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Yamaue R, Torikai M, Terashima M, Mori H. KD-409, a Respiratory Syncytial Virus FG Chimeric Protein without the CX3C Chemokine Motif, Is an Efficient Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Preparation for Passive and Active Immunization in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:753. [PMID: 39066391 PMCID: PMC11281633 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12070753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Although respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine development initiatives have existed for half a century, no candidate has been approved for application at all ages from neonates to children. Developing an effective and safe RSV vaccine for pediatric use is challenging owing to RSV-associated disease and vaccine-enhanced disease (VED). We aimed to design an RSV vaccine, KD-409, by structurally incorporating the F ectodomain and G protein central conserved domain without the CX3C chemokine motif and test its efficacy and safety. KD-409 formed rosette particles or trimmers. KD-409 immunization of mice mainly induced anti-RSV F protein IgG. The induced anti-F antibodies had a higher IgG2a/IgG1 ratio than pre-fusion F, suggesting that they induced Th1-dominant immunity. Active and passive immunities were assessed by analyzing the viral titers in BALB/c mice intranasally challenged with RSV after intramuscular KD-409 immunization and pups derived from mothers who were intramuscularly vaccinated with KD-409 twice, respectively. KD-409 was more effective than post-fusion F and had a lower minimum effective dose than pre-fusion F. Thus, KD-409 demonstrated great potential as a novel RSV vaccine candidate, outperforming existing RSV F-based candidates. Our findings provide a promising strategy to overcome RSV-associated acute lower respiratory infections without the risk of VED associated with traditional approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masaharu Torikai
- KM Biologics Co., Ltd., Kikuchi Research Center, 1314-1 Kyokushi Kawabe, Kikuchi-shi 869-1298, Japan; (R.Y.); (M.T.)
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Xu Y, Sun F, Bai Z, Bian C, Wang X, Zhao Z, Yang P. Cold-adapted influenza-vectored RSV vaccine protects BALB/c mice and cotton rats from RSV challenge. J Med Virol 2024; 96:e29308. [PMID: 39007405 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29308] [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: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains the primary cause of lower respiratory tract infections, particularly in infants and the elderly. In this study, we employed reverse genetics to generate a chimeric influenza virus expressing neuraminidase-3F protein conjugate with three repeats of the RSV F protein protective epitope inserted into the NA gene of A/California/7/2009 ca (CA/AA ca), resulting in rFlu/RSV/NA-3F (hereafter, rFRN3). The expression of NA-3F protein was confirmed by Western blotting. The morphology and temperature-sensitive phenotype of rFRN3 were similar to CA/AA ca. Its immunogenicity and protective efficiency were evaluated in BALB/c mice and cotton rats. Intranasal administration of rFRN3 elicited robust humoral, cellular, and to some extent, mucosal immune responses. Compared to controls, rFRN3 protected animals from RSV infection, attenuated lung injury, and reduced viral titers in the nose and lungs post-RSV challenge. These results demonstrate that rFRN3 can trigger RSV-specific immune responses and thus exhibits potent protective efficacy. The "dual vaccine" approach of a cold-adapted influenza vector RSV vaccine will improve the prophylaxis of influenza and RSV infection. rFRN3 thus warrants further clinical investigations as a candidate RSV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongru Xu
- The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
| | - Fang Sun
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifang Bai
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chengrong Bian
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhongpeng Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Penghui Yang
- The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Faculty of Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Digital Hepatobiliary Surgery, PLA, Institute of Hepatobiliary Surgery of Chinese PLA, Beijing, China
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Hönemann M, Maier M, Frille A, Thiem S, Bergs S, Williams TC, Mas V, Lübbert C, Pietsch C. Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Adult Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Germany: Clinical Features and Molecular Epidemiology of the Fusion Protein in the Severe Respiratory Season of 2022/2023. Viruses 2024; 16:943. [PMID: 38932235 PMCID: PMC11209376 DOI: 10.3390/v16060943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Following an interseasonal rise in mainly pediatric respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases in Germany in 2021, an exceptionally high number of adult cases was observed in the subsequent respiratory season of 2022/2023. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical presentation of RSV infections in the pre- and post-SARS-CoV-2 pandemic periods. Additionally, the local epidemiology of the RSV fusion protein was analyzed at a molecular genetic and amino acid level. RSV detections in adults peaked in calendar week 1 of 2023, 8 weeks earlier than the earliest peak observed in the three pre-pandemic seasons. Although the median age of the adult patients was not different (66.5 vs. 65 years), subtle differences between both periods regarding comorbidities and the clinical presentation of RSV cases were noted. High rates of comorbidities prevailed; however, significantly lower numbers of patients with a history of lung transplantation (p = 0.009), chronic kidney disease (p = 0.013), and immunosuppression (p = 0.038) were observed in the 2022/2023 season. In contrast, significantly more lower respiratory tract infections (p < 0.001), in particular in the form of pneumonia (p = 0.015) and exacerbations of obstructive lung diseases (p = 0.008), were detected. An ICU admission was noted for 23.7% of all patients throughout the study period. Sequence analysis of the fusion protein gene revealed a close phylogenetic relatedness, regardless of the season of origin. However, especially for RSV-B, an accumulation of amino acid point substitutions was noted, including in antigenic site Ø. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic had a tremendous impact on the seasonality of RSV, and the introduction of new vaccination and immunization strategies against RSV warrants further epidemiologic studies of this important pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Hönemann
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Melanie Maier
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Armin Frille
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephanie Thiem
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sandra Bergs
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Thomas C. Williams
- Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, 50 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, C/ Sinesio Delgado, 4, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Christoph Lübbert
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Department of Medicine I, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Corinna Pietsch
- Virology Department, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Virology, Leipzig University Hospital, Johannisalle 30, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Infectious Diseases, Leipzig University Hospital, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
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Miller RJ, Mousa JJ. Structural basis for respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus neutralization. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 61:101337. [PMID: 37544710 PMCID: PMC10421620 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) continue to be a global burden to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. In the past ten years, there has been substantial progress in the development of new vaccine candidates and therapies against these viruses. These advancements were guided by the structural elucidation of the major surface glycoproteins for these viruses, the fusion (F) protein and attachment (G) protein. The identification of immunodominant epitopes on the RSV F and hMPV F proteins has expanded current knowledge on antibody-mediated immune responses, which has led to new approaches for vaccine and therapeutic development through the stabilization of pre-fusion constructs of the F protein and pre-fusion-specific monoclonal antibodies with high potency and efficacy. In this review, we describe structural characteristics of known antigenic sites on the RSV and hMPV proteins, their influence on the immune response, and current progress in vaccine and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose J Miller
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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Powell TJ, Jacobs A, Tang J, Cardenas E, Palath N, Daniels J, Boyd JG, Bergeron HC, Jorquera PA, Tripp RA. Microparticle RSV Vaccines Presenting the G Protein CX3C Chemokine Motif in the Context of TLR Signaling Induce Protective Th1 Immune Responses and Prevent Pulmonary Eosinophilia Post-Challenge. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122078. [PMID: 36560488 PMCID: PMC9785538 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Layer-by-layer microparticle (LbL-MP) fabrication was used to produce synthetic vaccines presenting a fusion peptide containing RSV G protein CX3C chemokine motif and a CD8 epitope of the RSV matrix protein 2 (GM2) with or without a covalently linked TLR2 agonist (Pam3.GM2). Immunization of BALB/c mice with either GM2 or Pam3.GM2 LbL-MP in the absence of adjuvant elicited G-specific antibody responses and M2-specific CD8+ T-cell responses. Following challenge with RSV, mice immunized with the GM2 LbL-MP vaccine developed a Th2-biased immune response in the lungs with elevated levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, and eotaxin in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and a pulmonary influx of eosinophils. By comparison, mice immunized with the Pam3.GM2 LbL-MP vaccine had considerably lower to non-detectable levels of the Th2 cytokines and chemokines and very low numbers of eosinophils in the BAL fluid post-RSV challenge. In addition, mice immunized with the Pam3.GM2 LbL-MP also had higher levels of RSV G-specific IgG2a and IgG2b in the post-challenge BAL fluid compared to those immunized with the GM2 LbL-MP vaccine. While both candidates protected mice from infection following challenge, as evidenced by the reduction or elimination of RSV plaques, the inclusion of the TLR2 agonist yielded a more potent antibody response, greater protection, and a clear shift away from Th2/eosinophil responses. Since the failure of formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) vaccines tested in the 1960s has been hypothesized to be partly due to the ablation of host TLR engagement by the vaccine and inappropriate Th2 responses upon subsequent viral infection, these findings stress the importance of appropriate engagement of the innate immune response during initial exposure to RSV G CX3C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J. Powell
- Artificial Cell Technologies, 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrea Jacobs
- Artificial Cell Technologies, 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jie Tang
- Artificial Cell Technologies, 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Edwin Cardenas
- Artificial Cell Technologies, 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Naveen Palath
- Artificial Cell Technologies, 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Jennifer Daniels
- Artificial Cell Technologies, 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - James G. Boyd
- Artificial Cell Technologies, 5 Science Park, Suite 13, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
| | - Harrison C. Bergeron
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Patricia A. Jorquera
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Ralph A. Tripp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
