1
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Johnson NV, van Scherpenzeel RC, Bakkers MJG, Ramamohan AR, van Overveld D, Le L, Langedijk JPM, Kolkman JA, McLellan JS. Structural basis for potent neutralization of human respirovirus type 3 by protective single-domain camelid antibodies. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5458. [PMID: 38937429 PMCID: PMC11211449 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49757-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Respirovirus 3 is a leading cause of severe acute respiratory infections in vulnerable human populations. Entry into host cells is facilitated by the attachment glycoprotein and the fusion glycoprotein (F). Because of its crucial role, F represents an attractive therapeutic target. Here, we identify 13 F-directed heavy-chain-only antibody fragments that neutralize recombinant respirovirus 3. High-resolution cryo-EM structures of antibody fragments bound to the prefusion conformation of F reveal three distinct, previously uncharacterized epitopes. All three antibody fragments bind quaternary epitopes on F, suggesting mechanisms for neutralization that may include stabilization of the prefusion conformation. Studies in cotton rats demonstrate the prophylactic efficacy of these antibody fragments in reducing viral load in the lungs and nasal passages. These data highlight the potential of heavy-chain-only antibody fragments as effective interventions against respirovirus 3 infection and identify neutralizing epitopes that can be targeted for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole V Johnson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | | | - Mark J G Bakkers
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
- ForgeBio B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ajit R Ramamohan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | | | - Lam Le
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes P M Langedijk
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
- ForgeBio B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost A Kolkman
- Janssen Infectious Diseases and Vaccines, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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2
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Hönemann M, Maier M, Frille A, Thiem S, Bergs S, Williams TC, Mas V, Lübbert C, Pietsch C. Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Adult Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Germany: Clinical Features and Molecular Epidemiology of the Fusion Protein in the Severe Respiratory Season of 2022/2023. Viruses 2024; 16:943. [PMID: 38932235 PMCID: PMC11209376 DOI: 10.3390/v16060943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Following an interseasonal rise in mainly pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases in Germany in 2021, an exceptionally high number of adult cases was observed in the subsequent respiratory season of 2022/2023. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical presentation of RSV infections in the pre- and post-SARS-CoV-2 pandemic periods. Additionally, the local epidemiology of the RSV fusion protein was analyzed at a molecular genetic and amino acid level. RSV detections in adults peaked in calendar week 1 of 2023, 8 weeks earlier than the earliest peak observed in the three pre-pandemic seasons. Although the median age of the adult patients was not different (66.5 vs. 65 years), subtle differences between both periods regarding comorbidities and the clinical presentation of RSV cases were noted. High rates of comorbidities prevailed; however, significantly lower numbers of patients with a history of lung transplantation (p = 0.009), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.013), and immunosuppression (p = 0.038) were observed in the 2022/2023 season. In contrast, significantly more lower respiratory tract infections (p < 0.001), in particular in the form of pneumonia (p = 0.015) and exacerbations of obstructive lung diseases (p = 0.008), were detected. An ICU admission was noted for 23.7% of all patients throughout the study period. Sequence analysis of the fusion protein gene revealed a close phylogenetic relatedness, regardless of the season of origin. However, especially for RSV-B, an accumulation of amino acid point substitutions was noted, including in antigenic site Ø. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the seasonality of RSV, and the introduction of new vaccination and immunization strategies against RSV warrants further epidemiologic studies of this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Hönemann
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Melanie Maier
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Armin Frille
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephanie Thiem
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Bergs
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas C. Williams
- Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, 50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/ Sinesio Delgado, 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Christoph Lübbert
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Corinna Pietsch
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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3
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Rizk SS, Moustafa DM, ElBanna SA, Nour El-Din HT, Attia AS. Nanobodies in the fight against infectious diseases: repurposing nature's tiny weapons. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:209. [PMID: 38771414 PMCID: PMC11108896 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Nanobodies are the smallest known antigen-binding molecules to date. Their small size, good tissue penetration, high stability and solubility, ease of expression, refolding ability, and negligible immunogenicity in the human body have granted them excellence over conventional antibodies. Those exceptional attributes of nanobodies make them promising candidates for various applications in biotechnology, medicine, protein engineering, structural biology, food, and agriculture. This review presents an overview of their structure, development methods, advantages, possible challenges, and applications with special emphasis on infectious diseases-related ones. A showcase of how nanobodies can be harnessed for applications including neutralization of viruses and combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria is detailed. Overall, the impact of nanobodies in vaccine design, rapid diagnostics, and targeted therapies, besides exploring their role in deciphering microbial structures and virulence mechanisms are highlighted. Indeed, nanobodies are reshaping the future of infectious disease prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soha S Rizk
- Microbiology and Immunology Postgraduate Program, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Dina M Moustafa
- Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, The British University in Egypt, El Sherouk City, Cairo, 11837, Egypt
| | - Shahira A ElBanna
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Hanzada T Nour El-Din
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Attia
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, 11562, Egypt.
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4
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De Greve H, Fioravanti A. Single domain antibodies from camelids in the treatment of microbial infections. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1334829. [PMID: 38827746 PMCID: PMC11140111 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1334829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases continue to pose significant global health challenges. In addition to the enduring burdens of ailments like malaria and HIV, the emergence of nosocomial outbreaks driven by antibiotic-resistant pathogens underscores the ongoing threats. Furthermore, recent infectious disease crises, exemplified by the Ebola and SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks, have intensified the pursuit of more effective and efficient diagnostic and therapeutic solutions. Among the promising options, antibodies have garnered significant attention due to their favorable structural characteristics and versatile applications. Notably, nanobodies (Nbs), the smallest functional single-domain antibodies of heavy-chain only antibodies produced by camelids, exhibit remarkable capabilities in stable antigen binding. They offer unique advantages such as ease of expression and modification and enhanced stability, as well as improved hydrophilicity compared to conventional antibody fragments (antigen-binding fragments (Fab) or single-chain variable fragments (scFv)) that can aggregate due to their low solubility. Nanobodies directly target antigen epitopes or can be engineered into multivalent Nbs and Nb-fusion proteins, expanding their therapeutic potential. This review is dedicated to charting the progress in Nb research, particularly those derived from camelids, and highlighting their diverse applications in treating infectious diseases, spanning both human and animal contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henri De Greve
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antonella Fioravanti
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Fondazione ParSeC – Parco delle Scienze e della Cultura, Prato, Italy
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5
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Yang J, Lin S, Chen Z, Yang F, Guo L, Wang L, Duan Y, Zhang X, Dai Y, Yin K, Yu C, Yuan X, Sun H, He B, Cao Y, Ye H, Dong H, Liu X, Chen B, Li J, Zhao Q, Lu G. Development of a bispecific nanobody conjugate broadly neutralizes diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants and structural basis for its broad neutralization. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011804. [PMID: 38033141 PMCID: PMC10688893 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The continuous emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants with increased transmissibility and profound immune-escape capacity makes it an urgent need to develop broad-spectrum therapeutics. Nanobodies have recently attracted extensive attentions due to their excellent biochemical and binding properties. Here, we report two high-affinity nanobodies (Nb-015 and Nb-021) that target non-overlapping epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 S-RBD. Both nanobodies could efficiently neutralize diverse viruses of SARS-CoV-2. The neutralizing mechanisms for the two nanobodies are further delineated by high-resolution nanobody/S-RBD complex structures. In addition, an Fc-based tetravalent nanobody format is constructed by combining Nb-015 and Nb-021. The resultant nanobody conjugate, designated as Nb-X2-Fc, exhibits significantly enhanced breadth and potency against all-tested SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Omicron sub-lineages. These data demonstrate that Nb-X2-Fc could serve as an effective drug candidate for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection, deserving further in-vivo evaluations in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Sheng Lin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Zimin Chen
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Fanli Yang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liyan Guo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanping Duan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xindan Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yushan Dai
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Keqing Yin
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chongzhang Yu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Honglu Sun
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bin He
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Disaster Medicine Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haoyu Ye
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Haohao Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xianbo Liu
- CHENGDU NB BIOLAB CO., LTD, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bo Chen
- CHENGDU NB BIOLAB CO., LTD, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Li
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qi Zhao
- College of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Guangwen Lu
- Department of Emergency Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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6
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Prado NDR, Brilhante-Da-Silva N, Sousa RMO, Morais MSDS, Roberto SA, Luiz MB, Assis LCD, Marinho ACM, Araujo LFLD, Pontes RDS, Stabeli RG, Fernandes CFC, Pereira SDS. Single-domain antibodies applied as antiviral immunotherapeutics. J Virol Methods 2023; 320:114787. [PMID: 37516366 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2023.114787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Viral infections have been the cause of high mortality rates throughout different periods in history. Over the last two decades, outbreaks caused by zoonotic diseases and transmitted by arboviruses have had a significant impact on human health. The emergence of viral infections in different parts of the world encourages the search for new inputs to fight pathologies of viral origin. Antibodies represent the predominant class of new drugs developed in recent years and approved for the treatment of various human diseases, including cancer, autoimmune and infectious diseases. A promising group of antibodies are single-domain antibodies derived from camelid heavy chain immunoglobulins, or VHHs, are biomolecules with nanometric dimensions and unique pharmaceutical and biophysical properties that can be used in the diagnosis and immunotherapy of viral infections. For viral neutralization to occur, VHHs can act in different stages of the viral cycle, including the actual inhibition of infection, to hindering viral replication or assembly. This review article addresses advances involving the use of VHHs in therapeutic propositions aimed to battle different viruses that affect human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nidiane Dantas Reis Prado
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | - Nairo Brilhante-Da-Silva
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Rosa Maria Oliveira Sousa
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil
| | | | - Sibele Andrade Roberto
- Plataforma Bi-institucional de Medicina Translacional, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcos Barros Luiz
- Instituto Federal de Rondônia Campus Guajará-Mirim, IFRO, Guajará-Mirim, RO, Brazil
| | - Livia Coelho de Assis
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz unidade Ceará, Eusebio, CE, Brazil
| | - Anna Carolina M Marinho
- Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz unidade Ceará, Eusebio, CE, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe Lemes de Araujo
- Plataforma Bi-institucional de Medicina Translacional, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael de Souza Pontes
- Plataforma Bi-institucional de Medicina Translacional, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Imunologia Básica e Aplicada, Universidade de São Paulo, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Guerino Stabeli
- Plataforma Bi-institucional de Medicina Translacional, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carla Freire Celedonio Fernandes
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Laboratório Multiusuário de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz unidade Ceará, Eusebio, CE, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Soraya Dos Santos Pereira
- Laboratório de Engenharia de Anticorpos, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, FIOCRUZ, unidade Rondônia, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, IOC, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil; Programa de Pós-graduação em Biologia Experimental, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, UNIR, Porto Velho, RO, Brazil.
