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Kamensek U, Cemazar M, Kranjc Brezar S, Jesenko T, Kos S, Znidar K, Markelc B, Modic Z, Komel T, Gorse T, Rebersek E, Jakopic H, Sersa G. What We Learned about the Feasibility of Gene Electrotransfer for Vaccination on a Model of COVID-19 Vaccine. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1981. [PMID: 37514166 PMCID: PMC10385748 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071981] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccination is one of the emerging approaches for a wide range of applications, including prophylactic vaccination against infectious diseases and therapeutic vaccination against cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of our previously optimized protocols for gene electrotransfer (GET)-mediated delivery of plasmid DNA into skin and muscle tissues on a model of COVID-19 vaccine. Plasmids encoding the SARS-CoV-2 proteins spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) were used as the antigen source, and a plasmid encoding interleukin 12 (IL-12) was used as an adjuvant. Vaccination was performed in the skin or muscle tissue of C57BL/6J mice on days 0 and 14 (boost). Two weeks after the boost, blood, spleen, and transfected tissues were collected to determine the expression of S, N, IL-12, serum interferon-γ, the induction of antigen-specific IgG antibodies, and cytotoxic T-cells. In accordance with prior in vitro experiments that indicated problems with proper expression of the S protein, vaccination with S did not induce S-specific antibodies, whereas significant induction of N-specific antibodies was detected after vaccination with N. Intramuscular vaccination outperformed skin vaccination and resulted in significant induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Moreover, both boost and adjuvant were found to be redundant for the induction of an immune response. Overall, the study confirmed the feasibility of the GET for DNA vaccination and provided valuable insights into this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urska Kamensek
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | | | - Tanja Jesenko
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Spela Kos
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Znidar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena Pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ziva Modic
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tilen Komel
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tim Gorse
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Rebersek
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Jakopic
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena Pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Vaccination of Macaques with DNA Followed by Adenoviral Vectors Encoding Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) Gag Alone Delays Infection by Repeated Mucosal Challenge with SIV. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00606-19. [PMID: 31413132 PMCID: PMC6803269 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00606-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) macaque model represents the best animal model for testing new human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccines. Previous studies employing replication-defective adenovirus (rAd) vectors that transiently express SIV internal proteins induced T cell responses that controlled virus load but did not protect against virus challenge. However, we show for the first time that SIV gag delivered in a DNA prime followed by a boost with an rAd vector confers resistance to SIV intrarectal challenge. Other partially successful SIV/HIV-1 protective vaccines induce antibody to the envelope and neutralize the virus or mediate antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Induction of CD8 T cells which do not prevent initial infection but eradicate infected cells before infection becomes established has also shown some success. In contrast, the vaccine described here mediates resistance by a different mechanism from that described above, which may reflect CD4 T cell activity. This could indicate an alternative approach for HIV-1 vaccine development. Vaccines aimed at inducing T cell responses to protect against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have been under development for more than 15 years. Replication-defective adenovirus (rAd) vaccine vectors are at the forefront of this work and have been tested extensively in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) challenge macaque model. Vaccination with rAd vectors coding for SIV Gag or other nonenvelope proteins induces T cell responses that control virus load but disappointingly is unsuccessful so far in preventing infection, and attention has turned to inducing antibodies to the envelope. However, here we report that Mauritian cynomolgus macaques (MCM), Macaca fascicularis, vaccinated with unmodified SIV gag alone in a DNA prime followed by an rAd boost exhibit increased protection from infection by repeated intrarectal challenge with low-dose SIVmac251. There was no evidence of infection followed by eradication. A significant correlation was observed between cytokine expression by CD4 T cells and delayed infection. Vaccination with gag fused to the ubiquitin gene or fragmented, designed to increase CD8 magnitude and breadth, did not confer resistance to challenge or enhance immunity. On infection, a significant reduction in peak virus load was observed in all vaccinated animals, including those vaccinated with modified gag. These findings suggest that a nonpersistent viral vector vaccine coding for internal virus proteins may be able to protect against HIV type 1 (HIV-1) infection. The mechanisms are probably distinct from those of antibody-mediated virus neutralization or cytotoxic CD8 cell killing of virus-infected cells and may be mediated in part by CD4 T cells. IMPORTANCE The simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) macaque model represents the best animal model for testing new human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccines. Previous studies employing replication-defective adenovirus (rAd) vectors that transiently express SIV internal proteins induced T cell responses that controlled virus load but did not protect against virus challenge. However, we show for the first time that SIV gag delivered in a DNA prime followed by a boost with an rAd vector confers resistance to SIV intrarectal challenge. Other partially successful SIV/HIV-1 protective vaccines induce antibody to the envelope and neutralize the virus or mediate antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. Induction of CD8 T cells which do not prevent initial infection but eradicate infected cells before infection becomes established has also shown some success. In contrast, the vaccine described here mediates resistance by a different mechanism from that described above, which may reflect CD4 T cell activity. This could indicate an alternative approach for HIV-1 vaccine development.
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Impact of epitope density on CD8+ T cell development and function. Mol Immunol 2019; 113:120-125. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Colomer-Lluch M, Ruiz A, Moris A, Prado JG. Restriction Factors: From Intrinsic Viral Restriction to Shaping Cellular Immunity Against HIV-1. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2876. [PMID: 30574147 PMCID: PMC6291751 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiviral restriction factors are host cellular proteins that constitute a first line of defense blocking viral replication and propagation. In addition to interfering at critical steps of the viral replication cycle, some restriction factors also act as innate sensors triggering innate responses against infections. Accumulating evidence suggests an additional role for restriction factors in promoting antiviral cellular immunity to combat viruses. Here, we review the recent progress in our understanding on how restriction factors, particularly APOBEC3G, SAMHD1, Tetherin, and TRIM5α have the cell-autonomous potential to induce cellular resistance against HIV-1 while promoting antiviral innate and adaptive immune responses. Also, we provide an overview of how these restriction factors may connect with protein degradation pathways to modulate anti-HIV-1 cellular immune responses, and we summarize the potential of restriction factors-based therapeutics. This review brings a global perspective on the influence of restrictions factors in intrinsic, innate, and also adaptive antiviral immunity opening up novel research avenues for therapeutic strategies in the fields of drug discovery, gene therapy, and vaccines to control viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Colomer-Lluch
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Alba Ruiz
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
| | - Arnaud Moris
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1135, CNRS ERL 8255, Centre d'Immunologie et des Maladies Infectieuses (CIMI-Paris), Paris, France
| | - Julia G Prado
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, Badalona, Spain
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Increased Protein Degradation Improves Influenza Virus Nucleoprotein-Specific CD8+ T Cell Activation In Vitro but Not in C57BL/6 Mice. J Virol 2016; 90:10209-10219. [PMID: 27581985 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01633-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to antigenic drift of influenza viruses, seasonal influenza vaccines need to be updated annually. These vaccines are based on predictions of strains likely to circulate in the next season. However, vaccine efficacy is greatly reduced in the case of a mismatch between circulating and vaccine strains. Furthermore, novel antigenically distinct influenza viruses are introduced into the human population from animal reservoirs occasionally and may cause pandemic outbreaks. To dampen the impact of seasonal and pandemic influenza, vaccines that induce broadly protective and long-lasting immunity are preferred. Because influenza virus-specific CD8+ T cells are directed mainly against relatively conserved internal proteins, like nucleoprotein (NP), they are highly cross-reactive and afford protection against infection with antigenically distinct influenza virus strains, so-called heterosubtypic immunity. Here, we used modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) as a vaccine vector for the induction of influenza virus NP-specific CD8+ T cells. To optimize the induction of CD8+ T cell responses, we made several modifications to NP, aiming at retaining the protein in the cytosol or targeting it to the proteasome. We hypothesized that these strategies would increase antigen processing and presentation and thus improve the induction of CD8+ T cell responses. We showed that NP with increased degradation rates improved CD8+ T cell activation in vitro if the amount of antigen was limited or if CD8+ T cells were of low functional avidity. However, after immunization of C57BL/6 mice, no differences were detected between modified NP and wild-type NP (NPwt), since NPwt already induced optimal CD8+ T cell responses. IMPORTANCE Due to the continuous antigenic drift of seasonal influenza viruses and the threat of a novel pandemic, there is a great need for the development of novel influenza vaccines that offer broadly protective immunity against multiple subtypes. CD8+ T cells can provide immunity against multiple subtypes of influenza viruses by the recognition of relatively conserved internal antigens. In this study, we aimed at optimizing the CD8+ T cell response to influenza A virus by making modifications to influenza A virus nucleoprotein (NP) expressed from the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vaccine vector. These modifications resulted in increased antigen degradation, thereby producing elevated levels of peptides that can be presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules to CD8+ T cells. Although we were unable to increase the NP-specific immune response in the mouse strain used, this approach may have benefits for vaccine development using less-immunogenic proteins.
