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Yang Y, Zhang Y, Ren J, Feng K, Li Z, Huang T, Cai Y. Identification of Colon Immune Cell Marker Genes Using Machine Learning Methods. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1876. [PMID: 37763280 PMCID: PMC10532943 DOI: 10.3390/life13091876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune cell infiltration that occurs at the site of colon tumors influences the course of cancer. Different immune cell compositions in the microenvironment lead to different immune responses and different therapeutic effects. This study analyzed single-cell RNA sequencing data in a normal colon with the aim of screening genetic markers of 25 candidate immune cell types and revealing quantitative differences between them. The dataset contains 25 classes of immune cells, 41,650 cells in total, and each cell is expressed by 22,164 genes at the expression level. They were fed into a machine learning-based stream. The five feature ranking algorithms (last absolute shrinkage and selection operator, light gradient boosting machine, Monte Carlo feature selection, minimum redundancy maximum relevance, and random forest) were first used to analyze the importance of gene features, yielding five feature lists. Then, incremental feature selection and two classification algorithms (decision tree and random forest) were combined to filter the most important genetic markers from each list. For different immune cell subtypes, their marker genes, such as KLRB1 in CD4 T cells, RPL30 in B cell IGA plasma cells, and JCHAIN in IgG producing B cells, were identified. They were confirmed to be differentially expressed in different immune cells and involved in immune processes. In addition, quantitative rules were summarized by using the decision tree algorithm to distinguish candidate immune cell types. These results provide a reference for exploring the cell composition of the colon cancer microenvironment and for clinical immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Yang
- Qianwei Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Yuhang Zhang
- Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Jingxin Ren
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China;
| | - Kaiyan Feng
- Department of Computer Science, Guangdong AIB Polytechnic College, Guangzhou 510507, China;
| | - Zhandong Li
- College of Biological and Food Engineering, Jilin Engineering Normal University, Changchun 130052, China;
| | - Tao Huang
- Bio-Med Big Data Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Computational Biology, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Tissue Microenvironment and Tumor, Shanghai Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yudong Cai
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China;
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2
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Vaccine co-display of CSP and Pfs230 on liposomes targeting two Plasmodium falciparum differentiation stages. Commun Biol 2022; 5:773. [PMID: 35915227 PMCID: PMC9341416 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03688-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A vaccine targeting multiple stages of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite life cycle is desirable. The sporozoite surface Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP) is the target of leading anti-infective P. falciparum pre-erythrocytic vaccines. Pfs230, a sexual-stage P. falciparum surface protein, is currently in trials as the basis for a transmission-blocking vaccine, which inhibits parasite development in the mosquito vector. Here, recombinant full-length CSP and a Pfs230 fragment (Pfs230D1+) are co-displayed on immunogenic liposomes to induce immunity against both infection and transmission. Liposomes contain cobalt-porphyrin phospholipid (CoPoP), monophosphoryl lipid A and QS-21, and rapidly bind His-tagged CSP and Pfs230D1+ upon admixture to form bivalent particles that maintain reactivity with conformational monoclonal antibodies. Use of multicolor fluorophore-labeled antigens reveals liposome binding upon admixture, stability in serum and enhanced uptake in murine macrophages in vitro. Bivalent liposomes induce humoral and cellular responses against both CSP and Pfs230D1+. Vaccine-induced antibodies reduce parasite numbers in mosquito midguts in a standard membrane feeding assay. Mice immunized with liposome-displayed antigens or that passively receive antibodies from immunized rabbits have reduced parasite liver burden following challenge with transgenic sporozoites expressing P. falciparum CSP.
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3
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Wahl I, Wardemann H. How to induce protective humoral immunity against Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein. J Exp Med 2022; 219:212951. [PMID: 35006242 PMCID: PMC8754000 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20201313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The induction of protective humoral immune responses against sporozoite surface proteins of the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) is a prime goal in the development of a preerythrocytic malaria vaccine. The most promising antibody target is circumsporozoite protein (CSP). Although PfCSP induces strong humoral immune responses upon vaccination, vaccine efficacy is overall limited and not durable. Here, we review recent efforts to gain a better molecular and cellular understanding of anti-PfCSP B cell responses in humans and discuss ways to overcome limitations in the induction of stable titers of high-affinity antibodies that might help to increase vaccine efficacy and promote long-lived protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilka Wahl
- B Cell Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Hedda Wardemann
- B Cell Immunology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany
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4
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Hyun YS, Jo HA, Lee YH, Kim SM, Baek IC, Sohn HJ, Cho HI, Kim TG. Comprehensive Analysis of CD4 + T Cell Responses to CMV pp65 Antigen Restricted by Single HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP Allotype Within an Individual. Front Immunol 2021; 11:602014. [PMID: 33658991 PMCID: PMC7917246 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.602014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Within an individual, six different HLA class II heterodimers are expressed co-dominantly by two alleles of HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP loci. However, it remained unclear which HLA allotypes were used in T cell responses to a given antigen. For the measurement of the CD4+ T cell responses restricted by a single HLA allotype, we established a panel of artificial antigen-presenting cells (aAPCs) expressing each single HLA allele of 20 HLA-DRB1, 16 HLA-DQ, and 13 HLA-DP alleles. CD4+ T cell responses to cytomegalovirus (CMV) pp65 restricted by single HLA class II allotype defined in 45 healthy donors. The average magnitude of CD4+ T cell responses by HLA-DR allotypes was higher than HLA-DQ and HLA-DP allotypes. CD4+ T cell responses by DRA*01:01/DRB1*04:06, DQA1*01:02/DQB1*06:02, DPA1*02:02/DPB1*05:01 were higher among the other alleles in each HLA-DR, -DQ, and -DP locus. Interestingly, the frequencies of HLA-DR alleles and the positivity of specific allotypes showed an inverse correlation. One allotype within individuals is dominantly used in CD4+ T cell response in 49% of donors, and two allotypes showed that in 7% of donors, and any positive response was detected in 44% of donors. Even if one individual had several dominant alleles, CD4+ T cell responses tended to be restricted by only one of them. Furthermore, CD8+ and CD4+ T cell responses by HLA class I and class II were correlated. Our results demonstrate that the CD4+ T cell preferentially use a few dominant HLA class II allotypes within individuals, similar to CD8+ T cell response to CMV pp65.
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Affiliation(s)
- You-Seok Hyun
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyeong-A Jo
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-Hun Lee
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sun-Mi Kim
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In-Cheol Baek
- Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Jung Sohn
- Translational and Clinical Division, ViGenCell Inc., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Il Cho
- Translational and Clinical Division, ViGenCell Inc., Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tai-Gyu Kim
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedicine and Health Sciences, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.,Catholic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Bank, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea
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5
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Fernandez-Ruiz D, de Menezes MN, Holz LE, Ghilas S, Heath WR, Beattie L. Harnessing liver-resident memory T cells for protection against malaria. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:127-141. [PMID: 33501877 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1881485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM cells) are powerful mediators of protracted adaptive immunity to infection in peripheral organs. Harnessing TRM cells through vaccination hence promises unprecedented potential for protection against infection. A paramount example of this is malaria, a major infectious disease for which immunity through traditional vaccination strategies remains challenging. Liver TRM cells appear to be highly protective against malaria, and recent developments in our knowledge of the biology of these cells have defined promising, novel strategies for their induction. AREAS COVERED Here, we describe the path that led to the discovery of TRM cells and discuss the importance of liver TRM cells in immunity against Plasmodium spp. infection; we summarize current knowledge on TRM cell biology and discuss the current state and potential of TRM-based vaccination against malaria. EXPERT OPINION TRM based vaccination has emerged as a promising means to achieve efficient protection against malaria. Recent advances provide a solid basis for continuing the development of this area of research. Deeper understanding of the mechanisms that mediate TRM formation and maintenance and identification of immunogenic and protective target epitopes suitable for human vaccination remain the main challenges for translation of these discoveries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Fernandez-Ruiz
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - Maria N de Menezes
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - Lauren E Holz
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - Sonia Ghilas
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - William R Heath
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
| | - Lynette Beattie
- Dept. Of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic, Australia.,Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, University of Melbourne, Melbourne,Vic, Australia
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6
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Sidney J, Peters B, Sette A. Epitope prediction and identification- adaptive T cell responses in humans. Semin Immunol 2020; 50:101418. [PMID: 33131981 DOI: 10.1016/j.smim.2020.101418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Epitopes, in the context of T cell recognition, are short peptides typically derived by antigen processing, and presented on the cell surface bound to MHC molecules (HLA molecules in humans) for TCR scrutiny. The identification of epitopes is a context-dependent process, with consideration given to, for example, the source pathogen and protein, the host organism, and state of the immune reaction (e.g., following natural infection, vaccination, etc.). In the following review, we consider the various approaches used to define T cell epitopes, including both bioinformatic and experimental approaches, and discuss the concepts of immunodominance and immunoprevalence. We also discuss HLA polymorphism and epitope restriction, and the resulting impact on the identification of, and potential population coverage afforded by, epitopes or epitope-based vaccines. Finally, some examples of the practical application of T cell epitope identification are provided, showing how epitopes have been valuable for deriving novel immunological insights in the context of the immune response to various pathogens and allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sidney
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Public Health, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA.
