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Lin YJ, Zimmermann J, Schülke S. Novel adjuvants in allergen-specific immunotherapy: where do we stand? Front Immunol 2024; 15:1348305. [PMID: 38464539 PMCID: PMC10920236 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1348305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I hypersensitivity, or so-called type I allergy, is caused by Th2-mediated immune responses directed against otherwise harmless environmental antigens. Currently, allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying treatment with the potential to re-establish clinical tolerance towards the corresponding allergen(s). However, conventional AIT has certain drawbacks, including long treatment durations, the risk of inducing allergic side effects, and the fact that allergens by themselves have a rather low immunogenicity. To improve AIT, adjuvants can be a powerful tool not only to increase the immunogenicity of co-applied allergens but also to induce the desired immune activation, such as promoting allergen-specific Th1- or regulatory responses. This review summarizes the knowledge on adjuvants currently approved for use in human AIT: aluminum hydroxide, calcium phosphate, microcrystalline tyrosine, and MPLA, as well as novel adjuvants that have been studied in recent years: oil-in-water emulsions, virus-like particles, viral components, carbohydrate-based adjuvants (QS-21, glucans, and mannan) and TLR-ligands (flagellin and CpG-ODN). The investigated adjuvants show distinct properties, such as prolonging allergen release at the injection site, inducing allergen-specific IgG production while also reducing IgE levels, as well as promoting differentiation and activation of different immune cells. In the future, better understanding of the immunological mechanisms underlying the effects of these adjuvants in clinical settings may help us to improve AIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Ju Lin
- Section Molecular Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Schülke
- Section Molecular Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
- Section Research Allergology (ALG 5), Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany
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Marsh MC, Owen SC. Therapeutic Fusion Proteins. AAPS J 2023; 26:3. [PMID: 38036919 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-023-00873-8] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic fusion proteins are a class of hybrid constructs that combine distinct biomolecules into a single platform with the additive effects of the components. The ability to fuse two unrelated proteins provides a means to localize mechanisms to better treat a range of diseases. Fusion proteins can be designed to impart diverse functions, including increasing half-life, providing targeting, and enabling sustained signaling. Of these, half-life extenders, which are fused to a therapeutic protein to increase exposure, are the most established group of fusion proteins, with many clinical successes. Rapid advances in antibody and antibody-derivative technology have enabled the fusion of targeting domains with therapeutic proteins. An emerging group of therapeutic fusion proteins has two separate active functions. Although most research for therapeutic fusion proteins focuses on cancer, prior successes provide a foundation for studies into other diseases as well. The exponential emergence of biopharmaceuticals gives precedence for increased research into therapeutic fusion proteins for a multitude of diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan C Marsh
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Room 301, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA
| | - Shawn C Owen
- Department of Molecular Pharmaceutics, University of Utah, 30 South 2000 East, Room 301, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA.
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84112, USA.
