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Lin YJ, Zimmermann J, Schülke S. Novel adjuvants in allergen-specific immunotherapy: where do we stand? Front Immunol 2024; 15:1348305. [PMID: 38464539 PMCID: PMC10920236 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1348305] [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: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I hypersensitivity, or so-called type I allergy, is caused by Th2-mediated immune responses directed against otherwise harmless environmental antigens. Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment with the potential to re-establish clinical tolerance towards the corresponding allergen(s). However, conventional AIT has certain drawbacks, including long treatment durations, the risk of inducing allergic side effects, and the fact that allergens by themselves have a rather low immunogenicity. To improve AIT, adjuvants can be a powerful tool not only to increase the immunogenicity of co-applied allergens but also to induce the desired immune activation, such as promoting allergen-specific Th1- or regulatory responses. This review summarizes the knowledge on adjuvants currently approved for use in human AIT: aluminum hydroxide, calcium phosphate, microcrystalline tyrosine, and MPLA, as well as novel adjuvants that have been studied in recent years: oil-in-water emulsions, virus-like particles, viral components, carbohydrate-based adjuvants (QS-21, glucans, and mannan) and TLR-ligands (flagellin and CpG-ODN). The investigated adjuvants show distinct properties, such as prolonging allergen release at the injection site, inducing allergen-specific IgG production while also reducing IgE levels, as well as promoting differentiation and activation of different immune cells. In the future, better understanding of the immunological mechanisms underlying the effects of these adjuvants in clinical settings may help us to improve AIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ju Lin
- Section Molecular Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Schülke
- Section Molecular Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
- Section Research Allergology (ALG 5), Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
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Wang G, Wang Y, Ma F. Exploiting bacterial-origin immunostimulants for improved vaccination and immunotherapy: current insights and future directions. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:24. [PMID: 38368397 PMCID: PMC10874560 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01207-7] [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: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Vaccination is a valid strategy to prevent and control newly emerging and reemerging infectious diseases in humans and animals. However, synthetic and recombinant antigens are poor immunogenic to stimulate efficient and protective host immune response. Immunostimulants are indispensable factors of vaccines, which can promote to trigger fast, robust, and long-lasting immune responses. Importantly, immunotherapy with immunostimulants is increasing proved to be an effective and promising treatment of cancer, which could enhance the function of the immune system against tumor cells. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) play vital roles in inflammation and are central to innate and adaptive immune responses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs)-targeting immunostimulants have become one of the hotspots in adjuvant research and cancer therapy. Bacterial-origin immunoreactive molecules are usually the ligands of PRRs, which could be fast recognized by PRRs and activate immune response to eliminate pathogens. Varieties of bacterial immunoreactive molecules and bacterial component-mimicking molecules have been successfully used in vaccines and clinical therapy so far. This work provides a comprehensive review of the development, current state, mechanisms, and applications of bacterial-origin immunostimulants. The exploration of bacterial immunoreactive molecules, along with their corresponding mechanisms, holds immense significance in deepening our understanding of bacterial pathogenicity and in the development of promising immunostimulants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Key Laboratory of Grains and Oils Quality Control and Processing, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Yongkang Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Modern Grain Circulation and Safety/Key Laboratory of Grains and Oils Quality Control and Processing, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China
| | - Fang Ma
- Institute of Veterinary Immunology & Engineering, National Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Veterinary Biologicals, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, 210014, China.
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
- GuoTai (Taizhou) Center of Technology Innovation for Veterinary Biologicals, Taizhou, 225300, China.
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Shichinohe S, Watanabe T. Advances in Adjuvanted Influenza Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1391. [PMID: 37631959 PMCID: PMC10459454 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081391] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The numerous influenza infections that occur every year present a major public health problem. Influenza vaccines are important for the prevention of the disease; however, their effectiveness against infection can be suboptimal. Particularly in the elderly, immune induction can be insufficient, and the vaccine efficacy against infection is usually lower than that in young adults. Vaccine efficacy can be improved by the addition of adjuvants, and an influenza vaccine with an oil-in-water adjuvant MF59, FLUAD, has been recently licensed in the United States and other countries for persons aged 65 years and older. Although the adverse effects of adjuvanted vaccines have been a concern, many adverse effects of currently approved adjuvanted influenza vaccines are mild and acceptable, given the overriding benefits of the vaccine. Since sufficient immunity can be induced with a small amount of vaccine antigen in the presence of an adjuvant, adjuvanted vaccines promote dose sparing and the prompt preparation of vaccines for pandemic influenza. Adjuvants not only enhance the immune response to antigens but can also be effective against antigenically different viruses. In this narrative review, we provide an overview of influenza vaccines, both past and present, before presenting a discussion of adjuvanted influenza vaccines and their future.