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7
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Goh YS, McGuire D, Rénia L. Vaccination With Sporozoites: Models and Correlates of Protection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1227. [PMID: 31231377 PMCID: PMC6560154 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite continuous efforts, the century-old goal of eradicating malaria still remains. Multiple control interventions need to be in place simultaneously to achieve this goal. In addition to effective control measures, drug therapies and insecticides, vaccines are critical to reduce mortality and morbidity. Hence, there are numerous studies investigating various malaria vaccine candidates. Most of the malaria vaccine candidates are subunit vaccines. However, they have shown limited efficacy in Phase II and III studies. To date, only whole parasite formulations have been shown to induce sterile immunity in human. In this article, we review and discuss the recent developments in vaccination with sporozoites and the mechanisms of protection involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Shan Goh
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniel McGuire
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Laurent Rénia
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (ASTAR), Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore.,School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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8
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Tian Y, da Silva Antunes R, Sidney J, Lindestam Arlehamn CS, Grifoni A, Dhanda SK, Paul S, Peters B, Weiskopf D, Sette A. A Review on T Cell Epitopes Identified Using Prediction and Cell-Mediated Immune Models for Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Bordetella pertussis. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2778. [PMID: 30555469 PMCID: PMC6281829 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present review, we summarize work from our as well as other groups related to the characterization of bacterial T cell epitopes, with a specific focus on two important pathogens, namely, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB), and Bordetella pertussis (BP), the bacterium that causes whooping cough. Both bacteria and their associated diseases are of large societal significance. Although vaccines exist for both pathogens, their efficacy is incomplete. It is widely thought that defects and/or alteration in T cell compartments are associated with limited vaccine effectiveness. As discussed below, a full genome-wide map was performed in the case of Mtb. For BP, our focus has thus far been on the antigens contained in the acellular vaccine; a full genome-wide screen is in the planning stage. Nevertheless, the sum-total of the results in the two different bacterial systems allows us to exemplify approaches and techniques that we believe are generally applicable to the mapping and characterization of human immune responses to bacterial pathogens. Finally, we add, as a disclaimer, that this review by design is focused on the work produced by our laboratory as an illustration of approaches to the study of T cell responses to Mtb and BP, and is not meant to be comprehensive, nor to detract from the excellent work performed by many other groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | - John Sidney
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | | | - Alba Grifoni
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sandeep Kumar Dhanda
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Sinu Paul
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Bjoern Peters
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Daniela Weiskopf
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Alessandro Sette
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA, United States.,Department of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
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9
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Yee PTI, Poh CL. T Cell Immunity To Enterovirus 71 Infection In Humans And Implications For Vaccine Development. Int J Med Sci 2018; 15:1143-1152. [PMID: 30123051 PMCID: PMC6097258 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.26450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is one of the major pathogens causing hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD). Some strains can lead to neurological disease and fatality in children. Up to date, there is no FDA-approved vaccine to prevent severe HFMD and mortality. Although the inactivated vaccine has advanced to production in China, lack of long-term protection and the requirement of multiple boosters have necessitated the development of other types of vaccines. Recent studies indicate that cellular and not humoral immunity determines the clinical outcome of EV-A71 infections. High levels of cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10 and IFN-γ tend to correlate with clinical severity in patients with pulmonary edema and encephalitis. The live attenuated vaccine may serve as the preferred choice as it can induce excellent humoral and cellular immunity as well as live-long immunity. Expression of certain HLA alleles such as TNF-α promoter type II (-308 allele), HLA-A33 and HLA-DR17 responses have been linked to severe HFMD. However, the high variability of MHC genes could restrict T cell recognition and be a major obstacle in the design of peptide vaccines. Hence, the development of a T cell universal vaccine (incorporating both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes) that induces broad, multifunctional and cross-reactive CD8+ T cell responses maybe desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinn Tsin Isabel Yee
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Kuala Lumpur, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
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10
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Karch CP, Doll TAPF, Paulillo SM, Nebie I, Lanar DE, Corradin G, Burkhard P. The use of a P. falciparum specific coiled-coil domain to construct a self-assembling protein nanoparticle vaccine to prevent malaria. J Nanobiotechnology 2017; 15:62. [PMID: 28877692 PMCID: PMC5588597 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-017-0295-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The parasitic disease malaria remains a major global public health concern and no truly effective vaccine exists. One approach to the development of a malaria vaccine is to target the asexual blood stage that results in clinical symptoms. Most attempts have failed. New antigens such as P27A and P27 have emerged as potential new vaccine candidates. Multiple studies have demonstrated that antigens are more immunogenic and are better correlated with protection when presented on particulate delivery systems. One such particulate delivery system is the self-assembling protein nanoparticle (SAPN) that relies on coiled-coil domains of proteins to form stable nanoparticles. In the past we have used de novo designed amino acid domains to drive the formation of the coiled-coil scaffolds which present the antigenic epitopes on the particle surface. Results Here we use naturally occurring domains found in the tex1 protein to form the coiled-coil scaffolding of the nanoparticle. Thus, by engineering P27A and a new extended form of the coiled-coil domain P27 onto the N and C terminus of the SAPN protein monomer we have developed a particulate delivery system that effectively displays both antigens on a single particle that uses malaria tex1 sequences to form the nanoparticle scaffold. These particles are immunogenic in a murine model and induce immune responses similar to the ones observed in seropositive individuals in malaria endemic regions. Conclusions We demonstrate that our P27/P27A-SAPNs induce an immune response akin to the one in seropositive individuals in Burkina Faso. Since P27 is highly conserved among different Plasmodium species, these novel SAPNs may even provide cross-protection between Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax the two major human malaria pathogens. As the SAPNs are also easy to manufacture and store they can be delivered to the population in need without complication thus providing a low cost malaria vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher P Karch
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3136, USA
| | - Tais A P F Doll
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3136, USA
| | | | - Issa Nebie
- Centre National de Recherche et de Formation sur le Paludisme, 01 BP 2208, Ouagadougou, West Africa, Burkina Faso
| | - David E Lanar
- Malaria Vaccine Branch, USMMRP-WRAIR, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, USA
| | - Giampietro Corradin
- Biochemistry Department, University of Lausanne, 1066, Epalinges, Switzerland.
| | - Peter Burkhard
- Institute of Materials Science, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3136, USA. .,Alpha-O Peptides AG, 4125, Riehen, Switzerland. .,Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269-3125, USA.
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11
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Scholz EM, Marcilla M, Daura X, Arribas-Layton D, James EA, Alvarez I. Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA)-DRB1*15:01 and HLA-DRB5*01:01 Present Complementary Peptide Repertoires. Front Immunol 2017; 8:984. [PMID: 28871256 PMCID: PMC5566978 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR15 is a haplotype associated with multiple sclerosis. It contains the two DRB* genes DRB1*1501 (DR2b) and DRB5*0101 (DR2a). The reported anchor motif of the corresponding HLA-DR molecules was determined in 1994 based on a small number of peptide ligands and binding assays. DR2a could display a set of peptides complementary to that presented by DR2b or, alternatively, a similar peptide repertoire but recognized in a different manner by T cells. It is known that DR2a and DR2b share some peptide ligands, although the degree of similarity of their associated peptidomes remains unclear. In addition, the contribution of each molecule to the global peptide repertoire presented by the HLA-DR15 haplotype has not been evaluated. We used mass spectrometry to analyze the peptide pools bound to DR2a and DR2b, identifying 169 and 555 unique peptide ligands of DR2a and DR2b, respectively. The analysis of these sets of peptides allowed the refinement of the corresponding binding motifs revealing novel anchor residues that had been overlooked in previous analyses. Moreover, the number of shared ligands between both molecules was low, indicating that DR2a and DR2b present complementary peptide repertoires to T cells. Finally, our analysis suggests that, quantitatively, both molecules contribute to the peptide repertoire presented by cells expressing the HLA-DR15 haplotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Margaret Scholz
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Immunology Unit, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Miguel Marcilla
- Proteomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Xavier Daura
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA), Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Eddie A James
- Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Iñaki Alvarez
- Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.,Immunology Unit, Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
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12
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Stutz WE, Bolnick DI. Natural selection on MHC IIβ in parapatric lake and stream stickleback: Balancing, divergent, both or neither? Mol Ecol 2017; 26:4772-4786. [PMID: 28437583 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes encode proteins that play a central role in vertebrates' adaptive immunity to parasites. MHC loci are among the most polymorphic in vertebrates' genomes, inspiring many studies to identify evolutionary processes driving MHC polymorphism within populations and divergence between populations. Leading hypotheses include balancing selection favouring rare alleles within populations, and spatially divergent selection. These hypotheses do not always produce diagnosably distinct predictions, causing many studies of MHC to yield inconsistent or ambiguous results. We suggest a novel strategy to distinguish balancing vs. divergent selection on MHC, taking advantage of natural admixture between parapatric populations. With divergent selection, individuals with immigrant alleles will be more infected and less fit because they are susceptible to novel parasites in their new habitat. With balancing selection, individuals with locally rare immigrant alleles will be more fit (less infected). We tested these contrasting predictions using three-spine stickleback from three replicate pairs of parapatric lake and stream habitats. We found numerous positive and negative associations between particular MHC IIβ alleles and particular parasite taxa. A few allele-parasite comparisons supported balancing selection, and others supported divergent selection between habitats. But, there was no overall tendency for fish with immigrant MHC alleles to be more or less heavily infected. Instead, locally rare MHC alleles (not necessarily immigrants) were associated with heavier infections. Our results illustrate the complex relationship between MHC IIβ allelic variation and spatially varying multispecies parasite communities: different hypotheses may be concurrently true for different allele-parasite combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- William E Stutz
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.,Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Daniel I Bolnick
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
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Thomas BE, Sridevi K, Chopra N, Haq W, Rao DN. Inducing a cell-mediated immune response against peptides of thePlasmodium vivaxcircumsporozoite protein. ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1080/00034983.2001.11813672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
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14
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Protective immunity to liver-stage malaria. Clin Transl Immunology 2016; 5:e105. [PMID: 27867517 PMCID: PMC5099428 DOI: 10.1038/cti.2016.60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research and recent clinical trials, an efficacious long-lasting preventative vaccine for malaria remains elusive. This parasite infects mammals via mosquito bites, progressing through several stages including the relatively short asymptomatic liver stage followed by the more persistent cyclic blood stage, the latter of which is responsible for all disease symptoms. As the liver acts as a bottleneck to blood-stage infection, it represents a potential site for parasite and disease control. In this review, we discuss immunity to liver-stage malaria. It is hoped that the knowledge gained from animal models of malaria immunity will translate into a more powerful and effective vaccine to reduce this global health problem.