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7
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Ma L, Brecher M, Soufal A, Gaiotto T, Tian S, Chandramouli S, Dewar V, Ferrant L, Zhang M, Zhou X, Roy V. Structural interrogation of a trimeric prefusion RSV fusion protein vaccine candidate by a camelid nanobody. Vaccine 2023; 41:3308-3316. [PMID: 37085457 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
In the past decade, camelid nanobodies have been developed for multiple applications, including immuno-imaging, cancer immunotherapy, and antiviral therapeutics. Despite the prevalence of these approaches, nanobodies have rarely been used to assess the potency of vaccine antigen candidates, which are primarily based on mAb binding approaches. In this work, we demonstrate that a nanobody-based ELISA method is suitable for characterization of a leading respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidate, RSVPreF3. This nanobody, F-VHH-L66, compares similarly with AM14, an antibody well-known to be specific for the prefusion form of the RSV surface fusion glycoprotein, RSV F. ELISA assays based on F-VHH-L66 were specific for the trimeric, prefusion form of RSV F, the antigen conformation that best generates neutralizing antibodies. Additionally, the F-VHH-L66-based ELISA proved accurate, linear, and stability-indicating. Statistical analysis of 65 independent F-VHH-L66-based ELISA experiments indicated assay performance similar to that of ELISA assays based on AM14. Moreover, the binding kinetics of F-VHH-L66 to RSVPreF3 are comparable to those of AM14 when measured by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Finally, F-VHH-L66 neutralized RSV(A) with similar efficacy as AM14; this bioactivity data further supports its use as an alternative to AM14 for pre-fusion specific structural characterization of RSVPreF3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Ma
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Matthew Brecher
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States.
| | - Allison Soufal
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | | | - Sai Tian
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Sumana Chandramouli
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | | | | | - Meng Zhang
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Xianzhi Zhou
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Varnika Roy
- GSK, Rockville Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850, United States.
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8
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Marcink TC, Zipursky G, Cheng W, Stearns K, Stenglein S, Golub K, Cohen F, Bovier F, Pfalmer D, Greninger AL, Porotto M, des Georges A, Moscona A. Subnanometer structure of an enveloped virus fusion complex on viral surface reveals new entry mechanisms. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eade2727. [PMID: 36763666 PMCID: PMC9917000 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade2727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Paramyxoviruses-including important pathogens like parainfluenza, measles, and Nipah viruses-use a receptor binding protein [hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) for parainfluenza] and a fusion protein (F), acting in a complex, to enter cells. We use cryo-electron tomography to visualize the fusion complex of human parainfluenza virus 3 (HN/F) on the surface of authentic clinical viruses at a subnanometer resolution sufficient to answer mechanistic questions. An HN loop inserts in a pocket on F, showing how the fusion complex remains in a ready but quiescent state until activation. The globular HN heads are rotated with respect to each other: one downward to contact F, and the other upward to grapple cellular receptors, demonstrating how HN/F performs distinct steps before F activation. This depiction of viral fusion illuminates potentially druggable targets for paramyxoviruses and sheds light on fusion processes that underpin wide-ranging biological processes but have not been visualized in situ or at the present resolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara C. Marcink
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gillian Zipursky
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenjing Cheng
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kyle Stearns
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shari Stenglein
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kate Golub
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Frances Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Francesca Bovier
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Daniel Pfalmer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alexander L. Greninger
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Matteo Porotto
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli,” 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Amedee des Georges
- Structural Biology Initiative, CUNY Advanced Science Research Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The City College of New York, New York, NY, USA
- PhD Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anne Moscona
- Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Host-Pathogen Interaction, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
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Qiu X, Xu S, Lu Y, Luo Z, Yan Y, Wang C, Ji J. Development of mRNA vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2022; 68:37-53. [PMID: 36280532 DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2022.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus that is the primary etiologic pathogen of bronchitis and pneumonia in infants and the elderly. Currently, no preventative vaccine has been approved for RSV infection. However, advances in the characterization, and structural resolution, of the RSV surface fusion glycoprotein have revolutionized RSV vaccine development by providing a new target for preventive interventions. In general, six different approaches have been adopted in the development of preventative RSV therapeutics, namely, particle-based vaccines, vector-based vaccines, live-attenuated or chimeric vaccines, subunit vaccines, mRNA vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Among these preventive interventions, MVA-BN-RSV, RSVpreF3, RSVpreF, Ad26. RSV.preF, nirsevimab, clesrovimab and mRNA-1345 is being tested in phase 3 clinical trials, and displays the most promising in infant or elderly populations. Accompanied by the huge success of mRNA vaccines in COVID-19, mRNA vaccines have been rapidly developed, with many having entered clinical studies, in which they have demonstrated encouraging results and acceptable safety profiles. In fact, Moderna has received FDA approval, granting fast-track designation for an investigational single-dose mRNA-1345 vaccine against RSV in adults over 60 years of age. Hence, mRNA vaccines may represent a new, more successful, chapter in the continued battle to develop effective preventative measures against RSV. This review discusses the structure, life cycle, and brief history of RSV, while also presenting the current advancements in RSV preventatives, with a focus on the latest progress in RSV mRNA vaccine development. Finally, future prospects for this field are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xirui Qiu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Siyan Xu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Lu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zichen Luo
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yangtian Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Chuyue Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianjian Ji
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatric Respiratory Disease, Institute of Pediatrics, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.
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10
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Li Q, Humphries F, Girardin RC, Wallace A, Ejemel M, Amcheslavsky A, McMahon CT, Schiller ZA, Ma Z, Cruz J, Dupuis AP, Payne AF, Maryam A, Yilmaz NK, McDonough KA, Pierce BG, Schiffer CA, Kruse AC, Klempner MS, Cavacini LA, Fitzgerald KA, Wang Y. Mucosal nanobody IgA as inhalable and affordable prophylactic and therapeutic treatment against SARS-CoV-2 and emerging variants. Front Immunol 2022; 13:995412. [PMID: 36172366 PMCID: PMC9512078 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.995412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anti-COVID antibody therapeutics have been developed but not widely used due to their high cost and escape of neutralization from the emerging variants. Here, we describe the development of VHH-IgA1.1, a nanobody IgA fusion molecule as an inhalable, affordable and less invasive prophylactic and therapeutic treatment against SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variants. VHH-IgA1.1 recognizes a conserved epitope of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and potently neutralizes major global SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) including the Omicron variant and its sub lineages BA.1.1, BA.2 and BA.2.12.1. VHH-IgA1.1 is also much more potent against Omicron variants as compared to an IgG Fc fusion construct, demonstrating the importance of IgA mediated mucosal protection for Omicron infection. Intranasal administration of VHH-IgA1.1 prior to or after challenge conferred significant protection from severe respiratory disease in K18-ACE2 transgenic mice infected with SARS-CoV-2 VOC. More importantly, for cost-effective production, VHH-IgA1.1 produced in Pichia pastoris had comparable potency to mammalian produced antibodies. Our study demonstrates that intranasal administration of affordably produced VHH-IgA fusion protein provides effective mucosal immunity against infection of SARS-CoV-2 including emerging variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Li
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Fiachra Humphries
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Roxie C. Girardin
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Aaron Wallace
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Monir Ejemel
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alla Amcheslavsky
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Conor T. McMahon
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zachary A. Schiller
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Zepei Ma
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - John Cruz
- Department of Pathology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Alan P. Dupuis
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Anne F. Payne
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY, United States
| | - Arooma Maryam
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Nese Kurt Yilmaz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | | | - Brian G. Pierce
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Celia A. Schiffer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biotechnology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Andrew C. Kruse
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Mark S. Klempner
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Cavacini
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang, ; Katherine A. Fitzgerald, ; Lisa A. Cavacini,
| | - Katherine A. Fitzgerald
- Division of Innate Immunity, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang, ; Katherine A. Fitzgerald, ; Lisa A. Cavacini,
| | - Yang Wang
- MassBiologics, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: Yang Wang, ; Katherine A. Fitzgerald, ; Lisa A. Cavacini,
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11
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Mokhtary P, Pourhashem Z, Mehrizi AA, Sala C, Rappuoli R. Recent Progress in the Discovery and Development of Monoclonal Antibodies against Viral Infections. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081861. [PMID: 36009408 PMCID: PMC9405509 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), the new revolutionary class of medications, are fast becoming tools against various diseases thanks to a unique structure and function that allow them to bind highly specific targets or receptors. These specialized proteins can be produced in large quantities via the hybridoma technique introduced in 1975 or by means of modern technologies. Additional methods have been developed to generate mAbs with new biological properties such as humanized, chimeric, or murine. The inclusion of mAbs in therapeutic regimens is a major medical advance and will hopefully lead to significant improvements in infectious disease management. Since the first therapeutic mAb, muromonab-CD3, was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1986, the list of approved mAbs and their clinical indications and applications have been proliferating. New technologies have been developed to modify the structure of mAbs, thereby increasing efficacy and improving delivery routes. Gene delivery technologies, such as non-viral synthetic plasmid DNA and messenger RNA vectors (DMabs or mRNA-encoded mAbs), built to express tailored mAb genes, might help overcome some of the challenges of mAb therapy, including production restrictions, cold-chain storage, transportation requirements, and expensive manufacturing and distribution processes. This paper reviews some of the recent developments in mAb discovery against viral infections and illustrates how mAbs can help to combat viral diseases and outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pardis Mokhtary
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Zeinab Pourhashem
- Student Research Committee, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran;
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran;
| | - Akram Abouei Mehrizi
- Malaria and Vector Research Group, Biotechnology Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran 1316943551, Iran;
| | - Claudia Sala
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (R.R.)
