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Seyfizadeh N, Kalbermatter D, Imhof T, Ries M, Müller C, Jenner L, Blumenschein E, Yendrzheyevskiy A, Grün F, Moog K, Eckert D, Engel R, Diebolder P, Chami M, Krauss J, Schaller T, Arndt M. Development of a highly effective combination monoclonal antibody therapy against Herpes simplex virus. J Biomed Sci 2024; 31:56. [PMID: 38807208 PMCID: PMC11134845 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-024-01045-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infections with Herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 or -2 usually present as mild chronic recurrent disease, however in rare cases can result in life-threatening conditions with a large spectrum of pathology. Monoclonal antibody therapy has great potential especially to treat infections with virus resistant to standard therapies. HDIT101, a humanized IgG targeting HSV-1/2 gB was previously investigated in phase 2 clinical trials. The aim of this study was to develop a next-generation therapy by combining different antiviral monoclonal antibodies. METHODS A lymph-node derived phage display library (LYNDAL) was screened against recombinant gB from Herpes simplex virus (HSV) -1 and HDIT102 scFv was selected for its binding characteristics using bio-layer interferometry. HDIT102 was further developed as fully human IgG and tested alone or in combination with HDIT101, a clinically tested humanized anti-HSV IgG, in vitro and in vivo. T-cell stimulating activities by antigen-presenting cells treated with IgG-HSV immune complexes were analyzed using primary human cells. To determine the epitopes, the cryo-EM structures of HDIT101 or HDIT102 Fab bound to HSV-1F as well as HSV-2G gB protein were solved at resolutions < 3.5 Å. RESULTS HDIT102 Fab showed strong binding to HSV-1F gB with Kd of 8.95 × 10-11 M and to HSV-2G gB with Kd of 3.29 × 10-11 M. Neutralization of cell-free virus and inhibition of cell-to-cell spread were comparable between HDIT101 and HDIT102. Both antibodies induced internalization of gB from the cell surface into acidic endosomes by binding distinct epitopes in domain I of gB and compete for binding. CryoEM analyses revealed the ability to form heterogenic immune complexes consisting of two HDIT102 and one HDIT101 Fab bound to one gB trimeric molecule. Both antibodies mediated antibody-dependent phagocytosis by antigen presenting cells which stimulated autologous T-cell activation. In vivo, the combination of HDIT101 and HDIT102 demonstrated synergistic effects on survival and clinical outcome in immunocompetent BALB/cOlaHsd mice. CONCLUSION This biochemical and immunological study showcases the potential of an effective combination therapy with two monoclonal anti-gB IgGs for the treatment of HSV-1/2 induced disease conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narges Seyfizadeh
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - David Kalbermatter
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, Basel, CH - 4056, Switzerland
- Present address: University of Bern, Institute of Anatomy, Balzerstrasse 2, Bern, 3012, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Imhof
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Moritz Ries
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Christian Müller
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Leonie Jenner
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | | | | | - Frank Grün
- Vanudis GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Kevin Moog
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Daniel Eckert
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Ronja Engel
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Philipp Diebolder
- National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT), Im Neuenheimer Feld 460, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany
- Present address: Bio-Rad AbD Serotec GmbH, Anna-Sigmund-Str. 5, Neuried, 82061, Germany
| | - Mohamed Chami
- Biozentrum, University of Basel, Spitalstrasse 41, Basel, CH - 4056, Switzerland
| | - Jürgen Krauss
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Torsten Schaller
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany
| | - Michaela Arndt
- Heidelberg ImmunoTherapeutics GmbH, Max-Jarecki Str. 21, Heidelberg, 69115, Germany.
