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Park S, Kim G, Choi A, Kim S, Yum JS, Chun E, Shin H. Comparative network-based analysis of toll-like receptor agonist, L-pampo signaling pathways in immune and cancer cells. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17173. [PMID: 39060412 PMCID: PMC11282102 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67000-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical components to stimulate immune responses against various infections. Recently, TLR agonists have emerged as a promising way to activate anti-tumor immunity. L-pampo, a TLR1/2 and TLR3 agonist, induces humoral and cellular immune responses and also causes cancer cell death. In this study, we investigated the L-pampo-induced signals and delineated their interactions with molecular signaling pathways using RNA-seq in immune cells and colon and prostate cancer cells. We first constructed a template network with differentially expressed genes and influential genes from network propagation using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis. Next, we obtained perturbed modules using the above method and extracted core submodules from them by conducting Walktrap. Finally, we reconstructed the subnetworks of major molecular signals utilizing a shortest path-finding algorithm, TOPAS. Our analysis suggests that TLR signaling activated by L-pampo is transmitted to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) with reactive oxygen species (ROS) through PI3K-AKT and JAK-STAT only in immune and prostate cancer cells that highly express TLRs. This signal flow may further sensitize prostate cancer to L-pampo due to its high basal expression level of OXPHOS and ROS. Our computational approaches can be applied for inferring underlying molecular mechanisms from complex gene expression profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sera Park
- MOGAM Institute for Biomedical Research, Seoul, 06730, Republic of Korea
| | - Geuntae Kim
- CHA Vaccine Institute, Seongnamsi, Gyenggido, 13488, South Korea
| | - Ahyoung Choi
- MOGAM Institute for Biomedical Research, Seoul, 06730, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Kim
- MOGAM Institute for Biomedical Research, Seoul, 06730, Republic of Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Artificial Intelligence, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
- Interdisciplinary Program in Bioinformatics, Seoul National University, Seoul, 08826, Korea
| | - Jung Sun Yum
- CHA Vaccine Institute, Seongnamsi, Gyenggido, 13488, South Korea
| | - Eunyoung Chun
- CHA Vaccine Institute, Seongnamsi, Gyenggido, 13488, South Korea.
| | - Hyunjin Shin
- MOGAM Institute for Biomedical Research, Seoul, 06730, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Heo Y, Ko E, Park S, Park SO, Ahn BC, Yum JS, Chun E. L-Pampo™, a Novel TLR2/3 Agonist, Acts as a Potent Cancer Vaccine Adjuvant by Activating Draining Lymph Node Dendritic Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3978. [PMID: 37568794 PMCID: PMC10417701 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
TLR agonists have emerged as an efficient cancer vaccine adjuvant system that induces robust immune responses. L-pampo™, a proprietary vaccine adjuvant of TLR2 and TLR3 agonists, promotes strong humoral and cellular immune responses against infectious diseases. In this study, we demonstrate that vaccines formulated with L-pampo™ affect the recruitment and activation of dendritic cells (DCs) in draining lymph nodes (dLNs) and leading to antigen-specific T-cell responses and anti-tumor efficacy. We analyzed DC maturation and T-cell proliferation using flow cytometry and ELISA. We determined the effect of L-pampo™ on DCs in dLNs and antigen-specific T-cell responses using flow cytometric analysis and the ELISPOT assay. We employed murine tumor models and analyzed the anti-tumor effect of L-pampo™. We found that L-pampo™ directly enhanced the maturation and cytokine production of DCs and, consequently, T-cell proliferation. OVA or OVA peptide formulated with L-pampo™ promoted DC migration into dLNs and increased activation markers and specific DC subsets within dLNs. In addition, vaccines admixed with L-pampo™ promoted antigen-specific T-cell responses and anti-tumor efficacy. Moreover, the combination of L-pampo™ with an immune checkpoint inhibitor synergistically improved the anti-tumor effect. This study suggests that L-pampo™ can be a potent cancer vaccine adjuvant and a suitable candidate for combination immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Eunyoung Chun
- R&D Center, CHA Vaccine Institute, Seongnam-si 13493, Republic of Korea; (Y.H.); (E.K.); (S.P.); (S.-O.P.); (B.-C.A.); (J.-S.Y.)