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery Laboratory, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (R.R.)
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Di Trani CA, Cirella A, Arrizabalaga L, Fernandez-Sendin M, Bella A, Aranda F, Melero I, Berraondo P. Overcoming the limitations of cytokines to improve cancer therapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 369:107-141. [PMID: 35777862 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2022.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Cytokines are pleiotropic soluble proteins used by immune cells to orchestrate a coordinated response against pathogens and malignancies. In cancer immunotherapy, cytokine-based drugs can be developed potentiating pro-inflammatory cytokines or blocking immunosuppressive cytokines. However, the complexity of the mechanisms of action of cytokines requires the use of biotechnological strategies to minimize systemic toxicity, while potentiating the antitumor response. Sequence mutagenesis, fusion proteins and gene therapy strategies are employed to enhance the half-life in circulation, target the desired bioactivity to the tumor microenvironment, and to optimize the therapeutic window of cytokines. In this review, we provide an overview of the different strategies currently being pursued in pre-clinical and clinical studies to make the most of cytokines for cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Augusta Di Trani
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Assunta Cirella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Leire Arrizabalaga
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Myriam Fernandez-Sendin
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Angela Bella
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Fernando Aranda
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Ignacio Melero
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain; Department of Oncology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Pedro Berraondo
- Program of Immunology and Immunotherapy, Cima Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain; Navarra Institute for Health Research (IDISNA), Pamplona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (CIBERONC), Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Huang K, Ying T, Wu Y. Single-Domain Antibodies as Therapeutics for Respiratory RNA Virus Infections. Viruses 2022; 14:v14061162. [PMID: 35746634 PMCID: PMC9230756 DOI: 10.3390/v14061162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the years, infectious diseases with high morbidity and mortality disrupted human healthcare systems and devastated economies globally. Respiratory viruses, especially emerging or re-emerging RNA viruses, including influenza and human coronavirus, are the main pathogens of acute respiratory diseases that cause epidemics or even global pandemics. Importantly, due to the rapid mutation of viruses, there are few effective drugs and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of these RNA virus infections. Of note, a class of antibodies derived from camelid and shark, named nanobody or single-domain antibody (sdAb), was characterized by smaller size, lower production costs, more accessible binding epitopes, and inhalable properties, which have advantages in the treatment of respiratory diseases compared to conventional antibodies. Currently, a number of sdAbs have been developed against various respiratory RNA viruses and demonstrated potent therapeutic efficacy in mouse models. Here, we review the current status of the development of antiviral sdAb and discuss their potential as therapeutics for respiratory RNA viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keke Huang
- MOE/NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
| | - Tianlei Ying
- MOE/NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Synthetic Immunology, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (T.Y.); (Y.W.)
| | - Yanling Wu
- MOE/NHC Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China;
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Synthetic Immunology, Shanghai 200032, China
- Correspondence: (T.Y.); (Y.W.)
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14
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Camelid Single-Domain Antibodies: Promises and Challenges as Lifesaving Treatments. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095009. [PMID: 35563400 PMCID: PMC9100996 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the discovery of camelid heavy-chain antibodies in 1993, there has been tremendous excitement for these antibody domains (VHHs/sdAbs/nanobodies) as research tools, diagnostics, and therapeutics. Commercially, several patents were granted to pioneering research groups in Belgium and the Netherlands between 1996–2001. Ablynx was established in 2001 with the aim of exploring the therapeutic applications and development of nanobody drugs. Extensive efforts over two decades at Ablynx led to the first approved nanobody drug, caplacizumab (Cablivi) by the EMA and FDA (2018–2019) for the treatment of rare blood clotting disorders in adults with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TPP). The relatively long development time between camelid sdAb discovery and their entry into the market reflects the novelty of the approach, together with intellectual property restrictions and freedom-to-operate issues. The approval of the first sdAb drug, together with the expiration of key patents, may open a new horizon for the emergence of camelid sdAbs as mainstream biotherapeutics in the years to come. It remains to be seen if nanobody-based drugs will be cheaper than traditional antibodies. In this review, I provide critical perspectives on camelid sdAbs and present the promises and challenges to their widespread adoption as diagnostic and therapeutic agents.
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15
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Gilodi M, Lisi S, F. Dudás E, Fantini M, Puglisi R, Louka A, Marcatili P, Cattaneo A, Pastore A. Selection and Modelling of a New Single-Domain Intrabody Against TDP-43. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 8:773234. [PMID: 35237655 PMCID: PMC8884700 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.773234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated to deteriorating motor and cognitive functions, and short survival. The disease is caused by neuronal death which results in progressive muscle wasting and weakness, ultimately leading to lethal respiratory failure. The misbehaviour of a specific protein, TDP-43, which aggregates and becomes toxic in ALS patient’s neurons, is supposed to be one of the causes. TDP-43 is a DNA/RNA-binding protein involved in several functions related to nucleic acid metabolism. Sequestration of TDP-43 aggregates is a possible therapeutic strategy that could alleviate or block pathology. Here, we describe the selection and characterization of a new intracellular antibody (intrabody) against TDP-43 from a llama nanobody library. The structure of the selected intrabody was predicted in silico and the model was used to suggest mutations that enabled to improve its expression yield, facilitating its experimental validation. We showed how coupling experimental methodologies with in silico design may allow us to obtain an antibody able to recognize the RNA binding regions of TDP-43. Our findings illustrate a strategy for the mitigation of TDP-43 proteinopathy in ALS and provide a potential new tool for diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Gilodi
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, The Wohl Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Simonetta Lisi
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa, Italy
| | - Erika F. Dudás
- Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, The Wohl Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marco Fantini
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rita Puglisi
- Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, The Wohl Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alexandra Louka
- Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, The Wohl Institute, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paolo Marcatili
- Department of Bioinformatics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Piazza dei Cavalieri, Pisa, Italy
- *Correspondence: Annalisa Pastore, ; Antonino Cattaneo,
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- Dementia Research Institute at King’s College London, The Wohl Institute, London, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Annalisa Pastore, ; Antonino Cattaneo,
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Pre-existing antibodies directed against a tetramerizing domain enhance the immune response against artificially stabilized soluble tetrameric influenza neuraminidase. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:11. [PMID: 35087067 PMCID: PMC8795415 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00435-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuraminidase (NA) is an abundant antigen at the surface of influenza virions. Recent studies have highlighted the immune-protective potential of NA against influenza and defined anti-NA antibodies as an independent correlate of protection. Even though NA head domain changes at a slightly slower pace than hemagglutinin (HA), NA is still subject to antigenic drift, and therefore an NA-based influenza vaccine antigen may have to be updated regularly and thus repeatedly administered. NA is a tetrameric type II membrane protein, which readily dissociates into dimers and monomers when expressed in a soluble form. By using a tetramerizing zipper, such as the tetrabrachion (TB) from Staphylothermus marinus, it is possible to stabilize soluble NA in its active tetrameric conformation, an imperative for the optimal induction of protective NA inhibitory antibodies. The impact of repetitive immunizations with TB-stabilized antigens on the immunogenicity of soluble TB-stabilized NA is unknown. We demonstrate that TB is immunogenic in mice. Interestingly, preexisting anti-TB antibodies enhance the anti-NA antibody response induced by immunization with TB-stabilized NA. This immune-enhancing effect was transferable by serum and operated independently of activating Fcγ receptors. We also demonstrate that priming with TB-stabilized NA antigens, enhances the NA inhibitory antibody responses against a heterosubtypic TB-stabilized NA. These findings have implications for the clinical development of oligomeric vaccine antigens that are stabilized by a heterologous oligomerizing domain.
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Shang Z, Tan S, Ma D. Respiratory syncytial virus: from pathogenesis to potential therapeutic strategies. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:4073-4091. [PMID: 34671221 PMCID: PMC8495404 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.64762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the most important viral pathogens causing respiratory tract infection in infants, the elderly and people with poor immune function, which causes a huge disease burden worldwide every year. It has been more than 60 years since RSV was discovered, and the palivizumab monoclonal antibody, the only approved specific treatment, is limited to use for passive immunoprophylaxis in high-risk infants; no other intervention has been approved to date. However, in the past decade, substantial progress has been made in characterizing the structure and function of RSV components, their interactions with host surface molecules, and the host innate and adaptive immune response to infection. In addition, basic and important findings have also piqued widespread interest among researchers and pharmaceutical companies searching for effective interventions for RSV infection. A large number of promising monoclonal antibodies and inhibitors have been screened, and new vaccine candidates have been designed for clinical evaluation. In this review, we first briefly introduce the structural composition, host cell surface receptors and life cycle of RSV virions. Then, we discuss the latest findings related to the pathogenesis of RSV. We also focus on the latest clinical progress in the prevention and treatment of RSV infection through the development of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines and small-molecule inhibitors. Finally, we look forward to the prospects and challenges of future RSV research and clinical intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifang Shang
- Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 518026 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101Beijing, China
| | - Shuguang Tan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100101Beijing, China
| | - Dongli Ma
- Institute of Pediatrics, Shenzhen Children's Hospital, 518026 Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
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18
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Sanz L, Álvarez-Vallina L. Engineered mRNA and the Rise of Next-Generation Antibodies. Antibodies (Basel) 2021; 10:antib10040037. [PMID: 34698057 PMCID: PMC8544192 DOI: 10.3390/antib10040037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are widely used as therapeutic agents in medicine. However, clinical-grade proteins require sophisticated technologies and are extremely expensive to produce, resulting in long lead times and high costs. The use of gene transfer methods for in vivo secretion of therapeutic antibodies could circumvent problems related to large-scale production and purification and offer additional benefits by achieving sustained concentrations of therapeutic antibodies, which is particularly relevant to short-lived antibody fragments and next-generation, Fc-free, multispecific antibodies. In recent years, the use of engineered mRNA-based gene delivery has significantly increased in different therapeutic areas because of the advantages it possesses over traditional gene delivery platforms. The application of synthetic mRNA will allow for the avoidance of manufacturing problems associated with recombinant proteins and could be instrumental in consolidating regulatory approvals for next-generation therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Sanz
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (L.Á.-V.)
| | - Luis Álvarez-Vallina
- Cancer Immunotherapy Unit (UNICA), Department of Immunology, Hospital Universitario12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Immuno-Oncology and Immunotherapy Group, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria 12 de Octubre (imas12), 28041 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (L.S.); (L.Á.-V.)
