|
1
|
Pan F, Fu W, Zhang B, Han M, Xie H, Yi Q, Qian W, Cui J, Cao M, Li Y, Jia Y, Fang F, Ling Y, Li Y, Liu Y. Effects of Vaccination against Recombinant FSH or LH Receptor Subunits on Gonadal Development and Functioning Male Rats. Vet Sci 2024; 11:176. [PMID: 38668443 PMCID: PMC11054695 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci11040176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) play key roles in regulating testosterone secretion and spermatogenesis in male mammals, respectively, and they maintain the fertility of male animals by binding to their corresponding receptors. We designed and prepared a recombinant LH receptor (LHR) subunit vaccine and a recombinant FSH receptor (FSHR) subunit vaccine and used male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats as a model to examine their effects on testicular development, spermatogenesis, and testosterone secretion in prepubertal and pubertal mammals. Both vaccines (LHR-DTT and FSHR-DTT) significantly decreased the serum testosterone level in prepubertal rats (p < 0.05) but had no effect on the testosterone secretion in pubertal rats; both vaccines decreased the number of cell layers in the seminiferous tubules and reduced spermatogenesis in prepubertal and pubertal rats. Subunit vaccine FSHR-DTT decreased the sperm density in the epididymis in both prepubertal and pubertal rats (p < 0.01) and lowered testicular index and sperm motility in pubertal rats (p < 0.05), whereas LHR-DTT only reduced the sperm density in the epididymis in pubertal rats (p < 0.05). These results indicate that the FSHR subunit vaccine may be a promising approach for immunocastration, but it still needs improvements in effectiveness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuqiang Pan
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Wanzhen Fu
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Bochao Zhang
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Mengdi Han
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Huihui Xie
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qing Yi
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Wei Qian
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Jiankun Cui
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Meng Cao
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yanqiuhong Li
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Yuke Jia
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
| | - Fugui Fang
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Yinghui Ling
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Departmet of Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei 230036, China; (F.P.); (W.F.); (B.Z.); (M.H.); (H.X.); (Q.Y.); (W.Q.); (J.C.); (M.C.); (Y.L.); (Y.J.); (F.F.); (Y.L.); (Y.L.)
- Anhui Provinciale Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei 230036, China
- Linquan County Modern Agriculture Technology Cooperation and Extension Service Center, Fuyang 236000, China
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Kaliyaperumal A, Chauhan VS, Talwar GP, Raghupathy R. Carrier-induced epitope-specific regulation and its bypass in a protein-protein conjugate. Eur J Immunol 1995; 25:3375-80. [PMID: 8566026 DOI: 10.1002/eji.1830251226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In the course of clinical trials on a birth control vaccine, it was found that some of the immunized women responded poorly to booster immunizations. This vaccine consists of a dimer of the beta chain of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG) and the alpha chain of ovine luteinizing hormone (alpha oLH), linked to tetanus toxoid (TT) as a carrier. Changing this carrier to diphtheria toxoid resulted in reversion to high anti-hCG antibody titers, indicating the extent to which the carrier influences anti-ligand responses in this system. The suppression of anti-hCG responses after booster immunizations was reminiscent of the phenomenon of carrier-induced, epitope-specific regulation. In a mouse model designed to test the effects of preimmunization with TT on anti-hCG responses, we found that a single preimmunization with TT causes reduced anti-hCG antibody responses in two out of four mouse strains, while anti-alpha oLH antibody responses were not affected by the preimmunization with TT. This is particularly interesting considering that beta hCG and alpha oLH were not presented when linked separately to TT. In an effort to devise a strategy to circumvent this carrier-induced, ligand-specific hyporesponsiveness, we investigated the effectiveness of a synthetic T helper epitope from TT as carrier. We show that preimmunization with TT causes a less profound reduction in anti-hCG titers if the preimmunized mice are subsequently injected with alpha oLH-beta hCG conjugated to a synthetic tetanus toxin peptide recognized by TT-induced and peptide-induced T cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Kaliyaperumal
- Department of Medicine, University Medical School, Chicago, USA
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
|
5
|
Singh V, Curtiss R. Effect of amino group modification of ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) by N-succinimidyl 6-[3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate]hexanoate, a long chain N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP) on immunological and biological properties: a comparative study with SPDP modified oLH. Mol Cell Biochem 1994; 130:83-90. [PMID: 8190123 DOI: 10.1007/bf01084271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The epsilon-NH2 groups of ovine luteinizing hormone has been modified with the long chain N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyl dithiopropionate (LC-SPDP). The LC-SPDP modification primarily occurs in -NH2 groups of the alpha-subunit. Although, the sequential modification of lysine residue in alpha-subunit led to progressive reduction in the receptor binding and immunological properties but the steroidogenic activity was relatively unaffected. The immunoreactivity and receptor binding properties of LC-SPDP modified oLH molecule were more affected comparative to SPDP modified derivatives. This suggested that the increase in hydrophobic carbon chain in LC-SPDP-oLH molecules resulted into the drastic inhibition in the immunological and biological properties. However, the steroidogenic potential of LC-SPDP/or SPDP-oLH derivative was comparable. The present study clearly demonstrate that a single -NH2 group modification with LC-SPDP would generate the site for the conjugation to the toxin/carrier proteins and the resultant oLH-S-S-toxin conjugate would retain significant immunological and biological properties of the hormone molecule.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Singh
- Institute of Self Organising Systems and Biophysics, Shillong, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
|
6
|
