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Panthi S, Hong JY, Satange R, Yu CC, Li LY, Hou MH. Antiviral drug development by targeting RNA binding site, oligomerization and nuclear export of influenza nucleoprotein. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 282:136996. [PMID: 39486729 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.136996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Revised: 10/23/2024] [Accepted: 10/26/2024] [Indexed: 11/04/2024]
Abstract
The quasispecies of the influenza virus poses a significant challenge for developing effective therapies. Current antiviral drugs such as oseltamivir, zanamivir, peramivir and baloxavir marboxil along with seasonal vaccines have limitations due to viral variability caused by antigenic drift and shift as well as the development of drug resistance. Therefore, there is a clear need for novel antiviral agents targeting alternative mechanisms, either independently or in combination with existing modalities, to reduce the impact of influenza virus-related infections. The influenza nucleoprotein (NP) is a key component of the viral ribonucleoprotein complex. The multifaceted nature of the NP makes it an attractive target for antiviral intervention. Recent reports have identified inhibitors that specifically target this protein. Recognizing the importance of developing influenza treatments for potential pandemics, this review explores the structural and functional aspects of NP and highlights its potential as an emerging target for anti-influenza drugs. We discuss various strategies for targeting NP, including RNA binding, oligomerization, and nuclear export, and also consider the potential of NP-based vaccines. Overall, this review provides insights into recent developments and future perspectives on targeting influenza NP for antiviral therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankar Panthi
- Doctoral Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Jhen-Yi Hong
- Graduate Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Roshan Satange
- Graduate Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Ching Yu
- Department of Chemistry, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Long-Yuan Li
- Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
| | - Ming-Hon Hou
- Doctoral Program in Medical Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Genomics and Bioinformatics, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Department of Life Sciences, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan; Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung 402, Taiwan.
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2
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Bai Z, Wan D, Lan T, Hong W, Dong H, Wei Y, Wei X. Nanoplatform Based Intranasal Vaccines: Current Progress and Clinical Challenges. ACS NANO 2024; 18:24650-24681. [PMID: 39185745 PMCID: PMC11394369 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Multiple vaccine platforms have been employed to develop the nasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in preclinical studies, and the dominating pipelines are viral vectored as protein-based vaccines. Among them, several viral vectored-based vaccines have entered clinical development. Nevertheless, some unsatisfactory results were reported in these clinical studies. In the face of such urgent situations, it is imperative to rapidly develop the next-generation intranasal COVID-19 vaccine utilizing other technologies. Nanobased intranasal vaccines have emerged as an approach against respiratory infectious diseases. Harnessing the power of nanotechnology, these vaccines offer a noninvasive yet potent defense against pathogens, including the threat of COVID-19. The improvements made in vaccine mucosal delivery technologies based on nanoparticles, such as lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, inorganic nanoparticles etc., not only provide stability and controlled release but also enhance mucosal adhesion, effectively overcoming the limitations of conventional vaccines. Hence, in this review, we overview the evaluation of intranasal vaccine and highlight the current barriers. Next, the modern delivery systems based on nanoplatforms are summarized. The challenges in clinical application of nanoplatform based intranasal vaccine are finally discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyi Bai
