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Kundu J, Le HT, Logan M, Hockman D, Landi A, Crawford K, Wininger M, Johnson J, Kundu JK, Tiffney EA, Urbanowicz RA, Ball JK, Bailey JR, Bukh J, Law M, Foung S, Tyrrell DL, Houghton M, Law JL. Recombinant H77C gpE1/gpE2 heterodimer elicits superior HCV cross-neutralisation than H77C gpE2 alone. J Hepatol 2024:S0168-8278(24)02335-3. [PMID: 38986744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2024.06.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS An optimal HCV vaccine requires the induction of antibodies that neutralise the infectivity of many heterogenous viral isolates. In this study, we have focused on determining the optimal recombinant envelope glycoprotein component to elicit cross-neutralising antibodies against global HCV genotypes. We compared the immunoreactivity and antigenicity of the recombinant HCV genotype 1a strain H77C envelope glycoprotein heterodimer gpE1/gpE2 with that of recombinant gpE2 alone derived from an infectious molecular clone (H77C). METHODS Characterization of the envelope glycoproteins was accomplished by determining their ability to bind to a panel of broadly cross-neutralising monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs). Immunogenicity was determined by testing the ability of vaccine antisera to neutralise the infectivity in vitro of a panel of pseudotyped HCV particles in which gpE1/gpE2 derived from representative isolates of the major global HCV genotypes were displayed. RESULTS gpE1/gpE2 binds to more diverse bNabs than gpE2 alone and elicits a broader profile of cross-neutralising antibodies in animals, especially against more heterologous, non-1a genotypes. While not all heterologous HCV strains can be potently inhibited in vitro by gpE1/gpE2 antisera derived from a single HCV strain, the breadth of heterologous cross-neutralisation is shown to be substantial. CONCLUSIONS Our work supports the inclusion of gpE1/gpE2 in an HCV vaccine in order to maximise the cross-neutralisation of heterogenous HCV isolates. Our data also offers future directions in formulating a cocktail of gpE1/gpE2 antigens from a small selection of HCV genotypes to further enhance cross-neutralisation of global HCV strains and hopefully, achieving global protection. IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS An HCV vaccine is urgently required to prevent the high global incidence of HCV infection and disease. Since HCV is a highly heterogeneous virus, it is desirable for a vaccine to elicit antibodies that neutralise the infectivity of most global strains. To this end, we have compared the immunoreactivity and antigenicity of recombinant H77C E1E2 heterodimer with that of H77C E2 alone and show that the former exhibits more cross-neutralising epitopes and demonstrates a broader cross-neutralisation profile in vitro. In addition, our data suggests a way to further broaden cross-neutralisation using a combination of E1E2 antigens derived from a few different HCV clades. Our work provides encouragement for the development of an effective global HCV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juthika Kundu
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hoa T Le
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael Logan
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Darren Hockman
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Abdolamir Landi
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kevin Crawford
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark Wininger
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Janelle Johnson
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Joydeb K Kundu
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - E Alana Tiffney
- Dept of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Richard A Urbanowicz
- Dept of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan K Ball
- Wolfson Centre for Global Virus Infections, University of Nottingham, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham, United Kingdom; Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Justin R Bailey
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital, Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Steven Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | - D Lorne Tyrrell
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
| | - John Lokman Law
- Division of BioMedical Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
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2
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Li J, Vranjkovic A, Read D, Delaney SP, Stanford WL, Cooper CL, Crawley AM. Lasting differential gene expression of circulating CD8 T cells in chronic HCV infection with cirrhosis identifies a role for Hedgehog signaling in cellular hyperfunction. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1375485. [PMID: 38887299 PMCID: PMC11180750 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1375485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The impact of chronic hepatic infection on antigen non-specific immune cells in circulation remains poorly understood. We reported lasting global hyperfunction of peripheral CD8 T cells in HCV-infected individuals with cirrhosis. Whether gene expression patterns in bulk CD8 T cells are associated with the severity of liver fibrosis in HCV infection is not known. Methods RNA sequencing of blood CD8 T cells from treatment naïve, HCV-infected individuals with minimal (Metavir F0-1 ≤ 7.0 kPa) or advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis (F4 ≥ 12.5 kPa), before and after direct-acting antiviral therapy, was performed. CD8 T cell function was assessed by flow cytometry. Results In CD8 T cells from pre-DAA patients with advanced compared to minimal fibrosis, Gene Ontology analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified differential gene expression related to cellular function and metabolism, including upregulated Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, IFN-α, -γ, TGF-β response genes, apoptosis, apical surface pathways, phospholipase signaling, phosphatidyl-choline/inositol activity, and