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Pfeifle A, Thulasi Raman SN, Lansdell C, Zhang W, Tamming L, Cecillon J, Laryea E, Patel D, Wu J, Gravel C, Frahm G, Gao J, Chen W, Chaconas G, Sauve S, Rosu-Myles M, Wang L, Johnston MJW, Li X. DNA lipid nanoparticle vaccine targeting outer surface protein C affords protection against homologous Borrelia burgdorferi needle challenge in mice. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1020134. [PMID: 37006299 PMCID: PMC10060826 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1020134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe incidence of Lyme disease (LD) in Canada and the United States has risen over the last decade, nearing 480,000 cases each year. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the causative agent of LD, is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected tick, resulting in flu-like symptoms and often a characteristic bull’s-eye rash. In more severe cases, disseminated bacterial infection can cause arthritis, carditis and neurological impairments. Currently, no vaccine is available for the prevention of LD in humans.MethodsIn this study, we developed a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated DNA vaccine encoding outer surface protein C type A (OspC-type A) of B. burgdorferi.ResultsVaccination of C3H/HeN mice with two doses of the candidate vaccine induced significant OspC-type A-specific antibody titres and borreliacidal activity. Analysis of the bacterial burden following needle challenge with B. burgdorferi (OspC-type A) revealed that the candidate vaccine afforded effective protection against homologous infection across a range of susceptible tissues. Notably, vaccinated mice were protected against carditis and lymphadenopathy associated with Lyme borreliosis.DiscussionOverall, the results of this study provide support for the use of a DNA-LNP platform for the development of LD vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Pfeifle
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sathya N. Thulasi Raman
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Casey Lansdell
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Wanyue Zhang
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Levi Tamming
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathon Cecillon
- Department of Chemistry and Biomolecular Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Laryea
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Devina Patel
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jianguo Wu
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Gravel
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Grant Frahm
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jun Gao
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Vaccines, Clinical Trials and Biostatistics, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Wangxue Chen
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - George Chaconas
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Cumming School of Medicine, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Simon Sauve
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Rosu-Myles
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lisheng Wang
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J. W. Johnston
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Michael J. W. Johnston, ; Xuguang Li,
| | - Xuguang Li
- Centre for Oncology, Radiopharmaceuticals and Research, Biologic and Radiopharmaceutical Drugs Directorate, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada and World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Standardization and Evaluation of Biologicals, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Michael J. W. Johnston, ; Xuguang Li,
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Klouwens MJ, Trentelman JJA, Wagemakers A, Ersoz JI, Bins AD, Hovius JW. Tick-Tattoo: DNA Vaccination Against B. burgdorferi or Ixodes scapularis Tick Proteins. Front Immunol 2021; 12:615011. [PMID: 33717102 PMCID: PMC7946838 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.615011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) is the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis. Currently there is no human vaccine against Lyme borreliosis, and most research focuses on recombinant protein vaccines. DNA tattoo vaccination with B. afzelii strain PKo OspC in mice has proven to be fully protective against B. afzelii syringe challenge and induces a favorable humoral immunity compared to recombinant protein vaccination. Alternatively, several recombinant protein vaccines based on tick proteins have shown promising effect in tick-bite infection models. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of DNA vaccines against Borrelia OspC or tick antigens in a tick-bite infection model. Method We vaccinated C3H/HeN mice with OspC using a codon-optimized DNA vaccine or with recombinant protein. We challenged these mice with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (ss)-infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs. Subsequently, we vaccinated C3H/HeN mice with DNA vaccines coding for tick proteins for which recombinant protein vaccines have previously resulted in interference with tick feeding and/or Borrelia transmission: Salp15, tHRF, TSLPI, and Tix-5. These mice were also challenged with B. burgdorferi ss infected Ixodes scapularis nymphs. Results DNA tattoo and recombinant OspC vaccination both induced total IgG responses. Borrelia cultures and DNA loads of skin and bladder remained negative in the mice vaccinated with OspC DNA vaccination, except for one culture. DNA vaccines against tick antigens Salp15 and Tix-5 induced IgG responses, while those against tHRF and TSLPI barely induced any IgG response. In addition, Borrelia cultures, and DNA loads from mice tattooed with DNA vaccines against tick proteins TSLPI, Salp15, tHRF, and Tix-5 were all positive. Conclusion A DNA tattoo vaccine against OspC induced high specific IgG titers and provided near total protection against B. burgdorferi ss infection by tick challenge. In contrast, DNA tattoo vaccines against tick proteins TSLPI, Salp15, tHRF, and Tix-5 induced low to moderate IgG titers and did not provide protection. Therefore, DNA tattoo vaccination does not seem a suitable vaccine strategy to identify, or screen for, tick antigens for anti-tick vaccines. However, DNA tattoo vaccination is a straightforward and effective vaccination platform to assess novel B. burgdorferi sl antigen candidates in a relevant tick challenge model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle J Klouwens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Borreliosis Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jos J A Trentelman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alex Wagemakers
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jasmin I Ersoz
