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Pisuttinusart N, Rattanapisit K, Srisaowakarn C, Thitithanyanont A, Strasser R, Shanmugaraj B, Phoolcharoen W. Neutralizing activity of anti-respiratory syncytial virus monoclonal antibody produced in Nicotiana benthamiana. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2327142. [PMID: 38508690 PMCID: PMC10956629 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2327142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a highly contagious virus that affects the lungs and respiratory passages of many vulnerable people. It is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections and clinical complications, particularly among infants and elderly. It can develop into serious complications such as pneumonia and bronchiolitis. The development of RSV vaccine or immunoprophylaxis remains highly active and a global health priority. Currently, GSK's Arexvy™ vaccine is approved for the prevention of lower respiratory tract disease in older adults (>60 years). Palivizumab and currently nirsevimab are the approved monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) for RSV prevention in high-risk patients. Many studies are ongoing to develop additional therapeutic antibodies for preventing RSV infections among newborns and other susceptible groups. Recently, additional antibodies have been discovered and shown greater potential for development as therapeutic alternatives to palivizumab and nirsevimab. Plant expression platforms have proven successful in producing recombinant proteins, including antibodies, offering a potential cost-effective alternative to mammalian expression platforms. Hence in this study, an attempt was made to use a plant expression platform to produce two anti-RSV fusion (F) mAbs 5C4 and CR9501. The heavy-chain and light-chain sequences of both these antibodies were transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants using a geminiviral vector and then purified using single-step protein A affinity column chromatography. Both these plant-produced mAbs showed specific binding to the RSV fusion protein and demonstrate effective viral neutralization activity in vitro. These preliminary findings suggest that plant-produced anti-RSV mAbs are able to neutralize RSV in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuttapat Pisuttinusart
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Kaewta Rattanapisit
- Department of Research and Development, Baiya Phytopharm Co., Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chanya Srisaowakarn
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Balamurugan Shanmugaraj
- Department of Research and Development, Baiya Phytopharm Co., Ltd., Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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Hieronimus K, Donauer T, Klein J, Hinkel B, Spänle JV, Probst A, Niemeyer J, Kibrom S, Kiefer AM, Schneider L, Husemann B, Bischoff E, Möhring S, Bayer N, Klein D, Engels A, Ziehmer BG, Stieβ J, Moroka P, Schroda M, Deponte M. A Modular Cloning Toolkit for the production of recombinant proteins in Leishmania tarentolae. MICROBIAL CELL (GRAZ, AUSTRIA) 2024; 11:128-142. [PMID: 38799406 PMCID: PMC11121976 DOI: 10.15698/mic2024.04.821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Modular Cloning (MoClo) is based on libraries of standardized genetic parts that can be directionally assembled via Golden Gate cloning in one-pot reactions into transcription units and multigene constructs. Here, a team of bachelor students established a MoClo toolkit for the protist Leishmania tarentolae in the frame of the international Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition. Our modular toolkit is based on a domesticated version of a commercial LEXSY expression vector and comprises 34 genetic parts encoding various affinity tags, targeting signals as well as fluorescent and luminescent proteins. We demonstrated the utility of our kit by the successful production of 16 different tagged versions of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in L. tarentolae liquid cultures. While highest yields of secreted recombinant RBD were obtained for GST-tagged fusion proteins 48 h post induction, C-terminal peptide tags were often degraded and resulted in lower yields of secreted RBD. Fusing secreted RBD to a synthetic O-glycosylation SP20 module resulted in an apparent molecular mass shift around 10 kDa. No disadvantage regarding the production of RBD was detected when the three antibiotics of the LEXSY system were omitted during the 48-h induction phase. Furthermore, the successful purification of secreted RBD from the supernatant of L. tarentolae liquid cultures was demonstrated in pilot experiments. In summary, we established a MoClo toolkit and exemplified its application for the production of recombinant proteins in L. tarentolae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrin Hieronimus
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Tabea Donauer
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Jonas Klein
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Bastian Hinkel
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Julia Vanessa Spänle
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Anna Probst
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Justus Niemeyer
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Salina Kibrom
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Anna Maria Kiefer
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Luzia Schneider
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Britta Husemann
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Eileen Bischoff
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Sophie Möhring
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Nicolas Bayer
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Dorothée Klein
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Adrian Engels
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Benjamin Gustav Ziehmer
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Julian Stieβ
- Faculty of Computer Science, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663
Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Pavlo Moroka
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Michael Schroda
- Faculty of Biology, Molecular Biotechnology & Systems
Biology, RPTU Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Marcel Deponte
- Faculty of Chemistry, Comparative Biochemistry, RPTU
Kaiserslautern, D-67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
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Li W, Ding T, Chang H, Peng Y, Li J, Liang X, Ma H, Li F, Ren M, Wang W. Plant-derived strategies to fight against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Eur J Med Chem 2024; 264:116000. [PMID: 38056300 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.116000] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented crisis, which has been exacerbated because specific drugs and treatments have not yet been developed. In the post-pandemic era, humans and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) will remain in equilibrium for a long time. Therefore, we still need to be vigilant against mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants and other emerging human viruses. Plant-derived products are increasingly important in the fight against the pandemic, but a comprehensive review is lacking. This review describes plant-based strategies centered on key biological processes, such as SARS-CoV-2 transmission, entry, replication, and immune interference. We highlight the mechanisms and effects of these plant-derived products and their feasibility and limitations for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19. The development of emerging technologies is driving plants to become production platforms for various antiviral products, improving their medicinal potential. We believe that plant-based strategies will be an important part of the solutions for future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenkang Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Tianze Ding
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Huimin Chang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Yuanchang Peng
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Jun Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Xin Liang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Huixin Ma
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Fuguang Li
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China
| | - Maozhi Ren
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; Institute of Urban Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Chengdu, 610000, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Zhengzhou Research Base, National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, School of Agricultural Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China; National Key Laboratory of Cotton Bio-breeding and Integrated Utilization, Institute of Cotton Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Anyang 455000, China; National Nanfan Research Institute (Sanya), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Sanya, 572000, China; Hainan Yazhou Bay Seed Laboratory, Sanya, 572000, China.
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Santoni M, Gutierrez-Valdes N, Pivotto D, Zanichelli E, Rosa A, Sobrino-Mengual G, Balieu J, Lerouge P, Bardor M, Cecchetto R, Compri M, Mazzariol A, Ritala A, Avesani L. Performance of plant-produced RBDs as SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic reagents: a tale of two plant platforms. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 14:1325162. [PMID: 38239207 PMCID: PMC10794598 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1325162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tools. Serological tests, particularly those measuring antibodies targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the virus, play a pivotal role in tracking infection dynamics and vaccine effectiveness. In this study, we aimed to develop a simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring RBD-specific antibodies, comparing two plant-based platforms for diagnostic reagent production. We chose to retain RBD in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to prevent potential immunoreactivity issues associated with plant-specific glycans. We produced ER-retained RBD in two plant systems: a stable transformation of BY-2 plant cell culture (BY2-RBD) and a transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana using the MagnICON system (NB-RBD). Both systems demonstrated their suitability, with varying yields and production timelines. The plant-made proteins revealed unexpected differences in N-glycan profiles, with BY2-RBD displaying oligo-mannosidic N-glycans and NB-RBD exhibiting a more complex glycan profile. This difference may be attributed to higher recombinant protein synthesis in the N. benthamiana system, potentially overloading the ER retention signal, causing some proteins to traffic to the Golgi apparatus. When used as diagnostic reagents in ELISA, BY2-RBD outperformed NB-RBD in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and correlation with a commercial kit. This discrepancy may be due to the distinct glycan profiles, as complex glycans on NB-RBD may impact immunoreactivity. In conclusion, our study highlights the potential of plant-based systems for rapid diagnostic reagent production during emergencies. However, transient expression systems, while offering shorter timelines, introduce higher heterogeneity in recombinant protein forms, necessitating careful consideration in serological test development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Denise Pivotto
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elena Zanichelli
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Guillermo Sobrino-Mengual
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
- Applied Plant Biotechnology Group, Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science, University of Lleida-Agrotecnio CERCA Center, Lleida, Spain
| | - Juliette Balieu
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
| | - Patrice Lerouge
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
| | - Muriel Bardor
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
| | - Riccardo Cecchetto
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Monica Compri
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, UOC Microbiologia e Virologia, Verona, Italy
| | - Annarita Mazzariol
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anneli Ritala
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, Finland
| | - Linda Avesani
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
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Pfotenhauer AC, Reuter DN, Clark M, Harbison SA, Schimel TM, Stewart CN, Lenaghan SC. Development of new binary expression systems for plant synthetic biology. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2023; 43:22. [PMID: 38150091 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-023-03100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
KEY MESSAGE A novel plant binary expression system was developed from the compactin biosynthetic pathway 27 of Penicillium citrinum ML-236B. The system achieved >fivefold activation of gene expression in 28 transgenic tobacco. A diverse and well-characterized genetic toolset is fundamental to achieve the overall goals of plant synthetic biology. To properly coordinate expression of a multigene pathway, this toolset should include binary systems that control gene expression at the level of transcription. In plants, few highly functional, orthogonal transcriptional regulators have been identified. Here, we describe the process of developing synthetic plant transcription factors using regulatory elements from the Penicillium citrinum ML-236B (compactin) pathway. This pathway contains several genes including mlcA and mlcC that are transcriptionally regulated in a dose-dependent manner by the activator mlcR. In Nicotiana benthamiana, we first expressed mlcR with several cognate synthetic promoters driving expression of GFP. Synthetic promoters contained operator sequences from the compactin gene cluster. Following identification of the most active synthetic promoter, the DNA-binding domain from mlcR was used to generate chimeric transcription factors containing variable activation domains, including QF from the Neurospora crassa Q-system. Activity was measured at both protein and RNA levels which correlated with an R2 value of 0.94. A synthetic transcription factor with a QF activation domain increased gene expression from its synthetic promoter up to sixfold in N. benthamiana. Two systems were characterized in transgenic tobacco plants. The QF-based plants maintained high expression in tobacco, increasing expression from the cognate synthetic promoter by fivefold. Transgenic plants and non-transgenic plants were morphologically indistinguishable. The framework of this study can easily be adopted for other putative transcription factors to continue improvement of the plant synthetic biology toolbox.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander C Pfotenhauer
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - D Nikki Reuter
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Mikayla Clark
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Stacee A Harbison
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - Tayler M Schimel
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
| | - C Neal Stewart
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA
- Department of Plant Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA
| | - Scott C Lenaghan
- Center for Agricultural Synthetic Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996, USA.
- Department of Food Science, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA.