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A multi-center study to determine genetic variations in the fusion gene of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from children <2 years of age in the U.S. J Clin Virol 2022; 154:105223. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2022.105223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Beach SS, Hull MA, Ytreberg FM, Patel JS, Miura TA. Molecular Modeling Predicts Novel Antibody Escape Mutations in the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Glycoprotein. J Virol 2022; 96:e0035322. [PMID: 35678603 PMCID: PMC9278155 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00353-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are increasingly used for the prevention and/or treatment of viral infections. One caveat of their use is the ability of viruses to evolve resistance to antibody binding and neutralization. Computational strategies to identify viral mutations that may disrupt antibody binding would leverage the wealth of viral genomic sequence data to monitor for potential antibody-resistant mutations. The respiratory syncytial virus is an important pathogen for which monoclonal antibodies against the fusion (F) protein are used to prevent severe disease in high-risk infants. In this study, we used an approach that combines molecular dynamics simulations with FoldX to estimate changes in free energy in F protein folding and binding to the motavizumab antibody upon each possible amino acid change. We systematically selected 8 predicted escape mutations and tested them in an infectious clone. Consistent with our F protein stability predictions, replication-effective viruses were observed for each selected mutation. Six of the eight variants showed increased resistance to neutralization by motavizumab. Flow cytometry was used to validate the estimated (model-predicted) effects on antibody binding to F. Using surface plasmon resonance, we determined that changes in the on-rate of motavizumab binding were associated with the reduced affinity for two novel escape mutations. Our study empirically validated the accuracy of our molecular modeling approach and emphasized the role of biophysical protein modeling in predicting viral resistance to antibody-based therapeutics that can be used to monitor the emergence of resistant viruses and to design improved therapeutic antibodies. IMPORTANCE Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe disease in young infants, particularly those with heart or lung diseases or born prematurely. Because no vaccine is currently available, monoclonal antibodies are used to prevent severe RSV disease in high-risk infants. While it is known that RSV evolves to avoid recognition by antibodies, screening tools that can predict which changes to the virus may lead to antibody resistance are greatly needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra S. Beach
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - McKenna A. Hull
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - F. Marty Ytreberg
- Department of Physics, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Jagdish Suresh Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
| | - Tanya A. Miura
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
- Institute for Modeling Collaboration and Innovation, University of Idahogrid.266456.5, Moscow, Idaho, USA
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Harshbarger W, Abeyrathne PD, Tian S, Huang Y, Chandramouli S, Bottomley MJ, Malito E. Improved epitope resolution of the prefusion trimer-specific antibody AM14 bound to the RSV F glycoprotein. MAbs 2021; 13:1955812. [PMID: 34420474 PMCID: PMC8386734 DOI: 10.1080/19420862.2021.1955812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections resulting in medical intervention and hospitalizations during infancy and early childhood, and vaccination against RSV remains a public health priority. The RSV F glycoprotein is a major target of neutralizing antibodies, and the prefusion stabilized form of F (DS-Cav1) is under investigation as a vaccine antigen. AM14 is a human monoclonal antibody with the exclusive capacity of binding an epitope on prefusion F (PreF), which spans two F protomers. The quality of recognizing a trimer-specific epitope makes AM14 valuable for probing PreF-based immunogen conformation and functionality during vaccine production. Currently, only a low-resolution (5.5 Å) X-ray structure is available of the PreF-AM14 complex, revealing few reliable details of the interface. Here, we perform complementary structural studies using X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) to provide improved resolution structures at 3.6 Å and 3.4 Å resolutions, respectively. Both X-ray and cryo-EM structures provide clear side-chain densities, which allow for accurate mapping of the AM14 epitope on DS-Cav1. The structures help rationalize the molecular basis for AM14 loss of binding to RSV F monoclonal antibody-resistant mutants and reveal flexibility for the side chain of a key antigenic residue on PreF. This work provides the basis for a comprehensive understanding of RSV F trimer specificity with implications in vaccine design and quality assessment of PreF-based immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sai Tian
- GSK, Vaccine Design and Cellular Immunology, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Ying Huang
- GSK, Vaccine Design and Cellular Immunology, Rockville, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Enrico Malito
- GSK, Vaccine Design and Cellular Immunology, Rockville, MD, USA
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Hervé PL, Dhelft V, Zuniga A, Ghasparian A, Rassek O, Yim KC, Donne N, Lambert PH, Benhamou PH, Sampson HA, Mondoulet L. Epicutaneous immunization using synthetic virus-like particles efficiently boosts protective immunity to respiratory syncytial virus. Vaccine 2021; 39:4555-4563. [PMID: 34154864 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.03.081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Despite the substantial health and economic burden caused by RSV-associated illness, no vaccine is available. The sole licensed treatment (palivizumab), composed of a monoclonal neutralizing antibody, blocks the fusion of the virus to the host cell but does not prevent infection. The development of a safe and efficacious RSV vaccine is therefore a priority, but also a considerable challenge, and new innovative strategies are warranted. Most of the adult population encounter regular RSV infections and can elicit a robust neutralizing antibody response, but unfortunately it wanes over time and reinfections during subsequent seasons are common. One approach to protect the mother and young infant from RSV infection is to administer a vaccine capable of boosting preexisting RSV immunity during pregnancy, which would provide protection to the fetus through passive transfer of maternal antibodies, thus preventing primary RSV infection in newborns during their first months of life. Here, we describe the preclinical evaluation of an epicutaneous RSV vaccine booster that combines epicutaneous patches as a delivery platform and a Synthetic Virus-Like Particles (SVLP)-based vaccine displaying multiple RSV F-protein site II (FsII, palivizumab epitope) mimetic as antigen (V-306). We demonstrated in mice that epicutaneous immunization with V-306 efficiently boosts preexisting immunity induced by the homologous V-306 administered subcutaneously. This boosting was characterized by a significant increase in F- and FsII-specific antibodies capable of competing with palivizumab for its target antigen and neutralize RSV. More importantly, epicutaneous booster immunization with V-306 significantly decreased lung viral replication in experimental mice after intranasal RSV challenge, without inducing enhanced RSV disease. In conclusion, an epicutaneous booster vaccine based on V-306 is safe and efficacious in enhancing RSV preexisting immunity in mice. This needle-free vaccine candidate would be potentially suited as a booster vaccine for vulnerable populations such as young infants via pregnant women, and the elderly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre-Louis Hervé
- DBV Technologies, 177-181 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92120 Montrouge, France.
| | - Véronique Dhelft
- DBV Technologies, 177-181 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92120 Montrouge, France
| | - Armando Zuniga
- Virometix AG, Wagisstrasse 14, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Arin Ghasparian
- Virometix AG, Wagisstrasse 14, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Oliver Rassek
- Virometix AG, Wagisstrasse 14, CH-8952 Schlieren, Switzerland
| | - Kevin C Yim
- Sigmovir Biosystems, Inc., 9610 Medical Center Drive, Suite #100, Rockville, MD 20850, USA
| | - Nathalie Donne
- DBV Technologies, 177-181 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92120 Montrouge, France
| | - Paul-Henri Lambert
- WHO Collaborative Center for Vaccine Immunology, Department of Pathology-Immunology, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Hugh A Sampson
- DBV Technologies, 12 East 49th Street Tower 49, Suite 4001, New York, NY 10017, USA
| | - Lucie Mondoulet
- DBV Technologies, 177-181 Avenue Pierre Brossolette, 92120 Montrouge, France
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Huang JM, Wang SY, Lai MR, Tseng YK, Chi YH, Huang LM. Development of a respiratory syncytial virus vaccine using human hepatitis B core-based virus-like particles to induce mucosal immunity. Vaccine 2021; 39:3259-3269. [PMID: 33972124 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.04.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important viral pathogen responsible for severe infection of the lower respiratory tract in children under the age of 5 years. No vaccines against RSV are currently in clinical use. Vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (ERD) caused by excess Th2 type responses was observed in a clinical trial of formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) in antigen-naïve infants. Thus, inducing a balanced immune response is a crucial issue in the development of an RSV vaccine. METHODS In this study, we constructed, expressed, and purified a recombinant RSV vaccine candidate (i.e., HRØ24) containing the two heptad repeat regions and the antigenic sites Ø, II, and IV of the RSV F protein. The RSV vaccine candidate was intranasally administrated to BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice in combination with virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the core protein of the hepatitis B virus (HBc). Mucosal immunity to HRØ24 was then assessed. RESULTS Intranasal administration of HBc VLPs in combination with HRØ24 induced serum IgGs against HRØ24 as well as lung HRØ24-specific sIgAs in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mouse models. The secretion of IFN-γ from splenocyte re-stimulation and an elevated ratio of serum IgG2a to IgG1 indicated that the immune response induced by the HBc VLPs/HRØ24 mixture was Th1-biased. Weight loss of <5% and no to low eosinophil infiltration was observed in histological analysis of the lung following a challenge with the RSV A2 strain. These results suggest that the HBc VLPs/HRØ24 combination conferred substantial partial protection against RSV-induced illness in mice. CONCLUSIONS Long-term immunity to RSV-induced illness was achieved via intranasal vaccination using a mixture of HBc VLPs and HRØ24 in mouse models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen-Min Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Shih-Yun Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ru Lai
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Kai Tseng
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Hui Chi
- Institute of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Research, National Health Research Institutes, Zhunan, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Min Huang
- Department of Pediatrics, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan.
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11
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Reverse genetics systems for contemporary isolates of respiratory syncytial virus enable rapid evaluation of antibody escape mutants. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2026558118. [PMID: 33811145 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026558118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory infection in children under 5 y of age. In the absence of a safe and effective vaccine and with limited options for therapeutic interventions, uncontrolled epidemics of RSV occur annually worldwide. Existing RSV reverse genetics systems have been predominantly based on older laboratory-adapted strains such as A2 or Long. These strains are not representative of currently circulating genotypes and have a convoluted passage history, complicating their use in studies on molecular determinants of viral pathogenesis and intervention strategies. In this study, we have generated reverse genetics systems for clinical isolates of RSV-A (ON1, 0594 strain) and RSV-B (BA9, 9671 strain) in which the full-length complementary DNA (cDNA) copy of the viral antigenome is cloned into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Additional recombinant (r) RSVs were rescued expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), mScarlet, or NanoLuc luciferase from an additional transcription unit inserted between the P and M genes. Mutations in antigenic site II of the F protein conferring escape from palivizumab neutralization (K272E, K272Q, S275L) were investigated using quantitative cell-fusion assays and rRSVs via the use of BAC recombineering protocols. These mutations enabled RSV-A and -B to escape palivizumab neutralization but had differential impacts on cell-to-cell fusion, as the S275L mutation resulted in an almost-complete ablation of syncytium formation. These reverse genetics systems will facilitate future cross-validation efficacy studies of novel RSV therapeutic intervention strategies and investigations into viral and host factors necessary for virus entry and cell-to-cell spread.