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Adriaan D Bins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Joppe W Hovius
- Department of Internal Medicine, Center for Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.,Amsterdam Multidisciplinary Lyme Borreliosis Center, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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O'Bier NS, Hatke AL, Camire AC, Marconi RT. Human and Veterinary Vaccines for Lyme Disease. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2020; 42:191-222. [PMID: 33289681 DOI: 10.21775/cimb.042.191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease (LD) is an emerging zoonotic infection that is increasing in incidence in North America, Europe, and Asia. With the development of safe and efficacious vaccines, LD can potentially be prevented. Vaccination offers a cost-effective and safe approach for decreasing the risk of infection. While LD vaccines have been widely used in veterinary medicine, they are not available as a preventive tool for humans. Central to the development of effective vaccines is an understanding of the enzootic cycle of LD, differential gene expression of Borrelia burgdorferi in response to environmental variables, and the genetic and antigenic diversity of the unique bacteria that cause this debilitating disease. Here we review these areas as they pertain to past and present efforts to develop human, veterinary, and reservoir targeting LD vaccines. In addition, we offer a brief overview of additional preventative measures that should employed in conjunction with vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S O'Bier
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Amanda L Hatke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Andrew C Camire
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Richard T Marconi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
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Duan J, Zhao Y, Zhang X, Jiang H, Xie B, Zhao T, Zhao F. Research status and perspectives for pathogenic spirochete vaccines. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 507:117-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2020.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Izac JR, O'Bier NS, Oliver LD, Camire AC, Earnhart CG, LeBlanc Rhodes DV, Young BF, Parnham SR, Davies C, Marconi RT. Development and optimization of OspC chimeritope vaccinogens for Lyme disease. Vaccine 2020; 38:1915-1924. [PMID: 31959423 PMCID: PMC7085410 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.01.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Experimental Outer surface protein (Osp) C based subunit chimeritope vaccinogens for Lyme disease (LD) were assessed for immunogenicity, structure, ability to elicit antibody (Ab) responses to divergent OspC proteins, and bactericidal activity. Chimeritopes are chimeric epitope based proteins that consist of linear epitopes derived from multiple proteins or multiple variants of a protein. An inherent advantage to chimeritope vaccinogens is that they can be constructed to trigger broadly protective Ab responses. Three OspC chimeritope proteins were comparatively assessed: Chv1, Chv2 and Chv3. The Chv proteins possess the same set of 18 linear epitopes derived from 9 OspC type proteins but differ in the physical ordering of epitopes or by the presence or absence of linkers. All Chv proteins were immunogenic in mice and rats eliciting high titer Ab. Immunoblot and enzyme linked immunosorbent assays demonstrated that the Chv proteins elicit IgG that recognizes a diverse array of OspC type proteins. The panel included OspC proteins produced by N. American and European strains of the LD spirochetes. Rat anti-Chv antisera uniformly labeled intact, non-permeabilized Borreliella burgdorferi demonstrating that vaccinal Ab can bind to targets that are naturally presented on the spirochete cell surface. Vaccinal Ab also displayed potent complement dependent-Ab mediated killing activity. This study highlights the ability of OspC chimeritopes to serve as vaccinogens that trigger potentially broadly protective Ab responses. In addition to the current use of an OspC chimeritope in a canine LD vaccine, chimeritopes can serve as key components of human LD subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerilyn R Izac
- Dept. Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, United States
| | - Nathaniel S O'Bier
- Dept. Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, United States
| | - Lee D Oliver
- Dept. Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, United States
| | - Andrew C Camire
- Dept. Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, United States
| | - Christopher G Earnhart
- Dept. Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, United States
| | | | - Brandon F Young
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Stuart R Parnham
- Dept. Biochem. & Biophysics, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Christopher Davies
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Richard T Marconi
- Dept. Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, United States.
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Live Attenuated Borrelia burgdorferi Targeted Mutants in an Infectious Strain Background Protect Mice from Challenge Infection. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2016; 23:725-31. [PMID: 27335385 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00302-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Borrelia burgdorferi, B. garinii, and B. afzelii are all agents of Lyme disease in different geographic locations. If left untreated, Lyme disease can cause significant and long-term morbidity, which may continue after appropriate antibiotic therapy has been administered and live bacteria are no longer detectable. The increasing incidence and geographic spread of Lyme disease are renewing interest in the vaccination of at-risk populations. We took the approach of vaccinating mice with two targeted mutant strains of B. burgdorferi that, unlike the parental strain, are avirulent in mice. Mice vaccinated with both strains were protected against a challenge with the parental strain and a heterologous B. burgdorferi strain by either needle inoculation or tick bite. In ticks, the homologous strain was eliminated but the heterologous strain was not, suggesting that the vaccines generated a response to antigens that are produced by the bacteria both early in mammalian infection and in the tick. Partial protection against B. garinii infection was also conferred. Protection was antibody mediated, and reactivity to a variety of proteins was observed. These experiments suggest that live attenuated B. burgdorferi strains may be informative regarding the identification of protective antigens produced by the bacteria and recognized by the mouse immune system in vivo Further work may illuminate new candidates that are effective and safe for the development of Lyme disease vaccines.
