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James LM, Carpenter AF, Engdahl BE, Johnson RA, Lewis SM, Georgopoulos AP. Anthrax Vaccination, Gulf War Illness, and Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:613. [PMID: 38932342 PMCID: PMC11209475 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060613] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We report on a highly significant, positive association between anthrax vaccination and occurrence of Gulf War Illness (GWI) in 111 Gulf War veterans (42 with GWI and 69 controls). GWI was diagnosed in 47.1% of vaccinated veterans but only in 17.2% of non-vaccinated veterans (Pearson χ2 = 7.08, p = 0.008; odds ratio = 3.947; relative risk = 2.617), with 1.6x higher GWI symptom severity in vaccinated veterans (p = 0.007, F-test in analysis of covariance). Next, we tested the hypothesis that the susceptibility to GWI following anthrax vaccination could be due to inability to make antibodies against the anthrax protective antigen (PA), the key protein contained in the vaccine. Since the first step in initiating antibody production would be the binding of PA peptide fragments (typically 15-amino acid long [15-mer]) to peptide-binding motifs of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) Class II molecules, we assessed the binding-motif affinities of such HLA specific molecules to all linear 15-mer peptide fragments of the anthrax PA. We identified a total of 58 HLA Class II alleles carried by the veterans in our sample and found that, of those, 18 (31%) were present in the vaccinated group that did not develop GWI but were absent from the vaccinated group who developed GWI. Remarkably, in silico analyses revealed very high binding affinities of peptide-binding motifs of those 18 HLA alleles with fragments of anthrax vaccine PA, leading to the successful production of anti-PA antibodies. Conversely, the absence of these protective HLA alleles points to a reduced ability to develop antibodies against PA, thus resulting in harmful PA persistence and development of GWI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa M. James
- The GWI and HLA Research Groups, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA (A.P.G.)
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Adam F. Carpenter
- The GWI and HLA Research Groups, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA (A.P.G.)
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Brian E. Engdahl
- The GWI and HLA Research Groups, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA (A.P.G.)
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Rachel A. Johnson
- The GWI and HLA Research Groups, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA (A.P.G.)
| | - Scott M. Lewis
- The GWI and HLA Research Groups, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA (A.P.G.)
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Apostolos P. Georgopoulos
- The GWI and HLA Research Groups, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA (A.P.G.)
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Georgopoulos AP, James LM. Anthrax Vaccines in the 21st Century. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:159. [PMID: 38400142 PMCID: PMC10892718 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020159] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination against Bacillus anthracis is the best preventive measure against the development of deadly anthrax disease in the event of exposure to anthrax either as a bioweapon or in its naturally occurring form. Anthrax vaccines, however, have historically been plagued with controversy, particularly related to their safety. Fortunately, recent improvements in anthrax vaccines have been shown to confer protection with reduced short-term safety concerns, although questions about long-term safety remain. Here, we (a) review recent and ongoing advances in anthrax vaccine development, (b) emphasize the need for thorough characterization of current (and future) vaccines, (c) bring to focus the importance of host immunogenetics as the ultimate determinant of successful antibody production and protection, and (d) discuss the need for the systematic, active, and targeted monitoring of vaccine recipients for possible Chronic Multisymptom Illness (CMI).
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Affiliation(s)
- Apostolos P. Georgopoulos
- The Gulf War Illness Working Group, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA;
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Lisa M. James
- The Gulf War Illness Working Group, Brain Sciences Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care System, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA;
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Kim GL, Pyo SW, Yi H, Kim SH, Shin H, Yu MA, Hwang YR, Choi SY, Jeon JH, Jo SK, Rhie GE. Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of Recombinant Protective Antigen Anthrax Vaccine (GC1109) in A/J Mice Model. Vaccine 2023; 41:3106-3110. [PMID: 37055344 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.002] [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: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023]
Abstract
A recombinant protective antigen anthrax vaccine (GC1109) is being developed as a new-generation vaccine by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. In accordance with the ongoing step 2 of phase II clinical trials, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the booster dose of GC1109 were evaluated in A/J mice after 3 serial vaccinations at 4-week intervals. The results indicated that the booster dose significantly increased the production of anti-protective antigen (PA) IgG and toxin-neutralizing antibody (TNA) compared with those of the group without booster. An enhanced protective effect of the booster dose was not observed because the TNA titers of the group without booster were high enough to confer protection against spore challenge. Additionally, the correlation between TNA titers and probability of survival was determined for calculating the threshold TNA titer levels associated with protection. The threshold 50 % neutralization factor (NF50) of TNA showing 70 % probability of protection was 0.21 in A/J mice with 1,200 LD50 Sterne spores challenge. These results indicate that GC1109 is a promising candidate as a new-generation anthrax vaccine and that a booster dose might provide enhanced protection by producing toxin-neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gyu-Lee Kim
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Wook Pyo
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwajung Yi
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Hyeon Kim
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwachul Shin
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ah Yu
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Yi-Rang Hwang
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Yoon Choi
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun Ho Jeon
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Su Kyoung Jo
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Eun Rhie
- Division of High-risk Pathogens, Bureau of Infectious Disease Diagnosis Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju 28159, Republic of Korea.
