1
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Brar DS, Kaur A, Patil MT, Honda-Okubo Y, Petrovsky N, Salunke DB. Simplified scalable synthesis of a water-soluble toll-like receptor 2 agonistic lipopeptide adjuvant for use with protein-based viral vaccines. Bioorg Chem 2024; 153:107835. [PMID: 39342891 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) form a key bridge between the innate and adaptive immune systems. The lipopeptide based TLR2 agonists such as Pam2CSK4 are promising vaccine adjuvants but drawbacks include its surfactant like nature and cumbersome synthesis. Although the TLR2 activity of Pam2CS-OMe is commensurate with Pam2CSK4, its water solubility is much less, rendering it ineffective for clinical use. In the present investigation, we designed a synthesis pathway for a novel water-soluble TLR2-active analogue, Pam2CS-DMAPA (13), which enhanced the immunogenicity of recombinant SARS-CoV2 and hepatitis B antigens in mice. Co-formulation of compound 13 with 2 % aluminium hydroxide gel led to a further significant improvement in vaccine immunogenicity. This synthetically simpler compound 13 was water soluble and equally potent to Pam2CSK4 adjuvant, but was superior in terms of manufacturing simplicity and scalability. This makes compound 13 a promising TLR2 targeted adjuvant for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deshkanwar S Brar
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccine Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Arshpreet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Madhuri T Patil
- Department of Chemistry, Mehr Chand Mahajan DAV College for Women, Chandigarh 160036, India
| | - Yoshikazu Honda-Okubo
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia; Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, South Australia 5046, Australia; Australian Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Institute, Bedford Park, South Australia 5042, Australia; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccine Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India; National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccine Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.
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2
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Zhu Y, Liu B, Chen Z, Wang X, Wang Y, Zhang W, Wang S, Zhang M, Li Y. Synthesis, evaluation and molecular dynamics study of human toll-like receptor 2/6 specific monoacyl lipopeptides as candidate immunostimulants. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106823. [PMID: 37708825 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
TLR2 agonists typified by the S-[2,3-bis(palmitoyloxy)-(2RS)-propyl]-R-cysteinyl-S-serine (Pam2CS) motif have exhibited powerful immunostimulatory activities. Based on simplified monoacyl lipopeptide (Carbamate-linked N-Ac PamCS), we describe interesting SAR investigations where modifications are done to alter the size of substituents on the cysteine amine, introduce ionizable groups to the terminal and insert aromatic substitutions to the aliphatic chain. Our structural modifications have led to a highly specific human TLR2/6 agonist 14a (EC50 = 0.424 nM), which behaves like Pam2CSK4 by inducing NF-κB activation to trigger downstream signaling pathways, such as subsequent phosphorylation of related proteins (p65, p38) and production of key inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α). Importantly, the ability to stimulate enhanced T cell response compared to Carbamate-linked N-Ac PamCS makes compound 14a a further potential candidate immunostimulant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueyue Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Zonglong Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xianyang Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Wenhong Zhang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200040, China; Shanghai Huashen Institute of Microbes and Infections, NO.6 Lane 1220 Huashan Rd., Shanghai 200052, China
| | - Sen Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Biosafety Emergency Response, National Medical Center for Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, 200040, China; Shanghai Huashen Institute of Microbes and Infections, NO.6 Lane 1220 Huashan Rd., Shanghai 200052, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yingxia Li
- School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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3
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Zahedipour F, Jamialahmadi K, Zamani P, Reza Jaafari M. Improving the efficacy of peptide vaccines in cancer immunotherapy. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 123:110721. [PMID: 37543011 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Peptide vaccines have shown great potential in cancer immunotherapy by targeting tumor antigens and activating the patient's immune system to mount a specific response against cancer cells. However, the efficacy of peptide vaccines in inducing a sustained immune response and achieving clinical benefit remains a major challenge. In this review, we discuss the current status of peptide vaccines in cancer immunotherapy and strategies to improve their efficacy. We summarize the recent advancements in the development of peptide vaccines in pre-clinical and clinical settings, including the use of novel adjuvants, neoantigens, nano-delivery systems, and combination therapies. We also highlight the importance of personalized cancer vaccines, which consider the unique genetic and immunological profiles of individual patients. We also discuss the strategies to enhance the immunogenicity of peptide vaccines such as multivalent peptides, conjugated peptides, fusion proteins, and self-assembled peptides. Although, peptide vaccines alone are weak immunogens, combining peptide vaccines with other immunotherapeutic approaches and developing novel approaches such as personalized vaccines can be promising methods to significantly enhance their efficacy and improve the clinical outcomes for cancer patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Zahedipour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Khadijeh Jamialahmadi
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Parvin Zamani
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Reza Jaafari
- Nanotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
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4