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Peetermans M, Vanassche T, Liesenborghs L, Lijnen RH, Verhamme P. Bacterial pathogens activate plasminogen to breach tissue barriers and escape from innate immunity. Crit Rev Microbiol 2015; 42:866-82. [PMID: 26485450 DOI: 10.3109/1040841x.2015.1080214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Both coagulation and fibrinolysis are tightly connected with the innate immune system. Infection and inflammation cause profound alterations in the otherwise well-controlled balance between coagulation and fibrinolysis. Many pathogenic bacteria directly exploit the host's hemostatic system to increase their virulence. Here, we review the capacity of bacteria to activate plasminogen. The resulting proteolytic activity allows them to breach tissue barriers and evade innate immune defense, thus promoting bacterial spreading. Yersinia pestis, streptococci of group A, C and G and Staphylococcus aureus produce a specific bacterial plasminogen activator. Moreover, surface plasminogen receptors play an established role in pneumococcal, borrelial and group B streptococcal infections. This review summarizes the mechanisms of bacterial activation of host plasminogen and the role of the fibrinolytic system in infections caused by these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marijke Peetermans
- a Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | - Thomas Vanassche
- a Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | | | - Roger H Lijnen
- a Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
| | - Peter Verhamme
- a Center for Molecular and Vascular Biology, KU Leuven , Leuven , Belgium
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Rapid outer-surface protein C DNA tattoo vaccination protects against Borrelia afzelii infection. Gene Ther 2014; 21:1051-7. [PMID: 25273355 DOI: 10.1038/gt.2014.87] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Revised: 07/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Borrelia afzelii is the predominant Borrelia species causing Lyme borreliosis in Europe. Currently there is no human vaccine against Lyme borreliosis, and most research focuses on recombinant protein vaccines against Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. DNA tattooing is a novel vaccination method that can be applied in a rapid vaccination schedule. We vaccinated C3H/HeN mice with B. afzelii strain PKo OspC (outer-surface protein C) using a codon-optimized DNA vaccine tattoo and compared this with recombinant protein vaccination in a 0-2-4 week vaccination schedule. We also assessed protection by DNA tattoo in a 0-3-6 day schedule. DNA tattoo and recombinant OspC vaccination induced comparable total IgG responses, with a lower IgG1/IgG2a ratio after DNA tattoo. Two weeks after syringe-challenge with 5 × 10(5) B. afzelii spirochetes most vaccinated mice had negative B. afzelii tissue DNA loads and all were culture negative. Furthermore, DNA tattoo vaccination in a 0-3-6 day regimen also resulted in negative Borrelia loads and cultures after challenge. To conclude, DNA vaccination by tattoo was fully protective against B. afzelii challenge in mice in a rapid vaccination protocol, and induces a favorable humoral immunity compared to recombinant protein vaccination. Rapid DNA tattoo is a promising vaccination strategy against spirochetes.
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Immunization with a Borrelia burgdorferi BB0172-derived peptide protects mice against lyme disease. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88245. [PMID: 24505447 PMCID: PMC3914939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most prevalent arthropod borne disease in the US and it is caused by the bacterial spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), which is acquired through the bite of an infected Ixodes tick. Vaccine development efforts focused on the von Willebrand factor A domain of the borrelial protein BB0172 from which four peptides (A, B, C and D) were synthesized and conjugated to Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin, formulated in Titer Max® adjuvant and used to immunize C3H/HeN mice subcutaneously at days 0, 14 and 21. Sera were collected to evaluate antibody responses and some mice were sacrificed for histopathology to evaluate vaccine safety. Twenty-eight days post-priming, protection was evaluated by needle inoculation of half the mice in each group with 103 Bb/mouse, whereas the rest were challenged with 105Bb/mouse. Eight weeks post-priming, another four groups of similarly immunized mice were challenged using infected ticks. In both experiments, twenty-one days post-challenge, the mice were sacrificed to determine antibody responses, bacterial burdens and conduct histopathology. Results showed that only mice immunized with peptide B were protected against challenge with Bb. In addition, compared to the other the treatment groups, peptide B-immunized mice showed very limited inflammation in the heart and joint tissues. Peptide B-specific antibody titers peaked at 8 weeks post-priming and surprisingly, the anti-peptide B antibodies did not cross-react with Bb lysates. These findings strongly suggest that peptide B is a promising candidate for the development of a new DIVA vaccine (Differentiate between Infected and Vaccinated Animals) for protection against Lyme disease.
