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Yoon J, Zhang YM, Her C, Grant RA, Ponomarenko AI, Ackermann BE, Hui T, Lin YS, Debelouchina GT, Shoulders MD. The immune-evasive proline-283 substitution in influenza nucleoprotein increases aggregation propensity without altering the native structure. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl6144. [PMID: 38640233 PMCID: PMC11029814 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl6144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Nucleoprotein (NP) is a key structural protein of influenza ribonucleoprotein complexes and is central to viral RNA packing and trafficking. NP also determines the sensitivity of influenza to myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MxA), an innate immunity factor that restricts influenza replication. A few critical MxA-resistant mutations have been identified in NP, including the highly conserved proline-283 substitution. This essential proline-283 substitution impairs influenza growth, a fitness defect that becomes particularly prominent at febrile temperature (39°C) when host chaperones are depleted. Here, we biophysically characterize proline-283 NP and serine-283 NP to test whether the fitness defect is caused by the proline-283 substitution introducing folding defects. We show that the proline-283 substitution changes the folding pathway of NP, making NP more aggregation prone during folding, but does not alter the native structure of the protein. These findings suggest that influenza has evolved to hijack host chaperones to promote the folding of otherwise biophysically incompetent viral proteins that enable innate immune system escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Yoon
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yu Meng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Cheenou Her
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Robert A. Grant
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Anna I. Ponomarenko
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Bryce E. Ackermann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Tiffani Hui
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Yu-Shan Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Tufts University, Medford, MA, USA
| | - Galia T. Debelouchina
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Matthew D. Shoulders
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
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2
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Simbulan AM, Banico EC, Sira EMJS, Odchimar NMO, Orosco FL. Immunoinformatics-guided approach for designing a pan-proteome multi-epitope subunit vaccine against African swine fever virus. Sci Rep 2024; 14:1354. [PMID: 38228670 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-51005-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite being identified over a hundred years ago, there is still no commercially available vaccine for the highly contagious and deadly African swine fever virus (ASFV). This study used immunoinformatics for the rapid and inexpensive designing of a safe and effective multi-epitope subunit vaccine for ASFV. A total of 18,858 proteins from 100 well-annotated ASFV proteomes were screened using various computational tools to identify potential epitopes, or peptides capable of triggering an immune response in swine. Proteins from genotypes I and II were prioritized for their involvement in the recent global ASFV outbreaks. The screened epitopes exhibited promising qualities that positioned them as effective components of the ASFV vaccine. They demonstrated antigenicity, immunogenicity, and cytokine-inducing properties indicating their ability to induce potent immune responses. They have strong binding affinities to multiple swine allele receptors suggesting a high likelihood of yielding more amplified responses. Moreover, they were non-allergenic and non-toxic, a crucial prerequisite for ensuring safety and minimizing any potential adverse effects when the vaccine is processed within the host. Integrated with an immunogenic 50S ribosomal protein adjuvant and linkers, the epitopes formed a 364-amino acid multi-epitope subunit vaccine. The ASFV vaccine construct exhibited notable immunogenicity in immune simulation and molecular docking analyses, and stable profiles in secondary and tertiary structure assessments. Moreover, this study designed an optimized codon for efficient translation of the ASFV vaccine construct into the Escherichia coli K-12 expression system using the pET28a(+) vector. Overall, both sequence and structural evaluations suggested the potential of the ASFV vaccine construct as a candidate for controlling and eradicating outbreaks caused by the pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alea Maurice Simbulan
- Department of Science and Technology, Virology and Vaccine Research and Development Program, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Bicutan, 1634, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
| | - Edward C Banico
- Department of Science and Technology, Virology and Vaccine Research and Development Program, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Bicutan, 1634, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
| | - Ella Mae Joy S Sira
- Department of Science and Technology, Virology and Vaccine Research and Development Program, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Bicutan, 1634, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
| | - Nyzar Mabeth O Odchimar
- Department of Science and Technology, Virology and Vaccine Research and Development Program, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Bicutan, 1634, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines
| | - Fredmoore L Orosco
- Department of Science and Technology, Virology and Vaccine Research and Development Program, Industrial Technology Development Institute, Bicutan, 1634, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.
- Department of Science and Technology, S&T Fellows Program, Bicutan, 1634, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.
- Department of Biology, University of the Philippines Manila, 1000, Manila, Philippines.