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Stegmann T, Wiekmeijer AS, Kwappenberg K, van Duikeren S, Bhoelan F, Bemelman D, Beenakker TJM, Krebber WJ, Arens R, Melief CJM. Enhanced HPV16 E6/E7 + tumor eradication via induction of tumor-specific T cells by therapeutic vaccination with virosomes presenting synthetic long peptides. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2023; 72:2851-2864. [PMID: 37222770 PMCID: PMC10361876 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-023-03462-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic cancer vaccines trigger CD4 + and CD8 + T cell responses capable of established tumor eradication. Current platforms include DNA, mRNA and synthetic long peptide (SLP) vaccines, all aiming at robust T cell responses. SLPs linked to the Amplivant® adjuvant (Amplivant-SLP) have shown effective delivery to dendritic cells, resulting in improved immunogenicity in mice. We have now tested virosomes as a delivery vehicle for SLPs. Virosomes are nanoparticles made from influenza virus membranes and have been used as vaccines for a variety of antigens. Amplivant-SLP virosomes induced the expansion of more antigen-specific CD8 + T memory cells in ex vivo experiments with human PBMCs than Amplivant-SLP conjugates alone. The immune response could be further improved by including the adjuvants QS-21 and 3D-PHAD in the virosomal membrane. In these experiments, the SLPs were anchored in the membrane through the hydrophobic Amplivant adjuvant. In a therapeutic mouse model of HPV16 E6/E7+ cancer, mice were vaccinated with virosomes loaded with either Amplivant-conjugated SLPs or lipid-coupled SLPs. Vaccination with both types of virosomes significantly improved the control of tumor outgrowth, leading to elimination of the tumors in about half the animals for the best combinations of adjuvants and to their survival beyond 100 days.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toon Stegmann
- Mymetics BV, J.H, Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Kitty Kwappenberg
- ISA Pharmaceuticals BV, De Limes 7, 2342 DH, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne van Duikeren
- Immunology department, Leiden Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Farien Bhoelan
- Mymetics BV, J.H, Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Denzel Bemelman
- Mymetics BV, J.H, Oortweg 21, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Willem-Jan Krebber
- ISA Pharmaceuticals BV, De Limes 7, 2342 DH, Oegstgeest, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Immunology department, Leiden Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
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5
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Speetjens FM, Welters MJP, Slingerland M, van Poelgeest MIE, de Vos van Steenwijk PJ, Roozen I, Boekestijn S, Loof NM, Zom GG, Valentijn ARPM, Krebber WJ, Meeuwenoord NJ, Janssen CAH, Melief CJM, van der Marel GA, Filippov DV, van der Burg SH, Gelderblom H, Ossendorp F. Intradermal vaccination of HPV-16 E6 synthetic peptides conjugated to an optimized Toll-like receptor 2 ligand shows safety and potent T cell immunogenicity in patients with HPV-16 positive (pre-)malignant lesions. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:e005016. [PMID: 36261215 PMCID: PMC9582304 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-005016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amplivant is a molecularly optimized Toll-like receptor 2 ligand that can be covalently conjugated to tumor peptide antigens. In preclinical models, amplivant-adjuvanted synthetic long peptides (SLPs) strongly enhanced antigen presentation by dendritic cells, T cell priming and induction of effective antitumor responses. The current study is a first-in-human trial to investigate safety and immunogenicity of amplivant conjugated to human papillomavirus (HPV) 16-SLP. METHODS A dose escalation phase I vaccination trial was performed in 25 patients treated for HPV16 positive (pre-)malignant lesions. Amplivant was conjugated to two SLPs derived from the two most immunodominant regions of the HPV16 E6 oncoprotein. The vaccine, containing a mix of these two conjugates in watery solution without any other formulation, was injected intradermally three times with a 3-week interval in four dose groups (1, 5, 20 or 50 µg per conjugated peptide). Safety data were collected during the study. Peptide-specific T cell immune responses were determined in blood samples taken before, during and after vaccination using complementary immunological assays. RESULTS Toxicity after three amplivant-conjugated HPV16-SLP vaccinations was limited to grade 1 or 2, observed as predominantly mild skin inflammation at the vaccination site and sometimes mild flu-like symptoms. Adverse events varied from none in the lowest dose group to mild/moderate vaccine-related inflammation in all patients and flu-like symptoms in three out of seven patients in the highest dose group, after at least one injection. In the lowest dose group, vaccine-induced T cell responses were observed in the blood of three out of six vaccinated persons. In the highest dose group, all patients displayed a strong HPV16-specific T cell response after vaccination. These HPV16-specific T cell responses lasted until the end of the trial. CONCLUSIONS Amplivant-conjugated SLPs can safely be used as an intradermal therapeutic vaccine to induce robust HPV16-specific T cell immunity in patients previously treated for HPV16 positive (pre-) malignancies. Increased vaccine dose was associated with a higher number of mild adverse events and with stronger systemic T cell immunity. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBERS NCT02821494 and 2014-000658-12.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank M Speetjens
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marij J P Welters
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marije Slingerland
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Inge Roozen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sanne Boekestijn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nikki M Loof
- Department of Medical Oncology, Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A Rob P M Valentijn
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Nico J Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Hans Gelderblom
- Department of Medical Oncology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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6
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Abstract
![]()
The development of
lipopeptides (lipidated peptides) for vaccines
is discussed, including their role as antigens and/or adjuvants. Distinct
classes of lipopeptide architectures are covered including simple
linear and ligated constructs and lipid core peptides. The design,
synthesis, and immunological responses of the important class of glycerol-based
Toll-like receptor agonist lipopeptides such as Pam3CSK4, which contains three palmitoyl chains and a CSK4 hexapeptide sequence, and many derivatives of this model immunogenic
compound are also reviewed. Self-assembled lipopeptide structures
including spherical and worm-like micelles that have been shown to
act as vaccine agents are also described. The work discussed includes
examples of lipopeptides developed with model antigens, as well as
for immunotherapies to treat many infectious diseases including malaria,
influenza, hepatitis, COVID-19, and many others, as well as cancer
immunotherapies. Some of these have proceeded to clinical development.