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Grants
- JP16H06429, JP16K21723, JP17H05809, JP16H06434, JP22H02521, JP22H02876 Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- JP20jk0210021h0002, JP19fk0108113, JP223fa627002, JP22am0401030, JP23fk0108659, JP22gm1610010 Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development
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Affiliation(s)
- Shintaro Shichinohe
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tokiko Watanabe
- Department of Molecular Virology, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Center for Infectious Disease and Education and Research (CiDER), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Center for Advanced Modalities and DDS (CAMaD), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
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Ren H, Jia W, Xie Y, Yu M, Chen Y. Adjuvant physiochemistry and advanced nanotechnology for vaccine development. Chem Soc Rev 2023; 52:5172-5254. [PMID: 37462107 DOI: 10.1039/d2cs00848c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines comprising innovative adjuvants are rapidly reaching advanced translational stages, such as the authorized nanotechnology adjuvants in mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 worldwide, offering new strategies to effectively combat diseases threatening human health. Adjuvants are vital ingredients in vaccines, which can augment the degree, extensiveness, and longevity of antigen specific immune response. The advances in the modulation of physicochemical properties of nanoplatforms elevate the capability of adjuvants in initiating the innate immune system and adaptive immunity, offering immense potential for developing vaccines against hard-to-target infectious diseases and cancer. In this review, we provide an essential introduction of the basic principles of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination, key roles of adjuvants in augmenting and shaping immunity to achieve desired outcomes and effectiveness, and the physiochemical properties and action mechanisms of clinically approved adjuvants for humans. We particularly focus on the preclinical and clinical progress of highly immunogenic emerging nanotechnology adjuvants formulated in vaccines for cancer treatment or infectious disease prevention. We deliberate on how the immune system can sense and respond to the physicochemical cues (e.g., chirality, deformability, solubility, topology, and chemical structures) of nanotechnology adjuvants incorporated in the vaccines. Finally, we propose possible strategies to accelerate the clinical implementation of nanotechnology adjuvanted vaccines, such as in-depth elucidation of nano-immuno interactions, antigen identification and optimization by the deployment of high-dimensional multiomics analysis approaches, encouraging close collaborations among scientists from different scientific disciplines and aggressive exploration of novel nanotechnologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongze Ren
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China.
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Wencong Jia
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China.
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Yujie Xie
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China.
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
| | - Meihua Yu
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China.
| | - Yu Chen
- Materdicine Lab, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China.
- School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, P. R. China
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Rhee JH, Khim K, Puth S, Choi Y, Lee SE. Deimmunization of flagellin adjuvant for clinical application. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 60:101330. [PMID: 37084463 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Flagellin is the cognate ligand for host pattern recognition receptors, toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) in the cell surface, and NAIP5/NLRC4 inflammasome in the cytosol. TLR5-binding domain is located in D1 domain, where crucial amino acid sequences are conserved among diverse bacteria. The highly conserved C-terminal 35 amino acids of flagellin were proved to be responsible for the inflammasome activation by binding to NAIP5. D2/D3 domains, located in the central region and exposed to the outside surface of flagellar filament, are heterogeneous across bacterial species and highly immunogenic. Taking advantage of TLR5- and NLRC4-stimulating activities, flagellin has been actively developed as a vaccine adjuvant and immunotherapeutic. Because of its immunogenicity, there exist worries concerning diminished efficacy and possible reactogenicity after repeated administration. Deimmunization of flagellin derivatives while preserving the TLR5/NLRC4-mediated immunomodulatory activity should be the most reasonable option for clinical application. This review describes strategies and current achievements in flagellin deimmunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Haeng Rhee
- Clinical Vaccine R&D Center, Chonnam National University, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea; Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy MRC, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea.
| | - Koemchhoy Khim
- Clinical Vaccine R&D Center, Chonnam National University, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea; Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy MRC, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Sao Puth
- Clinical Vaccine R&D Center, Chonnam National University, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea; Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy MRC, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Yoonjoo Choi
- Combinatorial Tumor Immunotherapy MRC, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea; Department of Microbiology, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Shee Eun Lee
- Clinical Vaccine R&D Center, Chonnam National University, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea; Immunotherapy Innovation Center, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam, Republic of Korea
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Lin YJ, Jamin A, Wolfheimer S, Fiedler A, Junker AC, Goretzki A, Scheurer S, Schülke S. A flagellin-conjugate protein induces dual NLRC4- and NLRP3-inflammasome activation which modulates inflammatory cytokine secretion from macrophages. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1136669. [PMID: 37026001 PMCID: PMC10070734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1136669] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A recombinant fusion protein combining the adjuvant and TLR5-ligand flagellin with the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 (rFlaA:Betv1) has been suggested to prevent the manifestation of birch allergy. Noteworthy, rFlaA:Betv1 induced both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses which were differentially regulated. However, the mechanism by which flagellin fusion proteins modulate allergen-specific immune responses, especially the mechanisms underlying IL-1β secretion and their contribution to the overall immune responses remains elusive. Objective To investigate the mechanisms underlying the production of IL-1β from rFlaA:Betv1 stimulated macrophages. Methods Macrophages were derived from mouse peritoneal-, human buffy-coat-, and PMA-differentiated THP-1 (wild type or lacking either ASC, NLRP3, or NLRC4) cells. Macrophages were stimulated with non-modified rFlaA:Betv1, mutant variants lacking either the flagellin DC0 domain or a sequence motif formerly described to mediate TLR5-activation, and respective controls in the presence or absence of inhibitors interfering with MAPK- and NFκB-signaling. Cytokine secretion was analyzed by ELISA and intracellular signaling by Western Blot. To study the contribution of IL-1β to the overall immune responses, IL1R-deficient mouse peritoneal macrophages were used. Results rFlaA:Betv1 consistently activated all types of investigated macrophages, inducing higher IL-1β secretion compared with the equimolar mixture of both proteins. rFlaA:Betv1-induced activation of THP-1 macrophages was shown to be independent of either the TLR5-activating sequence motif or the flagellin DC0 domain but depended on both NLRP3- and NLRC4-inflammasomes. In addition, NFκB and SAP/JNK MAP kinases regulated rFlaA:Betv1-induced inflammasome activation and cytokine secretion by modulating pro-Caspase-1- and pro-IL-1β-expression in THP-1 macrophages. Finally, lack of IL-1β positive feedback via the IL1R strongly diminished the rFlaA:Betv1-induced secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α from peritoneal macrophages. Conclusion The mechanisms contributing to rFlaA:Betv1-induced IL-1β secretion from macrophages were shown to be complex, involving both NLRC4- and NLRP3-inflammsomes, as well as NFκB- and SAP/JNK MAP kinase-signaling. Better understanding the mechanisms regulating the activation of immune cells by novel therapeutic candidates like the rFlaA:Betv1 fusion protein will allow us to further improve and develop new treatment strategies when using flagellin as an adjuvant.
