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Pandey KK, Sahoo BR, Pattnaik AK. Protein Nanoparticles as Vaccine Platforms for Human and Zoonotic Viruses. Viruses 2024; 16:936. [PMID: 38932228 PMCID: PMC11209504 DOI: 10.3390/v16060936] [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: 05/07/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most effective medical interventions, playing a pivotal role in treating infectious diseases. Although traditional vaccines comprise killed, inactivated, or live-attenuated pathogens that have resulted in protective immune responses, the negative consequences of their administration have been well appreciated. Modern vaccines have evolved to contain purified antigenic subunits, epitopes, or antigen-encoding mRNAs, rendering them relatively safe. However, reduced humoral and cellular responses pose major challenges to these subunit vaccines. Protein nanoparticle (PNP)-based vaccines have garnered substantial interest in recent years for their ability to present a repetitive array of antigens for improving immunogenicity and enhancing protective responses. Discovery and characterisation of naturally occurring PNPs from various living organisms such as bacteria, archaea, viruses, insects, and eukaryotes, as well as computationally designed structures and approaches to link antigens to the PNPs, have paved the way for unprecedented advances in the field of vaccine technology. In this review, we focus on some of the widely used naturally occurring and optimally designed PNPs for their suitability as promising vaccine platforms for displaying native-like antigens from human viral pathogens for protective immune responses. Such platforms hold great promise in combating emerging and re-emerging infectious viral diseases and enhancing vaccine efficacy and safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kush K. Pandey
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA; (K.K.P.); (B.R.S.)
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - Bikash R. Sahoo
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA; (K.K.P.); (B.R.S.)
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
| | - Asit K. Pattnaik
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA; (K.K.P.); (B.R.S.)
- Nebraska Center for Virology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583, USA
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2
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Sullivan MO, Chen W. Engineering E2 Bionanoparticles for Targeted Delivery of Chemotherapeutics to Breast Cancer Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2720:177-189. [PMID: 37775666 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3469-1_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Naturally occurring protein nanocages are promising drug carriers as both the interior and exterior can be decorated for drug encapsulation and cell targeting. To provide surface functionalization, we added a SpyTag to E2 nanocages (ST-E2) to enable tunable decoration using the robust SpyCatcher bioconjugation strategy. Additionally, the E2 core was mutated with four phenylalanine substitutions for doxorubicin loading and pH-responsive release. By decorating the exterior with a highly cell-specific epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeting protein conjugate, 4GE11-mCherry-SpyCatcher, we demonstrated targeted cell death in inflammatory breast cancer cells compared to healthy breast epithelial cells at concentrations below the IC50 of free doxorubicin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Millicent O Sullivan
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
| | - Wilfred Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
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3
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Antimicrobial Potential of the Genera Geobacillus and Parageobacillus, as Well as Endolysins Biosynthesized by Their Bacteriophages. Antibiotics (Basel) 2022; 11:antibiotics11020242. [PMID: 35203843 PMCID: PMC8868475 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics11020242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In the recent decades, antibiotic resistance has emerged and spread rapidly among clinically relevant pathogens. The natural ability of bacteria to transmit resistance determinants through horizontal gene transfer poses constant challenges to drug development. Natural molecules produced by soil microorganisms continue to be a key source of new antimicrobial agents. In this context, bacteria from the Geobacillus and Parageobacillus genera deserve special attention. Although there is commercial and industrial interest in these microorganisms, the full range of antibacterial compounds biosynthesized by the Geobacillus and Parageobacillus species remains largely unexplored. The aim of this review is to present the strong antimicrobial potential of these bacteria and endolysins produced by their bacteriophages.