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Tamborrini M, Geib N, Marrero-Nodarse A, Jud M, Hauser J, Aho C, Lamelas A, Zuniga A, Pluschke G, Ghasparian A, Robinson JA. A Synthetic Virus-Like Particle Streptococcal Vaccine Candidate Using B-Cell Epitopes from the Proline-Rich Region of Pneumococcal Surface Protein A. Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 3:850-74. [PMID: 26501327 PMCID: PMC4693222 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines3040850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/09/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alternatives to the well-established capsular polysaccharide-based vaccines against Streptococcus pneumoniae that circumvent limitations arising from limited serotype coverage and the emergence of resistance due to capsule switching (serotype replacement) are being widely pursued. Much attention is now focused on the development of recombinant subunit vaccines based on highly conserved pneumococcal surface proteins and virulence factors. A further step might involve focusing the host humoral immune response onto protective protein epitopes using as immunogens structurally optimized epitope mimetics. One approach to deliver such epitope mimetics to the immune system is through the use of synthetic virus-like particles (SVLPs). SVLPs are made from synthetic coiled-coil lipopeptides that are designed to spontaneously self-assemble into 20–30 nm diameter nanoparticles in aqueous buffer. Multivalent display of epitope mimetics on the surface of SVLPs generates highly immunogenic nanoparticles that elicit strong epitope-specific humoral immune responses without the need for external adjuvants. Here, we set out to demonstrate that this approach can yield vaccine candidates able to elicit a protective immune response, using epitopes derived from the proline-rich region of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA). These streptococcal SVLP-based vaccine candidates are shown to elicit strong humoral immune responses in mice. Following active immunization and challenge with lethal doses of streptococcus, SVLP-based immunogens are able to elicit significant protection in mice. Furthermore, a mimetic-specific monoclonal antibody is shown to mediate partial protection upon passive immunization. The results show that SVLPs combined with synthetic epitope mimetics may have potential for the development of an effective vaccine against Streptococcus pneumoniae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Tamborrini
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4051, Switzerland; E-Mails: (M.T.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (C.A.); (A.L.); (G.P.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Nina Geib
- Virometix AG, Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren 8952, Switzerland; E-Mails: (N.G.); (A.M.-N.); (A.Z.)
| | | | - Maja Jud
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4051, Switzerland; E-Mails: (M.T.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (C.A.); (A.L.); (G.P.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Julia Hauser
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4051, Switzerland; E-Mails: (M.T.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (C.A.); (A.L.); (G.P.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Celestine Aho
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4051, Switzerland; E-Mails: (M.T.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (C.A.); (A.L.); (G.P.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Araceli Lamelas
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4051, Switzerland; E-Mails: (M.T.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (C.A.); (A.L.); (G.P.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Armando Zuniga
- Virometix AG, Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren 8952, Switzerland; E-Mails: (N.G.); (A.M.-N.); (A.Z.)
| | - Gerd Pluschke
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Socinstrasse 57, Basel 4051, Switzerland; E-Mails: (M.T.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (C.A.); (A.L.); (G.P.)
- University of Basel, Petersplatz 1, Basel 4003, Switzerland
| | - Arin Ghasparian
- Virometix AG, Wagistrasse 14, Schlieren 8952, Switzerland; E-Mails: (N.G.); (A.M.-N.); (A.Z.)
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (A.G.); (J.A.R.); Tel.: +41-43-433-8685 (A.G.); +41-44-635-4242 (J.A.R.)
| | - John A. Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
- Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed; E-Mails: (A.G.); (J.A.R.); Tel.: +41-43-433-8685 (A.G.); +41-44-635-4242 (J.A.R.)
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16
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Paul S, Dillon MBC, Arlehamn CSL, Huang H, Davis MM, McKinney DM, Scriba TJ, Sidney J, Peters B, Sette A. A population response analysis approach to assign class II HLA-epitope restrictions. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2015; 194:6164-6176. [PMID: 25948811 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1403074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Identification of the specific HLA locus and allele presenting an epitope for recognition by specific TCRs (HLA restriction) is necessary to fully characterize the immune response to Ags. Experimental determination of HLA restriction is complex and technically challenging. As an alternative, the restricting HLA locus and allele can be inferred by genetic association, using response data in an HLA-typed population. However, simple odds ratio (OR) calculations can be problematic when dealing with large numbers of subjects and Ags, and because the same epitope can be presented by multiple alleles (epitope promiscuity). In this study, we develop a tool, denominated Restrictor Analysis Tool for Epitopes, to extract inferred restriction from HLA class II-typed epitope responses. This automated method infers HLA class II restriction from large datasets of T cell responses in HLA class II-typed subjects by calculating ORs and relative frequencies from simple data tables. The program is validated by: 1) analyzing data of previously determined HLA restrictions; 2) experimentally determining in selected individuals new HLA restrictions using HLA-transfected cell lines; and 3) predicting HLA restriction of particular peptides and showing that corresponding HLA class II tetramers efficiently bind to epitope-specific T cells. We further design a specific iterative algorithm to account for promiscuous recognition by calculation of OR values for combinations of different HLA molecules while incorporating predicted HLA binding affinity. The Restrictor Analysis Tool for Epitopes program streamlines the prediction of HLA class II restriction across multiple T cell epitopes and HLA types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinu Paul
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Myles B C Dillon
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | | | - Huang Huang
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Mark M Davis
- The Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305
| | | | - Thomas Jens Scriba
- Vaccine Initiative, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, South Africa
| | - John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Bjoern Peters
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037
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Abstract
The development of a highly effective malaria vaccine remains a key goal to aid in the control and eventual eradication of this devastating parasitic disease. The field has made huge strides in recent years, with the first-generation vaccine RTS,S showing modest efficacy in a Phase III clinical trial. The updated 2030 Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap calls for a second generation vaccine to achieve 75% efficacy over two years for both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, and for a vaccine that can prevent malaria transmission. Whole-parasite immunisation approaches and combinations of pre-erythrocytic subunit vaccines are now reporting high-level efficacy, whilst exciting new approaches to the development of blood-stage and transmission-blocking vaccine subunit components are entering clinical development. The development of a highly effective multi-component multi-stage subunit vaccine now appears to be a realistic ambition. This review will cover these recent developments in malaria vaccinology.
