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Marie C, Scherman D. Antibiotic-Free Gene Vectors: A 25-Year Journey to Clinical Trials. Genes (Basel) 2024; 15:261. [PMID: 38540320 PMCID: PMC10970329 DOI: 10.3390/genes15030261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Until very recently, the major use, for gene therapy, specifically of linear or circular DNA, such as plasmids, was as ancillary products for viral vectors' production or as a genetic template for mRNA production. Thanks to targeted and more efficient physical or chemical delivery techniques and to the refinement of their structure, non-viral plasmid DNA are now under intensive consideration as pharmaceutical drugs. Plasmids traditionally carry an antibiotic resistance gene for providing the selection pressure necessary for maintenance in a bacterial host. Nearly a dozen different antibiotic-free gene vectors have now been developed and are currently assessed in preclinical assays and phase I/II clinical trials. Their reduced size leads to increased transfection efficiency and prolonged transgene expression. In addition, associating non-viral gene vectors and DNA transposons, which mediate transgene integration into the host genome, circumvents plasmid dilution in dividing eukaryotic cells which generate a loss of the therapeutic gene. Combining these novel molecular tools allowed a significantly higher yield of genetically engineered T and Natural Killer cells for adoptive immunotherapies due to a reduced cytotoxicity and increased transposition rate. This review describes the main progresses accomplished for safer, more efficient and cost-effective gene and cell therapies using non-viral approaches and antibiotic-free gene vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Marie
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, UTCBS, 75006 Paris, France;
- Chimie ParisTech, Université PSL, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Daniel Scherman
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Inserm, UTCBS, 75006 Paris, France;
- Fondation Maladies Rares, 75014 Paris, France
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Khalid K, Poh CL. The development of DNA vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Adv Med Sci 2023; 68:213-226. [PMID: 37364379 PMCID: PMC10290423 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic exerted significant impacts on public health and global economy. Research efforts to develop vaccines at warp speed against SARS-CoV-2 led to novel mRNA, viral vectored, and inactivated vaccines being administered. The current COVID-19 vaccines incorporate the full S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain but rapidly emerging variants of concern (VOCs) have led to significant reductions in protective efficacies. There is an urgent need to develop next-generation vaccines which could effectively prevent COVID-19. METHODS PubMed and Google Scholar were systematically reviewed for peer-reviewed papers up to January 2023. RESULTS A promising solution to the problem of emerging variants is a DNA vaccine platform since it can be easily modified. Besides expressing whole protein antigens, DNA vaccines can also be constructed to include specific nucleotide genes encoding highly conserved and immunogenic epitopes from the S protein as well as from other structural/non-structural proteins to develop effective vaccines against VOCs. DNA vaccines are associated with low transfection efficiencies which could be enhanced by chemical, genetic, and molecular adjuvants as well as delivery systems. CONCLUSIONS The DNA vaccine platform offers a promising solution to the design of effective vaccines. The challenge of limited immunogenicity in humans might be solved through the use of genetic modifications such as the addition of nuclear localization signal (NLS) peptide gene, strong promoters, MARs, introns, TLR agonists, CD40L, and the development of appropriate delivery systems utilizing nanoparticles to increase uptake by APCs in enhancing the induction of potent immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanwal Khalid
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.
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Non-Covalent Linkage of Helper Functions to Dumbbell-Shaped DNA Vectors for Targeted Delivery. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020370. [PMID: 36839697 PMCID: PMC9962178 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Covalently closed dumbbell-shaped DNA delivery vectors comprising the double-stranded gene(s) of interest and single-stranded hairpin loops on both ends represent a safe, stable and efficacious alternative to viral and other non-viral DNA-based vector systems. As opposed to plasmids and DNA minicircles, dumbbells can be conjugated via the loops with helper functions for targeted delivery or imaging. Here, we investigated the non-covalent linkage of tri-antennary N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc3) or a homodimer of a CD137/4-1BB-binding aptamer (aptCD137-2) to extended dumbbell vector loops via complementary oligonucleotides for targeted delivery into hepatocytes or nasopharyngeal cancer cells. Enlarging the dumbbell loop size from 4 to 71 nucleotides for conjugation did not impair gene expression. GalNAc3 and aptCD137-2 residues were successfully attached to the extended dumbbell loop via complementary oligonucleotides. DNA and RNA oligonucleotide-based dumbbell-GalNAc3 conjugates were taken up from the cell culture medium by hepatoblastoma-derived human tissue culture cells (HepG2) with comparable efficiency. RNA oligonucleotide-linked conjugates triggered slightly higher levels of gene expression, presumably due to the RNaseH-mediated linker cleavage, the release of the dumbbell from the GalNAc3 residue and more efficient nuclear targeting of the unconjugated dumbbell DNA. The RNaseH-triggered RNA linker cleavage was confirmed in vitro. Finally, we featured dumbbell vectors expressing liver cancer cell-specific RNA trans-splicing-based suicide RNAs with GalNAc3 residues. Dumbbells conjugated with two GalNAc3 residues triggered significant levels of cell death when added to the cell culture medium. Dumbbell vector conjugates can be explored for targeted delivery and gene therapeutic applications.
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The History of Live Attenuated Centrin Gene-Deleted Leishmania Vaccine Candidates. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11040431. [PMID: 35456106 PMCID: PMC9025045 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11040431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Leishmaniasis, caused by an infection of the Leishmania protozoa, is a neglected tropical disease and a major health problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, with approximately 350 million people worldwide at risk and 2 million new cases occurring annually. Current treatments for leishmaniasis are not highly efficacious and are associated with high costs, especially in low- and middle-income endemic countries, and high toxicity. Due to a surge in the incidence of leishmaniases worldwide, the development of new strategies such as a prophylactic vaccine has become a high priority. However, the ability of Leishmania to undermine immune recognition has limited our efforts to design safe and efficacious vaccines against leishmaniasis. Numerous antileishmanial vaccine preparations based on DNA, subunit, and heat-killed parasites with or without adjuvants have been tried in several animal models but very few have progressed beyond the experimental stage. However, it is known that people who recover from Leishmania infection can be protected lifelong against future infection, suggesting that a successful vaccine requires a controlled infection to develop immunologic memory and subsequent long-term immunity. Live attenuated Leishmania parasites that are non-pathogenic and provide a complete range of antigens similarly to their wild-type counterparts could evoke such memory and, thus, would be effective vaccine candidates. Our laboratory has developed several live attenuated Leishmania vaccines by targeted centrin gene disruptions either by homologous recombination or, more recently, by using genome editing technologies involving CRISPR-Cas9. In this review, we focused on the sequential history of centrin gene-deleted Leishmania vaccine development, along with the characterization of its safety and efficacy. Further, we discussed other major considerations regarding the transition of dermotropic live attenuated centrin gene-deleted parasites from the laboratory to human clinical trials.
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Loh PS, Patzel V. Efficient Generation of Superior Dumbbell-Shaped Nonviral DNA Delivery Vectors Using 1-2-3 Gap-Primer PCR. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2521:329-338. [PMID: 35733007 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2441-8_18] [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] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nonviral delivery vectors are highly sought after for gene therapeutic applications and genetic vaccination. Dumbbell-shaped DNA minimal vectors have important advantages as compared with plasmids and minicircle DNA. Here, we describe the rapid, cheap, and efficient production of superior dumbbell vectors at high purity using a process termed 1-2-3 gap-primer PCR. This process represents a 1-tube, 2-enzyme, 3 h procedure that comprises a PCR followed by a ligation. The resulting dumbbells harbor mismatches close to the loop structures, which facilitate nuclear diffusion and result in enhanced gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei She Loh
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Volker Patzel
- Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
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Abstract
Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan Leishmania parasites that are transmitted through female sandfly bites. The disease is predominantly endemic to the tropics and semi-tropics and has been reported in more than 98 countries. Due to the side effects of anti-Leishmania drugs and the emergence of drug-resistant isolates, there is currently no encouraging prospect of introducing an effective therapy for the disease. Hence, it seems that the key to disease control management is the introduction of an effective vaccine, particularly against its cutaneous form. Advances in understanding underlying immune mechanisms are feasibale using a variety of candidate antigens, including attenuated live parasites, crude antigens, pure or recombinant Leishmania proteins, Leishmania genes encoding protective proteins, as well as immune system activators from the saliva of parasite vectors. However, there is still no vaccine against different types of human leishmaniasis. In this study, we review the works conducted or being performed in this field.