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12
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Lei L, Qin H, Luo J, Tan Y, Yang J, Pan Z. Construction and immunological evaluation of hepatitis B virus core virus-like particles containing multiple antigenic peptides of respiratory syncytial virus. Virus Res 2021; 298:198410. [PMID: 33819519 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2021.198410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection causes severe disease in the lower respiratory tract of infants and young children. Currently, no licensed vaccine is available. In this study, we generated the chimeric virus-like particles (tHBc/FE1E2, tHBc/FE1E2/M282-90 and tHBc/FE1E2/M282-90/tG VLPs) containing multiple antigenic peptides of RSV proteins based on a truncated hepatitis B virus core carrier (tHBc). We investigated the immune protection against RSV infection induced by these VLPs in a mouse model. Immunization with the VLPs elicited RSV-specific IgG and neutralizing antibody production and conferred protection against RSV infection in vivo. Compared with UV-RSV or tHBc/FE1E2/M282-90/tG VLPs, the tHBc/FE1E2 and tHBc/FE1E2/M282-90 VLPs induced significantly decreased Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5) and increased Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2) as well as increased IgG2a/IgG1 ratios. tHBc/FE1E2 and tHBc/FE1E2/M282-90 VLPs also elicited an increased regulatory T (Treg) cell frequency and IL-10 secretion in the lungs of vaccinated mice, thereby relieving pulmonary pathology upon subsequent RSV infection. Our results demonstrate that the VLPs containing antigenic peptides of F protein combined with a CTL epitope of M2 may represent a promising RSV subunit vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Huan Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yiluo Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Zishu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Modern Virology Research Center, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
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13
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Comparative Therapeutic Potential of ALX-0171 and Palivizumab against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Clinical Isolate Infection of Well-Differentiated Primary Pediatric Bronchial Epithelial Cell Cultures. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2020; 64:AAC.02034-19. [PMID: 31767728 DOI: 10.1128/aac.02034-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract infections in young infants. There are no RSV-specific treatments available. Ablynx has been developing an anti-RSV F-specific nanobody, ALX-0171. To characterize the therapeutic potential of ALX-0171, we exploited our well-differentiated primary pediatric bronchial epithelial cell (WD-PBEC)/RSV infection model, which replicates several hallmarks of RSV disease in vivo Using 2 clinical isolates (BT2a and Memphis 37), we compared the therapeutic potential of ALX-0171 with that of palivizumab, which is currently prescribed for RSV prophylaxis in high-risk infants. ALX-0171 treatment (900 nM) at 24 h postinfection reduced apically released RSV titers to near or below the limit of detection within 24 h for both strains. Progressively lower doses resulted in concomitantly diminished RSV neutralization. ALX-0171 was approximately 3-fold more potent in this therapeutic RSV/WD-PBEC model than palivizumab (mean 50% inhibitory concentration [IC50] = 346.9 to 363.6 nM and 1,048 to 1,090 nM for ALX-0171 and palivizumab, respectively), irrespective of the clinical isolate. The number of viral genomic copies (GC) was determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR), and the therapeutic effect of ALX-0171 treatment at 300 and 900 nM was found to be considerably lower and the number of GCs reduced only moderately (0.62 to 1.28 log10 copies/ml). Similar findings were evident for palivizumab. Therefore, ALX-0171 was very potent at neutralizing RSV released from apical surfaces but had only a limited impact on virus replication. The data indicate a clear disparity between viable virus neutralization and GC viral load, the latter of which does not discriminate between viable and neutralized RSV. This report validates the RSV/WD-PBEC model for the preclinical evaluation of RSV antivirals.
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Zhu Q, Lu B, McTamney P, Palaszynski S, Diallo S, Ren K, Ulbrandt ND, Kallewaard N, Wang W, Fernandes F, Wong S, Svabek C, Moldt B, Esser MT, Jing H, Suzich JA. Prevalence and Significance of Substitutions in the Fusion Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Resulting in Neutralization Escape From Antibody MEDI8897. J Infect Dis 2019; 218:572-580. [PMID: 29617879 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection among infants and young children. To date, no vaccine is approved for the broad population of healthy infants. MEDI8897, a potent anti-RSV fusion antibody with extended serum half-life, is currently under clinical investigation as a potential passive RSV vaccine for all infants. As a ribonucleic acid virus, RSV is prone to mutation, and the possibility of viral escape from MEDI8897 neutralization is a potential concern. Methods We generated RSV monoclonal antibody (mAb)-resistant mutants (MARMs) in vitro and studied the effect of the amino acid substitutions identified on binding and viral neutralization susceptibility to MEDI8897. The impact of resistance-associated mutations on in vitro growth kinetics and the prevalence of these mutations in currently circulating strains of RSV in the United States was assessed. Results Critical residues identified in MARMs for MEDI8897 neutralization were located in the MEDI8897 binding site defined by crystallographic analysis. Substitutions in these residues affected the binding of mAb to virus, without significant impact on viral replication in vitro. The frequency of natural resistance-associated polymorphisms was low. Conclusions Results from this study provide insights into the mechanism of MEDI8897 escape and the complexity of monitoring for emergence of resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Zhu
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Bin Lu
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Patrick McTamney
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Susan Palaszynski
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Seme Diallo
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Kuishu Ren
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Nancy D Ulbrandt
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Nicole Kallewaard
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Weijia Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Fiona Fernandes
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Steve Wong
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Catherine Svabek
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Brian Moldt
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Mark T Esser
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - Hong Jing
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
| | - JoAnn A Suzich
- Department of Infectious Diseases-Vaccines, MedImmune, LLC, Gaithersburg, Maryland
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15
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Respiratory syncytial virus prefusogenic fusion (F) protein nanoparticle vaccine: Structure, antigenic profile, immunogenicity, and protection. Vaccine 2019; 37:6112-6124. [PMID: 31416644 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of severe respiratory disease in the very young, elderly, and immunocompromised for which there is no vaccine. The surface exposed RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein is required for membrane fusion and infection and is a desirable vaccine candidate. RSV F glycoprotein structure is dynamic and undergoes significant rearrangements during virus assembly, fusion, and infection. We have previously described an RSV fusion-inactive prefusogenic F with a mutation of one of two furin cleavage sites resulting in the p27 region on the N-terminus of F1 with a truncated fusion peptide covalently linked to F2. A processing intermediate RSV prefusogenic F has been reported in infected cells, purified F, budded virus, and elicited a strong immune response against p27 in RSV infected young children. In this report, we demonstrate that prefusogenic F, when expressed on the cell surface of Sf9 insect and human 293T cells, binds monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target prefusion-specific antigenic sites Ø and VIII, and mAbs targeting epitopes common to pre- and postfusion F sites II and IV. Purified prefusogenic F bound prefusion F specific mAbs to antigenic sites Ø and VIII and mAbs targeting pre- and postfusion sites II, IV, and p27. Mice immunized with prefusogenic F antigen produced significantly higher levels of anti-F IgG and RSV neutralizing antibodies than prefusion or postfusion F antigens and induced antibodies competitive with mAbs to sites Ø, VIII, II, and IV. RSV prefusogenic F neutralization antibody responses were enhanced with aluminum phosphate adjuvant and significantly higher than prefusion F. Prefusogenic F vaccine protected cotton rats against upper and lower respiratory tract infection by RSV/A. For the first time, we present the structure, antigenic profile, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy of RSV prefusogenic F nanoparticle vaccine.
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16
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Ye X, Iwuchukwu OP, Avadhanula V, Aideyan LO, McBride TJ, Ferlic-Stark LL, Patel KD, Piedra FA, Shah DP, Chemaly RF, Piedra PA. Comparison of Palivizumab-Like Antibody Binding to Different Conformations of the RSV F Protein in RSV-Infected Adult Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients. J Infect Dis 2019; 217:1247-1256. [PMID: 29365155 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiy026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Most respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine candidates include fusion (F) protein in different conformations. Antigenic site II found in the different F conformations is the target of palivizumab, the only US Food and Drug Administration approved monoclonal antibody (mAb). Serum palivizumab-like antibody (PLA) is a potential serologic correlate of immunity. Our objective was to determine if different conformations of F protein in a palivizumab competitive antibody (PCA) assay affect the PLA concentrations. Methods Four PCA assays were standardized using mAbs. Each contained prefusion, postfusion, or intermediate F forms. PLA concentrations were measured in acute and convalescent sera from 22 RSV/A and 18 RSV/B-infected adult hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients. PLA concentrations were calculated using a 4-parameter logistic regression model and analyzed for statistical significance. Results PCA assays revealed significantly greater PLA concentrations in convalescent sera; comparable increases in PLA concentration in RSV/A and RSV/B-infected HCT recipients; and significantly reduced PLA concentrations in HCT recipients who shed RSV ≥14 days. A significant positive correlation was observed between PCA assays and RSV neutralizing antibody titers. Conclusions F protein conformation does not appear to have a measurable impact on PCA assays for measuring PLA induced by RSV/A or RSV/B infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunyan Ye
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Obinna P Iwuchukwu
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Vasanthi Avadhanula
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Letisha O Aideyan
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Trevor J McBride
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Laura L Ferlic-Stark
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Kirtida D Patel
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Felipe-Andres Piedra
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Dimpy P Shah
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, University of Texas, Houston
| | - Roy F Chemaly
- Departments of Infectious Diseases, Infection Control and Employee Health, MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston
| | - Pedro A Piedra
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
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17
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Wilmschen S, Schneider S, Peters F, Bayer L, Issmail L, Bánki Z, Grunwald T, von Laer D, Kimpel J. RSV Vaccine Based on Rhabdoviral Vector Protects after Single Immunization. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:E59. [PMID: 31277325 PMCID: PMC6790003 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7030059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2019] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in childhood and an effective vaccine is still not available. We previously described a new rhabdoviral vector vaccine, VSV-GP, a variant of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), where the VSV glycoprotein G is exchanged by the glycoprotein GP of the lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Here, we evaluated VSV-GP as vaccine vector for RSV with the aim to induce RSV neutralizing antibodies. Wild-type F (Fwt) or a codon optimized version (Fsyn) were introduced at position 5 into the VSV-GP genome. Both F versions were efficiently expressed in VSV-GP-F infected cells and incorporated into VSV-GP particles. In mice, high titers of RSV neutralizing antibodies were induced already after prime and subsequently boosted by a second immunization. After challenge with RSV, viral loads in the lungs of immunized mice were reduced by 2-3 logs with no signs of an enhanced disease induced by the vaccination. Even a single intranasal immunization significantly reduced viral load by a factor of more than 100-fold. RSV neutralizing antibodies were long lasting and mice were still protected when challenged 20 weeks after the boost. Therefore, VSV-GP is a promising candidate for an effective RSV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Wilmschen
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Sabrina Schneider
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Felix Peters
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Lea Bayer
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Leila Issmail
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Zoltán Bánki
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Thomas Grunwald
- Department of Immunology, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dorothee von Laer
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Janine Kimpel
- Division of Virology, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
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18
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Ren J, Nettleship JE, Harris G, Mwangi W, Rhaman N, Grant C, Kotecha A, Fry E, Charleston B, Stuart DI, Hammond J, Owens RJ. The role of the light chain in the structure and binding activity of two cattle antibodies that neutralize bovine respiratory syncytial virus. Mol Immunol 2019; 112:123-130. [PMID: 31100550 PMCID: PMC6677920 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2019.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Fab structures of two cattle antibodies (B4 and B13) that neutralise bRSV have been solved. The light chain plays a critical role in the folding and positioning of CDR H3 of the heavy chains. The H3 loop plays a dominant role in antigen-binding.