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Liljeqvist JÅ, Önnheim K, Tunbäck P, Eriksson K, Görander S, Bäckström M, Bergström T. Human Antibodies against Herpes Simplex Virus 2 Glycoprotein G Do Not Neutralize but Mediate Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity. Antibodies (Basel) 2024; 13:40. [PMID: 38804308 PMCID: PMC11130973 DOI: 10.3390/antib13020040] [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: 02/13/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) is a sexually transmitted infection affecting 491 million individuals globally. Consequently, there is a great need for both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines. Unfortunately, several vaccine clinical trials, primarily employing the glycoprotein D of HSV-2 (gD-2), have failed. The immune protection conferred by human anti-HSV-2 antibodies in genital infection and disease remains elusive. It is well-known that gD-2 elicits cross-reactive neutralizing antibodies, i.e., anti-gD-2 antibodies recognize gD in HSV-1 (gD-1). In contrast, anti-glycoprotein G in HSV-2 (mgG-2) antibodies are exclusively type-specific for HSV-2. In this study, truncated versions of gD-2 and mgG-2 were recombinantly produced in mammalian cells and used for the purification of anti-gD-2 and anti-mgG-2 antibodies from the serum of five HSV-2-infected subjects, creating a pool of purified antibodies. These antibody pools were utilized as standards together with purified mgG-2 and gD-2 antigens in ELISA to quantitatively estimate and compare the levels of cross-reactive anti-gD-1 and anti-gD-2 antibodies, as well as anti-mgG-2 antibodies in sera from HSV-1+2-, HSV-2-, and HSV-1-infected subjects. The median concentration of anti-mgG-2 antibodies was five times lower in HSV-1+2-infected subjects as compared with cross-reactive anti-gD-1 and anti-gD-2 antibodies, and three times lower in HSV-2 infected subjects as compared with anti-gD-2 antibodies. The pool of purified anti-gD-2 antibodies presented neutralization activity at low concentrations, while the pool of purified anti-mgG-2 antibodies did not. Instead, these anti-mgG-2 antibodies mediated antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) by human granulocytes, monocytes, and NK-cells, but displayed no complement-dependent cytotoxicity. These findings indicate that antibodies to mgG-2 in HSV-2-infected subjects are present at low concentrations but mediate the killing of infected cells via ADCC rather than by neutralizing free viral particles. We, and others, speculate that Fc-receptor mediated antibody functions such as ADCC following HSV-2 vaccination may serve as a better marker of protection correlate instead of neutralizing activity. In an mgG-2 therapeutic vaccine, our findings of low levels of anti-mgG-2 antibodies in HSV-2-infected subjects may suggest an opportunity to enhance the immune responses against mgG-2. In a prophylactic HSV-2 mgG-2 vaccine, a possible interference in cross-reactive immune responses in already infected HSV-1 subjects can be circumvented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan-Åke Liljeqvist
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden; (K.Ö.); (S.G.); (T.B.)
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Önnheim
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden; (K.Ö.); (S.G.); (T.B.)
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Petra Tunbäck
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, 413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Kristina Eriksson
- Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Staffan Görander
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden; (K.Ö.); (S.G.); (T.B.)
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Malin Bäckström
- Mammalian Protein Expression Core Facility, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden;
| | - Tomas Bergström
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden; (K.Ö.); (S.G.); (T.B.)
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 413 46 Gothenburg, Sweden
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3
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Slein MD, Backes IM, Garland CR, Kelkar NS, Leib DA, Ackerman ME. Effector functions are required for broad and potent protection of neonatal mice with antibodies targeting HSV glycoprotein D. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101417. [PMID: 38350452 PMCID: PMC10897633 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Multiple failed herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccine candidates induce robust neutralizing antibody (Ab) responses in clinical trials, raising the hypothesis that Fc-domain-dependent effector functions may be critical for protection. While neonatal HSV (nHSV) infection results in mortality and lifelong neurological morbidity in humans, it is uncommon among neonates with a seropositive birthing parent, supporting the hypothesis that Ab-based therapeutics could protect neonates from HSV. We therefore investigated the mechanisms of monoclonal Ab (mAb)-mediated protection in a mouse model of nHSV infection. For a panel of glycoprotein D (gD)-specific mAbs, neutralization and effector functions contributed to nHSV-1 protection. In contrast, effector functions alone were sufficient to protect against nHSV-2, exposing a functional dichotomy between virus types consistent with vaccine trial results. Effector functions are therefore crucial for protection by these gD-specific mAbs, informing effective Ab and vaccine design and demonstrating the potential of polyfunctional Abs as therapeutics for nHSV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Slein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA; Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Iara M Backes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA; Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Callaghan R Garland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Natasha S Kelkar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA; Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - David A Leib
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
| | - Margaret E Ackerman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA; Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA.