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Shafaati M, Saidijam M, Soleimani M, Hazrati F, Mirzaei R, Amirheidari B, Tanzadehpanah H, Karampoor S, Kazemi S, Yavari B, Mahaki H, Safaei M, Rahbarizadeh F, Samadi P, Ahmadyousefi Y. A brief review on DNA vaccines in the era of COVID-19. Future Virol 2021; 17:10.2217/fvl-2021-0170. [PMID: 34858516 PMCID: PMC8629371 DOI: 10.2217/fvl-2021-0170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
This article provides a brief overview of DNA vaccines. First, the basic DNA vaccine design strategies are described, then specific issues related to the industrial production of DNA vaccines are discussed, including the production and purification of DNA products such as plasmid DNA, minicircle DNA, minimalistic, immunologically defined gene expression (MIDGE) and Doggybone™. The use of adjuvants to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines is then discussed. In addition, different delivery routes and several physical and chemical methods to increase the efficacy of DNA delivery into cells are explained. Recent preclinical and clinical trials of DNA vaccines for COVID-19 are then summarized. Lastly, the advantages and obstacles of DNA vaccines are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Shafaati
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Jahrom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Massoud Saidijam
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Meysam Soleimani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Fereshte Hazrati
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Rasoul Mirzaei
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Bagher Amirheidari
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
- Extremophile and Productive Microorganisms Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hamid Tanzadehpanah
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Sajad Karampoor
- Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sima Kazemi
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Bahram Yavari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Hanie Mahaki
- Vascular & Endovascular Surgery Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohsen Safaei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rahbarizadeh
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Pouria Samadi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
| | - Yaghoub Ahmadyousefi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
- Research Center for Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran
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Volpedo G, Huston RH, Holcomb EA, Pacheco-Fernandez T, Gannavaram S, Bhattacharya P, Nakhasi HL, Satoskar AR. From infection to vaccination: reviewing the global burden, history of vaccine development, and recurring challenges in global leishmaniasis protection. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1431-1446. [PMID: 34511000 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1969231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem and the second most lethal parasitic disease in the world due to the lack of effective treatments and vaccines. Even when not lethal, leishmaniasis significantly affects individuals and communities through life-long disabilities, psycho-sociological trauma, poverty, and gender disparity in treatment. AREAS COVERED This review discusses the most relevant and recent research available on Pubmed and GoogleScholar highlighting leishmaniasis' global impact, pathogenesis, treatment options, and lack of effective control strategies. An effective vaccine is necessary to prevent morbidity and mortality, lower health care costs, and reduce the economic burden of leishmaniasis for endemic low- and middle-income countries. Since there are several forms of leishmaniasis, a pan-Leishmania vaccine without geographical restrictions is needed. This review also focuses on recent advances and common challenges in developing prophylactic strategies against leishmaniasis. EXPERT OPINION Despite advances in pre-clinical vaccine research, approval of a human leishmaniasis vaccine still faces major challenges - including manufacturing of candidate vaccines under Good Manufacturing Practices, developing well-designed clinical trials suitable in endemic countries, and defined correlates of protection. In addition, there is a need to explore Challenge Human Infection Model to avoid large trials because of fluctuating incidence and prevalence of leishmanasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greta Volpedo
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ryan H Huston
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Erin A Holcomb
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Thalia Pacheco-Fernandez
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Sreenivas Gannavaram
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Parna Bhattacharya
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Hira L Nakhasi
- Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA
| | - Abhay R Satoskar
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
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Cyrill SL, Ghosh A, Loh PS, Tan GSX, Patzel V. Universal Template-Assisted, Cloning-free Method for the Generation of Small RNA-Expressing Dumbbell-Shaped DNA Vectors. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2019; 15:149-156. [PMID: 31660417 PMCID: PMC6807298 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Dumbbell-shaped DNA minimal vectors represent genetic vectors solely composed of the gene expression cassette of interest and terminal closing loop structures. Dumbbell vectors for small hairpin RNA or microRNA expression are extremely small-sized, which is advantageous with regard to cellular delivery and nuclear diffusion. Conventional strategies for the generation of small RNA-expressing dumbbell vectors require cloning of a respective plasmid vector, which is subsequently used for dumbbell production. Here, we present a novel cloning-free method for the generation of small RNA-expressing dumbbell vectors that also does not require any restriction endonucleases. This new PCR-based method uses a universal DNA template comprising an inverted repeat of the minimal H1 promoter and the miR-30 stem. The sequences coding for small RNA expression are introduced by the PCR primers. Dumbbells are formed by denaturing and reannealing of the PCR product and are covalently closed using ssDNA ligase. The new protocol generates plus- and/or minus-strand dumbbells, both of which were shown to trigger efficient target gene knockdown. This method enables fast, cheap production of small RNA-expressing dumbbell vectors in a high throughput-compatible manner for functional genomics screens or, as dumbbells are not prone to transgene silencing, for knockdown studies in primary cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Leeanne Cyrill
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Block MD4, Level 5, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Avantika Ghosh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Block MD4, Level 5, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Pei She Loh
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Block MD4, Level 5, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Genim Siu Xian Tan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Block MD4, Level 5, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
| | - Volker Patzel
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Block MD4, Level 5, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117545, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke’s Hospital, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
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Immune Response and Protective Efficacy of a Heterologous DNA-Protein Immunization with Leishmania Superoxide Dismutase B1. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:2145386. [PMID: 29359145 PMCID: PMC5735611 DOI: 10.1155/2017/2145386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 10/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence shows that antioxidant proteins of Leishmania could be used as vaccine candidates. In this study, we report the efficacy of Leishmania donovani iron superoxide dismutase B1 (LdFeSODB1) as a vaccine antigen in BALB/c mice in a DNA-protein prime-boost immunization regimen in the presence or absence of murine granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (mGMCSF) DNA adjuvant. The expression study confirmed that LdFeSODB1 is expressed in mammalian cells and mGMCSF fusion mediates the secretion of the recombinant protein. Heterologous immunization with LdFeSODB1 induced a strong antibody- and cell-mediated immune response in mice. Immunization triggered a mixed Th1/Th2 response as evidenced by the ratio of IgG2a to IgG1. Antigen-stimulated spleen cells from the immunized mice produced high level IFN-γ. Multiparametric flow cytometry data showed that immunization with LdFeSODB1 induced significantly higher expression of TNF-α or IL-2 by antigen-stimulated T cells. Eight weeks after L. major infection, immunization with the antigen shifted the immune response to a more Th1 type than the controls as demonstrated by IgG2a/IgG1 ratio. Moreover, IFN-γ production by antigen-stimulated spleen cells from immunized mice remained high. The footpad swelling experiment showed that immunization with LdFeSODB1 resulted in partial protection of mice from a high dose L. major infection.
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Wang F, Chen Q, Li S, Zhang C, Li S, Liu M, Mei K, Li C, Ma L, Yu X. Linear DNA vaccine prepared by large-scale PCR provides protective immunity against H1N1 influenza virus infection in mice. Vet Microbiol 2017. [PMID: 28622854 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2017.05.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Linear DNA vaccines provide effective vaccination. However, their application is limited by high cost and small scale of the conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) generally used to obtain sufficient amounts of DNA effective against epidemic diseases. In this study, a two-step, large-scale PCR was established using a low-cost DNA polymerase, RKOD, expressed in Pichia pastoris. Two linear DNA vaccines encoding influenza H1N1 hemagglutinin (HA) 1, LEC-HA, and PTO-LEC-HA (with phosphorothioate-modified primers), were produced by the two-step PCR. Protective effects of the vaccines were evaluated in a mouse model. BALB/c mice were immunized three times with the vaccines or a control DNA fragment. All immunized animals were challenged by intranasal administration of a lethal dose of influenza H1N1 virus 2 weeks after the last immunization. Sera of the immunized animals were tested for the presence of HA-specific antibodies, and the total IFN-γ responses induced by linear DNA vaccines were measured. The results showed that the DNA vaccines but not the control DNA induced strong antibody and IFN-γ responses. Additionally, the PTO-LEC-HA vaccine effectively protected the mice against the lethal homologous mouse-adapted virus, with a survival rate of 100% versus 70% in the LEC-HA-vaccinated group, showing that the PTO-LEC-HA vaccine was more effective than LEC-HA. In conclusion, the results indicated that the linear H1N1 HA-coding DNA vaccines induced significant immune responses and protected mice against a lethal virus challenge. Thus, the low-cost, two-step, large-scale PCR can be considered a potential tool for rapid manufacturing of linear DNA vaccines against emerging infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Wang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Quanjiao Chen
- Key Laboratory of Special Pathogens and Biosafety, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430071, China.
| | - Shuntang Li
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Chenyao Zhang
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Shanshan Li
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Min Liu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Kun Mei
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Chunhua Li
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Lixin Ma
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
| | - Xiaolan Yu
- Hubei Collaborative Innovation Center for Green Transformation of Bio-Resources, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China.
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Hardee CL, Arévalo-Soliz LM, Hornstein BD, Zechiedrich L. Advances in Non-Viral DNA Vectors for Gene Therapy. Genes (Basel) 2017; 8:E65. [PMID: 28208635 PMCID: PMC5333054 DOI: 10.3390/genes8020065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 223] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Uses of viral vectors have thus far eclipsed uses of non-viral vectors for gene therapy delivery in the clinic. Viral vectors, however, have certain issues involving genome integration, the inability to be delivered repeatedly, and possible host rejection. Fortunately, development of non-viral DNA vectors has progressed steadily, especially in plasmid vector length reduction, now allowing these tools to fill in specifically where viral or other non-viral vectors may not be the best options. In this review, we examine the improvements made to non-viral DNA gene therapy vectors, highlight opportunities for their further development, address therapeutic needs for which their use is the logical choice, and discuss their future expansion into the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinnamon L. Hardee
- Interdepartmental Program in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.M.A.-S.); (B.D.H.)
| | - Lirio Milenka Arévalo-Soliz
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.M.A.-S.); (B.D.H.)