Cattle antibodies have unusually long CDR3 loops in their heavy chains (HCs), and limited light chain (LC) diversity, raising the question of whether these mask the effect of LC variation on antigen recognition. We have investigated the role of the LC in the structure and activity of two neutralizing cattle antibodies (B4 and B13) that bind the F protein of bovine respiratory syncytial virus (bRSV). Recombinant Fab fragments of B4 and B13 bound bRSV infected cells and showed similar affinities for purified bRSV F protein. Exchanging the LCs between the Fab fragments produced hybrid Fabs: B13* (B13 HC/B4 LC) and B4* (B4 HC/B13 LC). The affinity of B13* to the F protein was found to be two-fold lower than B13 whilst the binding affinity of B4* was reduced at least a hundred-fold compared to B4 such that it no longer bound to bRSV infected cells. Comparison of the structures of B4 and B13 with their LC exchanged counterparts B4* and B13* showed that paratope of the HC variable domain (VH) of B4 was disrupted on pairing with the B13 LC, consistent with the loss of binding activity. By contrast, B13 H3 adopts a similar conformation when paired with either B13 or B4 LCs. These observations confirm the expected key role of the extended H3 loop in antigen-binding by cattle antibodies but also show that the quaternary LC/HC subunit interaction can be crucial for its presentation and thus the LC variable domain (VL) is also important for antigen recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingshan Ren
- The Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Joanne E Nettleship
- The Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, R92 Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Gemma Harris
- Research Complex at Harwell, R92 Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - William Mwangi
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Nahid Rhaman
- The Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, R92 Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK
| | - Clare Grant
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Abhay Kotecha
- The Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Elizabeth Fry
- The Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Bryan Charleston
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - David I Stuart
- The Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK
| | - John Hammond
- The Pirbright Institute, Ash Road, Pirbright, Woking, GU24 0NF, UK
| | - Raymond J Owens
- The Division of Structural Biology, Henry Wellcome Building for Genomic Medicine, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, OX3 7BN, UK; Research Complex at Harwell, R92 Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, OX11 0FA, UK.
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19
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Gilman MSA, Furmanova-Hollenstein P, Pascual G, B van 't Wout A, Langedijk JPM, McLellan JS. Transient opening of trimeric prefusion RSV F proteins. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2105. [PMID: 31068578 PMCID: PMC6506550 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09807-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) F glycoprotein is a class I fusion protein that mediates viral entry and is a major target of neutralizing antibodies. Structures of prefusion forms of RSV F, as well as other class I fusion proteins, have revealed compact trimeric arrangements, yet whether these trimeric forms can transiently open remains unknown. Here, we perform structural and biochemical studies on a recently isolated antibody, CR9501, and demonstrate that it enhances the opening of prefusion-stabilized RSV F trimers. The 3.3 Å crystal structure of monomeric RSV F bound to CR9501, combined with analysis of over 25 previously determined RSV F structures, reveals a breathing motion of the prefusion conformation. We also demonstrate that full-length RSV F trimers transiently open and dissociate on the cell surface. Collectively, these findings have implications for the function of class I fusion proteins, as well as antibody prophylaxis and vaccine development for RSV.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/metabolism
- Antibodies, Viral/chemistry
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/metabolism
- B-Lymphocytes/virology
- Chlorocebus aethiops
- Computer Simulation
- Crystallography, X-Ray
- Drug Development
- HEK293 Cells
- HeLa Cells
- Humans
- Models, Molecular
- Protein Multimerization/physiology
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/immunology
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/prevention & control
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/virology
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccines/immunology
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/isolation & purification
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/physiology
- Vero Cells
- Viral Fusion Proteins/chemistry
- Viral Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Viral Fusion Proteins/metabolism
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan S A Gilman
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, 03755, USA
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | | | - Gabriel Pascual
- Janssen Immunosciences, World Without Disease Accelerator, San Diego, CA, 92121, USA
| | - Angélique B van 't Wout
- Janssen Prevention Center, Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V, Leiden, CN, 2333, The Netherlands
- AlphaBiomics, London, SW4 0PA, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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20
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Xie Q, Wang Z, Ni F, Chen X, Ma J, Patel N, Lu H, Liu Y, Tian JH, Flyer D, Massare MJ, Ellingsworth L, Glenn G, Smith G, Wang Q. Structure basis of neutralization by a novel site II/IV antibody against respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0210749. [PMID: 30730999 PMCID: PMC6366758 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in newborns, young children, and the elderly for which there is no vaccine. The RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein is a major target for vaccine development. Here, we describe a novel monoclonal antibody (designated as R4.C6) that recognizes both pre-fusion and post-fusion RSV F, and binds with nanomole affinity to a unique neutralizing site comprised of antigenic sites II and IV on the globular head. A 3.9 Å-resolution structure of RSV F-R4.C6 Fab complex was obtained by single particle cryo-electron microscopy and 3D reconstruction. The structure unraveled detailed interactions of R4.C6 with antigenic site II on one protomer and site IV on a neighboring protomer of post-fusion RSV F protein. These findings significantly further our understanding of the antigenic complexity of the F protein and provide new insights into RSV vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingqing Xie
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Zhao Wang
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Fengyun Ni
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Xiaorui Chen
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Jianpeng Ma
- Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nita Patel
- Novavax, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hanxin Lu
- Novavax, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ye Liu
- Novavax, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jing-Hui Tian
- Novavax, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | - David Flyer
- Novavax, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | | | | | - Gregory Glenn
- Novavax, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gale Smith
- Novavax, Inc., Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GS); (QW)
| | - Qinghua Wang
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GS); (QW)
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21
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Song J, Wang H, Ng TI, Cui A, Zhu S, Huang Y, Sun L, Yang Z, Yu D, Yu P, Zhang H, Zhang Y, Xu W. Sequence Analysis of the Fusion Protein Gene of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Circulating in China from 2003 to 2014. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17618. [PMID: 30514963 PMCID: PMC6279739 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35894-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) fusion (F) protein is important for HRSV infection, but few studies have examined the genetic diversity of the F gene from Chinese samples. In this study, a total of 330 HRSV F sequences collected from different regions of China between 2003 and 2014 were analyzed to understand their genetic characteristics. In addition, these sequences were compared with 1150 HRSV F sequences in Genbank from 18 other countries. In phylogenetic analysis, Chinese HRSV F sequences sorted into a number of clusters containing sequences from China as well as other countries. F sequences from different genotypes (as determined based on the G gene sequences) within a HRSV subgroup could be found in the same clusters in phylogenetic trees generated based on F gene sequences. Amino acid analysis showed that HRSV F sequences from China and other countries were highly conserved. Of interest, F protein sequences from all Chinese samples were completely conserved at the palivizumab binding site, thus predicting the susceptibility of these strains to this neutralizing antibody. In conclusion, HRSV F sequences from China between 2003 and 2014, similar to those from other countries, were highly conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Song
- WHO WPRO Regional Reference Measles/Rubella Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Huiling Wang
- WHO WPRO Regional Reference Measles/Rubella Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | | | - Aili Cui
- WHO WPRO Regional Reference Measles/Rubella Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangli Zhu
- WHO WPRO Regional Reference Measles/Rubella Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanzhi Huang
- Jilin Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Changchun, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwei Sun
- Jilin Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Changchun, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Zifeng Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Deshan Yu
- Gansu Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Lanzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Pengbo Yu
- Shaanxi Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Xian, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Hunan Provincial Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Zhang
- WHO WPRO Regional Reference Measles/Rubella Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wenbo Xu
- WHO WPRO Regional Reference Measles/Rubella Laboratory and Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
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22
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Design and characterization of a fusion glycoprotein vaccine for Respiratory Syncytial Virus with improved stability. Vaccine 2018; 36:8119-8130. [PMID: 30340881 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infection in both young children and older adults. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine available, and therapeutic options are limited. The infectious RSV particle is decorated with a type I viral fusion (F) glycoprotein that structurally rearranges from a metastable prefusion form to a highly stable postfusion form. In people naturally infected with RSV, the neutralizing antibodies primarily recognize the prefusion conformation. Therefore, engineered RSV F protein stabilized in its prefusion conformation has been an attractive strategy for developing RSV F vaccine antigens. Long-term stability at 4 °C or higher is a desirable attribute for a RSV F subunit vaccine antigen. We have previously shown that a prefusion stabilized RSV F construct, DS-Cav1, undergoes conformational changes and forms intermediate structures upon long-term storage at 4 °C. Structure-based design was performed to improve the stability of the RSV F subunit vaccine. We identified additional mutations that further stabilize RSV F protein in its prefusion conformation by using binding to a previously described antigenic site I antibody 4D7 as the screening tool. In addition, we designed and identified variants with increased expression levels, which is another desirable attribute for a subunit vaccine. Our data suggested that an RSV F variant F111 is properly folded, and has improved heat stability as well as stability upon long-term storage at 4 °C. A mouse immunogenicity study demonstrated that no compromise in immunogenicity (both binding and neutralizing antibody levels) was observed with the introduction of these additional mutations.