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Parra-López CA, Bernal-Estévez D, Vargas LE, Pulido-Calixto C, Salazar LM, Calvo-Calle JM, Stern LJ. An unstable Th epitope of P. falciparum fosters central memory T cells and anti-CS antibody responses. PLoS One 2014; 9:e100639. [PMID: 24983460 PMCID: PMC4077652 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0100639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is transmitted by Plasmodium-infected anopheles mosquitoes. Widespread resistance of mosquitoes to insecticides and resistance of parasites to drugs highlight the urgent need for malaria vaccines. The most advanced malaria vaccines target sporozoites, the infective form of the parasite. A major target of the antibody response to sporozoites are the repeat epitopes of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein, which span almost one half of the protein. Antibodies to these repeats can neutralize sporozoite infectivity. Generation of protective antibody responses to the CS protein (anti-CS Ab) requires help by CD4 T cells. A CD4 T cell epitope from the CS protein designated T* was previously identified by screening T cells from volunteers immunized with irradiated P. falciparum sporozoites. The T* sequence spans twenty amino acids that contains multiple T cell epitopes restricted by various HLA alleles. Subunit malaria vaccines including T* are highly immunogenic in rodents, non-human primates and humans. In this study we characterized a highly conserved HLA-DRβ1*04:01 (DR4) restricted T cell epitope (QNT-5) located at the C-terminus of T*. We found that a peptide containing QNT-5 was able to elicit long-term anti-CS Ab responses and prime CD4 T cells in HLA-DR4 transgenic mice despite forming relatively unstable MHC-peptide complexes highly susceptible to HLA-DM editing. We attempted to improve the immunogenicity of QNT-5 by replacing the P1 anchor position with an optimal tyrosine residue. The modified peptide QNT-Y formed stable MHC-peptide complexes highly resistant to HLA-DM editing. Contrary to expectations, a linear peptide containing QNT-Y elicited almost 10-fold lower long-term antibody and IFN-γ responses compared to the linear peptide containing the wild type QNT-5 sequence. Some possibilities regarding why QNT-5 is more effective than QNT-Y in inducing long-term T cell and anti-CS Ab when used as vaccine are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A. Parra-López
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Graduate School in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- * E-mail: (CAP-L); (LJS)
| | - David Bernal-Estévez
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Graduate School in Biomedical Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
- Fundación Salud de los Andes, Research Group of Immunology and Clinical Oncology - GIIOC, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luis Eduardo Vargas
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carolina Pulido-Calixto
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Luz Mary Salazar
- Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - J. Mauricio Calvo-Calle
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Pathology and Biochemistry and the Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lawrence J. Stern
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Pathology and Biochemistry and the Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CAP-L); (LJS)
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19
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Ascough S, Ingram RJ, Chu KK, Reynolds CJ, Musson JA, Doganay M, Metan G, Ozkul Y, Baillie L, Sriskandan S, Moore SJ, Gallagher TB, Dyson H, Williamson ED, Robinson JH, Maillere B, Boyton RJ, Altmann DM. Anthrax lethal factor as an immune target in humans and transgenic mice and the impact of HLA polymorphism on CD4+ T cell immunity. PLoS Pathog 2014; 10:e1004085. [PMID: 24788397 PMCID: PMC4006929 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/07/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis produces a binary toxin composed of protective antigen (PA) and one of two subunits, lethal factor (LF) or edema factor (EF). Most studies have concentrated on induction of toxin-specific antibodies as the correlate of protective immunity, in contrast to which understanding of cellular immunity to these toxins and its impact on infection is limited. We characterized CD4+ T cell immunity to LF in a panel of humanized HLA-DR and DQ transgenic mice and in naturally exposed patients. As the variation in antigen presentation governed by HLA polymorphism has a major impact on protective immunity to specific epitopes, we examined relative binding affinities of LF peptides to purified HLA class II molecules, identifying those regions likely to be of broad applicability to human immune studies through their ability to bind multiple alleles. Transgenics differing only in their expression of human HLA class II alleles showed a marked hierarchy of immunity to LF. Immunogenicity in HLA transgenics was primarily restricted to epitopes from domains II and IV of LF and promiscuous, dominant epitopes, common to all HLA types, were identified in domain II. The relevance of this model was further demonstrated by the fact that a number of the immunodominant epitopes identified in mice were recognized by T cells from humans previously infected with cutaneous anthrax and from vaccinated individuals. The ability of the identified epitopes to confer protective immunity was demonstrated by lethal anthrax challenge of HLA transgenic mice immunized with a peptide subunit vaccine comprising the immunodominant epitopes that we identified. Anthrax is of concern with respect to human exposure in endemic regions, concerns about bioterrorism and the considerable global burden of livestock infections. The immunology of this disease remains poorly understood. Vaccination has been based on B. anthracis filtrates or attenuated spore-based vaccines, with more recent trials of next-generation recombinant vaccines. Approaches generally require extensive vaccination regimens and there have been concerns about immunogenicity and adverse reactions. An ongoing need remains for rationally designed, effective and safe anthrax vaccines. The importance of T cell stimulating vaccines is inceasingly recognized. An essential step is an understanding of immunodominant epitopes and their relevance across the diverse HLA immune response genes of human populations. We characterized CD4 T cell immunity to anthrax Lethal Factor (LF), using HLA transgenic mice, as well as testing candidate peptide epitopes for binding to a wide range of HLA alleles. We identified anthrax epitopes, noteworthy in that they elicit exceptionally strong immunity with promiscuous binding across multiple HLA alleles and isotypes. T cell responses in humans exposed to LF through either natural anthrax infection or vaccination were also examined. Epitopes identified as candidates were used to protect HLA transgenic mice from anthrax challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ascough
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca J. Ingram
- Centre for Infection and Immunity, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Karen K. Chu
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Julie A. Musson
- Institute for Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Mehmet Doganay
- Department of Infectious Disease, Erciyes University Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Metan
- Department of Infectious Disease, Erciyes University Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Yusuf Ozkul
- Department of Medical Genetics, Erciyes University Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Les Baillie
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | - Stephen J. Moore
- BIOMET, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Theresa B. Gallagher
- BIOMET, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hugh Dyson
- Defence Science Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - E. Diane Williamson
- Defence Science Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury, United Kingdom
| | - John H. Robinson
- Institute for Cellular Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Bernard Maillere
- CEA, iBiTecS, Service d'Ingénierie Moléculaire des Protéines (SIMOPRO), Gif Sur Yvette, France
| | | | - Daniel M. Altmann
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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20
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A strategy to determine HLA class II restriction broadly covering the DR, DP, and DQ allelic variants most commonly expressed in the general population. Immunogenetics 2013; 65:357-70. [PMID: 23392739 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-013-0684-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2012] [Accepted: 01/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Classic ways to determine MHC restriction involve inhibition with locus-specific antibodies and antigen presentation assays with panels of cell lines matched or mismatched at the various loci of interest. However, these determinations are often complicated by T cell epitope degeneracy and promiscuity. We describe a selection of 46 HLA DR, DQ, and DP specificities that provide worldwide population (phenotypic) coverage of almost 90 % at each locus, and account for over 66 % of all genes at each locus. This panel afforded coverage of at least four HLA class II alleles in over 95 % of the individuals in four study populations of diverse ethnicity from the USA and South Africa. Next, a panel of single HLA class II-transfected cell lines, corresponding to these 46 allelic variants was assembled, consisting of lines previously developed and 15 novel lines generated for the present study. The novel lines were validated by assessing their HLA class II expression by FACS analysis, the in vitro peptide binding activity of HLA molecules purified from the cell lines, and their antigen presenting capacity to T cell lines of known restriction. We also show that these HLA class II-transfected cell lines can be used to rapidly and unambiguously determine HLA restriction of epitopes recognized by an individual donor in a single experiment. This panel of lines will enable high throughput determination of HLA restriction, enabling better characterization of HLA class II-restricted T cell responses and facilitating the development of HLA tetrameric staining reagents.
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Sidney J, Southwood S, Moore C, Oseroff C, Pinilla C, Grey HM, Sette A. Measurement of MHC/peptide interactions by gel filtration or monoclonal antibody capture. CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN IMMUNOLOGY 2013; Chapter 18:Unit 18.3.. [PMID: 23392640 PMCID: PMC3626435 DOI: 10.1002/0471142735.im1803s100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
This unit describes a technique for the direct and quantitative measurement of the capacity of peptide ligands to bind Class I and Class II MHC molecules. The binding of a peptide of interest to MHC is assessed based on its ability to inhibit the binding of a radiolabeled probe peptide to purified MHC molecules. This unit includes protocols for the purification of Class I and Class II MHC molecules by affinity chromatography, and for the radiolabeling of peptides using the chloramine T method. An alternate protocol describes alterations in the basic protocol that are necessary when performing direct binding assays, which are required for (1) selecting appropriate high-affinity, assay-specific, radiolabeled ligands, and (2) determining the amount of MHC necessary to yield assays with the highest sensitivity. After a predetermined incubation period, dependent upon the allele under examination, the bound and unbound radiolabeled species are separated, and their relative amounts are determined. Three methods for separation are described, two utilizing size-exclusion gel-filtration chromatography and a third using monoclonal antibody capture of MHC. Data analysis for each method is also explained.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
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22
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Moyle PM, Toth I. Modern subunit vaccines: development, components, and research opportunities. ChemMedChem 2013; 8:360-76. [PMID: 23316023 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.201200487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 304] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Revised: 12/08/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Traditional vaccines, based on the administration of killed or attenuated microorganisms, have proven to be among the most effective methods for disease prevention. Safety issues related to administering these complex mixtures, however, prevent their universal application. Through identification of the microbial components responsible for protective immunity, vaccine formulations can be simplified, enabling molecular-level vaccine characterization, improved safety profiles, prospects to develop new high-priority vaccines (e.g. for HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria), and the opportunity for extensive vaccine component optimization. This subunit approach, however, comes at the expense of decreased immunity, requiring the addition of immunostimulatory agents (adjuvants). As few adjuvants are currently used in licensed vaccines, adjuvant development represents an exciting area for medicinal chemists to play a role in the future of vaccine development. In addition, immune responses can be further customized though optimization of delivery systems, tuning the size of particulate vaccines, targeting specific cells of the immune system (e.g. dendritic cells), and adding components to aid vaccine efficacy in whole immunized populations (e.g. promiscuous T-helper epitopes). Herein we review the current state of the art and future direction in subunit vaccine development, with a focus on the described components and their potential to steer the immune response toward a desired response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Michael Moyle