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Parthiban S, Vijeesh T, Gayathri T, Shanmugaraj B, Sharma A, Sathishkumar R. Artificial intelligence-driven systems engineering for next-generation plant-derived biopharmaceuticals. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1252166. [PMID: 38034587 PMCID: PMC10684705 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1252166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant biopharmaceuticals including antigens, antibodies, hormones, cytokines, single-chain variable fragments, and peptides have been used as vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics. Plant molecular pharming is a robust platform that uses plants as an expression system to produce simple and complex recombinant biopharmaceuticals on a large scale. Plant system has several advantages over other host systems such as humanized expression, glycosylation, scalability, reduced risk of human or animal pathogenic contaminants, rapid and cost-effective production. Despite many advantages, the expression of recombinant proteins in plant system is hindered by some factors such as non-human post-translational modifications, protein misfolding, conformation changes and instability. Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a vital role in various fields of biotechnology and in the aspect of plant molecular pharming, a significant increase in yield and stability can be achieved with the intervention of AI-based multi-approach to overcome the hindrance factors. Current limitations of plant-based recombinant biopharmaceutical production can be circumvented with the aid of synthetic biology tools and AI algorithms in plant-based glycan engineering for protein folding, stability, viability, catalytic activity and organelle targeting. The AI models, including but not limited to, neural network, support vector machines, linear regression, Gaussian process and regressor ensemble, work by predicting the training and experimental data sets to design and validate the protein structures thereby optimizing properties such as thermostability, catalytic activity, antibody affinity, and protein folding. This review focuses on, integrating systems engineering approaches and AI-based machine learning and deep learning algorithms in protein engineering and host engineering to augment protein production in plant systems to meet the ever-expanding therapeutics market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subramanian Parthiban
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Thandarvalli Vijeesh
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Thashanamoorthi Gayathri
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Balamurugan Shanmugaraj
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
| | - Ashutosh Sharma
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Centre of Bioengineering, Queretaro, Mexico
| | - Ramalingam Sathishkumar
- Plant Genetic Engineering Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, India
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Sarkar A, Santra D, Sundar Panja A, Maiti S. Immunoinformatics and MD-simulation data suggest that Omicron spike epitopes are more interacting to IgG via better MHC recognition than Delta variant. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 123:110636. [PMID: 37499394 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.110636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, in Nov 2021, in South Africa, the SARS CoV-2 variant Omicron was found to be highly infectious and transmissible but with the least fatality. It occupies the nasopharynx-oropharynx and easily spreads. The epidemiological data/reports suggest that several vaccines failed to neutralize Omicron. It has a large number of spike mutations and the RNA/protein vaccines were developed from its predecessors that may justify its escape in most neutralization reactions. Its lower immuno-suppression/cytokine-storming/inflammatory-response effects need exploration. OBJECTIVES In the current study, we attempted to delineate the comparative interaction of different variants' spikes with multiple recognition sites on IgG and HLA-typing of MHC class and I and II. METHODS All SARS-CoV-2 spike-proteins/human-IgG/MHC-I & II were obtained from the NCBI/ PDB/GISAID database. Initial 3D-structures of the unavailable proteins were constructed by Homology-Modeling (Swissmodel-Expasy) and optimized (PROCHECK). Molecular-docking of spike-IgG/spike- I & MHC-II was performed (HADDOCK2.4/HawkDock) with active-residue screening (CPORT). Antigenicity of epitopes was determined (Vaxigen v2.0-server) and the epitope-model prepared (PEP-FOLD3-server). The binding-affinity/biological-interfaces/visualize were performed (PRODIGY-PyMOL2). We also examined the genesis of feasible transition pathways of functional docked complexes (iMODs) of MHC with different epitopes and antibodies of IgG with different variants. Further, Molecular-Dynamic-Simulation was performed by GROMACS 2023.1 software package. The MD-simulation was run with 100 ns (300 k-heating/1-atm pressure). RESULTS Surface-area with interactomes, H-bonding and polar/non-polar bonding were the highest in Omicron spike-IgG interaction. Unlike other variants, both the L and H chains of at least three different recognition sites of IgG interact with the N-terminal and C-terminal RBD of the S1-portion and partially bind to S2. In other cases, binding was observed in either NTD or CTD with a lesser number of bonding-interactomes, especially in Delta spike-Ab interaction. In the case of MHC class-I & II, the highest binding affinity/surface was noticed by Omicron and least by the Delta variant. The MD simulation data of lower RMSD values of the Delta and Omicron variants indicate improved structural stability and less departure from the initial conformation. Better binding to the IgG and MHC molecules explains Omicron's little ability in immune invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aniket Sarkar
- Post-Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721102, West Bengal, India
| | - Dipannita Santra
- Post-Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721102, West Bengal, India
| | - Anindya Sundar Panja
- Department of Biotechnology, Molecular Informatics Laboratory, Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, West Bengal 721102, India
| | - Smarajit Maiti
- Post-Graduate Department of Biotechnology, Oriental Institute of Science and Technology, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore 721102, West Bengal, India; Agricure Biotech Research Society, Midnapore, 721101, India.
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Bolaños-Martínez OC, Malla A, Rosales-Mendoza S, Vimolmangkang S. Harnessing the advances of genetic engineering in microalgae for the production of cannabinoids. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2023; 43:823-834. [PMID: 35762029 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2022.2071672] [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: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Cannabis is widely recognized as a medicinal plant owing to bioactive cannabinoids. However, it is still considered a narcotic plant, making it hard to be accessed. Since the biosynthetic pathway of cannabinoids is disclosed, biotechnological methods can be employed to produce cannabinoids in heterologous systems. This would pave the way toward biosynthesizing any cannabinoid compound of interest, especially minor substances that are less produced by a plant but have a high medicinal value. In this context, microalgae have attracted increasing scientific interest given their unique potential for biopharmaceutical production. In the present review, the current knowledge on cannabinoid production in different hosts is summarized and the biotechnological potential of microalgae as an emerging platform for synthetic production is put in perspective. A critical survey of genetic requirements and various transformation approaches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omayra C Bolaños-Martínez
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Ashwini Malla
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico
| | - Sornkanok Vimolmangkang
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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9
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Chattopadhyay A, Jailani AAK, Mandal B. Exigency of Plant-Based Vaccine against COVID-19 Emergence as Pandemic Preparedness. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1347. [PMID: 37631915 PMCID: PMC10458178 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
After two years since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than six million deaths have occurred due to SARS-CoV-2, leading to an unprecedented disruption of the global economy. Fortunately, within a year, a wide range of vaccines, including pathogen-based inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines, replicating and non-replicating vector-based vaccines, nucleic acid (DNA and mRNA)-based vaccines, and protein-based subunit and virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines, have been developed to mitigate the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These vaccines have proven highly effective in reducing the severity of illness and preventing deaths. However, the availability and supply of COVID-19 vaccines have become an issue due to the prioritization of vaccine distribution in most countries. Additionally, as the virus continues to mutate and spread, questions have arisen regarding the effectiveness of vaccines against new strains of SARS-CoV-2 that can evade host immunity. The urgent need for booster doses to enhance immunity has been recognized. The scarcity of "safe and effective" vaccines has exacerbated global inequalities in terms of vaccine coverage. The development of COVID-19 vaccines has fallen short of the expectations set forth in 2020 and 2021. Furthermore, the equitable distribution of vaccines at the global and national levels remains a challenge, particularly in developing countries. In such circumstances, the exigency of plant virus-based vaccines has become apparent as a means to overcome supply shortages through fast manufacturing processes and to enable quick and convenient distribution to millions of people without the reliance on a cold chain system. Moreover, plant virus-based vaccines have demonstrated both safety and efficacy in eliciting robust cellular immunogenicity against COVID-19 pathogens. This review aims to shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of vaccines developed against SARS-CoV-2 and provide an update on the current status of plant-based vaccines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anirudha Chattopadhyay
- Pulses Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar 385506, India;
| | - A. Abdul Kader Jailani
- Department of Plant Pathology, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL 32351, USA
| | - Bikash Mandal
- Advanced Centre for Plant Virology, Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
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10
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Mamedov T, Yuksel D, Gurbuzaslan I, Ilgin M, Gulec B, Mammadova G, Ozdarendeli A, Pavel STI, Yetiskin H, Kaplan B, Uygut MA, Hasanova G. Plant-produced RBD and cocktail-based vaccine candidates are highly effective against SARS-CoV-2, independently of its emerging variants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1202570. [PMID: 37600182 PMCID: PMC10433747 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1202570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a novel and highly pathogenic coronavirus that caused an outbreak in Wuhan City, China, in 2019 and then spread rapidly throughout the world. Although several coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are currently available for mass immunization, they are less effective against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants, especially the Omicron (B.1.1.529). Recently, we successfully produced receptor-binding domain (RBD) variants of the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 and an antigen cocktail in Nicotiana benthamiana, which are highly produced in plants and elicited high-titer antibodies with potent neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2. In this study, based on neutralization ability, we demonstrate that plant-produced RBD and cocktail-based vaccine candidates are highly effective against SARS-CoV-2, independently of its emerging variants. These data demonstrate that plant-produced RBD and cocktail-based proteins are the most promising vaccine candidates and may protect against Delta and Omicron-mediated COVID-19. This is the first report describing vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, which demonstrate significant activities against Delta and Omicron variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarlan Mamedov
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, Ministry of Science and Education, Republic of Azerbaijan, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Damla Yuksel
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye
| | - Irem Gurbuzaslan
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye
| | - Merve Ilgin
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye
| | - Burcu Gulec
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye
| | - Gulshan Mammadova
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye
| | - Aykut Ozdarendeli
- Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- Vaccine Research, Development and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Shaikh Terkis Islam Pavel
- Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- Vaccine Research, Development and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Hazel Yetiskin
- Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- Vaccine Research, Development and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Busra Kaplan
- Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
- Vaccine Research, Development and Application Center, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Muhammet Ali Uygut
- Department of Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Türkiye
| | - Gulnara Hasanova
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye
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11
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Development of SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody detection assay by using recombinant plant-produced proteins. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 38:e00796. [PMID: 37056791 PMCID: PMC10077816 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Detecting immunity against SARS-CoV-2 is vital for evaluating vaccine response and natural infection, but conventional virus neutralization test (cVNT) requires BSL3 and live viruses, and pseudo-virus neutralization test (pVNT) needs specialized equipment and trained professionals in BSL2. The surrogate virus neutralization test (sVNT) was developed to overcome these limitations. This study explored the use of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE2) produced from Nicotiana benthamiana for the development of an affordable neutralizing antibodies detection assay. The results showed that the plant-produced ACE2-His can bind to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2, and was used to develop sVNT with plant-produced RBD protein. The sVNT developed using plant-produced proteins showed high sensitivity and specificity when validated with a group of 30 RBD-Fc vaccinated mice sera and the results were correlated with cVNT titer. This preliminary finding suggests that the plants could offer a cost-effective platform for producing diagnostic reagents.
