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Hu X, Karthigeyan KP, Herbek S, Valencia SM, Jenks JA, Webster H, Miller IG, Connors M, Pollara J, Andy C, Gerber LM, Walter EB, Edwards KM, Bernstein DI, Hou J, Koch M, Panther L, Carfi A, Wu K, Permar SR. Human Cytomegalovirus mRNA-1647 Vaccine Candidate Elicits Potent and Broad Neutralization and Higher Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Responses Than the gB/MF59 Vaccine. J Infect Dis 2024:jiad593. [PMID: 38324766 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND MF59-adjuvanted gB subunit (gB/MF59) vaccine demonstrated approximately 50% efficacy against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) acquisition in multiple clinical trials, suggesting that efforts to improve this vaccine design might yield a vaccine suitable for licensure. METHODS A messenger RNA (mRNA)-based vaccine candidate encoding HCMV gB and pentameric complex (PC), mRNA-1647, is currently in late-stage efficacy trials. However, its immunogenicity has not been compared to the partially effective gB/MF59 vaccine. We assessed neutralizing and Fc-mediated immunoglobulin G (IgG) effector antibody responses induced by mRNA-1647 in both HCMV-seropositive and -seronegative vaccinees from a first-in-human clinical trial through 1 year following third vaccination using a systems serology approach. Furthermore, we compared peak anti-gB antibody responses in seronegative mRNA-1647 vaccinees to that of seronegative gB/MF59 vaccine recipients. RESULTS mRNA-1647 vaccination elicited and boosted HCMV-specific IgG responses in seronegative and seropositive vaccinees, respectively, including neutralizing and Fc-mediated effector antibody responses. gB-specific IgG responses were lower than PC-specific IgG responses. gB-specific IgG and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis responses were lower than those elicited by gB/MF59. However, mRNA-1647 elicited higher neutralization and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses. CONCLUSIONS Overall, mRNA-1647 vaccination induced polyfunctional and durable HCMV-specific antibody responses, with lower gB-specific IgG responses but higher neutralization and ADCC responses compared to the gB/MF59 vaccine. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION NCT03382405 (mRNA-1647) and NCT00133497 (gB/MF59).
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Affiliation(s)
- Xintao Hu
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | | | - Savannah Herbek
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Sarah M Valencia
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Jennifer A Jenks
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Helen Webster
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Itzayana G Miller
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Megan Connors
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Justin Pollara
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Caroline Andy
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Linda M Gerber
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Emmanuel B Walter
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Kathryn M Edwards
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
| | - David I Bernstein
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Jacob Hou
- Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | | | | | | | - Kai Wu
- Moderna, Inc, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Sallie R Permar
- Department of Pediatrics, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
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2
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Langley JM, Gantt S, Halperin SA, Ward B, McNeil S, Ye L, Cai Y, Smith B, Anderson DE, Mitoma FD. An enveloped virus-like particle alum-adjuvanted cytomegalovirus vaccine is safe and immunogenic: A first-in-humans Canadian Immunization Research Network (CIRN) study. Vaccine 2024; 42:713-722. [PMID: 38142214 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.019] [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: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of congenital infection and affected children often have permanent neurodevelopmental sequelae, including hearing loss and intellectual disability. Vaccines to prevent transmission of CMV during pregnancy are a public health priority. This first-in-humans dose-ranging, randomized, placebo-controlled, observer-blinded study evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of an enveloped virus-like particle (eVLP) vaccine expressing a modified form of the CMV glycoprotein B (gB). METHODS Healthy CMV-seronegative 18 to 40-year-olds at 3 Canadian study sites were randomized to one of 4 dose formulations (0.5 µg, 1 µg, or 2 µg gB content with alum) or 1 µg gB without alum, or placebo, given intramuscularly on days 0, 56 and 168. Outcome measures were solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AE), severe AE, gB and AD-2 epitope binding antibody titers and avidity, and neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers to CMV measured in fibroblast and epithelial cell infection assays. RESULTS Among 125 participants, the most common solicited local and general AEs were pain and headache, respectively. A dose-dependent increase in gB binding, avidity and nAb titers was observed after doses 2 and 3, with the highest titers in the alum-adjuvanted 2.0 µg dose recipients after the third dose; in the latter 24 % had responses to the broadly neutralizing AD-2 epitope. Neutralizing activity to CMV infection of fibroblasts was seen in 100 % of 2.0 µg alum-adjuvanted dose recipients, and to epithelial cell infection in 31 %. Epithelial cell nAb titers were positively correlated with higher geometric mean CMV gB binding titers. CONCLUSIONS An eVLP CMV vaccine was immunogenic in healthy CMV-seronegative adults and no safety signals were seen. Alum adjuvantation increased immunogenicity as did higher antigen content and a three dose schedule. This phase 1 trial supports further development of this eVLP CMV vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne M Langley
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, (Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Canada; Departments of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada; Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Soren Gantt
- CHU Sainte-Justine Research Centre and the Departments of Microbiology and Pediatrics, University of Montreal (formerly at the Vaccine Evaluation Center, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute and the University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC at the time of the study), Canada
| | - Scott A Halperin
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, (Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Canada; Departments of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada; Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Brian Ward
- McGill University Health Centre Vaccine Study Centre, Montreal, PQ, Canada
| | - Shelly McNeil
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, (Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Canada; Departments of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada; Community Health and Epidemiology, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada; Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Lingyun Ye
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, (Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Canada
| | - Yun Cai
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, (Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Canada
| | - Bruce Smith
- Canadian Center for Vaccinology, (Dalhousie University, IWK Health Centre and the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Canada
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3
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Zhang M, Wang X, Li J, Peng F, Liu Z, Chen ZS. Ligands and receptors in human cytomegalovirus entry: Current therapies and new directions. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:103833. [PMID: 37992888 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103833] [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: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The demand for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) vaccines was first raised by a committee convened during the 1990s. A comprehensive investigation into the mechanism of viral infection supports the prioritization of developing drugs or vaccines that specifically target receptors and ligands involved in the infection process. As primary targets for neutralizing antibodies to combat HCMV, viral ligands (trimer, pentamer, and glycoprotein B) have crucial roles and exhibit substantial antiviral potential, which could be exploited for breakthroughs in antiviral research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Zhang
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Xiaochen Wang
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Basic Medical College, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Jianshe Li
- School of Clinical Medicine, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China
| | - Fujun Peng
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.