The research discussed highlights the huge potential of, and diversity
of roles for, lipopeptides in contemporary and future vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian W Hamley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K
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7
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Stephens AJ, Burgess-Brown NA, Jiang S. Beyond Just Peptide Antigens: The Complex World of Peptide-Based Cancer Vaccines. Front Immunol 2021; 12:696791. [PMID: 34276688 PMCID: PMC8279810 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.696791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based cancer vaccines rely upon the strong activation of the adaptive immune response to elicit its effector function. They have shown to be highly specific and safe, but have yet to prove themselves as an efficacious treatment for cancer in the clinic. This is for a variety of reasons, including tumour heterogeneity, self-tolerance, and immune suppression. Importance has been placed on the overall design of peptide-based cancer vaccines, which have evolved from simple peptide derivatives of a cancer antigen, to complex drugs; incorporating overlapping regions, conjugates, and delivery systems to target and stimulate different components of antigen presenting cells, and to bolster antigen cross-presentation. Peptide-based cancer vaccines are increasingly becoming more personalised to an individual's tumour antigen repertoire and are often combined with existing cancer treatments. This strategy ultimately aids in combating the shortcomings of a more generalised vaccine strategy and provides a comprehensive treatment, taking into consideration cancer cell variability and its ability to avoid immune interrogation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander J Stephens
- Department of Oncology, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.,Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola A Burgess-Brown
- Centre for Medicines Discovery, Nuffield Department of Medicine, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Shisong Jiang
- Department of Oncology, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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8
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Brentville VA, Metheringham RL, Daniels I, Atabani S, Symonds P, Cook KW, Vankemmelbeke M, Choudhury R, Vaghela P, Gijon M, Meiners G, Krebber WJ, Melief CJM, Durrant LG. Combination vaccine based on citrullinated vimentin and enolase peptides induces potent CD4-mediated anti-tumor responses. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000560. [PMID: 32561639 PMCID: PMC7304843 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress-induced post-translational modifications occur during autophagy and can result in generation of new epitopes and immune recognition. One such modification is the conversion of arginine to citrulline by peptidylarginine deiminase enzymes. METHODS We used Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) transgenic mouse models to assess the immunogenicity of citrullinated peptide vaccine by cytokine Enzyme linked immunosorbant spot (ELISpot) assay. Vaccine efficacy was assessed in tumor therapy studies using HLA-matched B16 melanoma and ID8 ovarian models expressing either constitutive or interferon-gamma (IFNγ) inducible Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II (MHC-II) as represented by most human tumors. To determine the importance of CD4 T cells in tumor therapy, we analyzed the immune cell infiltrate into murine tumors using flow cytometry and performed therapy studies in the presence of CD4 and CD8 T cell depletion. We assessed the T cell repertoire to citrullinated peptides in ovarian cancer patients and healthy donors using flow cytometry. RESULTS The combination of citrullinated vimentin and enolase peptides (Modi-1) stimulated strong CD4 T cell responses in mice. Responses resulted in a potent anti-tumor therapy against established tumors and generated immunological memory which protected against tumor rechallenge. Depletion of CD4, but not CD8 T cells, abrogated the primary anti-tumor response as well as the memory response to tumor rechallenge. This was further reinforced by successful tumor regression being associated with an increase in tumor-infiltrating CD4 T cells and a reduction in tumor-associated myeloid suppressor cells. The anti-tumor response also relied on direct CD4 T cell recognition as only tumors expressing MHC-II were rejected. A comparison of different Toll-like receptor (TLR)-stimulating adjuvants showed that Modi-1 induced strong Th1 responses when combined with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), TLR9/TLR4, TLR9, TLR3, TLR1/2 and TLR7 agonists. Direct linkage of the TLR1/2 agonist to the peptides allowed the vaccine dose to be reduced by 10-fold to 100-fold without loss of anti-tumor activity. Furthermore, a CD4 Th1 response to the citrullinated peptides was seen in ovarian cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS Modi-1 citrullinated peptide vaccine induces potent CD4-mediated anti-tumor responses in mouse models and a CD4 T cell repertoire is present in ovarian cancer patients to the citrullinated peptides suggesting that Modi-1 could be an effective vaccine for ovarian cancer patients.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Animals
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Cancer Vaccines/genetics
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Citrullination/immunology
- Female
- HLA Antigens/genetics
- HLA Antigens/immunology
- Humans
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Lymphocyte Depletion
- Male
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/genetics
- Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/immunology
- Vaccines, Combined/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Combined/genetics
- Vaccines, Combined/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vimentin/genetics
- Vimentin/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Daniels
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Suha Atabani
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter Symonds
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Katherine W Cook
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Ruhul Choudhury
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Poonam Vaghela
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mohamed Gijon
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | - Cornelis J M Melief
- ISA Pharmaceuticals, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lindy G Durrant
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
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9
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van den Ende TC, Heuts JMM, Gential GPP, Visser M, van de Graaff MJ, Ho NI, Jiskoot W, Valentijn ARPM, Meeuwenoord NJ, Overkleeft HS, Codée JDC, van der Burg SH, Verdegaal EME, van der Marel GA, Ossendorp F, Filippov DV. Simplified Monopalmitoyl Toll-like Receptor 2 Ligand Mini-UPam for Self-Adjuvanting Neoantigen-Based Synthetic Cancer Vaccines. Chembiochem 2020; 22:1215-1222. [PMID: 33180981 PMCID: PMC8049070 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Synthetic vaccines, based on antigenic peptides that comprise MHC-I and MHC-II T-cell epitopes expressed by tumors, show great promise for the immunotherapy of cancer. For optimal immunogenicity, the synthetic peptides (SPs) should be adjuvanted with suitable immunostimulatory additives. Previously, we have shown that improved immunogenicity in vivo is obtained with vaccine modalities in which an SP is covalently connected to an adjuvanting moiety, typically a ligand to Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2). SPs were covalently attached to UPam, which is a derivative of the classic TLR2 ligand Pam3 CysSK4 . A disadvantage of the triply palmitoylated UPam is its high lipophilicity, which precludes universal adoption of this adjuvant for covalent modification of various antigenic peptides as it renders the synthetic vaccine insoluble in several cases. Here, we report a novel conjugatable TLR2 ligand, mini-UPam, which contains only one palmitoyl chain, rather than three, and therefore has less impact on the solubility and other physicochemical properties of a synthetic peptide. In this study, we used SPs that contain the clinically relevant neoepitopes identified in a melanoma patient who completely recovered after T-cell therapy. Homogeneous mini-UPam-SP conjugates have been prepared in good yields by stepwise solid-phase synthesis that employed a mini-UPam building block pre-prepared in solution and the standard set of Fmoc-amino acids. The immunogenicity of the novel mini-UPam-SP conjugates was demonstrated by using the cancer patient's T-cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C van den Ende
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen M M Heuts
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Geoffroy P P Gential
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marten Visser
- Department of Medical Oncology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel J van de Graaff
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nataschja I Ho
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Jiskoot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - A Rob P M Valentijn
- Clinical Pharmacy and Toxicology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nico J Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd H van der Burg
- Department of Medical Oncology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Els M E Verdegaal
- Department of Medical Oncology and Oncode Institute, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A van der Marel
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
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10
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Kaur A, Kaushik D, Piplani S, Mehta SK, Petrovsky N, Salunke DB. TLR2 Agonistic Small Molecules: Detailed Structure-Activity Relationship, Applications, and Future Prospects. J Med Chem 2020; 64:233-278. [PMID: 33346636 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are the pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in microbial species. Among the various TLRs, TLR2 has a special place due to its ability to sense the widest repertoire of PAMPs owing to its heterodimerization with either TLR1 or TLR6, broadening its ligand diversity against pathogens. Various scaffolds are reported to activate TLR2, which include naturally occurring lipoproteins, synthetic lipopeptides, and small heterocyclic molecules. We described a detailed SAR in TLR2 agonistic scaffolds and also covered the design and chemistry for the conjugation of TLR2 agonists to antigens, carbohydrates, polymers, and fluorophores. The approaches involved in delivery of TLR2 agonists such as lipidation of antigen, conjugation to polymers, phosphonic acids, and other linkers to achieve surface adsorption, liposomal formulation, and encapsulating nanoparticles are elaborated. The crystal structure analysis and computational modeling are also included with the structural features that facilitate TLR2 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arshpreet Kaur