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Reguzova A, Antonets D, Karpenko L, Ilyichev A, Maksyutov R, Bazhan S. Design and evaluation of optimized artificial HIV-1 poly-T cell-epitope immunogens. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0116412. [PMID: 25786238 PMCID: PMC4364888 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A successful HIV vaccine in addition to induction of antibody responses should elicit effective T cell responses. Here we described possible strategies for rational design of T-cell vaccine capable to induce high levels of both CD4+ and CD8+ T- cell responses. We developed artificial HIV-1 polyepitope T-cell immunogens based on the conserved natural CD8+ and CD4+ T cell epitopes from different HIV-1 strains and restricted by the most frequent major human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Designed immunogens contain optimized core polyepitope sequence and additional "signal" sequences which increase epitope processing and presentation to CD8+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes: N-terminal ubiquitin, N-terminal signal peptide and C-terminal tyrosine motif of LAMP-1 protein. As a result we engineered three T cell immunogens - TCI-N, TCI-N2, and TCI-N3, with different combinations of signal sequences. All designed immunogens were able to elicit HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses following immunization. Attachment of either ubiquitin or ER-signal/LAMP-1 sequences increased both CD4+ and CD8+ mediated HIV-specific T cell responses in comparison with polyepitope immunogen without any additional signal sequences. Moreover, TCI-N3 polyepitope immunogen with ubiquitin generated highest magnitude of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in our study. Obtained data suggests that attachment of signal sequences targeting polyepitope immunogens to either MHC class I or MHC class II presentation pathways may improve immunogenicity of T-cell vaccines. These results support the strategy of the rational T cell immunogen design and contribute to the development of effective HIV-1 vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alena Reguzova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, 630559, Russia
| | - Denis Antonets
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, 630559, Russia
| | - Larisa Karpenko
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, 630559, Russia
| | - Alexander Ilyichev
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, 630559, Russia
| | - Rinat Maksyutov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, 630559, Russia
| | - Sergei Bazhan
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Koltsovo, Novosibirsk region, 630559, Russia
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Felber BK, Valentin A, Rosati M, Bergamaschi C, Pavlakis GN. HIV DNA Vaccine: Stepwise Improvements Make a Difference. Vaccines (Basel) 2014; 2:354-79. [PMID: 26344623 PMCID: PMC4494255 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines2020354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Revised: 04/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Inefficient DNA delivery methods and low expression of plasmid DNA have been major obstacles for the use of plasmid DNA as vaccine for HIV/AIDS. This review describes successful efforts to improve DNA vaccine methodology over the past ~30 years. DNA vaccination, either alone or in combination with other methods, has the potential to be a rapid, safe, and effective vaccine platform against AIDS. Recent clinical trials suggest the feasibility of its translation to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara K Felber
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Antonio Valentin
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Margherita Rosati
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - Cristina Bergamaschi
- Human Retrovirus Pathogenesis Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
| | - George N Pavlakis
- Human Retrovirus Section, Vaccine Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, P.O. Box B, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
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Fusion of ubiquitin to HIV gag impairs human monocyte-derived dendritic cell maturation and reduces ability to induce gag T cell responses. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88327. [PMID: 24505475 PMCID: PMC3914991 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficient induction of CD8 T cell immunity is dependent on the processing and presentation of antigen on MHC class I molecules by professional antigen presenting cells (APC). To develop an improved T cell vaccine for HIV we investigated whether fusing the ubiquitin gene to the N terminus of the HIV gag gene enhanced targeting to the proteasome resulting in better CD8 T cell responses. Human monocyte derived dendritic cells (moDC), transduced with adenovirus vectors carrying either ubiquitinated or non-ubiquitinated gag transgene constructs, were co-cultured with autologous naïve T cells and T cell responses were measured after several weekly cycles of stimulation. Despite targeting of the ubiquitin gag transgene protein to the proteasome, ubiquitination did not increase CD8 T cell immune responses and in some cases diminished responses to gag peptides. There were no marked differences in cytokines produced from ubiquitinated and non-ubiquitinated gag stimulated cultures or in the expression of inhibitory molecules on expanded T cells. However, the ability of moDC transduced with ubiquitinated gag gene to upregulate co-stimulatory molecules was reduced, whilst no difference in moDC maturation was observed with a control ubiquitinated and non-ubiquitinated MART gene. Furthermore moDC transduced with ubiquitinated gag produced more IL-10 than transduction with unmodified gag. Thus failure of gag ubiquitination to enhance CD8 responses may be caused by suppression of moDC maturation. These results indicate that when designing a successful vaccine strategy to target a particular cell population, attention must also be given to the effect of the vaccine on APCs.
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Setz C, Friedrich M, Hahn S, Dörrie J, Schaft N, Schuler G, Schubert U. Just one position-independent lysine residue can direct MelanA into proteasomal degradation following N-terminal fusion of ubiquitin. PLoS One 2013; 8:e55567. [PMID: 23393593 PMCID: PMC3564756 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0055567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2012] [Accepted: 12/27/2012] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
N-terminal stable in frame fusion of ubiquitin (Ub) has been shown to target the fusion protein for proteasomal degradation. This pathway, called the Ub fusion degradation (UFD), might also elevate MHC class I (MHC-I) antigen presentation of specific antigens. The UFD, mainly studied on cytosolic proteins, has been described to be mediated by polyubiquitination of specific lysine residues within the fused Ub moiety. Using the well characterized melanoma-specific antigen MelanA as a model protein, we analyzed the requirements of the UFD for ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of a transmembrane protein. Here we show that fusion of the non-cleavable UbG76V variant to the N-terminus of MelanA results in rapid proteasomal degradation via the endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway and, consequently, leads to an increased MHC-I antigen presentation. While lysine residues within Ub are dispensable for these effects, the presence of one single lysine residue, irrespectively of its location along the fusion protein, is sufficient to induce degradation of MelanA. These results show that the ubiquitination, ER to cytosol relocation and proteasomal degradation of a transmembrane protein can be increased by N-terminal fusion of Ub at the presence of at least one, position independent lysine residue. These findings are in contrast to the conventional wisdom concerning the UFD and indicate a new concept to target a protein into the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and thus for enhanced MHC-I antigen presentation, and might open up new possibilities in the development of tumor vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Setz
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Melanie Friedrich
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sabine Hahn
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jan Dörrie
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Niels Schaft
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Gerold Schuler
- Department of Dermatology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schubert
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Benlahrech A, Meiser A, Herath S, Papagatsias T, Athanasopoulos T, Li F, Self S, Bachy V, Hervouet C, Logan K, Klavinskis L, Dickson G, Patterson S. Fragmentation of SIV-gag vaccine induces broader T cell responses. PLoS One 2012; 7:e48038. [PMID: 23118924 PMCID: PMC3485275 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2012] [Accepted: 09/20/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High mutation rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) allows escape from T cell recognition preventing development of effective T cell vaccines. Vaccines that induce diverse T cell immune responses would help overcome this problem. Using SIV gag as a model vaccine, we investigated two approaches to increase the breadth of the CD8 T cell response. Namely, fusion of vaccine genes to ubiquitin to target the proteasome and increase levels of MHC class I peptide complexes and gene fragmentation to overcome competition between epitopes for presentation and recognition. Methodology/Principal Findings Three vaccines were compared: full-length unmodified SIV-mac239 gag, full-length gag fused at the N-terminus to ubiquitin and 7 gag fragments of equal size spanning the whole of gag with ubiquitin-fused to the N-terminus of each fragment. Genes were cloned into a replication defective adenovirus vector and immunogenicity assessed in an in vitro human priming system. The breadth of the CD8 T cell response, defined by the number of distinct epitopes, was assessed by IFN-γ-ELISPOT and memory phenotype and cytokine production evaluated by flow cytometry. We observed an increase of two- to six-fold in the number of epitopes recognised in the ubiquitin-fused fragments compared to the ubiquitin-fused full-length gag. In contrast, although proteasomal targeting was achieved, there was a marked reduction in the number of epitopes recognised in the ubiquitin-fused full-length gag compared to the full-length unmodified gene, but there were no differences in the number of epitope responses induced by non-ubiquitinated full-length gag and the ubiquitin-fused mini genes. Fragmentation and ubiquitination did not affect T cell memory differentiation and polyfunctionality, though most responses were directed against the Ad5 vector. Conclusion/Significance Fragmentation but not fusion with ubiquitin increases the breadth of the CD8 T vaccine response against SIV-mac239 gag. Thus gene fragmentation of HIV vaccines may maximise responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adel Benlahrech
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrea Meiser
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shanthi Herath
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Timos Papagatsias
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Takis Athanasopoulos
- School of Biological Science, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Fucheng Li
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Steve Self
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Veronique Bachy
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, Guys Hospital, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Hervouet
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, Guys Hospital, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Logan
- Department of Immunology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Linda Klavinskis
- Peter Gorer Department of Immunobiology, Guys Hospital, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - George Dickson
- School of Biological Science, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Steven Patterson
- Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Stable antigen is most effective for eliciting CD8+ T-cell responses after DNA vaccination and infection with recombinant vaccinia virus in vivo. J Virol 2012; 86:9782-93. [PMID: 22761378 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00694-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The induction of strong CD8(+) T-cell responses against infectious diseases and cancer has remained a major challenge. Depending on the source of antigen and the infectious agent, priming of CD8(+) T cells requires direct and/or cross-presentation of antigenic peptides on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules by professional antigen-presenting cells (APCs). However, both pathways show distinct preferences concerning antigen stability. Whereas direct presentation was shown to efficiently present peptides derived from rapidly degraded proteins, cross-presentation is dependent on long-lived antigen species. In this report, we analyzed the role of antigen stability on DNA vaccination and recombinant vaccinia virus (VV) infection using altered versions of the same antigen. The long-lived nucleoprotein (NP) of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can be targeted for degradation by N-terminal fusion to ubiquitin or, as we show here, to the ubiquitin-like modifier FAT10. Direct presentation by cells either transfected with NP-encoding plasmids or infected with recombinant VV in vitro was enhanced in the presence of short-lived antigens. In vivo, however, the highest induction of NP-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses was achieved in the presence of long-lived NP. Our experiments provide evidence that targeting antigens for proteasomal degradation does not improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines and recombinant VVs. Rather, it is the long-lived antigen that is superior for the efficient activation of MHC class I-restricted immune responses in vivo. Hence, our results suggest a dominant role for antigen cross-priming in DNA vaccination and recombinant VV infection.