| | - Zhijun Liu
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Basic Medical College, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, China.
| | - Zhe-Sheng Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, St John's University, Queens, NY 11439, USA.
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Zehner M, Alt M, Ashurov A, Goldsmith JA, Spies R, Weiler N, Lerma J, Gieselmann L, Stöhr D, Gruell H, Schultz EP, Kreer C, Schlachter L, Janicki H, Laib Sampaio K, Stegmann C, Nemetchek MD, Dähling S, Ullrich L, Dittmer U, Witzke O, Koch M, Ryckman BJ, Lotfi R, McLellan JS, Krawczyk A, Sinzger C, Klein F. Single-cell analysis of memory B cells from top neutralizers reveals multiple sites of vulnerability within HCMV Trimer and Pentamer. Immunity 2023; 56:2602-2620.e10. [PMID: 37967532 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.10.009] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) can cause severe diseases in fetuses, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals. Currently, no vaccines are approved, and treatment options are limited. Here, we analyzed the human B cell response of four HCMV top neutralizers from a cohort of 9,000 individuals. By single-cell analyses of memory B cells targeting the pentameric and trimeric HCMV surface complexes, we identified vulnerable sites on the shared gH/gL subunits as well as complex-specific subunits UL128/130/131A and gO. Using high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy, we revealed the structural basis of the neutralization mechanisms of antibodies targeting various binding sites. Moreover, we identified highly potent antibodies that neutralized a broad spectrum of HCMV strains, including primary clinical isolates, that outperform known antibodies used in clinical trials. Our study provides a deep understanding of the mechanisms of HCMV neutralization and identifies promising antibody candidates to prevent and treat HCMV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Zehner
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
| | - Mira Alt
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Artem Ashurov
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Jory A Goldsmith
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Rebecca Spies
- Institute for Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Nina Weiler
- Institute for Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Justin Lerma
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Lutz Gieselmann
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Dagmar Stöhr
- Institute for Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Henning Gruell
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Eric P Schultz
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Christoph Kreer
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Linda Schlachter
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Hanna Janicki
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Cora Stegmann
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Michelle D Nemetchek
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Sabrina Dähling
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Leon Ullrich
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Oliver Witzke
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Manuel Koch
- Institute for Dental Research and Oral Musculoskeletal Biology, Center for Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Brent J Ryckman
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA; Center for Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Ramin Lotfi
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Adalbert Krawczyk
- Department of Infectious Diseases, West German Centre of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Christian Sinzger
- Institute for Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- Laboratory of Experimental Immunology, Institute of Virology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; German Center for Infection Research, Partner Site Bonn-Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany; Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University Hospital of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
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Bottino P, Pastrone L, Curtoni A, Bondi A, Sidoti F, Zanotto E, Cavallo R, Solidoro P, Costa C. Antiviral Approach to Cytomegalovirus Infection: An Overview of Conventional and Novel Strategies. Microorganisms 2023; 11:2372. [PMID: 37894030 PMCID: PMC10608897 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11102372] [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: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a herpesvirus capable of establishing a lifelong persistence in the host through a chronic state of infection and remains an essential global concern due to its distinct life cycle, mutations, and latency. It represents a life-threatening pathogen for immunocompromised patients, such as solid organ transplanted patients, HIV-positive individuals, and hematopoietic stem cell recipients. Multiple antiviral approaches are currently available and administered in order to prevent or manage viral infections in the early stages. However, limitations due to side effects and the onset of antidrug resistance are a hurdle to their efficacy, especially for long-term therapies. Novel antiviral molecules, together with innovative approaches (e.g., genetic editing and RNA interference) are currently in study, with promising results performed in vitro and in vivo. Since HCMV is a virus able to establish latent infection, with a consequential risk of reactivation, infection management could benefit from preventive treatment for critical patients, such as immunocompromised individuals and seronegative pregnant women. This review will provide an overview of conventional antiviral clinical approaches and their mechanisms of action. Additionally, an overview of proposed and developing new molecules is provided, including nucleic-acid-based therapies and immune-mediated approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bottino
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Lisa Pastrone
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Antonio Curtoni
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Alessandro Bondi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Francesca Sidoti
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Elisa Zanotto
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Rossana Cavallo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
| | - Paolo Solidoro
- Pneumology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Cristina Costa
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, A.O.U. “Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino”, 10126 Turin, Italy; (L.P.); (A.C.); (A.B.); (F.S.); (E.Z.); (R.C.)