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19
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Silva-Pilipich N, Smerdou C, Vanrell L. A Small Virus to Deliver Small Antibodies: New Targeted Therapies Based on AAV Delivery of Nanobodies. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9091956. [PMID: 34576851 PMCID: PMC8465657 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9091956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanobodies are camelid-derived single-domain antibodies that present some advantages versus conventional antibodies, such as a smaller size, and higher tissue penetrability, stability, and hydrophilicity. Although nanobodies can be delivered as proteins, in vivo expression from adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors represents an attractive strategy. This is due to the fact that AAV vectors, that can provide long-term expression of recombinant genes, have shown an excellent safety profile, and can accommodate genes for one or several nanobodies. In fact, several studies showed that AAV vectors can provide sustained nanobody expression both locally or systemically in preclinical models of human diseases. Some of the pathologies addressed with this technology include cancer, neurological, cardiovascular, infectious, and genetic diseases. Depending on the indication, AAV-delivered nanobodies can be expressed extracellularly or inside cells. Intracellular nanobodies or “intrabodies” carry out their function by interacting with cell proteins involved in disease and have also been designed to help elucidate cellular mechanisms by interfering with normal cell processes. Finally, nanobodies can also be used to retarget AAV vectors, when tethered to viral capsid proteins. This review covers applications in which AAV vectors have been used to deliver nanobodies, with a focus on their therapeutic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noelia Silva-Pilipich
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
| | - Cristian Smerdou
- Division of Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression, Cima Universidad de Navarra and Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Navarra (IdISNA), 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (L.V.); Tel.: +34-948194700 (C.S.); +508-29021505 (L.V.); Fax: +34-948194717 (C.S.)
| | - Lucía Vanrell
- Biotechnology Laboratory, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad ORT Uruguay, Mercedes 1237, Montevideo 11100, Uruguay
- Nanogrow Biotech, CIE BIO Incubator, Mercedes 1237, Montevideo 11100, Uruguay
- Correspondence: (C.S.); (L.V.); Tel.: +34-948194700 (C.S.); +508-29021505 (L.V.); Fax: +34-948194717 (C.S.)
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Potent Human Single-Domain Antibodies Specific for a Novel Prefusion Epitope of Respiratory Syncytial Virus F Glycoprotein. J Virol 2021; 95:e0048521. [PMID: 34160257 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00485-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) poses great health threats to humans. However, there are no licensed vaccines or therapeutic drugs to date. Only one humanized monoclonal antibody, palivizumab, is available on the market, but it is used prophylactically and is limited to infants with high risk. With advances in antibody engineering, it has been found that a single-domain antibody (sdAb) can be therapeutically administered by inhalation, which would be more efficient for respiratory diseases. Here, we identified two human sdAbs, m17 and m35, by phage display technology. They specifically bind to RSV fusion glycoprotein (F protein) in the prefusion state with subnanomolar affinity and potently neutralize both RSV subtypes A and B with 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from pM to nM. Interestingly, these sdAbs recognize a novel epitope, termed VI, that is unique to the prefusion state. This epitope is located at the C terminus of the F1 subunit, close to the viral membrane, and might be sterically restricted. We further find that m17 and m35 neutralize RSV by preventing the prefusion F conformational arrangement, thus inhibiting membrane fusion. These two sdAbs have the potential to be further developed as therapeutic candidates and may also provide novel insight for developing other antiviral reagents against RSV. IMPORTANCE Because respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause serious respiratory disease in immunodeficient groups, including infants and seniors, the development of vaccines and therapeutic drugs, such as neutralizing antibodies, is urgently needed. Compared to the conventional full-length antibody, a single-domain antibody (sdAb) has been demonstrated to be efficient for respiratory diseases when administered by inhalation, thereby potentially introducing a kind of novel therapeutic agent in the market. Here, we discovered two potent neutralizing human sdAbs against RSV that recognized a novel prefusion epitope, termed VI, and prevented conformational arrangement during the fusion process. Our work provides not only therapeutic candidates but also novel targets for new drug and vaccine development.
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21
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Harshbarger W, Abeyrathne PD, Tian S, Huang Y, Chandramouli S, Bottomley MJ, Malito E. Improved epitope resolution of the prefusion trimer-specific antibody AM14 bound to the RSV F glycoprotein. MAbs 2021; 13:1955812. [PMID: 34420474 PMCID: PMC8386734 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2021.1955812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections resulting in medical intervention and hospitalizations during infancy and early childhood, and vaccination against RSV remains a public health priority. The RSV F glycoprotein is a major target of neutralizing antibodies, and the prefusion stabilized form of F (DS-Cav1) is under investigation as a vaccine antigen. AM14 is a human monoclonal antibody with the exclusive capacity of binding an epitope on prefusion F (PreF), which spans two F protomers. The quality of recognizing a trimer-specific epitope makes AM14 valuable for probing PreF-based immunogen conformation and functionality during vaccine production. Currently, only a low-resolution (5.5 Å) X-ray structure is available of the PreF-AM14 complex, revealing few reliable details of the interface. Here, we perform complementary structural studies using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to provide improved resolution structures at 3.6 Å and 3.4 Å resolutions, respectively. Both X-ray and cryo-EM structures provide clear side-chain densities, which allow for accurate mapping of the AM14 epitope on DS-Cav1. The structures help rationalize the molecular basis for AM14 loss of binding to RSV F monoclonal antibody-resistant mutants and reveal flexibility for the side chain of a key antigenic residue on PreF. This work provides the basis for a comprehensive understanding of RSV F trimer specificity with implications in vaccine design and quality assessment of PreF-based immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sai Tian
- GSK, Vaccine Design and Cellular Immunology, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ying Huang
- GSK, Vaccine Design and Cellular Immunology, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Enrico Malito
- GSK, Vaccine Design and Cellular Immunology, Rockville, MD, USA
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22
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Schladetsch MA, Wiemer AJ. Generation of Single-Chain Variable Fragment (scFv) Libraries for Use in Phage Display. Curr Protoc 2021; 1:e182. [PMID: 34232564 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Phage display is a powerful platform for the discovery of novel biologics with high binding affinities to a specific target protein. Here, we describe methods to construct a phage display library containing diverse single-chain variable antibody fragments (scFvs). Specifically, updated methods for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and fusion of human antibody genes, their ligation into the pComb3X vector for transformation into 5αF'Iq competent bacterial cells, and their expression in M13KO7 helper phage are presented. Additionally, we describe how to amplify and quantify the phage library and to prepare it in various formats for short- and long-term storage. © 2021 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: First-round polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for isolation of antibody fragments Basic Protocol 2: Ethanol precipitation and pooling of fragment DNA Basic Protocol 3: Second-round polymerase chain reaction with splicing by overlap extension (SOE) for antibody fragment fusion Basic Protocol 4: Restriction digestion of individual scFv constructs and pComb3XSS vector Basic Protocol 5: Directional ligation of the scFv constructs and pComb3X backbone Basic Protocol 6: Transformation of pComb-scFv plasmids into 5αF'Iq competent cells Basic Protocol 7: Collection of bacteria containing the scFv library Basic Protocol 8: Preparation of bacterial glycerol stock Basic Protocol 9: Preparation of phage library glycerol stock Basic Protocol 10: Preparation of plasmid DNA stock Basic Protocol 11: Amplification of M13KO7 helper phage Basic Protocol 12: Phage titer by plate assay Alternate Protocol: One-plate phage plaque assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Schladetsch
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Andrew J Wiemer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut.,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
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23
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Jacque E, Chottin C, Laubreton D, Nogre M, Ferret C, de Marcos S, Baptista L, Drajac C, Mondon P, De Romeuf C, Rameix-Welti MA, Eléouët JF, Chtourou S, Riffault S, Perret G, Descamps D. Hyper-Enriched Anti-RSV Immunoglobulins Nasally Administered: A Promising Approach for Respiratory Syncytial Virus Prophylaxis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:683902. [PMID: 34163482 PMCID: PMC8215542 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.683902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a public health concern that causes acute lower respiratory tract infection. So far, no vaccine candidate under development has reached the market and the only licensed product to prevent RSV infection in at-risk infants and young children is a monoclonal antibody (Synagis®). Polyclonal human anti-RSV hyper-immune immunoglobulins (Igs) have also been used but were superseded by Synagis® owing to their low titer and large infused volume. Here we report a new drug class of immunoglobulins, derived from human non hyper-immune plasma that was generated by an innovative bioprocess, called Ig cracking, combining expertises in plasma-derived products and affinity chromatography. By using the RSV fusion protein (F protein) as ligand, the Ig cracking process provided a purified and concentrated product, designated hyper-enriched anti-RSV IgG, composed of at least 15-20% target-specific-antibodies from normal plasma. These anti-RSV Ig displayed a strong in vitro neutralization effect on RSV replication. Moreover, we described a novel prophylactic strategy based on local nasal administration of this unique hyper-enriched anti-RSV IgG solution using a mouse model of infection with bioluminescent RSV. Our results demonstrated that very low doses of hyper-enriched anti-RSV IgG can be administered locally to ensure rapid and efficient inhibition of virus infection. Thus, the general hyper-enriched Ig concept appeared a promising approach and might provide solutions to prevent and treat other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Chottin
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Daphné Laubreton
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | - Cécile Ferret
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | | | - Carole Drajac
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | | | - Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti
- Université Paris-Saclay, UVSQ, Inserm, Infection et inflammation, U1173, Montigny-Le-Bretonneux, France.,AP-HP, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | | | | | - Sabine Riffault
- Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, UVSQ, VIM, Jouy-en-Josas, France
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24
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A vulnerable, membrane-proximal site in human respiratory syncytial virus F revealed by a prefusion-specific single-domain antibody. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.02279-20. [PMID: 33692208 PMCID: PMC8139709 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02279-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract disease, especially in young children and the elderly. The fusion protein (F) exists in a pre- and postfusion conformation and is the main target of RSV-neutralizing antibodies. Highly potent RSV-neutralizing antibodies typically bind sites that are unique to the prefusion conformation of F. In this study we screened a single-domain antibody (VHH) library derived from a llama immunized with prefusion-stabilized F and identified a prefusion F-specific VHH that can neutralize RSV A at subnanomolar concentrations. Structural analysis revealed that this VHH primarily binds to antigenic site I while also making contacts with residues in antigenic site III and IV. This new VHH reveals a previously underappreciated membrane-proximal region sensitive for neutralization.ImportanceRSV is an important respiratory pathogen. This study describes a prefusion F-specific VHH that primarily binds to antigenic site I of RSV F. This is the first time that a prefusion F-specific antibody that binds this site is reported. In general, antibodies that bind to site I are poorly neutralizing, whereas the VHH described here neutralizes RSV A at subnanomolar concentrations. Our findings contribute to insights into the RSV F antigenic map.