Talwar GP, Hingorani V, Kumar S, Roy S, Banerjee A, Shahani SM, Krishna U, Dhall K, Sawhney H, Sharma NC. Phase I clinical trials with three formulations of anti-human chorionic gonadotropin vaccine. Contraception 1990; 41:301-16. [PMID: 2182290 DOI: 10.1016/0010-7824(90)90071-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Comparative phase I clinical trials were carried out in 5 centres with three formulations of beta-hCG-based vaccines inducing antibodies against human chorionic gonadotropin. The objectives of these trials were to determine their relative immunogenicity, duration, reversibility and safety. A total of 116 tubal ligated women volunteers were enrolled in the study and 101 subjects were followed-up for one year or more until the antibody titres declined to near zero levels. Every woman receiving the vaccine produced anti-hCG and anti-tetanus antibodies. Clinical examination carried out at intervals of 4-6 weeks revealed no abnormality. No serious side effects or adverse reactions were reported with any of the formulations during primary immunization with three monthly injections of the vaccine. Eleven women, however, demonstrated hypersensitivity to test dose at the time of the booster injection. The reaction was to tetanus toxoid; gonadotropin subunits conjugated to another carrier did not evoke any such reaction. Progesterone in bleeds taken at midluteal phase, as well as complete progesterone and estradiol done in two immunized women, indicated normal ovulatory cycles. Immunization with these formulations had no significant effect on haematological, clinical chemistry and other metabolic parameters. In summary, the results indicate that none of the three beta-hCG-based contraceptive vaccines had any adverse effects clinically, on endocrine status and metabolic parameters. Formulations A and B induced comparatively higher anti-hCG titres than M. Thus, further work can be undertaken to study the efficacy of these vaccines in humans for preventing pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G P Talwar
- National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
|
7
|
Pal R, Singh O, Rao LV, Talwar GP. Bioneutralization capacity of the antibodies generated in women by the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta hCG) and beta hCG associated with the alpha subunit of ovine luteinizing hormone linked to carriers. Am J Reprod Immunol 1990; 22:124-6. [PMID: 1695850 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.1990.tb00654.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Data is presented on the bioneutralization capacity per unit immunoactivity of 30 serum samples of women immunized with the beta-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) or beta hCG associated noncovalently with the alpha-subunit of ovine luteinizing hormone (alpha-oLH), to form a heterospecies dimer (HSD), which were linked to carriers. The bioassays utilized were inhibition of radioiodinated hCG binding to rat testicular receptors in vitro and the inhibition of hCG induced testosterone production in mice. In both assays, antisera of women immunized with the HSD had a bioactivity to immunoactivity ratio that was about 25% higher, on an average, than antisera of women immunized with beta-hCG, suggesting a better bioneutralization capacity of sera raised by the HSD in women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Pal
- Immuno-Endocrinology Group, National Institute of Immunology, Shaheed Jeet Singh Marg, New Delhi, India
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
|
8
|
Singh V, Sairam MR. Effects of thiolation of amino groups of ovine lutropin on immunoreactivity, receptor binding and bioactivity. Mol Cell Endocrinol 1989; 63:255-62. [PMID: 2753229 DOI: 10.1016/0303-7207(89)90102-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
We have studied the reaction of epsilon-amino groups of ovine lutropin with N-succinimidyl-3-(2-pyridyl-dithio) propionate (SPDP) and observed that modification of up to 1/3 of all available residues primarily occurs in the alpha-subunit. The 12 lysines available could be classified into three categories, as highly, moderately and less accessible. The three lysine residues of the hormone that appeared to resist modification may be in the intersubunit contact region. Sequential modifications of lysine residue in the alpha-subunit led to progressive reduction in receptor binding and immunological activities, but not in full steroidogenic potential. The discrepancy between reduced receptor binding and full steroidogenic activity may be related to the introduction of addition hydrophobicity to the ovine lutropin molecule. Total inactivation resulted only when the majority (9/12) of available amino groups were altered by this reaction. Thus, our study shows that by a limited reaction it is possible to create conjugation site(s) in ovine lutropin with significant retention of hormonal activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V Singh
- Reproduction Research Laboratory, Clinical Research Institute of Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
|
11
|
Rao LV, Singh O, Talwar GP. Immunological cross-reactivity of antibodies with species chorionic gonadotropin is a critical requirement for efficacy testing of human gonadotropin vaccines in sub-human primates. J Reprod Immunol 1988; 13:53-63. [PMID: 3418617 DOI: 10.1016/0165-0378(88)90048-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
A key question in the evaluation of a contraceptive vaccine is its efficacy in the prevention of pregnancy. Primates have been employed for evaluation of the efficacy of candidate vaccines against human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Discrepancies have been noted between the immuno-reactive antibody titres (against hCG) determined by RIA and their ability to prevent pregnancy in test animals. To gain further information on factors involved in fertility control, other characteristics of antibodies, such as affinity for hCG, bioneutralization capacities for hCG, hLH and monkey chorionic gonadotropin, have been determined in antisera from ten bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata) at times when they were infertile and in bleeds preceding conception. The data reported show that the most important correlate for efficacy is the bioneutralization capacity of the antibodies for the species CG; animals became pregnant when the neutralization capacity diminished to low levels (less than 45 IU/l = 5 ng/ml of hCG equivalent). The bioneutralization of heterospecies CG decreased with the increase in affinity for hCG. These findings have implications for the choice and suitability of primate species for the various candidate vaccines being developed. Vaccines inducing highly specific antibodies against hCG, and restricted in their reactivity with primate CG, may not be testable in heterospecies primate models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- L V Rao
- Immuno-Endocrinology Group, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
| | | | | |
Collapse
|