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12
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Phoolcharoen W, Shanmugaraj B, Khorattanakulchai N, Sunyakumthorn P, Pichyangkul S, Taepavarapruk P, Praserthsee W, Malaivijitnond S, Manopwisedjaroen S, Thitithanyanont A, Srisutthisamphan K, Jongkaewwattana A, Tomai M, Fox CB, Taychakhoonavudh S. Preclinical evaluation of immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of a recombinant plant-based SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine formulated with 3M-052-Alum adjuvant. Vaccine 2023; 41:2781-2792. [PMID: 36963999 PMCID: PMC10027959 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2022] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Cost-effective, and accessible vaccines are needed for mass immunization to control the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC).A plant-based vaccine is an attractive technology platform since the recombinant proteins can be easily produced at large scale and low cost. For the recombinant subunit-based vaccines, effective adjuvants are crucial to enhance the magnitude and breadth of immune responses elicited by the vaccine. In this study, we report a preclinical evaluation of the immunogenicity, efficacy and safety of a recombinant plant-based SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine formulated with 3M-052 (TLR7/8 agonist)-Alum adjuvant. This vaccine formulation, named Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 2, induced significant levels of RBD-specific IgG and neutralizing antibody responses in mice. A viral challenge study using humanized K18-hACE2 mice has shown that animals vaccinated with two doses of Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 2 established immune protection against SARS-CoV-2. A study in nonhuman primates (cynomolgus monkeys) indicated that immunization with two doses of Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 2 was safe, well tolerated, and induced neutralizing antibodies against the prototype virus and other viral variants (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron subvariants). The toxicity of Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 2 was further investigated in Jcl:SD rats, which demonstrated that a single dose and repeated doses of Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 2 were well tolerated and no mortality or unanticipated findings were observed. Overall, these preclinical findings support further clinical development of Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | | | - Narach Khorattanakulchai
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Sathit Pichyangkul
- US Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Pornnarin Taepavarapruk
- Center for Animal Research and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical Science, Naresuan University, Pitsanulok 65000, Thailand
| | | | - Suchinda Malaivijitnond
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand-Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi 18110, Thailand
| | | | - Arunee Thitithanyanont
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Kanjana Srisutthisamphan
- Virology and Cell Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Anan Jongkaewwattana
- Virology and Cell Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathumthani, Thailand
| | - Mark Tomai
- 3M Healthcare, 3M Center, Bldg 270-4N-04, St. Paul, MN 55144-1000, USA
| | - Christopher B Fox
- Access to Advanced Health Institute (AAHI), 1616 Eastlake Ave E, Ste 400, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | - Suthira Taychakhoonavudh
- Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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13
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Production of neutralizing antibody fragment variants in the cytoplasm of E. coli for rapid screening: SARS-CoV-2 a case study. Sci Rep 2023; 13:4408. [PMID: 36927743 PMCID: PMC10019796 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-31369-2] [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: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Global health challenges such as the coronavirus pandemic warrant the urgent need for a system that allows efficient production of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Antibody treatments against SARS-CoV-2 were developed with an unprecedented pace and this enormous progress was achieved mainly through recombinant protein production technologies combined with expeditious screening approaches. A heterologous protein production system that allows efficient soluble production of therapeutic antibody candidates against rapidly evolving variants of deadly pathogens is an important step in preparedness towards future pandemic challenges. Here, we report cost and time-effective soluble production of SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) variants as well as an array of neutralizing antibody fragments (Fabs) based on Casirivimab and Imdevimab using the CyDisCo system in the cytoplasm of E. coli. We also report variants of the two Fabs with higher binding affinity against SARS-CoV-2 RBD and suggest this cytoplasmic production of disulfide containing antigens and antibodies can be broadly applied towards addressing future global public health threats.
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14
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Raoufi E, Hosseini F, Onagh B, Salehi-Shadkami M, Mehrali M, Mohsenzadegan M, Ho JQ, Bigdelou B, Sepand MR, Webster TJ, Zanganeh S, Farajollahi MM. Designing and developing a sensitive and specific SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG detection kit for identifying positive human samples. Clin Chim Acta 2023; 542:117279. [PMID: 36871661 PMCID: PMC9985519 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2023.117279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND More than 3 y into the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to undergo mutations. In this context, the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) is the most antigenic region among the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and has emerged as a promising candidate for immunological development. We designed an IgG-based indirect enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) kit based on recombinant RBD, which was produced from the laboratory to 10 L industry scales in Pichia pastoris. METHODS A recombinant-RBD comprising 283 residues (31 kDa) was constructed after epitope analyses. The target gene was initially cloned into an Escherichia coli TOP10 genotype and transformed into Pichia pastoris CBS7435 muts for protein production. Production was scaled up in a 10 L fermenter after a 1 L shake-flask cultivation. The product was ultrafiltered and purified using ion-exchange chromatography. IgG-positive human sera for SARS-CoV-2 were employed by an ELISA test to evaluate the antigenicity and specific binding of the produced protein. RESULTS Bioreactor cultivation yielded 4 g/l of the target protein after 160 h of fermentation, and ion-exchange chromatography indicated a purity > 95%. A human serum ELISA test was performed in 4 parts, and the ROC area under the curve (AUC) was > 0.96 for each part. The mean specificity and sensitivity of each part was 100% and 91.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION A highly specific and sensitive IgG-based serologic kit was developed for improved diagnostic purposes in patients with COVID-19 after generating an RBD antigen in Pichia pastoris at laboratory and 10 L fermentation scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Raoufi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Hosseini
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahman Onagh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Marjan Mehrali
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monireh Mohsenzadegan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jim Q Ho
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Banafsheh Bigdelou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA, United States
| | - Mohammad Reza Sepand
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA, United States
| | - Thomas J Webster
- School of Health Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, China; School of Engineering, Saveetha University, Chennai, India; Program in Materials Science, UFPI, Teresina, Brazil
| | - Steven Zanganeh
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, Dartmouth, MA, United States.
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15
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Jugler C, Sun H, Nguyen K, Palt R, Felder M, Steinkellner H, Chen Q. A novel plant-made monoclonal antibody enhances the synergetic potency of an antibody cocktail against the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2023; 21:549-559. [PMID: 36403203 PMCID: PMC9946148 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
This study describes a novel, neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb), 11D7, discovered by mouse immunization and hybridoma generation, against the parental Wuhan-Hu-1 RBD of SARS-CoV-2. We further developed this mAb into a chimeric human IgG and recombinantly expressed it in plants to produce a mAb with human-like, highly homogenous N-linked glycans that has potential to impart greater potency and safety as a therapeutic. The epitope of 11D7 was mapped by competitive binding with well-characterized mAbs, suggesting that it is a Class 4 RBD-binding mAb that binds to the RBD outside the ACE2 binding site. Of note, 11D7 maintains recognition against the B.1.1.529 (Omicron) RBD, as well neutralizing activity. We also provide evidence that this novel mAb may be useful in providing additional synergy to established antibody cocktails, such as Evusheld™ containing the antibodies tixagevimab and cilgavimab, against the Omicron variant. Taken together, 11D7 is a unique mAb that neutralizes SARS-CoV-2 through a mechanism that is not typical among developed therapeutic mAbs and by being produced in ΔXFT Nicotiana benthamiana plants, highlights the potential of plants to be an economic and safety-friendly alternative platform for generating mAbs to address the evolving SARS-CoV-2 crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Collin Jugler
- The Biodesign InstituteArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
- School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | - Haiyan Sun
- The Biodesign InstituteArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | - Katherine Nguyen
- School of Molecular SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
| | - Roman Palt
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | | | - Herta Steinkellner
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Qiang Chen
- The Biodesign InstituteArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
- School of Life SciencesArizona State UniversityTempeArizonaUSA
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16
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Shanmugaraj B, Khorattanakulchai N, Paungpin W, Akkhawattanangkul Y, Manopwisedjaroen S, Thitithanyanont A, Phoolcharoen W. Immunogenicity and efficacy of recombinant subunit SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate in the Syrian hamster model. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 37:e00779. [PMID: 36533163 PMCID: PMC9744481 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 causes devastating impact on the human population and has become a major public health concern. The frequent emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern urges the development of safe and efficacious vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants. We developed a candidate vaccine Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 1, based on SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) by fusing with the Fc region of human IgG. The RBD-Fc fusion was produced in Nicotiana benthamiana. Previously, we reported that this plant-produced vaccine is effective in inducing immune response in both mice and non-human primates. Here, the efficacy of our vaccine candidate was tested in Syrian hamster challenge model. Hamsters immunized with two intramuscular doses of Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 1 induced neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 and protected from SARS-CoV-2 challenge with reduced viral load in the lungs. These preliminary results demonstrate the ability of plant-produced subunit vaccine Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 1 to provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamsters.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Narach Khorattanakulchai
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand,Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Weena Paungpin
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | | | | | - Arunee Thitithanyanont
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand,Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand,Corresponding author
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17
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Bulaon CJI, Sun H, Malla A, Phoolcharoen W. Therapeutic efficacy of plant-produced Nivolumab in transgenic C57BL/6-hPD-1 mouse implanted with MC38 colon cancer. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2023; 38:e00794. [PMID: 37064962 PMCID: PMC10090705 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2023.e00794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The therapeutic blockade of inhibitory PD-1 signaling has emerged as an effective approach for cancer immunotherapy. Nivolumab (Opdivo®), a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the PD-1 immune checkpoint, is approved for treatment of several cancer indications. It functions by blocking the PD-1-mediated T-cell inhibition thus reinstating anticancer immune responses. Tremendous advances in plant biotechnology offer an alternative and economical strategy to produce therapeutic mAbs for immune-based therapies. In this study, recombinant anti-PD-1 Nivolumab was produced in Nicotiana benthamiana and the plant-produced anti-PD-1 mAb was exploited for cancer treatment in syngeneic mice model C57BL/6 mice that were used to test the antitumor efficacy of plant produced Nivolumab, along with commercial Opdivo®. C57BL/6 syngeneic mice treated with plant produced anti-PD-1 mAb exhibited reduction in the growth of established MC38 tumors. The plant produced Nivolumab treatment showed 82.9% antitumor effect in decreasing the tumor volume along with 50% tumor-free mice, whereas Opdivo® showed 90.26% reduction in volume without any tumor-free mice. Finally, plant-derived anti-PD-1 therapy was also well tolerated in tumor-bearing mice that correlated with no significant body weight changes. Overall, our plant-produced Nivolumab elicits significant inhibition of tumor growth in vivo and provides a proof-of-concept for the production of immunotherapy targeting PD-1.