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3
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Yoon J, Zhang YM, Her C, Grant RA, Ponomarenko AM, Ackermann BE, Debelouchina GT, Shoulders MD. The Immune-Evasive Proline 283 Substitution in Influenza Nucleoprotein Increases Aggregation Propensity Without Altering the Native Structure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.08.556894. [PMID: 37745335 PMCID: PMC10515774 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.08.556894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Nucleoprotein (NP) is a key structural protein of influenza ribonucleoprotein complexes and is central to viral RNA packing and trafficking. In human cells, the interferon induced Myxovirus resistance protein 1 (MxA) binds to NP and restricts influenza replication. This selection pressure has caused NP to evolve a few critical MxA-resistant mutations, particularly the highly conserved Pro283 substitution. Previous work showed that this essential Pro283 substitution impairs influenza growth, and the fitness defect becomes particularly prominent at febrile temperature (39 °C) when host chaperones are depleted. Here, we biophysically characterize Pro283 NP and Ser283 NP to test if the fitness defect is owing to Pro283 substitution introducing folding defects. We show that the Pro283 substitution changes the folding pathway of NP without altering the native structure, making NP more aggregation prone during folding. These findings suggest that influenza has evolved to hijack host chaperones to promote the folding of otherwise biophysically incompetent viral proteins that enable innate immune system escape. Teaser Pro283 substitution in flu nucleoprotein introduces folding defects, and makes influenza uniquely dependent on host chaperones.
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Qian J, Donohue MP, Bowen T, Zhang Y. The CombE-IDMS Assay as an Alternate Potency Method for Adjuvanted Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccines. Anal Chem 2023; 95:12842-12850. [PMID: 37587402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
The potency of all currently licensed inactivated influenza viral vaccines is assayed by the single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) method. SRID relies upon antisera and reference antigen reagents which are produced, standardized, and distributed in the mass quantities needed for vaccine manufacturers only after a significant amount of time has elapsed from the seasonal strain recommendations issued by the WHO; this time delay is exacerbated under conditions of an emerging pandemic. Previously, the limited trypsin digestion isotope dilution mass spectrometry (LTD-IDMS) method, which does not require antisera or reference antigens, demonstrated comparable quantitation of immunologically active hemagglutinin, the primary viral antigen, to SRID in stressed vaccine materials. Here, we demonstrate a streamlined improvement to the LTD-IDMS method by eliminating the need for its precipitation and washing steps, saving time and labor in the sample preparation process while paving the way for plate-based high-throughput analysis. This is accomplished using dissimilar proteases in the pretreatment (a combination of chymotrypsin and elastase) and analytical (trypsin) digestion steps so that any pretreatment digests will not cause interference while monitoring analytical tryptic digests by IDMS. The combination of enzymes (CombE)-IDMS method is tested alongside LTD-IDMS and SRID for the first time on MF59 adjuvanted seasonal cell-based quadrivalent influenza vaccines (aQIVc) under stressed conditions of heating, oxidation, lowered and elevated pH, and freeze-thaw. Overall, a correlation in the degradation trend is observed between CombE-IDMS and SRID in the four strains of the quadrivalent formulation, highlighting the method's stability indicating capability as a rapid alternate potency assay in a highly complex formulation of aQIVc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Qian
- Biopharmaceutical Product Development, CSL Seqirus, 475 Green Oaks Parkway, Holly Springs, North Carolina 27540, United States
| | - Matthew P Donohue
- Biopharmaceutical Product Development, CSL Seqirus, 475 Green Oaks Parkway, Holly Springs, North Carolina 27540, United States
| | - Thomas Bowen
- Biopharmaceutical Product Development, CSL Seqirus, 475 Green Oaks Parkway, Holly Springs, North Carolina 27540, United States
| | - Ying Zhang
- Biopharmaceutical Product Development, CSL Seqirus, 475 Green Oaks Parkway, Holly Springs, North Carolina 27540, United States
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5
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Egorov VV, Shvetsov AV, Pichkur EB, Shaldzhyan AA, Zabrodskaya YA, Vinogradova DS, Nekrasov PA, Gorshkov AN, Garmay YP, Kovaleva AA, Stepanova LA, Tsybalova LM, Shtam TA, Myasnikov AG, Konevega AL. Inside and outside of virus-like particles HBc and HBc/4M2e: A comprehensive study of the structure. Biophys Chem 2023; 293:106943. [PMID: 36495688 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpc.2022.106943] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBc) with the insertion of four external domains of the influenza A M2 protein (HBc/4M2e) form virus-like particles whose structure was studied using a combination of molecular modeling and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). It was also shown that self-assembling of the particles occurs inside bacterial cells, but despite the big inner volume of the core shell particle, purified HBc/4M2e contain an insignificant amount of bacterial proteins. It was shown that a fragment of the M2e corresponding to 4M2e insertion is prone to formation of amyloid-like fibrils. However, as the part of the immunodominant loop, M2e insertion does not show a tendency to intermolecular interaction. A full-atomic HBc-4M2e model with the resolution of about 3 Å (3.13 Å for particles of Т = 4 symmetry, 3.7 Å for particles of Т = 3 symmetry) was obtained by molecular modeling methods based on cryo-EM data.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Egorov
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova roscha 1, Gatchina 188300, Russian Federation; Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Akademika Kurchatova pl. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russian Federation; Institute of Experimental Medicine, Academika Pavlova, 12, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.