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Zhang YL, Jia K, Zhao BP, Li Y, Yuan CX, Yang JM, Lin JJ, Feng XG. Identification of Th1 epitopes within molecules from the lung-stage schistosomulum of Schistosoma japonicum by combining prediction analysis of the transcriptome with experimental validation. Parasitol Int 2012; 61:586-93. [PMID: 22617496 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2012.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2011] [Revised: 05/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The lung-stage schistosomulum has been regarded as the main target of protective immunity induced by radiation-attenuated vaccines (RAV) in the mouse model of schistosomiasis, and immune mechanisms mediated by the CD4+ Th1 response play a major role in the RAV model. To identify Th1 epitopes rapidly within molecules from the lung schistosomulum of Schistosoma japonicum, in the present study we analyzed transcriptome data from normal and radiation-attenuated lung schistosomula of S. japonicum and Schistosoma mansoni. We selected six genes with high levels of expression of their transcripts as sample sequences from the lung schistosomula. From these six sequences, by using different algorithms, we predicted six promiscuous Th cell epitopes that are capable of binding to both murine and human MHC class II molecules. To validate our in silico prediction experimentally, first, the gene expressions of the six sequences in day 3 lung-stage schistosomula were assessed using reverse-transcription PCR (polymerase chain reaction) analysis. The result showed that all six sequences predicted can be expressed in normal day 3 schistosomula. Second, we measured the direct binding of the four peptides predicted above to APCs (Antigen Presenting Cells) from the BALB/c mouse strain using a fluorometric method, and found that the four peptides could bind to both I-Ad and I-Ed molecules of the mice. Finally, the proliferation and profiles of cytokine production by spleen lymphocytes from the BALB/c mice immunized with the six predicted peptides were detected in vitro using modified MTT (Methyl Thiazolyl Tetrazolium), and flow cytometry methods, respectively. The results showed that three of the six predicted peptides could induce a recall CD4+ Th1 response in vitro. These results demonstrate that potential Th1-type epitopes can be identified rapidly by a combination of in silico analysis of transcriptomes of lung-stage schistosomula with experimental validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li Zhang
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Parasitology, Ministry of Agriculture of China, 518 Zi'yue Road Shanghai 200241, China
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Offeddu V, Thathy V, Marsh K, Matuschewski K. Naturally acquired immune responses against Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites and liver infection. Int J Parasitol 2012; 42:535-48. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2012.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2011] [Revised: 03/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/24/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Chimeric parasites as tools to study Plasmodium immunology and assess malaria vaccines. Methods Mol Biol 2012; 923:465-79. [PMID: 22990798 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-62703-026-7_32] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The study of pathogen immunity relies upon being able to track antigen specific immune responses and assess their protective capacity. To study immunity to Plasmodium antigens, chimeric rodent or human malaria parasites that express proteins from other Plasmodium species or unrelated species have been developed. Different types of chimeric parasites have been used to address a range of specific questions. Parasites expressing model T cell epitopes have been used to monitor cellular immune responses to the preerythrocytic and blood stages of malaria. Other parasites have been used to assess the functional significance of immune responses targeting particular proteins. Finally, a number of rodent malaria parasites that express vaccine-candidate antigens from P. falciparum and P. vivax have been used in functional assays of vaccine-induced antibody responses. Here, I review the experimental contributions that have been made using these parasites, and discuss the potential of these approaches to continue advancing our understanding of malaria immunology and vaccine research.
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26
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Corradin G, Céspedes N, Verdini A, Kajava AV, Arévalo-Herrera M, Herrera S. Malaria vaccine development using synthetic peptides as a technical platform. Adv Immunol 2012; 114:107-49. [PMID: 22449780 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-396548-6.00005-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The review covers the development of synthetic peptides as vaccine candidates for Plasmodium falciparum- and Plasmodium vivax-induced malaria from its beginning up to date and the concomitant progress of solid phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) that enables the production of long peptides in a routine fashion. The review also stresses the development of other complementary tools and actions in order to achieve the long sought goal of an efficacious malaria vaccine.
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27
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Wolf AI, Mozdzanowska K, Williams KL, Singer D, Richter M, Hoffmann R, Caton AJ, Otvos L, Erikson J. Vaccination with M2e-based multiple antigenic peptides: characterization of the B cell response and protection efficacy in inbred and outbred mice. PLoS One 2011; 6:e28445. [PMID: 22180783 PMCID: PMC3236751 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The extracellular domain of the influenza A virus protein matrix protein 2 (M2e) is remarkably conserved between various human isolates and thus is a viable target antigen for a universal influenza vaccine. With the goal of inducing protection in multiple mouse haplotypes, M2e-based multiple antigenic peptides (M2e-MAP) were synthesized to contain promiscuous T helper determinants from the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein, the hepatitis B virus antigen and the influenza virus hemagglutinin. Here, we investigated the nature of the M2e-MAP-induced B cell response in terms of the distribution of antibody (Ab) secreting cells (ASCs) and Ab isotypes, and tested the protective efficacy in various mouse strains. Methodology/Principal Findings Immunization of BALB/c mice with M2e-MAPs together with potent adjuvants, CpG 1826 oligonucleotides (ODN) and cholera toxin (CT) elicited high M2e-specific serum Ab titers that protected mice against viral challenge. Subcutaneous (s.c.) and intranasal (i.n.) delivery of M2e-MAPs resulted in the induction of IgG in serum and airway secretions, however only i.n. immunization induced anti-M2e IgA ASCs locally in the lungs, correlating with M2-specific IgA in the bronchio-alveolar lavage (BAL). Interestingly, both routes of vaccination resulted in equal protection against viral challenge. Moreover, M2e-MAPs induced cross-reactive and protective responses to diverse M2e peptides and variant influenza viruses. However, in contrast to BALB/c mice, immunization of other inbred and outbred mouse strains did not induce protective Abs. This correlated with a defect in T cell but not B cell responsiveness to the M2e-MAPs. Conclusion/Significance Anti-M2e Abs induced by M2e-MAPs are highly cross-reactive and can mediate protection to variant viruses. Although synthetic MAPs are promising designs for vaccines, future constructs will need to be optimized for use in the genetically heterogeneous human population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amaya I. Wolf
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | | | - Katie L. Williams
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - David Singer
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Monique Richter
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Universität Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Andrew J. Caton
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Laszlo Otvos
- Department of Biology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jan Erikson
- The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Schwenk R, Lumsden JM, Rein LE, Juompan L, Kester KE, Heppner DG, Krzych U. Immunization with the RTS,S/AS malaria vaccine induces IFN-γ(+)CD4 T cells that recognize only discrete regions of the circumsporozoite protein and these specificities are maintained following booster immunizations and challenge. Vaccine 2011; 29:8847-54. [PMID: 21983360 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.09.098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
In a Phase 2a trial of the RTS,S/AS vaccine, we described significant association between protection against infection and vaccine-induced CD4 T cells. To determine whether processing of the circumsporozoite protein as a component of the RTS,S particulate antigen yields the same HLA-DR-restricted epitopes as those recognized by CD4 T cells from donors immunized by exposure to attenuated or infectious sporozoites we mapped the specificities of the RTS,S primed CD4 T cells by measuring IFN-γ cultured Elispot responses to pairs of overlapping 15 a.a. peptides that span the protein's C-terminus. Peptide pairs representing the previously described TH2R, T* and CS.T3 epitopes, were immunoprevalent and immunodominant. There was no response to the peptides corresponding to the human thrombospondin homology region. Responses to the CD4 T cell epitopes were restricted by multiple HLA-DR haplotypes. Of note, HLA-DR4 and HLA-DR11 restricted epitopes in the T* region and in the location on the CS protein defined by peptide pair 4, respectively. We conclude that processing of the CS protein derived from the RTS,S antigen leads to the generation of HLA-DR-restricted epitopes that are similar to those identified previously using CD4 T cells from subjects immunized with and protected by attenuated sporozoites or exposed to infectious sporozoites. This may in part account for the protective efficacy of the RTS,S/AS vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Schwenk
- Division of Malaria Vaccine Development, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
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29
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Chelimo K, Embury PB, Odada Sumba P, Vulule J, Ofulla AV, Long C, Kazura JW, Moormann AM. Age-related differences in naturally acquired T cell memory to Plasmodium falciparum merozoite surface protein 1. PLoS One 2011; 6:e24852. [PMID: 21935482 PMCID: PMC3174209 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0024852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2011] [Accepted: 08/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally acquired immunity to Plasmodium falciparum malaria in malaria holoendemic areas is characterized by the gradual, age-related development of protection against high-density parasitemia and clinical malaria. Animal studies, and less commonly, observations of humans with malaria, suggest that T-cell responses are important in the development and maintenance of this immunity, which is mediated primarily by antibodies that slow repeated cycles of merozoites through erythrocytes. To advance our rather limited knowledge on human T-cell immunity to blood stage malaria infection, we evaluated CD4 and CD8 T-cell effector memory subset responses to the 42 kDa C-terminal fragment of Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (MSP142), a malaria vaccine candidate, by 49 healthy 0.5 to ≥18 year old residents of a holoendemic area in western Kenya. The proportion of individuals with peripheral blood mononuclear cell MSP142 driven IFN-γ ELISPOT responses increased from 20% (2/20) among 0.5–1 year old children to 90% (9/10) of adults ≥18 years (P = 0.01); parallel increases in the magnitude of IFN-γ responses were observed across all age groups (0.5, 1, 2, 5 and ≥18 years, P = 0.001). Less than 1% of total CD4 and CD8 T-cells from both children and adults produced IFN-γ in response to MSP142. However, adults had higher proportions of MSP142 driven IFN-γ secreting CD4 and CD8 effector memory (CD45RA− CD62L−) T-cells than children (CD4: 50.9% vs. 28.8%, P = 0.036; CD8: 52.1% vs. 18.3%, respectively P = 0.009). In contrast, MSP142 driven IFN-γ secreting naïve-like, transitional (CD45RA+ CD62L+) CD4 and CD8 cells were the predominant T-cell subset among children with significantly fewer of these cells in adults (CD4: 34.9% vs. 5.1%, P = 0.002; CD8: 47.0% vs. 20.5%, respectively, P = 0.030). These data support the concept that meaningful age-related differences exist in the quality of T-cell immunity to malaria antigens such as MSP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiprotich Chelimo