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DNA and modified vaccinia virus Ankara vaccines encoding multiple cytotoxic and helper T-lymphocyte epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) are safe but weakly immunogenic in HIV-1-uninfected, vaccinia virus-naive adults. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2012; 19:649-58. [PMID: 22398243 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00038-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
We evaluated a DNA plasmid-vectored vaccine and a recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara vaccine (MVA-mBN32), each encoding cytotoxic and helper T-lymphocyte epitopes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial in 36 HIV-1-uninfected adults using a heterologous prime-boost schedule. HIV-1-specific cellular immune responses, measured as interleukin-2 and/or gamma interferon production, were induced in 1 (4%) of 28 subjects after the first MVA-mBN32 immunization and in 3 (12%) of 25 subjects after the second MVA-mBN32 immunization. Among these responders, polyfunctional T-cell responses, including the production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and perforin, were detected. Vaccinia virus-specific antibodies were induced to the MVA vector in 27 (93%) of 29 and 26 (93%) of 28 subjects after the first and second immunizations with MVA-mBN32. These peptide-based vaccines were safe but were ineffective at inducing HIV-1-specific immune responses and induced much weaker responses than MVA vaccines expressing the entire open reading frames of HIV-1 proteins.
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Ebstein F, Lehmann A, Kloetzel PM. The FAT10- and ubiquitin-dependent degradation machineries exhibit common and distinct requirements for MHC class I antigen presentation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2012; 69:2443-54. [PMID: 22349260 PMCID: PMC3383951 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-012-0933-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2011] [Revised: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 01/26/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Like ubiquitin (Ub), the ubiquitin-like protein FAT10 can serve as a signal for proteasome-dependent protein degradation. Here, we investigated the contribution of FAT10 substrate modification to MHC class I antigen presentation. We show that N-terminal modification of the human cytomegalovirus-derived pp65 antigen to FAT10 facilitates direct presentation and dendritic cell-mediated cross-presentation of the HLA-A2 restricted pp65(495-503) epitope. Interestingly, our data indicate that the pp65 presentation initiated by either FAT10 or Ub partially relied on the 19S proteasome subunit Rpn10 (S5a). However, FAT10 distinguished itself from Ub in that it promoted a pp65 response which was not influenced by immunoproteasomes or PA28. Further divergence occurred at the level of Ub-binding proteins with NUB1 supporting the pp65 presentation arising from FAT10, while it exerted no effect on that initiated by Ub. Collectively, our data establish FAT10 modification as a distinct and alternative signal for facilitated MHC class I antigen presentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Ebstein
- Institut für Biochemie, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Campus CVK, Germany
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The immune response to a vesicular stomatitis virus vaccine vector is independent of particulate antigen secretion and protein turnover rate. J Virol 2012; 86:4253-61. [PMID: 22345454 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.05991-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a highly cytopathic virus being developed as a vaccine vector due to its ability to induce strong protective T cell and antibody responses after a single dose. However, little is known regarding the mechanisms underlying the potent immune responses elicited by VSV. We previously generated a VSV vector expressing the hepatitis B virus middle envelope surface glycoprotein (MS) that induces strong MS-specific T cell and antibody responses in mice. After synthesis in the cytoplasm, the MS protein translocates to the endoplasmic reticulum, where it forms subviral particles that are secreted from the cell. To better understand the contributions of secreted and intracellular protein to the VSV-induced immune response, we produced a vector expressing a secretion-deficient MS mutant (MS(C69A)) and compared the immunogenicity of this vector to that of the wild-type VSV-MS vector in mice. As expected, the MS(C69A) protein was not secreted from VSV-infected cells and displayed enhanced proteasome-mediated degradation. Surprisingly, despite these differences in intracellular protein processing, the T cell and antibody responses generated to MS(C69A) were comparable to those elicited by virus expressing wild-type MS protein. Therefore, when it is expressed from VSV, the immune responses to MS are independent of particulate antigen secretion and the turnover rate of cytoplasmic protein. These results are consistent with a model in which the immune responses to VSV are strongly influenced by the replication cycle of the vector and demonstrate that characteristics of the vector have the capacity to affect vaccine efficacy more than do the properties of the antigen itself.
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Yewdell JW. DRiPs solidify: progress in understanding endogenous MHC class I antigen processing. Trends Immunol 2011; 32:548-58. [PMID: 21962745 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2011.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2011] [Revised: 07/27/2011] [Accepted: 08/01/2011] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Defective ribosomal products (DRiPs) are a subset of rapidly degraded polypeptides that provide peptide ligands for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules. Here, recent progress in understanding DRiP biogenesis is reviewed. These findings place DRiPs at the center of the MHC class I antigen processing pathway, linking immunosurveillance of viruses and tumors to mechanisms of specialized translation and cellular compartmentalization. DRiPs enable the immune system to rapidly detect alterations in cellular gene expression with great sensitivity.
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Jahangiri A, Rasooli I, Gargari SLM, Owlia P, Rahbar MR, Amani J, Khalili S. An in silico DNA vaccine against Listeria monocytogenes. Vaccine 2011; 29:6948-58. [PMID: 21791233 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.07.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2011] [Revised: 07/09/2011] [Accepted: 07/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes causes listeriosis with mortality rate >20%. Listeriolysin-O (LLO), a pore-forming hemolysin, belongs to the family of cholesterol-dependent toxins (CDTX) and plays roles in the pathogenicity. In this study bioinformatic analyses were carried out on LLO sequence as a major immunodominant listerial antigen toward designing a DNA vaccine stimulating cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). Mouse and human constructs were designed based on predicted T cell epitopes and MHC class I binders, which were then tandemly fused together. LLO-derived construct codons and a variety of critical gene expression efficiency parameters were optimized. Post-translational modifications such as glycosylation, phosphorylation were analysed. The constructs corresponded to LLO sequences of L. monocytogenes in BLAST search. Neither human nor mouse construct was allergen. Secretory pathway was location of the human construct that enhances immune induction and contribute to the efficacy of the vaccine candidate. mRNAs from optimized DNA sequences of both human and mouse constructs are more stable than the native and are suitable for initiation of translation. The constructs contain several sites for phosphorylation that could improve its degradation and subsequent entry into the MHC class I pathway. Addition of GPI anchor, myristoylation and ubiquitin signals or proline (P), glutamic acid (E), serine (S), threonine (T) (PEST)-like motifs at the N-terminal of constructs increase efficacy of the DNA vaccine. Close physical contact between the favorable immunogen and the suitable CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN) promotes immune response. Vectors for checking the expression of constructs in mammalian cells and for harboring the foreign genes as DNA vaccine are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abolfazl Jahangiri
- Department of Biology, Shahed University, Tehran-Qom Express Way, Opposite Imam Khomeini's Shrine, Tehran-3319118651, Iran
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Nunes CT, Miners KL, Dolton G, Pepper C, Fegan C, Mason MD, Man S. A novel tumor antigen derived from enhanced degradation of bax protein in human cancers. Cancer Res 2011; 71:5435-44. [PMID: 21697278 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-11-0393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer cells frequently exhibit defects in apoptosis, which contribute to increased survival and chemotherapeutic resistance. For example, genetic mutations or abnormal proteasomal degradation can reduce expression of Bax which limits apoptosis. In cancers where abnormal proteasomal degradation of Bax occurs, we hypothesized that Bax peptides that bind to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules would be generated for presentation to CD8(+) T cells. To test this hypothesis, we generated T cells against pooled Bax peptides, using the blood of healthy human donors. Although T-cell responses were of low frequency (0.15%), a CD8(+) T-cell clone (KSIVB17) was isolated that optimally recognized Bax(136-144) peptide (IMGWTLDFL) presented by HLA-A*0201. KSIVB17 was able to recognize and kill a variety of HLA-matched cancer cells including primary tumor cells from chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). No reactivity was seen against HLA-matched, nontransformed cells such as PHA blasts and skin fibroblasts. Furthermore, KSIVB17 reactivity corresponded with the proteasomal degradation patterns of Bax protein observed in cancer cells. Taken together, our findings suggest a new concept for tumor antigens based on regulatory proteins that are ubiquitously expressed in normal cells, but that have abnormally enhanced degradation in cancer cells. Bax degradation products offer candidate immune antigens in cancers such as CLL in which increased Bax degradation correlates with poor clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cláudia Trindade Nunes
- Departments of Infection, Immunity and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
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Fu F, Li X, Lang Y, Yang Y, Tong G, Li G, Zhou Y, Li X. Co-expression of ubiquitin gene and capsid protein gene enhances the potency of DNA immunization of PCV2 in mice. Virol J 2011; 8:264. [PMID: 21624113 PMCID: PMC3135555 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-8-264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2011] [Accepted: 05/30/2011] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A recombinant plasmid that co-expressed ubiquitin and porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) virus capsid protein (Cap), denoted as pc-Ub-Cap, and a plasmid encoding PCV2 virus Cap alone, denoted as pc-Cap, were transfected into 293T cells. Indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) and confocal microscopy were performed to measure the cellular expression of Cap. Three groups of mice were then vaccinated once every three weeks for a total of three doses with pc-Ub-Cap, pc-Cap or the empty vector pCAGGS, followed by challenging all mice intraperitoneally with 0.5 mL 106.5 TCID50/mL PCV2. To characterize the protective immune response against PCV2 infection in mice, assays of antibody titer (including different IgG isotypes), flow cytometric analysis (FCM), lymphocyte proliferation, cytokine production and viremia were evaluated. The results showed that pc-Ub-Cap and pc-Cap were efficiently expressed in 293T cells. However, pc-Ub-Cap-vaccinated animals had a significantly higher level of Cap-specific antibody and induced a stronger Th1 type cellular immune response than did pc-Cap-vaccinated animals, suggesting that ubiquitin conjugation improved both the cellular and humoral immune responses. Additionally, viral replication in blood was lower in the pc-Ub-Cap-vaccinated group than in the pc-Cap and empty vector groups, suggesting that the protective immunity induced by pc-Ub-Cap is superior to that induced by pc-Cap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Fu
- Division of Swine Infectious Diseases, State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nangang District, Harbin150001, China