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18
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England C, TrejoMartinez J, PerezSanchez P, Karki U, Xu J. Plants as Biofactories for Therapeutic Proteins and Antiviral Compounds to Combat COVID-19. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:617. [PMID: 36983772 PMCID: PMC10054913 DOI: 10.3390/life13030617] [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: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had a profound impact on the world's health and economy. Although the end of the pandemic may come in 2023, it is generally believed that the virus will not be completely eradicated. Most likely, the disease will become an endemicity. The rapid development of vaccines of different types (mRNA, subunit protein, inactivated virus, etc.) and some other antiviral drugs (Remdesivir, Olumiant, Paxlovid, etc.) has provided effectiveness in reducing COVID-19's impact worldwide. However, the circulating SARS-CoV-2 virus has been constantly mutating with the emergence of multiple variants, which makes control of COVID-19 difficult. There is still a pressing need for developing more effective antiviral drugs to fight against the disease. Plants have provided a promising production platform for both bioactive chemical compounds (small molecules) and recombinant therapeutics (big molecules). Plants naturally produce a diverse range of bioactive compounds as secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, terpenoids/terpenes and polyphenols, which are a rich source of countless antiviral compounds. Plants can also be genetically engineered to produce valuable recombinant therapeutics. This molecular farming in plants has an unprecedented opportunity for developing vaccines, antibodies, and other biologics for pandemic diseases because of its potential advantages, such as low cost, safety, and high production volume. This review summarizes the latest advancements in plant-derived drugs used to combat COVID-19 and discusses the prospects and challenges of the plant-based production platform for antiviral agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corbin England
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
- Molecular Biosciences Program, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | | | - Paula PerezSanchez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | - Uddhab Karki
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
- Molecular Biosciences Program, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
| | - Jianfeng Xu
- Arkansas Biosciences Institute, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
- College of Agriculture, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72401, USA
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19
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Shariatifar H, Farasat A. Affinity enhancement of CR3022 binding to RBD; in silico site directed mutagenesis using molecular dynamics simulation approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:81-90. [PMID: 34796779 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.2004230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a disease which caused by a novel beta coronavirus. Structural and non-structural proteins are expressed by the virus gene fragments. The RBD of the S1 protein of the virus has the ability to interact with potent antibodies including CR3022, which was characterized to target the S protein of the virus which can efficiently neutralize the SARS-CoV in vitro and in vivo. In current study, we aimed to design CR3022 based antibody with high affinity compared with wild-type CR3022 using MD simulation method. Two variants were designed based on the amino acid binding conformation and the free binding energy of the critical amino acids which involved in CR3022-RBD interactions were evaluated. In this study three complexes were evaluated; CR3022-RBD, V1-RBD and V2-RBD using molecular dynamics simulations carried out for 100 ns in each case. Then, all the complexes were simulated for 100 ns. In the next step, to calculate the free binding affinity of the wild CR3022 and mutant antibody (V1 and V2) with RBD, the PMF method was performed. The RMSD profile demonstrated that all three complexes were equilibrated after 85 ns. Furthermore, the free binding energy results indicated that the V2-RBD complex has the higher binding affinity than V1-RBD and CR3022-RBD complexes. It should be noted that in above variants, the electrostatic energy and the number of H-bonds between the antibody and RBD increased. Thus, it is suggested that both designed antibodies could be considered as appropriate candidates for covid-19 disease treatment.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanifeh Shariatifar
- Health Products Safety Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Alireza Farasat
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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20
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Arias-Arias JL, Molina-Castro SE, Monturiol-Gross L, Lomonte B, Corrales-Aguilar E. Stable production of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain in mammalian cells with co-expression of a fluorescent reporter and its validation as antigenic target for COVID-19 serology testing. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2022; 37:e00780. [PMID: 36619904 PMCID: PMC9805376 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) recognizes the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in host cells that enables infection. Due to its antigenic specificity, RBD production is important for development of serological assays. Here we have established a system for stable RBD production in HEK 293T mammalian cells that simultaneously express the recombinant fluorescent protein dTomato, which enables kinetic monitoring of RBD expression by fluorescence microscopy. In addition, we have validated the use of this recombinant RBD in an ELISA assay for the detection of anti-RBD antibodies in serum samples of COVID-19 convalescent patients. Recombinant RBD generated using this approach can be useful for generation of antibody-based therapeutics against SARS-CoV-2, as well serological assays aimed to test antibody responses to this relevant virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge L. Arias-Arias
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica,Dulbecco Lab Studio, Residencial Lisboa 2G, Alajuela, 20102, Costa Rica
| | - Silvia E. Molina-Castro
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Salud (INISA), Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Laura Monturiol-Gross
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica,Corresponding author.
| | - Bruno Lomonte
- Instituto Clodomiro Picado (ICP), Facultad de Microbiología, Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
| | - Eugenia Corrales-Aguilar
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales (CIET), Facultad de Microbiología Universidad de Costa Rica, San José, 11501-2060, Costa Rica
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21
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High-Yield Production of Chimeric Hepatitis E Virus-Like Particles Bearing the M2e Influenza Epitope and Receptor Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 in Plants Using Viral Vectors. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415684. [PMID: 36555326 PMCID: PMC9779006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid protein of Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is capable of self-assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. Such VLPs could be used as carriers of antigens for vaccine development. In this study, we obtained VLPs based on truncated coat protein of HEV bearing the M2e peptide of Influenza A virus or receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (RBD). We optimized the immunogenic epitopes' presentation by inserting them into the protruding domain of HEV ORF2 at position Tyr485. The fusion proteins were expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants using self-replicating potato virus X (PVX)-based vector. The fusion protein HEV/M2, targeted to the cytosol, was expressed at the level of about 300-400 μg per gram of fresh leaf tissue and appeared to be soluble. The fusion protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography under native conditions with the final yield about 200 μg per gram of fresh leaf tissue. The fusion protein HEV/RBD, targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum, was expressed at about 80-100 μg per gram of fresh leaf tissue; the yield after purification was up to 20 μg per gram of fresh leaf tissue. The recombinant proteins HEV/M2 and HEV/RBD formed nanosized virus-like particles that could be recognized by antibodies against inserted epitopes. The ELISA assay showed that antibodies of COVID-19 patients can bind plant-produced HEV/RBD virus-like particles. This study shows that HEV capsid protein is a promising carrier for presentation of foreign antigen.
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Coates RJ, Young MT, Scofield S. Optimising expression and extraction of recombinant proteins in plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1074531. [PMID: 36570881 PMCID: PMC9773421 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1074531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant proteins are of paramount importance for research, industrial and medical use. Numerous expression chassis are available for recombinant protein production, and while bacterial and mammalian cell cultures are the most widely used, recent developments have positioned transgenic plant chassis as viable and often preferential options. Plant chassis are easily maintained at low cost, are hugely scalable, and capable of producing large quantities of protein bearing complex post-translational modification. Several protein targets, including antibodies and vaccines against human disease, have been successfully produced in plants, highlighting the significant potential of plant chassis. The aim of this review is to act as a guide to producing recombinant protein in plants, discussing recent progress in the field and summarising the factors that must be considered when utilising plants as recombinant protein expression systems, with a focus on optimising recombinant protein expression at the genetic level, and the subsequent extraction and purification of target proteins, which can lead to substantial improvements in protein stability, yield and purity.
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23
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Mardanova ES, Kotlyarov RY, Ravin NV. Rapid Transient Expression of Receptor-Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 and the Conserved M2e Peptide of Influenza A Virus Linked to Flagellin in Nicotiana benthamiana Plants Using Self-Replicating Viral Vector. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:plants11243425. [PMID: 36559537 PMCID: PMC9785242 DOI: 10.3390/plants11243425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The development of recombinant vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A is an important task. The combination of the conserved influenza A antigen, the extracellular domain of the transmembrane protein M2 (M2e), and the receptor-binding domain of the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (RBD) provides the opportunity to develop a bivalent vaccine against these infections. The fusion of antigens with bacterial flagellin, the ligand for Toll-like receptor 5 and potent mucosal adjuvant, may increase the immunogenicity of the candidate vaccines and enable intranasal immunization. In this study, we report the transient expression of RBD alone, RBD coupled with four copies of M2e, and fusions of RBD and RBD-4M2e with flagellin in Nicotiana benthamiana plants using the self-replicating potato virus X-based vector pEff. The yields of purified recombinant proteins per gram of fresh leaf tissue were about 20 µg for RBD, 50-60 µg for RBD-4M2e and the fusion of RBD with flagellin, and about 90 µg for RBD-4M2e fused to flagellin. Targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum enabled the production of glycosylated recombinant proteins comprising RBD. Our results show that plant-produced RBD and RBD-4M2e could be further used for the development of subunit vaccines against COVID-19 and a bivalent vaccine against COVID-19 and influenza A, while flagellin fusions could be used for the development of intranasal vaccines.
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Monoclonal antibody therapeutics for infectious diseases: Beyond normal human immunoglobulin. Pharmacol Ther 2022; 240:108233. [PMID: 35738431 PMCID: PMC9212443 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2022.108233] [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: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Antibody therapy is effective for treating infectious diseases. Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the rise of drug-resistant bacteria, rapid development of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to treat infectious diseases is urgently needed. Using a therapeutic human mAb with the lowest immunogenicity is recommended, because chimera and humanized mAbs are occasionally immunogenic. In order to directly obtain naïve human mAbs, there are three methods: phage display, B cell receptor (BCR) cDNA sequencing of a single cell, and antibody-encoding gene and amino acid sequencing of immortalized cells using memory B cells, which are isolated from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells of healthy, vaccinated, infected, or recovered individuals. After screening against the antigen and performing neutralization assays, a human neutralizing mAb is constructed from the antibody-encoding DNA sequences of these memory B cells. This review describes examples of obtaining human neutralizing mAbs against various infectious diseases using these methods. However, a few of these mAbs have been approved for therapy. Therefore, antigen characterization and evaluation of neutralization activity in vitro and in vivo are indispensable for the development of therapeutic mAbs. These results will accelerate the development of antibody drug as therapeutic agents.
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Plant Molecular Pharming and Plant-Derived Compounds towards Generation of Vaccines and Therapeutics against Coronaviruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10111805. [DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current century has witnessed infections of pandemic proportions caused by Coronaviruses (CoV) including severe acute respiratory syndrome-related CoV (SARS-CoV), Middle East respiratory syndrome-related CoV (MERS-CoV) and the recently identified SARS-CoV2. Significantly, the SARS-CoV2 outbreak, declared a pandemic in early 2020, has wreaked devastation and imposed intense pressure on medical establishments world-wide in a short time period by spreading at a rapid pace, resulting in high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, there is a compelling need to combat and contain the CoV infections. The current review addresses the unique features of the molecular virology of major Coronaviruses that may be tractable towards antiviral targeting and design of novel preventative and therapeutic intervention strategies. Plant-derived vaccines, in particular oral vaccines, afford safer, effectual and low-cost avenues to develop antivirals and fast response vaccines, requiring minimal infrastructure and trained personnel for vaccine administration in developing countries. This review article discusses recent developments in the generation of plant-based vaccines, therapeutic/drug molecules, monoclonal antibodies and phytochemicals to preclude and combat infections caused by SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. Efficacious plant-derived antivirals could contribute significantly to combating emerging and re-emerging pathogenic CoV infections and help stem the tide of any future pandemics.
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Govea-Alonso DO, Malla A, Bolaños-Martínez OC, Vimolmangkang S, Rosales-Mendoza S. An Algae-Made RBD from SARS-CoV-2 Is Immunogenic in Mice. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15101298. [PMID: 36297410 PMCID: PMC9607479 DOI: 10.3390/ph15101298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the current advances in global vaccination against SARS-CoV-2, boosting is still required to sustain immunity in the population, and the induction of sterilizing immunity remains as a pending goal. Low-cost oral immunogens could be used as the basis for the design of affordable and easy-to-administer booster vaccines. Algae stand as promising platforms to produce immunogens at low cost, and it is possible to use them as oral delivery carriers since they are edible (not requiring complex purification and formulation processes). Herein, a Chlamydomonas-made SARS-CoV-2 RBD was evaluated as an oral immunogen in mice to explore the feasibility of developing an oral algae-based vaccine. The test immunogen was stable in freeze-dried algae biomass and able to induce, by the oral route, systemic and mucosal humoral responses against the spike protein at a similar magnitude to those induced by injected antigen plus alum adjuvant. IgG subclass analysis revealed a Th2-bias response which lasted over 4 months after the last immunization. The induced antibodies showed a similar reactivity against either Delta or Omicron variants. This study represents a step forward in the development of oral vaccines that could accelerate massive immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dania O. Govea-Alonso
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosi 78210, Mexico
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª Sección, San Luis Potosi 78210, Mexico
| | - Ashwini Malla
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Omayra C. Bolaños-Martínez
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Sornkanok Vimolmangkang
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
- Correspondence: (S.V.); (S.R.-M.); Tel./Fax: +52-444-826-2440 (S.R.-M.)
