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Beernink PT, Di Carluccio C, Marchetti R, Cerofolini L, Carillo S, Cangiano A, Cowieson N, Bones J, Molinaro A, Paduano L, Fragai M, Beernink BP, Gulati S, Shaughnessy J, Rice PA, Ram S, Silipo A. Gonococcal Mimitope Vaccine Candidate Forms a Beta-Hairpin Turn and Binds Hydrophobically to a Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibody. JACS AU 2024; 4:2617-2629. [PMID: 39055159 PMCID: PMC11267536 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.4c00359] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
The spread of multidrug-resistant strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the etiologic agent of gonorrhea, represents a global health emergency. Therefore, the development of a safe and effective vaccine against gonorrhea is urgently needed. In previous studies, murine monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2C7 was raised against gonococcal lipooligosaccharide (LOS). mAb 2C7 elicits complement-dependent bactericidal activity against gonococci, and its glycan epitope is expressed by almost every clinical isolate. Furthermore, we identified a peptide, cyclic peptide 2 (CP2) that mimicked the 2C7 LOS epitope, elicited bactericidal antibodies in mice, and actively protected in a mouse vaginal colonization model. In this study, we performed structural analyses of mAb 2C7 and its complex with the CP2 peptide by X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The crystal structure of Fab 2C7 bound to CP2 showed that the peptide adopted a beta-hairpin conformation and bound the Fab primarily through hydrophobic interactions. We employed NMR spectroscopy and MD simulations to map the 2C7 epitope and identify the bioactive conformation of CP2. We also used small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and native mass spectrometry to obtain further information about the shape and assembly state of the complex. Collectively, our new structural information suggests strategies for humanizing mAb 2C7 as a therapeutic against gonococcal infection and for optimizing peptide CP2 as a vaccine antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T. Beernink
- Department
of Pediatrics, University of California
San Francisco, 5700 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, California 94609, United States
| | - Cristina Di Carluccio
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cintia
4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Roberta Marchetti
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cintia
4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Linda Cerofolini
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Sara Carillo
- National
Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock,
Co., Dublin A94 X099, Ireland
| | - Alessandro Cangiano
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cintia
4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Nathan Cowieson
- Diamond
Light Source, Didcot, OX11 0DE Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Bones
- National
Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training, Foster Avenue, Mount Merrion, Blackrock,
Co., Dublin A94 X099, Ireland
- School of
Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University
College Dublin, Belfield Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cintia
4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Paduano
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cintia
4, 80126 Naples, Italy
| | - Marco Fragai
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Benjamin P. Beernink
- Department
of Pediatrics, University of California
San Francisco, 5700 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, California 94609, United States
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Department
of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University
of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation St, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Department
of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University
of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation St, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Peter A. Rice
- Department
of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University
of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation St, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Sanjay Ram
- Department
of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University
of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, 364 Plantation St, Worcester, Massachusetts 01605, United States
| | - Alba Silipo
- Department
of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples
Federico II, Via Cintia
4, 80126 Naples, Italy
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Colón Pérez J, Villarino Fernández RA, Domínguez Lago A, Treviño Castellano MM, Pérez del Molino Bernal ML, Sánchez Poza S, Torres-Sangiao E. Addressing Sexually Transmitted Infections Due to Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the Present and Future. Microorganisms 2024; 12:884. [PMID: 38792714 PMCID: PMC11124187 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12050884] [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: 03/19/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
It was in the 1800s when the first public publications about the infection and treatment of gonorrhoea were released. However, the first prevention programmes were only published a hundred years later. In the 1940s, the concept of vaccination was introduced into clinical prevention programmes to address early sulphonamide resistance. Since then, tons of publications on Neisseria gonorrhoeae are undisputed, around 30,000 publications today. Currently, the situation seems to be just as it was in the last century, nothing has changed or improved. So, what are we doing wrong? And more importantly, what might we do? The review presented here aims to review the current situation regarding the resistance mechanisms, prevention programmes, treatments, and vaccines, with the challenge of better understanding this special pathogen. The authors have reviewed the last five years of advancements, knowledge, and perspectives for addressing the Neisseria gonorrhoeae issue, focusing on new therapeutic alternatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Colón Pérez
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Rosa-Antía Villarino Fernández
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Adrián Domínguez Lago
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Mercedes Treviño Castellano
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Luisa Pérez del Molino Bernal
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Sandra Sánchez Poza
- Departamento de Microbiología, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
| | - Eva Torres-Sangiao
- Servicio de Microbiología y Parasitología Clínica, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain; (J.C.P.); (A.D.L.); (M.M.T.C.); (M.L.P.d.M.B.)