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Dyson EH, Simpson AJH, Gwyther RJ, Cuthbertson H, Patient DH, Matheson M, Gregg A, Hepburn MJ, Hallis B, Williamson ED. Serological responses to Anthrax Vaccine Precipitated (AVP) increase with time interval between booster doses. Vaccine 2022; 40:6163-6178. [PMID: 36153153 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.08.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
We undertook a Phase 4 clinical trial to assess the effect of time interval between booster doses on serological responses to AVP. The primary objective was to evaluate responses to a single booster dose in two groups of healthy adults who had previously received a complete 4-dose primary course. Group A had received doses on schedule while Group B had not had one for ≥2 years. Secondary objectives were to evaluate the safety and tolerability of AVP booster doses, and to gain information on correlates of protection to aid future anthrax vaccine development. Blood samples were taken on Day 1 before dosing, and on Days 8, 15, 29 and 120, to measure Toxin Neutralisation Assay (TNA) NF50 values and concentrations of IgG antibodies against Protective Antigen (PA), Lethal Factor (LF) and Edema Factor (EF) by ELISA. For each serological parameter, fold changes from baseline following the trial AVP dose were greater in Group B than Group A at every time-point studied. Peak responses correlated positively with time since last AVP dose (highest values being observed after intervals of ≥10 years), and negatively with number of previous doses (highest values occurring in individuals who had received a primary course only). In 2017, having reviewed these results, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) updated UK anthrax vaccination guidelines, extending the interval between routine AVP boosters from one to 10 years. Booster doses of AVP induce significant IgG responses against the three anthrax toxin components, particularly PA and LF. Similarly high responses were observed in TNA, a recognised surrogate for anthrax vaccine efficacy. Analysis of the 596 TNA results showed that anti-PA and anti-LF IgG make substantial independent contributions to neutralisation of anthrax lethal toxin. AVP may therefore have advantages over anthrax vaccines that depend on generating immunity to PA alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Hugh Dyson
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - Andrew J H Simpson
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - Robert J Gwyther
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - Hannah Cuthbertson
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - Dawn H Patient
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - Mary Matheson
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - Anya Gregg
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - Matthew J Hepburn
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK; US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), Fort Detrick, MD, USA.
| | - Bassam Hallis
- UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), formerly Public Health England (PHE), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
| | - E Diane Williamson
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL), Porton Down, Salisbury, UK.