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, San Luis Potosi 78210, Mexico
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª Sección, San Luis Potosi 78210, Mexico
- Correspondence: (S.V.); (S.R.-M.); Tel./Fax: +52-444-826-2440 (S.R.-M.)
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Rebelo BA, Folgado A, Ferreira AC, Abranches R. Production of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein and its Receptor Binding Domain in plant cell suspension cultures. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:995429. [PMID: 36340353 PMCID: PMC9634662 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.995429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the worldwide spread of SARS-CoV-2, has prompted the scientific community to rapidly develop efficient and specific diagnostics and therapeutics. A number of avenues have been explored, including the manufacture of COVID-related proteins to be used as reagents for diagnostics or treatment. The production of RBD and Spike proteins was previously achieved in eukaryotic cells, mainly mammalian cell cultures, while the production in microbial systems has been unsuccessful until now. Here we report the effective production of SARS-CoV-2 proteins in two plant model systems. We established transgenic tobacco BY-2 and Medicago truncatula A17 cell suspension cultures stably producing the full-length Spike and RBD recombinant proteins. For both proteins, various glycoforms were obtained, with higher yields in Medicago cultures than BY-2. This work highlights that RBD and Spike can be secreted into the culture medium, which will impact subsequent purification and downstream processing costs. Analysis of the culture media indicated the presence of the high molecular weight Spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Although the production yields still need improvement to compete with mammalian systems, this is the first report showing that plant cell suspension cultures are able to produce the high molecular weight Spike protein. This finding strengthens the potential of plant cell cultures as production platforms for large complex proteins.
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Vasilev N. Medicinal Plants: Guests and Hosts in the Heterologous Expression of High-Value Products. PLANTA MEDICA 2022; 88:1175-1189. [PMID: 34521134 DOI: 10.1055/a-1576-4148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Medicinal plants play an important dual role in the context of the heterologous expression of high-value pharmaceutical products. On the one hand, the classical biochemical and modern omics approaches allowed for the discovery of various genes encoding biosynthetic pathways in medicinal plants. Recombinant DNA technology enabled introducing these genes and regulatory elements into host organisms and enhancing the heterologous production of the corresponding secondary metabolites. On the other hand, the transient expression of foreign DNA in plants facilitated the production of numerous proteins of pharmaceutical importance. This review summarizes several success stories of the engineering of plant metabolic pathways in heterologous hosts. Likewise, a few examples of recombinant protein expression in plants for therapeutic purposes are also highlighted. Therefore, the importance of medicinal plants has grown immensely as sources for valuable products of low and high molecular weight. The next step ahead for bioengineering is to achieve more success stories of industrial-scale production of secondary plant metabolites in microbial systems and to fully exploit plant cell factories' commercial potential for recombinant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolay Vasilev
- TU Dortmund University, Biochemical and Chemical Engineering, Technical Biochemistry, Dortmund, Germany
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Frigerio R, Marusic C, Villani ME, Lico C, Capodicasa C, Andreano E, Paciello I, Rappuoli R, Salzano AM, Scaloni A, Baschieri S, Donini M. Production of two SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies with different potencies in Nicotiana benthamiana. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:956741. [PMID: 36131799 PMCID: PMC9484322 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.956741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are considered to be highly effective therapeutic tools for the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. In the present work, we describe the production of two SARS-CoV-2 human IgG1 monoclonal antibodies recognizing the spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) and endowed with neutralizing activity (nAbs) in plants. The first one, mAbJ08-MUT, was previously isolated from a COVID-19 convalescent patient and Fc-engineered to prolong the half-life and reduce the risk of antibody-dependent enhancement. This nAb produced in mammalian cells, delivered in a single intramuscular administration during a Phase I clinical study, was shown to (i) be safe and effectively protect against major variants of concern, and (ii) have some neutralizing activity against the recently emerged omicron variant in a cytopathic-effect-based microneutralization assay (100% inhibitory concentration, IC100 of 15 μg/mL). The second antibody, mAb675, previously isolated from a vaccinated individual, showed an intermediate neutralization activity against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Different accumulation levels of mAbJ08-MUT and mAb675 were observed after transient agroinfiltration in Nicotiana benthamiana plants knocked-out for xylosil and fucosil transferases, leading to yields of ~35 and 150 mg/kg of fresh leaf mass, respectively. After purification, as a result of the proteolytic events affecting the hinge-CH2 region, a higher degradation of mAb675 was observed, compared to mAbJ08-MUT (~18% vs. ~1%, respectively). Both nAbs showed a human-like glycosylation profile, and were able to specifically bind to RBD and compete with angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 binding in vitro. SARS-CoV-2 neutralization assay against the original virus isolated in Wuhan demonstrated the high neutralization potency of the plant-produced mAbJ08-MUT, with levels (IC100 < 17 ng/mL) comparable to those of the cognate antibody produced in a Chinese hamster ovary cell line; conversely, mAb675 exhibited a medium neutralization potency (IC100 ~ 200 ng/mL). All these data confirm that plant expression platforms may represent a convenient and rapid production system of potent nAbs to be used both in therapy and diagnostics in pandemic emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachele Frigerio
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Marusic
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Lico
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Andreano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Ida Paciello
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Salzano
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Portici, Italy
| | - Andrea Scaloni
- Proteomics, Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, ISPAAM, National Research Council, Portici, Italy
| | - Selene Baschieri
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello Donini
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, ENEA Research Center Casaccia, Rome, Italy
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Banerjee S, Wang X, Du S, Zhu C, Jia Y, Wang Y, Cai Q. Comprehensive role of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein in regulating host signaling pathway. J Med Virol 2022; 94:4071-4087. [PMID: 35488404 PMCID: PMC9348444 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, global public health and the economy have suffered unprecedented damage. Based on the increasing related literature, the characteristics and pathogenic mechanisms of the virus, and epidemiological and clinical features of the disease are being rapidly discovered. The spike glycoprotein (S protein), as a key antigen of SARS-CoV-2 for developing vaccines, antibodies, and drug targets, has been shown to play an important role in viral entry, tissue tropism, and pathogenesis. In this review, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of interaction between S protein and host factors, especially receptor-mediated viral modulation of host signaling pathways, and highlight the progression of potential therapeutic targets, prophylactic and therapeutic agents for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuvomoy Banerjee
- Department of Biotechnology and BioengineeringKoba Institutional AreaGandhinagarGujaratIndia
| | - Xinyu Wang
- MOE&NHC&CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, & School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shujuan Du
- MOE&NHC&CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, & School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Caixia Zhu
- MOE&NHC&CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, & School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yuping Jia
- Shandong Academy of Pharmaceutical SciencesJinanChina
| | - Yuyan Wang
- MOE&NHC&CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, & School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Qiliang Cai
- MOE&NHC&CAMS Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology, Shanghai Institute of Infections Disease and Biosecurity, & School of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Medical CollegeFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
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Khorattanakulchai N, Manopwisedjaroen S, Rattanapisit K, Panapitakkul C, Kemthong T, Suttisan N, Srisutthisamphan K, Malaivijitnond S, Thitithanyanont A, Jongkaewwattana A, Shanmugaraj B, Phoolcharoen W. Receptor binding domain proteins of SARS-CoV-2 variants produced in Nicotiana benthamiana elicit neutralizing antibodies against variants of concern. J Med Virol 2022; 94:4265-4276. [PMID: 35615895 PMCID: PMC9348024 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.27881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The constantly emerging severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concerns (VOCs) with mutations in the receptor-binding domain (RBD) spread rapidly and has become a severe public health problem worldwide. Effective vaccines and optimized booster vaccination strategies are thus highly required. Here, the gene encoding six different RBD (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Kappa, Delta, and Epsilon variants) along with the Fc fragment of human IgG1 (RBD-Fc) was cloned into plant expression vector and produced in Nicotiana benthamiana by transient expression. Further, the immunogenicity of plant-produced variant RBD-Fc fusion proteins were tested in cynomolgus monkeys. Each group of cynomolgus monkeys was immunized three times intramuscularly with variant RBD-Fc vaccines at Day 0, 21, 42, and neutralizing antibody responses were evaluated against ancestral (Wuhan), Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta variants. The results showed that three doses of the RBD-Fc vaccine significantly enhanced the immune response against all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants. In particular, the vaccines based on Delta and Epsilon mutant RBD elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against ancestral (Wuhan), Alpha, and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants whereas Beta and Gamma RBD-Fc vaccines elicit neutralizing antibodies against their respective SARS-CoV-2 strains. The Delta and Epsilon RBD-Fc based vaccines displayed cross-reactive immunogenicity and might be applied as a booster vaccine to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies. These proof-of-concept results will be helpful for the development of plant-derived RBD-Fc-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narach Khorattanakulchai
- Center of Excellence in Plant‐produced PharmaceuticalsChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
| | | | | | - Chalisa Panapitakkul
- Center of Excellence in Plant‐produced PharmaceuticalsChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
| | - Taratorn Kemthong
- National Primate Research Center of ThailandChulalongkorn UniversitySaraburiThailand
| | - Nutchanat Suttisan
- National Primate Research Center of ThailandChulalongkorn UniversitySaraburiThailand
| | - Kanjana Srisutthisamphan
- Virology and Cell Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development AgencyPathumthaniThailand
| | | | | | - Anan Jongkaewwattana
- Virology and Cell Technology Laboratory, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development AgencyPathumthaniThailand
| | | | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant‐produced PharmaceuticalsChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical SciencesChulalongkorn UniversityBangkokThailand
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Abstract
Despite effective spike-based vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues more than two and a half years post-onset. Relentless investigation has outlined a causative dynamic between host-derived antibodies and reciprocal viral subversion. Integration of this paradigm into the architecture of next generation antiviral strategies, predicated on a foundational understanding of the virology and immunology of SARS-CoV-2, will be critical for success. This review aims to serve as a primer on the immunity endowed by antibodies targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein through a structural perspective. We begin by introducing the structure and function of spike, polyclonal immunity to SARS-CoV-2 spike, and the emergence of major SARS-CoV-2 variants that evade immunity. The remainder of the article comprises an in-depth dissection of all major epitopes on SARS-CoV-2 spike in molecular detail, with emphasis on the origins, neutralizing potency, mechanisms of action, cross-reactivity, and variant resistance of representative monoclonal antibodies to each epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- John M Errico
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Lucas J Adams
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States
| | - Daved H Fremont
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States; Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, United States.
