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García-Machorro J, Gutiérrez-Sánchez M, Rojas-Ortega DA, Bello M, Andrade-Ochoa S, Díaz-Hernández S, Correa-Basurto J, Rojas-Hernández S. Identification of peptide epitopes of the gp120 protein of HIV-1 capable of inducing cellular and humoral immunity. RSC Adv 2023; 13:9078-9090. [PMID: 36950073 PMCID: PMC10025946 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra08160a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1) causes Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and a high percentage of deaths. Therefore, it is necessary to design vaccines against HIV-1 for the prevention of AIDS. Bioinformatic tools and theoretical algorisms allow us to understand the structural proteins of viruses to develop vaccines based on immunogenic peptides (epitopes). In this work, we identified the epitopes: P1, P2, P10, P27 and P30 from the gp120 protein of HIV-1. These peptides were administered intranasally alone or with cholera toxin (CT) to BALB/c mice. The population of CD4+, CD8+ T lymphocytes and B cells (CD19/CD138+, IgA+ and IgG+) from nasal-associated lymphoid tissue, nasal passages, cervical and inguinal nodes was determined by flow cytometry. In addition, anti-peptides IgG and IgA from serum, nasal and vaginal washings were measured by ELISA. The results show that peptides administered by i.n. can modulate the immune response of T and B lymphocyte populations, as well as IgA and IgG antibodies secretion in the different sites analyzed. In conclusion, bioinformatics tools help us to select peptides with physicochemical properties that allow the induction of the humoral and cellular responses that depend on the peptide sequence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jazmín García-Machorro
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n Col. Casco de Santo Tomas Delegación Miguel Hidalgo C.P. 11340 Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Mara Gutiérrez-Sánchez
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología Molecular y Celular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional México City Mexico
| | - Diego Alexander Rojas-Ortega
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología Molecular y Celular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional México City Mexico
| | - Martiniano Bello
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n Col. Casco de Santo Tomas Delegación Miguel Hidalgo C.P. 11340 Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Sergio Andrade-Ochoa
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario S/N 31125 Chihuahua México
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N Colonia Santo Tomas 11340 Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Sebastián Díaz-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n Col. Casco de Santo Tomas Delegación Miguel Hidalgo C.P. 11340 Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - José Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Diseño y Desarrollo de Nuevos Fármacos e Innovación Biotécnológica (Laboratory for the Design and Development of New Drugs and Biotechnological Innovation), Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional. Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n Col. Casco de Santo Tomas Delegación Miguel Hidalgo C.P. 11340 Ciudad de México Mexico
| | - Saúl Rojas-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Inmunobiología Molecular y Celular, Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional México City Mexico
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Manolio C, Ragone C, Cavalluzzo B, Mauriello A, Tornesello ML, Buonaguro FM, Salomone Megna A, D'Alessio G, Penta R, Tagliamonte M, Buonaguro L. Antigenic molecular mimicry in viral-mediated protection from cancer: the HIV case. Lab Invest 2022; 20:472. [PMID: 36243758 PMCID: PMC9569184 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-022-03681-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) show a reduced incidence for three cancer types, namely breast, prostate and colon cancers. In the present study, we assessed whether a molecular mimicry between HIV epitopes and tumor associated antigens and, consequently, a T cell cross-reactivity could provide an explanation for such an epidemiological evidence. Methods Homology between published TAAs and non-self HIV-derived epitopes have been assessed by BLAST homology. Structural analyses have been performed by bioinformatics tools. Immunological validation of CD8+ T cell cross-reactivity has been evaluated ex vivo by tetramer staining. Findings Sequence homologies between multiple TAAs and HIV epitopes have been found. High structural similarities between the paired TAAs and HIV epitopes as well as comparable patterns of contact with HLA and TCR α and β chains have been observed. Furthermore, cross-reacting CD8+ T cells have been identified. Interpretation This is the first study showing a molecular mimicry between HIV antigens an TAAs identified in breast, prostate and colon cancers. Therefore, it is highly reasonable that memory CD8+ T cells elicited during the HIV infection may play a key role in controlling development and progression of such cancers in the PLWHA lifetime. This represents the first demonstration ever that a viral infection may induce a natural “preventive” anti-cancer memory T cells, with highly relevant implications beyond the HIV infection. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-022-03681-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Manolio
- Innovative Immunological Models Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 52, Naples, Italy
| | - Concetta Ragone
- Innovative Immunological Models Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 52, Naples, Italy
| | - Beatrice Cavalluzzo
- Innovative Immunological Models Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 52, Naples, Italy
| | - Angela Mauriello
- Innovative Immunological Models Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 52, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Lina Tornesello
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | - Franco M Buonaguro
- Molecular Biology and Viral Oncogenesis Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanna D'Alessio
- Division of Infectious Diseases, AORN San Pio Hospital, Benevento, Italy
| | - Roberta Penta
- Cellular Manipulation and Immunogenetics, Oncology Dep, Ba.S.C.O. Unit, AORN Santobono-Pausilipon, Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Tagliamonte
- Innovative Immunological Models Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 52, Naples, Italy
| | - Luigi Buonaguro
- Innovative Immunological Models Unit, Istituto Nazionale Tumori - IRCCS - "Fond G. Pascale", Via Mariano Semmola, 52, Naples, Italy.