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Deepender Kaushik
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Sakshi Piplani
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, Australia 5046.,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia, 5042
| | - Surinder K Mehta
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, 11 Walkley Avenue, Warradale, Australia 5046.,College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia, 5042
| | - Deepak B Salunke
- Department of Chemistry and Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India.,National Interdisciplinary Centre of Vaccine, Immunotherapeutics and Antimicrobials, Panjab University, Chandigarh 160014, India
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11
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Keshavarz A, Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi A, Zafari P, Bagheri N, Ghaffari SH, Bashash D. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in cancer; with an extensive focus on TLR agonists and antagonists. IUBMB Life 2020; 73:10-25. [PMID: 33217774 DOI: 10.1002/iub.2412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
At the forefront of the battle against pathogens or any endogenously released molecules, toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role as the most noble pattern recognition receptors. The ability of these receptors in distinguishing "self" and "non-self" antigens is a cornerstone in the innate immunity system; however, misregulation links inflammatory responses to the development of human cancers. It has been known for some time that aberrant expression and regulation of TLRs not only endows cancer cells an opportunity to escape from the immune system but also supports them through enhancing proliferation and angiogenesis. Over the past decades, cancer research studies have witnessed a number of preclinical and clinical breakthroughs in the field of TLR modulators and some of the agents have exceptionally performed well in advanced clinical trials. In the present review, we have provided a comprehensive review of different TLR agonists and antagonists and discuss their limitations, toxicities, and challenges to outline their future incorporation in cancer treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Keshavarz
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Pourbagheri-Sigaroodi
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Zafari
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran
| | - Nader Bagheri
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Seyed H Ghaffari
- Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Research Center, Shariati Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Davood Bashash
- Department of Hematology and Blood Banking, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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12
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Reintjens NRM, Tondini E, de Jong AR, Meeuwenoord NJ, Chiodo F, Peterse E, Overkleeft HS, Filippov DV, van der Marel GA, Ossendorp F, Codée JDC. Self-Adjuvanting Cancer Vaccines from Conjugation-Ready Lipid A Analogues and Synthetic Long Peptides. J Med Chem 2020; 63:11691-11706. [PMID: 32960056 PMCID: PMC7586330 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Self-adjuvanting
vaccines, wherein an antigenic
peptide is covalently bound to an immunostimulating agent, have been
shown to be promising tools for immunotherapy. Synthetic Toll-like
receptor (TLR) ligands are ideal adjuvants for covalent linking to
peptides or proteins. We here introduce a conjugation-ready TLR4 ligand,
CRX-527, a potent powerful lipid A analogue, in the generation of
novel conjugate-vaccine modalities. Effective chemistry has been developed
for the synthesis of the conjugation-ready ligand as well as the connection
of it to the peptide antigen. Different linker systems and connection
modes to a model peptide were explored, and in vitro evaluation of the conjugates showed them to be powerful immune-activating
agents, significantly more effective than the separate components.
Mounting the CRX-527 ligand at the N-terminus of the model peptide
antigen delivered a vaccine modality that proved to be potent in activation
of dendritic cells, in facilitating antigen presentation, and in initiating
specific CD8+ T-cell-mediated killing of antigen-loaded
target cells in vivo. Synthetic TLR4 ligands thus
show great promise in potentiating the conjugate vaccine platform
for application in cancer vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niels R M Reintjens
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Tondini
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ana R de Jong
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Nico J Meeuwenoord
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Fabrizio Chiodo
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HZ, The Netherlands
| | - Evert Peterse
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A van der Marel
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden University, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Bio-organic Synthesis, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
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13
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Federico S, Pozzetti L, Papa A, Carullo G, Gemma S, Butini S, Campiani G, Relitti N. Modulation of the Innate Immune Response by Targeting Toll-like Receptors: A Perspective on Their Agonists and Antagonists. J Med Chem 2020; 63:13466-13513. [PMID: 32845153 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a class of proteins that recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and damaged-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and they are involved in the regulation of innate immune system. These transmembrane receptors, localized at the cellular or endosomal membrane, trigger inflammatory processes through either myeloid differentiation primary response 88 (MyD88) or TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF) signaling pathways. In the last decades, extensive research has been performed on TLR modulators and their therapeutic implication under several pathological conditions, spanning from infections to cancer, from metabolic disorders to neurodegeneration and autoimmune diseases. This Perspective will highlight the recent discoveries in this field, emphasizing the role of TLRs in different diseases and the therapeutic effect of their natural and synthetic modulators, and it will discuss insights for the future exploitation of TLR modulators in human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Federico
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Luca Pozzetti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Papa
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriele Carullo
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Sandra Gemma
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Stefania Butini
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Campiani
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Nicola Relitti
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Department of Excellence 2018-2022, University of Siena, via Aldo Moro 2, 53100, Siena, Italy
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14
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Beck JD, Birtel M, Haefner E, Keil IS, Reidenbach D, Salomon N, Yildiz IG, Diken M. CIMT 2019: report on the 17th Annual Meeting of the Association for Cancer Immunotherapy. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:808-815. [PMID: 31584850 PMCID: PMC7227697 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1675459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jan David Beck
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Matthias Birtel
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Erik Haefner
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Isabell Sofia Keil
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Daniel Reidenbach
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nadja Salomon
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ikra Gizem Yildiz
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
| | - Mustafa Diken
- TRON-Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz gGmbH, Mainz, Germany
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15
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Hogervorst TP, Li RJE, Marino L, Bruijns SCM, Meeuwenoord NJ, Filippov DV, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel GA, van Vliet SJ, van Kooyk Y, Codée JDC. C-Mannosyl Lysine for Solid Phase Assembly of Mannosylated Peptide Conjugate Cancer Vaccines. ACS Chem Biol 2020; 15:728-739. [PMID: 32045202 PMCID: PMC7091534 DOI: 10.1021/acschembio.9b00987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Dendritic
cells (DCs) are armed with a multitude of Pattern Recognition
Receptors (PRRs) to recognize pathogens and initiate pathogen-tailored
T cell responses. In these responses, the maturation of DCs is key,
as well as the production of cytokines that help to accomplish T cell
responses. DC-SIGN is a frequently exploited PRR that can effectively
be targeted with mannosylated antigens to enhance the induction of
antigen-specific T cells. The natural O-mannosidic
linkage is susceptible to enzymatic degradation, and its chemical
sensitivity complicates the synthesis of mannosylated antigens. For
this reason, (oligo)mannosides are generally introduced in a late
stage of the antigen synthesis, requiring orthogonal conjugation handles
for their attachment. To increase the stability of the mannosides
and streamline the synthesis of mannosylated peptide antigens, we
here describe the development of an acid-stable C-mannosyl lysine, which allows for the inline introduction of mannosides
during solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS). The developed amino acid
has been successfully used for the assembly of both small ligands
and peptide antigen conjugates comprising an epitope of the gp100
melanoma-associated antigen and a TLR7 agonist for DC activation.