second-messenger-mediated signaling. In contrast, genes in pathways associated with nuclear processes, RNA transport, cytoskeletal dynamics, cMyc/E2F regulation, oxidative phosphorylation, and mTOR signaling, were reduced. Hh signaling pathway was the top featured gene set upregulated in cirrhotics, wherein hallmark genes GLI1 and PTCH1 ranked highly. Inhibition of Smo-dependent Hh signaling ablated the expression of IFN-γ and perforin in stimulated CD8 T cells from chronic HCV-infected patients with advanced compared to minimal fibrosis. CD8 T cell gene expression profiles post-DAA remained clustered with pre-DAA profiles and disparately between advanced and minimal fibrosis, suggesting a persistent perturbation of gene expression long after viral clearance. Conclusions This analysis of bulk CD8 T cell gene expression in chronic HCV infection suggests considerable reprogramming of the CD8 T cell pool in the cirrhotic state. Increased Hh signaling in cirrhosis may contribute to generalized CD8 T cell hyperfunction observed in chronic HCV infection. Understanding the lasting nature of immune cell dysfunction may help mitigate remaining clinical challenges after HCV clearance and more generally, improve long term outcomes for individuals with severe liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Li
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Agatha Vranjkovic
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Read
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sean P. Delaney
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - William L. Stanford
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Institute of Systems Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Curtis L. Cooper
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Angela M. Crawley
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology and Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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3
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Ogega CO, Skinner NE, Schoenle MV, Wilcox XE, Frumento N, Wright DA, Paul HT, Sinnis-Bourozikas A, Clark KE, Figueroa A, Bjorkman PJ, Ray SC, Flyak AI, Bailey JR. Convergent evolution and targeting of diverse E2 epitopes by human broadly neutralizing antibodies are associated with HCV clearance. Immunity 2024; 57:890-903.e6. [PMID: 38518779 PMCID: PMC11247618 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.03.001] [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: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
The early appearance of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in serum is associated with spontaneous hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance, but to date, the majority of bNAbs have been isolated from chronically infected donors. Most of these bNAbs use the VH1-69 gene segment and target the envelope glycoprotein E2 front layer. Here, we performed longitudinal B cell receptor (BCR) repertoire analysis on an elite neutralizer who spontaneously cleared multiple HCV infections. We isolated 10,680 E2-reactive B cells, performed BCR sequencing, characterized monoclonal B cell cultures, and isolated bNAbs. In contrast to what has been seen in chronically infected donors, the bNAbs used a variety of VH genes and targeted at least three distinct E2 antigenic sites, including sites previously thought to be non-neutralizing. Diverse front-layer-reactive bNAb lineages evolved convergently, acquiring breadth-enhancing somatic mutations. These findings demonstrate that HCV clearance-associated bNAbs are genetically diverse and bind distinct antigenic sites that should be the target of vaccine-induced bNAbs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clinton O Ogega
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Nicole E Skinner
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA; Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Marta V Schoenle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Xander E Wilcox
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Nicole Frumento
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Desiree A Wright
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Harry T Paul
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ariadne Sinnis-Bourozikas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kaitlyn E Clark
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Alexis Figueroa
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA
| | - Stuart C Ray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andrew I Flyak
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
| | - Justin R Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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Malaina I, Martinez L, Salcines-Cuevas D, Teran-Navarro H, Ocejo-Vinyals JG, Gonzalez-Lopez E, Soriano V, Ubeda M, Perez Pinilla MB, Martinez de la Fuente I, Alvarez-Dominguez C. Testing a vaccine candidate against Hepatitis C virus designed by combinatorial optimization. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21746. [PMID: 38066027 PMCID: PMC10709393 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48458-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This paper presents a new procedure for vaccine design against highly variable viruses such as Hepatitis C. The procedure uses an optimization algorithm to design vaccines that maximize the coverage of epitopes across different virus variants. Weighted epitopes based on the success ratio of immunological assays are used to prioritize the selection of epitopes for vaccine design. The procedure was successfully applied to design DC vaccines loaded with two HCV peptides, STG and DYP, which were shown to be safe, immunogenic, and able to induce significant levels of anti-viral cytokines, peptide-specific cellular immune responses and IgG antibodies. The procedure could potentially be applied to other highly variable viruses that currently lack effective vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iker Malaina
- Department of Mathematics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48080, Bilbao, Spain.