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Berckman EA, Chen W. Self-assembling protein nanocages for modular enzyme assembly by orthogonal bioconjugation. Biotechnol Prog 2021; 37:e3190. [PMID: 34173352 DOI: 10.1002/btpr.3190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The wide variety of enzymatic pathways that can benefit from enzyme scaffolding is astronomical. While enzyme co-localization based on protein, DNA, and RNA scaffolds has been reported, we still lack scaffolds that offer well-defined and uniform three-dimensional structures for enzyme organization. Here we reported a new approach for protein co-localization using naturally occurring protein nanocages as a scaffold. Two different nanocages, the 25 nm E2 and the 34 nm heptatitis B virus, were used to demonstrate the successfully co-localization of the endoglucanase CelA and cellulose binding domain using the robust SpyTag/SpyCatcher bioconjugation chemistry. Because of the simplicity of the assembly, this strategy is useful not only for in vivo enzyme cascading but also the potential for in vivo applications as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily A Berckman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
| | - Wilfred Chen
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware, USA
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5
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Demchuk AM, Patel TR. The biomedical and bioengineering potential of protein nanocompartments. Biotechnol Adv 2020; 41:107547. [PMID: 32294494 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2020.107547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2019] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein nanocompartments (PNCs) are self-assembling biological nanocages that can be harnessed as platforms for a wide range of nanobiotechnology applications. The most widely studied examples of PNCs include virus-like particles, bacterial microcompartments, encapsulin nanocompartments, enzyme-derived nanocages (such as lumazine synthase and the E2 component of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex), ferritins and ferritin homologues, small heat shock proteins, and vault ribonucleoproteins. Structural PNC shell proteins are stable, biocompatible, and tolerant of both interior and exterior chemical or genetic functionalization for use as vaccines, therapeutic delivery vehicles, medical imaging aids, bioreactors, biological control agents, emulsion stabilizers, or scaffolds for biomimetic materials synthesis. This review provides an overview of the recent biomedical and bioengineering advances achieved with PNCs with a particular focus on recombinant PNC derivatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey M Demchuk
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, Canada.
| | - Trushar R Patel
- Alberta RNA Research and Training Institute, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive West, Lethbridge, AB, Canada; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming, School of Medicine, University of Calgary, 2500 University Dr. N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada; Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology and Discovery Lab, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Center for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada.
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Shrestha A, Sadeyen JR, Iqbal M. Enhancing Protective Efficacy of Poultry Vaccines through Targeted Delivery of Antigens to Antigen-Presenting Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2018; 6:E75. [PMID: 30445683 PMCID: PMC6313852 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines6040075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Avian viral diseases including avian influenza, Marek's disease and Newcastle disease are detrimental to economies around the world that depend on the poultry trade. A significant zoonotic threat is also posed by avian influenza viruses. Vaccination is an important and widely used method for controlling these poultry diseases. However, the current vaccines do not provide full protection or sterile immunity. Hence, there is a need to develop improved vaccines. The major aim of developing improved vaccines is to induce strong and specific humoral and cellular immunity in vaccinated animals. One strategy used to enhance the immunogenicity of vaccines is the selective delivery of protective antigens to antigen-presenting cells (APCs) including dendritic cells, macrophages and B cells. APCs have a central role in the initiation and maintenance of immune responses through their ability to capture, process and present antigens to T and B cells. Vaccine technology that selectively targets APCs has been achieved by coupling antigens to monoclonal antibodies or ligands that are targeted by APCs. The aim of this review is to discuss existing strategies of selective delivery of antigens to APCs for effective vaccine development in poultry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angita Shrestha
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking GU24 0NF, Surrey, UK.
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK.
| | - Jean-Remy Sadeyen
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking GU24 0NF, Surrey, UK.
| | - Munir Iqbal
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking GU24 0NF, Surrey, UK.
