monkeys were not protected against SHIV(SF162p4) challenge. These results indicate that consensus Env(gp160) vaccines, administered as purified Env(gp140) trimers, elicit antibodies that bind to Env(gp160s) from strains representing multiple clades of HIV-1, but these vaccines did not protect against heterologous SHIV challenge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hermancia S Eugene
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, 9047 BST3, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
McBurney SP, Landucci G, Forthal DN, Ross TM. Evaluation of heterologous vaginal SHIV SF162p4 infection following vaccination with a polyvalent Clade B virus-like particle vaccine. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2012; 28:1063-72. [PMID: 22214267 PMCID: PMC3423648 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2011.0351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The vast diversity of HIV-1 infections has greatly impeded the development of a successful HIV-1/AIDS vaccine. Previous vaccine work has demonstrated limited levels of protection against SHIV/SIV infection, but protection was observed only when the challenge virus was directly matched to the vaccine strain. As it is likely impossible to directly match the vaccine strain to all infecting strains in nature, it is necessary to develop an HIV-1 vaccine that can protect against a heterologous viral challenge. In this study we investigated the ability of polyvalent and consensus vaccines to protect against a heterologous clade B challenge. Rhesus macaques were vaccinated with ConB or PolyB virus-like particle vaccines. All vaccines were highly immunogenic with high titers of antibody found in all vaccinated groups against SIV Gag. Antibody responses were also observed against a diverse panel of clade B envelopes. Following vaccination nonhuman primates (NHPs) were challenged via the vaginal route with SHIV(SF162p4). The PolyB vaccine induced a 66.7% reduction in the rate of infection as well as causing a two log reduction in viral burden if infection was not blocked. ConB vaccination had no effect on either the infection rate or viral burden. These results indicate that a polyvalent clade-matched vaccine is better able to protect against a heterologous challenge as compared to a consensus vaccine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean P. McBurney
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Graduate Program in Molecular Virology and Microbiology and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gary Landucci
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, California
| | - Donald N. Forthal
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, Irvine, California
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Graduate Program in Molecular Virology and Microbiology and Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Elicitation of anti-1918 influenza virus immunity early in life prevents morbidity and lower levels of lung infection by 2009 pandemic H1N1 influenza virus in aged mice. J Virol 2011; 86:1500-13. [PMID: 22130546 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.06034-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The Spanish influenza virus pandemic of 1918 was responsible for 40 million to 50 million deaths and is antigenically similar to the swine lineage 2009 pandemic influenza virus. Emergence of the 2009 pandemic from swine into humans has raised the possibility that low levels of cross-protective immunity to past shared epitopes could confer protection. In this study, influenza viruslike particles (VLPs) were engineered to express the hemagglutinin (HA) and genes from the 1918 influenza virus to evaluate the duration of cross-protection to the H1N1 pandemic strain by vaccinating young mice (8 to 12 weeks) and then allowing the animals to age to 20 months. This immunity was long lasting, with homologous receptor-blocking antibodies detected throughout the lifespan of vaccinated mice. Furthermore, the 1918 VLPs fully protected aged mice from 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus challenge 16 months after vaccination. Histopathological assessment showed that aged vaccinated mice had significant protection from alveolar infection but less protection of the bronchial tissue than adult vaccinated mice. Additionally, passive transfer of immune serum from aged vaccinated mice resulted in protection from death but not morbidity. This is the first report describing the lifelong duration of cross-reactive immune responses elicited by a 1918 VLP vaccine in a murine model. Importantly, these lifelong immune responses did not result in decreased total viral replication but did prevent infection of the lower respiratory tract. These findings show that immunity acquired early in life can restrict the anatomical location of influenza viral replication, rather than preventing infection, in the aged.