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Benjamin D. Hornstein
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.M.A.-S.); (B.D.H.)
| | - Lynn Zechiedrich
- Interdepartmental Program in Integrative Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; (L.M.A.-S.); (B.D.H.)
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Šimčíková M, Prather KLJ, Prazeres DMF, Monteiro GA. Towards effective non-viral gene delivery vector. Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev 2017; 31:82-107. [PMID: 27160661 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2016.1178011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Despite very good safety records, clinical trials using plasmid DNA failed due to low transfection efficiency and brief transgene expression. Although this failure is both due to poor plasmid design and to inefficient delivery methods, here we will focus on the former. The DNA elements like CpG motifs, selection markers, origins of replication, cryptic eukaryotic signals or nuclease-susceptible regions and inverted repeats showed detrimental effects on plasmids' performance as biopharmaceuticals. On the other hand, careful selection of promoter, polyadenylation signal, codon optimization and/or insertion of introns or nuclear-targeting sequences for therapeutic protein expression can enhance the clinical efficacy. Minimal vectors, which are devoid of the bacterial backbone and consist exclusively of the eukaryotic expression cassette, demonstrate better performance in terms of expression levels, bioavailability, transfection rates and increased therapeutic effects. Although the results are promising, minimal vectors have not taken over the conventional plasmids in clinical trials due to challenging manufacturing issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Šimčíková
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,b iBB-Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Kristala L J Prather
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,c Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA
| | - Duarte M F Prazeres
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,c Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA.,d Department of Bioengineering , Instituto Superior Técnico , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - Gabriel A Monteiro
- a MIT-Portugal Program.,c Department of Chemical Engineering , Massachusetts Institute of Technology , Cambridge , MA , USA.,d Department of Bioengineering , Instituto Superior Técnico , Lisbon , Portugal
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14
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Wong S, Lam P, Nafissi N, Denniss S, Slavcev R. Production of Double-stranded DNA Ministrings. J Vis Exp 2016:53177. [PMID: 26967586 PMCID: PMC4828204 DOI: 10.3791/53177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We constructed linear covalently closed (LCC) DNA minivectors as a non-viral gene-delivery vector alternative produced via a simple platform in vivo. DNA ministrings possess a heightened safety profile and also efficiently deliver DNA cargo to targeted cells. Conventional DNA vectors carry undesirable prokaryotic sequences, including antibiotic resistance genes, CpG motifs, and bacterial origins of replication, which may lead to the stimulation of host immunological responses. The bioavailability of conventional DNA vectors is also compromised due to their larger molecular size. Their circular nature may also impart chromosomal integration, leading to insertional mutagenesis. Bacterial sequences are excised from DNA minivectors, leaving only the gene of interest (GOI) and necessary eukaryotic expression elements. Our LCC DNA minivectors, or DNA ministrings, are devoid of immunogenic bacterial sequences; therefore improving their bioavailability and GOI expression. In the event of vector integration into the chromosome, the LCC DNA ministring will lethally disrupt the host chromosome, thereby removing the potentially dangerous mutant from the proliferating cell population. Consequently, DNA ministrings offer the benefits of 'minicircle' DNA while eliminating the potential for undesirable vector integration events. In comparison to conventional plasmids and their isogenic circular covalently closed (CCC) counterparts, DNA ministrings demonstrate superior bioavailability, transfection efficiency, and cytoplasmic kinetics - they thus require lower amounts of cationic surfactants for effective transfection of target cells. We have constructed a one-step inducible in vivo system for the production of DNA ministrings in Escherichia coli that is simple to use, rapid, and scalable.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peggy Lam
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo
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15
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Schnabel CL, Steinig P, Koy M, Schuberth HJ, Juhls C, Oswald D, Wittig B, Willenbrock S, Murua Escobar H, Pfarrer C, Wagner B, Jaehnig P, Moritz A, Feige K, Cavalleri JMV. Immune response of healthy horses to DNA constructs formulated with a cationic lipid transfection reagent. BMC Vet Res 2015; 11:140. [PMID: 26100265 PMCID: PMC4476236 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-015-0452-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccines are used for experimental immunotherapy of equine melanoma. The injection of complexed linear DNA encoding interleukin (IL)-12/IL-18 induced partial tumour remission in a clinical study including 27 grey horses. To date, the detailed mechanism of the anti-tumour effect of this treatment is unknown. Results In the present study, the clinical and cellular responses of 24 healthy horses were monitored over 72 h after simultaneous intradermal and intramuscular application of equine IL-12/IL-18 DNA (complexed with a transfection reagent) or comparative substances (transfection reagent only, nonsense DNA, nonsense DNA depleted of CG). Although the strongest effect was observed in horses treated with expressing DNA, horses in all groups treated with DNA showed systemic responses. In these horses treated with DNA, rectal temperatures were elevated after treatment and serum amyloid A increased. Total leukocyte and neutrophil counts increased, while lymphocyte numbers decreased. The secretion of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interferon gamma (IFNγ) from peripheral mononuclear blood cells ex vivo increased after treatments with DNA, while IL-10 secretion decreased. Horses treated with DNA had significantly higher myeloid cell numbers and chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand (CXCL)-10 expression in skin samples at the intradermal injection sites compared to horses treated with transfection reagent only, suggesting an inflammatory response to DNA treatment. In horses treated with expressing DNA, however, local CXCL-10 expression was highest and immunohistochemistry revealed more intradermal IL-12-positive cells when compared to the other treatment groups. In contrast to non-grey horses, grey horses showed fewer effects of DNA treatments on blood lymphocyte counts, TNFα secretion and myeloid cell infiltration in the dermis. Conclusion Treatment with complexed linear DNA constructs induced an inflammatory response independent of the coding sequence and of CG motif content. Expressing IL-12/IL-18 DNA locally induces expression of the downstream mediator CXCL-10. The grey horses included appeared to display an attenuated immune response to DNA treatment, although grey horses bearing melanoma responded to this treatment with moderate tumour remission in a preceding study. Whether the different immunological reactivity compared to other horses may contributes to the melanoma susceptibility of grey horses remains to be elucidated. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12917-015-0452-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane L Schnabel
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Clinic for Horses, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
| | - P Steinig
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Clinic for Horses, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
| | - M Koy
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Immunology Unit, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany.
| | - H-J Schuberth
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Immunology Unit, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany.
| | - C Juhls
- Mologen AG, Fabeckstrasse 30, 14195, Berlin, Germany. .,Foundation Institute Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - D Oswald
- Mologen AG, Fabeckstrasse 30, 14195, Berlin, Germany. .,Foundation Institute Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - B Wittig
- Foundation Institute Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Freie Universitaet Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | - S Willenbrock
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Small Animal Clinic, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
| | - H Murua Escobar
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Small Animal Clinic, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany. .,Division of Medicine, Clinic III, Haematology, Oncology and Palliative Medicine, University of Rostock, 18057, Rostock, Germany.
| | - C Pfarrer
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Institute of Anatomy, Bischofsholer Damm 15, 30173, Hannover, Germany.
| | - B Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell Universit, 240 Farrier Rd, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - P Jaehnig
- pj statistics, Niedstrasse 16, 12159, Berlin, Germany.