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Neek M, Tucker JA, Kim TI, Molino NM, Nelson EL, Wang SW. Co-delivery of human cancer-testis antigens with adjuvant in protein nanoparticles induces higher cell-mediated immune responses. Biomaterials 2017; 156:194-203. [PMID: 29202325 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2017.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 11/07/2017] [Accepted: 11/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Nanoparticles have attracted considerable interest as cancer vaccine delivery vehicles for inducing sufficient CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses to overcome the low immunogenicity of the tumor microenvironment. Our studies described here are the first to examine the effects of clinically-tested human cancer-testis (CT) peptide epitopes within a synthetic nanoparticle. Specifically, we focused on two significant clinical CT targets, the HLA-A2 restricted epitopes of NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3, using a viral-mimetic packaging strategy. Our data shows that simultaneous delivery of a NY-ESO-1 epitope (SLLMWITQV) and CpG using the E2 subunit assembly of pyruvate dehydrogenase (E2 nanoparticle), resulted in a 25-fold increase in specific IFN-γ secretion in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. This translated to a 15-fold increase in lytic activity toward target cancer cells expressing the antigen. Immunization with a MAGE-A3 epitope (FLWGPRALV) delivered with CpG in E2 nanoparticles yielded an increase in specific IFN-γ secretion and cell lysis by 6-fold and 9-fold, respectively. Furthermore, combined delivery of NY-ESO-1 and MAGE-A3 antigens in E2 nanoparticles yielded an additive effect that increased lytic activity towards cells bearing NY-ESO-1+ and MAGE-A3+. Our investigations demonstrate that formulation of CT antigens within a nanoparticle can significantly enhance antigen-specific cell-mediated responses, and the combination of the two antigens in a vaccine can preserve the increased individual responses that are observed for each antigen alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Medea Neek
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jo Anne Tucker
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Tae Il Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Nicholas M Molino
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Edward L Nelson
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Institute for Immunology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Szu-Wen Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
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8
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Bhaskar S, Lim S. Engineering protein nanocages as carriers for biomedical applications. NPG ASIA MATERIALS 2017; 9:e371. [PMID: 32218880 PMCID: PMC7091667 DOI: 10.1038/am.2016.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 01/26/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2016] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Protein nanocages have been explored as potential carriers in biomedicine. Formed by the self-assembly of protein subunits, the caged structure has three surfaces that can be engineered: the interior, the exterior and the intersubunit. Therapeutic and diagnostic molecules have been loaded in the interior of nanocages, while their external surfaces have been engineered to enhance their biocompatibility and targeting abilities. Modifications of the intersubunit interactions have been shown to modulate the self-assembly profile with implications for tuning the molecular release. We review natural and synthetic protein nanocages that have been modified using chemical and genetic engineering techniques to impart non-natural functions that are responsive to the complex cellular microenvironment of malignant cells while delivering molecular cargos with improved efficiencies and minimal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sathyamoorthy Bhaskar
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Sierin Lim
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
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Trovato M, Maurano F, D'Apice L, Costa V, Sartorius R, Cuccaro F, McBurney SP, Krebs SJ, Prisco A, Ciccodicola A, Rossi M, Haigwood NL, De Berardinis P. E2 multimeric scaffold for vaccine formulation: immune response by intranasal delivery and transcriptome profile of E2-pulsed dendritic cells. BMC Microbiol 2016; 16:152. [PMID: 27421762 PMCID: PMC4947308 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-016-0772-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The E2 multimeric scaffold represents a powerful delivery system able to elicit robust humoral and cellular immune responses upon systemic administrations. Here recombinant E2 scaffold displaying the third variable loop of HIV-1 Envelope gp120 glycoprotein was administered via mucosa, and the mucosal and systemic immune responses were analysed. To gain further insights into the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate the immune response upon E2 vaccination, we analysed the transcriptome profile of dendritic cells (DCs) exposed to the E2 scaffold with the aim to define a specific gene expression signature for E2-primed immune responses. RESULTS The in vivo immunogenicity and the potential of E2 scaffold as a mucosal vaccine candidate were investigated in BALB/c mice vaccinated via the intranasal route. Fecal and systemic antigen-specific IgA antibodies, cytokine-producing CD4(+) and CD8(+) cells were induced assessing the immunogenicity of E2 particles via intranasal administration. The cytokine analysis identified a mixed T-helper cell response, while the systemic antibody response showed a prevalence of IgG1 isotype indicative of a polarized Th2-type immune response. RNA-Sequencing analysis revealed that E2 scaffold up-regulates in DCs transcriptional regulators of the Th2-polarizing cell response, defining a type 2 DC transcriptomic signature. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides experimental evidence to the possible application of E2 scaffold as antigen delivery system for mucosal immunization and taking advantages of genome-wide approach dissects the type of response induced by E2 particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Trovato
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Francesco Maurano
- Institute of Food Sciences, C.N.R, Via Roma 64, Avellino, 83100, Italy
| | - Luciana D'Apice
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Valerio Costa
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, C.N.R, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Rossella Sartorius
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Fausta Cuccaro
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Sean P McBurney
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Shelly J Krebs
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Antonella Prisco
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, C.N.R, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Alfredo Ciccodicola
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics A. Buzzati-Traverso, C.N.R, Via Pietro Castellino 111, Naples, 80131, Italy.,Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples "Parthenope", Centro Direzionale Site island C4, Naples, 80143, Italy
| | - Mauro Rossi
- Institute of Food Sciences, C.N.R, Via Roma 64, Avellino, 83100, Italy
| | - Nancy L Haigwood
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
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Salt-Induced Changes in the Subunit Structure of the Bacillus stearothermophilusLipoate Acetyltransferase. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2013; 77:1637-44. [DOI: 10.1271/bbb.130161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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11
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Molino NM, Bilotkach K, Fraser DA, Ren D, Wang SW. Complement activation and cell uptake responses toward polymer-functionalized protein nanocapsules. Biomacromolecules 2012; 13:974-81. [PMID: 22416762 DOI: 10.1021/bm300083e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembling protein nanocapsules can be engineered for various bionanotechnology applications. Using the dodecahedral scaffold of the E2 subunit from pyruvate dehydrogenase, we introduced non-native surface cysteines for site-directed functionalization. The modified nanoparticle's structural, assembly, and thermostability properties were comparable to the wild-type scaffold (E2-WT), and after conjugation of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to these cysteines, the nanoparticle remained intact and stable up to 79.7 ± 1.8 °C. PEGylation of particles reduced uptake by human monocyte-derived macrophages and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells, with decreased uptake as PEG chain length is increased. In vitro C4-depletion and C5a-production assays yielded 97.6 ± 10.8% serum C4 remaining and 40.1 ± 6.0 ng/mL C5a for E2-WT, demonstrating that complement activation is weak for non-PEGylated E2 nanoparticles. Conjugation of PEG to these particles moderately increased complement response to give 79.7 ± 6.0% C4 remaining and 87.6 ± 10.1 ng/mL C5a. Our results demonstrate that PEGylation of the E2 protein nanocapsules can modulate cellular uptake and induce low levels of complement activation, likely via the classical/lectin pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas M Molino
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2575, United States
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12
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Jaworski JP, Krebs SJ, Trovato M, Kovarik DN, Brower Z, Sutton WF, Waagmeester G, Sartorius R, D'Apice L, Caivano A, Doria-Rose NA, Malherbe D, Montefiori DC, Barnett S, De Berardinis P, Haigwood NL. Co-immunization with multimeric scaffolds and DNA rapidly induces potent autologous HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies and CD8+ T cells. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31464. [PMID: 22359593 PMCID: PMC3281069 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2011] [Accepted: 01/08/2012] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