Collapse
|
8
|
Urban JH, Merten CA. Retroviral display in gene therapy, protein engineering, and vaccine development. ACS Chem Biol 2011; 6:61-74. [PMID: 21171610 DOI: 10.1021/cb100285n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The display and analysis of proteins expressed on biological surfaces has become an attractive tool for the study of molecular interactions in enzymology, protein engineering, and high-throughput screening. Among the growing number of established display systems, retroviruses offer a unique and fully mammalian platform for the expression of correctly folded and post-translationally modified proteins in the context of cell plasma membrane-derived particles. This is of special interest for therapeutic applications such as gene therapy and vaccine development and also offers advantages for the engineering of mammalian proteins toward customized binding affinities and catalytic activities. This review critically summarizes the basic concepts and applications of retroviral display and analyses its benefits in comparison to other display techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Johannes H. Urban
- Duke Translational Research Institute and Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, MSRBII, 106 Research Drive, Durham, North Carolina 27710, United States
| | - Christoph A. Merten
- Genome Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Meyerhofstrasse 1, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Schneider-Ohrum K, Ross TM. Virus-Like Particles for Antigen Delivery at Mucosal Surfaces. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol 2011; 354:53-73. [DOI: 10.1007/82_2011_135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
|
10
|
Jeoung HY, Lee WH, Jeong W, Ko YJ, Choi CU, An DJ. Immune responses and expression of the virus-like particle antigen of the porcine encephalomyocarditis virus. Res Vet Sci 2010; 89:295-300. [PMID: 20378136 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2010.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2009] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are particles that consist of viral capsid proteins and are structurally similar to authentic virus. To express VLPs of the porcine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) and investigate their efficacy and immuno response in vivo, a plasmid (P12A3C-pCI) containing the P12A and 3C genes of the EMCV-K3 viral strain was constructed. The VLPs of EMCV-K3 were successfully assembled in 293FT cells on 3 days after transfection with P12A3C-pCI and were identified as particles of about 30-40 nm using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In an in vivo experiment, the murine cytokines induced by VLPs of naked DNA vaccine showed that the Th1 indicators IL-2, TNF-alpha and GM-CSF, and the Th2 indicators IL-4 and IL-10 were increased. The immunization of mice with the P12A3C-pCI plasmid induced high levels of neutralizing antibody from 128- to 256-fold and led to a significant protection ratio (90%) after challenge with EMCV-K3 (wild-type strain). These VLPs may represent a novel vaccine strategy for the control of EMCV infection on pig farms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hye-Young Jeoung
- National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service, Anyang, Gyeonggi-do 430-824, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
11
|
Mandell RB, Koukuntla R, Mogler LJ, Carzoli AK, Freiberg AN, Holbrook MR, Martin BK, Staplin WR, Vahanian NN, Link CJ, Flick R. A replication-incompetent Rift Valley fever vaccine: chimeric virus-like particles protect mice and rats against lethal challenge. Virology 2010; 397:187-98. [PMID: 19932911 PMCID: PMC2813982 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2009] [Revised: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/02/2009] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) present viral antigens in a native conformation and are effectively recognized by the immune system and therefore are considered as suitable and safe vaccine candidates against many viral diseases. Here we demonstrate that chimeric VLPs containing Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) glycoproteins G(N) and G(C), nucleoprotein N and the gag protein of Moloney murine leukemia virus represent an effective vaccine candidate against Rift Valley fever, a deadly disease in humans and livestock. Long-lasting humoral and cellular immune responses are demonstrated in a mouse model by the analysis of neutralizing antibody titers and cytokine secretion profiles. Vaccine efficacy studies were performed in mouse and rat lethal challenge models resulting in high protection rates. Taken together, these results demonstrate that replication-incompetent chimeric RVF VLPs are an efficient RVFV vaccine candidate.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicholas N. Vahanian
- BioProtection Systems Corporation, Ames, IA, USA,NewLink Genetics Corporation, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Charles J. Link
- BioProtection Systems Corporation, Ames, IA, USA,NewLink Genetics Corporation, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ramon Flick
- BioProtection Systems Corporation, Ames, IA, USA,Corresponding author. Fax: +1 515 296 3820
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