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Huang L, Kuhls MC, Eisenlohr LC. Hydrophobicity as a driver of MHC class I antigen processing. EMBO J 2011; 30:1634-44. [PMID: 21378750 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2011.62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2010] [Accepted: 02/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The forces that drive conversion of nascent protein to major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted peptides remain unknown. We explored the fundamental property of overt hydrophobicity as such a driver. Relocation of a membrane glycoprotein to the cytosol via signal sequence ablation resulted in rapid processing of nascent protein not because of the misfolded luminal domain but because of the unembedded transmembrane (TM) domain, which serves as a dose-dependent degradation motif. Dislocation of the TM domain during the natural process of endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) similarly accelerated peptide production, but in the context of markedly prolonged processing that included nonnascent species. These insights into intracellular proteolytic pathways and their selective contributions to MHC class I-restricted peptide supply, may point to new approaches in rational vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Kimmel Cancer Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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20
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Groot AS, Cohen T, Ardito M, Moise L, Martin B, Berzofsky JA. Use of Bioinformatics to Predict MHC Ligands and T-Cell Epitopes. IMMUNOLOGY OF INFECTION 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/s0580-9517(10)37003-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
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Casartelli N, Guivel-Benhassine F, Bouziat R, Brandler S, Schwartz O, Moris A. The antiviral factor APOBEC3G improves CTL recognition of cultured HIV-infected T cells. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 207:39-49. [PMID: 20038599 PMCID: PMC2812543 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20091933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
The cytidine deaminase APOBEC3G (A3G) enzyme exerts an intrinsic anti–human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) defense by introducing lethal G-to-A hypermutations in the viral genome. The HIV-1 viral infectivity factor (Vif) protein triggers degradation of A3G and counteracts this antiviral effect. The impact of A3G on the adaptive cellular immune response has not been characterized. We examined whether A3G-edited defective viruses, which are known to express truncated or misfolded viral proteins, activate HIV-1–specific (HS) CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). To this end, we compared the immunogenicity of cells infected with wild-type or Vif-deleted viruses in the presence or absence of the cytidine deaminase. The inhibitory effect of A3G on HIV replication was associated with a strong activation of cocultivated HS-CTLs. CTL activation was particularly marked with Vif-deleted HIV and with viruses harboring A3G. Enzymatically inactive A3G mutants failed to enhance CTL activation. We also engineered proviruses bearing premature stop codons in their genome as scars of A3G editing. These viruses were not infectious but potently activated HS-CTLs. Therefore, the pool of defective viruses generated by A3G represents an underestimated source of viral antigens. Our results reveal a novel function for A3G, acting not only as an intrinsic antiviral factor but also as an inducer of the adaptive immune system.
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Modified H5 promoter improves stability of insert genes while maintaining immunogenicity during extended passage of genetically engineered MVA vaccines. Vaccine 2009; 28:1547-57. [PMID: 19969118 PMCID: PMC2821965 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2009.11.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2009] [Revised: 11/17/2009] [Accepted: 11/20/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We have engineered recombinant (r) Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) to express multiple antigens under the control of either of two related vaccinia synthetic promoters (pSyn) with early and late transcriptional activity or the modified H5 (mH5) promoter which has predominant early activity. We sequentially passaged these constructs and analyzed their genetic stability by qPCR, and concluded that rMVA expressing multiple antigens using the mH5 promoter exhibit remarkable genetic stability and maintain potent immunogenicity after serial passage. In contrast, rMVA expressing antigens using engineered vaccinia synthetic E/L (pSyn I or II) promoters are genetically unstable. Progressive accumulation of antigen loss variants resulted in a viral preparation with lower immunogenicity after serial passage. Metabolic labeling, followed by cold chase revealed little difference in stability of proteins expressed from mH5 or pSyn promoter constructs. We conclude that maintenance of genetic stability which is achieved using mH5, though not with pSyn promoters, is linked to timing, not the magnitude of expression levels of foreign antigen, which is more closely associated with immunogenicity of the vaccine.
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Bolhassani A, Yazdi SR. DNA immunization as an efficient strategy for vaccination. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol 2009; 1:71-88. [PMID: 23407787 PMCID: PMC3558129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2009] [Accepted: 06/20/2009] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of vaccinology provides excellent promises to control different infectious and non-infectious diseases. Genetic immunization as a new tool in this area by using naked DNA has been shown to induce humoral as well as cellular immune responses with high efficiency. This demonstrates the enormous potential of this strategy for vaccination purposes. DNA vaccines have been widely used to develop vaccines against various pathogens as well as cancer, autoimmune diseases and allergy. However, despite their successful application in many pre-clinical disease models, their potency in human clinical trials has been insufficient to provide protective immunity. Several strategies have been applied to increase the potency of DNA vaccine. Among these strategies, the linkage of antigens to Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) and the utilization of different delivery systems have been demonstrated as efficient approaches for increasing the potency of DNA vaccines. The uptake of DNA plasmids by cells upon injection is inefficient. Two basic delivery approaches including physical delivery to achieve higher levels of antigen production and formulation with microparticles to target Antigen-Presenting Cells (APCs) are effective in animal models. Alternatively, different regimens called prime-boost vaccination are also effective. In this regimen, naked DNA is utilized to prime the immune system and either recombinant viral vector or purified recombinant protein with proper adjuvant is used for boosting. In this review, we discuss recent advances in upgrading the efficiency of DNA vaccination in animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sima Rafati Yazdi
- Corresponding author: Sima Rafati Yazdi, Ph.D., Molecular Immunology and Vaccine Research Lab, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. Tel: +98 21 66953311. Fax: +98 21 66465132. E-mail:;
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Theil DJ, Libbey JE, Rodriguez F, Whitton JL, Tsunoda I, Derfuss TJ, Fujinami RS. Targeting myelin proteolipid protein to the MHC class I pathway by ubiquitination modulates the course of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J Neuroimmunol 2008; 204:92-100. [PMID: 18706703 PMCID: PMC2646907 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2008.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2008] [Revised: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 07/09/2008] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Relapsing-remitting experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a multiple sclerosis model, is induced in mice by injection of myelin proteolipid protein (PLP) encephalitogenic peptide, PLP139-151, in adjuvant. In this study, prior to EAE induction, mice were vaccinated with a bacterial plasmid encoding a PLP-ubiquitin fusion (pCMVUPLP). During the relapse phase of EAE, clinical signs, histopathologic changes, in vitro lymphoproliferation to PLP139-151 and interferon-gamma levels were reduced in pCMVUPLP-vaccinated mice, compared to mock-vaccinated mice (controls). Lymphocytes from pCMVUPLP-vaccinated mice produced interleukin-4, a cytokine lacking in controls. Thus, pCMVUPLP vaccination can modulate the relapse after EAE induction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diethilde J. Theil
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 30 North 1900 East, RM 3R330, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
| | - Jane E. Libbey
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 30 North 1900 East, RM 3R330, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
| | - Fernando Rodriguez
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - J. Lindsay Whitton
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037
| | - Ikuo Tsunoda
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 30 North 1900 East, RM 3R330, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
| | - Tobias J. Derfuss
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 30 North 1900 East, RM 3R330, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
| | - Robert S. Fujinami
- Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, 30 North 1900 East, RM 3R330, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132
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Jeon YH, Choi Y, Yoon SO, Kim CW, Chung JK. Synergistic tumoricidal effect of combined hMUC1 vaccination and hNIS radioiodine gene therapy. Mol Cancer Ther 2008; 7:2252-60. [PMID: 18645034 DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.mct-08-0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We examined the merits of combinatorial hMUC1 vaccination and hNIS radioiodine gene therapy and evaluated its tumoricidal effects in an animal tumor model. CMNF (CT26 expressing hMUC1, hNIS, and firefly luciferase) cells were transplanted into 28 mice, and 4 and 11 days after tumor challenge, tumor-bearing mice were immunized i.m. with pcDNA3.1 or pcDNA-hMUC1 vaccine and subsequently administered PBS or (131)I i.p. [four groups (7 mice per group): pcDNA3.1 + PBS, phMUC1 + PBS, pcDNA3.1 + (131)I, and phMUC1 + (131)I groups]. Thirty-two days after tumor challenge, we rechallenged mice in the pcDNA3.1 + (131)I and phMUC1 + (131)I groups with CMNF cells. Tumor progression and tumor-free mice (%) were monitored by bioluminescence. We investigated hMUC1-associated immune response generated by combination therapy. Marked tumor growth inhibition was observed in the phMUC1 + (131)I group by bioluminescence at 32 days after tumor challenge. Mice in phMUC1 + (131)I group showed complete hMUC1-expressing tumor suppression after tumor rechallenge, whereas mice in the pcDNA3.1 + (131)I group did not. The tumor-free mice (%) were much higher in the phMUC1 + (131)I group than in the other three groups. Levels of hMUC1-associated CD8(+)IFN-gamma(+) T cells were higher in the phMUC1 + (131)I group than in the other three groups. hMUC1-loaded CD11(+) cells in the phMUC1 + (131)I group were found to be most effective at generating hMUC1-associated CD8(+)IFN-gamma(+) T cells. The activities of hMUC1-associated cytotoxic T cells in the phMUC1 + (131)I group were higher than in the other three groups. Our data suggest that phMUC1 + (131)I combination therapy synergistically generates marked tumoricidal effects against established hMUC1-expressing cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hyun Jeon
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 28 Yongon-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul 110-744, Korea
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Abstract
For more than two decades, Biotechnology and Bioengineering has documented research focused on natural and engineered microbial biofilms within aquatic and subterranean ecosystems, wastewater and waste-gas treatment systems, marine vessels and structures, and industrial bioprocesses. Compared to suspended culture systems, intentionally engineered biofilms are heterogeneous reaction systems that can increase reactor productivity, system stability, and provide inherent cell:product separation. Unwanted biofilms can create enormous increases in fluid frictional resistances, unacceptable reductions in heat transfer efficiency, product contamination, enhanced material deterioration, and accelerated corrosion. Missing from B&B has been an equivalent research dialogue regarding the basic molecular microbiology, immunology, and biotechnological aspects of medical biofilms. Presented here are the current problems related to medical biofilms; current concepts of biofilm formation, persistence, and interactions with the host immune system; and emerging technologies for controlling medical biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Bryers
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195-5061, USA.