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Díaz-Dinamarca DA, Salazar ML, Castillo BN, Manubens A, Vasquez AE, Salazar F, Becker MI. Protein-Based Adjuvants for Vaccines as Immunomodulators of the Innate and Adaptive Immune Response: Current Knowledge, Challenges, and Future Opportunities. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:1671. [PMID: 36015297 PMCID: PMC9414397 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
New-generation vaccines, formulated with subunits or nucleic acids, are less immunogenic than classical vaccines formulated with live-attenuated or inactivated pathogens. This difference has led to an intensified search for additional potent vaccine adjuvants that meet safety and efficacy criteria and confer long-term protection. This review provides an overview of protein-based adjuvants (PBAs) obtained from different organisms, including bacteria, mollusks, plants, and humans. Notably, despite structural differences, all PBAs show significant immunostimulatory properties, eliciting B-cell- and T-cell-mediated immune responses to administered antigens, providing advantages over many currently adopted adjuvant approaches. Furthermore, PBAs are natural biocompatible and biodegradable substances that induce minimal reactogenicity and toxicity and interact with innate immune receptors, enhancing their endocytosis and modulating subsequent adaptive immune responses. We propose that PBAs can contribute to the development of vaccines against complex pathogens, including intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, those with complex life cycles such as Plasmodium falciparum, those that induce host immune dysfunction such as HIV, those that target immunocompromised individuals such as fungi, those with a latent disease phase such as Herpes, those that are antigenically variable such as SARS-CoV-2 and those that undergo continuous evolution, to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Díaz-Dinamarca
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Sección de Biotecnología, Departamento Agencia Nacional de Dispositivos Médicos, Innovación y Desarrollo, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Michelle L. Salazar
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Byron N. Castillo
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Augusto Manubens
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Biosonda Corporation, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Abel E. Vasquez
- Sección de Biotecnología, Departamento Agencia Nacional de Dispositivos Médicos, Innovación y Desarrollo, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias para el Cuidado de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Providencia, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Fabián Salazar
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
| | - María Inés Becker
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Biosonda Corporation, Santiago 7750000, Chile
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Fan J, Jin S, Gilmartin L, Toth I, Hussein WM, Stephenson RJ. Advances in Infectious Disease Vaccine Adjuvants. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1120. [PMID: 35891284 PMCID: PMC9316175 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most significant medical interventions in the fight against infectious diseases. Since their discovery by Edward Jenner in 1796, vaccines have reduced the worldwide transmission to eradication levels of infectious diseases, including smallpox, diphtheria, hepatitis, malaria, and influenza. However, the complexity of developing safe and effective vaccines remains a barrier for combating many more infectious diseases. Immune stimulants (or adjuvants) are an indispensable factor in vaccine development, especially for inactivated and subunit-based vaccines due to their decreased immunogenicity compared to whole pathogen vaccines. Adjuvants are widely diverse in structure; however, their overall function in vaccine constructs is the same: to enhance and/or prolong an immunological response. The potential for adverse effects as a result of adjuvant use, though, must be acknowledged and carefully managed. Understanding the specific mechanisms of adjuvant efficacy and safety is a key prerequisite for adjuvant use in vaccination. Therefore, rigorous pre-clinical and clinical research into adjuvant development is essential. Overall, the incorporation of adjuvants allows for greater opportunities in advancing vaccine development and the importance of immune stimulants drives the emergence of novel and more effective adjuvants. This article highlights recent advances in vaccine adjuvant development and provides detailed data from pre-clinical and clinical studies specific to infectious diseases. Future perspectives into vaccine adjuvant development are also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Fan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.F.); (S.J.); (L.G.); (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Shengbin Jin
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.F.); (S.J.); (L.G.); (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Lachlan Gilmartin
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.F.); (S.J.); (L.G.); (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.F.); (S.J.); (L.G.); (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.F.); (S.J.); (L.G.); (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Rachel J. Stephenson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (J.F.); (S.J.); (L.G.); (I.T.); (W.M.H.)
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Zhao Y, Li Z, Voyer J, Li Y, Chen X. Flagellin/Virus-like Particle Hybrid Platform with High Immunogenicity, Safety, and Versatility for Vaccine Development. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:21872-21885. [PMID: 35467839 PMCID: PMC9121874 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B core (HBc) virus-like particles (VLPs) and flagellin are highly immunogenic and widely explored vaccine delivery platforms. Yet, HBc VLPs mainly allow the insertion of relatively short antigenic epitopes into the immunodominant c/e1 loop without affecting VLP assembly, and flagellin-based vaccines carry the risk of inducing systemic adverse reactions. This study explored a hybrid flagellin/HBc VLP (FH VLP) platform to present heterologous antigens by replacing the surface-exposed D3 domain of flagellin. FH VLPs were prepared by the insertion of flagellin gene into the c/e1 loop of HBc, followed by E. coli expression, purification, and self-assembly into VLPs. Using the ectodomain of influenza matrix protein 2 (M2e) and ovalbumin (OVA) as models, we found that the D3 domain of flagellin could be replaced with four tandem copies of M2e or the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope of OVA without interfering with the FH VLP assembly, while the insertion of four tandem copies of M2e into the c/e1 loop of HBc disrupted the VLP assembly. FH VLP-based M2e vaccine elicited potent anti-M2e antibody responses and conferred significant protection against multiple influenza A viral strains, while FljB- or HBc-based M2e vaccine failed to elicit significant protection. FH VLP-based OVA peptide vaccine elicited more potent CTL responses and protection against OVA-expressing lymphoma or melanoma challenges than FljB- or HBc-based OVA peptide vaccine. FH VLP-based vaccines showed a good systemic safety, while flagellin-based vaccines significantly increased serum interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels and also rectal temperature at increased doses. We further found that the incorporation of a clinical CpG 1018 adjuvant could enhance the efficacy of FH VLP-based vaccines. Our data support FH VLPs to be a highly immunogenic, safe, and versatile platform for vaccine development to elicit potent humoral and cellular immune responses.