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
- Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
| | - Paula B. Embury
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Peter Odada Sumba
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - John Vulule
- Center for Global Health Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Kisumu, Kenya
| | | | - Carole Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - James W. Kazura
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ann M. Moormann
- Center for Global Health and Diseases, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics and Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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30
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Ghasparian A, Riedel T, Koomullil J, Moehle K, Gorba C, Svergun DI, Perriman AW, Mann S, Tamborrini M, Pluschke G, Robinson JA. Engineered synthetic virus-like particles and their use in vaccine delivery. Chembiochem 2011; 12:100-9. [PMID: 21132689 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201000536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Engineered nanoparticles have been designed based on the self-assembling properties of synthetic coiled-coil lipopeptide building blocks. The presence of an isoleucine zipper within the lipopeptide together with the aggregating effects of an N-terminal lipid drives formation of 20-25 nm nanoparticles in solution. Biophysical studies support a model in which the lipid is buried in the centre of the nanoparticle, with 20-30 trimeric helical coiled-coil bundles radiating out into solution. A promiscuous T-helper epitope and a synthetic B-cell epitope mimetic derived from the circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium falciparum have been linked to each lipopeptide chain, with the result that 60-90 copies of each antigen are displayed over the surface of the nanoparticle. These nanoparticles elicit strong humoral immune responses in mice and rabbits, including antibodies able to cross-react with the parasite, thereby, supporting the potential value of this delivery system in synthetic vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arin Ghasparian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Zürich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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31
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Riley
- Institute of Cell, Animal and Population Biology, Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH9 3JT, UK
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32
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Schwenk RJ, Richie TL. Protective immunity to pre-erythrocytic stage malaria. Trends Parasitol 2011; 27:306-14. [PMID: 21435951 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2011.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2010] [Revised: 02/14/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2011] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
The development of a vaccine against malaria is a major research priority given the burden of disease, death and economic loss inflicted upon the tropical world by this parasite. Despite decades of effort, however, a vaccine remains elusive. The best candidate is a subunit vaccine termed RTS,S but this provides only partial protection against clinical disease. This review examines what is known about protective immunity against pre-erythrocytic stage malaria by considering the humoral and T cell-mediated immune responses that are induced by attenuated sporozoites and by the RTS,S vaccine. On the basis of these observations a set of research priorities are defined that are crucial for the development of a vaccine capable of inducing long-lasting and high-grade protection against malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Schwenk
- US Military Malaria Vaccine Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Division of Malaria Vaccine Development, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
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33
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Crompton PD, Pierce SK, Miller LH. Advances and challenges in malaria vaccine development. J Clin Invest 2010; 120:4168-78. [PMID: 21123952 DOI: 10.1172/jci44423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 188] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum remains a major public health threat, especially among children and pregnant women in Africa. An effective malaria vaccine would be a valuable tool to reduce the disease burden and could contribute to elimination of malaria in some regions of the world. Current malaria vaccine candidates are directed against human and mosquito stages of the parasite life cycle, but thus far, relatively few proteins have been studied for potential vaccine development. The most advanced vaccine candidate, RTS,S, conferred partial protection against malaria in phase II clinical trials and is currently being evaluated in a phase III trial in Africa. New vaccine targets need to be identified to improve the chances of developing a highly effective malaria vaccine. A better understanding of the mechanisms of naturally acquired immunity to malaria may lead to insights for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter D Crompton
- Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID), NIH, Rockville, Maryland, USA
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34
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Pinzon-Charry A, McPhun V, Kienzle V, Hirunpetcharat C, Engwerda C, McCarthy J, Good MF. Low doses of killed parasite in CpG elicit vigorous CD4+ T cell responses against blood-stage malaria in mice. J Clin Invest 2010; 120:2967-78. [PMID: 20628205 DOI: 10.1172/jci39222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2009] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of a vaccine that targets blood-stage malaria parasites is imperative if we are to sustainably reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by this infection. Such a vaccine should elicit long-lasting immune responses against conserved determinants in the parasite population. Most blood-stage vaccines, however, induce protective antibodies against surface antigens, which tend to be polymorphic. Cell-mediated responses, on the other hand, offer the theoretical advantage of targeting internal antigens that are more likely to be conserved. Nonetheless, few of the current blood-stage vaccine candidates are able to harness vigorous T cell immunity. Here, we present what we believe to be a novel blood-stage whole-organism vaccine that, by combining low doses of killed parasite with CpG-oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) adjuvant, was able to elicit strong and cross-reactive T cell responses in mice. Our data demonstrate that immunization of mice with 1,000 killed parasites in CpG-ODN engendered durable and cross-strain protection by inducing a vigorous response that was dependent on CD4+ T cells, IFN-gamma, and nitric oxide. If applicable to humans, this approach should facilitate the generation of robust, cross-reactive T cell responses against malaria as well as antigen availability for vaccine manufacture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Pinzon-Charry
- Molecular Immunology Laboratory and Australian Centre for Vaccine Development, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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35
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Sidney J, Steen A, Moore C, Ngo S, Chung J, Peters B, Sette A. Five HLA-DP molecules frequently expressed in the worldwide human population share a common HLA supertypic binding specificity. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2010; 184:2492-503. [PMID: 20139279 PMCID: PMC2935290 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0903655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Compared with DR and DQ, knowledge of the binding repertoires and specificities of HLA-DP alleles is somewhat limited. However, a growing body of literature has indicated the importance of DP-restricted responses in the context of cancer, allergy, and infectious disease. In the current study, we developed high-throughput binding assays for the five most common HLA-DPB1 alleles in the general worldwide population. Using these assays on a comprehensive panel of single-substitution analogs and large peptide libraries, we derived novel detailed binding motifs for DPB1*0101 and DPB1*0501. We also derived more detailed quantitative motifs for DPB1*0201, DPB1*0401, and DPB1*0402, which were previously characterized on the basis of sets of eluted ligands and/or limited sets of substituted peptides. Unexpectedly, all five DP molecules, originally selected only on the basis of their frequency in human populations, were found to share largely overlapping peptide motifs. Testing panels of known DP epitopes and a panel of peptides spanning a set of Phleum pratense Ags revealed that these molecules also share largely overlapping peptide-binding repertoires. This demonstrates that a previously hypothesized DP supertype extends far beyond what was originally envisioned and includes at least three additional very common DP specificities. Taken together, these DP supertype molecules are found in >90% of the human population. Thus, these findings have important implications for epitope-identification studies and monitoring of human class II-restricted immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Sidney
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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36
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Lima-Junior JC, Banic DM, Tran TM, Meyer VSE, De-Simone SG, Santos F, Porto LCS, Marques MTQ, Moreno A, Barnwell JW, Galinski MR, Oliveira-Ferreira J. Promiscuous T-cell epitopes of Plasmodium merozoite surface protein 9 (PvMSP9) induces IFN-gamma and IL-4 responses in individuals naturally exposed to malaria in the Brazilian Amazon. Vaccine 2010; 28:3185-91. [PMID: 20189487 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.02.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2009] [Revised: 01/28/2010] [Accepted: 02/11/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein (PvMSP9) stimulates both cellular and humoral immune responses in individuals who are naturally infected by this parasite species. To identify immunodominant human T-cell epitopes in PvMSP9, we used the MHC class II binding peptide prediction algorithm ProPred. Eleven synthetic peptides representing predicted putative promiscuous T-cell epitopes were tested in IFN-gamma and IL-4 ELISPOT assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) derived from 142 individuals from Rondonia State, Brazil who had been naturally exposed to P. vivax infections. To determine whether the predicted epitopes are preferentially recognized in the context of multiple alleles, MHC Class II typing of the cohort was also performed. Five synthetic peptides elicited robust cellular responses, and the overall frequencies of IFN-gamma and IL-4 responders to at least one of the promiscuous peptides were 62% and 46%, respectively. The frequencies of IFN-gamma and IL-4 responders to each peptide were not associated with a particular HLA-DRB1 allelic group since most of the peptides induced a response in individuals of 12 out of 13 studied allelic groups. The prediction of promiscuous epitopes using ProPred led to the identification of immunodominant epitopes recognized by PBMC from a significant proportion of a genetically heterogeneous population exposed to malaria infections. The combination of several such T-cell epitopes in a vaccine construct may increase the frequency of responders and the overall efficacy of subunit vaccines in genetically distinct populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J C Lima-Junior
- Laboratory of Immunoparasitology, Institute Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most cost effective methods to control infectious diseases and at the same time one of the most complex products of the pharmaceutical industry. In contrast to other drugs, vaccines are used mainly in healthy individuals, often in children. For this reason, very high standards are set for their production. Subunit vaccines, especially peptide vaccines, can provide a safe and cost-effective alternative to vaccines produced from attenuated or inactivated pathogen preparations. Biochemical and structural studies of class II MHC-peptide complexes are beginning to provide a conceptual foundation for the rational design of subunit and peptide vaccines. In this review, we show how analysis of peptide-class II MHC complexes together with developing understanding of antigen processing pathways has opened the door to understanding the major rules that govern selection of T cell epitopes. We review progress towards computational prediction of such epitopes, and efforts to evaluate algorithms that incorporate various structural and/or biochemical aspects of the MHC-peptide interaction. Finally, using malaria as a model, we describe the development of a minimal subunit vaccine for the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lawrence J Stern
- Department of Pathology, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Pharmacology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA.