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3
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Singh MV, Suwunnakorn S, Simpson SR, Weber EA, Singh VB, Kalinski P, Maggirwar SB. Monocytes complexed to platelets differentiate into functionally deficient dendritic cells. J Leukoc Biol 2021; 109:807-820. [PMID: 32663904 PMCID: PMC7854860 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3a0620-460rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In addition to their role in hemostasis, platelets store numerous immunoregulatory molecules such as CD40L, TGFβ, β2-microglobulin, and IL-1β and release them upon activation. Previous studies indicate that activated platelets form transient complexes with monocytes, especially in HIV infected individuals and induce a proinflammatory monocyte phenotype. Because monocytes can act as precursors of dendritic cells (DCs) during infection/inflammation as well as for generation of DC-based vaccine therapies, we evaluated the impact of activated platelets on monocyte differentiation into DCs. We observed that in vitro cultured DCs derived from platelet-monocyte complexes (PMCs) exhibit reduced levels of molecules critical to DC function (CD206, dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing nonintegrin, CD80, CD86, CCR7) and reduced antigen uptake capacity. DCs derived from PMCs also showed reduced ability to activate naïve CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and secrete IL-12p70 in response to CD40L stimulation, resulting in decreased ability to promote type-1 immune responses to HIV antigens. Our results indicate that formation of complexes with activated platelets can suppress the development of functional DCs from such monocytes. Disruption of PMCs in vivo via antiplatelet drugs such as Clopidogrel/Prasugrel or the application of platelet-free monocytes for DCs generation in vitro, may be used to enhance immunization and augment the immune control of HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meera V Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Sumanun Suwunnakorn
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Sydney R Simpson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Emily A Weber
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Vir B Singh
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Pawel Kalinski
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, New York, USA
| | - Sanjay B Maggirwar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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4
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Saylor K, Gillam F, Lohneis T, Zhang C. Designs of Antigen Structure and Composition for Improved Protein-Based Vaccine Efficacy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:283. [PMID: 32153587 PMCID: PMC7050619 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, vaccinologists have come to understand that the hallmark of any protective immune response is the antigen. However, it is not the whole antigen that dictates the immune response, but rather the various parts comprising the whole that are capable of influencing immunogenicity. Protein-based antigens hold particular importance within this structural approach to understanding immunity because, though different molecules can serve as antigens, only proteins are capable of inducing both cellular and humoral immunity. This fact, coupled with the versatility and customizability of proteins when considering vaccine design applications, makes protein-based vaccines (PBVs) one of today's most promising technologies for artificially inducing immunity. In this review, we follow the development of PBV technologies through time and discuss the antigen-specific receptors that are most critical to any immune response: pattern recognition receptors, B cell receptors, and T cell receptors. Knowledge of these receptors and their ligands has become exceptionally valuable in the field of vaccinology, where today it is possible to make drastic modifications to PBV structure, from primary to quaternary, in order to promote recognition of target epitopes, potentiate vaccine immunogenicity, and prevent antigen-associated complications. Additionally, these modifications have made it possible to control immune responses by modulating stability and targeting PBV to key immune cells. Consequently, careful consideration should be given to protein structure when designing PBVs in the future in order to potentiate PBV efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Saylor
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Frank Gillam
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Locus Biosciences, Morrisville, NC, United States
| | - Taylor Lohneis
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- BioPharmaceutical Technology Department, GlaxoSmithKline, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Chenming Zhang
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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5
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da Silva LT, Santillo BT, de Almeida A, Duarte AJDS, Oshiro TM. Using Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy to Treat HIV: How Can This Strategy be Improved? Front Immunol 2018; 9:2993. [PMID: 30619346 PMCID: PMC6305438 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Harnessing dendritic cells (DC) to treat HIV infection is considered a key strategy to improve anti-HIV treatment and promote the discovery of functional or sterilizing cures. Although this strategy represents a promising approach, the results of currently published trials suggest that opportunities to optimize its performance still exist. In addition to the genetic and clinical characteristics of patients, the efficacy of DC-based immunotherapy depends on the quality of the vaccine product, which is composed of precursor-derived DC and an antigen for pulsing. Here, we focus on some factors that can interfere with vaccine production and should thus be considered to improve DC-based immunotherapy for HIV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laís Teodoro da Silva
- Laboratorio de Investigacao em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiencias, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bruna Tereso Santillo
- Laboratorio de Investigacao em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiencias, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alexandre de Almeida
- Laboratorio de Investigacao em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiencias, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Alberto Jose da Silva Duarte
- Laboratorio de Investigacao em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiencias, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Telma Miyuki Oshiro
- Laboratorio de Investigacao em Dermatologia e Imunodeficiencias, Hospital das Clinicas HCFMUSP, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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6
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Andrade-Ochoa S, García-Machorro J, Bello M, Rodríguez-Valdez L, Flores-Sandoval C, Correa-Basurto J. QSAR, DFT and molecular modeling studies of peptides from HIV-1 to describe their recognition properties by MHC-I. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2017; 36:2312-2330. [DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2017.1352538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. Andrade-Ochoa
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular, Bioinformática y Diseño de Fármacos, de la Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Prolongación de Carpio y Plan de Ayala S/N, Col. Santo Tomas 11340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - J. García-Machorro
- Laboratorio de Medicina de Conservación, de la Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Martiniano Bello
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular, Bioinformática y Diseño de Fármacos, de la Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - L.M. Rodríguez-Valdez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Circuito Universitario s/n, C.P. 31125, Chihuahua, Chih, Mexico
| | - C.A. Flores-Sandoval
- Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Eje Central Lázaro Cárdenas 152, Col. San Bartolo Atepehuacan 07730, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - J. Correa-Basurto
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular, Bioinformática y Diseño de Fármacos, de la Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Col. Casco de Santo Tomas, Delegación Miguel Hidalgo, C.P. 11340, Ciudad de México, Mexico
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Coelho AVC, de Moura RR, Kamada AJ, da Silva RC, Guimarães RL, Brandão LAC, de Alencar LCA, Crovella S. Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapies to Fight HIV: How Far from a Success Story? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:ijms17121985. [PMID: 27898045 PMCID: PMC5187785 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17121985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The scientific community still faces the challenge of developing strategies to cure HIV-1. One of these pursued strategies is the development of immunotherapeutic vaccines based on dendritic cells (DCs), pulsed with the virus, that aim to boost HIV-1 specific immune response. We aimed to review DCs-based therapeutic vaccines reports and critically assess evidence to gain insights for the improvement of these strategies. We performed a systematic review, followed by meta-analysis and meta-regression, of clinical trial reports. Twelve studies were selected for meta-analysis. The experimental vaccines had low efficiency, with an overall success rate around 38% (95% confidence interval = 26.7%–51.3%). Protocols differed according to antigen choice, DC culture method, and doses, although multivariate analysis did not show an influence of any of them on overall success rate. The DC-based vaccines elicited at least some immunogenicity, that was sometimes associated with plasmatic viral load transient control. The protocols included both naïve and antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced individuals, and used different criteria for assessing vaccine efficacy. Although the vaccines did not work as expected, they are proof of concept that immune responses can be boosted against HIV-1. Protocol standardization and use of auxiliary approaches, such as latent HIV-1 reservoir activation and patient genomics are paramount for fine-tuning future HIV-1 cure strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Victor Campos Coelho
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida da Engenharia, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50740-600, Brazil.
| | - Ronald Rodrigues de Moura
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida da Engenharia, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50740-600, Brazil.
| | - Anselmo Jiro Kamada
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida da Engenharia, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50740-600, Brazil.
| | - Ronaldo Celerino da Silva
- Laboratory of Immunopathology Keizo Asami (LIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida da Engenharia, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50740-600, Brazil.
| | - Rafael Lima Guimarães
- Department of Genetics, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida da Engenharia, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50740-600, Brazil.
- Laboratory of Immunopathology Keizo Asami (LIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida da Engenharia, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50740-600, Brazil.
| | - Lucas André Cavalcanti Brandão
- Laboratory of Immunopathology Keizo Asami (LIKA), Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida da Engenharia, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50740-600, Brazil.
- Department of Pathology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil.
| | - Luiz Cláudio Arraes de Alencar
- Department of Tropical Medicine, Federal University of Pernambuco. Avenida Prof. Moraes Rego, 1235, Cidade Universitária, Recife 50670-901, Brazil.
- Instituto de Medicina Integral Professor Fernando Figueira (IMIP), Boa Vista, Recife 50070-550, Brazil.
| | - Sergio Crovella
- IRCCS Burlo Garofolo and University of Trieste, Via dell' Istria 65/1, Trieste 34137, Italy.