McBurney SP, Ross TM. Human immunodeficiency virus-like particles with consensus envelopes elicited broader cell-mediated peripheral and mucosal immune responses than polyvalent and monovalent Env vaccines. Vaccine 2009; 27:4337-49. [PMID: 19389453 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.04.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2008] [Revised: 04/08/2009] [Accepted: 04/13/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Envelope (Env) sequences from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) strains can vary by 15-20% within a single clade and as much as 35% between clades. Previous AIDS vaccines based upon a single isolate often could not elicit protective immune responses against heterologous viral challenges. In order to address the vast sequence diversity in Env sequences, consensus sequences were constructed for clade B and clade C envelopes and delivered to the mouse lung mucosa on the surface of virus-like particles (VLP). Consensus sequences decrease the genetic difference between the vaccine strain and any given viral isolate. The elicited immune responses were compared to a mixture of VLPs with Envs from primary viral isolates. This polyvalent vaccine approach contains multiple, diverse Envs to increase the breadth of epitopes recognized by the immune response and thereby increase the potential number of primary isolates recognized. Both consensus and polyvalent clade B Env VLP vaccines elicited cell-mediated immune responses that recognized a broader number of clade B Env peptides than a control monovalent Env VLP vaccine in both the systemic and the mucosal immune compartments. All three clade C Env vaccine strategies elicited similar responses to clade C peptides. However, both the consensus B and C Env VLP vaccines were more effective at eliciting cross-reactive cellular immune responses to epitopes in other clades. This is the first study to directly compare the breadth of cell-mediated immune responses elicited by consensus and polyvalent Env vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean P McBurney
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Guerbois M, Moris A, Combredet C, Najburg V, Ruffié C, Février M, Cayet N, Brandler S, Schwartz O, Tangy F. Live attenuated measles vaccine expressing HIV-1 Gag virus like particles covered with gp160DeltaV1V2 is strongly immunogenic. Virology 2009; 388:191-203. [PMID: 19345390 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2009.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2009] [Revised: 02/04/2009] [Accepted: 02/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Although a live attenuated HIV vaccine is not currently considered for safety reasons, a strategy inducing both T cells and neutralizing antibodies to native assembled HIV-1 particles expressed by a replicating virus might mimic the advantageous characteristics of live attenuated vaccine. To this aim, we generated a live attenuated recombinant measles vaccine expressing HIV-1 Gag virus-like particles (VLPs) covered with gp160DeltaV1V2 Env protein. The measles-HIV virus replicated efficiently in cell culture and induced the intense budding of HIV particles covered with Env. In mice sensitive to MV infection, this recombinant vaccine stimulated high levels of cellular and humoral immunity to both MV and HIV with neutralizing activity. The measles-HIV virus infected human professional antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells and B cells, and induced efficient presentation of HIV-1 epitopes and subsequent activation of human HIV-1 Gag-specific T cell clones. This candidate vaccine will be next tested in non-human primates. As a pediatric vaccine, it might protect children and adolescents simultaneously from measles and HIV.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Guerbois
- Laboratoire de Génomique Virale et Vaccination, CNRS URA 3015, Institut Pasteur, Paris Cedex 15, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Crevar CJ, Ross TM. Elicitation of protective immune responses using a bivalent H5N1 VLP vaccine. Virol J 2008; 5:131. [PMID: 18957098 PMCID: PMC2583969 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-5-131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2008] [Accepted: 10/28/2008] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Currently licensed human vaccines are subtype-specific and do not protect against pandemic H5N1 viruses. Previously, our group has reported on the construction of an influenza virus-like particle (VLP) as a new generation candidate vaccine. A mixture of influenza H5N1 VLPs representing clade 1 and 2 viruses were examined for the ability to elicit protective immunity against isolates from various clades and subclades of H5N1. Results Mice were vaccinated intramuscularly with each VLP individually, the mixture of VLPs, a mixture of purified recombinant hemagglutinin (rHA), or mock vaccinated. Elicited antibodies were assayed for the hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) activity against clades 1 and clade 2 isolates. Mice vaccinated with each VLP individually or in a mixture had robust HAI responses against homologous viruses and HAI responses against the clade 2.3 virus, Anh/05. However, these vaccines did not induce an HAI response against the clade 2.2 virus, WS/05. Interestingly, clade 2 VLP vaccinated mice were protected against both clade 1 and 2 H5/PR8 viruses, but clade 1 VLP vaccinated mice were only protected against the clade 1 virus. Mice vaccinated with a mixture of VLPs were protected against both clade 1 and 2 viruses. In contrast, mice vaccinated with a mixture of rHA survived challenge, but lost ~15% of original weight by days 5–7 post-challenge. Conclusion These results demonstrate that a multivalent influenza VLP vaccine representing different genetic clades is a promising strategy to elicit protective immunity against isolates from emerging clades and subclades of H5N1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corey J Crevar