The ligands showed similar internalization capacities and binding
affinities as the O-mannosyl analogs. Moreover, the
antigen conjugates were capable of inducing maturation, stimulating
the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and providing enhanced
gp100 presentation to CD8+ and CD4+ T cells,
similar to their O-mannosyl counterparts. Our results
demonstrate that the C-mannose lysine is a valuable
building block for the generation of anticancer peptide-conjugate
vaccine modalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim P. Hogervorst
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - R. J. Eveline Li
- Amsterdam UMC-Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Deptartment of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Laura Marino
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sven C. M. Bruijns
- Amsterdam UMC-Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Deptartment of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Nico J. Meeuwenoord
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V. Filippov
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman S. Overkleeft
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A. van der Marel
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra J. van Vliet
- Amsterdam UMC-Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Deptartment of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Yvette van Kooyk
- Amsterdam UMC-Location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Deptartment of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D. C. Codée
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
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16
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Lu BL, Williams GM, Brimble MA. TLR2 agonists and their structure–activity relationships. Org Biomol Chem 2020; 18:5073-5094. [DOI: 10.1039/d0ob00942c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
We review the structure–activity relationships and synthetic studies of TLR2 agonists – important chemical targets in immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin L. Lu
- The School of Biological Sciences
- University of Auckland
- Auckland 1010
- New Zealand
- The School of Chemical Sciences
| | - Geoffrey M. Williams
- The School of Biological Sciences
- University of Auckland
- Auckland 1010
- New Zealand
- The School of Chemical Sciences
| | - Margaret A. Brimble
- The School of Biological Sciences
- University of Auckland
- Auckland 1010
- New Zealand
- The School of Chemical Sciences
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17
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Hos BJ, Camps MG, van den Bulk J, Tondini E, van den Ende TC, Ruano D, Franken K, Janssen GM, Ru A, Filippov DV, Arens R, van Veelen PA, Miranda N, Ossendorp F. Identification of a neo-epitope dominating endogenous CD8 T cell responses to MC-38 colorectal cancer. Oncoimmunology 2019; 9:1673125. [PMID: 32923109 PMCID: PMC7458608 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2019.1673125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 09/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The murine MC-38 colorectal cancer model is a commonly used model for cancer with high mutational burden, which is sensitive for immune checkpoint immunotherapy. We set out to analyze endogenous CD8+ T cell responses to MC-38 neo-antigens in tumor-bearing mice and after anti-PD-L1 checkpoint therapy. Through combination of whole-exome sequencing analysis with mass spectrometry of MHC class I eluted peptides we could identify eight candidate epitopes. Of these, a neo-epitope encoded by a point-mutation in the sequence of the ribosomal protein L18 (Rpl18) strongly dominated the CD8+ T cell response to our MC-38 cell-line in comparison to a previously described neo-epitope in the Adpgk protein. Therapeutic vaccination with synthetic peptides induced CD8+ T cell responses against the mutated Rpl18 epitope, which controlled tumor growth in vivo. This immunologically dominant response to mutated Rpl18 is of great importance in the development and optimization of immunotherapeutic strategies with the MC-38 tumor model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett J. Hos
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel G.M. Camps
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Elena Tondini
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dina Ruano
- Leiden University Medical Center, Pathology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kees Franken
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - George M.C. Janssen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arnoud Ru
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V. Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ramon Arens
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A. van Veelen
- Leiden University Medical Center, Center for Proteomics & Metabolomics, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Noel Miranda
- Leiden University Medical Center, Pathology, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Leiden University Medical Center, Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden, The Netherlands
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18
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Li RJE, Hogervorst TP, Achilli S, Bruijns SC, Arnoldus T, Vivès C, Wong CC, Thépaut M, Meeuwenoord NJ, van den Elst H, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel GA, Filippov DV, van Vliet SJ, Fieschi F, Codée JDC, van Kooyk Y. Systematic Dual Targeting of Dendritic Cell C-Type Lectin Receptor DC-SIGN and TLR7 Using a Trifunctional Mannosylated Antigen. Front Chem 2019; 7:650. [PMID: 31637232 PMCID: PMC6787163 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are important initiators of adaptive immunity, and they possess a multitude of Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR) to generate an adequate T cell mediated immunity against invading pathogens. PRR ligands are frequently conjugated to tumor-associated antigens in a vaccination strategy to enhance the immune response toward such antigens. One of these PPRs, DC-SIGN, a member of the C-type lectin receptor (CLR) family, has been extensively targeted with Lewis structures and mannose glycans, often presented in multivalent fashion. We synthesized a library of well-defined mannosides (mono-, di-, and tri-mannosides), based on known "high mannose" structures, that we presented in a systematically increasing number of copies (n = 1, 2, 3, or 6), allowing us to simultaneously study the effect of mannoside configuration and multivalency on DC-SIGN binding via Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and flow cytometry. Hexavalent presentation of the clusters showed the highest binding affinity, with the hexa-α1,2-di-mannoside being the most potent ligand. The four highest binding hexavalent mannoside structures were conjugated to a model melanoma gp100-peptide antigen and further equipped with a Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7)-agonist as adjuvant for DC maturation, creating a trifunctional vaccine conjugate. Interestingly, DC-SIGN affinity of the mannoside clusters did not directly correlate with antigen presentation enhancing properties and the α1,2-di-mannoside cluster with the highest binding affinity in our library even hampered T cell activation. Overall, this systematic study has demonstrated that multivalent glycan presentation can improve DC-SIGN binding but enhanced binding cannot be directly translated into enhanced antigen presentation and the sole assessment of binding affinity is thus insufficient to determine further functional biological activity. Furthermore, we show that well-defined antigen conjugates combining two different PRR ligands can be generated in a modular fashion to increase the effectiveness of vaccine constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui-Jun Eveline Li