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3
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Brai A, Poggialini F, Pasqualini C, Trivisani CI, Vagaggini C, Dreassi E. Progress towards Adjuvant Development: Focus on Antiviral Therapy. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9225. [PMID: 37298177 PMCID: PMC10253057 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, vaccines have been extraordinary resources to prevent pathogen diffusion and cancer. Even if they can be formed by a single antigen, the addition of one or more adjuvants represents the key to enhance the response of the immune signal to the antigen, thus accelerating and increasing the duration and the potency of the protective effect. Their use is of particular importance for vulnerable populations, such as the elderly or immunocompromised people. Despite their importance, only in the last forty years has the search for novel adjuvants increased, with the discovery of novel classes of immune potentiators and immunomodulators. Due to the complexity of the cascades involved in immune signal activation, their mechanism of action remains poorly understood, even if significant discovery has been recently made thanks to recombinant technology and metabolomics. This review focuses on the classes of adjuvants under research, recent mechanism of action studies, as well as nanodelivery systems and novel classes of adjuvants that can be chemically manipulated to create novel small molecule adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalaura Brai
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (C.P.); (C.V.)
| | - Federica Poggialini
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (C.P.); (C.V.)
| | - Claudia Pasqualini
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (C.P.); (C.V.)
| | - Claudia Immacolata Trivisani
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (C.P.); (C.V.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Chiara Vagaggini
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (C.P.); (C.V.)
| | - Elena Dreassi
- Department of Biotechnologies, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Aldo Moro 2, I-53100 Siena, Italy; (A.B.); (F.P.); (C.P.); (C.V.)
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4
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Lee WS, Kim DS, Kim JH, Heo Y, Yang H, Go EJ, Kim JH, Lee SJ, Ahn BC, Yum JS, Chon HJ, Kim C. Intratumoral immunotherapy using a TLR2/3 agonist, L-pampo, induces robust antitumor immune responses and enhances immune checkpoint blockade. J Immunother Cancer 2022; 10:jitc-2022-004799. [PMID: 35764365 PMCID: PMC9240943 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2022-004799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are critical innate immune sensors that elicit antitumor immune responses in cancer immunotherapy. Although a few TLR agonists have been approved for the treatment of patients with early-stage superficial cancers, their therapeutic efficacy is limited in patient with advanced invasive cancers. Here, we identified the therapeutic role of a TLR2/3 agonist, L-pampo (LP), which promotes antitumor immunity and enhances the immune checkpoint blockade. METHODS We generated LP by combining a TLR2 agonist, Pam3CSK4, with a TLR3 agonist, Poly (I:C). Immune responses to stimulation with various TLR agonists were compared. Tumor-bearing mice were intratumorally treated with LP, and their tumor sizes were measured. The antitumor effects of LP treatment were determined using flow cytometry, multiplexed imaging, and NanoString nCounter immune profiling. The immunotherapeutic potential of LP in combination with α-programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) or α-cytotoxic T-lymphocytes-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) was evaluated in syngeneic MC38 colon cancer and B16F10 melanoma. RESULTS The LP treatment induced a potent activation of T helper 1 (Th1) and 2 (Th2)-mediated immunity, tumor cell apoptosis, and immunogenic tumor cell death. Intratumoral LP treatment effectively inhibited tumor progression by activating tumor-specific T cell immunity. LP-induced immune responses were mediated by CD8+ T cells and interferon-γ, but not by CD4+ T cells and CD25+ T cells. LP simultaneously activated TLR2 and TLR3 signaling, thereby extensively changing the immune-related gene signatures within the tumor microenvironment (TME). Moreover, intratumoral LP treatment led to systemic abscopal antitumor effects in non-injected distant tumors. Notably, LP treatment combined with ɑPD-1 and ɑCTLA-4 further enhanced the efficacy of monotherapy, resulting in complete tumor regression and prolonged overall survival. Furthermore, LP-based combination immunotherapy elicited durable antitumor immunity with tumor-specific immune memory in colon cancer and melanoma. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrated that intratumoral LP treatment improves the innate and adaptive antitumor immunity within the TME and enhances the efficacy of αPD-1 and αCTLA-4 immune checkpoint blockade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Suk Lee
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of).,Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Dong Sung Kim
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of).,Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jeong Hun Kim
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Yoonki Heo
- CHA Vaccine Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hannah Yang
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of).,Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Eun-Jin Go