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Dandan Wan
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Tianxia Lan
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Weiqi Hong
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Haohao Dong
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Yuquan Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
| | - Xiawei Wei
- Laboratory of Aging Research and Cancer Drug Target, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, No. 17, Block 3, Southern Renmin Road, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, P. R. China
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Clever S, Limpinsel L, Meyer zu Natrup C, Schünemann LM, Beythien G, Rosiak M, Hülskötter K, Gregor KM, Tuchel T, Kalodimou G, Freudenstein A, Kumar S, Baumgärtner W, Sutter G, Tscherne A, Volz A. Single MVA-SARS-2-ST/N Vaccination Rapidly Protects K18-hACE2 Mice against a Lethal SARS-CoV-2 Challenge Infection. Viruses 2024; 16:417. [PMID: 38543782 PMCID: PMC10974247 DOI: 10.3390/v16030417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The sudden emergence of SARS-CoV-2 demonstrates the need for new vaccines that rapidly protect in the case of an emergency. In this study, we developed a recombinant MVA vaccine co-expressing SARS-CoV-2 prefusion-stabilized spike protein (ST) and SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (N, MVA-SARS-2-ST/N) as an approach to further improve vaccine-induced immunogenicity and efficacy. Single MVA-SARS-2-ST/N vaccination in K18-hACE2 mice induced robust protection against lethal respiratory SARS-CoV-2 challenge infection 28 days later. The protective outcome of MVA-SARS-2-ST/N vaccination correlated with the activation of SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies (nABs) and substantial amounts of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells especially in the lung of MVA-SARS-2-ST/N-vaccinated mice. Emergency vaccination with MVA-SARS-2-ST/N just 2 days before lethal SARS-CoV-2 challenge infection resulted in a delayed onset of clinical disease outcome in these mice and increased titers of nAB or SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in the spleen and lung. These data highlight the potential of a multivalent COVID-19 vaccine co-expressing S- and N-protein, which further contributes to the development of rapidly protective vaccination strategies against emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Clever
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (S.C.); (C.M.z.N.); (L.-M.S.)
| | - Leonard Limpinsel
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (L.L.); (G.K.); (A.F.); (S.K.); (G.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Christian Meyer zu Natrup
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (S.C.); (C.M.z.N.); (L.-M.S.)
| | - Lisa-Marie Schünemann
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (S.C.); (C.M.z.N.); (L.-M.S.)
| | - Georg Beythien
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (G.B.); (M.R.); (K.H.); (K.M.G.); (W.B.)
| | - Malgorzata Rosiak
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (G.B.); (M.R.); (K.H.); (K.M.G.); (W.B.)
| | - Kirsten Hülskötter
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (G.B.); (M.R.); (K.H.); (K.M.G.); (W.B.)
| | - Katharina Manuela Gregor
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (G.B.); (M.R.); (K.H.); (K.M.G.); (W.B.)
| | - Tamara Tuchel
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (S.C.); (C.M.z.N.); (L.-M.S.)
| | - Georgia Kalodimou
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (L.L.); (G.K.); (A.F.); (S.K.); (G.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Astrid Freudenstein
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (L.L.); (G.K.); (A.F.); (S.K.); (G.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Satendra Kumar
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (L.L.); (G.K.); (A.F.); (S.K.); (G.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (G.B.); (M.R.); (K.H.); (K.M.G.); (W.B.)
| | - Gerd Sutter
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (L.L.); (G.K.); (A.F.); (S.K.); (G.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Alina Tscherne
- Division of Virology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany; (L.L.); (G.K.); (A.F.); (S.K.); (G.S.); (A.T.)
| | - Asisa Volz
- Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hanover, Germany; (S.C.); (C.M.z.N.); (L.-M.S.)