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23
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Mas V, Nair H, Campbell H, Melero JA, Williams TC. Antigenic and sequence variability of the human respiratory syncytial virus F glycoprotein compared to related viruses in a comprehensive dataset. Vaccine 2018; 36:6660-6673. [PMID: 30292456 PMCID: PMC6203811 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.09.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2018] [Revised: 09/18/2018] [Accepted: 09/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A comprehensive analysis of sequence variation was carried out comparing the fusion (F) protein of human respiratory syncytial viruses (hRSV) from antigenic groups A and B with the prototype sequence of the A2 strain, also belonging to antigenic group A. The limited number of full bovine RSV F sequences available were included, as well as an extensive set of F sequences from the related human metapneumovirus (hMPV). The results were analysed in the context of the recently determined three dimensional F protein structures, with antigenic sites mapped to these. Although a high degree of sequence conservation in hRSV F exists, and sequence changes did not correlate with location of antigenic sites, preferential accumulation of amino acid changes in certain antigenic sites was noted. When the analysis was extended to hMPV F, a high number of changes was noticed, in agreement with the limited degree of sequence conservation. However, some conserved regions were noted, which may account for the limited number of cross-reactive monoclonal antibodies described between hRSV F and hMPV F. These results provide information about the degree of sequence and antigenic variation currently found in the F protein of circulating viruses. They highlight the importance of establishing a baseline dataset to monitor for future changes that might evolve should preventative immunological measures be made widely available.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Harish Nair
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Harry Campbell
- Usher Institute of Population Health Sciences and Informatics, University of Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jose A Melero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Thomas C Williams
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK.
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24
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Hashimoto K, Hosoya M. Neutralizing epitopes of RSV and palivizumab resistance in Japan. Fukushima J Med Sci 2017; 63:127-134. [PMID: 28867684 PMCID: PMC5792496 DOI: 10.5387/fms.2017-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the most important viral pathogen related to acute lower respiratory infection in young children. The virus surface envelope contains the G, F, and SH proteins as spike proteins. The F protein is considered to be a major antigenic target for the neutralizing (NT) epitope as only the F protein is essential for cell infection among the three viral envelope proteins, and it is more highly conserved than the G protein. Recently, four antigenic targets related to NT activity have been reported;site I, site II, site IV, and site zero (0). Site II is the target for palivizumab used throughout the world to suppress severe RSV infection as passive immunity in high-risk children since 1998. Under the recent conditions in which indications for palivizumab administered subjects are being expanded, palivizumab-resistant mutations have been confirmed overseas in children with RSV infection, although they remain infrequent. Therefore, continuous genetic analysis of the palivizumab-binding region of the F protein is necessary. In addition, as vaccine development progresses, RSV infection control is expected to improve greatly over the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koichi Hashimoto
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University
| | - Mitsuaki Hosoya
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Fukushima Medical University
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25
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Clark CM, Guerrero-Plata A. Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccine Approaches: a Current Overview. CURRENT CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2017; 4:202-207. [PMID: 30009126 PMCID: PMC6040676 DOI: 10.1007/s40588-017-0074-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a global human pathogen responsible for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). While RSV infection is innocuous in healthy adults, it is the leading cause of infant hospitalization for respiratory tract infection. Nearly everyone shows evidence of an RSV infection by the age of 3. However, there is still not a vaccine commercially available. This review will provide an update on the clinical and preclinical vaccine studies and different approaches to prevent RSV infection. RECENT FINDINGS Novel vaccine approaches that induce protection against RSV without enhancement of respiratory tract disease. SUMMARY Recent technological approaches have led to generation of different strategies to prevent RSV infection, including live attenuated, chimeric, and subunit vaccines, virus-like particles, and nanoparticles. These vaccine approaches represent promising candidates towards an efficient RSV vaccine that effectively protects infants, children, and adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn M Clark
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
| | - Antonieta Guerrero-Plata
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Center for Experimental Infectious Disease Research, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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26
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Clinical Potential of Prefusion RSV F-specific Antibodies. Trends Microbiol 2017; 26:209-219. [PMID: 29054341 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2017.09.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in the very young. The RSV fusion protein (F) is essential for virus entry because it mediates viral and host membrane fusion. During this fusion process F is converted from a metastable prefusion conformation into an energetically favored postfusion state. Antibodies that target F can prevent viral entry and reduce disease caused by RSV. During recent years, many prefusion F-specific antibodies have been described. These antibodies typically have stronger RSV-neutralizing activity compared to those that also bind F in the postfusion conformation. Here, we describe how F-specific antibodies protect against RSV and why specifically targeting prefusion F could have great clinical potential.
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27
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Respiratory Syncytial Virus: Infection, Detection, and New Options for Prevention and Treatment. Clin Microbiol Rev 2017; 30:277-319. [PMID: 27903593 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00010-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 342] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a significant cause of hospitalization of children in North America and one of the leading causes of death of infants less than 1 year of age worldwide, second only to malaria. Despite its global impact on human health, there are relatively few therapeutic options available to prevent or treat RSV infection. Paradoxically, there is a very large volume of information that is constantly being refined on RSV replication, the mechanisms of RSV-induced pathology, and community transmission. Compounding the burden of acute RSV infections is the exacerbation of preexisting chronic airway diseases and the chronic sequelae of RSV infection. A mechanistic link is even starting to emerge between asthma and those who suffer severe RSV infection early in childhood. In this article, we discuss developments in the understanding of RSV replication, pathogenesis, diagnostics, and therapeutics. We attempt to reconcile the large body of information on RSV and why after many clinical trials there is still no efficacious RSV vaccine and few therapeutics.
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28
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Jaberolansar N, Chappell KJ, Watterson D, Bermingham IM, Toth I, Young PR, Skwarczynski M. Induction of high titred, non-neutralising antibodies by self-adjuvanting peptide epitopes derived from the respiratory syncytial virus fusion protein. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11130. [PMID: 28894111 PMCID: PMC5593926 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10415-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes severe lower respiratory tract illness in infants and young children. The significant morbidity and mortality rates associated with RSV infection make an effective RSV vaccine development a priority. Two neutralising antibody binding sites, Ø and II, located on the pre-fusion RSV F glycoprotein are prime candidates for epitope-focused vaccine design. We report on a vaccine strategy that utilises a lipid core peptide (LCP) delivery system with self-adjuvanting properties in conjunction with either the antigenic site Ø or II (B cell epitopes) along with PADRE as a T helper cell epitope. These LCP constructs adopted the desired helical conformation in solution and were recognised by their cognate antibodies D25 and Motavizumab, specific for site Ø and II on RSV F protein, respectively. The LCP constructs were capable of eliciting higher levels of antigen specific antibodies than those induced by antigens administered with complete Freund's adjuvant, demonstrating the potent adjuvanting properties of LCP delivery. However, the antibodies induced failed to recognise native F protein or neutralise virus infectivity. These results provide a note of caution in assuming that peptide vaccines, successfully designed to structurally mimic minimal linear B cell epitopes, will necessarily elicit the desired immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Jaberolansar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Keith J Chappell
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Daniel Watterson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Imogen M Bermingham
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia
| | - Paul R Young
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
- Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
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29
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Vandini S, Biagi C, Lanari M. Respiratory Syncytial Virus: The Influence of Serotype and Genotype Variability on Clinical Course of Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:ijms18081717. [PMID: 28783078 PMCID: PMC5578107 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18081717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Revised: 07/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) belongs to the recently defined Pneumoviridae family, Orthopneumovirus genus. It is the leading cause of acute bronchiolitis and one of the most common causes of infant viral death worldwide, with infection typically occurring as recurrent seasonal epidemics. There are two major RSV subtypes, A and B, and multiple genotypes, which can coexist during RSV epidemic season every year and result in different disease severity. Recently, new RSV genomic sequences and analysis of RSV genotypes have provided important data for understanding RSV pathogenesis. Novel RSV strains do spread rapidly and widely, and a knowledge of viral strain-specific phenotypes may be important in order to include the more virulent strains in future therapeutical options and vaccine development. Here we summarize recent literature exploring genetic and molecular aspects related to RSV infection, their impact on the clinical course of the disease and their potential utility in the development of safe and effective preventive and therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Vandini
- Pediatrics and Neonatology Unit, Imola Hospital, 40026 Imola, Italy.
| | - Carlotta Biagi
- Department of Pediatric Emergency, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
| | - Marcello Lanari
- Department of Pediatric Emergency, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy.