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25
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Tung Yep A, Takeuchi Y, Engelhardt OG, Hufton SE. Broad Reactivity Single Domain Antibodies against Influenza Virus and Their Applications to Vaccine Potency Testing and Immunotherapy. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11030407. [PMID: 33802072 PMCID: PMC8001348 DOI: 10.3390/biom11030407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The antigenic variability of influenza presents many challenges to the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics. However, it is apparent that there are epitopes on the virus that have evolved to remain largely constant due to their functional importance. These more conserved regions are often hidden and difficult to access by the human immune system but recent efforts have shown that these may be the Achilles heel of the virus through development and delivery of appropriate biological drugs. Amongst these, single domain antibodies (sdAbs) are equipped to target these vulnerabilities of the influenza virus due to their preference for concave epitopes on protein surfaces, their small size, flexible reformatting and high stability. Single domain antibodies are well placed to provide a new generation of robust analytical reagents and therapeutics to support the constant efforts to keep influenza in check.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Tung Yep
- Biotherapeutics Division, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK;
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Yasu Takeuchi
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
- Advanced Therapies Division, NIBSC, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK
| | | | - Simon E. Hufton
- Biotherapeutics Division, National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), Potters Bar, Hertfordshire EN6 3QG, UK;
- Correspondence:
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26
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Ahangarzadeh S, Payandeh Z, Arezumand R, Shahzamani K, Yarian F, Alibakhshi A. An update on antiviral antibody-based biopharmaceuticals. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 86:106760. [PMID: 32645633 PMCID: PMC7336121 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to the vastness of the science virology, it is no longer an offshoot solely of the microbiology. Viruses have become as the causative agents of major epidemics throughout history. Many therapeutic strategies have been used for these microorganisms, and in this way the recognizing of potential targets of viruses is of particular importance for success. For decades, antibodies and antibody fragments have occupied a significant body of the treatment approaches against infectious diseases. Because of their high affinity, they can be designed and engineered against a variety of purposes, mainly since antibody fragments such as scFv, nanobody, diabody, and bispecific antibody have emerged owing to their small size and interesting properties. In this review, we have discussed the antibody discovery and molecular and biological design of antibody fragments as inspiring therapeutic and diagnostic agents against viral targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahrzad Ahangarzadeh
- Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zahra Payandeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Roghaye Arezumand
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Molecular Science, North Khorasan University of Medical Science, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Kiana Shahzamani
- Isfahan Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center (IGHRC), Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Yarian
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Alibakhshi
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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27
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Sillen M, Weeks SD, Strelkov SV, Declerck PJ. Structural Insights into the Mechanism of a Nanobody That Stabilizes PAI-1 and Modulates Its Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165859. [PMID: 32824134 PMCID: PMC7461574 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is the main physiological inhibitor of tissue-type (tPA) and urokinase-type (uPA) plasminogen activators (PAs). Apart from being critically involved in fibrinolysis and wound healing, emerging evidence indicates that PAI-1 plays an important role in many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, tissue fibrosis, and cancer. Targeting PAI-1 is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy in PAI-1 related pathologies. Despite ongoing efforts no PAI-1 inhibitors were approved to date for therapeutic use in humans. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of PAI-1 inhibition is therefore necessary to guide the rational design of PAI-1 modulators. Here, we present a 1.9 Å crystal structure of PAI-1 in complex with an inhibitory nanobody VHH-s-a93 (Nb93). Structural analysis in combination with biochemical characterization reveals that Nb93 directly interferes with PAI-1/PA complex formation and stabilizes the active conformation of the PAI-1 molecule.
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Affiliation(s)
- Machteld Sillen
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
| | - Stephen D. Weeks
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.D.W); (S.V.S.)
| | - Sergei V. Strelkov
- Laboratory for Biocrystallography, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium; (S.D.W); (S.V.S.)
| | - Paul J. Declerck
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium;
- Correspondence:
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28
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Konwarh R. Nanobodies: Prospects of Expanding the Gamut of Neutralizing Antibodies Against the Novel Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1531. [PMID: 32655584 PMCID: PMC7324746 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rocktotpal Konwarh
- Department of Biotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.,Centre of Excellence-Nanotechnology, Addis Ababa Science and Technology University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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29
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Nanobody-Mediated Neutralization Reveals an Achilles Heel for Norovirus. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.00660-20. [PMID: 32321816 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00660-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human norovirus frequently causes outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis. Although discovered more than five decades ago, antiviral development has, until recently, been hampered by the lack of a reliable human norovirus cell culture system. Nevertheless, a lot of pathogenesis studies were accomplished using murine norovirus (MNV), which can be grown routinely in cell culture. In this study, we analyzed a sizeable library of nanobodies that were raised against the murine norovirus virion with the main purpose of developing nanobody-based inhibitors. We discovered two types of neutralizing nanobodies and analyzed the inhibition mechanisms using X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), and cell culture techniques. The first type bound on the top region of the protruding (P) domain. Interestingly, this nanobody binding region closely overlapped the MNV receptor-binding site and collectively shared numerous P domain-binding residues. In addition, we showed that these nanobodies competed with the soluble receptor, and this action blocked virion attachment to cultured cells. The second type bound at a dimeric interface on the lower side of the P dimer. We discovered that these nanobodies disrupted a structural change in the capsid associated with binding cofactors (i.e., metal cations/bile acid). Indeed, we found that capsids underwent major conformational changes following addition of Mg2+ or Ca2+ Ultimately, these nanobodies directly obstructed a structural modification reserved for a postreceptor attachment stage. Altogether, our new data show that nanobody-based inhibition could occur by blocking functional and structural capsid properties.IMPORTANCE This research discovered and analyzed two different types of MNV-neutralizing nanobodies. The top-binding nanobodies sterically inhibited the receptor-binding site, whereas the dimeric-binding nanobodies interfered with a structural modification associated with cofactor binding. Moreover, we found that the capsid contained a number of vulnerable regions that were essential for viral replication. In fact, the capsid appeared to be organized in a state of flux, which could be important for cofactor/receptor-binding functions. Blocking these capsid-binding events with nanobodies directly inhibited essential capsid functions. Moreover, a number of MNV-specific nanobody binding epitopes were comparable to human norovirus-specific nanobody inhibitors. Therefore, this additional structural and inhibition information could be further exploited in the development of human norovirus antivirals.