| | - A V Shvetsov
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova roscha 1, Gatchina 188300, Russian Federation; National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Akademika Kurchatova pl. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russian Federation; Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University, Politehnicheskaya 29, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - E B Pichkur
- National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Akademika Kurchatova pl. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A A Shaldzhyan
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Ya A Zabrodskaya
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation; Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University, Politehnicheskaya 29, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - D S Vinogradova
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova roscha 1, Gatchina 188300, Russian Federation
| | - P A Nekrasov
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - A N Gorshkov
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Yu P Garmay
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova roscha 1, Gatchina 188300, Russian Federation
| | - A A Kovaleva
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - L A Stepanova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - L M Tsybalova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376, Prof. Popov St. 15/17, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - T A Shtam
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova roscha 1, Gatchina 188300, Russian Federation; National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Akademika Kurchatova pl. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A G Myasnikov
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova roscha 1, Gatchina 188300, Russian Federation; National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Akademika Kurchatova pl. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russian Federation
| | - A L Konevega
- Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute named by B.P. Konstantinov of National Research Centre «Kurchatov Institute», Orlova roscha 1, Gatchina 188300, Russian Federation; National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Akademika Kurchatova pl. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russian Federation; Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University, Politehnicheskaya 29, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
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6
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Prediction of frozen virus stability based on degradation mechanisms, real-time data and modeling. Bioanalysis 2022; 14:1177-1190. [DOI: 10.4155/bio-2022-0101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Critical virus reagents in regulated bioanalytical assays require stability monitoring. Although stability at ultralow frozen temperatures is generally assumed, published data are limited and real-time studies are time consuming. Materials & methods: The authors reviewed literature data, typical mechanisms of molecular degradation, glass transition temperatures of commonly used buffers and available real-time storage data to model frozen virus reagent stability. Results: Storage at ultralow temperatures below the glass transition temperature was critical for virus stability. Modeling of real-time data suggested that virus potency remained within 0.5 log10 of its starting potency at a probability of >99, 90 and 73% after 10, 20 and 30 years, respectively. Conclusion: The study supports the practice of virus storage at -70°C or below for 20–30 years.
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7
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McAdams D, Estrada M, Holland D, Singh J, Sawant N, Hickey JM, Kumar P, Plikaytis B, Joshi SB, Volkin DB, Sitrin R, Cryz S, White JA. Concordance of in vitro and in vivo measures of non-replicating rotavirus vaccine potency. Vaccine 2022; 40:5069-5078. [PMID: 35871866 PMCID: PMC9405915 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Rotavirus infections remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among infants residing in low- and middle-income countries. To address the large need for protection from this vaccine-preventable disease we are developing a trivalent subunit rotavirus vaccine which is currently being evaluated in a multinational Phase 3 clinical trial for prevention of serious rotavirus gastroenteritis. Currently, there are no universally accepted in vivo or in vitro models that allow for correlation of field efficacy to an immune response against serious rotavirus gastroenteritis. As a new generation of non-replicating rotavirus vaccines are developed the lack of an established model for evaluating vaccine efficacy becomes a critical issue related to how vaccine potency and stability can be assessed. Our previous publication described the development of an in vitro ELISA to quantify individual vaccine antigens adsorbed to an aluminum hydroxide adjuvant to address the gap in vaccine potency methods for this non-replicating rotavirus vaccine candidate. In the present study, we report on concordance between ELISA readouts and in vivo immunogenicity in a guinea pig model as it relates to vaccine dosing levels and sensitivity to thermal stress. We found correlation between in vitro ELISA values and neutralizing antibody responses engendered after animal immunization. Furthermore, this in vitro assay could be used to demonstrate the effect of thermal stress on vaccine potency, and such results could be correlated with physicochemical analysis of the recombinant protein antigens. This work demonstrates the suitability of the in vitro ELISA to measure vaccine potency and the correlation of these measurements to an immunologic outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- David McAdams
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, United States
| | - Marcus Estrada
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, United States.