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Modifying the HIV-1 env gp160 gene to improve pDNA vaccine-elicited cell-mediated immune responses. Vaccine 2008; 26:5083-94. [PMID: 18485543 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.03.092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Plasmid DNA (pDNA) vaccines are effective at eliciting immune responses in a wide variety of animal model systems, however, pDNA vaccines have generally been incapable of inducing robust immune responses in clinical trials. Therefore, to identify means to improve pDNA vaccine performance, we compared various post-transcriptional and post-translational genetic modifications for their ability to improve antigen-specific CMI responses. Mice vaccinated using a sub-optimal 100 mcg dose of a pDNA encoding an unmodified primary isolate HIV-1(6101) env gp160 failed to demonstrate measurable env-specific CMI responses. In contrast, significant env-specific CMI responses were seen in mice immunized with pDNA expression vectors encoding env genes modified by RNA optimization or codon optimization. Further modification of the RNA optimized env gp160 gene by the addition of (i) a simian retrovirus type 1 constitutive RNA transport element; (ii) a murine intracisternal A-particle derived RNA transport element; (iii) a tissue plasminogen activator protein signal leader sequences; (iv) a beta-catenin derived ubiquitination target sequence; or (v) a monocyte chemotactic protein-3 derived signal sequence failed to further improve the induction of env-specific CMI responses. Therefore, modification of the env gp160 gene by RNA or codon optimization alone is necessary for high-level rev-independent expression and results in robust env-specific CMI responses in immunized mice. Importantly, further modification(s) of the env gene to alter cellular localization or increase proteolytic processing failed to result in increased env-specific immune responses. These results have important implications for the design and development of an efficacious vaccine for the prevention of HIV-1 infection.
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Sacco RE. DNA vaccines against infectious agents: recent strategies for enhancing immune responses. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2008. [DOI: 10.1517/13543776.18.4.365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Goldwich A, Hahn SSC, Schreiber S, Meier S, Kämpgen E, Wagner R, Lutz MB, Schubert U. Targeting HIV-1 Gag into the defective ribosomal product pathway enhances MHC class I antigen presentation and CD8+ T cell activation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 180:372-82. [PMID: 18097038 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.1.372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The main source for endogenous peptides presented by the MHC class I (MHC-I) pathway are de novo-synthesized proteins which are degraded via the ubiquitin proteasome pathway. Different MHC-I Ag pools can be distinguished: first, short-lived defective ribosomal products, which are degraded in concert with or shortly after their synthesis, and, second, functional proteins that enter the standard protein life cycle. To compare the contribution of these two Ag sources to the generation of MHC-I-presented peptides, we established murine cell lines which express as a model Ag the HIV-1 Gag polyprotein fused to ubiquitin (Ub) carrying the epitope SIINFEKL (SL). Gag was expressed either in its wild-type form (UbMGagSL) or as a variant UbRGagSL harboring an N-end rule degron signal. Although UbRGagSL displayed wild-type protein stability, its inherent defective ribosomal products rate observed after proteasome shutdown was increased concomitant with enhanced presentation of the SL epitope. In addition, UbRGagSL induces enhanced T cell stimulation of SL-specific B3Z hybridoma cells as measured in vitro and of adoptively transferred TCR-transgenic OT-1 T cells in vivo. Furthermore, an elevated frequency of SL-specific T cells was detected by IFN-gamma ELISPOT after immunization of naive C57BL/6 mice with UbRGagSL/EL4 cells. These results further underline the role of the defective ribosomal product pathway in adaptive immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Goldwich
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Erlangen, Germany
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30
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Frausto RF, Crocker SJ, Eam B, Whitmire JK, Whitton JL. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide-induced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis and T cell responses are unaffected by immunoproteasome deficiency. J Neuroimmunol 2007; 192:124-33. [PMID: 17964666 PMCID: PMC2175388 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2007.09.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2007] [Revised: 09/21/2007] [Accepted: 09/21/2007] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The inoculation of MOG peptides into C57BL/6 mice induces CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, and recent work has shown that adoptive transfer of the latter population, after extensive in vitro stimulation, can cause EAE in naïve recipient mice. Herein, we have evaluated the incidence and severity of EAE, and the induction of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, following MOG peptide inoculation of wt mice and of LMP-2KO mice that lack an intact immunoproteasome, a cytoplasmic organelle that is induced by chronic inflammation and that may be important for the presentation of MHC class I epitopes to CD8(+) T cells. We report that EAE, evaluated by both clinical and histological criteria, is similar in LMP-2KO mice and wildtype C57B/6 mice (wt) in response to immunization with MOG peptides MOG(35-55) and MOG(40-54), suggesting that the immunoproteasome does not play a key role in the development of demyelinating disease. Furthermore, and consistent with previous reports, peptide-specific CD8(+) T cells were barely detectable in the CNS of peptide-immunized mice, although peptide-specific CD4(+) T cells were abundant. Therefore, we used a new technique to look for autoreactive CD8(+) T cells in MOG peptide-immunized mice, and we report the identification of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells that, as late as 19 days after peptide injection, are actively producing IFNgamma in vivo, in response to in vivo antigen contact.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - J L. Whitton
- *Corresponding author Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences Dept., SP30-2110, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA, Tel: 858-784-7090, FAX: 858-784-7380,
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31
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Fluet ME, Whitmore AC, Moshkoff DA, Fu K, Tang Y, Collier ML, West A, Moore DT, Swanstrom R, Johnston RE, Davis NL. Effects of rapid antigen degradation and VEE glycoprotein specificity on immune responses induced by a VEE replicon vaccine. Virology 2007; 370:22-32. [PMID: 17904185 PMCID: PMC2288739 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2007] [Revised: 06/20/2007] [Accepted: 08/20/2007] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genetic vaccines are engineered to produce immunogens de novo in the cells of the host for stimulation of a protective immune response. In some of these systems, antigens engineered for rapid degradation have produced an enhanced cellular immune response by more efficient entry into pathways for processing and presentation of MHC class I peptides. VEE replicon particles (VRP), single cycle vaccine vectors derived from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), are examined here for the effect of an increased rate of immunogen degradation on VRP vaccine efficacy. VRP expressing the matrix capsid (MA/CA) portion of SIV Gag were altered to promote rapid degradation of MA/CA by various linkages to co-translated ubiquitin or by destabilizing mutations and were used to immunize BALB/c mice for quantitation of anti-MA/CA cellular and humoral immune responses. Rapid degradation by the N-end rule correlated with a dampened immune response relative to unmodified MA/CA when the VRP carried a glycoprotein spike from an attenuated strain of VEE. In contrast, statistically equivalent numbers of IFNgamma(+)T-cells resulted when VRP expressing unstable MA/CA were packaged with the wild-type VEE glycoproteins. These results suggest that the cell types targeted in vivo by VRP carrying mutant or wild type glycoprotein spikes are functionally different, and are consistent with previous findings suggesting that wild-type VEE glycoproteins preferentially target professional antigen presenting cells that use peptides generated from the degraded antigen for direct presentation on MHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Fluet
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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32
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Abstract
Synthetic peptide vaccines have potential to control viral infections. Successful experimental models using this approach include the protection of mice against the lethal Sendai virus infection by MHC class I binding CTL peptide epitope. The main benefit of vaccination with peptide epitopes is the ability to minimize the amount and complexity of a well-defined antigen. An appropriate peptide immunogen would also decrease the chance of stimulating a response against self-antigens, thereby providing a safer vaccine by avoiding autoimmunity. In general, the peptide vaccine strategy needs to dissect the specificity of antigen processing, the presence of B-and T-cell epitopes and the MHC restriction of the T-cell responses. This article briefly reviews the implications in the design of peptide vaccines and discusses the various approaches that are applied to improve their immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Azizi
- Variation Biotechnologies Inc., 22 de Varennes, Suite 210, Gatineau, QC J8T 8R1, Canada
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33
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Gasteiger G, Kastenmuller W, Ljapoci R, Sutter G, Drexler I. Cross-priming of cytotoxic T cells dictates antigen requisites for modified vaccinia virus Ankara vector vaccines. J Virol 2007; 81:11925-36. [PMID: 17699574 PMCID: PMC2168793 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00903-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recombinant vaccines based on modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) have an excellent record concerning safety and immunogenicity and are currently being evaluated in numerous clinical studies for immunotherapy of infectious diseases and cancer. However, knowledge about the biological properties of target antigens to efficiently induce MVA vaccine-mediated immunity in vivo is sparse. Here, we examined distinct antigen presentation pathways and different antigen formulations contained in MVA vaccines for their capability to induce cytotoxic CD8(+) T-cell (CTL) responses. Strikingly, we found that CTL responses against MVA-produced antigens were dominated by cross-priming in vivo, despite the ability of the virus to efficiently infect professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Moreover, stable mature protein was preferred to preprocessed antigen as the substrate for cross-priming. Our data are essential for improved MVA vaccine design, as they demonstrate the need for optimal adjustment of the target antigen properties to the intrinsic requirements of the delivering vector system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Gasteiger
- GSF-Institute for Molecular Virology, Schneckenburgerstrasse 8, D-81675 Munich, Germany
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34
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Dobaño C, Rogers WO, Gowda K, Doolan DL. Targeting antigen to MHC Class I and Class II antigen presentation pathways for malaria DNA vaccines. Immunol Lett 2007; 111:92-102. [PMID: 17604849 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2007.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2007] [Revised: 05/04/2007] [Accepted: 05/24/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
An effective malaria vaccine which protects against all stages of Plasmodium infection may need to elicit robust CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cell and antibody responses. To achieve this, we have investigated strategies designed to improve the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines encoding the Plasmodium yoelii pre-erythrocytic stage antigens PyCSP and PyHEP17, by targeting the encoded proteins to the MHC Classes I and II processing and presentation pathways. For enhancement of CD8(+) T cell responses, we targeted the antigens for degradation by the ubiquitin (Ub)/proteosome pathway following the N-terminal rule. We constructed plasmids containing PyCSP or PyHEP17 genes fused to the Ub gene: plasmids where the N-terminal antigen residues were mutated from the stabilizing amino acid methionine to destabilizing arginine, plasmids where the C-terminal residues of Ub were mutated from glycine to alanine, and plasmids in which the potential hydrophobic leader sequences of the antigens were deleted. For enhancement of CD4(+) T cell and antibody responses, we targeted the antigens for degradation by the endosomal/lysosomal pathway by linking the antigen to the lysosome-associated membrane protein (LAMP). We found that immunization with DNA vaccine encoding PyHEP17 fused to Ub and bearing arginine induced higher IFN-gamma, cytotoxic and proliferative T cell responses than unmodified vaccines. However, no effect was seen for PyCSP using the same targeting strategies. Regarding Class II antigen targeting, fusion to LAMP did not enhance antibody responses to either PyHEP17 or PyCSP, and resulted in a marginal increase in lymphoproliferative CD4(+) T cell responses. Our data highlight the antigen dependence of immune enhancement strategies that target antigen to the MHC Class I and II pathways for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Dobaño
- Malaria Program, Naval Medical Research Center, Silver Spring, MD 20910-7500, United States.