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Cai H, Liu X, Liu D, Liu B. GEO data mining identifies potential immune-related genes in hypertrophic scar and verities in a rabbit model. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17266. [PMID: 37455989 PMCID: PMC10338295 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Hypertrophic scar (HTS), the secondary major abnormal tissue after wound healing, is the most frequent and severe type of skin scar. Dysregulated immune response plays an important role in HTS formation. In this study, we identified the potential immune-related genes in HTS and explored their potential therapeutic significance. Methods We first screened out the potential immune-related genes in HTS microarrays via bioinformatics analysis using public datasets. We then constructed a rabbit model of ear scar to investigate the morphological features of HTS and verify the basic expression of potential immune-related genes in HTS tissue. Finally, we used AlphaFold to determine the protein homology between human and rabbit scar tissues. Results Bioinformatics analysis revealed 22 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and a single differential infiltration of immune cells (naïve B cells) in HTS and normal tissues. Six of the DEGs were correlated with naïve B cell numerically. CCL2, PLXDC2 and FOXF2 were expressed in rabbit ear scar model. PLXDC2 and FOXF2 showed relatively high homology between human and rabbit scar tissues. Conclusions PLXDC2 and FOXF2, both closely related to immune cell infiltration and specifically expressed in HTS, represent potential therapeutic targets in HTS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Cai
- Department of Dermatology, Air Force Medical University Air Force Medical Center, Beijing, 100142, China
- Air Force Clinical College, Anhui Medical University Beijing, 100142, China
- The Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xuan Liu
- Department of Surgery, Central Medical Branch of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100120, China
| | - Dingbin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, Research Center for Analytical Sciences, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Molecular Recognition and Biosensing, College of Chemistry, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Bin Liu
- .Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University/Beijing Tuberculosis and Thoracic Tumor Research Institute, Beijing, 101149, China
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Bertrand Y, Sánchez-Montalvo A, Hox V, Froidure A, Pilette C. IgA-producing B cells in lung homeostasis and disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1117749. [PMID: 36936934 PMCID: PMC10014553 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1117749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the most abundant Ig in mucosae where it plays key roles in host defense against pathogens and in mucosal immunoregulation. Whereas intense research has established the different roles of secretory IgA in the gut, its function has been much less studied in the lung. This review will first summarize the state-of-the-art knowledge on the distribution and phenotype of IgA+ B cells in the human lung in both homeostasis and disease. Second, it will analyze the studies looking at cellular and molecular mechanisms of homing and priming of IgA+ B cells in the lung, notably following immunization. Lastly, published data on observations related to IgA and IgA+ B cells in lung and airway disease such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, or chronic rhinosinusitis, will be discussed. Collectively it provides the state-of-the-art of our current understanding of the biology of IgA-producing cells in the airways and identifies gaps that future research should address in order to improve mucosal protection against lung infections and chronic inflammatory diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youri Bertrand
- Centre de Pneumologie, Otorhinolaryngologie (ORL) et Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie et des Sciences Biomédicales, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Alba Sánchez-Montalvo
- Centre de Pneumologie, Otorhinolaryngologie (ORL) et Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie et des Sciences Biomédicales, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Research Group, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Katholieke universiteit (KU) Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Valérie Hox
- Centre de Pneumologie, Otorhinolaryngologie (ORL) et Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie et des Sciences Biomédicales, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Antoine Froidure
- Centre de Pneumologie, Otorhinolaryngologie (ORL) et Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie et des Sciences Biomédicales, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Service de Pneumologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Charles Pilette
- Centre de Pneumologie, Otorhinolaryngologie (ORL) et Dermatologie, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Faculté de Pharmacie et des Sciences Biomédicales, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
- Service de Pneumologie, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Charles Pilette,