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Bet A, Maze EA, Bansal A, Sterrett S, Gross A, Graff-Dubois S, Samri A, Guihot A, Katlama C, Theodorou I, Mesnard JM, Moris A, Goepfert PA, Cardinaud S. The HIV-1 antisense protein (ASP) induces CD8 T cell responses during chronic infection. Retrovirology 2015; 12:15. [PMID: 25809376 PMCID: PMC4335690 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-015-0135-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 01/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CD8+ T cells recognize HIV-1 epitopes translated from a gene’s primary reading frame (F1) and any one of its five alternative reading frames (ARFs) in the forward (F2, F3) or reverse (R1-3) directions. The 3’ end of HIV-1’s proviral coding strand contains a conserved sequence that is directly overlapping but antiparallel to the env gene (ARF R2) and encodes for a putative antisense HIV-1 protein called ASP. ASP expression has been demonstrated in vitro using HIV-transfected cell lines or infected cells. Although antibodies to ASP were previously detected in patient sera, T cell recognition of ASP-derived epitopes has not been evaluated. We therefore investigated the ex vivo and in vitro induction of ASP-specific T cell responses as a measure of immune recognition and protein expression during HIV-1 infection. Results A panel of overlapping peptides was initially designed from the full-length ASP sequence to perform a global assessment of T cell responses. Recognition of ASP-derived antigens was evaluated in an IFN-γELISpot assay using PBMCs from HIV-1 seropositive and seronegative individuals. Eight of 25 patients had positive responses to ASP antigens and none of the seronegative donors responded. As a complimentary approach, a second set of antigens was designed using HLA-I binding motifs and affinities. Two ASP-derived peptides with high predicted binding affinities for HLA-A*02 (ASP-YL9) and HLA-B*07 (ASP-TL10) were tested using PBMCs from HIV-1 seropositive and seronegative individuals who expressed the matching HLA-I-restricting allele. We found that HLA-I-restricted ASP peptides were only recognized by CD8+ T cells from patients with the relevant HLA-I and did not induce responses in any of the seronegative donors or patients who do not express the restrictive HLA alleles. Further, ASP-YL9-specific CD8+ T cells had functional profiles that were similar to a previously described HLA-A*02-restricted epitope (Gag-SL9). Specific recognition of ASP-YL9 by CD8+ T cells was also demonstrated by tetramer staining using cells from an HLA-A*02 HIV-infected patient. Conclusion Our results provide the first description of CD8+ T cell-mediated immune responses to ASP in HIV-1-infected patients, demonstrating that ASP is expressed during infection. Our identification of epitopes within ASP has implications for designing HIV vaccines. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12977-015-0135-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Abstract
Therapeutic vaccines aim to control chronic HIV infection and eliminate the need for lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART). Therapeutic HIV vaccine is being pursued as part of a functional cure for HIV/AIDS. We have outlined a basic protocol for inducing new T cell immunity during chronic HIV-1 infection directed to subdominant conserved HIV-1 epitopes restricted to frequent HLA supertypes. The rationale for selecting HIV peptides and adjuvants are provided. Peptide subunit vaccines are regarded as safe due to the simplicity, quality, purity, and low toxicity. The caveat is reduced immunogenicity and hence adjuvants are included to enhance and direct the immune response. Although the vaccine has been tested in ART naïve individuals, we recommend future testing of the vaccine during (early started) ART that improves immune function and to select individuals likely to benefit. Peptides representing other epitopes may be used.
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Román VRG, Jensen KJ, Jensen SS, Leo-Hansen C, Jespersen S, Té DDS, Rodrigues CM, Janitzek CM, Vinner L, Katzenstein TL, Andersen P, Kromann I, Andreasen LV, Karlsson I, Fomsgaard A. Therapeutic vaccination using cationic liposome-adjuvanted HIV type 1 peptides representing HLA-supertype-restricted subdominant T cell epitopes: safety, immunogenicity, and feasibility in Guinea-Bissau. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2013; 29:1504-12. [PMID: 23634822 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2013.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
We have designed a therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine concept based on peptides together with the adjuvant CAF01. Peptides represented 15 HLA-supertype-restricted subdominant and conserved CD8 T cell epitopes and three CD4 T-helper cell epitopes. In this phase I clinical trial, safety and immunogenicity were assessed in untreated HIV-1-infected individuals in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa. Twenty-three HIV-1-infected individuals were randomized to receive placebo (n=5) or vaccine (n=18). Safety was appraised by clinical follow-up combined with monitoring of biochemistry, hematology, CD4 T cell counts, and HIV-1 viral loads. T cell immunogenicity was monitored longitudinally by interferon (IFN)-γ ELISpot. New vaccine-specific T cell responses were induced in 6/14 vaccinees for whom ELISpot data were valid. CD4 T cell counts and viral loads were stable. The study shows that therapeutic immunization is feasible and safe in Guinea-Bissau and that it is possible to redirect T cell immunity with CAF01-adjuvanted HIV-1 peptide vaccine during untreated HIV-1 infection in some patients. However, relatively few preexisting and vaccine-induced HIV-1 T cell responses to CD8 T cell epitopes were detected against HIV-1 using IFN-γ ELISpot in this chronically infected African population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - David da Silva Té
- Centro de Tratamento Ambulatório (CTA), Hospital Nacional Simão Mendes (HNSM), Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Candida Medina Rodrigues
- Centro de Tratamento Ambulatório (CTA), Hospital Nacional Simão Mendes (HNSM), Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | | | - Lasse Vinner
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Peter Andersen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ingrid Kromann
- Vaccine Research and Development, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Vibe Andreasen
- Vaccine Research and Development, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ingrid Karlsson
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Fomsgaard
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Infectious Disease Research Unit, Clinical Institute, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Optimization of HIV-1 Envelope DNA Vaccine Candidates within Three Different Animal Models, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits and Cynomolgus Macaques. Vaccines (Basel) 2013; 1:305-27. [PMID: 26344115 PMCID: PMC4494233 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines1030305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 07/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 DNA vaccines have many advantageous features. Evaluation of HIV-1 vaccine candidates often starts in small animal models before macaque and human trials. Here, we selected and optimized DNA vaccine candidates through systematic testing in rabbits for the induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAb). We compared three different animal models: guinea pigs, rabbits and cynomolgus macaques. Envelope genes from the prototype isolate HIV-1 Bx08 and two elite neutralizers were included. Codon-optimized genes, encoded secreted gp140 or membrane bound gp150, were modified for expression of stabilized soluble trimer gene products, and delivered individually or mixed. Specific IgG after repeated i.d. inoculations with electroporation confirmed in vivo expression and immunogenicity. Evaluations of rabbits and guinea pigs displayed similar results. The superior DNA construct in rabbits was a trivalent mix of non-modified codon-optimized gp140 envelope genes. Despite NAb responses with some potency and breadth in guinea pigs and rabbits, the DNA vaccinated macaques displayed less bNAb activity. It was concluded that a trivalent mix of non-modified gp140 genes from rationally selected clinical isolates was, in this study, the best option to induce high and broad NAb in the rabbit model, but this optimization does not directly translate into similar responses in cynomolgus macaques.