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Kenedy MR, Lenhart TR, Akins DR. The role of Borrelia burgdorferi outer surface proteins. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 66:1-19. [PMID: 22540535 DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2012.00980.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2012] [Revised: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 04/25/2012] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human pathogenic spirochetes causing Lyme disease belong to the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex. Borrelia burgdorferi organisms are extracellular pathogens transmitted to humans through the bite of Ixodes spp. ticks. These spirochetes are unique in that they can cause chronic infection and persist in the infected human, even though a robust humoral and cellular immune response is produced by the infected host. How this extracellular pathogen is able to evade the host immune response for such long periods of time is currently unclear. To gain a better understanding of how this organism persists in the infected human, many laboratories have focused on identifying and characterizing outer surface proteins of B. burgdorferi. As the interface between B. burgdorferi and its human host is its outer surface, proteins localized to the outer membrane must play an important role in dissemination, virulence, tissue tropism, and immune evasion. Over the last two decades, numerous outer surface proteins from B. burgdorferi have been identified, and more recent studies have begun to elucidate the functional role(s) of many borrelial outer surface proteins. This review summarizes the outer surface proteins identified in B. burgdorferi to date and provides detailed insight into the functions of many of these proteins as they relate to the unique parasitic strategy of this spirochetal pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melisha R Kenedy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, USA
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Borrelia afzelii and immune response of BALB/c mice. ACTA VET BRNO 2012. [DOI: 10.2754/avb201180040325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of our study was to find a possible existence of various vaccination effects on the formation of antibodies against three individualBorrelia afzeliistrains (dead cell suspension) isolated from a vector, potential vector and host of this spirochaete, which makes this experiment unique in the research of Lyme disease causative agents. Three strains ofBorrelia afzeliiwere isolated from three different sources:Ixodes ricinustick (BRZ 9),Culex (Culex) pipiens molestusmosquito (BRZ 14) andApodemus flavicolliswild rodent (BRZ 21). Vaccination induced formation of IgM and IgG in the BALB/c mice (males) and these antibodies were detected in the serum by the Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA). IgM antibodies were significantly increased in the mice immunized with BRZ 21 in the third sera testing (P< 0.001) and IgG antibodies in the mice immunized with the BRZ 9 and BRZ 21 strains (P< 0.01) during the whole three-sample collection. Significant differences were found in antibody concentration by comparison of groups immunized with BRZ 9/BRZ 21 and BRZ 14 (P< 0.001), probably caused by the amount of antigen of BRZ 14 strain. Such finding implies that the immune system of the host (rodent), attacked by the same genospecies of pathogenic borreliae (B. afzelii) coming from different sources reacts with the same intensity. This is the first study of reaction of the same borrelian antigen mixture coming from various sources.
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Embers ME, Barthold SW, Borda JT, Bowers L, Doyle L, Hodzic E, Jacobs MB, Hasenkampf NR, Martin DS, Narasimhan S, Phillippi-Falkenstein KM, Purcell JE, Ratterree MS, Philipp MT. Persistence of Borrelia burgdorferi in rhesus macaques following antibiotic treatment of disseminated infection. PLoS One 2012; 7:e29914. [PMID: 22253822 PMCID: PMC3256191 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0029914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 158] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2011] [Accepted: 12/06/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The persistence of symptoms in Lyme disease patients following antibiotic therapy, and their causes, continue to be a matter of intense controversy. The studies presented here explore antibiotic efficacy using nonhuman primates. Rhesus macaques were infected with B. burgdorferi and a portion received aggressive antibiotic therapy 4–6 months later. Multiple methods were utilized for detection of residual organisms, including the feeding of lab-reared ticks on monkeys (xenodiagnosis), culture, immunofluorescence and PCR. Antibody responses to the B. burgdorferi-specific C6 diagnostic peptide were measured longitudinally and declined in all treated animals. B. burgdorferi antigen, DNA and RNA were detected in the tissues of treated animals. Finally, small numbers of intact spirochetes were recovered by xenodiagnosis from treated monkeys. These results demonstrate that B. burgdorferi can withstand antibiotic treatment, administered post-dissemination, in a primate host. Though B. burgdorferi is not known to possess resistance mechanisms and is susceptible to the standard antibiotics (doxycycline, ceftriaxone) in vitro, it appears to become tolerant post-dissemination in the primate host. This finding raises important questions about the pathogenicity of antibiotic-tolerant persisters and whether or not they can contribute to symptoms post-treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica E. Embers
- Divisions of Bacteriology & Parasitology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MEE); (MTP)
| | - Stephen W. Barthold
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Juan T. Borda
- Comparative Pathology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Lisa Bowers
- Divisions of Bacteriology & Parasitology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Lara Doyle
- Veterinary Medicine, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Emir Hodzic
- Center for Comparative Medicine, Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, California, United States of America
| | - Mary B. Jacobs
- Divisions of Bacteriology & Parasitology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Nicole R. Hasenkampf
- Divisions of Bacteriology & Parasitology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Dale S. Martin
- Divisions of Bacteriology & Parasitology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Sukanya Narasimhan
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Kathrine M. Phillippi-Falkenstein
- Veterinary Medicine, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Jeanette E. Purcell
- Veterinary Medicine, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Marion S. Ratterree
- Veterinary Medicine, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Mario T. Philipp
- Divisions of Bacteriology & Parasitology, Tulane National Primate Research Center, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Covington, Louisiana, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MEE); (MTP)
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13
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A DNA vaccine strategy for effective antibody induction to pathogen-derived antigens. Methods Mol Biol 2011. [PMID: 21993657 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-61779-346-2_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
DNA-based vaccines are currently being developed for treating a diversity of human diseases including cancers, autoimmune conditions, allergies, and microbial infections. In this chapter, we present a general protocol that can be used as a starting point for developing DNA vaccines to pathogen-derived antigens, using Neisseria meningitidis as an example. In addition, we describe a fusion gene-based vaccine protocol for increasing the potency of DNA vaccines that are based on poorly immunogenic antigens such as short pathogen-derived polypeptides. Finally, we provide a safe and effective protocol for delivery of DNA vaccines, based on intramuscular injection followed by electroporation.