- Center for Vaccine Research, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Halsey RJ, Tanzer FL, Meyers A, Pillay S, Lynch A, Shephard E, Williamson AL, Rybicki EP. Chimaeric HIV-1 subtype C Gag molecules with large in-frame C-terminal polypeptide fusions form virus-like particles. Virus Res 2008; 133:259-68. [PMID: 18329748 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2008.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2007] [Revised: 01/16/2008] [Accepted: 01/21/2008] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
HIV-1 Pr55 Gag virus-like particles (VLPs) are strong immunogens with potential as candidate HIV vaccines. VLP immunogenicity can be broadened by making chimaeric Gag molecules: however, VLPs incorporating polypeptides longer than 200 aa fused in frame with Gag have not yet been reported. We constructed a range of gag-derived genes encoding in-frame C-terminal fusions of myristoylation-competent native Pr55Gag and p6-truncated Gag (Pr50Gag) to test the effects of polypeptide length and sequence on VLP formation and morphology, in an insect cell expression system. Fused sequences included a modified reverse transcriptase-Tat-Nef fusion polypeptide (RTTN, 778 aa), and truncated versions of RTTN ranging from 113 aa to 450 aa. Baculovirus-expressed chimaeric proteins were examined by western blot and electron microscopy. All chimaeras formed VLPs which could be purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation. VLP diameter increased with protein MW, from approximately 100 nm for Pr55Gag to approximately 250 nm for GagRTTN. The presence or absence of the Gag p6 region did not obviously affect VLP formation or appearance. GagRT chimaeric particles were successfully used in mice to boost T-cell responses to Gag and RT that were elicited by a DNA vaccine encoding a GagRTTN polypeptide, indicating the potential of such chimaeras to be used as candidate HIV vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Halsey
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, PO Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Dalba C, Bellier B, Kasahara N, Klatzmann D. Replication-competent Vectors and Empty Virus-like Particles: New Retroviral Vector Designs for Cancer Gene Therapy or Vaccines. Mol Ther 2007; 15:457-66. [PMID: 17245356 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Replication-defective vectors based on murine oncoretroviruses were the first gene transfer vectors to be used in successful gene therapies. Despite this achievement, they have two major drawbacks: insufficient efficacy for in vivo gene transfer and insertional mutagenesis. Attempts to overcome these problems have led to two retroviral vector designs of principally opposite character: replication-competent vectors transducing largely intact genomes and genome-free vectors. Replication-competent retroviral vectors have achieved dramatically improved efficacy for in vivo cancer gene therapy and genome-free retroviral vectors expressing different kinds of antigens have proven excellent as immunogens. Current developments aim to improve the safety of the replication-competent vectors and to augment the production efficiency of the genome-free vectors by expression from heterologous viral or non-viral vectors. Together with the continuous advances of classical defective retroviral vectors for ex vivo gene therapy, these developments illustrate that, due to their tremendous design versatility, retroviral vectors remain important vectors for gene therapy applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Dalba
- Biologie et Thérapeutique des Pathologies Immunitaires, CNRS, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris, UMR 7087, Paris, France.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
17
|
Young KR, McBurney SP, Karkhanis LU, Ross TM. Virus-like particles: designing an effective AIDS vaccine. Methods 2007; 40:98-117. [PMID: 16997718 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2006.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2005] [Accepted: 05/05/2006] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses that infect eukaryotic organisms have the unique characteristic of self-assembling into particles. The mammalian immune system is highly attuned to recognizing and attacking these viral particles following infection. The use of particle-based immunogens, often delivered as live-attenuated viruses, has been an effective vaccination strategy for a variety of viruses. The development of an effective vaccine against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has proven to be a challenge, since HIV infects cells of the immune system causing severe immunodeficiency resulting in the syndrome known as AIDS. In addition, the ability of the virus to adapt to immune pressure and reside in an integrated form in host cells presents hurdles for vaccinologists to overcome. A particle-based vaccine strategy has promise for eliciting high titer, long-lived, immune responses to a diverse number of viral epitopes against different HIV antigens. Live-attenuated viruses are effective at generating both cellular and humoral immune responses. However, while these vaccines stimulate immunity, challenged animals rarely clear the viral infection and the degree of attenuation directly correlates with protection from disease. Further, a live-attenuated vaccine has the potential to revert to a pathogenic form. Alternatively, virus-like particles (VLPs) mimic the viral particle without causing an immunodeficiency disease. VLPs are self-assembling, non-replicating, non-pathogenic particles that are similar in size and conformation to intact virions. A variety of VLPs for lentiviruses are currently in preclinical and clinical trials. This review focuses on our current status of VLP-based AIDS vaccines, regarding issues of purification and immune design for animal and clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly R Young