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38
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Immunogenicity of latency-associated antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in DNA-vaccinated mice. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.provac.2010.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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39
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The role of MHC- and non-MHC-associated genes in determining the human immune response to malaria antigens. Parasitology 2009. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182000076654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYIndividual susceptibility to malaria infection, disease and death is influenced by host genotype, parasite virulence and a number of environmental factors including malaria-specific immunity. Immune responses are themselves determined by a combination of host genes and environmental effects. The extent to which host genotype limits the spectrum of possible immune responses may influence the outcome of infection and has consequences for vaccine design. Associations have been observed between human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotype and susceptibility to severe malaria, but no similar associations have been observed for mild malarial disease or for specific antibody responses to defined malaria antigens. Epidemiological studies have shown that, in practice, neither T helper cell nor antibody responses to malaria parasites are limited by host MHC genotype, but have revealed that genes lying outside the MHC may influence T cell proliferative responses. These genes have yet to be identified, but possible candidates include T cell receptor (TcR) genes, and genes involved in TcR gene rearrangements. More importantly, perhaps, longitudinal epidemiological studies have shown that the anti-malarial antibody repertoire is selective and becomes fixed in malaria-immune individuals, but is independent of host genotype. These findings suggest that the antibody repertoire may be determined, at least in part, by stochastic events. The first of these is the generation of the T and B cell repertoire, which results from random gene recombinations and somatic mutation and is thus partially independent of germline genes. Secondly, of the profusion of immunogenic peptides which are processed and presented by antigen presenting cells, a few will, by chance, interact with T and B cell surface antigen receptors of particularly high affinity. These T and B cell clones will be selected, will expand and may come to dominate the immune response, preventing the recognition of variant epitopes presented by subsequent infections - a process known as original antigenic sin or clonal imprinting. The immune response of an individual thus reflects the balance between genetic and stochastic effects. This may have important consequences for subunit vaccine development.
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Major histocompatibility complex class II molecule-human immunodeficiency virus peptide analysis using a microarray chip. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2009; 16:567-73. [PMID: 19225081 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00441-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Identification of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II binding peptides is a crucial step in rational vaccine design and immune monitoring. We designed a novel MHC class II molecule-peptide microarray binding assay and evaluated 346 peptides from already identified human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epitopes and an additional set (n = 206) of 20-mer peptides, overlapping by 15 amino acid residues, from HIV type 1B (HIV-1B) gp160 and Nef as a paradigm. Peptides were attached via the N-terminal part to a linker that covalently binds to the epoxy glass slide. The 552 peptides were printed in triplicate on a single peptide microarray chip and tested for stable formation of MHC class II molecule-peptide complexes using recombinant soluble DRB1*0101(DR1), DRB1*1501(DR2), and DRB1*0401(DR4) molecules. Cluster analysis revealed unique patterns of peptide binding to all three, two, or a single MHC class II molecule. MHC class II binding peptides reside within previously described immunogenic regions of HIV gp160 and Nef, yet we could also identify new MHC class II binding peptides from gp160 and Nef. Peptide microarray chips allow the comprehensive and simultaneous screening of a high number of candidate peptide epitopes for MHC class II binding, guided by subsequent quality data extraction and binding pattern cluster analysis.
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41
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Kumar KA, Baxter P, Tarun AS, Kappe SHI, Nussenzweig V. Conserved protective mechanisms in radiation and genetically attenuated uis3(-) and uis4(-) Plasmodium sporozoites. PLoS One 2009; 4:e4480. [PMID: 19214236 PMCID: PMC2637429 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0004480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2008] [Accepted: 12/10/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization with radiation attenuated Plasmodium sporozoites (RAS) elicits sterile protective immunity against sporozoite challenge in murine models and in humans. Similarly to RAS, the genetically attenuated sporozoites (GAPs) named uis3(-), uis4(-) and P36p(-) have arrested growth during the liver stage development, and generate a powerful protective immune response in mice. We compared the protective mechanisms in P. yoelii RAS, uis3(-) and uis4(-) in BALB/c mice. In RAS and GAPs, sterile immunity is only achieved after one or more booster injections. There were no differences in the immune responses to the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) generated by RAS and GAPs. To evaluate the role of non-CSP T-cell antigens we immunized antibody deficient, CSP-transgenic BALB/c mice, that are T cell tolerant to CSP, with P. yoelii RAS or with uis3(-) or uis4(-) GAPs, and challenged them with wild type sporozoites. In every instance the parasite liver stage burden was approximately 3 logs higher in antibody deficient CSP transgenic mice as compared to antibody deficient mice alone. We conclude that CSP is a powerful protective antigen in both RAS and GAPs viz., uis3(-) and uis4(-) and that the protective mechanisms are similar independently of the method of sporozoite attenuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Arun Kumar
- Department of Pathology, Micheal Hidelberg Division of Immunology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York, United States of America.
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Sidney J, Southwood S, Oseroff C, del Guercio MF, Sette A, Grey HM. Measurement of MHC/peptide interactions by gel filtration. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; Chapter 18:Unit 18.3. [PMID: 18432745 DOI: 10.1002/0471142735.im1803s31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
This unit describes a technique for the direct and quantitative measurement of the capacity of peptide ligands to bind Class I and Class II MHC molecules. The binding of a peptide of interest to MHC is assessed based on its ability to inhibit the binding of a radiolabeled probe peptide to MHC molecules. The establishment of an MHC/peptide binding assay, and its subsequent use in determining the MHC binding capacities of peptide ligands, requires sufficient stocks of purified MHC and both labeled and unlabeled peptides. Accordingly, this unit includes protocols for the purification of Class I and Class II MHC molecules by affinity chromatography, and for the radiolabeling of peptides using the chloramine T method. A support protocol describes alterations in the basic protocol that are necessary when performing direct binding assays, which are required for (1) selecting appropriate high-affinity, assay-specific, radiolabeled ligands and (2) determining the amount of MHC necessary to yield assays with the highest sensitivity. After a 2-day incubation, the bound and unbound radiolabeled species are separated, and their relative amounts are determined. Two methods for separation by size-exclusion gel-filtration chromatography are described, as is data analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Sidney
- Epimmune Incorporated, San Diego, California, USA
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Phase I trial of an alhydrogel adjuvanted hepatitis B core virus-like particle containing epitopes of Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein. PLoS One 2008; 3:e1556. [PMID: 18253503 PMCID: PMC2216688 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2007] [Accepted: 01/15/2008] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED The objectives of this non-randomized, non-blinded, dose-escalating Phase I clinical trial were to assess the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of ICC-1132 formulated with Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide) in 51 healthy, malaria-naive adults aged 18 to 45 years. ICC-1132 (Malariavax) is a recombinant, virus-like particle malaria vaccine comprised of hepatitis core antigen engineered to express the central repeat regions from Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein containing an immunodominant B [(NANP)(3)] epitope, an HLA-restricted CD4 (NANPNVDPNANP) epitope and a universal T cell epitope (T*) (amino acids 326-345, NF54 isolate). We assessed an Alhydrogel (aluminum hydroxide)-adjuvanted vaccine formulation at three ICC-1132 dose levels, each injected intramuscularly (1.0 mL) on study days 0, 56 and 168. A saline vaccine formulation was found to be unstable after prolonged storage and this formulation was subsequently removed from the study. Thirty-two volunteers were followed for one year. Local and systemic adverse clinical events were measured and immune responses to P. falciparum and hepatitis B virus core antigens were determined utilizing the following assays: IgG and IgM ELISA, indirect immunofluorescence against P. falciparum sporozoites, circumsporozoite precipitin (CSP) and transgenic sporozoite neutralization assays. Cellular responses were measured by proliferation and IL-2 assays. Local and systemic reactions were similarly mild and well tolerated between dose cohorts. Depending on the ICC-1132 vaccine concentration, 95 to 100% of volunteers developed antibody responses to the ICC-1132 immunogen and HBc after two injections; however, only 29-75% and 29-63% of volunteers, respectively, developed malaria-specific responses measured by the malaria repeat synthetic peptide ELISA and IFA; 2 of 8 volunteers had positive reactions in the CSP assay. Maximal transgenic sporozoite neutralization assay inhibition was 54%. Forty-seven to seventy-five percent demonstrated T cell proliferation in response to ICC-1132 or to recombinant circumsporozoite protein (rCS) NF-54 isolate. This candidate malaria vaccine was well tolerated, but the vaccine formulation was poorly immunogenic. The vaccine may benefit from a more powerful adjuvant to improve immunogenicity. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00587249.