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Karlsson I, Brandt L, Vinner L, Kromann I, Andreasen LV, Andersen P, Gerstoft J, Kronborg G, Fomsgaard A. Adjuvanted HLA-supertype restricted subdominant peptides induce new T-cell immunity during untreated HIV-1-infection. Clin Immunol 2012; 146:120-30. [PMID: 23314272 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2012] [Revised: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 12/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the potential of inducing additional T-cell immunity during chronic HIV-1 infection directed to subdominant HIV-1 epitopes from common HLA-supertypes. Ten treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals were immunized with peptides in the adjuvant CAF01. One individual received placebo. T-cell immunogenicity was examined longitudinally by a flow cytometry (CD107a, IFNγ, TNFα, IL-2 and/or MIP1β expression) as well as IFNγ ELISPOT. Safety was evaluated by clinical follow up combined with monitoring of biochemistry, hematology, CD4 T-cell counts and viral load. New CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses specific for one or more vaccine epitopes were induced in 10/10 vaccinees. The responses were dominated by CD107a and MIP1β expression. There were no significant changes in HIV-1 viral load or CD4 T-cell counts. Our study demonstrates that the peptide/CAF01 vaccine is safe and that it is possible to generate new HIV-1 T-cell responses to defined epitopes in treatment-naïve HIV-1-infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Karlsson
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
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13
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Karlsson I, Kløverpris H, Jensen KJ, Stryhn A, Buus S, Karlsson A, Vinner L, Goulder P, Fomsgaard A. Identification of conserved subdominant HIV Type 1 CD8(+) T Cell epitopes restricted within common HLA Supertypes for therapeutic HIV Type 1 vaccines. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2012; 28:1434-43. [PMID: 22747336 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2012.0081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The high HIV-1 prevalence, up to 4.6% in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa, makes it a relevant location for testing of therapeutic vaccines. With the aim of performing a clinical study in Guinea-Bissau, after first testing the vaccine for safety in Denmark, Europe, we here describe the design of a universal epitope peptide-based T cell vaccine with relevance for any geographic locations. The two major obstacles when designing such a vaccine are the high diversities of the HIV-1 genome and of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I. We selected 15 CD8-restricted epitopes predicted from conserved regions of HIV-1 that were subdominant (i.e., infrequently targeted) within natural infections. Moreover, the epitopes were predicted to be restricted to at least one of the five common HLA supertypes (HLA-A01, A02, A03, B07, and B44). Here, we validated the resulting peptide-specific, HLA-restricted T cell specificities using peptide-MHC class I tetramer labeling of CD8(+) T cells from HIV-1-infected individuals. The selected vaccine epitopes are infrequently targeted in HIV-1-infected individuals from both locations. Moreover, we HLA-typed HIV-1-infected individuals and demonstrated that the selected vaccine epitopes, when targeted, are restricted to the five most common HLA supertypes at both locations. Thus, the HLA supertype-directed approach achieved HLA coverage of 95% and 100% of the examined cohorts in Guinea-Bissau and Denmark, respectively. In conclusion, the selected vaccine epitopes match the host populations and HIV-1 strains of these two distant geographic regions, justifying clinical testing in both locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid Karlsson
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Henrik Kløverpris
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kristoffer Jarlov Jensen
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Bandim Health Project, Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
| | - Anette Stryhn
- Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Panum Institut, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Buus
- Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Panum Institut, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Annika Karlsson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lasse Vinner
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Philip Goulder
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Anders Fomsgaard
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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14
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Levitz L, Koita OA, Sangare K, Ardito MT, Boyle CM, Rozehnal J, Tounkara K, Dao SM, Koné Y, Koty Z, Buus S, Moise L, Martin WD, De Groot AS. Conservation of HIV-1 T cell epitopes across time and clades: validation of immunogenic HLA-A2 epitopes selected for the GAIA HIV vaccine. Vaccine 2012; 30:7547-60. [PMID: 23102976 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.10.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 10/11/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
HIV genomic sequence variability has complicated efforts to generate an effective globally relevant vaccine. Regions of the viral genome conserved in sequence and across time may represent the "Achilles' heel" of HIV. In this study, highly conserved T-cell epitopes were selected using immunoinformatics tools combining HLA-A2 supertype binding predictions with relative global conservation. Analysis performed in 2002 on 10,803 HIV-1 sequences, and again in 2009, on 43,822 sequences, yielded 38 HLA-A2 epitopes. These epitopes were experimentally validated for HLA binding and immunogenicity with PBMCs from HIV-infected patients in Providence, Rhode Island, and/or Bamako, Mali. Thirty-five (92%) stimulated an IFNγ response in PBMCs from at least one subject. Eleven of fourteen peptides (79%) were confirmed as HLA-A2 epitopes in both locations. Validation of these HLA-A2 epitopes conserved across time, clades, and geography supports the hypothesis that such epitopes could provide effective coverage of virus diversity and would be appropriate for inclusion in a globally relevant HIV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Levitz
- EpiVax, Inc., Providence, Rhode Island, United States
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15
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Burke KP, Munshaw S, Osburn WO, Levine J, Liu L, Sidney J, Sette A, Ray SC, Cox AL. Immunogenicity and cross-reactivity of a representative ancestral sequence in hepatitis C virus infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 188:5177-88. [PMID: 22508927 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1103008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Vaccines designed to prevent or to treat hepatitis C viral infection must achieve maximum cross-reactivity against widely divergent circulating strains. Rational approaches for sequence selection to maximize immunogenicity and minimize genetic distance across circulating strains may enhance vaccine induction of optimal cytotoxic T cell responses. We assessed T cell recognition of potential hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine sequences generated using three rational approaches: combining epitopes with predicted tight binding to the MHC, consensus sequence (most common amino acid at each position), and representative ancestral sequence that had been derived using bayesian phylogenetic tools. No correlation was seen between peptide-MHC binding affinity and frequency of recognition, as measured by an IFN-γ T cell response in HLA-matched HCV-infected individuals. Peptides encoding representative, consensus, and natural variant sequences were then tested for the capacity to expand CD8 T cell populations and to elicit cross-reactive CD8 T cell responses. CD8(+) T cells expanded with representative sequence HCV generally more broadly and robustly recognized highly diverse circulating HCV strains than did T cells expanded with either consensus sequence or naturally occurring sequence variants. These data support the use of representative sequence in HCV vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly P Burke
- Department of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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16