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Leroux-Roels I, Willems P, Waerlop G, Janssens Y, Tourneur J, De Boever F, Bruhwyler J, Alhatemi A, Jacobs B, Nicolas F, Leroux-Roels G, Le Vert A. Immunogenicity, safety, and preliminary efficacy evaluation of OVX836, a nucleoprotein-based universal influenza A vaccine candidate: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2a trial. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 23:1360-1369. [PMID: 37517422 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00351-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND OVX836, a recombinant vaccine containing the nucleoprotein of the influenza A virus A/WSN/1933 (H1N1) and the oligomerisation domain OVX313, has displayed a good safety profile and elicited dose-dependent humoral and cellular immune responses at 90 μg or 180 μg (intramuscularly) in previous clinical trials. The aim of this study was to explore higher doses, since no maximum tolerated dose had been reached. METHODS In this phase 2a, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we recruited 137 healthy adults aged 18-55 years in a single centre in Belgium. Participants were randomly assigned (interactive web response system; block size=4) using SAS (version 9.4) to receive one single intramuscular administration of OVX836 influenza vaccine at three doses (180 μg [n=33], 300 μg [n=35], and 480 μg [n=36]) or placebo (n=33). The two primary endpoints were the safety and the cell-mediated immune response to OVX836 at the three doses in terms of change of nucleoprotein-specific IFNγ spot forming cell (SFC) frequencies in the peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) population, measured by IFNγ ELISpot, at day 8 versus pre-injection baseline (day 1). The population used for the safety analysis is the modified intention-to-treat cohort. The population used for the immunogenicity analysis is the per-protocol cohort. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05060887, and EudraCT, 2021-002535-39. FINDINGS Participants were recruited between Nov 15, 2021, and Feb 1, 2022. OVX836 had a favourable safety profile up to 480 μg without reaching the maximum tolerated dose, and showed a good safety profile at all doses with mild local and systemic reactogenicity. 7 days after vaccination, although no significant differences were observed between the doses, OVX836 increased the frequency of nucleoprotein-specific IFNγ SFCs per million PBMCs from days 1 to 8 (primary endpoint): by 124 SFCs per 106 PMBCs (95% CI 67 to 180; p=0·002) at 180 μg; by 202 SFCs per 106 PMBCs (95% CI 138 to 267; p<0·0001) at 300 μg; by 223 SFCs per 106 PMBCs (95% CI 147 to 299; p<0·0001) at 480 μg; and decreased by 1 SFCs per 106 PMBCs (95% CI -24 to 22] in the placebo group (Kruskal-Wallis test p<0·0001 followed by Mann-Whitney's tests; per-protocol cohort). Dose-dependent and polyfunctional nucleoprotein-specific CD4 T-cell responses were observed, and CD8 T-cell responses were elicited at 300 μg and 480 μg (secondary endpoints). INTERPRETATION OVX836 appears to be a safe and well tolerated candidate vaccine that elicits humoral and cellular nucleoprotein-specific immune responses (including CD8 T cells at the highest dose levels) and showed a preliminary signal of protection against influenza. Therefore, OVX836 is a promising vaccine candidate for universal influenza A prevention, that warrants further trials. FUNDING OSIVAX, Bpifrance, Wallonia Region, and the EUs Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Program.
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Isakova-Sivak I, Rudenko L. A promising candidate for a universal influenza vaccine. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 23:1327-1329. [PMID: 37517421 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(23)00366-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Larisa Rudenko
- Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia.
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Rak A, Isakova-Sivak I, Rudenko L. Nucleoprotein as a Promising Antigen for Broadly Protective Influenza Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1747. [PMID: 38140152 PMCID: PMC10747533 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11121747] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Annual vaccination is considered as the main preventive strategy against seasonal influenza. Due to the highly variable nature of major viral antigens, such as hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), influenza vaccine strains should be regularly updated to antigenically match the circulating viruses. The influenza virus nucleoprotein (NP) is much more conserved than HA and NA, and thus seems to be a promising target for the design of improved influenza vaccines with broad cross-reactivity against antigenically diverse influenza viruses. Traditional subunit or recombinant protein influenza vaccines do not contain the NP antigen, whereas live-attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) express the viral NP within infected cells, thus inducing strong NP-specific antibodies and T-cell responses. Many strategies have been explored to design broadly protective NP-based vaccines, mostly targeted at the T-cell mode of immunity. Although the NP is highly conserved, it still undergoes slow evolutionary changes due to selective immune pressure, meaning that the particular NP antigen selected for vaccine design may have a significant impact on the overall immunogenicity and efficacy of the vaccine candidate. In this review, we summarize existing data on the conservation of the influenza A viral nucleoprotein and review the results of preclinical and clinical trials of NP-targeting influenza vaccine prototypes, focusing on the ability of NP-specific immune responses to protect against diverse influenza viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Larisa Rudenko
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg 197022, Russia; (A.R.); (I.I.-S.)