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of).,Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jin Hyoung Kim
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of).,Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Seung Joon Lee
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Byung Cheol Ahn
- CHA Vaccine Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Jung Sun Yum
- CHA Vaccine Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Hong Jae Chon
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of) .,Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of).,Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
| | - Chan Kim
- Laboratory of Translational Immuno-Oncology, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of) .,Medical Oncology, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of).,Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea (the Republic of)
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5
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Facciolà A, Visalli G, Laganà A, Di Pietro A. An Overview of Vaccine Adjuvants: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10050819. [PMID: 35632575 PMCID: PMC9147349 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10050819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccinations are one of the most important preventive tools against infectious diseases. Over time, many different types of vaccines have been developed concerning the antigen component. Adjuvants are essential elements that increase the efficacy of vaccination practises through many different actions, especially acting as carriers, depots, and stimulators of immune responses. For many years, few adjuvants have been included in vaccines, with aluminium salts being the most commonly used adjuvant. However, recent research has focused its attention on many different new compounds with effective adjuvant properties and improved safety. Modern technologies such as nanotechnologies and molecular biology have forcefully entered the production processes of both antigen and adjuvant components, thereby improving vaccine efficacy. Microparticles, emulsions, and immune stimulators are currently in the spotlight for their huge potential in vaccine production. Although studies have reported some potential side effects of vaccine adjuvants such as the recently recognised ASIA syndrome, the huge worth of vaccines remains unquestionable. Indeed, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines, especially in regard to managing future potential pandemics. In this field, research into adjuvants could play a leading role in the production of increasingly effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessio Facciolà
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Giuseppa Visalli
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
| | - Antonio Laganà
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
- Multi-Specialist Clinical Institute for Orthopaedic Trauma Care (COT), 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, 98125 Messina, Italy; (G.V.); (A.L.); (A.D.P.)
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6
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Distinct roles but cooperative effect of TLR3/9 agonists and PD-1 blockade in converting the immunotolerant microenvironment of irreversible electroporation-ablated tumors. Cell Mol Immunol 2021; 18:2632-2647. [PMID: 34782757 PMCID: PMC8633376 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-021-00796-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Irreversible electroporation (IRE) is a new cancer ablation technology, but methods to improve IRE-induced therapeutic immunity are only beginning to be investigated. We developed a mouse model bearing large primary (300 mm3) and medium distant (100 mm3) EG7 lymphomas engineered to express ovalbumin (OVA) as a nominal tumor antigen. We established experimental protocols including IRE alone and IRE combined with Toll-like receptor (TLR)3/9 agonists (poly I:C/CpG) (IRE + pIC/CpG), PD-1 blockade (IRE + PD-1 blockade), or both (IRE + Combo) to investigate therapeutic effects on primary and distant EG7 tumors and conversion-promoting effects on the immunotolerant tumor microenvironment (TME). We demonstrated that IRE alone simulated very weak OVA-specific CD8+ T cell responses and did not inhibit primary tumor growth. IRE + pIC/CpG synergistically stimulated more efficient OVA-specific CD8+ T cell responses and primary tumor growth inhibition than IRE + PD-1 blockade. IRE + pIC/CpG played a major role in the modulation of immune cell profiles but a minor role in the downregulation of PD-L1 expression in the TME and vice versa for IRE + PD-1 blockade. IRE + Combo cooperatively induced potent OVA-specific CD8+ T cell immunity and rescued exhausted intratumoral CD8+ T cells, leading to eradication of not only primary tumors but also untreated concomitant distant tumors and lung metastases. IRE + Combo efficiently modulated immune cell profiles, as evidenced by reductions in immunotolerant type-2 (M2) macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor-cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, and regulatory T cells and by increases in immunogenic M1 macrophages, CD169+ macrophages, type-1 conventional dendritic cells, and CD8+ T cells, leading to conversion of immunotolerance in not only primary TMEs but also untreated distant TMEs. IRE + Combo also showed effective therapeutic effects in two breast cancer models. Therefore, our results suggest that IRE + Combo is a promising strategy to improve IRE ablation therapy in cancer.