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30
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Lau JW, Kim YI, Murphy R, Newman R, Yang X, Zody M, DeVincenzo J, Grad YH. Deep sequencing of RSV from an adult challenge study and from naturally infected infants reveals heterogeneous diversification dynamics. Virology 2017; 510:289-296. [PMID: 28779686 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2017.07.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As RNA virus mutation occurs during replication within host cells, we hypothesized that viral evolution during acute infections in healthy hosts reflects host immune pressure. We therefore investigated the within-host diversification of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a highly prevalent cause of acute respiratory infections. We evaluated healthy adults experimentally infected with an identical inoculum and infants hospitalized with naturally acquired infections. In aggregate, viral diversification in adults peaked at day 3, with overrepresentation of diversity in the matrix protein 2 (M2) and non-structural protein 2 (NS2) genes. In one subject, delayed viral clearance was accompanied by a late peak of diversity at day 10 in known and predicted B and T cell epitopes. In contrast, infant infections showed much less viral diversity. Our findings suggest multiple overlapping mechanisms for early control of acute viral infections, which may differ between age groups and host immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica W Lau
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Young-In Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis, TN 38103, United States; Children's Foundation Research Institute at LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
| | - Ryan Murphy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
| | - Ruchi Newman
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States
| | - Xiao Yang
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States
| | - Michael Zody
- Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, United States
| | - John DeVincenzo
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis, TN 38103, United States; Children's Foundation Research Institute at LeBonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN 38103, United States; Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis, TN 38103, United States
| | - Yonatan H Grad
- Department of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, United States; Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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31
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Hause AM, Henke DM, Avadhanula V, Shaw CA, Tapia LI, Piedra PA. Sequence variability of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion gene among contemporary and historical genotypes of RSV/A and RSV/B. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0175792. [PMID: 28414749 PMCID: PMC5393888 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The fusion (F) protein of RSV is the major vaccine target. This protein undergoes a conformational change from pre-fusion to post-fusion. Both conformations share antigenic sites II and IV. Pre-fusion F has unique antigenic sites p27, ø, α2α3β3β4, and MPE8; whereas, post-fusion F has unique antigenic site I. Our objective was to determine the antigenic variability for RSV/A and RSV/B isolates from contemporary and historical genotypes compared to a historical RSV/A strain. Methods The F sequences of isolates from GenBank, Houston, and Chile (N = 1,090) were used for this analysis. Sequences were compared pair-wise to a reference sequence, a historical RSV/A Long strain. Variability (calculated as %) was defined as changes at each amino acid (aa) position when compared to the reference sequence. Only aa at antigenic sites with variability ≥5% were reported. Results A total of 1,090 sequences (822 RSV/A and 268 RSV/B) were analyzed. When compared to the reference F, those domains with the greatest number of non-synonymous changes included the signal peptide, p27, heptad repeat domain 2, antigenic site ø, and the transmembrane domain. RSV/A subgroup had 7 aa changes in the antigenic sites: site I (N = 1), II (N = 1), p27 (N = 4), α2α3β3β4(AM14) (N = 1), ranging in frequency from 7–91%. In comparison, RSV/B had 19 aa changes in antigenic sites: I (N = 3), II (N = 1), p27 (N = 9), ø (N = 4), α2α3β3β4(AM14) (N = 1), and MPE8 (N = 1), ranging in frequency from 79–100%. Discussion Although antigenic sites of RSV F are generally well conserved, differences are observed when comparing the two subgroups to the reference RSV/A Long strain. Further, these discrepancies are accented in the antigenic sites in pre-fusion F of RSV/B isolates, often occurring with a frequency of 100%. This could be of importance if a monovalent F protein from the historical GA1 genotype of RSV/A is used for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne M. Hause
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David M. Henke
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Vasanthi Avadhanula
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Chad A. Shaw
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Lorena I. Tapia
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Surgery, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
- Virology Program, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Pedro A. Piedra
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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32
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Drug candidates and model systems in respiratory syncytial virus antiviral drug discovery. Biochem Pharmacol 2017; 127:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2016.09.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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33
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Hervé PL, Deloizy C, Descamps D, Rameix-Welti MA, Fix J, McLellan JS, Eléouët JF, Riffault S. RSV N-nanorings fused to palivizumab-targeted neutralizing epitope as a nanoparticle RSV vaccine. NANOMEDICINE : NANOTECHNOLOGY, BIOLOGY, AND MEDICINE 2017; 13:411-420. [PMID: 27553073 PMCID: PMC5698904 DOI: 10.1016/j.nano.2016.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 07/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/03/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute respiratory infections in children, yet no vaccine is available. The sole licensed preventive treatment against RSV is composed of a monoclonal neutralizing antibody (palivizumab), which targets a conformational epitope located on the fusion protein (F). Palivizumab reduces the burden of bronchiolitis but does not prevent infection. Thus, the development of RSV vaccines remains a priority. We previously evaluated nanorings formed by RSV nucleoprotein (N) as an RSV vaccine, as well as an immunostimulatory carrier for heterologous antigens. Here, we linked the palivizumab-targeted epitope (called FsII) to N, to generate N-FsII-nanorings. Intranasal N-FsII immunization elicited anti-F antibodies in mice that were non-neutralizing in vitro. Nevertheless, RSV-challenged animals were better protected against virus replication than mice immunized with N-nanorings, especially in the upper airways. In conclusion, an N-FsII-focused vaccine is an attractive candidate combining N-specific cellular immunity and F-specific antibodies for protection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti
- INSERM U1173, UFR Simone Veil, UVSQ, Saint-Quentin en Yvelines, France; AP-HP, Ambroise Paré Hospital, Microbiology Laboratory, Boulogne-Billancourt, France
| | - Jenna Fix
- VIM, INRA, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH, USA
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Jans J, Wicht O, Widjaja I, Ahout IML, de Groot R, Guichelaar T, Luytjes W, de Jonge MI, de Haan CAM, Ferwerda G. Characteristics of RSV-Specific Maternal Antibodies in Plasma of Hospitalized, Acute RSV Patients under Three Months of Age. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0170877. [PMID: 28135305 PMCID: PMC5279754 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0170877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause for respiratory illness that requires hospitalization in infancy. High levels of maternal antibodies can protect against RSV infection. However, RSV-infected infants can suffer from severe disease symptoms even in the presence of high levels of RSV-specific antibodies. This study analyzes several serological characteristics to explore potential deficiencies or surpluses of antibodies that could relate to severe disease symptoms. We compare serum antibodies from hospitalized patients who suffered severe symptoms as well as uninfected infants. Disease severity markers were oxygen therapy, tachypnea, oxygen saturation, admission to the intensive care unit and duration of hospitalization. Antibodies against RSV G protein and a prefusion F epitope correlated with in vitro neutralization. Avidity of RSV-specific IgG antibodies was lower in RSV-infected infants compared to uninfected controls. Severe disease symptoms were unrelated to RSV-specific IgG antibody titers, avidity of RSV-IgG, virus neutralization capacity or titers against pre- and postfusion F or G protein ectodomains and the prefusion F antigenic site Ø. In conclusion, the detailed serological characterization did not indicate dysfunctional or epitope-skewed composition of serum antibodies in hospitalized RSV-infected infants suffering from severe disease symptoms. It remains unclear, whether specific antibody fractions could diminish disease symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jop Jans
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Oliver Wicht
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Ivy Widjaja
- Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Inge M. L. Ahout
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald de Groot
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Teun Guichelaar
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Willem Luytjes
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Marien I. de Jonge
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis A. M. de Haan
- Virology Division, Department of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Gerben Ferwerda
- Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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Gilman MSA, Castellanos CA, Chen M, Ngwuta JO, Goodwin E, Moin SM, Mas V, Melero JA, Wright PF, Graham BS, McLellan JS, Walker LM. Rapid profiling of RSV antibody repertoires from the memory B cells of naturally infected adult donors. Sci Immunol 2016; 1:eaaj1879. [PMID: 28111638 PMCID: PMC5244814 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aaj1879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes substantial morbidity and mortality in young children and the elderly. There are currently no licensed RSV vaccines, and passive prophylaxis with the monoclonal antibody palivizumab is restricted to high-risk infants in part due to its modest efficacy. Although it is widely agreed that an effective RSV vaccine will require the induction of a potent neutralizing antibody response against the RSV fusion (F) glycoprotein, little is known about the specificities and functional activities of RSV F-specific antibodies induced by natural infection. Here, we have comprehensively profiled the human antibody response to RSV F by isolating and characterizing 364 RSV F-specific monoclonal antibodies from the memory B cells of three healthy adult donors. In all donors, the antibody response to RSV F is comprised of a broad diversity of clones that target several antigenic sites. Nearly half of the most potent antibodies target a previously undefined site of vulnerability near the apex of the prefusion conformation of RSV F (preF), providing strong support for the development of RSV vaccine candidates that preserve the membrane-distal hemisphere of the preF protein. Additionally, the antibodies targeting this new site display convergent sequence features, thus providing a future means to rapidly detect the presence of these antibodies in human vaccine samples. Many of the antibodies that bind preF-specific surfaces are over 100 times more potent than palivizumab, and several cross-neutralize human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Taken together, the results have implications for the design and evaluation of RSV vaccine candidates and offer new options for passive prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan S. A. Gilman
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | | | - Man Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Joan O. Ngwuta
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Syed M. Moin
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Melero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Peter F. Wright
- Department of Pediatrics, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Barney S. Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Jason S. McLellan
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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36
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Trivalency of a Nanobody Specific for the Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Glycoprotein Drastically Enhances Virus Neutralization and Impacts Escape Mutant Selection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:6498-6509. [PMID: 27550346 DOI: 10.1128/aac.00842-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
ALX-0171 is a trivalent Nanobody derived from monovalent Nb017 that binds to antigenic site II of the human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) fusion (F) glycoprotein. ALX-0171 is about 6,000 to 10,000 times more potent than Nb017 in neutralization tests with strains of hRSV antigenic groups A and B. To explore the effect of this enhanced neutralization on escape mutant selection, viruses resistant to either ALX-0171 or Nb017 were isolated after serial passage of the hRSV Long strain in the presence of suboptimal concentrations of the respective Nanobodies. Resistant viruses emerged notably faster with Nb017 than with ALX-0171 and in both cases contained amino acid changes in antigenic site II of hRSV F. Detailed binding and neutralization analyses of these escape mutants as well as previously described mutants resistant to certain monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) offered a comprehensive description of site II mutations which are relevant for neutralization by MAbs and Nanobodies. Notably, ALX-0171 showed a sizeable neutralization potency with most escape mutants, even with some of those selected with the Nanobody, and these findings make ALX-0171 an attractive antiviral for treatment of hRSV infections.