To obtain proof of concept for HIV vaccines, we generated recombinant multimeric particles displaying the HIV-1 Envelope (Env) third hypervariable region (V3) as an N-terminal fusion protein on the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of Geobacillus stearothermophilus. The E2 scaffold self-assembles into a 60-mer core that is 24 nm in diameter, with a molecular weight of 1.5 MDa, similar to a virus like particle with up to 60 copies of a heterologous protein accessible on the surface. Env(V3)-E2 multimers were tested alone and in combination with Env(gp160) DNA in mice and rabbits. Following two or more co-immunizations with Env(V3)-E2 and Env gp160 DNA, all 18 rabbits developed potent autologous neutralizing antibodies specific for V3 in six weeks. These neutralizing antibodies were sustained for 16 weeks without boosting, and comparable responses were obtained when lipopolysaccharide, a contaminant from expression in E. coli, was removed. Co-immunizations of Env(V3)-E2 and DNA expressing gp160 elicited moderate CD8-specific responses and Env-specific antibodies in mice. Co-immunization with DNA and E2 was superior to individual or sequential vaccination with these components in eliciting both neutralizing antibodies in rabbits and CD8(+) T cell responses in mice. Co-immunization with DNA and multimeric E2 scaffolds appears to offer a highly effective means of eliciting rapid, specific, and sustained immune responses that may be a useful approach for other vaccine targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Pablo Jaworski
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Shelly J. Krebs
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Maria Trovato
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R., Naples, Italy
| | - Dina N. Kovarik
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Zachary Brower
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - William F. Sutton
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Garrett Waagmeester
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | | | | | | | - Nicole A. Doria-Rose
- Viral Vaccines Program, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Delphine Malherbe
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
| | - David C. Montefiori
- Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Susan Barnett
- Novartis, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | | | - Nancy L. Haigwood
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, Oregon, United States of America
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Trovato M, Krebs SJ, Haigwood NL, De Berardinis P. Delivery strategies for novel vaccine formulations. World J Virol 2012; 1:4-10. [PMID: 24175206 PMCID: PMC3782264 DOI: 10.5501/wjv.v1.i1.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/25/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
A major challenge in vaccine design is to identify antigen presentation and delivery systems capable of rapidly stimulating both the humoral and cellular components of the immune system to elicit a strong and sustained immunity against different viral isolates. Approaches to achieve this end involve live attenuated and inactivated virions, viral vectors, DNA, and protein subunits. This review reports the state of current antigen delivery, and focuses on two innovative systems recently established at our labs. These systems are the filamentous bacteriophage fd and an icosahedral scaffold formed by the acyltransferase component (E2 protein) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of Bacillus stearothermophilus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Trovato
- Maria Trovato, Piergiuseppe De Berardinis, Institute of Protein Biochemistry, CNR, Naples 80131, Italy
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14
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Liang L, Tan X, Juarez S, Villaverde H, Pablo J, Nakajima-Sasaki R, Gotuzzo E, Saito M, Hermanson G, Molina D, Felgner S, Morrow WJW, Liang X, Gilman RH, Davies DH, Tsolis RM, Vinetz JM, Felgner PL. Systems biology approach predicts antibody signature associated with Brucella melitensis infection in humans. J Proteome Res 2011; 10:4813-24. [PMID: 21863892 PMCID: PMC3189706 DOI: 10.1021/pr200619r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
A complete understanding of the factors that determine selection of antigens recognized by the humoral immune response following infectious agent challenge is lacking. Here we illustrate a systems biology approach to identify the antibody signature associated with Brucella melitensis (Bm) infection in humans and predict proteomic features of serodiagnostic antigens. By taking advantage of a full proteome microarray expressing previously cloned 1406 and newly cloned 1640 Bm genes, we were able to identify 122 immunodominant antigens and 33 serodiagnostic antigens. The reactive antigens were then classified according to annotated functional features (COGs), computationally predicted features (e.g., subcellular localization, physical properties), and protein expression estimated by mass spectrometry (MS). Enrichment analyses indicated that membrane association and secretion were significant enriching features of the reactive antigens, as were proteins predicted to have a signal peptide, a single transmembrane domain, and outer membrane or periplasmic location. These features accounted for 67% of the serodiagnostic antigens. An overlay of the seroreactive antigen set with proteomic data sets generated by MS identified an additional 24%, suggesting that protein expression in bacteria is an additional determinant in the induction of Brucella-specific antibodies. This analysis indicates that one-third of the proteome contains enriching features that account for 91% of the antigens recognized, and after B. melitensis infection the immune system develops significant antibody titers against 10% of the proteins with these enriching features. This systems biology approach provides an empirical basis for understanding the breadth and specificity of the immune response to B. melitensis and a new framework for comparing the humoral responses against other microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Liang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, United States