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7
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COVID-19 Subunit Vaccine with a Combination of TLR1/2 and TLR3 Agonists Induces Robust and Protective Immunity. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9090957. [PMID: 34579194 PMCID: PMC8473206 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9090957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of COVID-19 vaccines is critical in controlling global health issues under the COVID-19 pandemic. The subunit vaccines are the safest and most widely used vaccine platform and highly effective against a multitude of infectious diseases. An adjuvant is essential for subunit vaccines to enhance the magnitude and durability of immune responses. In this study, we determined whether a combination of toll-like receptor (TLR)1/2 and TLR3 agonists (L-pampo) can be a potent adjuvant for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) subunit vaccine. We measured a neutralizing antibody (nAb) and an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor-blocking antibody against SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD). We also detected interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production by using ELISPOT and ELISA assays. By employing a ferret model, we detected nAbs and IFN-γ producing cells and measured viral load in nasal wash after the challenge of SARS-CoV-2. We found that SARS-CoV-2 antigens with L-pampo stimulated robust humoral and cellular immune responses. The efficacy of L-pampo was higher than the other adjuvants. Furthermore, in the ferret model, SARS-CoV-2 antigens with L-pampo elicited nAb response and antigen-specific cellular immune response against SARS-CoV-2, resulting in substantially decreased viral load in their nasal wash. Our study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 antigens formulated with TLR agonists, L-pampo, can be a potent subunit vaccine to promote sufficient protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2.
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8
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Bothamley GH. Male Sex Bias in Immune Biomarkers for Tuberculosis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:640903. [PMID: 33796106 PMCID: PMC8007857 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.640903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Males have a bias toward developing sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, whereas other forms of the disease have an equal sex ratio. Immune responses are known to be affected by estrogen and testosterone. Biomarkers may therefore be affected by these hormones, especially between 16 and 45 years of age when the differences are most marked. Using large data sets, we examined whether the male bias was significant in terms of diagnosis or predictive ability for the development of disease in those exposed to tuberculosis. Despite the large numbers, the need to specify homogeneous population groups for analysis affected the statistical power to discount a useful biomarker. In general, males showed higher interferon-gamma responses to TB antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10, whilst females had stronger tuberculin responses in those with sputum smear- and culture-positive tuberculosis, but smaller responses in those who were screened for tuberculosis and who did not develop disease. Importantly, in contacts of sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis, more males who did not develop tuberculosis had tuberculin skin tests in the range between 10 and 14 mm, suggesting that sex-specific cut-offs might be better than general cut-off values for determining who should receive preventive treatment. Immunocytochemistry of the tuberculin responses correlated with cell numbers only in females. Total and anti-lipoarabinomannan IgM antibody levels were lower in males, whereas total and anti-BCG IgE antibody levels were higher. Evaluation of biomarkers should take account of the spectrum of tuberculosis and male sex bias for sputum smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis. These findings improve our understanding of how immune responses contribute to the pathogenesis of infectious tuberculosis as well as suggesting clinical applications of the differences between the sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham H Bothamley
- TB Team, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Homerton University Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom.,Blizard Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
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9
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Xu Z, Rivera-Hernandez T, Moyle PM. Development of an Enzyme-Mediated, Site-Specific Method to Conjugate Toll-Like Receptor 2 Agonists onto Protein Antigens: Toward a Broadly Protective, Four Component, Group A Streptococcal Self-Adjuvanting Lipoprotein-Fusion Combination Vaccine. ACS Infect Dis 2020; 6:1770-1782. [PMID: 32407620 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines composed of protein antigens covalently attached to Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists elicit superior immune responses compared to mixtures of antigens and TLR agonists. Among different conjugation approaches, enzyme-mediated ligation is one of the few that provides an opportunity for the generation of homogeneous, molecularly defined products in which protein antigens are maintained with native structures, which is most critical to elicit protective immune responses upon vaccination. Four