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An asymmetric model of heterozygote advantage at major histocompatibility complex genes: degenerate pathogen recognition and intersection advantage. Genetics 2008; 178:1473-89. [PMID: 18245836 DOI: 10.1534/genetics.107.082131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We characterize the function of MHC molecules by the sets of pathogens that they recognize, which we call their "recognition sets." Two features of the MHC-pathogen interaction may be important to the theory of polymorphism construction at MHC loci: First, there may be a large degree of overlap, or degeneracy, among the recognition sets of MHC molecules. Second, when infected with a pathogen, an MHC genotype may have a higher fitness if that pathogen belongs to the overlapping portion, or intersection, of the two recognition sets of the host, when compared with a genotype that contains that pathogen in only one of its recognition sets. We call this benefit "intersection advantage," gamma, and incorporate it, as well as the degree of recognition degeneracy, m, into a model of heterozygote advantage that utilizes a set-theoretic definition of fitness. Counterintuitively, we show that levels of polymorphism are positively related to m and that a high level of recognition degeneracy is necessary for polymorphism at MHC loci under heterozygote advantage. Increasing gamma reduces levels of polymorphism considerably. Hence, if intersection advantage is significant for MHC genotypes, then heterozygote advantage may not explain the very high levels of polymorphism observed at MHC genes.
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Mitra-Kaushik S, Cruz J, Stern LJ, Ennis FA, Terajima M. Human cytotoxic CD4+ T cells recognize HLA-DR1-restricted epitopes on vaccinia virus proteins A24R and D1R conserved among poxviruses. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2007; 179:1303-12. [PMID: 17617623 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.179.2.1303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that vaccinia virus (VV)-specific CD4(+) cytolytic T cells can persist for >50 years after immunization against smallpox in the absence of re-exposure to VV. Nevertheless, there have been few studies focusing on CD4(+) T cell responses to smallpox vaccination. To ensure successful vaccination, a candidate vaccine should contain immunodominant CD4(+) T cell epitopes as well as CD8(+) T and B cell epitopes. In the present study, we established cytotoxic CD4(+) T cell lines from VV-immune donors, which recognize epitopes in VV proteins D1R and A24R in association with HLA-DR1 Ags. Comparisons of sequences between different members of the poxvirus family show that both epitopes are completely conserved among VV, variola viruses, and most mammalian poxviruses, including monkeypox, cowpox, and ectromelia. The CD4(+) T cell lines lysed VV-infected, Ag- and peptide-pulsed targets, and the lysis was inhibited by concanamycin A. We also detected these peptide-specific cytolytic and IFN-gamma-producing CD4(+) T cells in short-term bulk cultures of PBMC from each of the three VV-immune donors tested. These are the first VV-specific CD4(+) T cell epitopes identified in humans restricted by one of the most common MHC class II molecules, HLA-DR1, and this information may be useful in analyzing CD4(+) T cell responses to pre-existing or new generation VV vaccines against smallpox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shibani Mitra-Kaushik
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655, USA
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Depil S, Moralès O, Castelli FA, Delhem N, François V, Georges B, Dufossé F, Morschhauser F, Hammer J, Maillère B, Auriault C, Pancré V. Determination of a HLA II Promiscuous Peptide Cocktail as Potential Vaccine Against EBV Latency II Malignancies. J Immunother 2007; 30:215-26. [PMID: 17471168 DOI: 10.1097/01.cji.0000211338.99137.4f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several malignant diseases, which can be distinguished by their patterns of viral latent gene expression. The latency II program is limited to the expression of the nonimmunodominant antigens EBNA1, LMP1 and LMP2 and is seen in EBV-positive Hodgkin disease, nasopharyngeal carcinomas, and peripheral T/NK-cell lymphomas. CD4 T cells may play a crucial role in controlling these EBV latency II malignancies. In this study, we used the prediction software TEPITOPE to predict promiscuous major histocompatibility complex class II epitopes derived from the latency II antigens EBNA1, LMP1, and LMP2. The predicted peptides were then submitted to peptide-binding assays on HLA II purified molecules, which allowed the selection of 6 peptides (EBNA1: 3; LMP1: 1; and LMP2: 2) with a highly promiscuous capability of binding. This peptide cocktail was immunogenic in a model of HLA-DR1 transgenic mice, leading to a specific cellular and humoral TH1 response. The peptides were also recognized by human CD4 T cells from individuals expressing various HLA II genotypes. This promiscuous peptide cocktail could be immunogenic in the majority of the population and may be used as a peptide-based vaccine in EBV latency II malignancies.
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Janjic B, Andrade P, Wang XF, Fourcade J, Almunia C, Kudela P, Brufsky A, Jacobs S, Friedland D, Stoller R, Gillet D, Herberman RB, Kirkwood JM, Maillere B, Zarour HM. Spontaneous CD4+ T cell responses against TRAG-3 in patients with melanoma and breast cancers. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 177:2717-27. [PMID: 16888034 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.177.4.2717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The taxol resistance gene TRAG-3 was initially isolated from cancer cell lines that became resistant to taxol in vitro. TRAG-3 is a cancer germline Ag expressed by tumors of different histological types including the majority of melanoma, breast, and lung cancers. In the present study, we report that patients with stage IV melanoma and breast cancers developed spontaneous IFN-gamma-producing CD4+ T cell responses against a single immunodominant and promiscuous peptide epitope from TRAG-3 presented in the context of multiple HLA-DR molecules. The TRAG-3-specific CD4+ T cells and clones were expanded in vitro and recognized not only peptide pulsed APCs but also autologous dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with the TRAG-3 protein. All stage IV melanoma patients with TRAG-3-expressing tumors developed spontaneous CD4+ T cell responses against TRAG-3, demonstrating its strong immunogenicity. None of these patients had detectable IgG Ab responses against TRAG-3. TCRbeta gene usage studies of TRAG-3-specific CD4+ T cell clones from a melanoma patient and a normal donor suggested a restricted TCR repertoire in patients with TRAG-3-expressing tumors. Altogether, our data define a novel profile of spontaneous immune responses to cancer germline Ag-expressing tumors, showing that spontaneous TRAG-3-specific CD4+ T cells are directed against a single immunodominant epitope and exist independently of Ab responses. Because of its immunodominance, peptide TRAG-3(34-48) is of particular interest for the monitoring of spontaneous immune responses in patients with TRAG-3-expressing tumors and for the development of cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bratislav Janjic
- Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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KIM KE, ROSENBERG A, LEMKE T, CALDERON J, RICH S, BLUMENTHAL MN. B-cell epitopes recognized by IgE from patients sensitive to Amb a 5. Clin Exp Allergy 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1997.tb01157.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Abstract
The complex life cycle of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum provides many options for vaccine design. Several new types of vaccine are now being evaluated in clinical trials. Recently, two vaccine candidates that target the pre-erythrocytic stages of the malaria life cycle - a protein particle vaccine with a powerful adjuvant and a prime-boost viral-vector vaccine - have entered Phase II clinical trials in the field and the first has shown partial efficacy in preventing malarial disease in African children. This Review focuses on the potential immunological basis for the encouraging partial protection induced by these vaccines, and it considers ways for developing more effective malaria vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian V S Hill
- Centre for Clinical Vaccinology and Tropical Medicine, and the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK.
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Michaels MA, Kang HK, Kaliyaperumal A, Satyaraj E, Shi Y, Datta SK. A Defect in Deletion of Nucleosome-Specific Autoimmune T Cells in Lupus-Prone Thymus: Role of Thymic Dendritic Cells. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 175:5857-65. [PMID: 16237078 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.9.5857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
To study central tolerance to the major product of ongoing apoptosis in the thymus, we made new lines of transgenic (Tg) mice expressing TCR of a pathogenic autoantibody-inducing Th cell that was specific for nucleosomes and its histone peptide H4(71-94). In the lupus-prone (SWR x NZB)F1 (SNF1) thymus, introduction of the lupus TCR transgene caused no deletion, but marked down-regulation of the Tg TCR and up-regulation of endogenous TCRs. Paradoxically, autoimmune disease was suppressed in the alphabetaTCR Tg SNF1 mice with induction of highly potent regulatory T cells in the periphery. By contrast, in the MHC-matched, normal (SWR x B10. D2)F1 (SBF1), or in the normal SWR backgrounds, marked deletion of transgenic thymocytes occurred. Thymic lymphoid cells of the normal or lupus-prone mice were equally susceptible to deletion by anti-CD3 Ab or irradiation. However, in the steady state, spontaneous presentation of naturally processed peptides related to the nucleosomal autoepitope was markedly greater by thymic dendritic cells (DC) from normal mice than that from lupus mice. Unmanipulated thymic DC of SNF1 mice expressed lesser amounts of MHC class II and costimulatory molecules than their normal counterparts. These results indicate that apoptotic nucleosomal autoepitopes are naturally processed and presented to developing thymocytes, and a relative deficiency in the natural display of nucleosomal autoepitopes by thymic DC occurs in lupus-prone SNF1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa A Michaels
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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