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Spain.
| | - Luis Martinez
- Department of Mathematics, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48080, Bilbao, Spain
- Biocruces Health Research Institute, Bilbao, Spain
- Basque Center of Applied Mathematics (BCAM), 48009, Bilbao, Spain
| | - David Salcines-Cuevas
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), MEDONLINE Group, Avda. de La Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - Hector Teran-Navarro
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), MEDONLINE Group, Avda. de La Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - J Gonzalo Ocejo-Vinyals
- Servicio de Inmunología, Cantabria and Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Avda. de Valdecilla S/N, 39008, Santander, Spain
| | - Elena Gonzalez-Lopez
- Servicio de Inmunología, Cantabria and Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Avda. de Valdecilla S/N, 39008, Santander, Spain
| | - Vicente Soriano
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), MEDONLINE Group, Avda. de La Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | - María Ubeda
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), MEDONLINE Group, Avda. de La Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain
| | | | | | - Carmen Alvarez-Dominguez
- Facultad de Ciencias de La Salud, Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), MEDONLINE Group, Avda. de La Paz, 137, 26006, Logroño, La Rioja, Spain.
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Liang TJ, Law JLM, Pietschmann T, Ray SC, Bukh J, Bull R, Chung RT, Tyrrell DL, Houghton M, Rice CM. Challenge Inoculum for Hepatitis C Virus Controlled Human Infection Model. Clin Infect Dis 2023; 77:S257-S261. [PMID: 37579208 PMCID: PMC10681659 DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciad336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
For any controlled human infection model (CHIM), a safe, standardized, and biologically relevant challenge inoculum is necessary. For hepatitis C virus (HCV) CHIM, we propose that human-derived high-titer inocula of several viral genotypes with extensive virologic, serologic, and molecular characterizations should be the most appropriate approach. These inocula should first be tested in human volunteers in a step-wise manner to ensure safety, reproducibility, and curability prior to using them for testing the efficacy of candidate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Jake Liang
- Liver Diseases Branch, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John L M Law
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute for Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Stuart C Ray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Copenhagen University Hospital; Hvidovre and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rowena Bull
- Liver Center, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raymond T Chung
- School of Biomedical Sciences and The Kirby Institute, Medicine and Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - D Lorne Tyrrell
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York, USA
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Skinner NE, Ogega CO, Frumento N, Clark KE, Paul H, Yegnasubramanian S, Schuebel K, Meyers J, Gupta A, Wheelan S, Cox AL, Crowe JE, Ray SC, Bailey JR. Convergent antibody responses are associated with broad neutralization of hepatitis C virus. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1135841. [PMID: 37033983 PMCID: PMC10080129 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1135841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Early development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) targeting the hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoprotein E2 is associated with spontaneous clearance of infection, so induction of bNAbs is a major goal of HCV vaccine development. However, the molecular antibody features important for broad neutralization are not known. Methods To identify B cell repertoire features associated with broad neutralization, we performed RNA sequencing of the B cell receptors (BCRs) of HCV E2-reactive B cells of HCV-infected individuals with either high or low plasma neutralizing breadth. We then produced a monoclonal antibody (mAb) expressed by pairing the most abundant heavy and light chains from public clonotypes identified among clearance, high neutralization subjects. Results We found distinctive BCR features associated with broad neutralization of HCV, including long heavy chain complementarity determining region 3 (CDRH3) regions, specific VH gene usage, increased frequencies of somatic hypermutation, and particular VH gene mutations. Most intriguing, we identified many E2-reactive public BCR clonotypes (heavy and light chain clones with the same V and J-genes and identical CDR3 sequences) present only in subjects who produced highly neutralizing plasma. The majority of these public clonotypes were shared by two subjects who cleared infection. A mAb expressing the most abundant public heavy and light chains from these clearance, high neutralization subjects had features enriched in high neutralization clonotypes, such as increased somatic hypermutation frequency and usage of IGHV1-69, and was cross-neutralizing. Discussion Together, these results demonstrate distinct BCR repertoires associated with high plasma neutralizing capacity. Further characterization of the molecular features and function of these antibodies can inform HCV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E. Skinner
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Clinton O. Ogega
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Nicole Frumento
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Kaitlyn E. Clark
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Harry Paul
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | | | - Kornel Schuebel
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jennifer Meyers