| | - A Moritz
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Clinical Sciences, Clinical Pathology and Clinical Pathophysiology, Justus-Liebig-Universitaet, Frankfurter Strasse 126, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
| | - K Feige
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Clinic for Horses, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
| | - J-M V Cavalleri
- University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Clinic for Horses, Buenteweg 9, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
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16
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Yu H, Jiang X, Tan KT, Hang L, Patzel V. Efficient production of superior dumbbell-shaped DNA minimal vectors for small hairpin RNA expression. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:e120. [PMID: 26068470 PMCID: PMC4605290 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic therapy holds great promise for the treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases; however, its breakthrough is hampered by the lack of suitable gene delivery systems. Dumbbell-shaped DNA minimal vectors represent an attractive, safe alternative to the commonly used viral vectors which are fraught with risk, but dumbbell generation appears to be costly and time-consuming. We developed a new PCR-based method for dumbbell production which comprises only two steps. First, PCR amplification of the therapeutic expression cassette using chemically modified primers to form a ready-to-ligate DNA structure; and second, a highly efficient intramolecular ligation reaction. Compared with conventional strategies, the new method produces dumbbell vectors more rapidly, with higher yields and purity, and at lower costs. In addition, such produced small hairpin RNA expressing dumbbells triggered superior target gene knockdown compared with conventionally produced dumbbells or plasmids. Our novel method is suitable for large-scale dumbbell production and can facilitate clinical applications of this vector system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Yu
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Xiaoou Jiang
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Kar Tong Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Liting Hang
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117597, Singapore
| | - Volker Patzel
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 5 Science Drive 2, Singapore 117597, Singapore
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17
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Das S, Freier A, Boussoffara T, Das S, Oswald D, Losch FO, Selka M, Sacerdoti-Sierra N, Schönian G, Wiesmüller KH, Seifert K, Schroff M, Juhls C, Jaffe CL, Roy S, Das P, Louzir H, Croft SL, Modabber F, Walden P. Modular multiantigen T cell epitope-enriched DNA vaccine against human leishmaniasis. Sci Transl Med 2014; 6:234ra56. [PMID: 24786324 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3008222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The leishmaniases are protozoal diseases that severely affect large populations in tropical and subtropical regions. There are only limited treatment options and preventative measures. Vaccines will be important for prevention, control and elimination of leishmaniasis, and could reduce the transmission and burden of disease in endemic populations. We report the development of a DNA vaccine against leishmaniasis that induced T cell-based immunity and is a candidate for clinical trials. The vaccine antigens were selected as conserved in various Leishmania species, different endemic regions, and over time. They were tested with T cells from individuals cured of leishmaniasis, and shown to be immunogenic and to induce CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cell responses in genetically diverse human populations of different endemic regions. The vaccine proved protective in a rodent model of infection. Thus, the immunogenicity of candidate vaccine antigens in human populations of endemic regions, as well as proof of principle for induction of specific immune responses and protection against Leishmania infection in mice, provides a viable strategy for T cell vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shantanabha Das
- Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Indian Institute of Chemical Biology (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), 4 Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata 700032, India
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18
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Kamhawi S, Oliveira F, Valenzuela JG. Using humans to make a human leishmaniasis vaccine. Sci Transl Med 2014; 6:234fs18. [PMID: 24786322 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3009118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The cellular immune response to peptide pools from conserved Leishmania antigens in leishmaniasis-immune individuals identified epitopes for a human DNA vaccine (Das et al., this issue).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaden Kamhawi
- Vector Molecular Biology Section, Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD 20852, USA
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19
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DNA ministrings: highly safe and effective gene delivery vectors. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2014; 3:e165. [PMID: 24892724 PMCID: PMC4078758 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2014.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2014] [Accepted: 04/02/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Conventional plasmid DNA vectors play a significant role in gene therapy, but they also have considerable limitations: they can elicit adverse immune responses because of bacterial sequences they contain for maintenance and amplification in prokaryotes, their bioavailability is compromised because of their large molecular size, and they may be genotoxic. We constructed an in vivo platform to produce ministring DNA—mini linear covalently closed DNA vectors—that are devoid of unwanted bacterial sequences and encode only the gene(s) of interest and necessary eukaryotic expression elements. Transfection of rapidly and slowly dividing human cells with ministring DNA coding for enhanced green fluorescent protein resulted in significantly improved transfection, bioavailability, and cytoplasmic kinetics compared with parental plasmid precursors and isogenic circular covalently closed DNA counterparts. Ministring DNA that integrated into the genome of human cells caused chromosomal disruption and apoptotic death of possibly oncogenic vector integrants; thus, they may be safer than plasmid and circular DNA vectors.
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20
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Walters AA, Kinnear E, Shattock RJ, McDonald JU, Caproni LJ, Porter N, Tregoning JS. Comparative analysis of enzymatically produced novel linear DNA constructs with plasmids for use as DNA vaccines. Gene Ther 2014; 21:645-52. [PMID: 24830436 PMCID: PMC4082409 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2013] [Revised: 02/26/2014] [Accepted: 03/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The use of DNA to deliver vaccine antigens offers many advantages, including ease of manufacture and cost. However, most DNA vaccines are plasmids and must be grown in bacterial culture, necessitating elements which are either unnecessary for effective gene delivery (e.g. bacterial origins of replication) or undesirable (e.g. antibiotic resistance genes). Removing these elements may improve the safety profile of DNA for the delivery of vaccines. Here we describe a novel, double-stranded, linear DNA construct produced by an enzymatic process that solely encodes an antigen expression cassette, comprising antigen, promoter, polyA tail and telomeric ends. We compared these constructs (called ‘Doggybones’ because of their shape) with conventional plasmid DNA. Using luciferase-expressing constructs, we demonstrated that expression levels were equivalent between Doggybones and plasmids both in vitro and in vivo. When mice were immunized with DNA constructs expressing the HIV envelope protein gp140, equivalent humoral and cellular responses were induced. Immunizations with either construct type expressing haemagluttinin were protective against H1N1 influenza challenge. This is the first example of an effective DNA vaccine which can be produced on a large scale by enzymatic processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Walters
- Mucosal Infection & Immunity Group, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, UK
| | - E Kinnear
- Mucosal Infection & Immunity Group, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, UK
| | - R J Shattock
- Mucosal Infection & Immunity Group, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, UK
| | - J U McDonald
- Mucosal Infection & Immunity Group, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, UK
| | - L J Caproni
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd., Leatherhead Food Research Institute, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK
| | - N Porter
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd., Leatherhead Food Research Institute, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK
| | - J S Tregoning
- Mucosal Infection & Immunity Group, Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, UK
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21
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Endmann A, Oswald D, Riede O, Talman EG, Vos RE, Schroff M, Kleuss C, Ruiters MHJ, Juhls C. Combination of MIDGE-Th1 DNA vaccines with the cationic lipid SAINT-18: studies on formulation, biodistribution and vector clearance. Vaccine 2014; 32:3460-7. [PMID: 24681271 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2013] [Revised: 03/05/2014] [Accepted: 03/13/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We have previously shown that the combination of MIDGE-Th1 DNA vectors with the cationic lipid SAINT-18 increases the immune response to the encoded antigen in mice. Here, we report on experiments to further optimize and characterize this approach. We evaluated different formulations of MIDGE-Th1 vectors with SAINT-18 by assessing their influence on the transfection efficiency in cell culture and on the immune response in mice. We found that high amounts of SAINT-18 in formulations with a w/w ratio MIDGE Th1/SAINT-18 of 1:4.8 are beneficial for cell transfection in vitro. In contrast, the formulation of HBsAg-encoding MIDGE-Th1 DNA vectors with the lowest amount of SAINT-18 (w/w ratio MIDGE Th1/SAINT-18 of 1:0.5) resulted in the highest serum IgG1 and IgG2a levels after intradermal immunization of mice. Consequently, latter formulation was selected for a comparative biodistribution study in rats. Following intradermal administration of both naked and formulated MIDGE-Th1 DNA, the vectors localized primarily at the site of injection. Vector DNA levels decreased substantially over the two months duration of the study. When administered in combination with SAINT-18, the vectors were found in significantly higher amounts in draining lymph nodes in comparison to administration of naked MIDGE-Th1 DNA. We propose that the high immune responses induced by MIDGE-Th1/SAINT-18 lipoplexes are mediated by enhanced transfection of cells in vivo, resulting in stronger antigen expression and presentation. Importantly, the combination of MIDGE-Th1 vectors with SAINT-18 was well tolerated in mice and rats and is expected to be safe in human clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Endmann
- MOLOGEN AG, Fabeckstraße 30, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - Oliver Riede
- MOLOGEN AG, Fabeckstraße 30, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Eduard G Talman
- Synvolux Therapeutics B.V., L.J. Zielstraweg 1, 9713 GX Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Roelien E Vos
- Synvolux Therapeutics B.V., L.J. Zielstraweg 1, 9713 GX Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Marcel H J Ruiters
- Synvolux Therapeutics B.V., L.J. Zielstraweg 1, 9713 GX Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Pathology and Medical Biology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
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22
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Brodskyn C, de Oliveira CI, Barral A, Barral-Netto M. Vaccines in leishmaniasis: advances in the last five years. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 2:705-17. [PMID: 14711330 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2.5.705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania which affects millions of people worldwide. The leishmaniases are transmitted to the vertebrate hosts by phlebotomine sand flies. In this review, we focus on clinical aspects of the leishmaniases and on the immune response against the parasite, both in animal models and humans. These aspects are of key importance to understand the many attempts to obtain an effective vaccine against Leishmania. We considered the last advances in new generation vaccines, including the use of new adjuvants to improve the protective response against the parasite. Finally, the possibility to use components of the sand fly saliva as part of vaccines against the infection by Leishmania is mentioned.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Brodskyn