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15
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Peng T, Lim S. Trimer-Based Design of pH-Responsive Protein Cage Results in Soluble Disassembled Structures. Biomacromolecules 2011; 12:3131-8. [DOI: 10.1021/bm2005438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tao Peng
- Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637457
| | - Sierin Lim
- Division of Bioengineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637457
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Bode SA, Minten IJ, Nolte RJM, Cornelissen JJLM. Reactions inside nanoscale protein cages. NANOSCALE 2011; 3:2376-2389. [PMID: 21461437 DOI: 10.1039/c0nr01013h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Chemical reactions are traditionally carried out in bulk solution, but in nature confined spaces, like cell organelles, are used to obtain control in time and space of conversion. One way of studying these reactions in confinement is the development and use of small reaction vessels dispersed in solution, such as vesicles and micelles. The utilization of protein cages as reaction vessels is a relatively new field and very promising as these capsules are inherently monodisperse, in that way providing uniform reaction conditions, and are readily accessible to both chemical and genetic modifications. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the different kinds of nanoscale protein cages that have been employed as confined reaction spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia A Bode
- Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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17
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Ren D, Kratz F, Wang SW. Protein nanocapsules containing doxorubicin as a pH-responsive delivery system. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2011; 7:1051-60. [PMID: 21456086 PMCID: PMC3118673 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201002242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2010] [Revised: 01/28/2011] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase is engineered to form a caged, hollow dodecahedral protein assembly, and the feasibility of this scaffold to be used as a drug delivery system is examined by introducing cysteines to the internal cavity (D381C). The fluorescent dye Alexa Fluor 532 (AF532M) and the antitumor drug doxorubicin are coupled to this internal cavity through maleimides on the guest molecules. The viruslike particle's structure and stability remain intact after binding of the molecules within the interior of the nanocapsule. The pH-dependent hydrolysis of a hydrazone linkage to doxorubicin allows 90% drug release from the D381C scaffold within 72 h at pH 5.0. Fluorescence microscopy of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells indicates significant uptake of the D381C scaffold incorporating AF532M and doxorubicin, and suggests internalization of the nanoparticles through endocytosis. It is observed that the protein scaffold does not induce cell death, but doxorubicin encapsulated in D381C is indeed cytotoxic, yielding an IC(50) of 1.3 ± 0.3 μM. While the majority of particulate-based drug delivery strategies encapsulates drugs within polymeric nanoparticles, these results show the potential for using macromolecular protein assemblies. This approach yields a promising new opportunity for designing highly defined nanomaterials for therapeutic delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Ren
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, 916 Engineering Tower, Irvine, CA 92697-2575, USA
| | - Felix Kratz
- Tumor Biology Center, Division of Macromolecular Prodrugs, Breisacher Strasse 117, D-79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Szu-Wen Wang
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, 916 Engineering Tower, Irvine, CA 92697-2575, USA
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HIV-1 Gag p17 presented as virus-like particles on the E2 scaffold from Geobacillus stearothermophilus induces sustained humoral and cellular immune responses in the absence of IFNγ production by CD4+ T cells. Virology 2010; 407:296-305. [PMID: 20850858 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2010.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2010] [Revised: 07/13/2010] [Accepted: 08/22/2010] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We have constructed stable virus-like particles displaying the HIV-1 Gag(p17) protein as an N-terminal fusion with an engineered protein domain from the Geobacillus stearothermophilus pyruvate dehydrogenase subunit E2. Mice immunized with the Gag(p17)-E2 60-mer scaffold particles mounted a strong and sustained antibody response. Antibodies directed to Gag(p17) were boosted significantly with additional immunizations, while anti-E2 responses reached a plateau. The isotype of the induced antibodies was biased towards IgG1, and the E2-primed CD4+ T cells did not secrete IFNγ. Using transgenic mouse model systems, we demonstrated that CD8+ T cells primed with E2 particles were able to exert lytic activity and produce IFNγ. These results show that the E2 scaffold represents a powerful vaccine delivery system for whole antigenic proteins or polyepitope engineered proteins, evoking antibody production and antigen specific CTL activity even in the absence of IFNγ-producing CD4+ T cells.