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López-Valiñas Á, Valle M, Pérez M, Darji A, Chiapponi C, Ganges L, Segalés J, Núñez JI. Genetic diversification patterns in swine influenza A virus (H1N2) in vaccinated and nonvaccinated animals. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1258321. [PMID: 37780850 PMCID: PMC10540852 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1258321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are characterized by having a segmented genome, low proofreading polymerases, and a wide host range. Consequently, IAVs are constantly evolving in nature causing a threat to animal and human health. In 2009 a new human pandemic IAV strain arose in Mexico because of a reassortment between two strains previously circulating in pigs; Eurasian "avian-like" (EA) swine H1N1 and "human-like" H1N2, highlighting the importance of swine as adaptation host of avian to human IAVs. Nowadays, although of limited use, a trivalent vaccine, which include in its formulation H1N1, H3N2, and, H1N2 swine IAV (SIAV) subtypes, is one of the most applied strategies to reduce SIAV circulation in farms. Protection provided by vaccines is not complete, allowing virus circulation, potentially favoring viral evolution. The evolutionary dynamics of SIAV quasispecies were studied in samples collected at different times from 8 vaccinated and 8 nonvaccinated pigs, challenged with H1N2 SIAV. In total, 32 SIAV genomes were sequenced by next-generation sequencing, and subsequent variant-calling genomic analysis was carried out. Herein, a total of 364 de novo single nucleotide variants (SNV) were found along all genetic segments in both experimental groups. The nonsynonymous substitutions proportion found was greater in vaccinated animals suggesting that H1N2 SIAV was under positive selection in this scenario. The impact of each substitution with an allele frequency greater than 5% was hypothesized according to previous literature, particularly in the surface glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. The H1N2 SIAV quasispecies evolution capacity was evidenced, observing different evolutionary trends in vaccinated and nonvaccinated animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Álvaro López-Valiñas
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Valle
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marta Pérez
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ayub Darji
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chiara Chiapponi
- WOAH Reference Laboratory for Swine Influenza, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia ed Emilia-Romagna, Brescia, Italy
| | - Llilianne Ganges
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Reference Laboratory for Classical Swine Fever, IRTA-CReSA, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joaquim. Segalés
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
- Departament de Sanitat i Anatomia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - José I. Núñez
- IRTA, Programa de Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
- Unitat Mixta d’Investigació IRTA-UAB en Sanitat Animal, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Barcelona, Spain
- WOAH Collaborating Centre for the Research and Control of Emerging and Re-Emerging Swine Diseases in Europe (IRTA-CReSA), Barcelona, Spain
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Primard C, Monchâtre-Leroy E, Del Campo J, Valsesia S, Nikly E, Chevandier M, Boué F, Servat A, Wasniewski M, Picard-Meyer E, Courant T, Collin N, Salguero FJ, Le Vert A, Guyon-Gellin D, Nicolas F. OVX033, a nucleocapsid-based vaccine candidate, provides broad-spectrum protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants in a hamster challenge model. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1188605. [PMID: 37409116 PMCID: PMC10319154 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1188605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Spike-based COVID-19 vaccines induce potent neutralizing antibodies but their efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 variants decreases. OVX033 is a recombinant protein composed of the full-length nucleocapsid (N) protein of SARS-CoV-2 genetically fused to oligoDOM®, a self-assembling domain which improves antigen immunogenicity. OVX033 including N as an antigenic target is proposed as new vaccine candidate providing broad-spectrum protection against sarbecoviruses. OVX033 demonstrated its ability to trigger cross-reactive T cell responses and cross-protection against three variants of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1 Europe, Delta B.1.617.2, and Omicron B.1.1.529) in a hamster challenge model, as evidenced by lower weight loss, lower lung viral loads, and reduced lung histopathological lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Franck Boué
- ANSES, Laboratory for Rabies and Wildlife, Malzéville, France
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Sanchez MV, Ebensen T, Schulze K, Cargnelutti DE, Scodeller EA, Guzmán CA. Protective Efficacy of a Mucosal Influenza Vaccine Formulation Based on the Recombinant Nucleoprotein Co-Administered with a TLR2/6 Agonist BPPcysMPEG. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030912. [PMID: 36986773 PMCID: PMC10057018 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Current influenza vaccines target highly variable surface glycoproteins; thus, mismatches between vaccine strains and circulating strains often diminish vaccine protection. For this reason, there is still a critical need to develop effective influenza vaccines able to protect also against the drift and shift of different variants of influenza viruses. It has been demonstrated that influenza nucleoprotein (NP) is a strong candidate for a universal vaccine, which contributes to providing cross-protection in animal models. In this study, we developed an adjuvanted mucosal vaccine using the recombinant NP (rNP) and the TLR2/6 agonist S-[2,3-bispalmitoyiloxy-(2R)-propyl]-R-cysteinyl-amido-monomethoxyl-poly-ethylene-glycol (BPPcysMPEG). The vaccine efficacy was compared with that observed following parenteral vaccination of mice with the same formulation. Mice vaccinated with 2 doses of rNP alone or co-administered with BPPcysMPEG by the intranasal (i.n.) route showed enhanced antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses. Moreover, NP-specific humoral immune responses, characterized by significant NP-specific IgG and IgG subclass titers in sera and NP-specific IgA titers in mucosal territories, were remarkably increased in mice vaccinated with the adjuvanted formulation as compared with those of the non-adjuvanted vaccination group. The addition of BPPcysMPEG also improved NP-specific cellular responses in vaccinated mice, characterized by robust lymphoproliferation and mixed Th1/Th2/Th17 immune profiles. Finally, it is notable that the immune responses elicited by the novel formulation administered by the i.n. route were able to confer protection against the influenza H1N1 A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Victoria Sanchez
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Desarrollo de Vacunas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), CCT-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza M5500, Argentina; (M.V.S.); (D.E.C.); (E.A.S.)
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (T.E.); (K.S.)
| | - Thomas Ebensen
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (T.E.); (K.S.)
| | - Kai Schulze
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (T.E.); (K.S.)
| | - Diego Esteban Cargnelutti
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Desarrollo de Vacunas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), CCT-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza M5500, Argentina; (M.V.S.); (D.E.C.); (E.A.S.)
| | - Eduardo A. Scodeller
- Laboratorio de Inmunología y Desarrollo de Vacunas, Instituto de Medicina y Biología Experimental de Cuyo (IMBECU), CCT-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Mendoza M5500, Argentina; (M.V.S.); (D.E.C.); (E.A.S.)