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Granovskiy DL, Ryabchevskaya EM, Evtushenko EA, Kondakova OA, Arkhipenko MV, Kravchenko TB, Bakhteeva IV, Timofeev VS, Nikitin NA, Karpova OV. New formulation of a recombinant anthrax vaccine stabilised with structurally modified plant viruses. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1003969. [PMID: 36160184 PMCID: PMC9501872 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1003969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a disease caused by Bacillus anthracis. The most promising approach to the development of anthrax vaccine is use of the anthrax protective antigen (PA). At the same time, recombinant PA is a very unstable protein. Previously, the authors have designed a stable modified recombinant anthrax protective antigen with inactivated proteolytic sites and substituted deamidation sites (rPA83m). As a second approach to recombinant PA stabilisation, plant virus spherical particles (SPs) were used as a stabiliser. The combination of these two approaches was shown to be the most effective. Here, the authors report the results of a detailed study of the stability, immunogenicity and protectiveness of rPA83m + SPs compositions. These compositions were shown to be stable, provided high anti-rPA83m antibody titres in guinea pigs and were able to protect them from a fully virulent 81/1 Bacillus anthracis strain. Given these facts, the formulation of rPA83m + SPs compositions is considered to be a prospective anthrax vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitriy L. Granovskiy
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- *Correspondence: Dmitriy L. Granovskiy,
| | | | - Ekaterina A. Evtushenko
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga A. Kondakova
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Marina V. Arkhipenko
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana B. Kravchenko
- Federal Budget Institution of Science State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (FBIS SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Irina V. Bakhteeva
- Federal Budget Institution of Science State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (FBIS SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Vitalii S. Timofeev
- Federal Budget Institution of Science State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (FBIS SRCAMB), Obolensk, Russia
| | - Nikolai A. Nikitin
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga V. Karpova
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
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Ahmad T, Baig M, Othman SS, Malibary H, Ahmad S, Rasheed SM, Al Bataineh MT, Al-Omari B. Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization Mapping of Anthrax Vaccine Publications from 1991 through 2021. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071007. [PMID: 35891169 PMCID: PMC9316950 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to analyze and characterize anthrax vaccine-related research, key developments, global research trends, and mapping of published scientific research articles during the last three decades (1991–2021). Methods: A bibliometric and visualized study was conducted. The Web of Science Core Collection database (WoSCC) was searched using relevant keywords (“Anthrax” OR “Anthrax bacterium” OR “Bacillus anthracis” OR “Bacteridium anthracis” OR “Bacillus cereus var. Anthracis” (Topic)) AND (“Vaccine” OR “Vaccines” OR “Immunization” OR “Immunisation” OR “Immunizations” OR “Immunisations” (Topic)) with specific restrictions. The data was analyzed and plotted by using different bibliometric software and tools (HistCiteTM software, version 12.3.17, Bibliometrix: An R-tool version 3.2.1, and VOSviewer software, version 1.6.17). Results: The initial search yielded 1750 documents. After screening the titles and abstracts of the published studies, a total of 1090 articles published from 1991 to 2021 were included in the final analysis. These articles were published in 334 journals and were authored by 4567 authors from 64 countries with a collaboration index of 4.32. The annual scientific production growth rate was found to be 9.68%. The analyzed articles were cited 31335 times. The most productive year was 2006 (n = 77, 7.06%), while the most cited year was 2007 (2561 citations). The leading authors and journals in anthrax research were Rakesh Bhatnagar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, India (n = 35, 3.21%), and Vaccine (n = 1830, 16.51%), while the most cited author and journal were Arthur M. Friedlander from the United States Department of Defense (n = 2762), and Vaccine (n = 5696), respectively. The most studied recent research trend topics were lethal, double-blind, epidemiology, B surface antigen, disease, and toxin. The United States of America (USA) was the most dominant country in terms of publications, citations, corresponding author country, and global collaboration in anthrax vaccine research. The USA had the strongest collaboration with the United Kingdom (UK), China, Canada, Germany, and France. Conclusion: This is the first bibliometric study that provides a comprehensive historical overview of scientific studies. From 2006 to 2008, more than 20% of the total articles were published; however, a decrease was observed since 2013 in anthrax vaccine research. The developed countries made significant contributions to anthrax vaccine-related research, especially the USA. Among the top 10 leading authors, six authors are from the USA. The majority of the top leading institutions are also from the USA. About 90% of the total studies were funded by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), USA, and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tauseef Ahmad
- Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
- Correspondence: or (T.A.); (B.A.-O.)
| | - Mukhtiar Baig
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 25289, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Sahar Shafik Othman
- Department of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 25289, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Husam Malibary
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 25289, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Shabir Ahmad
- Department of Agriculture, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, P.O. Box 20, Charsadda 24420, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; (S.A.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Syed Majid Rasheed
- Department of Agriculture, Bacha Khan University Charsadda, P.O. Box 20, Charsadda 24420, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan; (S.A.); (S.M.R.)
| | - Mohammad T. Al Bataineh
- Center for Biotechnology, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates;
- Emirates Bio-Research Center, Ministry of Interior, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
| | - Basem Al-Omari
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
- K.U. Research and Data Intelligence Support Center (RDISC) AW 8474000331, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates
- Correspondence: or (T.A.); (B.A.-O.)