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde- Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
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23
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Hezarjaribi HZ, Ghaffarifar F, Dalimi A, Sharifi Z, Jorjani O. Effect of IL-22 on DNA vaccine encoding LACK gene of Leishmania major in BALB/c mice. Exp Parasitol 2013; 134:341-8. [PMID: 23541883 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2013.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2012] [Revised: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 03/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, the effect of IL-22 together with the plasmid encoding LACK (Leishmania homolog of receptors for activated C-kinase) gene of Leishmania major on the trend of leishmaniasis in BALB/c mice was evaluated. Evaluation of the cellular and humoral immunity was performed by measurement of IL-4 and IFN-γ, culture of splenocytes and MTT assay, and measurement of total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a in the control and immunized groups. Clinical evaluations were also carried out by measurement of the lesion size, survival rate, and body weight of mice. Comparison of the mean size of lesions in the LACK and LACK+IL-22 groups demonstrated that the mean size of lesions of the two groups was significantly different from week four (p<0.05). The survival rate at day 170 after challenge for the PBS, pcDNA3 (empty plasmid), pcLACK (pcDNA3 containing LACK gene), and pcLACK+IL-22 groups were 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%, respectively. According to the results of IFN-γ, IL-4, total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a measurement and the MTT assay, IL-22 obviously caused an increase in IFN-γ production and a decrease in IL-4 production before and after the challenge (p<0.05). The results showed the effectiveness of IL-22 in DNA vaccine. It showed that IL-22 brought about Th1 cytokine responses and high survival rate of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajar Ziaee Hezarjaribi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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24
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Langer B, Renner M, Scherer J, Schüle S, Cichutek K. Safety assessment of biolistic DNA vaccination. Methods Mol Biol 2013; 940:371-388. [PMID: 23104355 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-110-3_27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
DNA-based vector systems have been widely studied as new modalities for the prevention and treatment of human diseases. As for all other medicinal products, safety is an important aspect in the evaluation of such products. In this chapter we reflect on the basic safety issues which have been raised with respect to preventive and therapeutic DNA vaccines, including insertional mutagenesis in case of chromosomal integration, possible formation of anti-DNA antibodies, induction of autoimmune responses and/or immunological tolerance. In addition, local reactions at the site of administration and adverse effects resulting from plasmid DNA spread to nontarget tissues are discussed. Most importantly, however, the benefit-risk profile of a medicinal product is crucial for a decision on providing marketing authorization or not. A product has an acceptable benefit-risk profile if the benefits of the product outweigh its risks for the treated patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Langer
- Division of Medical Biotechnology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
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25
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Nafissi N, Slavcev R. Construction and characterization of an in-vivo linear covalently closed DNA vector production system. Microb Cell Fact 2012; 11:154. [PMID: 23216697 PMCID: PMC3540006 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-11-154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While safer than their viral counterparts, conventional non-viral gene delivery DNA vectors offer a limited safety profile. They often result in the delivery of unwanted prokaryotic sequences, antibiotic resistance genes, and the bacterial origins of replication to the target, which may lead to the stimulation of unwanted immunological responses due to their chimeric DNA composition. Such vectors may also impart the potential for chromosomal integration, thus potentiating oncogenesis. We sought to engineer an in vivo system for the quick and simple production of safer DNA vector alternatives that were devoid of non-transgene bacterial sequences and would lethally disrupt the host chromosome in the event of an unwanted vector integration event. RESULTS We constructed a parent eukaryotic expression vector possessing a specialized manufactured multi-target site called "Super Sequence", and engineered E. coli cells (R-cell) that conditionally produce phage-derived recombinase Tel (PY54), TelN (N15), or Cre (P1). Passage of the parent plasmid vector through R-cells under optimized conditions, resulted in rapid, efficient, and one step in vivo generation of mini lcc--linear covalently closed (Tel/TelN-cell), or mini ccc--circular covalently closed (Cre-cell), DNA constructs, separated from the backbone plasmid DNA. Site-specific integration of lcc plasmids into the host chromosome resulted in chromosomal disruption and 10(5) fold lower viability than that seen with the ccc counterpart. CONCLUSION We offer a high efficiency mini DNA vector production system that confers simple, rapid and scalable in vivo production of mini lcc DNA vectors that possess all the benefits of "minicircle" DNA vectors and virtually eliminate the potential for undesirable vector integration events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nafiseh Nafissi
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada
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26
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Wang HS, Chen ZJ, Zhang G, Ou XL, Yang XL, Wong CKC, Giesy JP, Du J, Chen SY. A novel micro-linear vector for in vitro and in vivo gene delivery and its application for EBV positive tumors. PLoS One 2012; 7:e47159. [PMID: 23077563 PMCID: PMC3471901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0047159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The gene delivery vector for DNA-based therapy should ensure its transfection efficiency and safety for clinical application. The Micro-Linear vector (MiLV) was developed to improve the limitations of traditional vectors such as viral vectors and plasmids. METHODS The MiLV which contained only the gene expression cassette was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Its cytotoxicity, transfection efficiency in vitro and in vivo, duration of expression, pro-inflammatory responses and potential application for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive tumors were evaluated. RESULTS Transfection efficiency for exogenous genes transferred by MiLV was at least comparable with or even greater than their corresponding plasmids in eukaryotic cell lines. MiLV elevated the expression and prolonged the duration of genes in vitro and in vivo when compared with that of the plasmid. The in vivo pro-inflammatory response of MiLV group was lower than that of the plasmid group. The MEKK1 gene transferred by MiLV significantly elevated the sensitivity of B95-8 cells and transplanted tumor to the treatment of Ganciclovir (GCV) and sodium butyrate (NaB). CONCLUSIONS The present study provides a safer, more efficient and stable MiLV gene delivery vector than plasmid. These advantages encourage further development and the preferential use of this novel vector type for clinical gene therapy studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Sheng Wang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (JD); (HSW)
| | - Zhuo-Jia Chen
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ge Zhang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xue-Ling Ou
- Department of Forensic Medicine, Zhongshan School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiang-Ling Yang
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chris K. C. Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, People’s Republic of China
| | - John P. Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences & Toxicological Center, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Jun Du
- Department of Microbial and Biochemical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail: (JD); (HSW)
| | - Shou-Yi Chen
- Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou, China
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Rosada RS, Silva CL, Santana MHA, Nakaie CR, de la Torre LG. Effectiveness, against tuberculosis, of pseudo-ternary complexes: Peptide-DNA-cationic liposome. J Colloid Interface Sci 2012; 373:102-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2011.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Abstract
Plasmid DNA (pDNA) is the base for promising DNA vaccines and gene therapies against many infectious, acquired, and genetic diseases, including HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Malaria, and different types of cancer, enteric pathogens, and influenza. Compared to conventional vaccines, DNA vaccines have many advantages such as high stability, not being infectious, focusing the immune response to only those antigens desired for immunization and long-term persistence of the vaccine protection. Especially in developing countries, where conventional effective vaccines are often unavailable or too expensive, there is a need for both new and improved vaccines. Therefore the demand of pDNA is expected to rise significantly in the near future. Since the injection of pDNA usually only leads to a weak immune response, several milligrams of DNA vaccine are necessary for immunization protection. Hence, there is a special interest to raise the product yield in order to reduce manufacturing costs. In this chapter, the different stages of plasmid DNA production are reviewed, from the vector design to downstream operation options. In particular, recent advances on cell engineering for improving plasmid DNA production are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro R Lara
- Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Cuajimalpa, Mexico City, Mexico.
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Extended and stable gene expression via nucleofection of MIDGE construct into adult human marrow mesenchymal stromal cells. Cytotechnology 2011; 64:203-16. [PMID: 22160354 DOI: 10.1007/s10616-011-9413-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Accepted: 11/14/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) is a potential target for cell and gene therapy-based approaches against a variety of different diseases. Whilst cationic lipofection has been widely experimented, the Nucleofector technology is a relatively new non-viral transfection method designed for primary cells and hard-to-transfect cell lines. Herein, we compared the efficiency and viability of nucleofection with cationic lipofection, and used the more efficient transfection method, nucleofection, to deliver a construct of minimalistic, immunologically defined gene expression encoding the erythropoietin (MIDGE-EPO) into hMSC. MIDGE construct is relatively safer than the viral and plasmid expression systems as the detrimental eukaryotic and prokaryotic gene and sequences have been eliminated. Using a plasmid encoding the luciferase gene, we demonstrated a high transfection efficiency using the U-23 (21.79 ± 1.09%) and C-17 (5.62 ± 1.09%) pulsing program in nucleofection. The cell viabilities were (44.93 ± 10.10)% and (21.93 ± 5.72)%, respectively 24 h post-nucleofection. On the other hand, lipofection treatment only yielded less than 0.6% efficiencies despite showing higher viabilities. Nucleofection did not affect hMSC renewability, immunophenotype and differentiation potentials. Subsequently, we nucleofected MIDGE-EPO using the U-23 pulsing program into hMSC. The results showed that, despite a low nucleofection efficiency with this construct, the EPO protein was stably expressed in the nucleofected cells up to 55 days when determined by ELISA or immunocytochemical staining. In conclusion, nucleofection is an efficient non-viral transfection approach for hMSC, which when used in conjunction with a MIDGE construct, could result in extended and stable transgene expression in hMSC.