- Grupo Microbiología, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Xia L, Lu Q, Wang X, Jia C, Zhao Y, Wang G, Yang J, Zhang N, Min X, Huang J, Huang M. Characterization of protective immune responses against Neisseria gonorrhoeae induced by intranasal immunization with adhesion and penetration protein. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25733. [PMID: 38352762 PMCID: PMC10862674 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae is an urgent threat to global public health, and vaccine development is the best long-term strategy for controlling gonorrhea. We have previously shown that adhesion and penetration protein (App) play a role in the adhesion, invasion, and reproductive tract colonization of N. gonorrhoeae. Here, we describe the immune response induced by intranasal immunization with passenger and translocator fragments of App. The recombinant App passenger and translocator fragments induced high titers of IgG and IgA antibodies in serum and vaginal washes. Antibodies produced by App passenger and the combination of passenger and translocator mediated the killing of N. gonorrhoeae via serum bactericidal activity and opsonophagocytic activity, whereas antisera from translocator-immunized groups had lower bactericidal activity and opsonophagocytic activity. The antisera of the App passenger and translocator, alone and in combination, inhibited the adhesion of N. gonorrhoeae to cervical epithelial cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Nasal immunization with App passenger and translocator fragments alone or in combination induced high levels of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies and stimulated mouse splenocytes to secrete cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17A, suggesting that Th1 and Th17 cellular immune responses were activated. In vivo experiments have shown that immune App passenger and transporter fragments can accelerate the clearance of N. gonorrhoeae in the vagina of mice. These data suggest that the App protein is a promising N. gonorrhoeae vaccine antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyin Xia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Qin Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xiaosu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Chengyi Jia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yujie Zhao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Guangli Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jianru Yang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Ningqing Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Xun Min
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Meirong Huang
- Department of Blood Transfusion, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
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Gulati S, Mattsson AH, Schussek S, Zheng B, DeOliveira RB, Shaughnessy J, Lewis LA, Rice PA, Comstedt P, Ram S. Preclinical efficacy of a cell division protein candidate gonococcal vaccine identified by artificial intelligence. mBio 2023; 14:e0250023. [PMID: 37905891 PMCID: PMC10746169 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02500-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Vaccines to curb the global spread of multidrug-resistant gonorrhea are urgently needed. Here, 26 vaccine candidates identified by an artificial intelligence-driven platform (Efficacy Discriminative Educated Network[EDEN]) were screened for efficacy in the mouse vaginal colonization model. Complement-dependent bactericidal activity of antisera and the EDEN protective scores both correlated positively with the reduction in overall bacterial colonization burden. NGO1549 (FtsN) and NGO0265, both involved in cell division, displayed the best activity and were selected for further development. Both antigens, when fused to create a chimeric protein, elicited bactericidal antibodies against a wide array of gonococcal isolates and significantly attenuated the duration and burden of gonococcal colonization of mouse vaginas. Protection was abrogated in mice that lacked complement C9, the last step in the formation of the membrane attack complex pore, suggesting complement-dependent bactericidal activity as a mechanistic correlate of protection of the vaccine. FtsN and NGO0265 represent promising vaccine candidates against gonorrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunita Gulati
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | - Bo Zheng
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosane B. DeOliveira
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lisa A. Lewis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Peter A. Rice
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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