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Fomsgaard A, Karlsson I, Gram G, Schou C, Tang S, Bang P, Kromann I, Andersen P, Andreasen LV. Development and preclinical safety evaluation of a new therapeutic HIV-1 vaccine based on 18 T-cell minimal epitope peptides applying a novel cationic adjuvant CAF01. Vaccine 2011; 29:7067-74. [PMID: 21767590 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2011.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2011] [Revised: 06/30/2011] [Accepted: 07/08/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Therapeutic immunization of HIV-1-infected individuals with or without anti-retroviral therapy is a new promising disease prevention. To induce a new cytotoxic T(CD8) lymphocyte (CTL) immunity during chronic HIV-1 infection 15 infrequently targeted but conserved HLA-supertype binding CTL epitopes from Gag, Pol, Nef, Env, Vpu and Vif were identified. The 15 T(CD8) and three T(CD4) helper peptides were GMP synthesised and formulated with a new adjuvant CAF01 which is a synthetic two-component liposomic adjuvant comprising the quaternary ammonium dimethyl-dioctadecyl-ammonium (DDA) and the immune modulator trehalose 6,6'-dibehenate (TDB). Using IFN-γ ELISPOT assay, T-cell immune induction by the vaccine was found to both CD4 and CD8 T-cell restricted peptides in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Comprehensive toxicity studies of the CAF01 adjuvant-alone and together with different vaccines showed that CAF01 when tested at human dose levels was safe and well tolerated with only local inflammation at the site of injection and no systemic reactions. No pharmacological safety issues were observed in Beagle dogs. The HIV-1 vaccine toxicity study in the Göttingen Minipig(®) showed no systemic toxicity from five repetitive i.m. injections, each with a 2-week interval, of either the 18 HIV-1 peptide antigen solution (AFO18) or the AFO18-CAF01, in which the 18 HIV-1 peptides were formulated with the CAF01 adjuvant. Distinct inflammatory responses were observed in the injected muscles of the AFO18-CAF01 vaccine treated animals as a result of the immune stimulating effect of the adjuvant on the vaccine. The results of the toxicity studies provide optimism for phase I clinical trials evaluating the therapeutic HIV-1 T-cell vaccination approach using multiple subdominant minimal epitope peptides applying the novel cationic adjuvant CAF01.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Fomsgaard
- Virus Research & Development Laboratory, Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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17
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VINNER LASSE, HOLMGREN BIRGITTA, JENSEN KRISTOFFERJ, ESBJORNSSON JOAKIM, BORGGREN M, HENTZE JULIEL, KARLSSON INGRID, ANDRESEN BETINAS, GRAM GREGERSJ, KLOVERPRIS HENRIK, AABY PETER, DA SILVA ZACARIASJOSÉ, FENYÖ EVAMARIA, FOMSGAARD ANDERS. Sequence analysis of HIV-1 isolates from Guinea-Bissau: selection of vaccine epitopes relevant in both West African and European countries. APMIS 2011; 119:487-97. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2011.02763.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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18
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Muller NG, Alencar R, Jamal L, Hammer J, Sidney J, Sette A, Brindeiro RM, Kalil J, Cunha-Neto E, Moraes SL. CD4+ T cells from HIV-1-infected patients recognize wild-type and mutant human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease epitopes. Clin Exp Immunol 2011; 164:90-9. [PMID: 21352200 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2249.2011.04319.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 protease is a known target of CD8+ T cell responses, but it is the only HIV-1 protein in which no fully characterized HIV-1 protease CD4 epitopes have been identified to date. We investigated the recognition of HIV-1 protease by CD4+ T cells from 75 HIV-1-infected, protease inhibitor (PI)-treated patients, using the 5,6-carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester-based proliferation assay. In order to identify putative promiscuous CD4+ T cell epitopes, we used the TEPITOPE algorithm to scan the sequence of the HXB2 HIV-1 protease. Protease regions 4-23, 45-64 and 73-95 were identified; 32 sequence variants of the mentioned regions, encoding frequent PI-induced mutations and polymorphisms, were also tested. On average, each peptide bound to five of 15 tested common human leucocyte antigen D-related (HLA-DR) molecules. More than 80% of the patients displayed CD4+ as well as CD8+ T cell recognition of at least one of the protease peptides. All 35 peptides were recognized. The response was not associated with particular HLA-DR or -DQ alleles. Our results thus indicate that protease is a frequent target of CD4+ along with CD8+ proliferative T cell responses by the majority of HIV-1-infected patients under PI therapy. The frequent finding of matching CD4(+) and CD8+ T cell responses to the same peptides may indicate that CD4+ T cells provide cognate T cell help for the maintenance of long-living protease-specific functional CD8+ T cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- N G Muller
- Division of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine Heart Institute (InCor) Institute of Tropical Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP 01246-000, Brazil
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19
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Differences in HIV-specific T cell responses between HIV-exposed and -unexposed HIV-seronegative individuals. J Virol 2011; 85:3507-16. [PMID: 21270166 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02444-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1-specific T lymphocyte responses in individuals exposed to HIV-1 but who remain persistently seronegative (HESNs) have been reported in some but not all previous studies. This study was designed to resolve unequivocally the question of whether HESNs make HIV-1-specific T cell responses. We performed a blind investigation to measure HIV-1-specific T cell responses in both HIV-1-serodiscordant couples and HIV-1-unexposed seronegative controls (HUSNs). We found low-frequency HIV-1-specific T cells in both HESNs and HUSNs but show that the response rates were higher over time in the former (P = 0.01). Furthermore, the magnitudes of the HIV-1-specific T cell responses were significantly higher among responding HESNs than among HUSNs over time (P = 0.002). In both groups, responses were mediated by CD4 T cells. The responses were mapped to single peptides, which often corresponded to epitopes restricted by multiple HLA-DR types that have previously been detected in HIV-1-infected patients. HIV-1-specific T cell responses in HUSNs and some HESNs likely represent cross-reactivity to self or foreign non-HIV-1 antigens. The significantly greater T cell responses in HESNs, including in two who were homozygous for CCR5Δ32, demonstrates that HIV-1-specific T cell responses can be induced or augmented by exposure to HIV-1 without infection.
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20
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Ahlers JD, Belyakov IM. Lessons learned from natural infection: focusing on the design of protective T cell vaccines for HIV/AIDS. Trends Immunol 2010; 31:120-30. [PMID: 20089450 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2009.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2009] [Revised: 12/08/2009] [Accepted: 12/11/2009] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses are crucial in establishing the control of persistent virus infections. Population studies of HIV-1-infected individuals suggest that CD8(+) CTL responses targeting epitopes that take the greatest toll on virus replication are instrumental in immune control. A major question for vaccine design is whether incorporating epitopes responsible for controlling a persistent virus will translate into protection from natural infection or serve solely as a fail-safe mechanism to prevent overt disease in infected individuals. Here, we discuss qualitative parameters of the CD8(+) CTL response and mechanisms operative in the control of persistent virus infections and suggest new strategies for design and delivery of HIV vaccines.
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21
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Kloverpris HN, Karlsson I, Thorn M, Buus S, Fomsgaard A. Immune hierarchy among HIV-1 CD8+ T cell epitopes delivered by dendritic cells depends on MHC-I binding irrespective of mode of loading and immunization in HLA-A*0201 mice. APMIS 2009; 117:849-55. [PMID: 19845536 PMCID: PMC2774155 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2009.02544.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Recent human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) vaccination strategies aim at targeting a broad range of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes from different HIV-1 proteins by immunization with multiple CTL epitopes simultaneously. However, this may establish an immune hierarchical response, where the immune system responds to only a small number of the epitopes administered. To evaluate the feasibility of such vaccine strategies, we used the human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A*0201 transgenic (tg) HHD murine in vivo model and immunized with dendritic cells pulsed with seven HIV-1-derived HLA-A*0201 binding CTL epitopes. The seven peptides were simultaneously presented on the same dendritic cell (DC) or on separate DCs before immunization to one or different lymphoid compartments. Data from this study showed that the T-cell response, as measured by cytolytic activity and γ-interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD8+ T cells, mainly focused on two of seven administered epitopes. The magnitude of individual T-cell responses induced by immunization with multiple peptides correlated with their individual immunogenicity that depended on major histocompatibility class I binding and was not influenced by mode of loading or mode of immunization. These findings may have implications for the design of vaccines based on DCs when using multiple epitopes simultaneously.