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14
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Prevention of Lyme Disease: Promising Research or Sisyphean Task? Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2011; 59:261-75. [DOI: 10.1007/s00005-011-0128-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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15
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Ingolotti M, Kawalekar O, Shedlock DJ, Muthumani K, Weiner DB. DNA vaccines for targeting bacterial infections. Expert Rev Vaccines 2010; 9:747-63. [PMID: 20624048 DOI: 10.1586/erv.10.57] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccination has been of great interest since its discovery in the 1990s due to its ability to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses. DNA vaccines consist of a DNA plasmid containing a transgene that encodes the sequence of a target protein from a pathogen under the control of a eukaryotic promoter. This revolutionary technology has proven to be effective in animal models and four DNA vaccine products have recently been approved for veterinary use. Although few DNA vaccines against bacterial infections have been tested, the results are encouraging. Because of their versatility, safety and simplicity a wider range of organisms can be targeted by these vaccines, which shows their potential advantages to public health. This article describes the mechanism of action of DNA vaccines and their potential use for targeting bacterial infections. In addition, it provides an updated summary of the methods used to enhance immunogenicity from codon optimization and adjuvants to delivery techniques including electroporation and use of nanoparticles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Ingolotti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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16
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Liu S, Shi L, Cheng YB, Fan GX, Ren HX, Yuan YK. Evaluation of protective effect of multi-epitope DNA vaccine encoding six antigen segments of Toxoplasma gondii in mice. Parasitol Res 2009; 105:267-74. [PMID: 19288132 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1393-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2008] [Accepted: 03/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the vaccine potential of multi-epitope vaccines against toxoplasmosis, a multi-epitope DNA vaccine, eukaryotic plasmid pcDNA3.1/T-ME expressing six antigen segments (SAG1(238-256), SAG1(281-320), GRA1(170-193), GRA4(331-345), GRA4(229-245), and GRA2(171-185)) of Toxoplasma gondii was constructed. We investigated the efficacy of pcDNA3.1/T-ME with or without co-administration of a CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) as an adjuvant to protect mice (BALB/c and C57BL/6) against toxoplasmosis. High survival rates were observed in mice immunized with pcDNA3.1/T-ME when challenged with T. gondii RH strain. Lymphocyte proliferation assays, cytokine, and antibody determinations show that mice immunized with pcDNA3.1/T-ME produced stronger humoral and Th1-type cellular immune responses compared to untreated mice or those immunized with empty plasmids. However, co-immunization with CpG-ODN resulted in impaired immune responses. Our data demonstrates that multi-epitope DNA vaccination is a potential strategy for the control of toxoplasmosis and paves the way for further investigations into producing a multi-epitope anti-T. gondii DNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Liu
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, China
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17
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Wallmann J, Proell M, Stepanoska T, Hantusch B, Pali-Schöll I, Thalhamer T, Thalhamer J, Jensen-Jarolim E, Hartl A. A mimotope gene encoding the major IgE epitope of allergen Phl p 5 for epitope-specific immunization. Immunol Lett 2008; 122:68-75. [PMID: 19111573 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2008.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2008] [Revised: 11/17/2008] [Accepted: 12/01/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
A gene vaccine based on a mammalian expression vector containing the sequence of a peptide mimotope of Phl p 5 was constructed. To test whether mimotope gene vaccines can induce allergen-specific antibody responses via molecular mimicry, BALB/c mice were immunized using the mimotope construct with or without a tetanus toxin T-helper epitope. Moreover, intradermal injection was compared to epidermal application via gene gun immunization. Immunization with both mimotope gene constructs elicited allergen-specific antibody responses. As expected, gene gun bombardment induced a Th2-biased immune response, typically associated with IgG1 and IgE antibody production. In contrast, intradermal injection of the vaccine triggered IgG2a antibody expression without any detectable IgE levels, thus biasing the immune response towards Th1. In an RBL assay, mimotope-specific IgG antibodies were able to prevent cross-linking of allergen-specific IgE by Phl p 5. A construct coding for the complete Phl p 5 induced T-cell activation, IFN-gamma and IL-4 production. In contrast, the mimotope-DNA construct being devoid of allergen-specific T-cell epitopes had no capacity to activate allergen-specific T cells. Taken together, our data show that it is feasible to induce blocking IgG antibodies with a mimotope-DNA construct when applied intradermally. Thus the mimotope-DNA strategy has two advantages: (1) the avoidance of IgE induction and (2) the avoidance of triggering allergen-specific T-lymphocytes. We therefore suggest that mimotope gene vaccines are potential candidates for epitope-specific immunotherapy of type I allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Wallmann
- Department of Pathophysiology, Center of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
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18
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Desmyter L, Verstraelen J, Dewaele S, Libert C, Contreras R, Chen C. Nonclassical export pathway: overexpression of NCE102 reduces protein and DNA damage and prolongs lifespan in an SGS1 deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Biogerontology 2007; 8:527-35. [PMID: 17415679 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-007-9095-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2006] [Accepted: 03/05/2007] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we used our recently developed screening method, Bud-Scar-based Screening (BSS), to screen a yeast cDNA expression library in an SGS1 deletion BY4742 yeast strain. One gene involved in a nonclassical export pathway, NCE102, was found to extend the life span of Deltasgs1 yeast. Deletion of NCE102 in a wild type yeast strain increased its sensitivity to oxidative stress upon diethylmaleate (DEM) treatment but did not shorten its lifespan, indicating that this gene is not essential in determining yeast lifespan. Transformation of NCE102 into either Deltance102 or Deltasgs1 strains could rescue its tolerance to DEM stress, indicating that NCE102 is protective during oxidative stress. Moreover, overexpression of NCE102 in Deltasgs1 strain leads to reduced protein damage. However, overexpression of NCE102 in wild type yeast strain BY4742 neither protected against oxidative stress due to DEM nor extended yeast lifespan compared to its parental wild type strain, indicating that nonclassical export is redundant and DNA repair is fully sufficient in the wild type strain. We therefore demonstrate that a nonclassical export pathway functions as an alternative clearance/detoxification pathway to eliminate damaged material, when the basic repair pathway is not sufficient.