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Yang JX, Tseng JC, Yu GY, Luo Y, Huang CYF, Hong YR, Chuang TH. Recent Advances in the Development of Toll-like Receptor Agonist-Based Vaccine Adjuvants for Infectious Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020423. [PMID: 35214155 PMCID: PMC8878135 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are powerful tools for controlling microbial infections and preventing epidemic diseases. Efficient inactive, subunit, or viral-like particle vaccines usually rely on a safe and potent adjuvant to boost the immune response to the antigen. After a slow start, over the last decade there has been increased developments on adjuvants for human vaccines. The development of adjuvants has paralleled our increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms for the pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-mediated activation of immune responses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of PRRs that recognize microbial pathogens to initiate a host’s response to infection. Activation of TLRs triggers potent and immediate innate immune responses, which leads to subsequent adaptive immune responses. Therefore, these TLRs are ideal targets for the development of effective adjuvants. To date, TLR agonists such as monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and CpG-1018 have been formulated in licensed vaccines for their adjuvant activity, and other TLR agonists are being developed for this purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated clinical research of vaccines containing TLR agonist-based adjuvants. In this paper, we reviewed the agonists for TLR activation and the molecular mechanisms associated with the adjuvants’ effects on TLR activation, emphasizing recent advances in the development of TLR agonist-based vaccine adjuvants for infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Xing Yang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; (J.-X.Y.); (J.-C.T.)
| | - Jen-Chih Tseng
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; (J.-X.Y.); (J.-C.T.)
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan;
| | - Yunping Luo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China;
| | - Chi-Ying F. Huang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Ren Hong
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; (J.-X.Y.); (J.-C.T.)
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan City 32001, Taiwan
- Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-37-246166 (ext. 37611)
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11
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Arunachalam AB, Post P, Rudin D. Unique features of a recombinant haemagglutinin influenza vaccine that influence vaccine performance. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:144. [PMID: 34857771 PMCID: PMC8640007 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00403-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza vaccine field has been constantly evolving to improve the speed, scalability, and flexibility of manufacturing, and to improve the breadth and longevity of the protective immune response across age groups, giving rise to an array of next generation vaccines in development. Among these, the recombinant influenza vaccine tetravalent (RIV4), using a baculovirus expression vector system to express recombinant haemagglutinin (rHA) in insect cells, is the only one to have reached the market and has been studied extensively. We describe how the unique structural features of rHA in RIV4 improve protective immune responses compared to conventional influenza vaccines made from propagated influenza virus. In addition to the sequence integrity, characteristic of recombinant proteins, unique post-translational processing of the rHA in insect cells instills favourable tertiary and quaternary structural features. The absence of protease-driven cleavage and addition of simple N-linked glycans help to preserve and expose certain conserved epitopes on HA molecules, which are likely responsible for the high levels of broadly cross-reactive and protective antibodies with rare specificities observed with RIV4. Furthermore, the presence of uniform compact HA oligomers and absence of egg proteins, viral RNA or process impurities, typically found in conventional vaccines, are expected to eliminate potential adverse reactions to these components in susceptible individuals with the use of RIV4. These distinct structural features and purity of the recombinant HA vaccine thus provide a number of benefits in vaccine performance which can be extended to other viral targets, such as for COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun B Arunachalam
- Analytical Sciences, R&D Sanofi Pasteur, 1 Discovery Drive, Swiftwater, PA, 18370, USA.
| | - Penny Post
- Regulatory Affairs, Protein Sciences, a Sanofi Company, 1000 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT, 06450, USA
| | - Deborah Rudin
- Global Medical Affairs, Sanofi Pasteur, 1 Discovery Drive, Swiftwater, PA, 18370, USA
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12
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Deimmunization of flagellin for repeated administration as a vaccine adjuvant. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:116. [PMID: 34518537 PMCID: PMC8438039 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00379-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Flagellin, a protein-based Toll-like receptor agonist, is a versatile adjuvant applicable to wide spectrum of vaccines and immunotherapies. Given reiterated treatments of immunogenic biopharmaceuticals should lead to antibody responses precluding repeated administration, the development of flagellin not inducing specific antibodies would greatly expand the chances of clinical applications. Here we computationally identified immunogenic regions in Vibrio vulnificus flagellin B and deimmunized by simply removing a B cell epitope region. The recombinant deimmunized FlaB (dFlaB) maintains stable TLR5-stimulating activity. Multiple immunization of dFlaB does not induce FlaB-specific B cell responses in mice. Intranasally co-administered dFlaB with influenza vaccine enhanced strong Ag-specific immune responses in both systemic and mucosal compartments devoid of FlaB-specific Ab production. Notably, dFlaB showed better protective immune responses against lethal viral challenge compared with wild type FlaB. The deimmunizing B cell epitope deletion did not compromise stability and adjuvanticity, while suppressing unwanted antibody responses that may negatively affected vaccine antigen-directed immune responses in repeated vaccinations. We explain the underlying mechanism of deimmunization by employing molecular dynamics analysis.