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22
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Gram GJ, Karlsson I, Agger EM, Andersen P, Fomsgaard A. A novel liposome-based adjuvant CAF01 for induction of CD8(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) to HIV-1 minimal CTL peptides in HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice. PLoS One 2009; 4:e6950. [PMID: 19759892 PMCID: PMC2736401 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Accepted: 08/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific cellular cytotoxic immune responses (CTL) are important in combating viral diseases and a highly desirable feature in the development of targeted HIV vaccines. Adjuvants are key components in vaccines and may assist the HIV immunogens in inducing the desired CTL responses. In search for appropriate adjuvants for CD8(+) T cells it is important to measure the necessary immunological features e.g. functional cell killing/lysis in addition to immunological markers that can be monitored by simple immunological laboratory methods. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We tested the ability of a novel two component adjuvant, CAF01, consisting of the immune stimulating synthetic glycolipid TDB (Trehalose-Dibehenate) incorporated into cationic DDA (Dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide) liposomes to induce CD8(+) T-cell restricted cellular immune responses towards subdominant minimal HLA-A0201-restricted CTL epitopes from HIV-1 proteins in HLA-A*0201 transgenic HHD mice. CAF01 has an acceptable safety profile and is used in preclinical development of vaccines against HIV-1, malaria and tuberculosis. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE We found that CAF01 induced cellular immune responses against HIV-1 minimal CTL epitopes in HLA-A*0201 transgenic mice to levels comparable with that of incomplete Freund's adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ingrid Karlsson
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Else Marie Agger
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Peter Andersen
- Department of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Fomsgaard
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
- * E-mail:
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23
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Induction of novel CD8+ T-cell responses during chronic untreated HIV-1 infection by immunization with subdominant cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes. AIDS 2009; 23:1329-40. [PMID: 19528789 DOI: 10.1097/qad.0b013e32832d9b00] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential to induce additional cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) immunity during chronic HIV-1 infection. DESIGN We selected infrequently targeted or subdominant but conserved HLA-A*0201-binding epitopes in Gag, Pol, Env, Vpu and Vif. These relatively immune silent epitopes were modified as anchor-optimized peptides to improve immunogenicity and delivered on autologous monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MDDCs). METHODS Twelve treatment-naïve HLA-A*0201 HIV-1-infected Danish individuals received 1 x 10 MDDCs subcutaneously (s.c.) (weeks 0, 2, 4 and 8), pulsed with seven CD8 T-cell epitopes and three CD4 T-cell epitopes. Epitope-specific responses were evaluated by intracellular cytokine staining for interferon-gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-2 and/or pentamer labeling 3 weeks prior to, 10 weeks after and 32 weeks after the first immunization. RESULTS Previously undetected T-cell responses specific for one or more epitopes were induced in all 12 individuals. Half of the participants had sustained CD4 T-cell responses 32 weeks after immunization. No severe adverse effects were observed. No overall or sustained change in viral load or CD4 T-cell counts was observed. CONCLUSION These data show that it is possible to generate new T-cell responses in treatment-naive HIV-1-infected individuals despite high viral loads, and thereby redirect immunity to target new multiple and rationally selected subdominant CTL epitopes. Further optimization could lead to stronger and more durable cellular responses to selected epitopes with the potential to control viral replication and prevent disease in HIV-1-infected individuals.
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Kotturi MF, Assarsson E, Peters B, Grey H, Oseroff C, Pasquetto V, Sette A. Of mice and humans: how good are HLA transgenic mice as a model of human immune responses? Immunome Res 2009; 5:3. [PMID: 19534819 PMCID: PMC2702351 DOI: 10.1186/1745-7580-5-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2009] [Accepted: 06/17/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Previous studies have defined vaccinia virus (VACV)-derived T cell epitopes in VACV-infected human leukocyte antigen-A*0201 (HLA-A2.1) transgenic (Tg) mice and A2.1-positive human Dryvax vaccinees. A total of 14 epitopes were detected in humans and 16 epitopes in A2.1 Tg mice; however, only two epitopes were independently reported in both systems. This limited overlap raised questions about the suitability of using HLA Tg mice as a model system to map human T cell responses to a complex viral pathogen. The present study was designed to investigate this issue in more detail. Results Re-screening the panel of 28 A2.1-restricted epitopes in additional human vaccinees and in A2.1 Tg mice revealed that out of the 28 identified epitopes, 13 were detectable in both systems, corresponding to a 46% concordance rate. Interestingly, the magnitude of responses in Tg mice against epitopes originally identified in humans is lower than for epitopes originally detected in mice. Likewise, responses in humans against epitopes originally detected in Tg mice are of lower magnitude. Conclusion These data suggest that differences in immunodominance patterns might explain the incomplete response overlap, and that with limitations; HLA Tg mice represent a relevant and suitable model system to study immune responses against complex pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maya F Kotturi
- Division of Vaccine Discovery, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
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25
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Srinivasan A, Ayyavoo V, Mahalingam S, Kannan A, Boyd A, Datta D, Kalyanaraman VS, Cristillo A, Collman RG, Morellet N, Sawaya BE, Murali R. A comprehensive analysis of the naturally occurring polymorphisms in HIV-1 Vpr: potential impact on CTL epitopes. Virol J 2008; 5:99. [PMID: 18721481 PMCID: PMC2553080 DOI: 10.1186/1743-422x-5-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2008] [Accepted: 08/23/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The enormous genetic variability reported in HIV-1 has posed problems in the treatment of infected individuals. This is evident in the form of HIV-1 resistant to antiviral agents, neutralizing antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) involving multiple viral gene products. Based on this, it has been suggested that a comprehensive analysis of the polymorphisms in HIV proteins is of value for understanding the virus transmission and pathogenesis as well as for the efforts towards developing anti-viral therapeutics and vaccines. This study, for the first time, describes an in-depth analysis of genetic variation in Vpr using information from global HIV-1 isolates involving a total of 976 Vpr sequences. The polymorphisms at the individual amino acid level were analyzed. The residues 9, 33, 39, and 47 showed a single variant amino acid compared to other residues. There are several amino acids which are highly polymorphic. The residues that show ten or more variant amino acids are 15, 16, 28, 36, 37, 48, 55, 58, 59, 77, 84, 86, 89, and 93. Further, the variant amino acids noted at residues 60, 61, 34, 71 and 72 are identical. Interestingly, the frequency of the variant amino acids was found to be low for most residues. Vpr is known to contain multiple CTL epitopes like protease, reverse transcriptase, Env, and Gag proteins of HIV-1. Based on this, we have also extended our analysis of the amino acid polymorphisms to the experimentally defined and predicted CTL epitopes. The results suggest that amino acid polymorphisms may contribute to the immune escape of the virus. The available data on naturally occurring polymorphisms will be useful to assess their potential effect on the structural and functional constraints of Vpr and also on the fitness of HIV-1 for replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alagarsamy Srinivasan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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26