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Anuj Gupta
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah Wheelan
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Andrea L. Cox
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - James E. Crowe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - Stuart C. Ray
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Justin R. Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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7
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Karbalaei M, Keikha M. A close view of the Hepatitis C virus vaccines with further perspective. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2022; 80:104182. [PMID: 35859760 PMCID: PMC9289628 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 10/28/2022] Open
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8
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Frumento N, Figueroa A, Wang T, Zahid MN, Wang S, Massaccesi G, Stavrakis G, Crowe JE, Flyak AI, Ji H, Ray SC, Shaw GM, Cox AL, Bailey JR. Repeated exposure to heterologous hepatitis C viruses associates with enhanced neutralizing antibody breadth and potency. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e160058. [PMID: 35588376 PMCID: PMC9337827 DOI: 10.1172/jci160058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A prophylactic hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine that elicits neutralizing antibodies could be key to HCV eradication. However, the genetic and antigenic properties of HCV envelope (E1E2) proteins capable of inducing anti-HCV broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) in humans have not been defined. Here, we investigated the development of bNAbs in longitudinal plasma of HCV-infected persons with persistent infection or spontaneous clearance of multiple reinfections. By measuring plasma antibody neutralization of a heterologous virus panel, we found that the breadth and potency of the antibody response increased upon exposure to multiple genetically distinct infections and with longer duration of viremia. Greater genetic divergence between infecting strains was not associated with enhanced neutralizing breadth. Rather, repeated exposure to antigenically related, antibody-sensitive E1E2s was associated with potent bNAb induction. These data reveal that a prime-boost vaccine strategy with genetically distinct, antibody-sensitive viruses is a promising approach to inducing potent bNAbs in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tingchang Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Muhammad N. Zahid
- University of Bahrain, Department of Biology, College of Science, Sakhir Campus, Bahrain
| | - Shuyi Wang
- Department of Medicine and
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | | | - James E. Crowe
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology
- Department of Pediatrics, and
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Andrew I. Flyak
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California, USA
| | - Hongkai Ji
- Department of Biostatistics, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | | | - George M. Shaw
- Department of Medicine and
- Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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9
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Modified E2 Glycoprotein of Hepatitis C Virus Enhances Proinflammatory Cytokines and Protective Immune Response. J Virol 2022; 96:e0052322. [PMID: 35612312 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00523-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by a high number of chronic cases owing to an impairment of innate and adaptive immune responses. CD81 on the cell surface facilitates HCV entry by interacting with the E2 envelope glycoprotein. In addition, CD81/E2 binding on immunity-related cells may also influence host response outcome to HCV infection. Here, we performed site-specific amino acid substitution in the front layer of E2 sequence to reduce CD81 binding and evaluate the potential of the resulting immunogen as an HCV vaccine candidate. The modified sE2 protein (F442NYT), unlike unmodified sE2, exhibited a significant reduction in CD81 binding, induced higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines, repressed anti-inflammatory response in primary monocyte-derived macrophages as antigen-presenting cells, and stimulated CD4+ T cell proliferation. Immunization of BALB/c mice with an E1/sE2F442NYT nucleoside-modified mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (mRNA-LNP) vaccine resulted in improved IgG1-to-IgG2a isotype switching, an increase in neutralizing antibodies against HCV pseudotype virus, a B and T cell proliferative response to antigens, and improved protection against infection with a surrogate recombinant vaccinia virus-expressing HCV E1-E2-NS2aa134-966 challenge model compared to E1/unmodified sE2 mRNA-LNP vaccine. Further investigation of the modified E2 antigen may provide helpful information for HCV vaccine development. IMPORTANCE Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2-CD81 binding dampens protective immune response. We have identified that an alteration of amino acids in the front layer of soluble E2 (sE2) disrupts CD81 interaction and alters the cytokine response. Immunization with modified sE2F442NYT (includes an added potential N-linked glycosylation site and reduces CD81 binding activity)-mRNA-LNP candidate vaccine generates improved proinflammatory response and protective efficacy against a surrogate HCV vaccinia challenge model in mice. The results clearly suggested that HCV E2 exhibits immunoregulatory activity that inhibits induction of robust protective immune responses. Selection of engineered E2 antigen in an mRNA-LNP platform amenable to nucleic acid sequence alterations may open a novel approach for multigenotype HCV vaccine development.