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Lin YJ, Jamin A, Wolfheimer S, Fiedler A, Junker AC, Goretzki A, Scheurer S, Schülke S. A flagellin-conjugate protein induces dual NLRC4- and NLRP3-inflammasome activation which modulates inflammatory cytokine secretion from macrophages. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1136669. [PMID: 37026001 PMCID: PMC10070734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1136669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A recombinant fusion protein combining the adjuvant and TLR5-ligand flagellin with the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 (rFlaA:Betv1) has been suggested to prevent the manifestation of birch allergy. Noteworthy, rFlaA:Betv1 induced both pro- and anti-inflammatory responses which were differentially regulated. However, the mechanism by which flagellin fusion proteins modulate allergen-specific immune responses, especially the mechanisms underlying IL-1β secretion and their contribution to the overall immune responses remains elusive. Objective To investigate the mechanisms underlying the production of IL-1β from rFlaA:Betv1 stimulated macrophages. Methods Macrophages were derived from mouse peritoneal-, human buffy-coat-, and PMA-differentiated THP-1 (wild type or lacking either ASC, NLRP3, or NLRC4) cells. Macrophages were stimulated with non-modified rFlaA:Betv1, mutant variants lacking either the flagellin DC0 domain or a sequence motif formerly described to mediate TLR5-activation, and respective controls in the presence or absence of inhibitors interfering with MAPK- and NFκB-signaling. Cytokine secretion was analyzed by ELISA and intracellular signaling by Western Blot. To study the contribution of IL-1β to the overall immune responses, IL1R-deficient mouse peritoneal macrophages were used. Results rFlaA:Betv1 consistently activated all types of investigated macrophages, inducing higher IL-1β secretion compared with the equimolar mixture of both proteins. rFlaA:Betv1-induced activation of THP-1 macrophages was shown to be independent of either the TLR5-activating sequence motif or the flagellin DC0 domain but depended on both NLRP3- and NLRC4-inflammasomes. In addition, NFκB and SAP/JNK MAP kinases regulated rFlaA:Betv1-induced inflammasome activation and cytokine secretion by modulating pro-Caspase-1- and pro-IL-1β-expression in THP-1 macrophages. Finally, lack of IL-1β positive feedback via the IL1R strongly diminished the rFlaA:Betv1-induced secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α from peritoneal macrophages. Conclusion The mechanisms contributing to rFlaA:Betv1-induced IL-1β secretion from macrophages were shown to be complex, involving both NLRC4- and NLRP3-inflammsomes, as well as NFκB- and SAP/JNK MAP kinase-signaling. Better understanding the mechanisms regulating the activation of immune cells by novel therapeutic candidates like the rFlaA:Betv1 fusion protein will allow us to further improve and develop new treatment strategies when using flagellin as an adjuvant.
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Goretzki A, Lin YJ, Zimmermann J, Rainer H, Junker AC, Wolfheimer S, Vieths S, Scheurer S, Schülke S. Role of Glycolysis and Fatty Acid Synthesis in the Activation and T Cell-Modulating Potential of Dendritic Cells Stimulated with a TLR5-Ligand Allergen Fusion Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012695. [PMID: 36293550 PMCID: PMC9604253 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Trained immune responses, based on metabolic and epigenetic changes in innate immune cells, are de facto innate immune memory and, therefore, are of great interest in vaccine development. In previous studies, the recombinant fusion protein rFlaA:Betv1, combining the adjuvant and toll-like receptor (TLR)5-ligand flagellin (FlaA) and the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 into a single molecule, significantly suppressed allergic sensitization in vivo while also changing the metabolism of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs). Within this study, the immune-metabolic effects of rFlaA:Betv1 during mDC activation were elucidated. In line with results for other well-characterized TLR-ligands, rFlaA:Betv1 increased glycolysis while suppressing oxidative phosphorylation to different extents, making rFlaA:Betv1 a suitable model to study the immune-metabolic effects of TLR-adjuvanted vaccines. In vitro pretreatment of mDCs with cerulenin (inhibitor of fatty acid biosynthesis) led to a decrease in both rFlaA:Betv1-induced anti-inflammatory cytokine Interleukin (IL) 10 and T helper cell type (TH) 1-related cytokine IL-12p70, while the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL 1β was unaffected. Interestingly, pretreatment with the glutaminase inhibitor BPTES resulted in an increase in IL-1β, but decreased IL-12p70 secretion while leaving IL-10 unchanged. Inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme hexokinase-2 by 2-deoxyglucose led to a decrease in all investigated cytokines (IL-10, IL-12p70, and IL-1β). Inhibitors of mitochondrial respiration had no effect on rFlaA:Betv1-induced IL-10 level, but either enhanced the secretion of IL-1β (oligomycin) or decreased IL-12p70 (antimycin A). In extracellular flux measurements, mDCs showed a strongly enhanced glycolysis after rFlaA:Betv1 stimulation, which was slightly increased after respiratory shutdown using antimycin A. rFlaA:Betv1-stimulated mDCs secreted directly antimicrobial substances in a mTOR- and fatty acid metabolism-dependent manner. In co-cultures of rFlaA:Betv1-stimulated mDCs with CD4+ T cells, the suppression of Bet v 1-specific TH2 responses was shown to depend on fatty acid synthesis. The effector function of rFlaA:Betv1-activated mDCs mainly relies on glycolysis, with fatty acid synthesis also significantly contributing to rFlaA:Betv1-mediated cytokine secretion, the production of antimicrobial molecules, and the modulation of T cell responses.
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