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Fomsgaard A, Vinner L, Therrien D, Jørgensen LB, Nielsen C, Mathiesen L, Pedersen C, Corbet S. Full-length characterization of A1/D intersubtype recombinant genomes from a therapy-induced HIV type 1 controller during acute infection and his noncontrolling partner. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2008; 24:463-72. [PMID: 18373434 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2006.0294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To increase the understanding of mechanisms of HIV control we have genetically and immunologically characterized a full-length HIV-1 isolated from an acute infection in a rare case of undetectable viremia. The subject, a 43-year-old Danish white male (DK1), was diagnosed with acute HIV-1 infection after 1 year in Uganda. Following transient antiretroviral therapy DK1 maintained undetectable viral load for more than 10 years. His Ugandan wife (UG1) developed high viral load. HIV-1 sequences from both individuals were compared by bootscanning for recombination break points. Diversity plots and phylogenic trees were constructed and diversity and evolutionary distances were calculated. Intracellular IFN-gamma in CD8(+)CD3(+) T-lymphocyte reactions was investigated by intracellular flow cytometry (IC-FACS). Virus isolates from both patients were A1D intersubtype recombinants showing 98% sequence homology in shared regions. Four of seven crossover points were identical; however, the env gene from UG1 was subtype D, but A1 in DK1. Both viruses encoded proteins of the expected length and replicated equally well in vitro. DK1 and UG1 shared the HLA-A02 tissue type. HLA-A02-restricted CD8(+) T cell IFN-gamma IC-FACS response in DK1 was detected against only one (Pol(476)) of 23 conserved epitopes. Neutralizing antibodies were induced only to the homologous isolate. These results indicate an A1D intersubtype recombination or transmission of a minor variant. Transient early antiretroviral therapy may have induced full HIV-1 control in this individual mediated by a narrow specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte and neutralizing antibody response and/or other factors yet to be characterized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders Fomsgaard
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lasse Vinner
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dominic Therrien
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Claus Nielsen
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lars Mathiesen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Hvidovre, Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Court Pedersen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Odense, Odense, Denmark
| | - Sylvie Corbet
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
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De Groot AS, Rivera DS, McMurry JA, Buus S, Martin W. Identification of immunogenic HLA-B7 "Achilles' heel" epitopes within highly conserved regions of HIV. Vaccine 2007; 26:3059-71. [PMID: 18206276 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2007] [Accepted: 12/01/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetic polymorphisms in class I human leukocyte antigen molecules (HLA) have been shown to determine susceptibility to HIV infection as well as the rate of progression to AIDS. In particular, the HLA-B7 supertype has been shown to be associated with high viral loads and rapid progression to disease. Using a multiplatform in silico/in vitro approach, we have prospectively identified 45 highly conserved, putative HLA-B7 restricted HIV CTL epitopes and evaluated them in HLA binding and ELISpot assays. All 45 epitopes (100%) bound to HLA-B7 in cell-based HLA binding assays: 28 (62%) bound with high affinity, 6 (13%) peptides bound with medium affinity and 11 (24%) bound with low affinity. Forty of the 45 peptides (88%) stimulated a IFN-gamma response in PBMC from at least one subject. Eighteen of these 40 epitopes have not been previously described; an additional eight epitopes have not been previously described as restricted by B7. The HLA-B7 restricted epitopes discovered using this in silico screening approach are highly conserved across strains and clades of HIV as well as conserved in the HIV genome over the 20 years since HIV-1 isolates were first sequenced. This study demonstrates that it is possible to select a broad range of HLA-B7 restricted epitopes that comprise stable elements in the rapidly mutating HIV genome. The most immunogenic of these epitopes will be included in the GAIA multi-epitope vaccine.
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Heiny AT, Miotto O, Srinivasan KN, Khan AM, Zhang GL, Brusic V, Tan TW, August JT. Evolutionarily conserved protein sequences of influenza a viruses, avian and human, as vaccine targets. PLoS One 2007; 2:e1190. [PMID: 18030326 PMCID: PMC2065905 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0001190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2007] [Accepted: 10/17/2007] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Influenza A viruses generate an extreme genetic diversity through point mutation and gene segment exchange, resulting in many new strains that emerge from the animal reservoirs, among which was the recent highly pathogenic H5N1 virus. This genetic diversity also endows these viruses with a dynamic adaptability to their habitats, one result being the rapid selection of genomic variants that resist the immune responses of infected hosts. With the possibility of an influenza A pandemic, a critical need is a vaccine that will recognize and protect against any influenza A pathogen. One feasible approach is a vaccine containing conserved immunogenic protein sequences that represent the genotypic diversity of all current and future avian and human influenza viruses as an alternative to current vaccines that address only the known circulating virus strains. Methodology/Principal Findings Methodologies for large-scale analysis of the evolutionary variability of the influenza A virus proteins recorded in public databases were developed and used to elucidate the amino acid sequence diversity and conservation of 36,343 sequences of the 11 viral proteins of the recorded virus isolates of the past 30 years. Technologies were also applied to identify the conserved amino acid sequences from isolates of the past decade, and to evaluate the predicted human lymphocyte antigen (HLA) supertype-restricted class I and II T-cell epitopes of the conserved sequences. Fifty-five (55) sequences of 9 or more amino acids of the polymerases (PB2, PB1, and PA), nucleoprotein (NP), and matrix 1 (M1) proteins were completely conserved in at least 80%, many in 95 to 100%, of the avian and human influenza A virus isolates despite the marked evolutionary variability of the viruses. Almost all (50) of these conserved sequences contained putative supertype HLA class I or class II epitopes as predicted by 4 peptide-HLA binding algorithms. Additionally, data of the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) include 29 experimentally identified HLA class I and II T-cell epitopes present in 14 of the conserved sequences. Conclusions/Significance This study of all reported influenza A virus protein sequences, avian and human, has identified 55 highly conserved sequences, most of which are predicted to have immune relevance as T-cell epitopes. This is a necessary first step in the design and analysis of a polyepitope, pan-influenza A vaccine. In addition to the application described herein, these technologies can be applied to other pathogens and to other therapeutic modalities designed to attack DNA, RNA, or protein sequences critical to pathogen function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. T. Heiny
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Olivo Miotto
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Institute of Systems Science, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kellathur N. Srinivasan
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Maryland, United States of America
- Product Evaluation and Registration Division, Centre for Drug Administration, Health Sciences Authority, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Asif M. Khan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - G. L. Zhang
- Institute for Infocomm Research, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Vladimir Brusic
- Cancer Vaccine Center, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Tin Wee Tan
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - J. Thomas August
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Maryland, United States of America
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Andresen BS, Vinner L, Tang S, Bragstad K, Kronborg G, Gerstoft J, Corbet S, Fomsgaard A. Characterization of near full-length genomes of HIV type 1 strains in Denmark: basis for a universal therapeutic vaccine. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2007; 23:1442-8. [PMID: 18184088 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2007.0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We report here the near full-length sequence characterization of 17 Danish clinical HIV-1 strains isolated from HLA-A02 patients not in need of ART, with relatively low viral loads and normal CD4 cell counts. Sequencing was performed directly on DNA extracted from short-term cocultures of PBMCs. The near full-length genomes did not contain any major insertions, deletions, or rearrangements. Sixteen of the isolates were characterized as nonrecombinant subtype B and one isolate as nonrecombinant subtype C. Phylogenetic analysis did not reveal any founder effect among the sequences. Also, we investigated the presence of infrequently targeted subdominant HLA-A02-binding CTL epitopes. The epitopes were conserved in the Danish strains as well as globally in reference sequences of all subtypes. Thus, the selected epitopes were not subtype-specific or region-specific. This lends support for the concept of a universal immunotherapeutic vaccine construct based on these epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lasse Vinner