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19
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Earnhart CG, Marconi RT. OspC phylogenetic analyses support the feasibility of a broadly protective polyvalent chimeric Lyme disease vaccine. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 14:628-34. [PMID: 17360854 PMCID: PMC1865620 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00409-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Using available Borrelia outer surface protein C (OspC) sequences, a phylogenetic analysis was undertaken to delineate the number of antigenic domains required for inclusion in a broadly protective, chimeric, OspC-based Lyme disease vaccine. The data indicate that approximately 34 would be required and that an OspC-based vaccinogen is feasible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Earnhart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Center for the Study of Biological Complexity, Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, USA
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20
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Earnhart CG, Marconi RT. Construction and analysis of variants of a polyvalent Lyme disease vaccine: approaches for improving the immune response to chimeric vaccinogens. Vaccine 2007; 25:3419-27. [PMID: 17239505 PMCID: PMC2696934 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.12.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2006] [Revised: 12/13/2006] [Accepted: 12/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
There is currently no Lyme disease vaccine commercially available for use in humans. Outer surface protein C (OspC) of the Borrelia has been widely investigated as a potential vaccinogen. At least 38 OspC types have been defined. While the antibody response to OspC is protective, the range of protection is narrow due to the localization of protective epitopes within OspC type-specific domains. To develop a broadly protective vaccine, we previously constructed a tetravalent chimeric vaccinogen containing epitopes from OspC types A, B, K, and D. While this construct elicited bactericidal antibody against strains bearing each of the four OspC types, its solubility was low, and decreasing IgG titer to epitopes near the C-terminus of the construct was observed. In this report, construct solubility and immunogenicity were increased by dialysis against an Arg/Glu buffer. We also demonstrate the immunogenicity of the construct in alum. To further optimize epitope-specific immune responses, several constructs were generated with differing epitope organization or with putative C-terminal protective motifs. Analyses of murine antibody titers and isotype profiles induced by these constructs revealed that while the C-terminal tags did not enhance antibody titer, specific epitope reorganization and reiteration did. These analyses provide important information that can be exploited in the development of chimeric vaccinogens in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Earnhart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, USA
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21
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Buckles EL, Earnhart CG, Marconi RT. Analysis of antibody response in humans to the type A OspC loop 5 domain and assessment of the potential utility of the loop 5 epitope in Lyme disease vaccine development. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2007; 13:1162-5. [PMID: 17028218 PMCID: PMC1595320 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00099-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The OspC protein of Borrelia burgdorferi is an immunodominant antigen. Here we demonstrate that the loop 5 domain of type A OspC is surface exposed, elicits bactericidal antibody in mice, and is antigenic in humans. The data suggest that loop 5 may be suitable for inclusion in a polyvalent, chimeric OspC vaccinogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric L Buckles
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, 1112 E. Clay St., McGuire Hall, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, USA
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22
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Scheiblhofer S, Stoecklinger A, Gruber C, Hauser-Kronberger C, Alinger B, Hammerl P, Thalhamer J, Weiss R. Gene gun immunization with clinically relevant allergens aggravates allergen induced pathology and is contraindicated for allergen immunotherapy. Mol Immunol 2006; 44:1879-87. [PMID: 17070909 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2006.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2006] [Accepted: 09/29/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Gene gun immunization has been associated with the induction of a heterologous type of immune response characterized by a T(H)1-like immune reaction on the cellular level, i.e. generation of IFN-gamma secreting CD8(+) T-cells, yet a T(H)2 biased serology as indicated by high IgG1:IgG2a ratios and induction of IgE. Nevertheless, gene gun immunization using the model molecule beta-galactosidase has been argued to prevent IgE induction and to promote T(H)1 cells with respect to allergy DNA immunization. In our current study, we evaluated the potential of gene gun immunization to prevent type I allergic reactions comparing beta-galactosidase with two clinically relevant allergens, and further investigated the effect of gene gun immunization on relevant lung parameters. BALB/c mice