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tim P. Hogervorst
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Silvia Achilli
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Sven C. Bruijns
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tim Arnoldus
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Corinne Vivès
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Chung C. Wong
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Michel Thépaut
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Nico J. Meeuwenoord
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Hans van den Elst
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Herman S. Overkleeft
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Gijs A. van der Marel
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V. Filippov
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sandra J. van Vliet
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Franck Fieschi
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale, Grenoble, France
| | - Jeroen D. C. Codée
- Department of Bio-organic Synthesis, Faculty of Science, Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Yvette van Kooyk
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam Infection and Immunity Institute, Amsterdam Universitair Medische Centra, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
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19
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Du X, Qian J, Wang Y, Zhang M, Chu Y, Li Y. Identification and immunological evaluation of novel TLR2 agonists through structure optimization of Pam 3CSK 4. Bioorg Med Chem 2019; 27:2784-2800. [PMID: 31101493 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2019.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) is a bridge between innate immunity and adaptive immunity. TLR2 agonists have been exploited as potential vaccine adjuvants and antitumor agents. However, no TLR2 agonists have been approved by FDA up to now. To discover drug-like TLR2 selective agonists, a novel series of Pam3CSK4 derivatives were designed based on the crystal structure of hTLR2-hTLR1-Pam3CSK4 complex, synthesized and evaluated for their immune-stimulatory activities. Among them, 35c was identified as a murine-specific TLR2 agonist, while 35f was a human-specific TLR2 agonist. Besides, 35d (human and murine TLR2 agonist) showed TLR2 agonistic activity comparable to Pam3CSK4, which included: elevated IL-6 expression level (EC50 = 83.08 ± 5.94 nM), up-regulated TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA expression and promoted maturation of DCs through activating the NF-κB signaling pathway. TLRs antibodies test showed that 35a and 35d were TLR2/1 agonists, while 35f was a TLR2/6 agonist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinming Du
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jiawen Qian
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yujie Wang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
| | - Yiwei Chu
- Department of Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences and Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China.
| | - Yingxia Li
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, China.
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20
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Zom GG, Willems MMJHP, Khan S, van der Sluis TC, Kleinovink JW, Camps MGM, van der Marel GA, Filippov DV, Melief CJM, Ossendorp F. Novel TLR2-binding adjuvant induces enhanced T cell responses and tumor eradication. J Immunother Cancer 2018; 6:146. [PMID: 30541631 PMCID: PMC6292168 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-018-0455-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ligands for the Toll-like receptor (TLR) family can induce activation of cells of the innate immune system and are widely studied for their potential to enhance adaptive immunity. Conjugation of TLR2-ligand Pam3CSK4 to synthetic long peptides (SLPs) was shown to strongly enhance the induction of antitumor immunity. To further improve cancer vaccination, we have previously shown that the novel TLR2-L Amplivant (AV), a modified Pam3CSK4, potentiates the maturation effects on murine DCs. In the current study, we further assessed the immunological properties of AV. Methods Naïve mice were vaccinated with a conjugate of either Pam3CSK4 or AV and an SLP to assess specific T cell priming efficiency in vivo. The potency of AV and Pam3CSK4, either as free compounds or conjugated to different SLPs, to mature murine DCs was compared by stimulating murine dendritic cells overnight followed by ELISA and flow cytometry analysis. Murine tumor experiments were carried out by vaccinating mice carrying established HPV16 E6 and E7-expressing tumors and subsequently analyzing myeloid and lymphoid cells infiltrating the tumor microenvironment. Furthermore, tumor outgrowth after vaccination was monitored to enable comparison of the efficiency to induce antitumor immunity by Pam3CSK-SLP and AV-SLP conjugates. To enhance therapeutic efficacy, AV-SLP conjugate vaccination was combined with ablative therapies to assess whether synergism between such therapies would occur. Results SLPs conjugated to AV induce stronger DC maturation, in vivo T cell priming and antitumor immunity compared to conjugates with Pam3CSK4. Interestingly, AV-SLP conjugates modulate the macrophage populations in the tumor microenvironment, correlating with a therapeutic effect in an aggressive murine tumor model. The potency of AV-SLP conjugates in cancer vaccination operates optimally in combination with chemotherapy or photodynamic therapy. Conclusion These data allow further optimization of vaccination-based immunotherapy of cancer by use of the improved TLR2-ligand Amplivant. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40425-018-0455-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Selina Khan
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tetje C van der Sluis
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Willem Kleinovink
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel G M Camps
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J M Melief
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,ISA Pharmaceuticals BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, section Tumorimmunology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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21