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35
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Im EJ, Hanke T. Short communication: preclinical evaluation of candidate HIV type 1 vaccines in inbred strains and an outbred stock of mice. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2007; 23:857-62. [PMID: 17678467 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2007.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Outstanding animal immunogenicity is a prerequisite for progression of novel vaccines to clinical trials. The measurement of vaccine immunogenicity is critically dependent on the specificity, accuracy, sensitivity, and precision of the employed assays. This has been greatly aided by the generation of isogenic mouse strains. Here, we identified three novel H-2(d) -restricted CD8+ T cell epitopes derived from the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and demonstrated a fine evaluation of the vaccine-elicited T cell responses in an inbred mouse strain. However, unlike inbred mice, outbred mouse stock indicated preferential induction of CD4+ T cell responses by a heterologous DNA-prime-recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara boost regimen and induction of dominant responses to the env-derived vaccine component, i.e., observations reminiscent of human data. Thus, an outbred mouse stock may provide more rigorous and realistic tests for candidate vaccine evaluation in addition to sensitive assays in a selected, well-responding inbred strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eung-Jun Im
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, The John Radcliffe, Oxford OX3 9DS, United Kingdom
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36
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Tsen SWD, Paik AH, Hung CF, Wu TC. Enhancing DNA vaccine potency by modifying the properties of antigen-presenting cells. Expert Rev Vaccines 2007; 6:227-39. [PMID: 17408372 PMCID: PMC3190226 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.6.2.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
DNA vaccines represent a potentially promising approach for antigen-specific immunotherapy. Advances in our knowledge of the adaptive immune system have indicated that professional antigen-presenting cells, especially dendritic cells (DCs), play a key role in the generation of antigen-specific immune responses. Thus, the modification of the properties of DCs represents an important strategy for enhancing the potency of DNA vaccines. This review discusses strategies to increase the number of antigen-expressing DCs, enhance antigen expression, processing and presentation in DCs, promote the activation and function of DCs, and improve DC and T-cell interaction, in order to optimize DNA vaccine-elicited immune responses. Continuing progress in our understanding of DC and T-cell biology serves as a foundation for further improvement of DNA vaccine potency, which may lead to future clinical applications of DNA vaccines for the control of infectious diseases and malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaw-Wei D Tsen
- Department of Pathology, John Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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37
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Malm M, Sikut R, Krohn K, Blazevic V. GTU®-MultiHIV DNA vaccine results in protection in a novel P815 tumor challenge model. Vaccine 2007; 25:3293-301. [PMID: 17289222 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2006] [Revised: 12/18/2006] [Accepted: 01/04/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
A novel animal model for testing the immunogenicity and protective immune response induced by HIV-1 DNA vaccines was developed. DBA/2 mice were immunized with GTU-MultiHIV DNA encoding multigene for Rev, Nef, Tat, optp17/24 and a stretch of Pol/Env epitopes. A single GTU-MultiHIV B-clade specific plasmid or Auxo-GTU-MultiHIV(mix) (mixture of four plasmids with A, B, C and FGH clade specific MultiHIV antigens) were administered via gene gun and cell-mediated and humoral immune responses were analysed. The protective efficacy of the immune response was evaluated by challenging the mice with syngeneic tumor cells (P815) stably transfected with the MultiHIV fusion gene. Our results show that the strong MultiHIV-specific immune response generated by the GTU-MultiHIV vaccines in DBA/2 mice was able to delay the tumor growth substantially, indicating that the CTL response detected in vitro confers protection in vivo. The model described here is a safe and feasible in vivo assay for assessment of the vaccine potency to induce protective cell-mediated immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Malm
- FIT Biotech Oyj Plc., Biokatu 8, 33520 Tampere, Finland.
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38
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Abstract
A persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is considered causal and necessary for the continued growth of cervical cancer. Thus, vaccination against HPV represents a plausible approach to prevent and treat cervical cancer. A report in the current issue of the European Journal of Immunology describes a therapeutic HPV DNA vaccination strategy using the HPV-16 E7 antigen fused to the invariant chain to enhance the E7-specific CD8+ and CD4+ T cell immune responses, resulting in a potent anti-tumor effect against E7-expressing tumors. Continued exploration of HPV therapeutic DNA vaccines may lead to eventual clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- T-C Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21231, USA.
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39
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Li H, Ou X, Xiong J. Modified HPV16 E7/HSP70 DNA vaccine with high safety and enhanced cellular immunity represses murine lung metastatic tumors with downregulated expression of MHC class I molecules. Gynecol Oncol 2007; 104:564-71. [PMID: 17081598 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.09.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2006] [Revised: 09/13/2006] [Accepted: 09/28/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore whether the modified E7-HSP70, which has been introduced mutations in two zinc-binding motifs of E7, will eliminate its transformation potential and enhance the immunogenicity of fusion protein and repress E7 containing tumors with a low level of MHC-I molecules to lung metastatic in murine model. METHODS In this study, we examined the transforming properties of mutant E7 oncoprotein by the soft agar colony-formation assays, explored the immunogenicity of modified E7-HSP70 gene by various cellular and humor immune responses and evaluated the effect of treating lung metastatic tumor with a low expressing MHC-I molecules by tumor challenge assay and therapeutic experiment. RESULTS The mutant E7 oncoprotein has completely lost its transforming properties as measured in the soft agar colony-formation assays. Modified E7-HSP70 gene inducted stronger E7-specific cellular immune response than that induced by unmodified E7-HSP70. More importantly, the new construct significantly reduced the number of B16-HPV16E7 lung metastases. CONCLUSION The modified E7-HSP70 gene may be as a powerful and safe DNA vaccine in controlling the hematogenous spread of HPV16E7-associated tumors with low expression of MHC-I molecules. In addition, the B16-HPV16E7 lung metastasis model can be used to test the efficacy of various E7-specific vaccines and immunotherapeutic strategies in settings more relevant to clinical requirements.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibody Specificity
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Cancer Vaccines/genetics
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Cancer Vaccines/pharmacology
- Cell Transformation, Viral/genetics
- Cell Transformation, Viral/immunology
- Female
- HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics
- HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/biosynthesis
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/genetics
- Interferon-gamma/biosynthesis
- Interferon-gamma/genetics
- Lung Neoplasms/immunology
- Lung Neoplasms/secondary
- Lung Neoplasms/therapy
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/secondary
- Melanoma, Experimental/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- NIH 3T3 Cells
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/immunology
- Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Up-Regulation
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Li
- Center for Human Genome Research and College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1037 Luoyu Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430074, P.R. China.