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13
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Zhao Y, Li Z, Zhu X, Cao Y, Chen X. Improving immunogenicity and safety of flagellin as vaccine carrier by high-density display on virus-like particle surface. Biomaterials 2020; 249:120030. [PMID: 32315864 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2020.120030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Flagellin is a protein-based adjuvant that activates toll-like receptor (TLR) 5. Flagellin has been actively explored as vaccine adjuvants and carriers. Preclinical and clinical studies find flagellin-based vaccines have a risk to induce systemic adverse reactions potentially due to its overt activation of TLR5. To improve safety and immunogenicity of flagellin as vaccine carriers, FljB was displayed at high densities on hepatitis b core (HBc) virus-like particle (VLP) surface upon c/e1 loop insertion. FljB-HBc (FH) VLPs showed significantly reduced ability to activate TLR5 or induce systemic interleukin-6 release as compared to FljB. FH VLPs also failed to significantly increase rectal temperature of mice, while FljB could significantly increase rectal temperature of mice. These data indicated systemic safety of FljB could be significantly improved by high-density display on HBc VLP surface. Besides improved safety, FH VLPs and FljB similarly boosted co-administered ovalbumin immunization and FH VLPs were found to induce two-fold higher anti-FljB antibody titer than FljB. These data indicated preserved adjuvant potency and improved immunogenicity after high-density display of FljB on HBc VLP surface. Consistent with the high immunogenicity, FH VLPs were found to be more efficiently taken up by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells and stimulate more potent dendritic cell maturation than FljB. Lastly, FH VLPs were found to be a more immunogenic carrier than FljB, HBc VLPs, or the widely used keyhole limpet hemocyanin for nicotine vaccine development with a good local and systemic safety. Our data support FH VLPs to be a potentially safer and more immunogenic carrier than FljB for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiwen Zhao
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Zhuofan Li
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Xiaoyue Zhu
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Yan Cao
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA
| | - Xinyuan Chen
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI, USA.
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Jawinski K, Hartmann M, Singh C, Kinnear E, Busse DC, Ciabattini A, Fiorino F, Medaglini D, Trombetta CM, Montomoli E, Contreras V, Le Grand R, Coiffier C, Primard C, Verrier B, Tregoning JS. Recombinant Haemagglutinin Derived From the Ciliated Protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila Is Protective Against Influenza Infection. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2661. [PMID: 31798589 PMCID: PMC6863932 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Current influenza vaccines manufactured using eggs have considerable limitations, both in terms of scale up production and the potential impact passaging through eggs can have on the antigenicity of the vaccine virus strains. Alternative methods of manufacture are required, particularly in the context of an emerging pandemic strain. Here we explore the production of recombinant influenza haemagglutinin using the ciliated protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila. For the first time we were able to produce haemagglutinin from both seasonal influenza A and B strains. This ciliate derived material was immunogenic, inducing an antibody response in both mice and non-human primates. Mice immunized with ciliate derived haemagglutinin were protected against challenge with homologous influenza A or B viruses. The antigen could also be combined with submicron particles containing a Nod2 ligand, significantly boosting the immune response and reducing the dose of antigen required. Thus, we show that Tetrahymena can be used as a manufacturing platform for viral vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Charanjit Singh
- Department of Infectious Disease, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ekaterina Kinnear
- Department of Infectious Disease, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David C Busse
- Department of Infectious Disease, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Annalisa Ciabattini
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Fiorino
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Donata Medaglini
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Department of Medical Biotechnologies, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.,VisMederi s.r.l., Siena, Italy
| | - Vanessa Contreras
- CEA-Université Paris Sud 11-INSERM U1184, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases, IDMIT Department, IBFJ, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Roger Le Grand
- CEA-Université Paris Sud 11-INSERM U1184, Immunology of Viral Infections and Autoimmune Diseases, IDMIT Department, IBFJ, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Celine Coiffier
- Laboratoire de Biologie Tissulaire et d'Ingénierie Thérapeutique, UMR 5305, Université Lyon 1, CNRS, IBCP, Lyon, France
| | | | | | - John S Tregoning
- Department of Infectious Disease, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Attachment of flagellin enhances the immunostimulatory activity of a hemagglutinin-ferritin nano-cage. NANOMEDICINE-NANOTECHNOLOGY BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2019; 17:223-235. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 01/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION Bacterial flagellin, as a pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), can activate both innate and adaptive immunity. Its unique structural characteristics endow an effective and flexible adjuvant activity, which allow the design of different types of vaccine strategies to prevent various diseases. This review will discuss recent progress in the mechanism of action of flagellin and its prospects for use as a vaccine adjuvant. AREAS COVERED Herein we summarize various types of information related to flagellin adjuvants from PubMed, including structures, signaling pathways, natural immunity, and extensive applications in vaccines, and it discusses the immunogenicity, safety, and efficacy of flagellin-adjuvanted vaccines in clinical trials. EXPERT COMMENTARY It is widely accepted that as an adjuvant, flagellin can induce an enhanced antigen-specific immune response. Flagellin adjuvants will allow more effective flagellin-based vaccines to enter clinical trials. Furthermore, vaccine formulations containing PAMPs are crucial to exert the maximum potential of vaccine antigens. Therefore, combinations of flagellin-adjuvanted vaccines with other adjuvants that act in a synergistic manner, particularly TLR ligands, represent a promising method for tailoring targeted vaccines to meet specific requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baofeng Cui
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture , Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China.,b Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses , Yangzhou , China
| | - Xinsheng Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture , Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China.,b Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses , Yangzhou , China
| | - Yuzhen Fang
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture , Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China.,b Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses , Yangzhou , China
| | - Peng Zhou
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture , Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China.,b Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses , Yangzhou , China
| | - Yongguang Zhang
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture , Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China.,b Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses , Yangzhou , China
| | - Yonglu Wang
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture , Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China.,b Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses , Yangzhou , China
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17