| | - David Holland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States.
| | - Jasneet Singh
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, United States
| | - Nishant Sawant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States
| | - John M Hickey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States.
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States.
| | - Brian Plikaytis
- BioStat Consulting, LLC, 10429, Big Canoe, Jasper, GA 30143-5125, United States
| | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States.
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, United States.
| | - Robert Sitrin
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, United States.
| | - Stan Cryz
- PATH, 2201 Westlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, United States.
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8
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Kaur K, Xiong J, Sawant N, Agarwal S, Hickey JM, Holland DA, Mukhopadhyay TK, Brady JR, Dalvie NC, Tracey MK, Love KR, Love JC, Weis DD, Joshi SB, Volkin DB. Mechanism of Thimerosal-Induced Structural Destabilization of a Recombinant Rotavirus P[4] Protein Antigen Formulated as a Multi-Dose Vaccine. J Pharm Sci 2021; 110:1054-1066. [PMID: 33278412 PMCID: PMC7884053 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.11.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In a companion paper, a two-step developability assessment is presented to rapidly evaluate low-cost formulations (multi-dose, aluminum-adjuvanted) for new subunit vaccine candidates. As a case study, a non-replicating rotavirus (NRRV) recombinant protein antigen P[4] was found to be destabilized by the vaccine preservative thimerosal, and this effect was mitigated by modification of the free cysteine (C173S). In this work, the mechanism(s) of thimerosal-P[4] protein interactions, along with subsequent effects on the P[4] protein's structural integrity, are determined. Reversible complexation of ethylmercury, a thimerosal degradation byproduct, with the single cysteine residue of P[4] protein is demonstrated by intact protein mass analysis and biophysical studies. A working mechanism involving a reversible S-Hg coordinate bond is presented based on the literature. This reaction increased the local backbone flexibility of P[4] within the helical region surrounding the cysteine residue and then caused more global destabilization, both as detected by HX-MS. These effects correlate with changes in antibody-P[4] binding parameters and alterations in P[4] conformational stability due to C173S modification. Epitope mapping by HX-MS demonstrated involvement of the same cysteine-containing helical region of P[4] in antibody-antigen binding. Future formulation challenges to develop low-cost, multi-dose formulations for new recombinant protein vaccine candidates are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kawaljit Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - Jian Xiong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - Nishant Sawant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - Sanjeev Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - John M Hickey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - David A Holland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - Tarit K Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Joseph R Brady
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Neil C Dalvie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Mary Kate Tracey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Kerry R Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - J Christopher Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - David D Weis
- Department of Chemistry and R.N. Adams Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045
| | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, Kansas 66047.