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37
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Flynn JA, Durr E, Swoyer R, Cejas PJ, Horton MS, Galli JD, Cosmi SA, Espeseth AS, Bett AJ, Zhang L. Stability Characterization of a Vaccine Antigen Based on the Respiratory Syncytial Virus Fusion Glycoprotein. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0164789. [PMID: 27764150 PMCID: PMC5072732 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/02/2016] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) causes both upper and lower respiratory tract disease in humans, leading to significant morbidity and mortality in both young children and older adults. Currently, there is no licensed vaccine available, and therapeutic options are limited. During the infection process, the type I viral fusion (F) glycoprotein on the surface of the RSV particle rearranges from a metastable prefusion conformation to a highly stable postfusion form. In people naturally infected with RSV, most potent neutralizing antibodies are directed to the prefusion form of the F protein. Therefore, an engineered RSV F protein stabilized in the prefusion conformation (DS-Cav1) is an attractive vaccine candidate. Long-term stability at 4°C or higher is a desirable attribute for a commercial subunit vaccine antigen. To assess the stability of DS-Cav1, we developed assays using D25, an antibody which recognizes the prefusion F-specific antigenic site Ø, and a novel antibody 4D7, which was found to bind antigenic site I on the postfusion form of RSV F. Biophysical analysis indicated that, upon long-term storage at 4°C, DS-Cav1 undergoes a conformational change, adopting alternate structures that concomitantly lose the site Ø epitope and gain the ability to bind 4D7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica A. Flynn
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Eberhard Durr
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Ryan Swoyer
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Pedro J. Cejas
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Melanie S. Horton
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Jennifer D. Galli
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Scott A. Cosmi
- Eurofins Lancaster Laboratories Professional Scientific Services, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Amy S. Espeseth
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Andrew J. Bett
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Lan Zhang
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, MRL, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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38
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Structural, antigenic and immunogenic features of respiratory syncytial virus glycoproteins relevant for vaccine development. Vaccine 2016; 35:461-468. [PMID: 27692522 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2016.09.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 09/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Extraordinary progress in the structure and immunobiology of the human respiratory syncytial virus glycoproteins has been accomplished during the last few years. Determination of the fusion (F) glycoprotein structure folded in either the prefusion or the postfusion conformation was an inspiring breakthrough not only to understand the structural changes associated with the membrane fusion process but additionally to appreciate the antigenic intricacies of the F protein. Furthermore, these developments have opened new avenues for structure-based designs of promising hRSV vaccine candidates. Finally, recent advances in our knowledge of the attachment (G) glycoprotein and its interaction with cell-surface receptors have revitalized interest in this molecule as a vaccine, as well as its role in hRSV immunobiology.
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Boyington JC, Joyce MG, Sastry M, Stewart-Jones GBE, Chen M, Kong WP, Ngwuta JO, Thomas PV, Tsybovsky Y, Yang Y, Zhang B, Chen L, Druz A, Georgiev IS, Ko K, Zhou T, Mascola JR, Graham BS, Kwong PD. Structure-Based Design of Head-Only Fusion Glycoprotein Immunogens for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159709. [PMID: 27463224 PMCID: PMC4963090 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of severe respiratory illness worldwide, particularly in infants, young children, and the elderly. Although no licensed vaccine is currently available, an engineered version of the metastable RSV fusion (F) surface glycoprotein-stabilized in the pre-fusion (pre-F) conformation by "DS-Cav1" mutations-elicits high titer RSV-neutralizing responses. Moreover, pre-F-specific antibodies, often against the neutralization-sensitive antigenic site Ø in the membrane-distal head region of trimeric F glycoprotein, comprise a substantial portion of the human response to natural RSV infection. To focus the vaccine-elicited response to antigenic site Ø, we designed a series of RSV F immunogens that comprised the membrane-distal head of the F glycoprotein in its pre-F conformation. These "head-only" immunogens formed monomers, dimers, and trimers. Antigenic analysis revealed that a majority of the 70 engineered head-only immunogens displayed reactivity to site Ø-targeting antibodies, which was similar to that of the parent RSV F DS-Cav1 trimers, often with increased thermostability. We evaluated four of these head-only immunogens in detail, probing their recognition by antibodies, their physical stability, structure, and immunogenicity. When tested in naïve mice, a head-only trimer, half the size of the parent RSV F trimer, induced RSV titers, which were statistically comparable to those induced by DS-Cav1. When used to boost DS-Cav1-primed mice, two head-only RSV F immunogens, a dimer and a trimer, boosted RSV-neutralizing titers to levels that were comparable to those boosted by DS-Cav1, although with higher site Ø-directed responses. Our results provide proof-of-concept for the ability of the smaller head-only RSV F immunogens to focus the vaccine-elicited response to antigenic site Ø. Decent primary immunogenicity, enhanced physical stability, potential ease of manufacture, and potent immunogenicity upon boosting suggest these head-only RSV F immunogens, engineered to retain the pre-fusion conformation, may have advantages as candidate RSV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey C. Boyington
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - M. Gordon Joyce
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Mallika Sastry
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Guillaume B. E. Stewart-Jones
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Man Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Wing-Pui Kong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Joan O. Ngwuta
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Paul V. Thomas
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc., Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yongping Yang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Baoshan Zhang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Lei Chen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Aliaksandr Druz
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Ivelin S. Georgiev
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Kiyoon Ko
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Tongqing Zhou
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - John R. Mascola
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Barney S. Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States of America
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40
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Melero JA. Influence of antigen conformation and mode of presentation on the antibody and protective responses against human respiratory syncytial virus: relevance for vaccine development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2016; 15:1319-25. [DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2016.1175941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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41
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Detalle L, Stohr T, Palomo C, Piedra PA, Gilbert BE, Mas V, Millar A, Power UF, Stortelers C, Allosery K, Melero JA, Depla E. Generation and Characterization of ALX-0171, a Potent Novel Therapeutic Nanobody for the Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2016; 60:6-13. [PMID: 26438495 PMCID: PMC4704182 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01802-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 190] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 09/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important causative agent of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and elderly individuals. Its fusion (F) protein is critical for virus infection. It is targeted by several investigational antivirals and by palivizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody used prophylactically in infants considered at high risk of severe RSV disease. ALX-0171 is a trimeric Nanobody that binds the antigenic site II of RSV F protein with subnanomolar affinity. ALX-0171 demonstrated in vitro neutralization superior to that of palivizumab against prototypic RSV subtype A and B strains. Moreover, ALX-0171 completely blocked replication to below the limit of detection for 87% of the viruses tested, whereas palivizumab did so for 18% of the viruses tested at a fixed concentration. Importantly, ALX-0171 was highly effective in reducing both nasal and lung RSV titers when delivered prophylactically or therapeutically directly to the lungs of cotton rats. ALX-0171 represents a potent novel antiviral compound with significant potential to treat RSV-mediated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Concepción Palomo
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro A Piedra
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Brian E Gilbert
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrena Millar
- Centre for Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | - Ultan F Power
- Centre for Infection and Immunity, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - José A Melero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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42
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Gómez RS, Ramirez BA, Céspedes PF, Cautivo KM, Riquelme SA, Prado CE, González PA, Kalergis AM. Contribution of Fcγ receptors to human respiratory syncytial virus pathogenesis and the impairment of T-cell activation by dendritic cells. Immunology 2016; 147:55-72. [PMID: 26451966 PMCID: PMC4693880 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2015] [Revised: 09/16/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is the leading cause of infant hospitalization related to respiratory disease. Infection with hRSV produces abundant infiltration of immune cells into the airways, which combined with an exacerbated pro-inflammatory immune response can lead to significant damage to the lungs. Human RSV re-infection is extremely frequent, suggesting that this virus may have evolved molecular mechanisms that interfere with host adaptive immunity. Infection with hRSV can be reduced by administering a humanized neutralizing antibody against the virus fusion protein in high-risk infants. Although neutralizing antibodies against hRSV effectively block the infection of airway epithelial cells, here we show that both, bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DCs) and lung DCs undergo infection with IgG-coated virus (hRSV-IC), albeit abortive. Yet, this is enough to negatively modulate DC function. We observed that such a process is mediated by Fcγ receptors (FcγRs) expressed on the surface of DCs. Remarkably, we also observed that in the absence of hRSV-specific antibodies FcγRIII knockout mice displayed significantly less cellular infiltration in the lungs after hRSV infection, compared with wild-type mice, suggesting a potentially harmful, IgG-independent role for this receptor in hRSV disease. Our findings support the notion that FcγRs can contribute significantly to the modulation of DC function by hRSV and hRSV-IC. Further, we provide evidence for an involvement of FcγRIII in the development of hRSV pathogenesis.
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MESH Headings
- Adaptive Immunity
- Animals
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/pharmacology
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antibodies, Viral/metabolism
- Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
- Cells, Cultured
- Coculture Techniques
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Dendritic Cells/drug effects
- Dendritic Cells/immunology
- Dendritic Cells/metabolism
- Dendritic Cells/virology
- Disease Models, Animal
- Immunoglobulin G/immunology
- Immunoglobulin G/metabolism
- Lung/drug effects
- Lung/immunology
- Lung/metabolism
- Lung/virology
- Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Palivizumab/pharmacology
- Receptors, IgG/deficiency
- Receptors, IgG/genetics
- Receptors, IgG/immunology
- Receptors, IgG/metabolism
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/drug therapy
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/genetics
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/immunology
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/metabolism
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/virology
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/drug effects
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/immunology
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/pathogenicity
- Signal Transduction
- T-Lymphocytes/drug effects
- T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- T-Lymphocytes/metabolism
- T-Lymphocytes/virology
- Viral Load
- Virus Replication
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto S. Gómez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
| | - Bruno A. Ramirez
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
| | - Pablo F. Céspedes
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
| | - Kelly M. Cautivo
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
| | - Sebastián A. Riquelme
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
- INSERM U1064NantesFrance
| | - Carolina E. Prado
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
| | - Pablo A. González
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
| | - Alexis M. Kalergis
- Millennium Institute on Immunology and ImmunotherapyDepartamento de Genética Molecular y MicrobiologíaFacultad de Ciencias BiológicasPontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
- INSERM U1064NantesFrance
- Departamento de ReumatologíaFacultad de Medicina. Pontificia Universidad Católica de ChileSantiago de ChileChile
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GS-5806 Inhibits a Broad Range of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Clinical Isolates by Blocking the Virus-Cell Fusion Process. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2015; 60:1264-73. [PMID: 26666922 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01497-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children. In addition, RSV causes significant morbidity and mortality in hospitalized elderly and immunocompromised patients. Currently, only palivizumab, a monoclonal antibody against the RSV fusion (F) protein, and inhaled ribavirin are approved for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of RSV, respectively. Therefore, there is a clinical need for safe and effective therapeutic agents for RSV infections. GS-5806, discovered via chemical optimization of a hit from a high-throughput antiviral-screening campaign, selectively inhibits a diverse set of 75 RSV subtype A and B clinical isolates (mean 50% effective concentration [EC50] = 0.43 nM). The compound maintained potency in primary human airway epithelial cells and exhibited low cytotoxicity in human cell lines and primary cell cultures (selectivity > 23,000-fold). Time-of-addition and temperature shift studies demonstrated that GS-5806 does not block RSV attachment to cells but interferes with virus entry. Follow-up experiments showed potent inhibition of RSV F-mediated cell-to-cell fusion. RSV A and B variants resistant to GS-5806, due to mutations in F protein (RSV A, L138F or F140L/N517I, and RSV B, F488L or F488S), were isolated and showed cross-resistance to other RSV fusion inhibitors, such as VP-14637, but remained fully sensitive to palivizumab and ribavirin. In summary, GS-5806 is a potent and selective RSV fusion inhibitor with antiviral activity against a diverse set of RSV clinical isolates. The compound is currently under clinical investigation for the treatment of RSV infection in pediatric, immunocompromised, and elderly patients.