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Lee J, Lee KY, Kim JH, Kim CS, Eun BW, Kim HM, Kim DH, Hong YJ, Choi YY, Jo DS, Ma SH, Kang JH. Safety and Immunogenicity of an Egg-Cultivated Quadrivalent Inactivated Split-virion Influenza Vaccine (GC3110A) in Healthy Korean Children: a Randomized, Double-blinded, Active-controlled Phase III Study. J Korean Med Sci 2018; 33:e100. [PMID: 29573247 PMCID: PMC5865052 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2018.33.e100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The frequency with which the 2 B lineages have been found to cocirculate in a season has been on the rise, which has spurred the need for a quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) to protect against both B lineages. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that QIV include both B lineages beginning in the 2013-2014 flu season. This study was conducted to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of an egg-cultivated QIV in healthy Korean children and adolescents aged ≥ 6 months to < 19 years. METHODS A total of 528 subjects were randomized 4:1 to receive either a QIV (GC3110A) or a trivalent influenza vaccine. Hemagglutination inhibition antibody responses were assessed 28 days after the last dose. Safety was also evaluated. RESULTS The proportion of subjects in the GC3110A group who achieved seroconversion was confirmed to exceed 40% across all age groups. The proportion of subjects aged ≥ 6 months to < 3 years in the GC3110A group who achieved seroprotection failed to meet the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) standard of 70%. Potential causes may include the small number of subjects, as well as the small dosage. However, results pertaining to the other age groups satisfied the MFDS standard. The safety profile was also comparable to that of the control. CONCLUSION The new quadrivalent split influenza vaccine may offer broader protection to children and adolescents aged ≥ 3 years to < 19 years of age against both influenza B lineages than the existing trivalent influenza vaccines (Registered at the ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02541253).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Hanil General Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Kyung Yil Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Suwon, Korea
| | - Chun Soo Kim
- Departments of Pediatrics, Dongsan Medical Center, Keimyung University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea
| | - Byung Wook Eun
- Department of Pediatrics, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hwang Min Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea
| | - Dong Ho Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Jin Hong
- Department of Pediatrics, Inha University Hospital, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea
| | - Young Youn Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Chonnam National University Hospital, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Dae Sun Jo
- Department of Pediatrics, Chonbuk National University Children's Hospital, Jeonju, Korea
| | - Sang Hyuk Ma
- Department of Pediatrics, Changwon Fatima Hospital, Changwon, Korea
| | - Jin Han Kang
- Department of Pediatrics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
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Ignacio BJ, Albin TJ, Esser-Kahn AP, Verdoes M. Toll-like Receptor Agonist Conjugation: A Chemical Perspective. Bioconjug Chem 2018; 29:587-603. [PMID: 29378134 PMCID: PMC10642707 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are vital elements of the mammalian immune system that function by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), bridging innate and adaptive immunity. They have become a prominent therapeutic target for the treatment of infectious diseases, cancer, and allergies, with many TLR agonists currently in clinical trials or approved as immunostimulants. Numerous studies have shown that conjugation of TLR agonists to other molecules can beneficially influence their potency, toxicity, pharmacokinetics, or function. The functional properties of TLR agonist conjugates, however, are highly dependent on the ligation strategy employed. Here, we review the chemical structural requirements for effective functional TLR agonist conjugation. In addition, we provide similar analysis for those that have yet to be conjugated. Moreover, we discuss applications of covalent TLR agonist conjugation and their implications for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bob J. Ignacio
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Tyler J. Albin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
| | - Aaron P. Esser-Kahn
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, United States
- Institute for Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Martijn Verdoes
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Ajamian L, Melnychuk L, Jean-Pierre P, Zaharatos GJ. DNA Vaccine-Encoded Flagellin Can Be Used as an Adjuvant Scaffold to Augment HIV-1 gp41 Membrane Proximal External Region Immunogenicity. Viruses 2018; 10:E100. [PMID: 29495537 PMCID: PMC5869493 DOI: 10.3390/v10030100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Flagellin's potential as a vaccine adjuvant has been increasingly explored over the last three decades. Monomeric flagellin proteins are the only known agonists of Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). This interaction evokes a pro-inflammatory state that impacts upon both innate and adaptive immunity. While pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) like flagellin have been used as stand-alone adjuvants that are co-delivered with antigen, some investigators have demonstrated a distinct advantage to incorporating antigen epitopes within the structure of flagellin itself. This approach has been particularly effective in enhancing humoral immune responses. We sought to use flagellin as both scaffold and adjuvant for HIV gp41 with the aim of eliciting antibodies to the membrane proximal external region (MPER). Accordingly, we devised a straightforward step-wise approach to select flagellin-antigen fusion proteins for gene-based vaccine development. Using plasmid DNA vector-based expression in mammalian cells, we demonstrate robust expression of codon-optimized full length and hypervariable region-deleted constructs of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi flagellin (FliC). An HIV gp41 derived sequence including the MPER (gp41607-683) was incorporated into various positions of these constructs and the expressed fusion proteins were screened for effective secretion, TLR5 agonist activity and adequate MPER antigenicity. We show that incorporation of gp41607-683 into a FliC-based scaffold significantly augments gp41607-683 immunogenicity in a TLR5 dependent manner and elicits modest MPER-specific humoral responses in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Ajamian
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Luca Melnychuk
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Patrick Jean-Pierre
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
| | - Gerasimos J Zaharatos
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine & Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
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20
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Li Q, Peng O, Wu T, Xu Z, Huang L, Zhang Y, Xue C, Wen Z, Zhou Q, Cao Y. PED subunit vaccine based on COE domain replacement of flagellin domain D3 improved specific humoral and mucosal immunity in mice. Vaccine 2018; 36:1381-1388. [PMID: 29426660 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.01.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) is an important re-emergent infectious disease and inflicts huge economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. To meet the pressing need of developing a safe and cost-efficient PED maternal vaccine, we generated three PED subunit vaccine candidates, using recombined Salmonella flagellin (rSF) as a mucosal molecular adjuvant. Domain D3 in rSF was replaced with COE domain of PEDV to generate rSF-COE-3D. COE fused to the flanking C'/N' terminal of rSF yielded rSF-COE-C and rSF-COE-N. As a result, rSF-COE-3D could significantly improve COE specific antibody production including serum IgG, serum IgA, mucosal IgA and PEDV neutralizing antibody. Furthermore, rSF-COE-3D elicited more CD3+CD8+ T cell and cytokine production of IFN-γ and IL-4 in mouse splenocytes. In summary, our data showed that rSF-COE-3D could improve specific humoral and mucosal immunity in mice, thus suggesting that rSF-COE-3D could be applied as a novel efficient maternal PED vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianniu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ouyang Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tingting Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhichao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Licheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chunyi Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhifen Wen
- Guangdong Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co, Ltd, Yunfu 527300, China
| | - Qingfeng Zhou
- Guangdong Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co, Ltd, Yunfu 527300, China
| | - Yongchang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Science, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China; Guangdong Wen's Foodstuffs Group Co, Ltd, Yunfu 527300, China.