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30
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Vaccine candidates for leishmaniasis: A review. Int Immunopharmacol 2011; 11:1464-88. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2011.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2010] [Revised: 04/13/2011] [Accepted: 05/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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Marie C, Vandermeulen G, Quiviger M, Richard M, Préat V, Scherman D. pFARs, plasmids free of antibiotic resistance markers, display high-level transgene expression in muscle, skin and tumour cells. J Gene Med 2010; 12:323-32. [PMID: 20209487 DOI: 10.1002/jgm.1441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonviral gene therapy requires a high yield and a low cost production of eukaryotic expression vectors that meet defined criteria such as biosafety and quality of pharmaceutical grade. To fulfil these objectives, we designed a novel antibiotic-free selection system. METHODS The proposed strategy relies on the suppression of a chromosomal amber mutation by a plasmid-borne function. We first introduced a nonsense mutation into the essential Escherichia coli thyA gene, resulting in thymidine auxotrophy. The bacterial strain was optimized for the production of small and novel plasmids free of antibiotic resistance markers (pFARs) and encoding an amber suppressor t-RNA. Finally, the potentiality of pFARs as eukaryotic expression vectors was assessed by monitoring luciferase activities after electrotransfer of LUC-encoding plasmids into various tissues. RESULTS The introduction of pFARs into the optimized bacterial strain restored normal growth to the auxotrophic mutant and allowed an efficient production of monomeric supercoiled plasmids. The electrotransfer of LUC-encoding pFAR into muscle led to high luciferase activities, demonstrating an efficient gene delivery. In transplanted tumours, transgene expression levels were superior after electrotransfer of the pFAR derivative compared to a plasmid carrying a kanamycin resistance gene. Finally, in skin, whereas luciferase activities decreased within 3 weeks after intradermal electrotransfer of a conventional expression vector, sustained luciferase expression was observed with the pFAR plasmid. CONCLUSIONS Thus, we have designed a novel strategy for the efficient production of biosafe plasmids and demonstrated their potentiality for nonviral gene delivery and high-level transgene expression in several tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinne Marie
- Université Paris Descartes, Faculté de Pharmacie, Unité de Pharmacologie Chimique et Génétique et d'Imagerie, Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Chimie de Paris, INSERM U1022, CNRS UMR8151, Paris, France.
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Faurez F, Dory D, Le Moigne V, Gravier R, Jestin A. Biosafety of DNA vaccines: New generation of DNA vectors and current knowledge on the fate of plasmids after injection. Vaccine 2010; 28:3888-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2009] [Revised: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/21/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Immune response induced by a linear DNA vector: influence of dose, formulation and route of injection. Vaccine 2010; 28:3642-9. [PMID: 20362204 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2010] [Revised: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Previously, minimalistic, immunogenetically defined gene expression (MIDGE) vectors were developed as effective and sophisticated carriers for DNA vaccination. Here we evaluate the influence of dose, formulation and delivery route on the immune response after vaccination with MIDGE-Th1 vectors encoding hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg). An HBsAg-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibody response was induced in a dose-dependent manner, whereas the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio was independent of the injected DNA dose. Formulation of MIDGE-HBsAg-Th1 with the cationic pyridinium amphiphile SAINT-18 significantly increased antibody levels of IgG1 and IgG2a compared to the unformulated vector. In contrast, SAINT-18 had neither a significant effect on the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio nor on the type and strength of cellular immunity. Overall, the strongest immune response was generated after intradermal injection, followed by intramuscular and subcutaneous (s.c.) injection. The results show that the formulation of MIDGE-Th1 with SAINT-18 increased the efficacy of the MIDGE-Th1 DNA vaccine and is therefore a suitable approach to improve the efficacy of DNA vaccines also in large animals and humans.
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Peripheral non-viral MIDGE vector-driven delivery of beta-endorphin in inflammatory pain. Mol Pain 2009; 5:72. [PMID: 20003437 PMCID: PMC2797781 DOI: 10.1186/1744-8069-5-72] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2009] [Accepted: 12/14/2009] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Leukocytes infiltrating inflamed tissue produce and release opioid peptides such as β-endorphin, which activate opioid receptors on peripheral terminals of sensory nerves resulting in analgesia. Gene therapy is an attractive strategy to enhance continuous production of endogenous opioids. However, classical viral and plasmid vectors for gene delivery are hampered by immunogenicity, recombination, oncogene activation, anti-bacterial antibody production or changes in physiological gene expression. Non-viral, non-plasmid minimalistic, immunologically defined gene expression (MIDGE) vectors may overcome these problems as they carry only elements needed for gene transfer. Here, we investigated the effects of a nuclear localization sequence (NLS)-coupled MIDGE encoding the β-endorphin precursor proopiomelanocortin (POMC) on complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain in rats. Results POMC-MIDGE-NLS injected into inflamed paws appeared to be taken up by leukocytes resulting in higher concentrations of β-endorphin in these cells. POMC-MIDGE-NLS treatment reversed enhanced mechanical sensitivity compared with control MIDGE-NLS. However, both effects were moderate, not always statistically significant or directly correlated with each other. Also, the anti-hyperalgesic actions could not be increased by enhancing β-endorphin secretion or by modifying POMC-MIDGE-NLS to code for multiple copies of β-endorphin. Conclusion Although MIDGE vectors circumvent side-effects associated with classical viral and plasmid vectors, the current POMC-MIDGE-NLS did not result in reliable analgesic effectiveness in our pain model. This was possibly associated with insufficient and variable efficacy in transfection and/or β-endorphin production. Our data point at the importance of the reproducibility of gene therapy strategies for the control of chronic pain.
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Babiuk S, Babiuk LA, van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk S. Editorial: DNA Vaccination: A Simple Concept with Challenges Regarding Implementation. Int Rev Immunol 2009; 25:51-81. [PMID: 16818365 DOI: 10.1080/08830180600743008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Bhowmick S, Ali N. Recent developments in leishmaniasis vaccine delivery systems. Expert Opin Drug Deliv 2008; 5:789-803. [PMID: 18590463 DOI: 10.1517/17425247.5.7.789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The observation that recovery from infection with Leishmania confers immunity to reinfection suggests that control of leishmaniasis by vaccination may be possible. New generation vaccines, particularly those based on recombinant proteins and DNA, are found to be less immunogenic. OBJECTIVE There is an urgent need for the development of new and improved vaccine adjuvants. METHODS Based on their principal mechanisms of action, adjuvants can be broadly separated into two classes: immunostimulatory adjuvants and vaccine delivery systems. Vaccine delivery systems can carry both antigen and adjuvant for effective delivery to the antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In this article, we review the adjuvants, the delivery systems and their combinations used in the search of an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis. CONCLUSION Based on current knowledge, cationic liposomes appear to have better prospects as effective delivery systems for developing a vaccine for leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudipta Bhowmick
- Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, India
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Launois P, Tacchini-Cottier F, Kieny MP. Cutaneous leishmaniasis: progress towards a vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2008; 7:1277-87. [PMID: 18844599 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.7.8.1277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniases are vector-borne diseases due to the protozoan parasite Leishmania . Since no prevention method is available and as current therapy is costly, often poorly tolerated and not always efficacious, the development of alternative therapies, including vaccines, constitutes the priority in the fight of Leishmania infection. This review focuses on recent advances in the development of vaccines against leishmaniasis, with emphasis on the cutaneous form. Indeed, the fact that recovery from leishmaniasis is associated with immunity against new infection provides a rational basis for the development of vaccination strategy against infection with Leishmania . Evidence from animal studies demonstrate that protection can be achieved following infection with live-attenuated Leishmania as well as through immunization with purified proteins or DNA vaccines. In addition, recent results have shown that immunization against the saliva of the insect vector could have synergistic effects with conventional vaccination. Finally, vaccination using dendritic cells was recently demonstrated as a possible tool for Leishmania vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Launois
- WHO-Immunology Research and Training Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Lausanne, Chemin des Boveresses, 155, CH-1066 Epalinges, Switzerland.
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Dondji B, Deak E, Goldsmith-Pestana K, Perez-Jimenez E, Esteban M, Miyake S, Yamamura T, McMahon-Pratt D. Intradermal NKT cell activation during DNA priming in heterologous prime-boost vaccination enhances T cell responses and protection against Leishmania. Eur J Immunol 2008; 38:706-19. [PMID: 18286565 DOI: 10.1002/eji.200737660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Heterologous prime-boost vaccination employing DNA-vaccinia virus (VACV) modality using the Leishmania homologue of receptors for activated C kinase (LACK) (p36) antigen has been shown to elicit protective immunity against both murine cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. However, DNA priming is known to have limited efficacy; therefore in the current study the effect of NKT cell activation using alpha-galactosyl-ceramide (alphaGalCer) during intradermal DNAp36 priming was examined. Vaccinated mice receiving alphaGalCer + DNAp36 followed by a boost with VVp36 appeared to be resolving their lesions and had at ten- to 20-fold higher reductions in parasite burdens. NKT cell activation during alphaGalCer + DNAp36 priming resulted in higher numbers of antigen-reactive effector CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells producing granzyme and IFN-gamma, with lower levels of IL-10. Although immunodepletion studies indicate that both CD4 and CD8 T cells provide protection in the vaccinated mice, the contribution of CD4(+) T cells was significantly increased in mice primed with DNAp36 together with alphaGalCer. Notably 5 months after boosting, mice vaccinated with DNAp36 + alphaGalCer continued to show sustained and heightened T cell immune responses. Thus, heterologous prime-boost vaccination using alphaGalCer during priming is highly protective against murine cutaneous leishmaniasis, resulting in the heightened activation and development of CD4 and CD8 T cells (effector and memory T cells).