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Li Q, Guo Z. Recent Advances in Toll Like Receptor-Targeting Glycoconjugate Vaccines. Molecules 2018; 23:molecules23071583. [PMID: 29966261 PMCID: PMC6100623 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23071583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Revised: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Many malignant cell surface carbohydrates resulting from abnormal glycosylation patterns of certain diseases can serve as antigens for the development of vaccines against these diseases. However, carbohydrate antigens are usually poorly immunogenic by themselves, thus they need to be covalently coupled with immunologically active carrier molecules to be functional. The most well established and commonly used carriers are proteins. In recent years, the use of toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands to formulate glycoconjugate vaccines has gained significant attention because TLR ligands can serve not only as carrier molecules but also as built-in adjuvants to form fully synthetic and self-adjuvanting conjugate vaccines, which have several advantages over carbohydrate-protein conjugates and formulated mixtures with external adjuvants. This article reviews recent progresses in the development of conjugate vaccines based on TLR ligands. Two major classes of TLR ligands, lipopeptides and lipid A derivatives will be covered with more focus on monophosohoryl lipid A (MPLA) and related analogs, which are TLR4 ligands demonstrated to be able to provoke T cell-dependent, adaptive immune responses. Corresponding conjugate vaccines have shown promising application potentials to multiple diseases including cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjiang Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, 214 Leigh Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
| | - Zhongwu Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, 214 Leigh Hall, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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22
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Kowalczyk R, Harris PWR, Williams GM, Yang SH, Brimble MA. Peptide Lipidation - A Synthetic Strategy to Afford Peptide Based Therapeutics. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1030:185-227. [PMID: 29081055 PMCID: PMC7121180 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-66095-0_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Peptide and protein aberrant lipidation patterns are often involved in many diseases including cancer and neurological disorders. Peptide lipidation is also a promising strategy to improve pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of peptide-based drugs. Self-adjuvanting peptide-based vaccines commonly utilise the powerful TLR2 agonist PamnCys lipid to stimulate adjuvant activity. The chemical synthesis of lipidated peptides can be challenging hence efficient, flexible and straightforward synthetic routes to access homogeneous lipid-tagged peptides are in high demand. A new technique coined Cysteine Lipidation on a Peptide or Amino acid (CLipPA) uses a 'thiol-ene' reaction between a cysteine and a vinyl ester and offers great promise due to its simplicity, functional group compatibility and selectivity. Herein a brief review of various synthetic strategies to access lipidated peptides, focusing on synthetic methods to incorporate a PamnCys motif into peptides, is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Kowalczyk
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Paul W R Harris
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Geoffrey M Williams
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand.,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Sung-Hyun Yang
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Margaret A Brimble
- School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, 23 Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand. .,School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, 3A Symonds St, Auckland, New Zealand. .,Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.
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23
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Ignacio BJ, Albin TJ, Esser-Kahn AP, Verdoes M. Toll-like Receptor Agonist Conjugation: A Chemical Perspective. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:587-603. [PMID: 29378134 PMCID: PMC10642707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are vital elements of the mammalian immune system that function by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), bridging innate and adaptive immunity. They have become a prominent therapeutic target for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and allergies, with many TLR agonists currently in clinical trials or approved as immunostimulants. Numerous studies have shown that conjugation of TLR agonists to other molecules can beneficially influence their potency, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, or function. The functional properties of TLR agonist conjugates, however, are highly dependent on the ligation strategy employed. Here, we review the chemical structural requirements for effective functional TLR agonist conjugation. In addition, we provide similar analysis for those that have yet to be conjugated. Moreover, we discuss applications of covalent TLR agonist conjugation and their implications for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob J. Ignacio
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tyler J. Albin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Aaron P. Esser-Kahn
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Martijn Verdoes
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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24
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TLR2 ligand-synthetic long peptide conjugates effectively stimulate tumor-draining lymph node T cells of cervical cancer patients. Oncotarget 2018; 7:67087-67100. [PMID: 27564262 PMCID: PMC5341859 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The potency of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-encoded synthetic long peptides (SLP), conjugated to an optimized Toll-like receptor 2 ligand (TLR2-L), was assessed in ex vivo activation of HPV16+ cancer patient-derived T cells. Two highly immunogenic SLP sequences derived from the oncogenic E6 protein of HPV16 were selected and conjugated to a Pam3CSK4-based TLR2-L under GMP conditions. Both conjugates were able to mature human DCs in vitro and to activate human skin-derived antigen-presenting cells (APCs) upon intradermal injection in an ex vivo skin model, associated with induction of a favorable chemokine profile to attract and activate T cells. The conjugated SLPs were efficiently processed by APCs, since HPV16-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell clones isolated from HPV16+ cervical tumors proliferated in response to both conjugates. The TLR2-L SLP conjugates significantly enhanced ex vivo T helper type 1 T-cell activation in cell suspensions obtained from tumor-draining lymph nodes (LN) resected during hysterectomy of HPV16+ cervical cancer patients. These results show that TLR2-L SLP conjugates can activate circulating or LN-derived tumor-specific T cells, a promising outcome for studying these two conjugates in a phase I/II clinical safety and immunogenicity trial.