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19
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Dalmau M, Lim S, Wang SW. pH-triggered disassembly in a caged protein complex. Biomacromolecules 2010; 10:3199-206. [PMID: 19874026 DOI: 10.1021/bm900674v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Self-assembling protein cage structures have many potential applications in nanotechnology, one of which is therapeutic delivery. For intracellular targeting, pH-controlled disassembly of virus-like particles and release of their molecular cargo is particularly strategic. We investigated the potential of using histidines for introducing pH-dependent disassembly in the E2 subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase. Two subunit interfaces likely to disrupt stability, an intratrimer interface (the N-terminus) and an intertrimer interface (methionine-425), were redesigned. Our results show that changing the identity of the putative anchor site 425 to histidine does not decrease stability. In contrast, engineering non-native pH-dependent behavior and modulating the transition pH at which disassembly occurs can be accomplished by mutagenesis of the N-terminus and by ionic strength changes. The observed pH-triggered disassembly is due to electrostatic repulsions generated by histidine protonation. These results suggest that altering the degree of electrostatic repulsion at subunit interfaces could be a generally applicable strategy for designing pH-triggered assembly in protein macromolecular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercè Dalmau
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, California 92697-2575, USA
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20
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Dalmau M, Lim S, Chen HC, Ruiz C, Wang SW. Thermostability and molecular encapsulation within an engineered caged protein scaffold. Biotechnol Bioeng 2008; 101:654-64. [PMID: 18814295 DOI: 10.1002/bit.21988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling biological complexes such as viral capsids have been manipulated to function in innovative nanotechnology applications. The E2 component of pyruvate dehydrogenase from Bacillus stearothermophilus forms a dodecahedral complex and potentially provides another platform for these purposes. In this investigation, we show that this protein assembly exhibits unusual stability and can be modified to encapsulate model drug molecules. To distill the E2 protein down to its structural scaffold core, we synthesized a truncated gene optimized for expression in Escherichia coli. The correct assembly and dodecahedral structure of the resulting scaffold was confirmed with dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy. Using circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry, we found the thermostability of the complex to be unusually high, with an onset temperature of unfolding at 81.1 +/- 0.9 degrees C and an apparent midpoint unfolding temperature of 91.4 +/- 1.4 degrees C. To evaluate the potential of this scaffold for encapsulation of guest molecules, we made variants at residues 381 and 239 which altered the physicochemical properties of the hollow internal cavity. These mutants, yielding 60 and 120 mutations within this cavity, assembled into the correct architecture and exhibited high thermostability that was comparable to the wild-type scaffold. To show the applicability of this scaffold, two different fluorescent dye molecules were covalently coupled to the cysteine mutant at site 381. We demonstrate that these mutations can introduce non-native functionality and enable molecular encapsulation within the cavity while still retaining the dodecahedral structure. The unusually robust nature of this scaffold and its amenability to internal changes reveal its potential for nanoscale applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercè Dalmau
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, 916 Engineering Tower, Irvine, California 92697-2575, USA
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21
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D'Apice L, Sartorius R, Caivano A, Mascolo D, Del Pozzo G, Di Mase DS, Ricca E, Li Pira G, Manca F, Malanga D, De Palma R, De Berardinis P. Comparative analysis of new innovative vaccine formulations based on the use of procaryotic display systems. Vaccine 2006; 25:1993-2000. [PMID: 17239998 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.11.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2006] [Revised: 11/03/2006] [Accepted: 11/23/2006] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
A T helper epitope was expressed in three innovative delivery vehicles recently developed in our laboratories and based respectively, on the filamentous bacteriophage fd, the E2 protein from the PDH complex of Bacillus stearothermophilus and the protein CotC of Bacillus subtilis spores. Studies of antigenicity and immunogenicity were performed by using a specific T cell hybridoma and by priming mononuclear cells isolated from the venous blood of human donors. The results indicate that the E2 system is the best suited for inducing a specific immune response towards a CD4 T cell epitope. Importantly, TCR clonal analysis demonstrated the persistence over years of a previously described antigen specific clonotype and its presence correlates with the immunogenic strength of the antigen delivery system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciana D'Apice
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R.,Via P. Castellino 111, 80131 Naples, Italy
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22
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De Berardinis P, Haigwood NL. New recombinant vaccines based on the use of prokaryotic antigen-display systems. Expert Rev Vaccines 2006; 3:673-9. [PMID: 15606352 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.3.6.673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge in vaccine design has been to identify antigen presentation systems that elicit strong T- and B-cell responses. In the authors' laboratory, two new delivery vehicles derived from nonpathogenic prokaryotic organisms were recently designed and investigated. Conserved antigenic determinants were inserted into the N-terminal region of the major pVIII coat protein of bacteriophage fd virions or on the surface of an icosahedral scaffold formed by the acyltransferase component (E2 protein) of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex of Bacillus stearothermophilus. The data indicate that the antigenic determinant displayed by either fd virions or on the surface of the E2 lattice are accessible to the immune system, and are able to trigger a humoral response as well as a potent helper and cytolytic response in vitro and in vivo. These systems offer the potential for safe and inexpensive vaccines to elicit full-spectrum immune responses.