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaise Dondji
- Department of Epidemiology & Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
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Mok PL, Cheong SK, Leong CF, Othman A. In vitro expression of erythropoietin by transfected human mesenchymal stromal cells. Cytotherapy 2008; 10:116-24. [PMID: 18368590 DOI: 10.1080/14653240701816996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are pluripotent progenitor cells that can be found in human bone marrow (BM). These cells have low immunogenicity and could suppress alloreactive T-cell responses. In the current study, MSC were tested for their capacity to carry and deliver the erythropoietin (EPO) gene in vitro. METHODS Expanded BM MSC was transfected with EPO-encoded plasmid pMCV1.2 and EPO-encoded MIDGE (minimalistic immunologically defined gene expression) vector by electroporation. The expressed EPO was used to induce hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) into erythroid colonies. RESULTS The results showed that the MIDGE vector was more effective and stable than the plasmid (pMCV1.2) in delivering EPO gene into MSC. The supernatants containing EPO obtained from the transfected cell culture were able to induce the differentiation of HSC into erythroid colonies. DISCUSSION MSC hold promise as a cell factory for the production of biologic molecules, and MIDGE vector is more effective and stable than the plasmid in nucleofection involving the EPO gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- P-L Mok
- Cellular Therapy Unit, MAKNA-HUKM Cancer Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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40
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Rodríguez-Cortés A, Ojeda A, López-Fuertes L, Timón M, Altet L, Solano-Gallego L, Sánchez-Robert E, Francino O, Alberola J. Vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding KMPII, TRYP, LACK and GP63 does not protect dogs against Leishmania infantum experimental challenge. Vaccine 2007; 25:7962-71. [PMID: 17942199 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2007] [Revised: 07/30/2007] [Accepted: 08/13/2007] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination of dogs, the domestic reservoir of Leishmania infantum, is the best method for controlling zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis. This strategy would reduce the incidence of disease in both the canine and, indirectly, the human population. Different vaccination approaches have been investigated against canine leishmaniasis (CaL) but to date there is only one licensed vaccine against this disease in dogs, in Brazil. DNA immunization is a promising method for inducing both humoral and cellular immune responses against this parasitic disease. Here, we report the results of a multiantigenic plasmid DNA vaccine encoding KMPII, TRYP, LACK and GP63 L. infantum antigens against experimentally induced CaL. Twelve dogs were randomly assigned to two groups receiving, at a 15 days interval, either four doses of plasmid DNA or similar injections of PBS. After vaccination, dogs were intravenously challenged with 5 x 10(7) promastigotes of L. infantum. The vaccine showed to be safe and well-tolerated. Neither cellular immune response nor antibodies directed against whole Leishmania antigen were detected after immunization in vaccinated dogs, although anti-LACK-specific antibodies were sporadically detected in two vaccinated dogs before challenge, thus suggesting that antigens were indeed expressed. A delay in the development of detectable specific immune response and parasite multiplication in vaccinated dogs was observed after challenge. Nevertheless, the multiantigenic Leishmania DNA vaccine was unable to induce protection against parasite dissemination or disease. This study emphasizes the need to strengthen DNA vaccines in order to obtain effective immune responses in models other than the murine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alhelí Rodríguez-Cortés
- Departament de Farmacologia, Terapeutica i Toxicologia Veterinaria, Facultat de Veterinària, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
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Vilalta A, Jimenez G, Rusalov D, Planchon R, Lalor P, Carner K, Chaplin JA, Komai M, Manthorpe M, Kaslow DC, Rolland A. Vaccination with Polymerase Chain Reaction-Generated Linear Expression Cassettes Protects Mice Against Lethal Influenza A Challenge. Hum Gene Ther 2007; 18:763-71. [PMID: 17705698 DOI: 10.1089/hum.2007.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The feasibility of a linear expression cassette (LEC)-based influenza A DNA vaccine was demonstrated in mice, using a lethal dose (LD90) of a mouse-adapted A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) influenza strain. LECs expressing hemagglutinin (HA) from either the homotypic H3N2 or the heterotypic H1N1 (A/Puerto Rico/8/34) influenza virus were produced by polymerase chain reaction and either phosphodiester- or phosphorothioate-modified oligonucleotide primers. Survival subsequent to lethal viral challenge was used as a primary end point; weight loss was the secondary end point. Survival and weight loss data showed that protection can be achieved in mice with 50 microg of phosphate-buffered saline-formulated LEC DNA or 2 microg of Vaxfectin-formulated LEC DNA. Survival correlated with neutralizing antibody titers (hemagglutination inhibition, HAI); titers obtained after vaccination with LEC were equivalent to those obtained with HA (H3N2) plasmid DNA control. Vaccination with heterotypic H1 HA-LEC DNA provided no protection against viral challenge.
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Abstract
Vaccination with DNA is one of the most promising novel immunization techniques against a variety of pathogens and tumors, for which conventional vaccination regimens have failed. DNA vaccines are able to stimulate both arms of the immune system simultaneously, without carrying the safety risks associated with live vaccines, therefore representing not only an alternative to conventional vaccines but also significant progress in the prevention and treatment of fatal diseases and infections. However, translation of the excellent results achieved in small animals to similar success in primates or large animals has so far proved to be a major hurdle. Moreover, biosafety issues, such as the removal of antibiotic resistance genes present in plasmid DNA used for vaccination, remain to be addressed adequately. This review describes strategies to improve the design and production of conventional plasmid DNA, including an overview of safety and regulatory issues. It further focuses on novel systems for the optimization of plasmid DNA and the development of diverse plasmid DNA delivery systems for vaccination purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Jechlinger
- Institute of Bacteriology, Mycology and Hygiene, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinärplatz 1, A- 1210, Vienna, Austria.
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Abstract
Leishmaniaare protozoan parasites spread by a sandfly insect vector and causing a spectrum of diseases collectively known as leishmaniasis. The disease is a significant health problem in many parts of the world resulting in an estimated 12 million new cases each year. Current treatment is based on chemotherapy, which is difficult to administer, expensive and becoming ineffective due to the emergence of drug resistance. Leishmaniasis is considered one of a few parasitic diseases likely to be controllable by vaccination. The relatively uncomplicated leishmanial life cycle and the fact that recovery from infection renders the host resistant to subsequent infection indicate that a successful vaccine is feasible. Extensive evidence from studies in animal models indicates that solid protection can be achieved by immunisation with protein or DNA vaccines. However, to date no such vaccine is available despite substantial efforts by many laboratories. Advances in our understanding ofLeishmaniapathogenesis and generation of host protective immunity, together with the completedLeishmaniagenome sequence open new avenues for vaccine research. The major remaining challenges are the translation of data from animal models to human disease and the transition from the laboratory to the field. This review focuses on advances in anti-leishmania vaccine development over the recent years and examines current problems hampering vaccine development and implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Kedzierski
- Infection and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville 3050, Melbourne, Australia.