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Xu Z, Moyle PM. Bioconjugation Approaches to Producing Subunit Vaccines Composed of Protein or Peptide Antigens and Covalently Attached Toll-Like Receptor Ligands. Bioconjug Chem 2017; 29:572-586. [PMID: 28891637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Traditional vaccines derived from attenuated or inactivated pathogens are effective at inducing antibody-based protective immune responses but tend to be highly reactogenic, causing notable adverse effects. Vaccines with superior safety profiles can be produced by subunit approaches, utilizing molecularly defined antigens (e.g., proteins and polysaccharides). These antigens, however, often elicit poor immunological responses, necessitating the use of adjuvants. Immunostimulatory adjuvants have the capacity to activate antigen presenting cells directly through specific receptors (e.g., Toll-like receptors (TLRs)), resulting in enhanced presentation of antigens as well as the secretion of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Consequently, innate immune responses are amplified and adaptive immunity is generated. Recently, site-specific conjugation of such immunostimulatory adjuvants (e.g., TLR ligands) onto defined antigens has shown superior efficacy over unconjugated mixtures, suggesting that the development of chemically characterized immunostimulatory adjuvants and optimized approaches for their conjugation with antigens may provide a better opportunity for the development of potent, novel vaccines. This review briefly summarizes various TLR agonists utilized as immunostimulatory adjuvants and focuses on the development of techniques (e.g., recombinant, synthetic, and semisynthetic) for generating adjuvant-antigen fusion vaccines incorporating peptide or protein antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghui Xu
- School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Woolloongabba 4102 , Queensland , Australia
| | - Peter Michael Moyle
- School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Woolloongabba 4102 , Queensland , Australia
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Yang J, Sun Y, Bao R, Zhou D, Yang Y, Cao Y, Yu J, Zhao B, Li Y, Yan H, Zhong M. Second-generation Flagellin-rPAc Fusion Protein, KFD2-rPAc, Shows High Protective Efficacy against Dental Caries with Low Potential Side Effects. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11191. [PMID: 28894188 PMCID: PMC5593867 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10247-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Accepted: 08/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dental caries is one of the most common global chronic diseases affecting all ages of the population; thus a vaccine against caries is urgently needed. Our previous studies demonstrated that a fusion protein, KF-rPAc, in which rPAc of S. mutans is directly fused to the C-terminal of E. coli-derived flagellin (KF), could confer high prophylactic and therapeutic efficiency against caries. However, possible side effects, including the high antigenicity of flagellin and possible inflammatory injury induced by flagellin, may restrict its clinical usage. Here, we produced a second-generation flagellin-rPAc fusion protein, KFD2-rPAc, by replacing the main antigenicity region domains D2 and D3 of KF with rPAc. Compared with KF-rPAc, KFD2-rPAc has lower TLR5 agonist efficacy and induces fewer systemic inflammatory responses in mice. After intranasal immunization, KFD2-rPAc induces significantly lower flagellin-specific antibody responses but a comparable level of rPAc-specific antibody responses in mice. More importantly, in rat challenge models, KFD2-rPAc induces a robust rPAc-specific IgA response, and confers efficient prophylactic and therapeutic efficiency against caries as does KF-rPAc, while the flagellin-specific antibody responses are highly reduced. In conclusion, low side effects and high protective efficiency against caries makes the second-generation flagellin-rPAc fusion protein, KFD2-rPAc, a promising vaccine candidate against caries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyi Yang
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Ying Sun
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Rong Bao
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.,Animal Biosafety Level III Laboratory at the Center for Animal Experiment, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Dihan Zhou
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Yuan Cao
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Jie Yu
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Bali Zhao
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Yaoming Li
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Huimin Yan
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China
| | - Maohua Zhong
- Mucosal Immunity Research Group, State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, China.