were immunized with plasmids encoding the birch pollen allergen Bet v 1, the grass pollen allergen Phl p 5, or the model molecule beta-galactosidase, either by gene gun or intradermal injection followed by sensitization and intranasal provocation with the respective allergen. IgG1 and IgG2a antibody titers were determined by ELISA. IgE levels were evaluated in a rat basophil release assay. The severity of eosinophilia was determined in bronchoalveolar lavages, and the overall infiltrate was analyzed by histology on lung paraffin sections. Gene gun immunization induced a T(H)2-biased immune reaction, which did not prevent from production of IgE after subsequent sensitization. This T(H)2 effect was influenced by the nature of the antigen, with a more pronounced T(H)2-bias for the allergens Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 compared to beta-galactosidase. Gene gun immunization with all three antigens promoted eosinophil influx into the lung and did not alleviate lung pathology after intranasal provocation. In contrast to needle injection of plasmid DNA, which triggers a clearly T(H)1-biased and allergy-preventing immune response, gene gun application fails to induce anti-allergic reactions with all tested antigens and is therefore contraindicated for allergen-specific immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Scheiblhofer
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Diagnosis and Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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23
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Earnhart CG, Buckles EL, Marconi RT. Development of an OspC-based tetravalent, recombinant, chimeric vaccinogen that elicits bactericidal antibody against diverse Lyme disease spirochete strains. Vaccine 2006; 25:466-80. [PMID: 16996663 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2006] [Revised: 07/18/2006] [Accepted: 07/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lyme disease is the most common arthropod-borne disease in North America and Europe. At present, there is no commercially available vaccine for use in humans. Outer surface protein C (OspC) has antigenic and expression characteristics that make it an attractive vaccine candidate; however, sequence heterogeneity has impeded its use as a vaccinogen. Sequence analyses have identified 21 well defined OspC phyletic groups or "types" (designated A-U). In this report we have mapped the linear epitopes presented by OspC types B, K, and D during human and murine infection and exploited these epitopes (along with the previously identified type A OspC linear epitopes) in the development of a recombinant, tetravalent, chimeric vaccinogen. The construct was found to be highly immunogenic in mice and the induced antibodies surface labeled in vitro cultivated spirochetes. Importantly, vaccination induced complement-dependent bactericidal antibodies against strains expressing each of the OspC types that were incorporated into the construct. These results suggest that an effective and broadly protective polyvalent OspC-based Lyme disease vaccine can be produced as a recombinant, chimeric protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Earnhart
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298-0678, USA
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24
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Vivona S, Bernante F, Filippini F. NERVE: new enhanced reverse vaccinology environment. BMC Biotechnol 2006; 6:35. [PMID: 16848907 PMCID: PMC1570458 DOI: 10.1186/1472-6750-6-35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2006] [Accepted: 07/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Since a milestone work on Neisseria meningitidis B, Reverse Vaccinology has strongly enhanced the identification of vaccine candidates by replacing several experimental tasks using in silico prediction steps. These steps have allowed scientists to face the selection of antigens from the predicted proteome of pathogens, for which cell culture is difficult or impossible, saving time and money. However, this good example of bioinformatics-driven immunology can be further developed by improving in silico steps and implementing biologist-friendly tools. Results We introduce NERVE (New Enhanced Reverse Vaccinology Environment), an user-friendly software environment for the in silico identification of the best vaccine candidates from whole proteomes of bacterial pathogens. The software integrates multiple robust and well-known algorithms for protein analysis and comparison. Vaccine candidates are ranked and presented in a html table showing relevant information and links to corresponding primary data. Information concerning all proteins of the analyzed proteome is not deleted along selection steps but rather flows into an SQL database for further mining and analyses. Conclusion After learning from recent years' works in this field and analysing a large dataset, NERVE has been implemented and tuned as the first available tool able to rank a restricted pool (~8–9% of the whole proteome) of vaccine candidates and to show high recall (~75–80%) of known protective antigens. These vaccine candidates are required to be "safe" (taking into account autoimmunity risk) and "easy" for further experimental, high-throughput screening (avoiding possibly not soluble antigens). NERVE is expected to help save time and money in vaccine design and is available as an additional file with this manuscript; updated versions will be available at .