highly conserved protein antigens from Group A Streptococcus (GAS) have the potential to be safe and efficacious vaccine candidates. After a TLR2 agonist fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide-1 (FSL-1) was successfully attached onto each antigen using sortase A and techniques for their purification were developed, a combination vaccine containing interleukin 8 (IL-8) protease (Streptococcus pyogenes cell envelope proteinase [SpyCEP]), Group A Streptococcal C5a peptidase (SCPA), anchorless virulence factor arginine deiminase (ADI), and trigger factor (TF)-TLR2 conjugates was produced. This combination was assessed for immunity in mice and compared with mixtures of the four antigens with FSL-1 or alum. High titer antigen-specific IgG antibodies were detected from all vaccine groups, with antibodies elicited from FSL-1 conjugates around 10-fold higher compared to the FSL-1 mixture group. Furthermore, the FSL-1 conjugates afforded a more balanced TH1/TH2 immune response than the alum-adjuvanted group, suggesting that this combination vaccine represents a promising candidate for the prevention of GAS diseases. Thus, we established a conjugation platform that allows for the production of defined, site-specific antigen-adjuvant conjugates, which maintain the native three-dimensional structure of antigens and can be potentially applied to a variety of protein antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghui Xu
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Tania Rivera-Hernandez
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
- Cátedras CONACYT - Unidad de Investigación Médica en Inmunoquímica, Hospital de Especialidades del Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City 06720, México
| | - Peter Michael Moyle
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre and School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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10
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Root-Bernstein R. Synergistic Activation of Toll-Like and NOD Receptors by Complementary Antigens as Facilitators of Autoimmune Disease: Review, Model and Novel Predictions. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21134645. [PMID: 32629865 PMCID: PMC7369971 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21134645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent activation of toll-like receptors (TLR) and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing proteins (NOD) in the innate immune system is one necessary driver of autoimmune disease (AD), but its mechanism remains obscure. This study compares and contrasts TLR and NOD activation profiles for four AD (autoimmune myocarditis, myasthenia gravis, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis) and their animal models. The failure of current AD theories to explain the disparate TLR/NOD profiles in AD is reviewed and a novel model is presented that explains innate immune support of persistent chronic inflammation in terms of unique combinations of complementary AD-specific antigens stimulating synergistic TLRs and/or NODs. The potential explanatory power of the model is explored through testable, novel predictions concerning TLR- and NOD-related AD animal models and therapies.
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11
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Ambrose RL, Brice AM, Caputo AT, Alexander MR, Tribolet L, Liu YC, Adams TE, Bean AG, Stewart CR. Molecular characterisation of ILRUN, a novel inhibitor of proinflammatory and antimicrobial cytokines. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04115. [PMID: 32518853 PMCID: PMC7270589 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Regulation of type-I interferon (IFN) production is essential to the balance between antimicrobial defence and autoimmune disorders. The human protein-coding gene ILRUN (inflammation and lipid regulator with UBA-like and NBR1-like domains, previously C6orf106) was recently characterised as an inhibitor of antiviral and proinflammatory cytokine (interferon-alpha/beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha) transcription. Currently there is a paucity of information about the molecular characteristics of ILRUN, despite it being associated with several diseases including virus infection, coronary artery disease, obesity and cancer. Here, we characterise ILRUN as a highly phylogenetically conserved protein containing UBA-like and a NBR1-like domains that are both essential for inhibition of type-I interferon and tumor necrosis factor alpha) transcription in human cells. We also solved the crystal structure of the NBR1-like domain, providing insights into its potential role in ILRUN function. This study provides critical information for future investigations into the role of ILRUN in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L. Ambrose
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - Aaron M. Brice
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | | | - Marina R. Alexander
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - Leon Tribolet
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - Yu Chih Liu
- CSIRO Manufacturing, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | | | - Andrew G.D. Bean
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
| | - Cameron R. Stewart
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia