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sheila Tang
- BioCentrum-DTU, Technical University of Denmark, Lyngby, Denmark
| | | | - Gitte Kronborg
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Sylvie Corbet
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Fomsgaard
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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30
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Thorn M, Tang S, Therrien D, Kløverpris H, Vinner L, Kronborg G, Gerstoft J, Corbet S, Fomsgaard A. Sequence conservation of subdominant HLA-A2-binding CTL epitopes in HIV-1 clinical isolates and CD8+T-lymphocyte cross-recognition may explain the immune reaction in infected individuals. APMIS 2007; 115:757-68. [PMID: 17550385 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2007.apm_595.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) are critical for immune control of infection with human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and searches for relevant CTL epitopes for immune therapy are ongoing. Recently, we identified 28 HLA-A2-binding HIV-1 CTL epitopes (1). In this follow-up study we fully genome sequenced HIV-1 from 11 HLA-A2(+) patients to examine the sequence variation of these natural epitopes and compared them with the patient's CD8(+) T-cell recall response. Often the epitope was conserved but only a few patients showed a CD8(+) T-cell recall response. This infrequent targeting may be explained by immune subdominance. CD8(+) T-cell recall response to a natural epitope could be measured despite sequence differences in the patient's virus. T-cell cross-reaction between such variants could be demonstrated in HLA-A2 transgenic mice. Nine infrequently targeted but conserved or cross-reacting epitopes were identified in seven HIV-1 proteins. More immunogenic anchor amino acid optimized immunogens were designed that induced T-cell cross-reaction with these natural epitopes. It is concluded that most of the new CTL epitopes are conserved but subdominant during the infection. It is suggested that T-cell promiscuity may explain the observed CD8(+) T-cell reaction to epitope variants and it may be possible to use the selected immune optimized epitope peptides for therapeutic vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mette Thorn
- Department of Virology, Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
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31
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Bhattacharya T, Daniels M, Heckerman D, Foley B, Frahm N, Kadie C, Carlson J, Yusim K, McMahon B, Gaschen B, Mallal S, Mullins JI, Nickle DC, Herbeck J, Rousseau C, Learn GH, Miura T, Brander C, Walker B, Korber B. Founder effects in the assessment of HIV polymorphisms and HLA allele associations. Science 2007; 315:1583-6. [PMID: 17363674 DOI: 10.1126/science.1131528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Escape from T cell-mediated immune responses affects the ongoing evolution of rapidly evolving viruses such as HIV. By applying statistical approaches that account for phylogenetic relationships among viral sequences, we show that viral lineage effects rather than immune escape often explain apparent human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-mediated immune-escape mutations defined by older analysis methods. Phylogenetically informed methods identified immune-susceptible locations with greatly improved accuracy, and the associations we identified with these methods were experimentally validated. This approach has practical implications for understanding the impact of host immunity on pathogen evolution and for defining relevant variants for inclusion in vaccine antigens.
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32
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Yang XF, Mirkovic D, Zhang S, Zhang QE, Yan Y, Xiong Z, Yang F, Chen IH, Li L, Wang H. Processing sites are different in the generation of HLA-A2.1-restricted, T cell reactive tumor antigen epitopes and viral epitopes. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2007; 19:853-70. [PMID: 17166407 PMCID: PMC2888035 DOI: 10.1177/039463200601900415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to improve the processing efficiency of T cell tumor antigen epitopes, this bioinformatic study compares proteolytic sites in the generation of 47 experimentally identified HLA-A2.1-restricted immunodominant tumor antigen epitopes to those of 52 documented HLA-A2.1-restricted immunodominant viral antigen epitopes. Our results show that the amino acid frequencies in the C-terminal cleavage sites of the tumor antigen epitopes, as well as several positions within the 10 amino acid (aa) flanking regions, are significantly different from those of the viral antigen epitopes. In the 9 amino acid epitope region, frequencies differed somewhat in the secondary-anchored amino acid residues on E3 (the third aa of the epitope), E4, E6, E7 and E8; however, frequencies in the primary-anchored positions, on E2 and E9, for binding in the HLA-A2.1 groove, remained almost identical. The most frequently occurring amino acid pairs in both N-terminal and C-terminal cleavage sites in the generation of tumor antigen epitopes were different from those of the viral antigen epitopes. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that these two groups of epitopes may be cleaved by distinct sets of proteasomes and peptidases or similar enzymes with lower efficiencies for tumor epitopes. In the future, in order to more effectively generate tumor antigen epitopes, targeted activation of the immunoproteasomes and peptidases that mediate the cleavage of viral epitopes could be achieved, thus enhancing our potential for antigen-specific tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- X F Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA.
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33
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Abstract
Classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I antigens are trimeric molecules found on the surface of nucleated cells in all jawed vertebrates. MHC I are recognised by two families of receptors: clonotypic T cell receptors expressed on the surface of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and monomorphic receptors expressed by both natural killer cells and CTLs. The production of MHC I molecules within the cells is a sequential process performed with the help of interacting proteins: proteases, chaperones, transporters and so on. Although largely homologous in their structure, organisation and function, the human and mouse MHC I antigen processing and presentation machineries show fine differences. Transgenesis and 'knockout' or 'knock-in' technologies permit the addition of relevant human genes or the replacement of mouse genes by their human orthologues in order to produce immunologically humanised mice. Such experimental animals are especially relevant for the comparative evaluation of immunotherapies and for the characterisation of MHC I peptide epitopes. This review presents the similarities and differences between mouse and human MHC I antigen processing machinery, and describes the development and utilisation of improving mouse models of human cytotoxic T cell immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Pascolo
- Department of Immunology, University of Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 15, 72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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34
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Wong FS, Wen L. What can the HLA transgenic mouse tell us about autoimmune diabetes? Diabetologia 2004; 47:1476-87. [PMID: 15349728 DOI: 10.1007/s00125-004-1505-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2004] [Accepted: 07/27/2004] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a polygenic disease strongly associated with the class II molecules DR3, 4 and the linked DQ2, 8 alleles. These molecules play an important role in presentation of peptide antigens after intracellular processing to CD4 T lymphocytes. A number of in vitro approaches have been used to elucidate the molecular basis for the association of particular HLA alleles with susceptibility to or protection from Type 1 diabetes mellitus. These have focused on the structure of the antigen-presenting molecules, together with their peptides. Binding studies, peptide elution, molecular modelling and crystallisation of the peptide MHC complex have between them made it possible to define the peptide-binding regions and to examine the stability of binding of peptides from putative autoantigens. It is difficult to study the role of these molecules in vivo in humans, and HLA transgenic mice have been generated to overcome this problem. Studies of mice expressing the HLA class II alleles associated with diabetes have shown that the presence of HLA molecules alone does not cause disease except in the presence of an islet "insult", even when this "insult" would in itself be insufficient to precipitate disease in the absence of the HLA class II transgene. HLA transgenic mice offer a way to elucidate the in vivo role of these molecules, and could help the development of targeted immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- F S Wong
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
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