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandro Vivona
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (MOLBINFO), Department of Biology, University of Padua, viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Filippo Bernante
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (MOLBINFO), Department of Biology, University of Padua, viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Francesco Filippini
- Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics (MOLBINFO), Department of Biology, University of Padua, viale G. Colombo 3, 35131 Padova, Italy
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25
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Kennedy NJ, Spithill TW, Tennent J, Wood PR, Piedrafita D. DNA vaccines in sheep: CTLA-4 mediated targeting and CpG motifs enhance immunogenicity in a DNA prime/protein boost strategy. Vaccine 2006; 24:970-9. [PMID: 16242220 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.08.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2005] [Revised: 07/20/2005] [Accepted: 08/07/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
DNA vaccines have proven to be an efficient means of inducing immune responses in small laboratory animals; however, their efficacy in large out-bred animal models has been much less promising. In addressing this issue, we have investigated the ability of ovine cytotoxic lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA-4) mediated targeting and ruminant specific CpG optimised plasmids, both alone and in combination, to enhance immune responses in sheep to the pro cathepsin B (FhCatB) antigen from Fasciola hepatica. In this study, CTLA-4 mediated targeting enhanced the speed and magnitude of the primary antibody response and effectively primed for a potent memory response compared to conventional DNA vaccination alone, which failed to induce a detectable immune response. While the CpG-augmentation of the CTLA-4 targeted construct did not further enhance the magnitude or isotype profile of the CTLA-4 induced antibody titres, it did result in the induction of significant antigen-specific, lymphocyte-proliferative responses that were not observed in any other treatment group, showing for the first time that significant cellular responses can be induced in sheep following DNA vaccination. In contrast, CpG-augmentation in the absence of CTLA-4 mediated targeting failed to induce a detectable immune response. This is the first study to explore the potential adjuvant effects of ruminant specific CpG motifs on DNA vaccine induced immune responses in sheep. The ability of CpG-augmented CTLA-4 mediated targeting to induce both humoral and cellular immune responses in this study suggests that this may be an effective approach for enhancing the efficacy of DNA vaccines in large out-bred animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Kennedy
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
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26
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Dean HJ, Haynes J, Schmaljohn C. The role of particle-mediated DNA vaccines in biodefense preparedness. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2005; 57:1315-42. [PMID: 15935876 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2005.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2004] [Accepted: 01/25/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Particle-mediated epidermal delivery (PMED) of DNA vaccines is based on the acceleration of DNA-coated gold directly into the cytoplasm and nuclei of living cells of the epidermis, facilitating DNA delivery and gene expression. Professional antigen-presenting cells and keratinocytes in the skin are both targeted, resulting in antigen presentation via direct transfection and cross-priming mechanisms. Only a small number of cells need to be transfected to elicit humoral, cellular and memory responses, requiring only a low DNA dose. In recent years, data have accumulated on the utility of PMED for delivery of DNA vaccines against a number of viral pathogens, including filoviruses, flaviviruses, poxviruses, togaviruses and bunyaviruses. PMED DNA immunization of rodents and nonhuman primates results in the generation of neutralizing antibody, cellular immunity, and protective efficacy against a broad range of viruses of public health concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansi J Dean
- PowderJect Vaccines, Inc. 8551 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA.
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27
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Abstract
Targeting vaccines to the skin epidermis results in the activation of an immune inductive site that is rich in antigen-presenting cells. The superficial location of the skin makes it accessible to vaccine delivery. However, it is difficult to access the epidermis using needle and syringe delivery, and vaccine antigens are too large to be effectively delivered using standard topical formulations. Needle-free vaccine delivery systems have been developed for efficient delivery of particulate vaccines into the epidermal tissue. Particle-mediated epidermal delivery of DNA vaccines is based on the delivery of DNA-coated gold particles directly into the cytoplasm and nuclei of living cells of the epidermis, facilitating DNA delivery and gene expression. Alternatively, protein vaccines can be formulated into a dense powder, which can be propelled into the skin epidermis by epidermal powder immunisation using similar delivery devices and principles, but in this instance the protein is delivered to the extracellular space. Preclinical and clinical data will be reviewed, demonstrating applications of epidermal vaccine delivery to a wide range of experimental infectious disease vaccines.
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28
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Abstract
Lyme disease is a tick-transmitted inflammatory disorder, caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Recent discoveries cast new light on Bb dissemination and the ensuing pathogenesis of inflammation. Although the strong proinflammatory Bb lipoproteins have been implicated in the induction of inflammation, they do not seem to act exclusively through Toll-like receptor (TLR) engagement. In fact, mice that are deficient for MyD88, a component of the TLR signaling pathway, manifest similar or increased recruitment of cells into Bb-infected tissues. By contrast, the absence of the chemokine receptor CXCR2 results in reduced inflammation. Overall, these findings highlight the complexity of Lyme disease pathogenesis and identify chemokine pathways as novel therapeutic targets for the control of Bb-induced inflammation.
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29
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Smooker PM, Rainczuk A, Kennedy N, Spithill TW. DNA vaccines and their application against parasites--promise, limitations and potential solutions. BIOTECHNOLOGY ANNUAL REVIEW 2004; 10:189-236. [PMID: 15504707 DOI: 10.1016/s1387-2656(04)10007-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
DNA or nucleic acid vaccines are being evaluated for efficacy against a range of parasitic diseases. Data from studies in rodent model systems have provided proof of principle that DNA vaccines are effective at inducing both humoral and T cell responses to a variety of candidate vaccine antigens. In particular, the induction of potent cellular responses often gives DNA vaccination an immunological advantage over subunit protein vaccination. Protection against parasite challenge has been demonstrated in a number of systems. However, application of parasite DNA vaccines in large animals including ruminants, primates and humans has been compromised by the relative lack of immune responsiveness to the vaccines, but the reasons for this hyporesponsiveness are not clear. Here, we review DNA vaccines against protozoan parasites, in particular vaccines for malaria, and the use of genomic approaches such as expression library immunization to generate novel vaccines. The application of DNA vaccines in ruminants is reviewed. We discuss some of the approaches being evaluated to improve responsiveness in large animals including the use of cytokines as adjuvants, targeting molecules as delivery ligands, electroporation and CpG oligonucleotides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter M Smooker
- Department of Biotechnology and Environmental Biology, RMIT University, Bundoora 3083, Australia
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