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Investigation of the N-Glycosylation of the SARS-CoV-2 S Protein Contained in VLPs Produced in Nicotiana benthamiana. Molecules 2022; 27:molecules27165119. [PMID: 36014368 PMCID: PMC9412417 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27165119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic in China in late 2019 led to the fast development of efficient therapeutics. Of the major structural proteins encoded by the SARS-CoV-2 genome, the SPIKE (S) protein has attracted considerable research interest because of the central role it plays in virus entry into host cells. Therefore, to date, most immunization strategies aim at inducing neutralizing antibodies against the surface viral S protein. The SARS-CoV-2 S protein is heavily glycosylated with 22 predicted N-glycosylation consensus sites as well as numerous mucin-type O-glycosylation sites. As a consequence, O- and N-glycosylations of this viral protein have received particular attention. Glycans N-linked to the S protein are mainly exposed at the surface and form a shield-masking specific epitope to escape the virus antigenic recognition. In this work, the N-glycosylation status of the S protein within virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in Nicotiana benthamiana (N. benthamiana) was investigated using a glycoproteomic approach. We show that 20 among the 22 predicted N-glycosylation sites are dominated by complex plant N-glycans and one carries oligomannoses. This suggests that the SARS-CoV-2 S protein produced in N. benthamiana adopts an overall 3D structure similar to that of recombinant homologues produced in mammalian cells.
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Jaewjaroenwattana J, Phoolcharoen W, Pasomsub E, Teengam P, Chailapakul O. Electrochemical paper-based antigen sensing platform using plant-derived monoclonal antibody for detecting SARS-CoV-2. Talanta 2022; 251:123783. [PMID: 35977451 PMCID: PMC9357285 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2022.123783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The current approaches of diagnostic platforms for detecting SARS-CoV-2 infections mostly relied on adapting the existing technology. In this work, a simple and low-cost electrochemical sensing platform for detecting SAR-CoV-2 antigen was established. The proposed sensor combined the innovative disposable paper-based immunosensor and cost-effective plant-based anti-SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody CR3022, expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. The cellulose nanocrystal was modified on screen-printed graphene electrode to provide the abundant COOH functional groups on electrode surface, leading to the high ability for antibody immobilization. The quantification of the presence receptor binding domain (RBD) spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 was performed using differential pulse voltammetry by monitoring the changing current of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- redox solution. The current change of [Fe(CN)6]3-/4- before and after the presence of target RBD could be clearly distinguished, providing a linear relationship with RBD concentration in the range from 0.1 pg/mL to 500 ng/mL with the minimum limit of detection of 2.0 fg/mL. The proposed platform was successfully applied to detect RBD in nasopharyngeal swab samples with satisfactory results. Furthermore, the paper-based immunosensor was extended to quantify the RBD level in spiked saliva samples, demonstrating the broadly applicability of this system. This electrochemical paper-based immunosensor has the potential to be employed as a point-of-care testing for COVID-19 diagnosis.
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Shanmugaraj B, Khorattanakulchai N, Panapitakkul C, Malla A, Im-Erbsin R, Inthawong M, Sunyakumthorn P, Hunsawong T, Klungthong C, Reed MC, Kemthong T, Suttisan N, Malaivijitnond S, Srimangkornkaew P, Klinkhamhom A, Manopwisedjaroen S, Thitithanyanont A, Taychakhoonavudh S, Phoolcharoen W. Preclinical evaluation of a plant-derived SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccine: Protective efficacy, immunogenicity, safety, and toxicity. Vaccine 2022; 40:4440-4452. [PMID: 35697573 PMCID: PMC9167921 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.05.087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The prevention of SARS-CoV-2 transmission has become a global priority. Previously, we showed that a protein subunit vaccine that was developed based on the fusion of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) to the Fc portion of human IgG1 (RBD-Fc), produced in Nicotiana benthamiana, and adjuvanted with alum, namely, Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 1, induced potent immunological responses in both mice and cynomolgus monkeys. Hence, this study evaluated the protective efficacy, safety, and toxicity of Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 1 in K18-hACE2 mice, monkeys and Wistar rats. Two doses of vaccine were administered three weeks apart on Days 0 and 21. The administration of the vaccine to K18-hACE2 mice reduced viral loads in the lungs and brains of the vaccinated animals and protected the mice against challenge with SARS-CoV-2. In monkeys, the results of safety pharmacology tests, general clinical observations, and a core battery of studies of three vital systems, namely, the central nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems, did not reveal any safety concerns. The toxicology study of the vaccine in rats showed no vaccine-related pathological changes, and all the animals remained healthy under the conditions of this study. Furthermore, the vaccine did not cause any abnormal toxicity in rats and was clinically tolerated even at the highest tested concentration. In addition, general health status, body temperature, local toxicity at the administration site, hematology, and blood chemistry parameters were also monitored. Overall, this work presents the results of the first systematic study of the safety profile of a plant-derived vaccine, Baiya SARS-CoV-2 Vax 1; this approach can be considered a viable strategy for the development of vaccines against COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Narach Khorattanakulchai
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Chalisa Panapitakkul
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | | | - Rawiwan Im-Erbsin
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Manutsanun Inthawong
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Piyanate Sunyakumthorn
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Taweewun Hunsawong
- Department of Virology, U.S. Army Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Chonticha Klungthong
- Department of Virology, U.S. Army Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Matthew C Reed
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, U.S. Army Medical Directorate-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Taratorn Kemthong
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand-Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi 18110, Thailand
| | - Nutchanat Suttisan
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand-Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi 18110, Thailand
| | - Suchinda Malaivijitnond
- National Primate Research Center of Thailand-Chulalongkorn University, Saraburi 18110, Thailand
| | | | - Aekkarin Klinkhamhom
- National Laboratory Animal Center, Mahidol University, Nakorn Pathom 73170, Thailand
| | | | - Arunee Thitithanyanont
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Suthira Taychakhoonavudh
- Department of Social and Administrative Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Bestion E, Halfon P, Mezouar S, Mège JL. Cell and Animal Models for SARS-CoV-2 Research. Viruses 2022; 14:1507. [PMID: 35891487 PMCID: PMC9319816 DOI: 10.3390/v14071507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
During the last two years following the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, development of potent antiviral drugs and vaccines has been a global health priority. In this context, the understanding of virus pathophysiology, the identification of associated therapeutic targets, and the screening of potential effective compounds have been indispensable advancements. It was therefore of primary importance to develop experimental models that recapitulate the aspects of the human disease in the best way possible. This article reviews the information concerning available SARS-CoV-2 preclinical models during that time, including cell-based approaches and animal models. We discuss their evolution, their advantages, and drawbacks, as well as their relevance to drug effectiveness evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eloïne Bestion
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Genoscience Pharma, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Halfon
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Genoscience Pharma, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Soraya Mezouar
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
- Genoscience Pharma, 13005 Marseille, France
| | - Jean-Louis Mège
- Microbe Evolution Phylogeny Infection, Institut pour la Recherche et le Developpement, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille University, 13005 Marseille, France; (E.B.); (P.H.)
- Institue Hospitalo, Universitaire Mediterranée Infection, 13005 Marseille, France
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Ceballo Y, López A, González CE, Ramos O, Andújar I, Martínez RU, Hernández A. Transient production of receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants induces specific antibodies in immunized mice. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:6113-6123. [PMID: 35526244 PMCID: PMC9079970 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has currently affected millions of people around the world. To combat the rapid spread of COVID-19 there is an urgent need to implement technological platforms for the production of vaccines, drugs and diagnostic systems by the scientific community and pharmaceutical companies. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the cells by the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) present in the viral surface spike protein and its human receptor ACE2. The RBD protein is therefore considered as the target for potential subunit-based vaccines. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluate the use of Nicotiana benthamiana plants as the host to transiently-producing recombinant RBD (RBDr) protein. The identity of the plant-produced RBDr was confirmed by immune assays and mass spectrometry. Immunogenicity was confirmed through the specific antibodies generated in all of the immunized mice compared to the PBS treated group. CONCLUSIONS In conclusions, the immunogenicity of the RBDr produced in N. benthamiana was confirmed. These findings support the use of plants as an antigen expression system for the rapid development of vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanaysi Ceballo
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba.
- Plant Biotechnology Department, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, PO Box 6162, 10600, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Alina López
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Carlos E González
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Osmany Ramos
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Iván Andújar
- Proteomic Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Ricardo U Martínez
- Diagnostic Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Abel Hernández
- Bioreactors Laboratory, Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Havana, Cuba
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Boonyayothin W, Kobtrakul K, Khositanon P, Vimolmangkang S, Phoolcharoen W. Development of a plant-produced recombinant monoclonal antibody against Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) for immunoassay application. BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2022; 34:e00725. [PMID: 35686006 PMCID: PMC9171438 DOI: 10.1016/j.btre.2022.e00725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
This is the first report of the production of anti- Δ9-THC mAb in N. benthamiana which are the cost-effective and rapidly production platform. Moreover, plant-produced mAb provide the efficiency against Δ9-THC and it can be applied for the further immunoassay application.
Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC) is mainly a psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant. The immunoassay, an alternative method to HPLC and GC, can be used to analyze and measure Δ9-THC. This method provides high sensitivity and specificity by using antibodies specific to the desired substances. Currently, plants provide several benefits over traditional expression platforms to produce recombinant antibodies, such as lower production costs and scalability. Therefore, this study aims to produce a recombinant anti-Δ9-THC monoclonal antibody (mAb) with transient expression using N. benthamiana. The highest expression level of the plant-produced mAb was estimated to be 0.33 ug/g leaf fresh weight. Our results demonstrate that the antibody provided in vitro affinity binding related to Δ9-THC and the metabolites of Δ9-THC, such as cannabinol (CBN). Moreover, the antibody also showed binding efficiency with Δ9-THC in cannabis extract. Moreover, plant-produced mAbs provide efficiency against Δ9-THC and can be applied for further immunoassay applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanuttha Boonyayothin
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology Program, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Khwanlada Kobtrakul
- Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology Program, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Petlada Khositanon
- Research Cluster for Cannabis and its Natural Substances, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Sornkanok Vimolmangkang
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Research Cluster for Cannabis and its Natural Substances, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Corresponding author at: Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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39
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Potential for a Plant-Made SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibody as a Synergetic Cocktail Component. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050772. [PMID: 35632528 PMCID: PMC9145534 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a public health crisis over the last two years. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based therapeutics against the spike (S) protein have been shown to be effective treatments for SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially the original viral strain. However, the current mAbs produced in mammalian cells are expensive and might be unaffordable for many. Furthermore, the emergence of variants of concern demands the development of strategies to prevent mutant escape from mAb treatment. Using a cocktail of mAbs that bind to complementary neutralizing epitopes is one such strategy. In this study, we use Nicotiana benthamiana plants in an effort to expedite the development of efficacious and affordable antibody cocktails against SARS-CoV-2. We show that two mAbs can be highly expressed in plants and are correctly assembled into IgG molecules. Moreover, they retain target epitope recognition and, more importantly, neutralize multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants. We also show that one plant-made mAb has neutralizing synergy with other mAbs that we developed in hybridomas. This is the first report of a plant-made mAb to be assessed as a potential component of a SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing cocktail. This work may offer a strategy for using plants to quickly develop mAb cocktail-based therapeutics against emerging viral diseases with high efficacy and low costs.