| | - Carlos A. Guzmán
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; (T.E.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-531-61814600; Fax: +49-531-618414699
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10
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Wang Y, Dong C, Ma Y, Zhu W, Gill HS, Denning TL, Kang SM, Wang BZ. Monophosphoryl lipid A-adjuvanted nucleoprotein-neuraminidase nanoparticles improve immune protection against divergent influenza viruses. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2023; 47:102614. [PMID: 36265560 PMCID: PMC9756393 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2022.102614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Universal influenza vaccines are urgently needed to prevent recurrent influenza epidemics and inevitable pandemics. We generated double-layered protein nanoparticles incorporating two conserved influenza antigens-nucleoprotein and neuraminidase-through a two-step desolvation-crosslinking method. These protein nanoparticles displayed immunostimulatory properties to antigen-presenting cells by promoting inflammatory cytokine (IL-6 and TNF-α) secretion from JAWS II dendric cells. The nanoparticle immunization induced significant antigen-specific humoral and cellular responses, including antigen-binding and neutralizing antibodies, antibody- and cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-4)-secreting cells, and NP147-155 tetramer-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Co-administration of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA, a toll-like receptor 4 agonist) with the protein nanoparticles further improved immune responses and conferred heterologous and heterosubtypic influenza protection. The MPLA-adjuvanted nanoparticles reduced lung inflammation post-infection. The results demonstrated that the combination of MPLA and conserved protein nanoparticles could be developed into an improved universal influenza vaccine strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 100 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Chunhong Dong
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 100 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yao Ma
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 100 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Wandi Zhu
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 100 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Harvinder Singh Gill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - Timothy L Denning
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 100 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 100 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Georgia State University Institute for Biomedical Sciences, 100 Piedmont Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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11
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Li J, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Liu L. Influenza and Universal Vaccine Research in China. Viruses 2022; 15:116. [PMID: 36680158 PMCID: PMC9861666 DOI: 10.3390/v15010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses usually cause seasonal influenza epidemics and influenza pandemics, resulting in acute respiratory illness and, in severe cases, multiple organ complications and even death, posing a serious global and human health burden. Compared with other countries, China has a large population base and a large number of influenza cases and deaths. Currently, influenza vaccination remains the most cost-effective and efficient way to prevent and control influenza, which can significantly reduce the risk of influenza virus infection and serious complications. The antigenicity of the influenza vaccine exhibits good protective efficacy when matched to the seasonal epidemic strain. However, when influenza viruses undergo rapid and sustained antigenic drift resulting in a mismatch between the vaccine strain and the epidemic strain, the protective effect is greatly reduced. As a result, the flu vaccine must be reformulated and readministered annually, causing a significant drain on human and financial resources. Therefore, the development of a universal influenza vaccine is necessary for the complete fight against the influenza virus. By statistically analyzing cases related to influenza virus infection and death in China in recent years, this paper describes the existing marketed vaccines, vaccine distribution and vaccination in China and summarizes the candidate immunogens designed based on the structure of influenza virus, hoping to provide ideas for the design and development of new influenza vaccines in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Longding Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systemic Innovative Research on Virus Vaccine, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China
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12
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Janssens Y, Joye J, Waerlop G, Clement F, Leroux-Roels G, Leroux-Roels I. The role of cell-mediated immunity against influenza and its implications for vaccine evaluation. Front Immunol 2022; 13:959379. [PMID: 36052083 PMCID: PMC9424642 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.959379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza vaccines remain the most effective tools to prevent flu and its complications. Trivalent or quadrivalent inactivated influenza vaccines primarily elicit antibodies towards haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. These vaccines fail to induce high protective efficacy, in particular in older adults and immunocompromised individuals and require annual updates to keep up with evolving influenza strains (antigenic drift). Vaccine efficacy declines when there is a mismatch between its content and circulating strains. Current correlates of protection are merely based on serological parameters determined by haemagglutination inhibition or single radial haemolysis assays. However, there is ample evidence showing that these serological correlates of protection can both over- or underestimate the protective efficacy of influenza vaccines. Next-generation universal influenza vaccines that induce cross-reactive cellular immune responses (CD4+ and/or CD8+ T-cell responses) against conserved epitopes may overcome some of the shortcomings of the current inactivated vaccines by eliciting broader protection that lasts for several influenza seasons and potentially enhances pandemic preparedness. Assessment of cellular immune responses in clinical trials that evaluate the immunogenicity of these new generation vaccines is thus of utmost importance. Moreover, studies are needed to examine whether these cross-reactive cellular immune responses can be considered as new or complementary correlates of protection in the evaluation of traditional and next-generation influenza vaccines. An overview of the assays that can be applied to measure cell-mediated immune responses to influenza with their strengths and weaknesses is provided here.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yorick Janssens
