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Eusébio D, Neves AR, Costa D, Biswas S, Alves G, Cui Z, Sousa Â. Methods to improve the immunogenicity of plasmid DNA vaccines. Drug Discov Today 2021; 26:2575-2592. [PMID: 34214667 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2021.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
DNA vaccines have emerged as innovative approaches that have great potential to overcome the limitations of current conventional vaccines. Plasmid DNA vaccines are often safer than other vaccines because they carry only antigen genetic information, are more stable and easier to produce, and can stimulate both humoral and cellular immune responses. Although the results of ongoing clinical trials are very promising, some limitations compromise the immunogenicity of these vaccines. Thus, this review describes different strategies that can be explored to improve the immunogenicity of plasmid DNA vaccines, including the optimization of the plasmid vector backbone, the use of different methods for vaccine delivery, the use of alternative administration routes and the inclusion of adjuvants. In combination, these improvements could lead to the successful clinical use of plasmid DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalinda Eusébio
- CICS-UBI - Health Science Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Ana R Neves
- CICS-UBI - Health Science Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Diana Costa
- CICS-UBI - Health Science Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Swati Biswas
- Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology & Science-Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, Jawahar Nagar, Shameerpet, Hyderabad 500078, Telangana, India
| | - Gilberto Alves
- CICS-UBI - Health Science Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal
| | - Zhengrong Cui
- The University of Texas at Austin, College of Pharmacy, Division of Molecular Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ângela Sousa
- CICS-UBI - Health Science Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Av. Infante D. Henrique, 6200-506 Covilhã, Portugal.
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Li YL, Qi RQ, Yang Y, Wang HX, Jiang HH, Li ZX, Xiao BH, Zheng S, Hong YX, Li JH, Chen HD, Gao XH. Screening and identification of differentially expressed serum proteins in patients with vitiligo using two‑dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with mass spectrometry. Mol Med Rep 2017; 17:2651-2659. [PMID: 29207142 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.8159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In the clinic, vitiligo is characterized by two stages: Stable and progressive. The pathogenesis of vitiligo is still not clear. Here, we identified serum markers of vitiligo by screening for differentially expressed proteins in patients with vitiligo compared to healthy individuals. Serum samples were collected from patients with vitiligo (n=10 for both the stable and progressive stages) and healthy individuals (n=10). Two‑dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by matrix‑assisted laser desorption/ionization time‑of‑flight mass spectrometry and western blotting were used to validate the differential expression of the proteins in the serum (n=20 each, at both stages for patients and healthy individuals). A total of 48 differentially expressed proteins were identified by gel image analysis. There were 28 differentially expressed proteins in patients with progressive vitiligo (PV) and 13 differentially expressed proteins in patients with stable vitiligo (SV) compared with that in healthy individuals. Additionally, 7 differentially expressed proteins were identified in patients with PV compared with those in patients with SV. The western blotting results showed that Peroxiredoxin‑6, apolipoprotein L1, apolipoprotein E and mannose‑binding protein were differentially expressed in patients with different stages of vitiligo. Our results showed that change serum levels of several proteins might be useful as biomarkers or in understanding the pathogenesis of vitiligo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Lei Li
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Rui-Qun Qi
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Yang Yang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - He-Xiao Wang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Hang-Hang Jiang
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Zheng-Xiu Li
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Bi-Huan Xiao
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Song Zheng
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Yu-Xiao Hong
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Jiu-Hong Li
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Duo Chen
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
| | - Xing-Hua Gao
- Department of Dermatology, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110001, P.R. China
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Abstract
In the two decades since their initial discovery, DNA vaccines technologies have come a long way. Unfortunately, when applied to human subjects inadequate immunogenicity is still the biggest challenge for practical DNA vaccine use. Many different strategies have been tested in preclinical models to address this problem, including novel plasmid vectors and codon optimization to enhance antigen expression, new gene transfection systems or electroporation to increase delivery efficiency, protein or live virus vector boosting regimens to maximise immune stimulation, and formulation of DNA vaccines with traditional or molecular adjuvants. Better understanding of the mechanisms of action of DNA vaccines has also enabled better use of the intrinsic host response to DNA to improve vaccine immunogenicity. This review summarizes recent advances in DNA vaccine technologies and related intracellular events and how these might impact on future directions of DNA vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- a Vaxine Pty Ltd, Bedford Park , Adelaide , Australia.,b Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology , Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre , Adelaide , SA , Australia
| | - Nikolai Petrovsky
- a Vaxine Pty Ltd, Bedford Park , Adelaide , Australia.,b Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology , Flinders University, Flinders Medical Centre , Adelaide , SA , Australia
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Li L, Saade F, Petrovsky N. The future of human DNA vaccines. J Biotechnol 2012; 162:171-82. [PMID: 22981627 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2012.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2012] [Revised: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/06/2012] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
DNA vaccines have evolved greatly over the last 20 years since their invention, but have yet to become a competitive alternative to conventional protein or carbohydrate based human vaccines. Whilst safety concerns were an initial barrier, the Achilles heel of DNA vaccines remains their poor immunogenicity when compared to protein vaccines. A wide variety of strategies have been developed to optimize DNA vaccine immunogenicity, including codon optimization, genetic adjuvants, electroporation and sophisticated prime-boost regimens, with each of these methods having its advantages and limitations. Whilst each of these methods has contributed to incremental improvements in DNA vaccine efficacy, more is still needed if human DNA vaccines are to succeed commercially. This review foresees a final breakthrough in human DNA vaccines will come from application of the latest cutting-edge technologies, including "epigenetics" and "omics" approaches, alongside traditional techniques to improve immunogenicity such as adjuvants and electroporation, thereby overcoming the current limitations of DNA vaccines in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Li
- Vaxine Pty Ltd, Bedford Park, Adelaide 5042, Australia
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