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4
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Slein MD, Backes IM, Garland CR, Kelkar NS, Leib DA, Ackerman ME. Antibody effector functions are required for broad and potent protection of neonates from herpes simplex virus infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.29.555423. [PMID: 37693377 PMCID: PMC10491243 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.29.555423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The failure of multiple herpes simplex virus (HSV) vaccine candidates that induce neutralizing antibody responses raises the hypothesis that other activities, such as Fc domain-dependent effector functions, may be critical for protection. While neonatal HSV (nHSV) infection result in mortality and lifelong neurological morbidity in humans, it is uncommon among neonates with a seropositive birthing parent, suggesting the potential efficacy of antibody-based therapeutics to protect neonates. We therefore investigated the mechanisms of monoclonal antibody (mAb)-mediated protection in a mouse model of nHSV infection. Both neutralization and effector functions contributed to robust protection against nHSV-1. In contrast, effector functions alone were sufficient to protect against nHSV-2, exposing a functional dichotomy between virus types that is consistent with vaccine trial results. Together, these results emphasize that effector functions are crucial for optimal mAb-mediated protection, informing effective Ab and vaccine design, and demonstrating the potential of polyfunctional Abs as potent therapeutics for nHSV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Slein
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Iara M. Backes
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Callaghan R. Garland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Natasha S. Kelkar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - David A. Leib
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
| | - Margaret E. Ackerman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
- Lead Contact
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5
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Mahant AM, Gromisch MS, Kravets L, Burn Aschner C, Herold BC. Greater Durability and Protection against Herpes Simplex Viral Disease following Immunization of Mice with Single-Cycle ΔgD-2 Compared to an Adjuvanted Glycoprotein D Protein Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1362. [PMID: 37631930 PMCID: PMC10458853 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) cause chronic infections with significant morbidity. Prior vaccines, designed to generate neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) targeting glycoprotein D (gD), failed to provide durable protection. We adopted a different strategy and evaluated a single-cycle virus deleted in gD (ΔgD-2). ΔgD-2elicits antibodies that primarily mediate antibody-dependent cell mediated cytolysis (ADCC) and provides complete protection against clinical isolates of HSV in multiple lethal mouse models. To assess durability, we vaccinated mice (2 doses administered intramuscularly) with ΔgD-2, adjuvanted recombinant gD-2 (rgD-2/Alum-MPL), or uninfected cells as a control, and quantified antibody responses over one year. Mice (n = 5/group) were lethally challenged at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10-months post-boost. ΔgD-2-vaccinated mice elicited a durable ADCC-mediating response, which provided complete protection against challenge at all timepoints. In contrast, rgD-2/Alum-MPL elicited only nAbs, which declined significantly within 6 months, provided only partial protection at early timepoints, and no protection after 6 months. Serum sampling after viral challenge showed that infection elicited low levels of ADCC-mediating antibodies in rgD-2/Alum-MPL-vaccinated mice and boosted the nAb response, but only after 6 months. Conversely, infection significantly and consistently boosted both the ADCC and nAbs responses in ΔgD-2-vaccinated mice. Results recapitulate clinical trial outcomes with gD vaccines, highlight the importance of ADCC, and predict that ΔgD-2 will elicit durable responses in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakash Mahant Mahant
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (A.M.M.); (M.S.G.); (L.K.); (C.B.A.)
| | - Matthew S. Gromisch
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (A.M.M.); (M.S.G.); (L.K.); (C.B.A.)
| | - Leah Kravets
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (A.M.M.); (M.S.G.); (L.K.); (C.B.A.)
| | - Clare Burn Aschner
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (A.M.M.); (M.S.G.); (L.K.); (C.B.A.)