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Forgber M, Basu R, Roychoudhury K, Theinert S, Roy S, Sundar S, Walden P. Mapping the antigenicity of the parasites in Leishmania donovani infection by proteome serology. PLoS One 2006; 1:e40. [PMID: 17183669 PMCID: PMC1762392 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0000040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2006] [Accepted: 10/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Leishmaniasis defines a cluster of protozoal diseases with diverse clinical manifestations. The visceral form caused by Leishmania donovani is the most severe. So far, no vaccines exist for visceral leishmaniasis despite indications of naturally developing immunity, and sensitive immunodiagnostics are still at early stages of development. Methodology/Principle Findings Establishing a proteome-serological methodology, we mapped the antigenicity of the parasites and the specificities of the immune responses in human leishmaniasis. Using 2-dimensional Western blot analyses with sera and parasites isolated from patients in India, we detected immune responses with widely divergent specificities for up to 330 different leishmanial antigens. 68 antigens were assigned to proteins in silver- and fluorochrome-stained gels. The antigenicity of these proteins did not correlate with the expression levels of the proteins. Although some antigens are shared among different parasite isolates, there are extensive differences and no immunodominant antigens, but indications of antigenic drift in the parasites. Six antigens were identified by mass spectrometry. Conclusions/Significance Proteomics-based dissection of the serospecificities of leishmaniasis patients provides a comprehensive inventory of the complexity and interindividual heterogeneity of the host-responses to and variations in the antigenicity of the Leishmania parasites. This information can be instrumental in the development of vaccines and new immune monitoring and diagnostic devices.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- Antibodies, Protozoan/blood
- Antibody Specificity
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/isolation & purification
- Blotting, Western
- Child
- Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
- Epitope Mapping
- Female
- Humans
- India
- Leishmania donovani/genetics
- Leishmania donovani/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Visceral/parasitology
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Proteome
- Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
- Young Adult
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Forgber
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt UniversityBerlin, Germany
| | - Rajatava Basu
- Department of Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical BiologyCalcutta, West Bengal, India
| | - Kaushik Roychoudhury
- Department of Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical BiologyCalcutta, West Bengal, India
| | - Stephan Theinert
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt UniversityBerlin, Germany
| | - Syamal Roy
- Department of Immunology, Indian Institute of Chemical BiologyCalcutta, West Bengal, India
| | - Shyam Sundar
- Kala-Azar Medical Research Center, Banaras Hindu UniversityVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Peter Walden
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Humboldt UniversityBerlin, Germany
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Pérez-Jiménez E, Kochan G, Gherardi MM, Esteban M. MVA-LACK as a safe and efficient vector for vaccination against leishmaniasis. Microbes Infect 2006; 8:810-22. [PMID: 16504562 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2005] [Revised: 09/15/2005] [Accepted: 10/03/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
An optimal vaccine against leishmaniasis should elicit parasite specific CD4+ and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. In this investigation, we described a prime/boost immunization approach based on DNA and on poxvirus vectors (Western Reserve, WR, and the highly attenuated modified vaccinia virus Ankara, MVA), both expressing the LACK antigen of Leishmania infantum, that triggers different levels of specific CD8+ T cell responses and protection (reduction in lesion size and parasitemia) against L. major infection in mice. A prime/boost vaccination with DNA-LACK/MVA-LACK elicits higher CD8+ T cell responses than a similar protocol with the replication competent VV-LACK. Both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were induced by DNA-LACK/MVA-LACK immunization. The levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secreting CD8+ T cells were higher in splenocytes from DNA-LACK/MVA-LACK than in DNA-LACK/VV-LACK immunized animals. Moreover, protection against L. major was significantly higher in DNA-LACK/MVA-LACK than in DNA-LACK/VV-LACK immunized animals when boosted with the same virus dose, and correlated with high levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secreting CD8+ T cells. In DNA-LACK/MVA-LACK vaccinated animals, the extent of lesion size reduction ranged from 65 to 92% and this protection was maintained for at least 17 weeks after challenge with the parasite. These findings demonstrate that in heterologous prime/boost immunization approaches, the protocol DNA-LACK/MVA-LACK is superior to DNA-LACK/VV-LACK in triggering specific CD8+ T cell immune responses and in conferring protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis. Thus, MVA-LACK is a safe and efficient vector for vaccination against leishmaniasis.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antigens, Protozoan/genetics
- Antigens, Protozoan/immunology
- DNA, Protozoan
- Drug Administration Schedule
- Female
- Immunization, Secondary
- Interferon-gamma/metabolism
- Leishmania major
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/immunology
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/pathology
- Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/prevention & control
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Protozoan Proteins/genetics
- Protozoan Proteins/immunology
- Protozoan Vaccines/adverse effects
- Protozoan Vaccines/genetics
- Protozoan Vaccines/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism
- Vaccines, Synthetic/adverse effects
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Vaccinia virus
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Pérez-Jiménez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, CSIC, Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
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Dondji B, Pérez-Jimenez E, Goldsmith-Pestana K, Esteban M, McMahon-Pratt D. Heterologous prime-boost vaccination with the LACK antigen protects against murine visceral leishmaniasis. Infect Immun 2005; 73:5286-9. [PMID: 16041057 PMCID: PMC1201228 DOI: 10.1128/iai.73.8.5286-5289.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study reports the efficacy of a heterologous prime-boost vaccination using DNA and vaccinia viruses (Western Reserve [WR] virus and modified [attenuated] vaccinia virus Ankara [MVA]) expressing the LACK antigen (Leishmania homologue of receptors for activated C kinase) and an intradermal murine infection model employing Leishmania infantum. At 1 month postinfection, vaccinated mice showed high levels of protection in the draining lymph node (240-fold reduction in parasite burden) coupled with significant levels of gamma interferon (20 to 200 ng/ml) and tumor necrosis factor alpha/lymphotoxin (8 to 134 pg/ml). Significant but lower levels of protection (6- to 30-fold) were observed in the spleen and liver. Comparable levels of protection were found for mice boosted with either LACK-WR or LACK-MVA, supporting the use of an attenuated vaccinia virus-based vaccine against human visceral leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blaise Dondji
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8034, USA
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47
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Zheng C, Juhls C, Oswald D, Sack F, Westfehling I, Wittig B, Babiuk LA, van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk S. Effect of different nuclear localization sequences on the immune responses induced by a MIDGE vector encoding bovine herpesvirus-1 glycoprotein D. Vaccine 2005; 24:4625-9. [PMID: 16154243 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.08.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
To optimize the efficiency of a Minimalistic Immunogenically Defined Gene Expression (MIDGE) vector, peptides containing proven (SV40 T-antigen and bovine herpesvirus-1 VP8) or putative (herpes simplex virus-1 VP22) nuclear localization signals (NLSs) were linked to a MIDGE vector encoding a truncated, secreted form of BHV-1 glycoprotein D (tgD) (MIDGE-tgD). Conjugation of an NLS to the MIDGE-tgD vector improved the tgD expression in vitro and the humoral and cellular immune responses induced in mice in vivo. The NLS from BHV-1 VP8 was most efficient at enhancing the tgD production and tgD-specific immune responses when conjugated to the MIDGE-tgD vector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunfu Zheng
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Rd, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5E3
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48
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Manoj S, Babiuk LA, van Drunen Littel-van den Hurk S. Approaches to enhance the efficacy of DNA vaccines. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2004; 41:1-39. [PMID: 15077722 DOI: 10.1080/10408360490269251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
DNA vaccines consist of antigen-encoding bacterial plasmids that are capable of inducing antigen-specific immune responses upon inoculation into a host. This method of immunization is advantageous in terms of simplicity, adaptability, and cost of vaccine production. However, the entry of DNA vaccines and expression of antigen are subjected to physical and biochemical barriers imposed by the host. In small animals such as mice, the host-imposed impediments have not prevented DNA vaccines from inducing long-lasting, protective humoral, and cellular immune responses. In contrast, these barriers appear to be more difficult to overcome in large animals and humans. The focus of this article is to summarize the limitations of DNA vaccines and to provide a comprehensive review on the different strategies developed to enhance the efficacy of DNA vaccines. Several of these strategies, such as altering codon bias of the encoded gene, changing the cellular localization of the expressed antigen, and optimizing delivery and formulation of the plasmid, have led to improvements in DNA vaccine efficacy in large animals. However, solutions for increasing the amount of plasmid that eventually enters the nucleus and is available for transcription of the transgene still need to be found. The overall conclusions from these studies suggest that, provided these critical improvements are made, DNA vaccines may find important clinical and practical applications in the field of vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharmila Manoj
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
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49
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Rodríguez EG. Nonviral DNA vectors for immunization and therapy: design and methods for their obtention. J Mol Med (Berl) 2004; 82:500-9. [PMID: 15175860 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-004-0548-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2004] [Accepted: 03/22/2004] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
The use of plasmid DNA for vaccination and therapy is a relatively novel technology, with advantages and limitations as with other gene transfer techniques. The technology is based on DNA vectors designed for administering genes coding for relevant proteins into a given organism, fulfilling requirements of the regulatory agencies that once properly formulated and delivered the desired vaccine/therapeutic effect can be achieved. Starting from conventional plasmid DNA vectors currently tested in clinical trials, improvement resulted in bacterial element-less vectors, increasing the complexity of the developmental process. The present review focuses on systems described for generating these nonviral DNA vectors for immunization and therapy from bacterial hosts (conventional and conditionally replicating plasmids, nonreplicating minicircles, and linear dumbbell-shaped expression cassettes) in vivo or in vitro. Additionally, nontherapeutic genetic sequences with a negative or positive effect according to the specific application are described, bringing a better comprehension of the technology's state of the art.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto G Rodríguez
- Vaccine Division, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana, P.O. Box 6162, Havana 10600, Cuba.
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Tsagozis P, Tseveleki V, Probert L, Dotsika E, Karagouni E. Vaccination with Plasmids Encoding the Leishmania Major GP63 Glycoprotein and CD40L Results in a Partial Suppression of the Inflammatory Reaction after Experimental Infection. EUR J INFLAMM 2004. [DOI: 10.1177/1721727x0400200207] [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
The development of an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis is the aim of an intensive research effort, to bring relief to thousands of people worldwide. DNA vaccination is a promising approach in this direction, since it is able to generate a strong cellular immune response. We tested whether the co-administration of a plasmid encoding a truncated gp63 gene, that allows extracellular secretion of the encoded protein, and a plasmid encoding for CD40L could induce a protective response in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice and reduce the local inflammatory swelling after infection with Leishmania major. We document that vaccination with the combination of plasmids for gp63 and CD40L reduced inflammatory swelling, while vaccination with the truncated gp63-encoding plasmid resulted in an exacerbation of the local inflammatory reaction. These preliminary data indicate that the CD40L expression plasmid is consequently an efficient adjuvant for the induction of protective responses in the context of a DNA vaccination against leishmaniasis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - V. Tseveleki
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
| | - L. Probert
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics, Institut Pasteur Hellenique, Athens, Greece
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