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30
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Tahir ul Qamar M, Shokat Z, Muneer I, Ashfaq UA, Javed H, Anwar F, Bari A, Zahid B, Saari N. Multiepitope-Based Subunit Vaccine Design and Evaluation against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Using Reverse Vaccinology Approach. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E288. [PMID: 32521680 PMCID: PMC7350008 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is primarily associated with respiratory disorders globally. Despite the availability of information, there is still no competitive vaccine available for RSV. Therefore, the present study has been designed to develop a multiepitope-based subunit vaccine (MEV) using a reverse vaccinology approach to curb RSV infections. Briefly, two highly antigenic and conserved proteins of RSV (glycoprotein and fusion protein) were selected and potential epitopes of different categories (B-cell and T-cell) were identified from them. Eminently antigenic and overlapping epitopes, which demonstrated strong associations with their respective human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and depicted collective ~70% coverage of the world's populace, were shortlisted. Finally, 282 amino acids long MEV construct was established by connecting 13 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I with two MHC class-II epitopes with appropriate adjuvant and linkers. Adjuvant and linkers were added to increase the immunogenic stimulation of the MEV. Developed MEV was stable, soluble, non-allergenic, non-toxic, flexible and highly antigenic. Furthermore, molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations analyses were carried out. Results have shown a firm and robust binding affinity of MEV with human pathogenic toll-like receptor three (TLR3). The computationally mediated immune response of MEV demonstrated increased interferon-γ production, a significant abundance of immunoglobulin and activation of macrophages which are essential for immune-response against RSV. Moreover, MEV codons were optimized and in silico cloning was performed, to ensure its increased expression. These outcomes proposed that the MEV developed in this study will be a significant candidate against RSV to control and prevent RSV-related disorders if further investigated experimentally.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zeeshan Shokat
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (Z.S.); (U.A.A.); (H.J.)
| | - Iqra Muneer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230052, China;
| | - Usman Ali Ashfaq
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (Z.S.); (U.A.A.); (H.J.)
| | - Hamna Javed
- Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College University, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan; (Z.S.); (U.A.A.); (H.J.)
| | - Farooq Anwar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha 40100, Pakistan;
| | - Amna Bari
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Agricultural Bioinformatics, College of Informatics, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Barira Zahid
- Key Laboratory of Horticultural Plant Biology (Ministry of Education), Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China;
| | - Nazamid Saari
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Selangor, Malaysia
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31
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Wrapp D, De Vlieger D, Corbett KS, Torres GM, Wang N, Van Breedam W, Roose K, van Schie L, Hoffmann M, Pöhlmann S, Graham BS, Callewaert N, Schepens B, Saelens X, McLellan JS. Structural Basis for Potent Neutralization of Betacoronaviruses by Single-Domain Camelid Antibodies. Cell 2020; 181:1004-1015.e15. [PMID: 32375025 PMCID: PMC7199733 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2020.04.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 374] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses make use of a large envelope protein called spike (S) to engage host cell receptors and catalyze membrane fusion. Because of the vital role that these S proteins play, they represent a vulnerable target for the development of therapeutics. Here, we describe the isolation of single-domain antibodies (VHHs) from a llama immunized with prefusion-stabilized coronavirus spikes. These VHHs neutralize MERS-CoV or SARS-CoV-1 S pseudotyped viruses, respectively. Crystal structures of these VHHs bound to their respective viral targets reveal two distinct epitopes, but both VHHs interfere with receptor binding. We also show cross-reactivity between the SARS-CoV-1 S-directed VHH and SARS-CoV-2 S and demonstrate that this cross-reactive VHH neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 S pseudotyped viruses as a bivalent human IgG Fc-fusion. These data provide a molecular basis for the neutralization of pathogenic betacoronaviruses by VHHs and suggest that these molecules may serve as useful therapeutics during coronavirus outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Wrapp
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Dorien De Vlieger
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kizzmekia S Corbett
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Gretel M Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Nianshuang Wang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Wander Van Breedam
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kenny Roose
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Loes van Schie
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Markus Hoffmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- Infection Biology Unit, German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany; Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University Göttingen, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Nico Callewaert
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert Schepens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium; Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA.
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32
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Liu H, Lu B, Tabor DE, Tovchigrechko A, Wilkins D, Jin H, Madhi SA, Soofie N, Esser MT, Nunes MC. Characterization of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) isolated from HIV-exposed-uninfected and HIV-unexposed infants in South Africa during 2015-2017. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2020; 14:403-411. [PMID: 32126161 PMCID: PMC7298309 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RSV is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants. Monitoring RSV glycoprotein sequences is critical for understanding RSV epidemiology and viral antigenicity in the effort to develop anti-RSV prophylactics and therapeutics. OBJECTIVES The objective is to characterize the circulating RSV strains collected from infants in South Africa during 2015-2017. METHODS A subset of 150 RSV-positive samples obtained in South Africa from HIV-unexposed and HIV-exposed-uninfected infants from 2015 to 2017, were selected for high-throughput next-generation sequencing of the RSV F and G glycoprotein genes. The RSV G and F sequences were analyzed by a bioinformatic pipeline and compared to the USA samples from the same three-year period. RESULTS Both RSV A and RSV B co-circulated in South Africa during 2015-2017, with a shift from RSV A (58%-61% in 2015-2016) to RSV B (69%) in 2017. RSV A ON1 and RSV B BA9 genotypes emerged as the most prevalent genotypes in 2017. Variations at the F protein antigenic sites were observed for both RSV A and B strains, with dominant changes (L172Q/S173L) at antigenic site V observed in RSV B strains. RSV A and B F protein sequences from South Africa were very similar to the USA isolates except for a higher rate of RSV A NA1 and RSV B BA10 genotypes in South Africa. CONCLUSION RSV G and F genes continue to evolve and exhibit both local and global circulation patterns in South Africa, supporting the need for continued national surveillance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Bin Lu
- AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Hong Jin
- AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Shabir A Madhi
- Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Medical Research Council: Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Nasiha Soofie
- Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Medical Research Council: Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Marta C Nunes
- Department of Science and Technology/National Research Foundation: Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Medical Research Council: Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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33
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De Vlieger D, Hoffmann K, Van Molle I, Nerinckx W, Van Hoecke L, Ballegeer M, Creytens S, Remaut H, Hengel H, Schepens B, Saelens X. Selective Engagement of FcγRIV by a M2e-Specific Single Domain Antibody Construct Protects Against Influenza A Virus Infection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2920. [PMID: 31921179 PMCID: PMC6921966 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Lower respiratory tract infections, such as infections caused by influenza A viruses, are a constant threat for public health. Antivirals are indispensable to control disease caused by epidemic as well as pandemic influenza A. We developed a novel anti-influenza A virus approach based on an engineered single-domain antibody (VHH) construct that can selectively recruit innate immune cells to the sites of virus replication. This protective construct comprises two VHHs. One VHH binds with nanomolar affinity to the conserved influenza A matrix protein 2 (M2) ectodomain (M2e). Co-crystal structure analysis revealed that the complementarity determining regions 2 and 3 of this VHH embrace M2e. The second selected VHH specifically binds to the mouse Fcγ Receptor IV (FcγRIV) and was genetically fused to the M2e-specific VHH, which resulted in a bi-specific VHH-based construct that could be efficiently expressed in Pichia pastoris. In the presence of M2 expressing or influenza A virus-infected target cells, this single domain antibody construct selectively activated the mouse FcγRIV. Moreover, intranasal delivery of this bispecific FcγRIV-engaging VHH construct protected wild type but not FcγRIV−/− mice against challenge with an H3N2 influenza virus. These results provide proof of concept that VHHs directed against a surface exposed viral antigen can be readily armed with effector functions that trigger protective antiviral activity beyond direct virus neutralization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorien De Vlieger
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katja Hoffmann
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Inge Van Molle
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wim Nerinckx
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lien Van Hoecke
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marlies Ballegeer
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sarah Creytens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Han Remaut
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hartmut Hengel
- Institute of Virology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Bert Schepens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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34
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Hoey RJ, Eom H, Horn JR. Structure and development of single domain antibodies as modules for therapeutics and diagnostics. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019; 244:1568-1576. [PMID: 31594404 PMCID: PMC6920669 DOI: 10.1177/1535370219881129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery just over 25 years ago, the single variable domain from heavy-chain-only antibodies plays a role in an increasing number of antibody-based applications. Structural and biophysical studies have revealed that the small, ∼15 kDa, single variable domain found in camelids displays versatility in target recognition. Such insight has served as the foundation to develop and engineer VHH domains with enhanced properties capable of targeting a range of therapeutically relevant protein antigens or low-molecular weight haptens. Furthermore, the modular nature of VHH domains allows them to be introduced into constructs that are simply not possible with conventional antibodies. Here, we review the structural and biophysical properties of VHH domains, highlight recent VHH-based therapeutics and diagnostics, and provide insight into VHH engineering that may pave the way to next-generation single domain antibody applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Hoey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115,
USA
| | - Hyeyoung Eom
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115,
USA
| | - James R Horn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry,
Northern
Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115,
USA
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35
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Huang J, Diaz D, Mousa JJ. Antibody Epitopes of Pneumovirus Fusion Proteins. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2778. [PMID: 31849961 PMCID: PMC6895023 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02778] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The pneumoviruses respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are two widespread human pathogens that can cause severe disease in the young, the elderly, and the immunocompromised. Despite the discovery of RSV over 60 years ago, and hMPV nearly 20 years ago, there are no approved vaccines for either virus. Antibody-mediated immunity is critical for protection from RSV and hMPV, and, until recently, knowledge of the antibody epitopes on the surface glycoproteins of RSV and hMPV was very limited. However, recent breakthroughs in the recombinant expression and stabilization of pneumovirus fusion proteins have facilitated in-depth characterization of antibody responses and structural epitopes, and have provided an enormous diversity of new monoclonal antibody candidates for therapeutic development. These new data have primarily focused on the RSV F protein, and have led to a wealth of new vaccine candidates in preclinical and clinical trials. In contrast, the major structural antibody epitopes remain unclear for the hMPV F protein. Overall, this review will cover recent advances in characterizing the antigenic sites on the RSV and hMPV F proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Darren Diaz
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States.,Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
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36
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Structural and thermodynamic basis for the recognition of the substrate-binding cleft on hen egg lysozyme by a single-domain antibody. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15481. [PMID: 31664051 PMCID: PMC6820745 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-50722-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Single-domain antibodies (VHHs or nanobodies), developed from heavy chain-only antibodies of camelids, are gaining attention as next-generation therapeutic agents. Despite their small size, the high affinity and specificity displayed by VHHs for antigen molecules rival those of IgGs. How such small antibodies achieve that level of performance? Structural studies have revealed that VHHs tend to recognize concave surfaces of their antigens with high shape-complementarity. However, the energetic contribution of individual residues located at the binding interface has not been addressed in detail, obscuring the actual mechanism by which VHHs target the concave surfaces of proteins. Herein, we show that a VHH specific for hen egg lysozyme, D3-L11, not only displayed the characteristic binding of VHHs to a concave region of the surface of the antigen, but also exhibited a distribution of energetic hot-spots like those of IgGs and conventional protein-protein complexes. The highly preorganized and energetically compact interface of D3-L11 recognizes the concave epitope with high shape complementarity by the classical lock-and-key mechanism. Our results shed light on the fundamental basis by which a particular VHH accommodate to the concave surface of an antigens with high affinity in a specific manner, enriching the mechanistic landscape of VHHs.