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25
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Guo X, Wu N, Shang Y, Liu X, Wu T, Zhou Y, Liu X, Huang J, Liao X, Wu L. The Novel Toll-Like Receptor 2 Agonist SUP3 Enhances Antigen Presentation and T Cell Activation by Dendritic Cells. Front Immunol 2017; 8:158. [PMID: 28270814 PMCID: PMC5318439 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Accepted: 01/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are highly specialized antigen-presenting cells that play crucial roles in innate and adaptive immunity. Previous studies suggested that Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists could be used as potential adjuvants, as activation of TLRs can boost DC-induced immune responses. TLR2 agonists have been shown to enhance DC-mediated immune responses. However, classical TLR2 agonists such as Pam3CSK4 are not stable enough in vivo, which limits their clinical applications. In this study, a novel structurally stable TLR2 agonist named SUP3 was designed. Functional analysis showed that SUP3 induced much stronger antitumor response than Pam3CSK4 by promoting cytotoxic T lymphocytes activation in vivo. This effect was achieved through the following mechanisms: SUP3 strongly enhanced the ability of antigen cross-presentation by DCs and subsequent T cell activation. SUP3 upregulated the expression of costimulatory molecules on DCs and increased antigen deposition in draining lymph nodes. More interestingly, SUP3 induced less amount of pro-inflammatory cytokine production in vivo compared to other TLR agonists such as lipopolysaccharide. Taken together, SUP3 could serve as a novel promising immune adjuvant in vaccine development and immune modulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueheng Guo
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Ning Wu
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Yingli Shang
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine, Beijing, China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Tao Wu
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Yifan Zhou
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Xin Liu
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Jiaoyan Huang
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine , Beijing , China
| | - Xuebin Liao
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Tsinghua University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences , Beijing , China
| | - Li Wu
- Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University School of Medicine , Beijing , China
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26
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Batool M, Anwar MA, Choi S. Toll-like receptors targeting technology for the treatment of lymphoma. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2016; 11:1047-1059. [PMID: 27602749 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2016.1233964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The crucial role of Toll-like Receptors (TLRs) in innate and adaptive immune systems is well discussed in the literature. In cancer, TLRs act as a double-edged sword that can promote or suppress tumor growth. Areas covered: In this article, the authors uncover the potential role of TLRs in lymphomas, which are cancers related to the lymphatic system and blood cells. TLRs are de facto inflammation-inducing receptors that can either worsen disease or ameliorate lymphoma treatment. From this perspective, the usage of TLRs to modulate the immune system toward lymphoma regression is desirable. Various strategies have been used so far, and novel ways are being sought out to cure lymphoma. Expert opinion: TLR ligands have successfully been used to improve patient health; however, these receptors must be finely tuned to further optimize therapy. For a better outcome, novel specific ligands, improved pharmacodynamics, and unique targets should be discerned. Ligands with conjugated molecules, nanoparticles, and targeted drug delivery can highly optimize the therapy for lymphoma with various etiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Batool
- a Department of Molecular Science and Technology , Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Muhammad Ayaz Anwar
- a Department of Molecular Science and Technology , Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
| | - Sangdun Choi
- a Department of Molecular Science and Technology , Ajou University , Suwon , Korea
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27
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van der Burg SH, Arens R, Ossendorp F, van Hall T, Melief CJM. Vaccines for established cancer: overcoming the challenges posed by immune evasion. Nat Rev Cancer 2016; 16:219-33. [PMID: 26965076 DOI: 10.1038/nrc.2016.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 497] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Therapeutic vaccines preferentially stimulate T cells against tumour-specific epitopes that are created by DNA mutations or oncogenic viruses. In the setting of premalignant disease, carcinoma in situ or minimal residual disease, therapeutic vaccination can be clinically successful as monotherapy; however, in established cancers, therapeutic vaccines will require co-treatments to overcome immune evasion and to become fully effective. In this Review, we discuss the progress that has been made in overcoming immune evasion controlled by tumour cell-intrinsic factors and the tumour microenvironment. We summarize how therapeutic benefit can be maximized in patients with established cancers by improving vaccine design and by using vaccines to increase the effects of standard chemotherapies, to establish and/or maintain tumour-specific T cells that are re-energized by checkpoint blockade and other therapies, and to sustain the antitumour response of adoptively transferred T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ramon Arens
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Cornelis J M Melief
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands
- ISA Pharmaceuticals, J. H. Oortweg 19, 2333 CH, Leiden, The Netherlands
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28
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Willems MMJHP, Zom GG, Meeuwenoord N, Khan S, Ossendorp F, Overkleeft HS, van der Marel GA, Filippov DV, Codée JDC. Lipophilic Muramyl Dipeptide-Antigen Conjugates as Immunostimulating Agents. ChemMedChem 2015; 11:190-8. [PMID: 26059481 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201500196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Muramyl dipeptide (MDP) is the smallest peptidoglycan fragment capable of triggering the innate immune system through interaction with the intracellular NOD2 receptor. To develop synthetic vaccine modalities composed of an antigenic entity (typically a small peptide) and a molecular adjuvant with well-defined activity, we previously assembled covalent MDP-antigen conjugates. Although these were found to be capable of stimulating the NOD2 receptor and were processed by dendritic cells (DCs) leading to effective antigen presentation, DC maturation--required for an apt immune response--could not be achieved with these conjugates. To improve the efficacy of these vaccine modalities, we equipped the MDP moiety with lipophilic tails, well-known modifications to enhance the immune-stimulatory activity of MDPs. Herein we report the design and synthesis of a lipophilic MDP-antigen conjugate and show that it is a promising vaccine modality capable of stimulating the NOD2 receptor, maturing DCs, and delivering antigen cargo into the MHC-I cross-presentation pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian M J H P Willems
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gijs G Zom
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Nico Meeuwenoord
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Selina Khan
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Leiden University Medical Centre, Albinusdreef 2, 2300 RC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A van der Marel
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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29
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Abstract
Vaccination has a proven record as one of the most effective medical approaches to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Traditional vaccine approaches involve the administration of whole killed or weakened microorganisms to stimulate protective immune responses. Such approaches deliver many microbial components, some of which contribute to protective immunity, and assist in guiding the type of immune response that is elicited. Despite their impeccable record, these approaches have failed to yield vaccines for many important infectious organisms. This has prompted a move towards more defined vaccines ('subunit vaccines'), where individual protective components are administered. This unit provides an overview of the components that are used for the development of modern vaccines including: an introduction to different vaccine types (whole organism, protein/peptide, polysaccharide, conjugate, and DNA vaccines); techniques for identifying subunit antigens; vaccine delivery systems; and immunostimulatory agents ('adjuvants'), which are fundamental for the development of effective subunit vaccines.
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30
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Zom GG, Filippov DV, van der Marel GA, Overkleeft HS, Melief CJ, Ossendorp F. Two in one: improving synthetic long peptide vaccines by combining antigen and adjuvant in one molecule. Oncoimmunology 2014; 3:e947892. [PMID: 25610736 DOI: 10.4161/21624011.2014.947892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2014] [Accepted: 06/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Aiming to increase the potency of synthetic long peptide (SLP)-based cancer vaccines, the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) ligand Pam3CSK4 was conjugated in a chemically defined fashion to SLPs harbouring both cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and T helper epitopes. We recently showed that these SLP-conjugates induce strong antitumor immunity in murine cancer models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gijs G Zom
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center ; Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry; University of Leiden ; Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Hermen S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry; University of Leiden ; Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion; Leiden University Medical Center ; Leiden, The Netherlands
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