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jasper Joye
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gwenn Waerlop
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frédéric Clement
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert Leroux-Roels
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Isabel Leroux-Roels
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Isabel Leroux-Roels,
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13
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Carascal MB, Pavon RDN, Rivera WL. Recent Progress in Recombinant Influenza Vaccine Development Toward Heterosubtypic Immune Response. Front Immunol 2022; 13:878943. [PMID: 35663997 PMCID: PMC9162156 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.878943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Flu, a viral infection caused by the influenza virus, is still a global public health concern with potential to cause seasonal epidemics and pandemics. Vaccination is considered the most effective protective strategy against the infection. However, given the high plasticity of the virus and the suboptimal immunogenicity of existing influenza vaccines, scientists are moving toward the development of universal vaccines. An important property of universal vaccines is their ability to induce heterosubtypic immunity, i.e., a wide immune response coverage toward different influenza subtypes. With the increasing number of studies and mounting evidence on the safety and efficacy of recombinant influenza vaccines (RIVs), they have been proposed as promising platforms for the development of universal vaccines. This review highlights the current progress and advances in the development of RIVs in the context of heterosubtypic immunity induction toward universal vaccine production. In particular, this review discussed existing knowledge on influenza and vaccine development, current hemagglutinin-based RIVs in the market and in the pipeline, other potential vaccine targets for RIVs (neuraminidase, matrix 1 and 2, nucleoprotein, polymerase acidic, and basic 1 and 2 antigens), and deantigenization process. This review also provided discussion points and future perspectives in looking at RIVs as potential universal vaccine candidates for influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark B Carascal
- Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.,Clinical and Translational Research Institute, The Medical City, Pasig City, Philippines
| | - Rance Derrick N Pavon
- Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Windell L Rivera
- Pathogen-Host-Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
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14
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Leroux-Roels I, Waerlop G, Tourneur J, De Boever F, Maes C, Bruhwyler J, Guyon-Gellin D, Moris P, Del Campo J, Willems P, Leroux-Roels G, Le Vert A, Nicolas F. Randomized, Double-Blind, Reference-Controlled, Phase 2a Study Evaluating the Immunogenicity and Safety of OVX836, A Nucleoprotein-Based Influenza Vaccine. Front Immunol 2022; 13:852904. [PMID: 35464450 PMCID: PMC9022189 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.852904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OVX836 is a recombinant protein-based vaccine targeting the highly conserved influenza nucleoprotein (NP), which aims to confer a broad-spectrum protection against influenza. In a Phase 1 study, OVX836, administered intramuscularly, has been found safe and immunogenic. The 90µg and 180µg dose levels were selected to be further evaluated in this randomized, monocenter, reference-controlled (Influvac Tetra™: quadrivalent seasonal influenza subunit vaccine), parallel group, double-blind, Phase 2a study in 300 healthy volunteers, aged 18-65 years, during the 2019/2020 flu season. Safety, influenza-like illness episodes (ILI; based on the Flu-PRO® questionnaire) and immunogenicity were assessed up to 180 days post-vaccination. OVX836 was safe and presented a reactogenicity profile similar to Influvac Tetra. It induced a significant increase in terms of NP-specific interferon-gamma (IFNγ) spot forming cells (SFCs), NP-specific CD4+ T-cells (essentially polyfunctional cells) and anti-NP IgG responses. OVX836 was superior to Influvac Tetra for all immunological parameters related to NP, and the 180µg dose was significantly superior to the 90µg dose for SFCs and CD4+ T-cells expressing IFNγ. Both the CD4+ T-cell and the anti-NP IgG responses persisted up to Day 180. An efficacy signal was observed with OVX836 at 180µg through reduction of ILI episodes occurring during the flu season as of 14 days post-vaccination. In conclusion, these results encourage further clinical evaluation of OVX836 in order to confirm the signal of efficacy on ILIs and/or laboratory-confirmed influenza cases. NCT04192500 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04192500).
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Leroux-Roels
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University and University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gwenn Waerlop
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University and University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Fien De Boever
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University and University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Catherine Maes
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University and University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Geert Leroux-Roels
- Center for Vaccinology (CEVAC), Ghent University and University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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