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Kalnin K, Chivukula S, Tibbitts T, Yan Y, Stegalkina S, Shen L, Cieszynski J, Costa V, Sabharwal R, Anderson SF, Christensen N, Jagu S, Roden RBS, Kleanthous H. Incorporation of RG1 epitope concatemers into a self-adjuvanting Flagellin-L2 vaccine broaden durable protection against cutaneous challenge with diverse human papillomavirus genotypes. Vaccine 2017; 35:4942-4951. [PMID: 28778613 PMCID: PMC6454882 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.07.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
AIM To achieve durable and broad protection against human papillomaviruses by vaccination with multimers of minor capsid antigen L2 using self-adjuvanting fusions with the toll-like receptor-5 (TLR5) ligand bacterial flagellin (Fla) instead of co-formulation with alum. METHODS Fla fusions with L2 protective epitopes comprising residues 11-200, 11-88 and/or 17-38 of a single or multiple HPV types were produced in E. coli and their capacity to activate TLR5 signaling was assessed. Immunogenicity was evaluated serially following administration of 3 intramuscular doses of Fla-L2 multimer without exogenous adjuvant, followed by challenge 1, 3, 6 or 12months later, and efficacy compared to vaccination with human doses of L1 VLP vaccines (Gardasil and Cervarix) or L2 multimer formulated in alum. Serum antibody responses were assessed by peptide ELISA, in vitro neutralization assays and passive transfer to naïve rabbits in which End-Point Protection Titers (EPPT) were determined using serial dilutions of pooled immune sera collected 1, 3, 6 or 12months after completing active immunization. Efficacy was assessed by determining wart volume following concurrent challenge at different sites with HPV6/16/18/31/45/58 'quasivirions' containing cottontail rabbit papillomavirus (CRPV) genomes. RESULTS Vaccination in the absence of exogenous adjuvant with Fla-HPV16 L2 11-200 fusion protein elicited durable protection against HPV16, but limited cross-protection against other HPV types. Peptide mapping data suggested the importance of the 17-38 aa region in conferring immunity. Indeed, addition of L2 residues 17-38 of HPV6/18/31/39/52 to a Fla-HPV16 L2 11-200 or 11-88 elicited broader protection via active or passive immunization, similar to that seen with vaccination with an alum-adjuvanted L2 multimer comprising the aa 11-88 peptides of five or eight genital HPV types. CONCLUSIONS Vaccination with flagellin fused L2 multimers provided lasting (>1year) immunity without the need for an exogenous adjuvant. Inclusion of the L2 amino acid 17-38 region in such multi-HPV type fusions expanded the spectrum of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirill Kalnin
- Research, Sanofi Pasteur, 38 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA, USA.
| | | | | | - Yanhua Yan
- Research, Sanofi Pasteur, 38 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Lihua Shen
- Research, Sanofi Pasteur, 38 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Victor Costa
- Research, Sanofi Pasteur, 38 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Neil Christensen
- Department of Pathology, Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Subhashini Jagu
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Richard B S Roden
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Ray R, Dos Santos G, Buck PO, Claeys C, Matias G, Innis BL, Bekkat-Berkani R. A review of the value of quadrivalent influenza vaccines and their potential contribution to influenza control. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1640-1652. [PMID: 28532276 PMCID: PMC5512791 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1313375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The contribution of influenza B to the seasonal influenza burden varies from year-to-year. Although 2 antigenically distinct influenza B virus lineages have co-circulated since 2001, trivalent influenza vaccines (TIVs) contain antigens from only one influenza B virus. B-mismatch or co-circulation of both B lineages results in increased morbidity and mortality attributable to the B lineage absent from the vaccine. Quadrivalent vaccines (QIVs) contain both influenza B lineages. We reviewed currently licensed QIVs and their value by focusing on the preventable disease burden. Modeling studies support that QIVs are expected to prevent more influenza cases, hospitalisations and deaths than TIVs, although estimates of the case numbers prevented vary according to local specificities. The value of QIVs is demonstrated by their capacity to broaden the immune response and reduce the likelihood of a B-mismatched season. Some health authorities have preferentially recommended QIVs over TIVs in their influenza prevention programmes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gaël Dos Santos
- b Business & Decision Life Sciences , Brussels , Belgium (on behalf of GSK)
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25
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Biotechnology approaches to produce potent, self-adjuvanting antigen-adjuvant fusion protein subunit vaccines. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 35:375-389. [PMID: 28288861 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Traditional vaccination approaches (e.g. live attenuated or killed microorganisms) are among the most effective means to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These approaches, nevertheless, have failed to yield successful vaccines against many important pathogens. To overcome this problem, methods have been developed to identify microbial components, against which protective immune responses can be elicited. Subunit antigens identified by these approaches enable the production of defined vaccines, with improved safety profiles. However, they are generally poorly immunogenic, necessitating their administration with potent immunostimulatory adjuvants. Since few safe and effective adjuvants are currently used in vaccines approved for human use, with those available displaying poor potency, or an inability to stimulate the types of immune responses required for vaccines against specific diseases (e.g. cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) to treat cancers), the development of new vaccines will be aided by the availability of characterized platforms of new adjuvants, improving our capacity to rationally select adjuvants for different applications. One such approach, involves the addition of microbial components (pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PAMPs), that can stimulate strong immune responses, into subunit vaccine formulations. The conjugation of PAMPs to subunit antigens provides a means to greatly increase vaccine potency, by targeting immunostimulation and antigen to the same antigen presenting cell. Thus, methods that enable the efficient, and inexpensive production of antigen-adjuvant fusions represent an exciting mean to improve immunity towards subunit antigens. Herein we review four protein-based adjuvants (flagellin, bacterial lipoproteins, the extra domain A of fibronectin (EDA), and heat shock proteins (Hsps)), which can be genetically fused to antigens to enable recombinant production of antigen-adjuvant fusion proteins, with a focus on their mechanisms of action, structural or sequence requirements for activity, sequence modifications to enhance their activity or simplify production, adverse effects, and examples of vaccines in preclinical or human clinical trials.
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