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Velappan N, Nguyen HB, Micheva-Viteva S, Bedinger D, Ye C, Mangadu B, Watts AJ, Meagher R, Bradfute S, Hu B, Waldo GS, Lillo AM. Healthy humans can be a source of antibodies countering COVID-19. Bioengineered 2022; 13:12598-12624. [PMID: 35599623 PMCID: PMC9275966 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2076390] [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: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Here, we describe the isolation of 18 unique anti SARS-CoV-2 human single-chain antibodies from an antibody library derived from healthy donors. The selection used a combination of phage and yeast display technologies and included counter-selection strategies meant to direct the selection of the receptor-binding motif (RBM) of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's receptor binding domain (RBD2). Selected antibodies were characterized in various formats including IgG, using flow cytometry, ELISA, high throughput SPR, and fluorescence microscopy. We report antibodies' RBD2 recognition specificity, binding affinity, and epitope diversity, as well as ability to block RBD2 binding to the human receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and to neutralize authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus infection in vitro. We present evidence supporting that: 1) most of our antibodies (16 out of 18) selectively recognize RBD2; 2) the best performing 8 antibodies target eight different epitopes of RBD2; 3) one of the pairs tested in sandwich assays detects RBD2 with sub-picomolar sensitivity; and 4) two antibody pairs inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection at low nanomolar half neutralization titers. Based on these results, we conclude that our antibodies have high potential for therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Importantly, our results indicate that readily available non immune (naïve) antibody libraries obtained from healthy donors can be used to select high-quality monoclonal antibodies, bypassing the need for blood of infected patients, and offering a widely accessible and low-cost alternative to more sophisticated and expensive antibody selection approaches (e.g. single B cell analysis and natural evolution in humanized mice).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nileena Velappan
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87547, USA
| | - Hau B. Nguyen
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87547, USA
| | | | - Daniel Bedinger
- Experimental division, Carterra Inc, Walnut Creek, CA, 94568, USA
| | - Chunyan Ye
- Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Betty Mangadu
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, 94551, USA
| | - Austin J. Watts
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87547, USA
- Experimental division, Carterra Inc, Walnut Creek, CA, 94568, USA
- Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, 94551, USA
| | - Robert Meagher
- Biotechnology and Bioengineering Department, Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA, 94551, USA
| | - Steven Bradfute
- Center for Global Health and Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Bin Hu
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87547, USA
| | - Geoffrey S. Waldo
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87547, USA
| | - Antonietta M. Lillo
- Biosciences Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM87547, USA
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Slattery SS, Giguere DJ, Stuckless EE, Shrestha A, Briere LAK, Galbraith A, Reaume S, Boyko X, Say HH, Browne TS, Frederick MI, Lant JT, Heinemann IU, O'Donoghue P, Dsouza L, Martin S, Howard P, Jedeszko C, Ali K, Styba G, Flatley M, Karas BJ, Gloor GB, Edgell DR. Phosphate-regulated expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain in the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum for pandemic diagnostics. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7010. [PMID: 35487958 PMCID: PMC9051505 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11053-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 betacoronavirus has highlighted the need for a synthetic biology approach to create reliable and scalable sources of viral antigen for uses in diagnostics, therapeutics and basic biomedical research. Here, we adapt plasmid-based systems in the eukaryotic microalgae Phaeodactylum tricornutum to develop an inducible overexpression system for SARS-CoV-2 proteins. Limiting phosphate and iron in growth media induced expression of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from the P. tricornutum HASP1 promoter in the wild-type strain and in a histidine auxotrophic strain that alleviates the requirement for antibiotic selection of expression plasmids. The RBD was purified from whole cell extracts (algae-RBD) with yield compromised by the finding that 90-95% of expressed RBD lacked the genetically encoded C-terminal 6X-histidine tag. Constructs that lacked the TEV protease site between the RBD and C-terminal 6X-histidine tag retained the tag, increasing yield. Purified algae-RBD was found to be N-linked glycosylated by treatment with endoglycosidases, was cross-reactive with anti-RBD polyclonal antibodies, and inhibited binding of recombinant RBD purified from mammalian cell lines to the human ACE2 receptor. We also show that the algae-RBD can be used in a lateral flow assay device to detect SARS-CoV-2 specific IgG antibodies from donor serum at sensitivity equivalent to assays performed with RBD made in mammalian cell lines. Our study shows that P. tricornutum is a scalable system with minimal biocontainment requirements for the inducible production of SARS-CoV-2 or other coronavirus antigens for pandemic diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel S Slattery
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Daniel J Giguere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Emily E Stuckless
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Arina Shrestha
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Lee-Ann K Briere
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Alexa Galbraith
- Lambton College, 1457 London Rd, Sarnia, ON, N7S 6K4, Canada
| | - Stephen Reaume
- Lambton College, 1457 London Rd, Sarnia, ON, N7S 6K4, Canada
| | - Xenia Boyko
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Henry H Say
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Tyler S Browne
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Mallory I Frederick
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Jeremy T Lant
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Ilka U Heinemann
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Patrick O'Donoghue
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
- Department of Chemistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 3K7, Canada
| | - Liann Dsouza
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Steven Martin
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Peter Howard
- Pond Technologies Inc., Markham, ON, L3R 9W7, Canada
| | - Christopher Jedeszko
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Kinza Ali
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Garth Styba
- International Point of Care Inc., 135 The West Mall Unit 9, Toronto, ON, M9C 1C2, Canada
| | - Martin Flatley
- Suncor Energy Inc., Sarnia Refinery, 1900 River Road, Sarnia, ON, N7T 7J3, Canada
| | - Bogumil J Karas
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - Gregory B Gloor
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
| | - David R Edgell
- Department of Biochemistry, Schlich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada.
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Possible Cross-Reactivity of Feline and White-Tailed Deer Antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain. J Virol 2022; 96:e0025022. [PMID: 35352999 PMCID: PMC9044950 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00250-22] [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] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In late 2019, a novel coronavirus began circulating within humans in central China. It was designated SARS-CoV-2 because of its genetic similarities to the 2003 SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Now that SARS-CoV-2 has spread worldwide, there is a risk of it establishing new animal reservoirs and recombination with native circulating coronaviruses. To screen local animal populations in the United States for exposure to SARS-like coronaviruses, we developed a serological assay using the receptor binding domain (RBD) from SARS-CoV-2. SARS-CoV-2's RBD is antigenically distinct from common human and animal coronaviruses, allowing us to identify animals previously infected with SARS-CoV or SARS-CoV-2. Using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for SARS-CoV-2's RBD, we screened serum from wild and domestic animals for the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2's RBD. Surprisingly prepandemic feline serum samples submitted to the University of Tennessee Veterinary Hospital were ∼50% positive for anti-SARS RBD antibodies. Some of these samples were serologically negative for feline coronavirus (FCoV), raising the question of the etiological agent generating anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD cross-reactivity. We also identified several white-tailed deer from South Carolina with anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. These results are intriguing, as cross-reactive antibodies toward SARS-CoV-2 RBD have not been reported to date. The etiological agent responsible for seropositivity was not readily apparent, but finding seropositive cats prior to the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic highlights our lack of information about circulating coronaviruses in other species. IMPORTANCE We report cross-reactive antibodies from prepandemic cats and postpandemic South Carolina white-tailed deer that are specific for that SARS-CoV RBD. There are several potential explanations for this cross-reactivity, each with important implications to coronavirus disease surveillance. Perhaps the most intriguing possibility is the existence and transmission of an etiological agent (such as another coronavirus) with similarity to SARS-CoV-2's RBD region. However, we lack conclusive evidence of prepandemic transmission of a SARS-like virus. Our findings provide impetus for the adoption of a One Health Initiative focusing on infectious disease surveillance of multiple animal species to predict the next zoonotic transmission to humans and future pandemics.
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Ruocco V, Strasser R. Transient Expression of Glycosylated SARS-CoV-2 Antigens in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:1093. [PMID: 35448821 PMCID: PMC9033091 DOI: 10.3390/plants11081093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic very dramatically shows that the world lacks preparedness for novel viral diseases. In addition to newly emerging viruses, many known pathogenic viruses such as influenza are constantly evolving, leading to frequent outbreaks with severe diseases and deaths. Hence, infectious viruses are a recurrent burden to our daily life, and powerful strategies to stop the spread of human pathogens and disease progression are of utmost importance. Transient plant-based protein expression is a technology that allows fast and highly flexible manufacturing of recombinant viral proteins and, thus, can contribute to infectious disease detection and prevention. This review highlights recent progress in the transient production of viral glycoproteins in N. benthamiana with a focus on SARS-CoV-2-derived viral antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Muthgasse 18, A-1190 Vienna, Austria;
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McMillan CLD, Azuar A, Choo JJY, Modhiran N, Amarilla AA, Isaacs A, Honeyman KE, Cheung STM, Liang B, Wurm MJ, Pino P, Kint J, Fernando GJP, Landsberg MJ, Khromykh AA, Hobson-Peters J, Watterson D, Young PR, Muller DA. Dermal Delivery of a SARS-CoV-2 Subunit Vaccine Induces Immunogenicity against Variants of Concern. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:578. [PMID: 35455326 PMCID: PMC9030474 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to disrupt essential health services in 90 percent of countries today. The spike (S) protein found on the surface of the causative agent, the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been the prime target for current vaccine research since antibodies directed against the S protein were found to neutralize the virus. However, as new variants emerge, mutations within the spike protein have given rise to potential immune evasion of the response generated by the current generation of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. In this study, a modified, HexaPro S protein subunit vaccine, delivered using a needle-free high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP), was investigated for its immunogenicity and virus-neutralizing abilities. Mice given two doses of the vaccine candidate generated potent antibody responses capable of neutralizing the parental SARS-CoV-2 virus as well as the variants of concern, Alpha and Delta. These results demonstrate that this alternative vaccination strategy has the potential to mitigate the effect of emerging viral variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L. D. McMillan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Armira Azuar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Jovin J. Y. Choo
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Naphak Modhiran
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Alberto A. Amarilla
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Ariel Isaacs
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Kate E. Honeyman
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Stacey T. M. Cheung
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Benjamin Liang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Maria J. Wurm
- ExcellGene SA, CH1870 Monthey, Switzerland; (M.J.W.); (P.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Paco Pino
- ExcellGene SA, CH1870 Monthey, Switzerland; (M.J.W.); (P.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Joeri Kint
- ExcellGene SA, CH1870 Monthey, Switzerland; (M.J.W.); (P.P.); (J.K.)