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA 15261, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
18
|
McBurney SP, Young KR, Ross TM. Membrane embedded HIV-1 envelope on the surface of a virus-like particle elicits broader immune responses than soluble envelopes. Virology 2006; 358:334-46. [PMID: 17011011 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2006.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2006] [Revised: 08/07/2006] [Accepted: 08/22/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Virally regulated HIV-1 particles were expressed from DNA plasmids encoding Gag, protease, reverse transcriptase, Vpu, Tat, Rev, and Env. The sequences for integrase, Vpr, Vif, Nef, and the long terminal repeats (LTRs) were deleted. Mutations were engineered into the VLP genome to produce particles deficient in activities associated with viral reverse transcriptase, RNase H, and RNA packaging. Each plasmid efficiently secreted particles from primate cells in vitro and particles were purified from the supernatants and used as immunogens. Mice (BALB/c) were vaccinated intranasally (day 1 and weeks 3 and 6) with purified VLPs and the elicited immunity was compared to particles without Env (Gag(p55)), to soluble monomeric Env(gp120), or to soluble trimerized Env(gp140). Only mice vaccinated with VLPs had robust anti-Env cellular immunity. In contrast, all mice had high titer anti-Env serum antibody (IgG). However, VLP-vaccinated mice had antisera that detected a broader number of linear Env peptides, had anti-Env mucosal IgA and IgG, as well as higher titers of serum neutralizing antibodies. VLPs elicited high titer antibodies that recognized linear regions in V4-C5 and the ectodomain of gp41, but did not recognize V3. These lentiviral VLPs are effective mucosal immunogens that elicit broader immunity against Env determinants in both the systemic and mucosal immune compartments than soluble forms of Env.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sean P McBurney
- Center for Vaccine Research for Emerging Diseases and Biodefense, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 9047 Biomedical Sciences Tower 3, 3501 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Young KR, Ross TM. Elicitation of immunity to HIV type 1 Gag is determined by Gag structure. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2006; 22:99-108. [PMID: 16438652 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2006.22.99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The gag gene of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) encodes for viral proteins that self-assemble into viral particles. The primary Gag gene products (capsid, matrix, and nucleocapsid) elicit humoral and cellular immune responses during natural infection, and these proteins are included in many preclinical and clinical HIV/AIDS vaccines. However, the structure (particulate or soluble) of these proteins may influence the immunity elicited during vaccination. In this study, mice were inoculated with four different HIV-1 Gag vaccines to compare the elicitation of immune responses by the same Gag immunogen presented to the immune system in different forms. The immunity elicited by particles produced in vivo by DNA plasmid (pGag) was compared to these same proteins retained intracellularly (pGag(DMyr)). In addition, the elicitation of anti- Gag immunity by Gag(p55) virus-like particles (VLPs) or soluble, nonparticulate Gag(p55) proteins was compared. Enhanced cellular responses, but almost no anti-Gag antibodies, were elicited with intracellularly retained Gag proteins. In contrast, DNA vaccines expressing VLPs elicited both anti-Gag antibodies and cellular responses. Mice vaccinated with purified Gag(p55) VLPs elicited robust humoral and cellular immune responses, which were significantly higher than the immunity elicited by soluble, nonparticulate Gag(p55) protein. Overall, purified particles of Gag effectively elicited the broadest and highest titers of anti-Gag immunity. The structural form of Gag influences the elicited immune responses and should be considered in the design of HIV/AIDS vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly R Young
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15261, USA
| | | |
Collapse
|
20
|