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9
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Sawant N, Kaur K, Holland DA, Hickey JM, Agarwal S, Brady JR, Dalvie NC, Tracey MK, Velez-Suberbie ML, Morris SA, Jacob SI, Bracewell DG, Mukhopadhyay TK, Love KR, Love JC, Joshi SB, Volkin DB. Rapid Developability Assessments to Formulate Recombinant Protein Antigens as Stable, Low-Cost, Multi-Dose Vaccine Candidates: Case-Study With Non-Replicating Rotavirus (NRRV) Vaccine Antigens. J Pharm Sci 2021; 110:1042-1053. [PMID: 33285182 PMCID: PMC7884052 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.11.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A two-step developability assessment workflow is described to screen variants of recombinant protein antigens under various formulation conditions to rapidly identify stable, aluminum-adjuvanted, multi-dose vaccine candidates. For proof-of-concept, a series of sequence variants of the recombinant non-replicating rotavirus (NRRV) P[8] protein antigen (produced in Komagataella phaffii) were compared in terms of primary structure, post-translational modifications, antibody binding, conformational stability, relative solubility and preservative compatibility. Based on these results, promising P[8] variants were down-selected and the impact of key formulation conditions on storage stability was examined (e.g., presence or absence of the aluminum-adjuvant Alhydrogel and the preservative thimerosal) as measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and antibody binding assays. Good correlations between rapidly-generated developability screening data and storage stability profiles (12 weeks at various temperatures) were observed for aluminum-adsorbed P[8] antigens. These findings were extended and confirmed using variants of a second NRRV antigen, P[4]. These case-study results with P[8] and P[4] NRRV variants are discussed in terms of using this vaccine formulation developability workflow to better inform and optimize formulation design with a wide variety of recombinant protein antigens, with the long-term goal of rapidly and cost-efficiently identifying low-cost vaccine formulations for use in low and middle income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishant Sawant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - David A Holland
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - John M Hickey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Sanjeev Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - Joseph R Brady
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Neil C Dalvie
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mary Kate Tracey
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - M Lourdes Velez-Suberbie
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Stephen A Morris
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Shaleem I Jacob
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Daniel G Bracewell
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Tarit K Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College London, Bernard Katz Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Kerry R Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - J Christopher Love
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, 2030 Becker Drive, Lawrence, KS 66047, USA.
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Hong MS, Kaur K, Sawant N, Joshi SB, Volkin DB, Braatz RD. Crystallization of a nonreplicating rotavirus vaccine candidate. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:1750-1756. [PMID: 33527346 PMCID: PMC8248096 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nonreplicating rotavirus vaccine (NRRV) candidates are being developed with the aim of serving the needs of developing countries. A significant proportion of the cost of manufacturing such vaccines is the purification in multiple chromatography steps. Crystallization has the potential to reduce purification costs and provide new product storage modality, improved operational flexibility, and reduced facility footprints. This communication describes a systematic approach for the design of the crystallization of an NRRV candidate, VP8 subunit proteins fused to the P2 epitope of tetanus toxin, using first‐principles models and preliminary experimental data. The first‐principles models are applied to literature data to obtain feasible crystallization conditions and lower bounds for nucleation and growth rates. Crystallization is then performed in a hanging‐drop vapor diffusion system, resulting in the nucleation and growth of NRRV crystals. The crystals obtained in a scaled‐up evaporative crystallization contain proteins truncated in the P2 region, but have no significant differences with the original samples in terms of antibody binding and overall conformational stability. These results demonstrate the promise of evaporative crystallization of the NRRV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moo Sun Hong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kawaljit Kaur
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kanas, USA
| | - Nishant Sawant
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kanas, USA
| | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kanas, USA
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kanas, USA
| | - Richard D Braatz
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Lakatos K, McAdams D, White JA, Chen D. Formulation and preclinical studies with a trivalent rotavirus P2-VP8 subunit vaccine. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:1957-1968. [PMID: 31995444 PMCID: PMC7482676 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1710412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