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Ionescu RM, Przysiecki CT, Liang X, Garsky VM, Fan J, Wang B, Troutman R, Rippeon Y, Flanagan E, Shiver J, Shi L. Pharmaceutical and immunological evaluation of human papillomavirus viruslike particle as an antigen carrier. J Pharm Sci 2006; 95:70-9. [PMID: 16315228 DOI: 10.1002/jps.20493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
We report the preparation and the immunogenicity of a conjugate vaccine obtained by chemically conjugating a variant of the extracellular peptide fragment of influenza type A M2 protein to the human papillomavirus (HPV) viruslike particle (VLP). Conjugates comprised of approximately 4,000 copies of the antigenic peptide per VLP are obtained as the result of the reaction between a C-terminal cysteine residue on the peptide and the maleimide-activated HPV VLP. The resulting conjugates have an average particle size slightly larger than the carrier and present enhanced overall stability against chemical and thermal-induced denaturation. The M2-HPV VLP conjugates lost the binding affinity for anti-HPV conformational antibodies but retained reactivity to a M2-specific monoclonal antibody. The conjugate vaccine formulated with aluminum adjuvant and delivered in two doses of 30-ng peptide was found to be highly immunogenic and conferred good protection against lethal challenge of influenza virus in mice. These results suggest that HPV VLP can be used as a carrier for synthetic or small antigens for the development of subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana M Ionescu
- Biologics and Vaccines PR&D, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co., Inc., P.O Box 4, West Point, Pennsylvania 19486-0004, USA
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24
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Laplagne DA, Zylberman V, Ainciart N, Steward MW, Sciutto E, Fossati CA, Goldbaum FA. Engineering of a polymeric bacterial protein as a scaffold for the multiple display of peptides. Proteins 2004; 57:820-8. [PMID: 15390265 DOI: 10.1002/prot.20248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Protein assemblies with a high degree of repetitiveness and organization are known to induce strong immune responses. For that reason they have been postulated for the design of subunit vaccines by means of protein engineering. The enzyme lumazine synthase from Brucella spp. (BLS) is highly immunogenic, presumably owing to its homodecameric arrangement and remarkable thermodynamic stability. Structural analysis has shown that it is possible to insert foreign peptides at the ten amino terminus of BLS without disrupting its general folding. These peptides would be displayed to the immune system in a highly symmetric three-dimensional array. In the present work, BLS has been used as a protein carrier of foreign peptides. We have established a modular system to produce chimeric proteins decorated with ten copies of a desired peptide as long as 27 residues and have shown that their folding and stability is similar to that of the wild-type protein. The knowledge about the mechanisms of dissociation and unfolding of BLS allowed the engineering of polyvalent chimeras displaying different predefined peptides on the same molecular scaffold. Moreover, the reassembly of mixtures of chimeras at different steps of the unfolding process was used to control the stoichiometry and spatial arrangement for the simultaneous display of different peptides on BLS. This strategy would be useful for vaccine development and other biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- D A Laplagne
- Fundación Instituto Leloir, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas and Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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