Thomson SA, Jaramillo AB, Shoobridge M, Dunstan KJ, Everett B, Ranasinghe C, Kent SJ, Gao K, Medveckzy J, Ffrench RA, Ramshaw IA. Development of a synthetic consensus sequence scrambled antigen HIV-1 vaccine designed for global use. Vaccine 2005; 23:4647-57. [PMID: 15964105 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.04.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2005] [Revised: 03/18/2005] [Accepted: 04/28/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Induction of high levels of broadly reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) remains a promising approach for an effective HIV-1 vaccine. We have developed a novel genetic-based vaccine strategy that encodes consensus overlapping peptide sets from all HIV-1 proteins scrambled together. This synthetic scrambled antigen vaccine (SAVINE) strategy has significant advantages, e.g. capacity to encode more antigens safely and is very flexible compared to traditional isolate-based strategies. The SAVINE vaccine strategy is clearly immunogenic, being able to restimulate a range of human HIV-1 specific responses in vitro and induce HIV-1 specific immunity in vivo in mice. Interestingly, different in vivo delivery strategies affected the resulting immunity and immunodominance pattern in mice. This platform strategy could be used for other infections and cancers where T cell responses are important for protection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Scott A Thomson
- Division of Immunology and Genetics, John Curtin School of Medical Research (JCSMR), Australian National University, P.O. Box 334, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Azizi A, Aucoin S, Tadesse H, Frost R, Ghorbani M, Soare C, Naas T, Diaz-Mitoma F. A combined nucleocapsid vaccine induces vigorous SARS-CD8+ T-cell immune responses. GENETIC VACCINES AND THERAPY 2005; 3:7. [PMID: 16115319 PMCID: PMC1249587 DOI: 10.1186/1479-0556-3-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2005] [Accepted: 08/22/2005] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have shown that cell-mediated immune responses play a crucial role in controlling viral replication. As such, a candidate SARS vaccine should elicit broad CD8+ T-cell immune responses. Several groups of mice were immunized alone or in combination with SARS-nucleocapsid immunogen. A high level of specific SARS-CD8+ T-cell response was demonstrated in mice that received DNA encoding the SARS-nucleocapsid, protein and XIAP as an adjuvant. We also observed that co-administration of a plasmid expressing nucleocapsid, recombinant protein and montanide/CpG induces high antibody titers in immunized mice. Moreover, this vaccine approach merits further investigation as a potential candidate vaccine against SARS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ali Azizi
- Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M2, Canada
| | - Susan Aucoin
- Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Helina Tadesse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M2, Canada
| | - Rita Frost
- Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Masoud Ghorbani
- Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - Catalina Soare
- Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M2, Canada
| | - Turaya Naas
- Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M2, Canada
| | - Francisco Diaz-Mitoma
- Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research Centre, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8L1, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, K1H 8M2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Young KR, Teal BE, Brooks Y, Green TD, Bower JF, Ross TM. Unique V3 loop sequence derived from the R2 strain of HIV-type 1 elicits broad neutralizing antibodies. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2004; 20:1259-68. [PMID: 15588348 PMCID: PMC1550980 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2004.20.1259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccines expressing the envelope (Env) of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been relatively ineffective at generating high-titer, long-lasting, neutralizing antibodies. In this study, DNA vaccines were constructed to express the gp120 subunit of Env from the isolate HIV-1(R2) using both wild-type and codon-optimized gene sequences. Three copies of the murine C3d were added to the carboxyl terminus to enhance the immunogenicity of the expressed fusion protein. Mice (BALB/c) vaccinated with DNA plasmid expressing the gp120(R2) using codon-optimized Env sequences elicited high-titer anti-Env antibodies regardless of conjugation to C3d. In contrast, only mice vaccinated with DNA using wild-type gp120(R2) sequences fused to mC3d(3), had detectable anti-Env antibodies. Interestingly, mice vaccinated with DNA expressing gp120(R2) from codon-optimized sequences elicited antibodies that neutralized both homologous and heterologous HIV-1 isolates. To determine if the unique sequence found in the crown of the V3 loop of the Env(R2) was responsible for the elicitation of the cross-clade neutralizing antibodies, the codons encoding for the Pro-Met (amino acids 313-314) were introduced into the sequences encoding the gp120(ADA) (R5) or gp120(89.6) (R5X4). Mice vaccinated with gp120(ADA)-mC3d(3)-DNA with the Pro-Met mutation had antibodies that neutralized HIV-1 infection, but not the gp120(89.6)-mC3d(3)-DNA. Therefore, the use of the unique sequences in the Env(R2) introduced into an R5 tropic envelope, in conjunction with C3d fusion, was effective at broadening the number of viruses that could be neutralized. However, the introduction of this same sequence into an R5X4-tropic envelope was ineffective in eliciting improved cross-clade neutralizing antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelly R Young
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Pittsburgh, School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|