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40
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Yan Q, Cheung YK, Cheng SCS, Wang XH, Shi M, Hu MH, Yong X. A DNA vaccine constructed with human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) E7 and E6 genes induced specific immune responses. Gynecol Oncol 2007; 104:199-206. [PMID: 17049969 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2006.07.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2006] [Revised: 07/13/2006] [Accepted: 07/31/2006] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cervical cancer is found highly associated with human papillomaviruses type 16 (HPV16). HPV16 E6 and E7 oncogenes are important transforming genes which have become the main focus of anti-cervical cancer therapy. In this study, a recombinant DNA vaccine candidate, termed HPV16-DNA-E6E7, constructed with HPV16 E7 and E6 genes was generated and used to against HPV16-induced tumors. METHODS We inserted an E7 DNA fragment into E6 gene to produce a recombinant gene (E6E7-DNA). The E6E7-DNA gene was inserted into a mammalian expression vector, pcDNA 3.1+, to construct the DNA vaccine candidate. Animals (C57BL/6 mice) were immunized with the vaccine candidate with various concentrations (50 microg, 100 microg or 200 microg, respectively), and cytotoxicity measurement and tumor protection assay were carried out to examine the immunological effects of the vaccine candidate. RESULTS Immunization of with HPV16-E6E7-DNA induced HPV16-specific immune response and also conveyed protection against TC-1 induced tumor in vivo. A survival rate (90%) after 45 days of tumor challenge was observed. The animals injected with a higher dosage of the vaccine (200 microg) exhibited prolonged survival duration of more than 55 days. No transforming activity of the vaccine candidate was detected, as determined by focus formation and degradation of endogenous p53. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrated that the HPV16-E6E7-DNA compound might become a candidate for HPV16 precautionary and immunotherapy.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral/biosynthesis
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- BALB 3T3 Cells
- COS Cells
- Cell Transformation, Viral/genetics
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- DNA, Viral/genetics
- DNA, Viral/immunology
- Female
- Humans
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/prevention & control
- Melanoma, Experimental/virology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/prevention & control
- Neoplasms, Experimental/virology
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/immunology
- Papillomavirus E7 Proteins
- Plasmids/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Transfection
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/pharmacology
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Yan
- Department of Biology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR, PR China
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41
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Jeon YH, Choi Y, Kim HJ, Kim CW, Jeong JM, Lee DS, Chung JK. Human sodium iodide symporter gene adjunctive radiotherapy to enhance the preventive effect of hMUC1 DNA vaccine. Int J Cancer 2007; 121:1593-9. [PMID: 17565743 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.22837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
We demonstrate the use of combination therapy to overcome the limitations of cancer DNA vaccines by adding radioiodine gene therapy in an animal cancer model. We established a stable cell line (CT26/hMUC1-hNIS-Fluc: CMNF) expressing the hMUC1, hNIS and Fluc genes using a retro- and lentivirus system. The survival rates (%) of CMNF cells were determined using clonogenic assays after (131)I treatment. After i.m. immunization to 4 groups of Balb/c mice (pcDNA3.1, pcDNA3.1+(131)I, pcDNA3-hMUC1+PBS and pcDNA3-hMUC1+(131)I groups) with pcDNA3-hMUC1 or pcDNA3.1 once a week for 2 weeks, 1 x 10(5) CMNF cells were injected s.c. into the right thighs of mice in each group. Twenty-one days after tumor transplantation, (131)I was administered i.p. to the pcDNA3.1+(131)I and pcDNA3-hMUC1+ (131)I groups. Tumor progression was monitored in the 4 groups by bioluminescent and scintigraphic imaging and by taking caliper measurements. Tumor masses were extracted and weighted at 39 days post-tumor challenge. We confirmed that CMNF cells highly express hMUC1, hNIS and Fluc by FACS, (125)I uptake, and luciferase assay. The survival rates of CMNF were markedly reduced to (14.6 +/- 1.5)% after (131)I treatment compared with the survival rates of parental cells (p < 0.001). Tumor growth inhibition was significant only in the pcDNA3-hMUC1+ (131)I group at 39 days post challenge. Tumor masses in pcDNA3-hMUC1+ (131)I group were smaller than those of the other groups. This study shows that the weak preventive effects of cancer DNA vaccine can be overcome by radioiodine gene therapy utilizing sodium iodide symporter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Hyun Jeon
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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42
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Samorski R, Gissmann L, Osen W. Codon optimized expression of HPV 16 E6 renders target cells susceptible to E6-specific CTL recognition. Immunol Lett 2006; 107:41-9. [PMID: 16949679 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2006.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2006] [Revised: 06/14/2006] [Accepted: 07/14/2006] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The early proteins E6 and E7 of the cancer-related human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) are constitutively expressed in cancer cells thus are targets for immune therapeutic approaches. Whereas previous studies have mainly focussed on the immunogenicity of E7 protein little is known about E6. In order to evaluate E6-specific DNA immunization strategies in a preclinical mouse model C57BL/6 mice were injected with plasmid pTHampE6 and analyzed for E6-specific CTL induction. CTL specific for the H2-K(b)-restricted E6-derived epitope E6 48-57, were readily detectable among splenocytes of immunized animals, however, these CTL showed a differential recognition pattern on various E6-expressing target cells. Using a newly generated E6-specific monoclonal antibody we found that most cell lines expressing E6 encoded by the natural gene showed undetectable protein amounts and were ignored by E6-specific CTL. However, transfection of a codon optimized version of the E6 gene (E6opt) strongly enhanced protein expression levels within these cells turning them into susceptible target cells. Surprisingly, we found that E6-positive TC-1 cells, although recognized by E6-specific CTL, were totally devoid of any detectable E6 protein. Inhibition of proteasomal function by lactacystin treatment diminished E6-specific CTL recognition of TC-1 cells and RMA/E6opt transfectants accompanied by intracellular accumulation of E6 protein as observed in RMA/E6opt transfectants, but not in TC-1 cells. These data suggest that in TC-1 cells rapid degradation processes might prevent stable expression of E6 protein yet generate precursor peptides in amounts sufficient for MHC class I restricted antigen presentation. Thus, the results presented in this paper show that: (i) use of optimized codons in transfection experiments can improve susceptibility of target cells to E6-specific CTL recognition and (ii) lack of detectable protein within a cell does not necessarily indicate the absence of epitope presentation. Both findings are of potential relevance for the design of tumor vaccines.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Codon
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Female
- Genes, Synthetic/immunology
- Human papillomavirus 16/immunology
- Immunotherapy, Active/methods
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/immunology
- Repressor Proteins/genetics
- Repressor Proteins/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/virology
- Transfection/methods
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Viral Vaccines/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina Samorski
- Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Heidelberg, Forschungsschwerpunkt Infektionen und Krebs, Im Neuenheimer Feld 242, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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43
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Blazevic V, Männik A, Malm M, Sikut R, Valtavaara M, Toots U, Ustav M, Krohn K. Induction of human immunodeficiency virus type-1-specific immunity with a novel gene transport unit (GTU)-MultiHIV DNA vaccine. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2006; 22:667-77. [PMID: 16831091 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2006.22.667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A multiHIV fusion gene expressing an antigenic fusion protein composed of regulatory HIV-1 proteins Rev, Nef, and Tat, as well as Gag p17/p24 and a stretch of 11 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope clusters from Pol and Env, was cloned into a novel DNA vector named the Gene Transport Unit (GTU). A mouse H-2(d)-restricted HIV-1 gp120 epitope (RGPGRAFVTI) was cloned into the fusion gene as well. In addition to the HIV- 1 genes the GTU codes for a nuclear anchoring protein (bovine papilloma virus E2), ensuring the long maintenance of the vector and a high expression level of the selected immunogens. BALB/c mice were immunized with the GTU-MultiHIV DNA construct by different routes and regimens of immunization to assess the immunogenicity of the DNA vaccine in vivo. Mice developed strong CD8(+) CTL responses to HIV-1 Env and Gag measured by an ELISPOT-IFN-gamma assay and chromium release assay. In addition, T cell responses to regulatory proteins Rev, Nef, and Tat were induced. Antibody responses were detected to each of the HIV antigens encoded by the DNA construct. Minimal doses of the GTU-MultiHIV DNA delivered by gene gun were potent in inducing significant HIV-specific CTL responses. The equivalent doses of the conventional plasmid expressing MultiHIV DNA delivered by gene gun failed to do so. An ideal DNA vaccine should yield high expression of the viral antigens for a prolonged period of time, and expression of the multiple viral antigens is probably required for the induction of a broad and protective immune response. The GTU-MultiHIV DNA vaccine described is a good vaccine candidate that meets the above criteria.