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37
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Respiratory syncytial virus prefusogenic fusion (F) protein nanoparticle vaccine: Structure, antigenic profile, immunogenicity, and protection. Vaccine 2019; 37:6112-6124. [PMID: 31416644 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory disease in the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised for which there is no vaccine. The surface exposed RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein is required for membrane fusion and infection and is a desirable vaccine candidate. RSV F glycoprotein structure is dynamic and undergoes significant rearrangements during virus assembly, fusion, and infection. We have previously described an RSV fusion-inactive prefusogenic F with a mutation of one of two furin cleavage sites resulting in the p27 region on the N-terminus of F1 with a truncated fusion peptide covalently linked to F2. A processing intermediate RSV prefusogenic F has been reported in infected cells, purified F, budded virus, and elicited a strong immune response against p27 in RSV infected young children. In this report, we demonstrate that prefusogenic F, when expressed on the cell surface of Sf9 insect and human 293T cells, binds monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target prefusion-specific antigenic sites Ø and VIII, and mAbs targeting epitopes common to pre- and postfusion F sites II and IV. Purified prefusogenic F bound prefusion F specific mAbs to antigenic sites Ø and VIII and mAbs targeting pre- and postfusion sites II, IV, and p27. Mice immunized with prefusogenic F antigen produced significantly higher levels of anti-F IgG and RSV neutralizing antibodies than prefusion or postfusion F antigens and induced antibodies competitive with mAbs to sites Ø, VIII, II, and IV. RSV prefusogenic F neutralization antibody responses were enhanced with aluminum phosphate adjuvant and significantly higher than prefusion F. Prefusogenic F vaccine protected cotton rats against upper and lower respiratory tract infection by RSV/A. For the first time, we present the structure, antigenic profile, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of RSV prefusogenic F nanoparticle vaccine.
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38
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Crank MC, Ruckwardt TJ, Chen M, Morabito KM, Phung E, Costner PJ, Holman LA, Hickman SP, Berkowitz NM, Gordon IJ, Yamshchikov GV, Gaudinski MR, Kumar A, Chang LA, Moin SM, Hill JP, DiPiazza AT, Schwartz RM, Kueltzo L, Cooper JW, Chen P, Stein JA, Carlton K, Gall JG, Nason MC, Kwong PD, Chen GL, Mascola JR, McLellan JS, Ledgerwood JE, Graham BS. A proof of concept for structure-based vaccine design targeting RSV in humans. Science 2019; 365:505-509. [DOI: 10.1126/science.aav9033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 141] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Technologies that define the atomic-level structure of neutralization-sensitive epitopes on viral surface proteins are transforming vaccinology and guiding new vaccine development approaches. Previously, iterative rounds of protein engineering were performed to preserve the prefusion conformation of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) glycoprotein, resulting in a stabilized subunit vaccine candidate (DS-Cav1), which showed promising results in mice and macaques. Here, phase I human immunogenicity data reveal a more than 10-fold boost in neutralizing activity in serum from antibodies targeting prefusion-specific surfaces of RSV F. These findings represent a clinical proof of concept for structure-based vaccine design, suggest that development of a successful RSV vaccine will be feasible, and portend an era of precision vaccinology.
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39
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Jones HG, Battles MB, Lin CC, Bianchi S, Corti D, McLellan JS. Alternative conformations of a major antigenic site on RSV F. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1007944. [PMID: 31306469 PMCID: PMC6658013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1007944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) glycoprotein is a major target of neutralizing antibodies arising from natural infection, and antibodies that specifically bind to the prefusion conformation of RSV F generally demonstrate the greatest neutralization potency. Prefusion-stabilized RSV F variants have been engineered as vaccine antigens, but crystal structures of these variants have revealed conformational differences in a key antigenic site located at the apex of the trimer, referred to as antigenic site Ø. Currently, it is unclear if flexibility in this region is an inherent property of prefusion RSV F or if it is related to inadequate stabilization of site Ø in the engineered variants. Therefore, we set out to investigate the conformational flexibility of antigenic site Ø, as well as the ability of the human immune system to recognize alternative conformations of this site, by determining crystal structures of prefusion RSV F bound to neutralizing human-derived antibodies AM22 and RSD5. Both antibodies bound with high affinity and were specific for the prefusion conformation of RSV F. Crystal structures of the complexes revealed that the antibodies recognized distinct conformations of antigenic site Ø, each diverging at a conserved proline residue located in the middle of an α-helix. These data suggest that antigenic site Ø exists as an ensemble of conformations, with individual antibodies recognizing discrete states. Collectively, these results have implications for the refolding of pneumovirus and paramyxovirus fusion proteins and should inform development of prefusion-stabilized RSV F vaccine candidates.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antigen-Antibody Complex/chemistry
- Antigen-Antibody Complex/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/chemistry
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Binding Sites/genetics
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- Humans
- Models, Molecular
- Proline/chemistry
- Protein Conformation
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/chemistry
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/genetics
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/immunology
- Viral Fusion Proteins/chemistry
- Viral Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Viral Fusion Proteins/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrison G. Jones
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Michael B. Battles
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Chun-Chi Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America
| | - Siro Bianchi
- Humabs BioMed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Davide Corti
- Humabs BioMed SA, a subsidiary of Vir Biotechnology, Bellinzona, Switzerland
| | - Jason S. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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40
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A Contemporary View of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) Biology and Strain-Specific Differences. Pathogens 2019; 8:pathogens8020067. [PMID: 31117229 PMCID: PMC6631838 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens8020067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a human respiratory pathogen which remains a leading viral cause of hospitalizations and mortality among infants in their first year of life. Here, we review the biology of RSV, the primary laboratory isolates or strains which have been used to best characterize the virus since its discovery in 1956, and discuss the implications for genetic and functional variations between the established laboratory strains and the recently identified clinical isolates.
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41
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Bin Lu, Liu H, Tabor DE, Tovchigrechko A, Qi Y, Ruzin A, Esser MT, Jin H. Emergence of new antigenic epitopes in the glycoproteins of human respiratory syncytial virus collected from a US surveillance study, 2015-17. Sci Rep 2019; 9:3898. [PMID: 30846850 PMCID: PMC6405860 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-40387-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and elderly. To understand the evolution of neutralizing epitopes on the RSV glycoprotein (G) and fusion (F) proteins, we conducted a multi-year surveillance program (OUTSMART-RSV) in the US. Analysis of 1,146 RSV samples from 2015-2017 revealed a slight shift in prevalence from RSV A (58.7%) to B (53.7%) between the two seasons. RSV B was more prevalent in elderly (52.9% and 73.4%). Approximately 1% of the samples contained both RSV A and B viruses. All RSV A isolates were ON1 and almost all the B isolates were BA9 genotypes. Compared with the 2013 reference sequences, changes at the F antigenic sites of RSV B were greater than RSV A, which mainly occurred at antigenic sites V (L172Q/S173L at 99.6%), Ø (I206M/Q209K at 18.6%) and IV (E463D at 7%) of RSV B F. Sequence diversities in the G protein second hypervariable region were observed in the duplicated regions for RSV A and B, and at the G stop codon resulting in extension of 7 amino acids (22.1%) for RSV B in 2016-17. Thus, RSV surface glycoproteins are continuously evolving, and continued surveillance is important for the clinical evaluation of immunoprophylactic products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- MedImmune/AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Hui Liu
- MedImmune/AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Yanping Qi
- MedImmune/AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Hong Jin
- MedImmune/AstraZeneca, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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42
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Single-Domain Antibodies and Their Formatting to Combat Viral Infections. Antibodies (Basel) 2018; 8:antib8010001. [PMID: 31544807 PMCID: PMC6640686 DOI: 10.3390/antib8010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Since their discovery in the 1990s, single-domain antibodies (VHHs), also known as Nanobodies®, have changed the landscape of affinity reagents. The outstanding solubility, stability, and specificity of VHHs, as well as their small size, ease of production and formatting flexibility favor VHHs over conventional antibody formats for many applications. The exceptional ease by which it is possible to fuse VHHs with different molecular modules has been particularly explored in the context of viral infections. In this review, we focus on VHH formats that have been developed to combat viruses including influenza viruses, human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), and human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Such formats may significantly increase the affinity, half-life, breadth of protection of an antiviral VHH and reduce the risk of viral escape. In addition, VHHs can be equipped with effector functions, for example to guide components of the immune system with high precision to sites of viral infection.