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Sprooten J, Agostinis P, Garg AD. Type I interferons and dendritic cells in cancer immunotherapy. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2019; 348:217-262. [PMID: 31810554 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2019.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFNs) facilitate cancer immunosurveillance, antitumor immunity and antitumor efficacy of conventional cell death-inducing therapies (chemotherapy/radiotherapy) as well as immunotherapy. Moreover, it is clear that dendritic cells (DCs) play a significant role in aiding type I IFN-driven immunity. Owing to these antitumor properties several immunotherapies involving, or inducing, type I IFNs have received considerable clinical attention, e.g., recombinant IFNα2 or agonists targeting pattern recognition receptor (PRR) pathways like Toll-like receptors (TLRs), cGAS-STING or RIG-I/MDA5/MAVS. A series of preclinical and clinical evidence concurs that the success of anticancer therapy hinges on responsiveness of both cancer cells and DCs to type I IFNs. In this article, we discuss this link between type I IFNs and DCs in the context of cancer biology, with particular attention to mechanisms behind type I IFN production, their impact on DC driven anticancer immunity, and the implications of this for cancer immunotherapy, including DC-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Sprooten
- Cell Death Research & Therapy (CDRT) Unit, Department for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Patrizia Agostinis
- Cell Death Research & Therapy (CDRT) Unit, Department for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Center for Cancer Biology (CCB), VIB, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Abhishek D Garg
- Cell Death Research & Therapy (CDRT) Unit, Department for Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Combination of TLR2 and TLR3 agonists derepress infectious bursal disease virus vaccine-induced immunosuppression in the chicken. Sci Rep 2019; 9:8197. [PMID: 31160675 PMCID: PMC6547722 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-44578-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Live intermediate plus infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccines (hot vaccines) are used for protection against the virulent IBDV strains in young chickens. We evaluated the potential of Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists to alleviate hot vaccine-induced immunosuppression. The combination of Pam3CSK4 and poly I:C synergistically upregulated IFN-β, IFN-γ, IL-12, IL-4, and IL-13 transcripts and cross-inhibited IL-1β, IL-10, and iNOS transcripts in the chicken peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) as analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Further, four-week old specific pathogen free White Leghorn chickens (n = 60) were randomly divided into six groups and either immunized with hot IBDV vaccine with or without Pam3CSK4 and/or poly I:C or not vaccinated to serve as controls. The results indicated that poly I:C alone and in combination with Pam3CSK4 alleviated vaccine-induced immunosuppression, as evidenced by greater weight gain, increased overall antibody responses to both sheep erythrocytes and live infectious bronchitis virus vaccine, upregulated IFN-γ transcripts and nitric oxide production by PBMCs (P < 0.05), and lower bursal lesion score in the experimental birds. In conclusion, poly I:C alone and its combination with Pam3CSK4 reduced the destruction of B cells as well as bursal damage with restoration of function of T cells and macrophages when used with a hot IBDV vaccine.
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Xu Z, Moyle PM. Bioconjugation Approaches to Producing Subunit Vaccines Composed of Protein or Peptide Antigens and Covalently Attached Toll-Like Receptor Ligands. Bioconjug Chem 2017; 29:572-586. [PMID: 28891637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Traditional vaccines derived from attenuated or inactivated pathogens are effective at inducing antibody-based protective immune responses but tend to be highly reactogenic, causing notable adverse effects. Vaccines with superior safety profiles can be produced by subunit approaches, utilizing molecularly defined antigens (e.g., proteins and polysaccharides). These antigens, however, often elicit poor immunological responses, necessitating the use of adjuvants. Immunostimulatory adjuvants have the capacity to activate antigen presenting cells directly through specific receptors (e.g., Toll-like receptors (TLRs)), resulting in enhanced presentation of antigens as well as the secretion of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Consequently, innate immune responses are amplified and adaptive immunity is generated. Recently, site-specific conjugation of such immunostimulatory adjuvants (e.g., TLR ligands) onto defined antigens has shown superior efficacy over unconjugated mixtures, suggesting that the development of chemically characterized immunostimulatory adjuvants and optimized approaches for their conjugation with antigens may provide a better opportunity for the development of potent, novel vaccines. This review briefly summarizes various TLR agonists utilized as immunostimulatory adjuvants and focuses on the development of techniques (e.g., recombinant, synthetic, and semisynthetic) for generating adjuvant-antigen fusion vaccines incorporating peptide or protein antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghui Xu
- School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Woolloongabba 4102 , Queensland , Australia
| | - Peter Michael Moyle
- School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Woolloongabba 4102 , Queensland , Australia
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