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Jaberolansar N, Toth I, Young PR, Skwarczynski M. Recent advances in the development of subunit-based RSV vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 15:53-68. [PMID: 26506139 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1105134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower respiratory tract infections causing pneumonia and bronchiolitis in infants. RSV also causes serious illness in elderly populations, immunocompromised patients and individuals with pulmonary or cardiac problems. The significant morbidity and mortality associated with RSV infection have prompted interest in RSV vaccine development. In the 1960s, a formalin-inactivated vaccine trial failed to protect children, and indeed enhanced pathology when naturally infected later with RSV. Hence, an alternative approach to traditional killed virus vaccines, which can induce protective immunity without serious adverse events, is desired. Several strategies have been explored in attempts to produce effective vaccine candidates including gene-based and subunit vaccines. Subunit-based vaccine approaches have shown promising efficacy in animal studies and several have reached clinical trials. The current stage of development of subunit-based vaccines against RSV is reviewed in this article.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noushin Jaberolansar
- a School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Queensland , Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- a School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Queensland , Australia.,b Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Queensland , Australia.,c School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Woolloongabba , Queensland , Australia
| | - Paul R Young
- a School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Queensland , Australia.,b Institute for Molecular Bioscience , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Queensland , Australia.,d Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Queensland , Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- a School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences , The University of Queensland , St Lucia , Queensland , Australia
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45
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Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Containing the F Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Confers Protection without Pulmonary Disease by Modulating Specific Subsets of Dendritic Cells and Effector T Cells. J Virol 2015; 89:11692-705. [PMID: 26355098 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02018-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED There is no licensed vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) since the failure of formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) due to its vaccine-enhanced disease. We investigated immune correlates conferring protection without causing disease after intranasal immunization with virus-like particle vaccine containing the RSV fusion protein (F VLP) in comparison to FI-RSV and live RSV. Upon RSV challenge, FI-RSV immune mice showed severe weight loss, eosinophilia, and histopathology, and RSV reinfection also caused substantial RSV disease despite their viral clearance. In contrast, F VLP immune mice showed least weight loss and no sign of histopathology and eosinophilia. High levels of interleukin-4-positive (IL-4(+)) and tumor necrosis factor alpha-positive (TNF-α(+)) CD4(+) T cells were found in FI-RSV immune mice, whereas gamma interferon-positive (IFN-γ(+)) and TNF-α(+) CD4(+) T cells were predominantly detected in live RSV-infected mice. More importantly, in contrast to FI-RSV and live RSV that induced higher levels of CD11b(+) dendritic cells, F VLP immunization induced CD8α(+) and CD103(+) dendritic cells, as well as F-specific IFN-γ(+) and TNF-α(+) CD8(+) T cells. These results suggest that F VLP can induce protection without causing pulmonary RSV disease by inducing RSV neutralizing antibodies, as well as modulating specific subsets of dendritic cells and CD8 T cell immunity. IMPORTANCE It has been a difficult challenge to develop an effective and safe vaccine against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a leading cause of respiratory disease. Immune correlates conferring protection but preventing vaccine-enhanced disease remain poorly understood. RSV F virus-like particle (VLP) would be an efficient vaccine platform conferring protection. Here, we investigated the protective immune correlates without causing disease after intranasal immunization with RSV F VLP in comparison to FI-RSV and live RSV. In addition to inducing RSV neutralizing antibodies responsible for clearing lung viral loads, we show that modulation of specific subsets of dendritic cells and CD8 T cells producing T helper type 1 cytokines are important immune correlates conferring protection but not causing vaccine-enhanced disease.
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Loomis RJ, Johnson PR. Emerging Vaccine Technologies. Vaccines (Basel) 2015; 3:429-47. [PMID: 26343196 PMCID: PMC4494353 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines3020429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Revised: 05/05/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination has proven to be an invaluable means of preventing infectious diseases by reducing both incidence of disease and mortality. However, vaccines have not been effectively developed for many diseases including HIV-1, hepatitis C virus (HCV), tuberculosis and malaria, among others. The emergence of new technologies with a growing understanding of host-pathogen interactions and immunity may lead to efficacious vaccines against pathogens, previously thought impossible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Loomis
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - Philip R Johnson
- The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Vaughan K, Ponomarenko J, Peters B, Sette A. Analysis of Human RSV Immunity at the Molecular Level: Learning from the Past and Present. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0127108. [PMID: 26001197 PMCID: PMC4441423 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0127108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Human RSV is one of the most prevalent viral pathogens of early childhood for which no vaccine is available. Herein we provide an analysis of RSV epitope data to examine its application to vaccine design and development. Our objective was to provide an overview of antigenic coverage, identify critical antibody and T cell determinants, and then analyze the cumulative RSV epitope data from the standpoint of functional responses using a combinational approach to characterize antigenic structure and epitope location. A review of the cumulative data revealed, not surprisingly, that the vast majority of epitopes have been defined for the two major surface antigens, F and G. Antibody and T cell determinants have been reported from multiple hosts, including those from human subjects following natural infection, however human data represent a minority of the data. A structural analysis of the major surface antigen, F, showed that the majority of epitopes defined for functional antibodies (neutralizing and/or protective) were either shown to bind pre-F or to be accessible in both pre- and post-F forms. This finding may have has implications for on-going vaccine design and development. These interpretations are in agreement with previous work and can be applied in the larger context of functional epitopes on the F protein. It is our hope that this work will provide the basis for further RSV-specific epitope discovery and investigation into the nature of antigen conformation in immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerrie Vaughan
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Julia Ponomarenko
- San Diego Supercomputer Center, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Bjoern Peters
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Alessandro Sette
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla, California, United States of America
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Schickli JH, Whitacre DC, Tang RS, Kaur J, Lawlor H, Peters CJ, Jones JE, Peterson DL, McCarthy MP, Van Nest G, Milich DR. Palivizumab epitope-displaying virus-like particles protect rodents from RSV challenge. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:1637-47. [PMID: 25751145 PMCID: PMC4409022 DOI: 10.1172/jci78450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of serious viral bronchiolitis in infants, young children, and the elderly. Currently, there is not an FDA-approved vaccine available for RSV, though the mAb palivizumab is licensed to reduce the incidence of RSV disease in premature or at-risk infants. The palivizumab epitope is a well-characterized, approximately 24-aa helix-loop-helix structure on the RSV fusion (F) protein (F254-277). Here, we genetically inserted this epitope and multiple site variants of this epitope within a versatile woodchuck hepadnavirus core-based virus-like particle (WHcAg-VLP) to generate hybrid VLPs that each bears 240 copies of the RSV epitope in a highly immunogenic arrayed format. A challenge of such an epitope-focused approach is that to be effective, the conformational F254-277 epitope must elicit antibodies that recognize the intact virus. A number of hybrid VLPs containing RSV F254-277 were recognized by palivizumab in vitro and elicited high-titer and protective neutralizing antibody in rodents. Together, the results from this proof-of-principle study suggest that the WHcAg-VLP technology may be an applicable approach to eliciting a response to other structural epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Darrell L. Peterson
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Department of Biochemistry,
Richmond, Virginia, USA
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49
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McLellan JS. Neutralizing epitopes on the respiratory syncytial virus fusion glycoprotein. Curr Opin Virol 2015; 11:70-5. [PMID: 25819327 PMCID: PMC4456247 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2015.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2014] [Revised: 02/12/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis, but despite decades of research a safe and effective vaccine has remained elusive. The viral fusion glycoprotein (RSV F) plays an obligatory role in the entry process and is the major target of neutralizing antibodies, making it an attractive target for vaccine development. This review will summarize the recently determined structures of RSV F in the prefusion and postfusion conformations and describe the location and properties of neutralizing epitopes on RSV F, including the newly identified prefusion-specific epitopes. The influence of these findings on vaccine development will also be discussed, with a focus on the rational design and optimization of vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S McLellan
- Department of Biochemistry, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, 7200 Vail, Hanover, NH, 03755 USA.
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50
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Melero JA, Mas V. The Pneumovirinae fusion (F) protein: A common target for vaccines and antivirals. Virus Res 2015; 209:128-35. [PMID: 25738581 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 02/05/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The Pneumovirinae fusion (F) protein mediates fusion of the virus and cell membrane, an essential step for entry of the viral genome in the cell cytoplasm and initiation of a new infectious cycle. Accordingly, potent inhibitors of virus infectivity have been found among antibodies and chemical compounds that target the Pneumovirinae F protein. Recent developments in structure-based vaccines have led to a deeper understanding of F protein antigenicity, unveiling new conformations and epitopes which should assist in development of efficacious vaccines. Similarly, structure-based studies of potent antiviral inhibitors have provided information about their mode of action and mechanisms of resistance. The advantages and disadvantages of the different options to battle against important pathogens, such as human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are summarized and critically discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Melero
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología and CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, 28220 Madrid, Spain
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