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43
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Noor A, Krilov LR. Respiratory syncytial virus vaccine: where are we now and what comes next? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 18:1247-1256. [PMID: 30426788 DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2018.1544239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and elderly and to date, there is no safe or effective vaccine against RSV. AREAS COVERED This review provides a roadmap to RSV vaccine development. It is a journey spanning over more than half a century from the initial disappointment with inactivated formalin vaccine to the current advancements in vaccine technology. We highlight the important aspects of RSV structural biology and protective immune response. We include discussion of newer fusion glycoprotein immune targets and current vaccine candidates. We used Pub Med and Medline resources for literature search. EXPERT OPINION A resurgence of information on the burden related to RSV infection coupled with the newer understanding of the molecular mechanism of RSV infection has reignited a tremendous activity in RSV vaccine discovery. The vaccine pipeline is diverse and target populations are varied, thus making the goal of a safe and effective RSV vaccine in the future within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asif Noor
- a Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center , NYU Winthrop Hospital , Mineola , NY , USA
| | - Leonard R Krilov
- a Department of Pediatrics, Children's Medical Center , NYU Winthrop Hospital , Mineola , NY , USA.,b Department of Pediatrics, Stony Brook School of Medicine , State University of New York , Stony Brook , NY , USA
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44
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Mas V, Nair H, Campbell H, Melero JA, Williams TC. Antigenic and sequence variability of the human respiratory syncytial virus F glycoprotein compared to related viruses in a comprehensive dataset. Vaccine 2018; 36:6660-6673. [PMID: 30292456 PMCID: PMC6203811 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.09.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive analysis of sequence variation was carried out comparing the fusion (F) protein of human respiratory syncytial viruses (hRSV) from antigenic groups A and B with the prototype sequence of the A2 strain, also belonging to antigenic group A. The limited number of full bovine RSV F sequences available were included, as well as an extensive set of F sequences from the related human metapneumovirus (hMPV). The results were analysed in the context of the recently determined three dimensional F protein structures, with antigenic sites mapped to these. Although a high degree of sequence conservation in hRSV F exists, and sequence changes did not correlate with location of antigenic sites, preferential accumulation of amino acid changes in certain antigenic sites was noted. When the analysis was extended to hMPV F, a high number of changes was noticed, in agreement with the limited degree of sequence conservation. However, some conserved regions were noted, which may account for the limited number of cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies described between hRSV F and hMPV F. These results provide information about the degree of sequence and antigenic variation currently found in the F protein of circulating viruses. They highlight the importance of establishing a baseline dataset to monitor for future changes that might evolve should preventative immunological measures be made widely available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Harish Nair
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Harry Campbell
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jose A Melero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas C Williams
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK.
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45
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Engineered mRNA-expressed antibodies prevent respiratory syncytial virus infection. Nat Commun 2018; 9:3999. [PMID: 30275522 PMCID: PMC6167369 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06508-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The lung is a critical prophylaxis target for clinically important infectious agents, including human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza. Here, we develop a modular, synthetic mRNA-based approach to express neutralizing antibodies directly in the lung via aerosol, to prevent RSV infections. First, we express palivizumab, which reduces RSV F copies by 90.8%. Second, we express engineered, membrane-anchored palivizumab, which prevents detectable infection in transfected cells, reducing in vitro titer and in vivo RSV F copies by 99.7% and 89.6%, respectively. Finally, we express an anchored or secreted high-affinity, anti-RSV F, camelid antibody (RSV aVHH and sVHH). We demonstrate that RSV aVHH, but not RSV sVHH, significantly inhibits RSV 7 days post transfection, and we show that RSV aVHH is present in the lung for at least 28 days. Overall, our data suggests that expressing membrane-anchored broadly neutralizing antibodies in the lungs could potentially be a promising pulmonary prophylaxis approach. Engineered neutralizing antibodies are potential therapeutics for numerous viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Here, the authors develop an mRNA-based approach to express membrane-anchored neutralizing antibodies in the lung and demonstrate that it inhibits RSV infections in mice.
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Abstract
Single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), the autonomous variable domains of heavy chain-only antibodies produced naturally by camelid ungulates and cartilaginous fishes, have evolved to bind antigen using only three complementarity-determining region (CDR) loops rather than the six present in conventional VH:VL antibodies. It has been suggested, based on limited evidence, that sdAbs may adopt paratope structures that predispose them to preferential recognition of recessed protein epitopes, but poor or non-recognition of protuberant epitopes and small molecules. Here, we comprehensively surveyed the evidence in support of this hypothesis. We found some support for a global structural difference in the paratope shapes of sdAbs compared with those of conventional antibodies: sdAb paratopes have smaller molecular surface areas and diameters, more commonly have non-canonical CDR1 and CDR2 structures, and have elongated CDR3 length distributions, but have similar amino acid compositions and are no more extended (interatomic distance measured from CDR base to tip) than conventional antibody paratopes. Comparison of X-ray crystal structures of sdAbs and conventional antibodies in complex with cognate antigens showed that sdAbs and conventional antibodies bury similar solvent-exposed surface areas on proteins and form similar types of non-covalent interactions, although these are more concentrated in the compact sdAb paratope. Thus, sdAbs likely have privileged access to distinct antigenic regions on proteins, but only owing to their small molecular size and not to general differences in molecular recognition mechanism. The evidence surrounding the purported inability of sdAbs to bind small molecules was less clear. The available data provide a structural framework for understanding the evolutionary emergence and function of autonomous heavy chain-only antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Henry
- a Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre , National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada
| | - C Roger MacKenzie
- a Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre , National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Ontario , Canada.,b School of Environmental Sciences , University of Guelph , Guelph , Ontario , Canada
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Linero F, Sepúlveda C, Christopoulou I, Hulpiau P, Scolaro L, Saelens X. Neutralization of Junín virus by single domain antibodies targeted against the nucleoprotein. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11451. [PMID: 30061671 PMCID: PMC6065417 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29508-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The syndrome viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) designates a broad range of diseases that are caused by different viruses including members of the family Arenaviridae. Prophylaxis for Argentine Haemorrhagic Fever (AHF), caused by the arenavirus Junín (JUNV), has been achieved by the use of a live attenuated vaccine, named Candid#1. The standard treatment of AHF is transfusion of convalescent human plasma. Our aim was to develop an alternative and safer treatment for AHF based on the use of virus-neutralizing single domain antibodies (VHHs). We describe the first reported VHHs directed against an arenavirus. These VHHs could neutralize Candid#1 by altering virion binding/fusion. Surprisingly, the neutralizing VHHs appeared to be specific for the viral nucleoprotein (N) that is not known to be involved in arenavirus entry. Candid#1 VHH-escape viruses had acquired a predicted N-glycosylation site in the surface glycoprotein GP1 that is present in highly pathogenic JUNV strains. Accordingly, the Candid#1-neutralizing VHHs could not neutralize pathogenic JUNV strains, but they could still bind to cells infected with a pathogenic strain or the escape mutant viruses. These results show that the attenuated strains of JUNV can be potently neutralized by nucleoprotein-specific VHHs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florencia Linero
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium
| | - Claudia Sepúlveda
- Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, C1428EGA, Caba, Argentina
| | - Ioanna Christopoulou
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium
| | - Paco Hulpiau
- Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium.,VIB Center for Inflammation Research, VIB, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium
| | - Luis Scolaro
- Laboratory of Virology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Buenos Aires, C1428EGA, Caba, Argentina
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium. .,Department of Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, B-9052, Belgium.
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Patil SU, Shreffler WG. Novel vaccines: Technology and development. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2018; 143:844-851. [PMID: 29970235 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2018.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 05/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The development and widespread use of vaccines, which are defined by the World Health Organization as "biological preparations that improve immunity to a particular disease," represents one of the most significant strides in medicine. Vaccination was first applied to reduce mortality and morbidity from infectious diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that vaccines prevent 2 to 3 million human deaths annually, and these numbers would increase by at least 6 million if all children received the recommended vaccination schedule. However, the origins of allergen immunotherapy share the same intellectual paradigm, and subsequent innovations in vaccine technology have been applied beyond the prevention of infection, including in the treatment of cancer and allergic diseases. This review will focus on how new and more rational approaches to vaccine development use novel biotechnology, target new mechanisms, and shape the immune system response, with an emphasis on discoveries that have direct translational relevance to the treatment of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarita U Patil
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Center for Inflammatory and Immunological Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
| | - Wayne G Shreffler
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Allergy and Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Mass; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology, Center for Inflammatory and Immunological Diseases, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass
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Abstract
Antibodies have been used for over a century prophylactically and, less often, therapeutically against viruses. 'Super-antibodies' — a new generation of highly potent and/or broadly cross-reactive human monoclonal antibodies — offer new opportunities for prophylaxis and therapy of viral infections. Super-antibodies are typically generated infrequently and/or in a limited number of individuals during natural infections. Isolation of these antibodies has primarily been achieved by large-scale screening for suitable donors and new single B cell approaches to human monoclonal antibody generation. Super-antibodies may offer the possibility of treating multiple viruses of a given family with a single reagent. They are also valuable templates for rational vaccine design. The great potency of super-antibodies has many advantages for practical development as therapeutic reagents. These advantages can be enhanced by a variety of antibody engineering technologies.
So-called super-antibodies are highly potent, broadly reactive antiviral antibodies that offer promise for the treatment of various chronic and emerging viruses. This Review describes how recent technological advances led to their isolation from rare, infected individuals and their development for the prevention and treatment of various viral infections. Antibodies have been used for more than 100 years in the therapy of infectious diseases, but a new generation of highly potent and/or broadly cross-reactive human monoclonal antibodies (sometimes referred to as 'super-antibodies') offers new opportunities for intervention. The isolation of these antibodies, most of which are rarely induced in human infections, has primarily been achieved by large-scale screening for suitable donors and new single B cell approaches to human monoclonal antibody generation. Engineering the antibodies to improve half-life and effector functions has further augmented their in vivo activity in some cases. Super-antibodies offer promise for the prophylaxis and therapy of infections with a range of viruses, including those that are highly antigenically variable and those that are newly emerging or that have pandemic potential. The next few years will be decisive in the realization of the promise of super-antibodies.
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Wu Y, Jiang S, Ying T. Single-Domain Antibodies As Therapeutics against Human Viral Diseases. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1802. [PMID: 29326699 PMCID: PMC5733491 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In full-size formats, monoclonal antibodies have been highly successful as therapeutics against cancer and immune diseases. However, their large size leads to inaccessibility of some epitopes and relatively high production costs. As an alternative, single-domain antibodies (sdAbs) offer special advantages compared to full-size antibodies, including smaller size, larger number of accessible epitopes, relatively low production costs and improved robustness. Currently, sdAbs are being developed against a number of viruses, including human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1), influenza viruses, hepatitis C virus (HCV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and enteric viruses. Although sdAbs are very potent inhibitors of viral infections, no sdAbs have been approved for clinical use against virial infection or any other diseases. In this review, we discuss the current state of research on sdAbs against viruses and their potential as therapeutics against human viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanling Wu
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shibo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianlei Ying
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology of Ministries of Education and Health, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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