| | - Betsy C. Herold
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; (A.M.M.); (M.S.G.); (L.K.); (C.B.A.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
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6
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Pearlman MD. Reducing HSV-2 Morbidity and Mortality: Routine Serologic Screening Still Not the Best Answer. JAMA 2023; 329:469-471. [PMID: 36786801 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2022.24870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Mark D Pearlman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Surgery, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor
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Mahant AM, Guerguis S, Blevins TP, Cheshenko N, Gao W, Anastos K, Belshe RB, Herold BC. Failure of Herpes Simplex Virus Glycoprotein D Antibodies to Elicit Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity: Implications for Future Vaccines. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:1489-1498. [PMID: 35834278 PMCID: PMC10205893 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The glycoprotein D (gD)/AS04 vaccine failed to prevent herpes simplex virus (HSV) 2 in clinical trials. Failure was recapitulated in mice, in which the vaccine elicited neutralizing antibody but not antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) responses. Preclinical findings suggest that ADCC is important for protection, but the clinical data are limited. We hypothesized that gD/AS04 and acute HSV-2 infection elicit primarily neutralizing antibodies, whereas ADCC emerges over time. METHODS HSV-specific immunoglobulin G, subclass, function (neutralization, C1q binding and ADCC), and antigenic targets were compared (paired t test or Mann-Whitney U test) at enrollment and after gD/AS04 vaccination, before and after HSV-2 acquisition in vaccine controls, and in an independent cohort with chronic HSV-2 infection. RESULTS Vaccination elicited only a neutralizing antibody response, whereas acute infection elicited neutralizing and C1q-binding antibodies but not a significant ADCC response. Antibodies to gD were exclusively immunoglobulin G1 and only neutralizing. In contrast, women with chronic HSV-2 infection had significantly greater ADCC responses and targeted a broader range of viral antigens compared with acutely infected or gD/AS04 vaccine recipients (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Results from gD/AS04 vaccinated or acutely infected women recapitulate murine findings of limited functional antibody responses, supporting the speculation that vaccines that generate polyfunctional and specifically ADCC responses may be required to prevent HSV-2 acquisition and limit recurrences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakash Mahant Mahant
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Sandra Guerguis
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Tamara P Blevins
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Natalia Cheshenko
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Wei Gao
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Kathryn Anastos
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Robert B Belshe
- Department of Internal Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Betsy C Herold
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
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Gompels UA, Bravo FJ, Briggs S, Ameri S, Cardin RD, Bernstein DI. Immunisation Using Novel DNA Vaccine Encoding Virus Membrane Fusion Complex and Chemokine Genes Shows High Protection from HSV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:v14112317. [PMID: 36366414 PMCID: PMC9698128 DOI: 10.3390/v14112317] [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: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 infections cause high unmet disease burdens worldwide. Mainly HSV-2 causes persistent sexually transmitted disease, fatal neonatal disease and increased transmission of HIV/AIDS. Thus, there is an urgent requirement to develop effective vaccines. We developed nucleic acid vaccines encoding a novel virus entry complex stabilising cell membrane fusion, 'virus-like membranes', VLM. Two dose intramuscular immunisations using DNA expression plasmids in a guinea pig model gave 100% protection against acute disease and significantly reduced virus replication after virus intravaginal challenge. There was also reduced establishment of latency within the dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord, but recurrent disease and recurrent virus shedding remained. To increase cellular immunity and protect against recurrent disease, cDNA encoding an inhibitor of chemokine receptors on T regulatory cells was added and compared to chemokine CCL5 effects. Immunisation including this novel human chemokine gene, newly defined splice variant from an endogenous virus genome, 'virokine immune therapeutic', VIT, protected most guinea pigs from recurrent disease and reduced recurrent virus shedding distinct from a gD protein vaccine similar to that previously evaluated in clinical trials. All DNA vaccines induced significant neutralising antibodies and warrant evaluation for new therapeutic treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ursula A. Gompels
- Virothera, Milner Therapeutics Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Fernando J. Bravo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
| | - Sean Briggs
- Virothera, Milner Therapeutics Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK
| | - Shima Ameri
- Virothera, Milner Therapeutics Institute, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge CB4 0WS, UK
| | - Rhonda D. Cardin
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - David I. Bernstein
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
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