| | - Germain J. P. Fernando
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Translational Research Institute, Vaxxas Pty Ltd., Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Michael J. Landsberg
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Alexander A. Khromykh
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Jody Hobson-Peters
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Daniel Watterson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - Paul R. Young
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
| | - David A. Muller
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (C.L.D.M.); (A.A.); (J.J.Y.C.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (A.I.); (K.E.H.); (S.T.M.C.); (B.L.); (G.J.P.F.); (M.J.L.); (A.A.K.); (J.H.-P.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, Global Virus Network Centre of Excellence, Brisbane, QLD 4072 and 4029, Australia
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Multi-approach LC-MS methods for the characterization of species-specific attributes of monoclonal antibodies from plants. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 216:114796. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.114796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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Klausberger M, Kienzl NF, Stadlmayr G, Grünwald‐Gruber C, Laurent E, Stadlbauer K, Stracke F, Vierlinger K, Hofner M, Manhart G, Gerner W, Grebien F, Weinhäusel A, Mach L, Wozniak‐Knopp G. Designed SARS‐CoV‐2 receptor binding domain variants form stable monomers. Biotechnol J 2022; 17:e2100422. [PMID: 35078277 PMCID: PMC9011732 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS‐CoV‐2 spike (S)‐protein is a prime target of virus‐neutralizing antibodies present in convalescent sera of COVID‐19 patients and thus is considered a key antigen for immunosurveillance studies and vaccine development. Although recombinant expression of RBD has been achieved in several eukaryotic systems, mammalian cells have proven particularly useful. The authors aimed to optimize RBD produced in HEK293‐6E cells towards a stable homogeneous preparation and addressed its O‐glycosylation as well as the unpaired cysteine residue 538 in the widely used RBD (319‐541) sequence. The authors found that an intact O‐glycosylation site at T323 is highly relevant for the expression and maintenance of RBD as a monomer. Furthermore, it was shown that deletion or substitution of the unpaired cysteine residue C538 reduces the intrinsic propensity of RBD to form oligomeric aggregates, concomitant with an increased yield of the monomeric form of the protein. Bead‐based and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays utilizing these optimized RBD variants displayed excellent performance with respect to the specific detection of even low levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies in convalescent sera. Hence, these RBD variants could be instrumental for the further development of serological SARS‐CoV‐2 tests and inform the design of RBD‐based vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Klausberger
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Nikolaus F. Kienzl
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Gerhard Stadlmayr
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Clemens Grünwald‐Gruber
- Institute of Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and BOKU Core Facility Mass Spectrometry University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Elisabeth Laurent
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
- BOKU Core Facility Biomolecular & Cellular Analysis University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Katharina Stadlbauer
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Florian Stracke
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Klemens Vierlinger
- Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources Austrian Institute of Technology Giefinggasse 4 Vienna 1210 Austria
| | - Manuela Hofner
- Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources Austrian Institute of Technology Giefinggasse 4 Vienna 1210 Austria
| | - Gabriele Manhart
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry University of Veterinary Medicine Veterinärplatz 1 Vienna 1210 Austria
| | - Wilhelm Gerner
- Institute of Immunology University of Veterinary Medicine Veterinärplatz 1 Vienna 1210 Austria
| | - Florian Grebien
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry University of Veterinary Medicine Veterinärplatz 1 Vienna 1210 Austria
| | - Andreas Weinhäusel
- Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources Austrian Institute of Technology Giefinggasse 4 Vienna 1210 Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
| | - Gordana Wozniak‐Knopp
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, Department of Biotechnology University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Immunotherapeutics University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) Muthgasse 18 Vienna 1190 Austria
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Hussein NA, Ali EAA, El-Hakim AE, Tabll AA, El-Shershaby A, Salamony A, Shaheen MNF, Ali I, Elshall M, Shahein YE. Assessment of specific human antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain by rapid in-house ELISA. Hum Antibodies 2022; 30:105-115. [PMID: 35431235 DOI: 10.3233/hab-220003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The recently emerged SARS-CoV-2 caused a global pandemic since the last two years. The urgent need to control the spread of the virus and rapid application of the suitable health measures raised the importance of available, rapid, and accurate diagnostic approaches. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to describe a rapid in-house optimized ELISA based on the expression of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in a prokaryotic system. METHODS We show the expression of the 30 kDa recombinant SARS-CoV-2 RBD-6×His in four different E. coli strains (at 28∘C using 0.25mM IPTG) including the expression strain E. coli BL21 (DE3) Rosetta Gami. SARS-CoV-2 rRBD-6×His protein was purified, refolded, and used as an antigen coat to assess antibody response in human sera against SARS-CoV-2 infection. RESULTS The assessment was carried out using a total of 155 human sero-positive and negative SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The ELISA showed 69.5% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 78.5% agreement, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 92.3%, and a negative predictive value of 56.5%. Moreover, the optical density (OD) values of positive samples significantly correlated with the commercial kit titers. CONCLUSIONS Specific human antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were detected by rapid in-house ELISA in sera of human COVID-19-infected patients. The availability of this in-house ELISA protocol would be valuable for various diagnostic and epidemiological applications, particularly in developing countries. Future studies are planned for the use of the generated SARS-CoV-2 rRBD-6×His protein in vaccine development and other diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahla A Hussein
- Molecular Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Esraa A A Ali
- Molecular Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Amr E El-Hakim
- Molecular Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ashraf A Tabll
- Microbial Biotechnology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Asmaa El-Shershaby
- Molecular Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Azza Salamony
- Egypt Center for Research and Regenerative Medicine, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed N F Shaheen
- Environmental Virology Laboratory, Water Pollution Research Department, Environmental and Climate Change Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim Ali
- Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud Elshall
- Parasitology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
| | - Yasser E Shahein
- Molecular Biology Department, Biotechnology Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt
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Hanittinan O, Rattanapisit K, Malla A, Tharakhet K, Ketloy C, Prompetchara E, Phoolcharoen W. Feasibility of plant-expression system for production of recombinant anti-human IgE: An alternative production platform for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2022; 13:1012583. [PMID: 36531354 PMCID: PMC9755585 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2022.1012583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Omalizumab, the anti-immunoglobulin IgE antibody is the only approved and available monoclonal antibody as an auxiliary medicament for the severe respiratory allergic reactions. It forms small size immune complexes by binding to free IgE, thereby inhibiting the interaction of IgE with its receptors. Additionally, the anti-IgE can also differently shape the airflow by impeding the stimulation of IgE receptors present on structural cells in the respiratory tract. The present study aimed to use plants as an expression system for anti-human IgE antibody production, using Nicotiana benthamiana as hosts. Recombinant Agrobacterium tumefaciens containing heavy chain (HC) and light chain (LC) domains of anti-human IgE were co-transformed in N. benthamiana. The assembling of the antibody and its expression was detected by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The functional ability of the anti-IgE antibody was determined via its binding capacity with target IgE by ELISA and the inhibition of basophil activation. The anti-human IgE mAb generated in plants was shown to be effective in binding to its target IgE and inhibit the IgE-crosslink in RS-ATL8 reporter cells. Although, antibody yield and purification process have to be further optimized, this study demonstrates the use of plant expression system as a promising platform for the production of Omalizumab which showed a comparable in vitro function to that of commercial Omalizumab (Xolair) in the inhibition of basophil activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oranicha Hanittinan
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | | | - Kittipan Tharakhet
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development (Chula VRC), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chutitorn Ketloy
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development (Chula VRC), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Eakachai Prompetchara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development (Chula VRC), Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Eakachai Prompetchara, ; Waranyoo Phoolcharoen,
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- *Correspondence: Eakachai Prompetchara, ; Waranyoo Phoolcharoen,
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Blanco OR, Dorta D, Hernández CA, Abreu D, Domínguez AG, Luna Y, Valdivia O, Pérez-Bernal M, Tamayo C, Lemos G, Pasarón IM, Pérez JJ, Benítez L, Bequet-Romero M, Fragas A, Cabrera Y, Pérez ER. Murine monoclonal antibodies against RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein as useful analytical tools for subunit vaccine development and clinical trials. J Immunol Methods 2022; 500:113195. [PMID: 34843713 PMCID: PMC8619880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2021.113195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic poses a serious threat to human health; it has completely disrupted global stability, making vaccine development an important goal to achieve. Monoclonal antibodies play an important role in subunit vaccines strategies. In this work, nine murine MAbs against the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein were obtained by hybridoma technology. Characterization of purified antibodies demonstrated that five of them have affinities in the order of 108 L/mol. Six MAbs showed specific recognition of different recombinant RBD-S antigens in solution. Studies of the additivity index of anti-RBD antibodies, by using a novel procedure to determine the additivity cut point, showed recognition of at least five different epitopes. The MAbs CBSSRBD-S.11 and CBSSRBD-S.8 revealed significant neutralizing capacity against SARS-CoV-2 in an ACE2-RBD binding inhibition assay (IC50 = 85.5pM and IC50 = 122.7pM, respectively) and in a virus neutralizing test with intact SARS-CoV-2 (VN50 = 0.552 nM and VN50 = 4.854 nM, respectively) when D614G strain was used to infect Vero cells. Also CBSSRBD-S.11 neutralized the SARS-CoV-2 strains Alpha and Beta: VN50 = 0.707 nM and VN50 = 0.132 nM, respectively. The high affinity CBSSRBD-S.8 and CBSSRBD-S.7 recognized different epitopes, so they are suitable for the development of a sandwich ELISA to quantitate RBD-S recombinant antigens in biomanufacturing processes, as well as in pharmacokinetic studies in clinical and preclinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar R Blanco
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Dayamí Dorta
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Carlos A Hernández
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Daymí Abreu
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Andy G Domínguez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Yaramis Luna
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Onel Valdivia
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Maylín Pérez-Bernal
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Celia Tamayo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Gilda Lemos
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 e/ 158 y 190, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Ivis M Pasarón
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Joel J Pérez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Liudmila Benítez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
| | - Mónica Bequet-Romero
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Ave. 31 e/ 158 y 190, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Anitza Fragas
- Civilian Defense Scientific Research Center, Carretera de Jamaica y Autopista 15 Nacional, San José de las Lajas, Mayabeque, Cuba
| | - Yeosvany Cabrera
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba.
| | - Enrique R Pérez
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Sancti Spíritus, Circunvalante Norte, Olivos III, Sancti Spíritus, Cuba
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Mardanova ES, Kotlyarov RY, Ravin NV. High-Yield Production of Receptor Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2 Linked to Bacterial Flagellin in Plants Using Self-Replicating Viral Vector pEff. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:plants10122682. [PMID: 34961153 PMCID: PMC8708900 DOI: 10.3390/plants10122682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/03/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The development of recombinant vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 is required to eliminate the COVID-19 pandemic. We reported the expression of a recombinant protein Flg-RBD comprising receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (RBD) fused to flagellin of Salmonella typhimurium (Flg), known as mucosal adjuvant, in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The fusion protein, targeted to the cytosol, was transiently expressed using the self-replicating vector pEff based on potato virus X genome. The recombinant protein Flg-RBD was expressed at the level of about 110-140 μg per gram of fresh leaf tissue and was found to be insoluble. The fusion protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography under denaturing conditions. To increase the yield of Flg-RBD, the flow-through fraction obtained after loading of the protein sample on the Ni-NTA resin was re-loaded on the sorbent. The yield of Flg-RBD after purification reached about 100 μg per gram of fresh leaf tissue and the purified protein remained soluble after dialysis. The control flagellin was expressed in a soluble form and its yield after purification was about 300 μg per gram of fresh leaf biomass. Plant-produced Flg-RBD protein could be further used for the development of intranasal recombinant mucosal vaccines against COVID-19.
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