More effective rotavirus vaccines are essential for preventing extensive diarrheal morbidity and mortality in children under five years of age in low-resource regions. Nonreplicating rotavirus vaccines (NRRV) administered parenterally provide an alternate vaccination method to the current licensed oral vaccine. Live attenuated vaccines and may generate increased efficacy in low-resource settings because the parenteral administration route bypasses some of the challenges associated with oral administration, including differences in intestinal environments. Work described here supports development of a trivalent NRRV vaccine for parenteral administration to avoid complications of the gastrointestinal route. Recombinant VP8* subunit proteins representing some of the most prevalent strains of rotavirus infecting humans - DS-1 (P[4]), 1076 (P[6]), and Wa (P[8]) - were combined with an aluminum adjuvant and the P2 epitope of tetanus toxoid to enhance the immune response to this NRRV antigen. Vaccine formulation development included selection of aluminum hydroxide (Alhydrogel®) as an appropriate adjuvant as well as an optimal buffer to maintain antigen stability and optimize antigen binding to the adjuvant. Characterization assays were used to select the lead vaccine formulation and monitor formulation stability. The NRRV liquid formulation was stable for one year at 2°C to 8°C and four weeks at 37°C. Immunogenicity of the NRRV formulation was evaluated using a guinea pig model, where we demonstrated that the adjuvant provided a 20-fold increase in neutralization titer against a homologous antigen and that the P2-fusion also enhanced the serum neutralizing antibody responses. This vaccine candidate is currently being evaluated in human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Lakatos
- Medical Devices and Health Technologies Global Program, Formulation Technologies, PATH, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David McAdams
- Medical Devices and Health Technologies Global Program, Formulation Technologies, PATH, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jessica A. White
- Medical Devices and Health Technologies Global Program, Formulation Technologies, PATH, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Dexiang Chen
- Medical Devices and Health Technologies Global Program, Formulation Technologies, PATH, Seattle, WA, USA
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Effect of Aluminum Adjuvant and Preservatives on Structural Integrity and Physicochemical Stability Profiles of Three Recombinant Subunit Rotavirus Vaccine Antigens. J Pharm Sci 2019; 109:476-487. [PMID: 31589875 PMCID: PMC6941222 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
A nonreplicating rotavirus vaccine (NRRV) containing 3 recombinant fusion proteins adsorbed to aluminum adjuvant (Alhydrogel [AH]) is currently in clinical trials. The compatibility and stability of monovalent NRRV antigen with key components of a multidose vaccine formulation were examined using physicochemical and immunochemical methods. The extent and strength of antigen-adjuvant binding were diminished by increasing phosphate concentration, and acceptable levels were identified along with alternate buffering agents. Addition of the preservative thimerosal destabilized AH-adsorbed P2-VP8-P[8] as measured by differential scanning calorimetry. Over 3 months at 4°C, AH-adsorbed P2-VP8-P[8] was stable, whereas at 25°C and 37°C, instability was observed which was greatly accelerated by thimerosal addition. Loss of antibody binding (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) correlated with loss of structural integrity (differential scanning calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy) with concomitant nonnative disulfide bond formation (sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) and Asn deamidation (liquid chromatography -mass spectrometry peptide mapping). An alternative preservative (2-phenoxyethanol) showed similar antigen destabilization. Due to limited availability, only key assays were performed with monovalent P2-VP8-P[4] and P2-VP8-P[6] AH-adsorbed antigens, and varying levels of preservative incompatibility were observed. In summary, monovalent AH-adsorbed NRRV antigens stored at 4°C showed good stability without preservatives; however, future formulation development efforts are required to prepare a stable, preservative-containing, multidose NRRV formulation.
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Agarwal S, Hickey JM, Sahni N, Toth RT, Robertson GA, Sitrin R, Cryz S, Joshi SB, Volkin DB. Recombinant Subunit Rotavirus Trivalent Vaccine Candidate: Physicochemical Comparisons and Stability Evaluations of Three Protein Antigens. J Pharm Sci 2019; 109:380-393. [PMID: 31400347 PMCID: PMC6941226 DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although live attenuated Rotavirus (RV) vaccines are available globally to provide protection against enteric RV disease, efficacy is substantially lower in low- to middle-income settings leading to interest in alternative vaccines. One promising candidate is a trivalent nonreplicating RV vaccine, comprising 3 truncated RV VP8 subunit proteins fused to the P2 CD4+ epitope from tetanus toxin (P2-VP8-P[4/6/8]). A wide variety of analytical techniques were used to compare the physicochemical properties of these 3 recombinant fusion proteins. Various environmental stresses were used to evaluate antigen stability and elucidate degradation pathways. P2-VP8-P[4] and P2-VP8-P[6] displayed similar physical stability profiles as function of pH and temperature while P2-VP8-P[8] was relatively more stable. Forced degradation studies revealed similar chemical stability profiles with Met1 most susceptible to oxidation, the single Cys residue (at position 173/172) forming intermolecular disulfide bonds (P2-VP8-P[6] was most susceptible), and Asn7 undergoing the highest levels of deamidation. These results are visualized in a structural model of the nonreplicating RV antigens. The establishment of key structural attributes of each antigen, along with corresponding stability-indicating methods, have been applied to vaccine formulation development efforts (see companion paper), and will be utilized in future analytical comparability assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjeev Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - John M Hickey
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - Neha Sahni
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - Ronald T Toth
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - George A Robertson
- The Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, District of Columbia 20001
| | - Robert Sitrin
- The Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, District of Columbia 20001
| | - Stanley Cryz
- The Center for Vaccine Innovation and Access, PATH, Washington, District of Columbia 20001
| | - Sangeeta B Joshi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047
| | - David B Volkin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Vaccine Analytics and Formulation Center, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047.
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