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Perrotta C, Fenizia C, Carnovale C, Pozzi M, Trabattoni D, Cervia D, Clementi E. Updated Considerations for the Immunopharmacological Aspects of the "Talented mRNA Vaccines". Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1481. [PMID: 37766157 PMCID: PMC10534931 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091481] [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: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines belong to a new class of medications, RNA therapeutics, including both coding and non-coding RNAs. The use of mRNA as a therapy is based on the biological role of mRNA itself, namely its translation into a functional protein. The goal of mRNA vaccines is to produce a specific antigen in cells to elicit an immune response that might be prophylactic or therapeutic. The potential of mRNA as vaccine has been envisaged for years but its efficacy has been clearly demonstrated with the approval of COVID-19 vaccines in 2021. Since then, mRNA vaccines have been in the pipeline for diseases that are still untreatable. There are many advantages of mRNA vaccines over traditional vaccines, including easy and cost-effective production, high safety, and high-level antigen expression. However, the nature of mRNA itself and some technical issues pose challenges associated with the vaccines' development and use. Here we review the immunological and pharmacological features of mRNA vaccines by discussing their pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action, and safety, with a particular attention on the advantages and challenges related to their administration. Furthermore, we present an overview of the areas of application and the clinical trials that utilize a mRNA vaccine as a treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristiana Perrotta
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Claudio Fenizia
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation (DEPT), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy;
| | - Carla Carnovale
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Marco Pozzi
- Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy;
| | - Daria Trabattoni
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
| | - Davide Cervia
- Department for Innovation in Biological, Agro-Food and Forest Systems (DIBAF), Università degli Studi della Tuscia, 01100 Viterbo, Italy;
| | - Emilio Clementi
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (DIBIC), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20157 Milano, Italy; (C.C.); (D.T.)
- Scientific Institute IRCCS Eugenio Medea, 23842 Bosisio Parini, Italy;
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7
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Gomes AC, Baraniak IA, McIntosh MR, Sodi I, Langstone T, Siddiqui S, Atkinson C, McLean GR, Griffiths PD, Reeves MB. A temperature-dependent virus-binding assay reveals the presence of neutralizing antibodies in human cytomegalovirus gB vaccine recipients' sera. J Gen Virol 2023; 104:001860. [PMID: 37310000 PMCID: PMC10661908 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001860] [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: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains an important cause of mortality in immune-compromised transplant patients and following congenital infection. Such is the burden, an effective vaccine strategy is considered to be of the highest priority. The most successful vaccines to date have focused on generating immune responses against glycoprotein B (gB) - a protein essential for HCMV fusion and entry. We have previously reported that an important component of the humoral immune response elicited by gB/MF59 vaccination of patients awaiting transplant is the induction of non-neutralizing antibodies that target cell-associated virus with little evidence of concomitant classical neutralizing antibodies. Here we report that a modified neutralization assay that promotes prolonged binding of HCMV to the cell surface reveals the presence of neutralizing antibodies in sera taken from gB-vaccinated patients that cannot be detected using standard assays. We go on to show that this is not a general feature of gB-neutralizing antibodies, suggesting that specific antibody responses induced by vaccination could be important. Although we can find no evidence that these neutralizing antibody responses are a correlate of protection in vivo in transplant recipients their identification demonstrates the utility of the approach in identifying these responses. We hypothesize that further characterization has the potential to aid the identification of functions within gB that are important during the entry process and could potentially improve future vaccine strategies directed against gB if they prove to be effective against HCMV at higher concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane C. Gomes
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
| | - Ilona A. Baraniak
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
| | - Megan R. McIntosh
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
| | - Isabella Sodi
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
| | - Toby Langstone
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
| | - Saima Siddiqui
- London Metropolitan University, School of Human Sciences, London, N7 8DB, UK
| | - Claire Atkinson
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
| | - Gary R. McLean
- London Metropolitan University, School of Human Sciences, London, N7 8DB, UK
- Imperial College London, National Heart and Lung Institute, London, W2 1PG, UK
| | - Paul D. Griffiths
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
| | - Matthew B. Reeves
- Institute of Immunity and Transplantation, Division of Infection and Immunity, UCL, Royal Free Campus, London, NW3 2PP, UK
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