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MESH Headings
- AIDS Vaccines/genetics
- AIDS Vaccines/immunology
- Animals
- Antibodies, Antinuclear/immunology
- COS Cells
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- DNA-Binding Proteins/immunology
- Female
- Gene Products, gag/immunology
- Gene Products, nef/immunology
- Gene Products, rev/immunology
- Gene Products, tat/immunology
- HIV-1/immunology
- Humans
- Injections, Intramuscular
- Jurkat Cells
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Plasmids/genetics
- Plasmids/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- Vaccines, DNA/genetics
- Vaccines, DNA/immunology
- Viral Proteins/immunology
- nef Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- rev Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- tat Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus
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Ishii K, Hisaeda H, Duan X, Imai T, Sakai T, Fehling HJ, Murata S, Chiba T, Tanaka K, Hamano S, Sano M, Yano A, Himeno K. The involvement of immunoproteasomes in induction of MHC class I-restricted immunity targeting Toxoplasma SAG1. Microbes Infect 2006; 8:1045-53. [PMID: 16515877 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2005.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2005] [Revised: 10/24/2005] [Accepted: 10/25/2005] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays an indispensable role in inducing MHC class I-restricted CD8+ T cells and was exploited in the development of a DNA vaccine against the intracellular protozoan Toxoplasma gondii by constructing a chimeric DNA encoding a fusion protein between murine ubiquitin and the toxoplasma antigen SAG1. The SAG1 peptide was promptly degraded in antigen-presenting cells (APCs) transfected with the chimeric DNA. Degradation, however, was hampered by incubating the APCs with the proteasome inhibitor epoxomicin. Mice vaccinated with the DNA acquired potent protective immunity mediated by MHC class I-restricted CD8+ T cells against infection by the highly virulent Toxoplasma. The accelerated degradation and induction of immunity were dependent on the UPS since mice lacking an immuno-subunit of 20S proteasome, LMP7, lost these functions, although they were independent of the proteasome regulator PA28alpha/beta complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazunari Ishii
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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45
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Andersson HA, Singh RAK, Barry MA. Activation of Refractory T Cell Responses against Hepatitis C Virus Core Protein by Ablation of Interfering Hydrophobic Domains. Mol Ther 2006; 13:338-46. [PMID: 16242998 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2005.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2005] [Revised: 09/07/2005] [Accepted: 09/07/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major pathogen of chronic hepatitis and liver disease, but currently there are no prophylactic HCV vaccines available. The HCV core protein-encoding sequence is among the most conserved genes in the HCV genome, making it a prime candidate for a component of a vaccine. The core protein localizes to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) through a C-terminal hydrophobic region that is cotranslationally inserted into the ER membrane. Here we show that removal of the C-terminal hydrophobic region confers nuclear localization and enhances proteasomal degradation of the core protein in mammalian cells. This efficient protein proteolysis induces enhanced core-specific CD8(+) T cell responses in BALB/c mice immunized with plasmids expressing C-terminal deletions of the HCV core protein. These results suggest that more potent HCV vaccines can be achieved by targeting the core protein for proteasomal degradation by deletion of its C-terminal hydrophobic domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen A Andersson
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine/Texas Children's Hospital/The Methodist Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, 77030, USA
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Rush CM, Mitchell TJ, Burke B, Garside P. Dissecting the components of the humoral immune response elicited by DNA vaccines. Vaccine 2006; 24:776-84. [PMID: 16198029 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2005.08.080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2005] [Accepted: 08/16/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Although DNA vaccines appear to be efficient at inducing strong cellular immune responses, a number of questions remain regarding their ability to induce humoral immunity. The essential components for generating an antibody response include B and T cell recognition of antigen, subsequent activation, clonal expansion of each lymphocyte type and migration of T cells into B cell follicles to provide help, all leading to germinal centre formation and antibody production. We have employed a double adoptive transfer system based on ovalbumin (OVA)-specific CD4+ DO11.10 T cells and hen egg lysozyme (HEL)-specific MD4 B cells to assess all of these parameters in the context of DNA vaccination in vivo. We find that vaccination with DNA constructs expressing an OVA-HEL gene fusion (encoding contiguous T and B cell epitopes) can induce T cell activation, clonal expansion and migration into B cell follicles accompanied by B cell activation, blastogenesis, expansion and antibody production. These findings show that DNA vaccination can induce all of the components required for humoral immunity and also provide a system for in depth analysis of factors that influence the development of antibody responses. Such strategies may facilitate the rational design of vaccines capable of inducing effective humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Rush
- Division of Immunology, Infection and Inflammation, Western Infirmary, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G116NT, UK.
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Delmas S, Martin L, Baron M, Nelson JA, Streblow DN, Davignon JL. Optimization of CD4+ T lymphocyte response to human cytomegalovirus nuclear IE1 protein through modifications of both size and cellular localization. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2006; 175:6812-9. [PMID: 16272338 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.10.6812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
We have previously reported that the CD4+ T lymphocyte response against nuclear human CMV IE1 protein depends in part on endogenous MHC class II presentation. To optimize presentation by HLA-DR of the nuclear IE1 protein and increase the response by CD4+ T cells, we have constructed two different adenovirus vectors containing mutant versions of IE1, containing a HLA-DR3 epitope, fused to GFP. The first construct consisted of a sequence of 46 aa encoded by exon 4, called GFP-IE1 (86-131). The second construct consisted of the whole IE1 mutated on exon 4 nuclear localization signals, identified in this study, and deleted of already known exon 2 nuclear localization signals (GFP-IE1M). Both of these IE1 vectors expressed proteins with cytoplasmic localization, as evidenced by GFP expression, as opposed to control GFP-IE1, which was nuclear. GFP-IE1 (86-131) induced IE1-specific CD4+ T cell clone response that was >30-fold more potent than that against GFP-IE1 and GFP-IE1M. The CD4+ T cell response was due to endogenous presentation followed by exogenous presentation at later time points. Presentation was dependent on both proteasome and acidic compartments. GFP-IE1 (86-131) was rapidly degraded by the APC, which may account for better presentation. Our data show potentiation of the CD4+ T cell response to a specific epitope through shortening and relocation of an otherwise nuclear protein and suggest applications in vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Delmas
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale Unité 563, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Toulouse, France
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Milicic A, Price DA, Zimbwa P, Booth BL, Brown HL, Easterbrook PJ, Olsen K, Robinson N, Gileadi U, Sewell AK, Cerundolo V, Phillips RE. CD8+ T cell epitope-flanking mutations disrupt proteasomal processing of HIV-1 Nef. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2005; 175:4618-26. [PMID: 16177107 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.7.4618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CTL play a critical role in the control of HIV and SIV. However, intrinsic genetic instability enables these immunodeficiency viruses to evade detection by CTL through mutation of targeted antigenic sites. These mutations can impair binding of viral epitopes to the presenting MHC class I molecule or disrupt TCR-mediated recognition. In certain regions of the virus, functional constraints are likely to limit the capacity for variation within epitopes. Mutations elsewhere in the protein, however, might still enable immune escape through effects on Ag processing. In this study, we describe the coincident emergence of three mutations in a highly conserved region of Nef during primary HIV-1 infection. These mutations (R69K, A81G, and H87R) flank the HLA B*35-restricted VY8 epitope and persisted to fixation as the early CTL response to this Ag waned. The variant form of Nef showed a reduced capacity to activate VY8-specific CTL, although protein stability and expression levels were unchanged. This effect was associated with altered processing by the proteasome that caused partial destruction of the VY8 epitope. Our data demonstrate that a variant HIV genotype can significantly impair proteasomal epitope processing and substantiate the concept of immune evasion through diminished Ag generation. These observations also indicate that the scale of viral escape may be significantly underestimated if only intraepitope variation is evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Milicic
- James Martin 21st Century School and Nuffield Department of Clinical Medicine, The Peter Medawar Building, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Andersson HA, Barry MA. Maximizing antigen targeting to the proteasome for gene-based vaccines. Mol Ther 2005; 10:432-46. [PMID: 15336644 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2004.05.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2004] [Revised: 05/21/2004] [Accepted: 05/21/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild-type or immunoevasive antigens can drive weak CD8+T-cell responses against both dominant and subdominant epitopes during gene-based vaccination. For many antigens, fusion to ubiquitin (Ub) to target them to the proteasome circumvents this problem. Although this procedure works in most cases, for one subset of antigens, Ub fusion does not improve immune responses. To determine why these failures occur, we have evaluated in detail the 'rules' for proteasome targeting that have been applied in mammalian vaccine studies, but that were actually defined in yeast systems. To do this, we fused a series of engineered Ub genes to green fluorescent protein (GFP) and tested their ability to target GFP to the proteasome for enhanced antigen processing and CD8+ T-cell responses. Here we demonstrate that Ub fusion mediates enhanced CD8+ responses by proteasome targeting rather than by enhancing protein translation. We also show that several of the yeast-defined Ub constructs failed to target the proteasome in mammalian cells and likewise failed to enhance transgene-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in mice. In contrast, when mammalian-optimized constructs were applied to target the influenza virus nucleoprotein, CD8+ responses were enhanced against its refractory subdominant epitope in mice. This work demonstrates that Ub fusion has efficacy to enhance CD8+ responses, especially against subdominant antigen epitopes, provided constructs are optimized for mammalian use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen A Andersson
- Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, and Texas Childrens' Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Huang Y, Fayad R, Smock A, Ullrich AM, Qiao L. Induction of mucosal and systemic immune responses against human carcinoembryonic antigen by an oral vaccine. Cancer Res 2005; 65:6990-9. [PMID: 16061685 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-04-3669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a tumor-associated antigen targeted for the development of colorectal tumor vaccines. In this study, we developed papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding the truncated CEA without NH2-terminal signal peptide (PV-CEA) as an oral vaccine to induce CEA-specific CTL responses. In CEA transgenic (CEA-Tg) mice orally immunized with PV-CEA, the immunologic tolerance to CEA as a "self-antigen" was overcome and both mucosal and systemic CEA-specific cytolytic activities were detected by in vitro 51Cr release assays. In a tumor prevention model, the growth rate of CEA+ tumors was significantly delayed in CEA-Tg mice orally immunized with PV-CEA when compared with the control vaccine. Further, the IFN-gamma enzyme-linked ImmunoSPOT and in vitro 51Cr release assay results showed that HLA-A2-restricted, CEA-specific CTL responses were induced in both mucosal and systemic lymphoid tissues in A2 transgenic mice after oral immunization with PV-CEA. Finally, we showed that coadministration of papillomavirus pseudoviruses encoding interleukin-2 with PV-CEA enhanced the generation of A2-restricted, CEA-specific CTLs in aged CEA/A2 double transgenic mice, which were more clinically relevant. Our data suggest that PV-CEA pseudovirus vaccine is a promising oral CEA vaccine for humans to induce CEA-specific CTLs at the site of colorectal tumors (i.e., intestinal mucosa), which might efficiently eliminate CEA+ colorectal tumor cells in the mucosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA
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