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Ryabchevskaya EM, Granovskiy DL, Evtushenko EA, Ivanov PA, Kondakova OA, Nikitin NA, Karpova OV. Designing Stable Bacillus anthracis Antigens with a View to Recombinant Anthrax Vaccine Development. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14040806. [PMID: 35456639 PMCID: PMC9025368 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthrax is a disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that affects mammals, including humans. Recombinant B. anthracis protective antigen (rPA) is the most common basis for modern anthrax vaccine candidates. However, this protein is characterised by low stability due to proteolysis and deamidation. Here, for the first time, two modification variants leading to full-size rPA stabilisation have been implemented simultaneously, through deamidation-prone asparagine residues substitution and by inactivation of proteolysis sites. Obtained modified rPA (rPA83m) has been demonstrated to be stable in various temperature conditions. Additionally, rPA1+2 containing PA domains I and II and rPA3+4 containing domains III and IV, including the same modifications, have been shown to be stable as well. These antigens can serve as the basis for a vaccine, since the protective properties of PA can be attributed to individual PA domains. The stability of each of three modified anthrax antigens has been considerably improved in compositions with tobacco mosaic virus-based spherical particles (SPs). rPA1+2/rPA3+4/rPA83m in compositions with SPs have maintained their antigenic specificity even after 40 days of incubation at +37 °C. Considering previously proven adjuvant properties and safety of SPs, their compositions with rPA83m/rPA1+2/rPA3+4 in any combinations might be suitable as a basis for new-generation anthrax vaccines.
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Okolo CA, Jadhav A, Phillips P, Dumoux M, McMurray AA, Joshi VD, Pizzey C, Harkiolaki M. Correlative imaging using super-resolution fluorescence microscopy and soft X-ray tomography at cryogenic temperatures provides a new way to assess virosome solutions for vaccine development. J Microsc 2021; 284:214-232. [PMID: 34333776 PMCID: PMC9292697 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.13054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Active virosomes (AVs) are derivatives of viruses, broadly similar to ‘parent’ pathogens, with an outer envelope that contains a bespoke genome coding for four to five viral proteins capable of eliciting an antigenic response. AVs are essentially novel vaccine formulations that present on their surface selected viral proteins as antigens. Once administered, they elicit an initial ‘anti‐viral’ immune response. AVs are also internalised by host cells where their cargo viral genes are used to express viral antigen(s) intracellularly. These can then be transported to the host cell surface resulting in a second wave of antigen exposure and a more potent immuno‐stimulation. A new 3D correlative microscopy approach is used here to provide a robust analytical method for characterisation of Zika‐ and Chikungunya‐derivatised AV populations including vesicle size distribution and variations in antigen loading. Manufactured batches were compared to assess the extent and nature of batch‐to‐batch variations. We also show preliminary results that verify antigen expression on the surface of host cells. We present here a reliable and efficient high‐resolution 3D imaging regime that allows the evaluation of the microstructure and biochemistry of novel vaccine formulations such as AVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chidinma A Okolo
- Beamline B24, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Archana Jadhav
- Beamline B24, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Patrick Phillips
- Beamline B24, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Maud Dumoux
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Rosalind Franklin Institute, Fermi Avenue, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0QS, UK
| | | | - Vishwas D Joshi
- Activirosomes Limited, Centrum, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK.,Seagull BioSolutions Private Limited, Maharashtra, India
| | - Claire Pizzey
- Beamline B24, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Maria Harkiolaki
- Beamline B24, Diamond Light Source, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, UK
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Swietnicki W. Secretory System Components as Potential Prophylactic Targets for Bacterial Pathogens. Biomolecules 2021; 11:892. [PMID: 34203937 PMCID: PMC8232601 DOI: 10.3390/biom11060892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial secretory systems are essential for virulence in human pathogens. The systems have become a target of alternative antibacterial strategies based on small molecules and antibodies. Strategies to use components of the systems to design prophylactics have been less publicized despite vaccines being the preferred solution to dealing with bacterial infections. In the current review, strategies to design vaccines against selected pathogens are presented and connected to the biology of the system. The examples are given for Y. pestis, S. enterica, B. anthracis, S. flexneri, and other human pathogens, and discussed in terms of effectiveness and long-term protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wieslaw Swietnicki
- Department of Immunology of Infectious Diseases, Hirszfeld Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. R. Weigla 12, 53-114 Wroclaw, Poland
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