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10
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Wang R, Suzuki S, Guest JD, Heller B, Almeda M, Andrianov AK, Marin A, Mariuzza RA, Keck ZY, Foung SKH, Yunus AS, Pierce BG, Toth EA, Ploss A, Fuerst TR. Induction of broadly neutralizing antibodies using a secreted form of the hepatitis C virus E1E2 heterodimer as a vaccine candidate. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112008119. [PMID: 35263223 PMCID: PMC8931252 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112008119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
SignificanceHepatitis C virus chronically infects approximately 1% of the world's population, making an effective vaccine for hepatitis C virus a major unmet public health need. The membrane-associated E1E2 envelope glycoprotein has been used in clinical studies as a vaccine candidate. However, limited neutralization breadth and difficulty in producing large amounts of homogeneous membrane-associated E1E2 have hampered efforts to develop an E1E2-based vaccine. Our previous work described the design and biochemical validation of a native-like soluble secreted form of E1E2 (sE1E2). Here, we describe the immunogenic characterization of the sE1E2 complex. sE1E2 elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies in immunized mice, with increased neutralization breadth relative to the membrane-associated E1E2, thereby validating this platform as a promising model system for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixue Wang
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Saori Suzuki
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Johnathan D. Guest
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Brigitte Heller
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Maricar Almeda
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Alexander K. Andrianov
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Alexander Marin
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Roy A. Mariuzza
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Zhen-Yong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Steven K. H. Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305
| | - Abdul S. Yunus
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Brian G. Pierce
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
| | - Eric A. Toth
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
| | - Alexander Ploss
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08540
| | - Thomas R. Fuerst
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, University of Maryland, Rockville, MD 20850
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742
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11
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Manne V, Ryan J, Wong J, Vengayil G, Basit SA, Gish RG. Hepatitis C Vaccination: Where We Are and Where We Need to Be. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121619. [PMID: 34959574 PMCID: PMC8705661 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of chronic liver disease and liver cancer worldwide. Despite advances in curative therapies for HCV, the incidence of new infections is not decreasing at the expected rate to hit the World Health Organization (WHO) target for the elimination of HCV by 2030. In fact, there are still more new cases of infection in the United States and worldwide than are being cured. The reasons for the rise in new cases include poor access to care and the opioid epidemic. The clinical burden of HCV requires a multimodal approach to eradicating the infection. Vaccination would be an excellent tool to prevent incidence of new infections; however, the genetic diversity of HCV and its ability to generate quasispecies within an infected host make creating a broadly reactive vaccine difficult. Multiple vaccine candidates have been identified, but to date, there has not been a target that has led to a broadly reactive vaccine, though several of the candidates are promising. Additionally, the virus is very difficult to culture and testing candidates in humans or chimpanzees is ethically challenging. Despite the multiple barriers to creating a vaccine, vaccination still represents an important tool in the fight against HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vignan Manne
- HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education, Las Vegas, NV 89148, USA; (V.M.); (J.W.); (G.V.)
| | - John Ryan
- Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89148, USA; (J.R.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Jonathan Wong
- HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education, Las Vegas, NV 89148, USA; (V.M.); (J.W.); (G.V.)
| | - Gayatri Vengayil
- HCA Healthcare Graduate Medical Education, Las Vegas, NV 89148, USA; (V.M.); (J.W.); (G.V.)
| | - Syed Abdul Basit
- Comprehensive Digestive Institute of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89148, USA; (J.R.); (S.A.B.)
| | - Robert G. Gish
- Liver Transplant Clinic, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-866-873-8877
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12
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Hartlage AS, Kapoor A. Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine Research: Time to Put Up or Shut Up. Viruses 2021; 13:1596. [PMID: 34452460 PMCID: PMC8402855 DOI: 10.3390/v13081596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Unless urgently needed to prevent a pandemic, the development of a viral vaccine should follow a rigorous scientific approach. Each vaccine candidate should be designed considering the in-depth knowledge of protective immunity, followed by preclinical studies to assess immunogenicity and safety, and lastly, the evaluation of selected vaccines in human clinical trials. The recently concluded first phase II clinical trial of a human hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine followed this approach. Still, despite promising preclinical results, it failed to protect against chronic infection, raising grave concerns about our understanding of protective immunity. This setback, combined with the lack of HCV animal models and availability of new highly effective antivirals, has fueled ongoing discussions of using a controlled human infection model (CHIM) to test new HCV vaccine candidates. Before taking on such an approach, however, we must carefully weigh all the ethical and health consequences of human infection in the absence of a complete understanding of HCV immunity and pathogenesis. We know that there are significant gaps in our knowledge of adaptive immunity necessary to prevent chronic HCV infection. This review discusses our current understanding of HCV immunity and the critical gaps that should be filled before embarking upon new HCV vaccine trials. We discuss the importance of T cells, neutralizing antibodies, and HCV genetic diversity. We address if and how the animal HCV-like viruses can be used for conceptualizing effective HCV vaccines and what we have learned so far from these HCV surrogates. Finally, we propose a logical but narrow path forward for HCV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S. Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, OH 43205, USA;
- Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43205, USA
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13
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Where to Next? Research Directions after the First Hepatitis C Vaccine Efficacy Trial. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071351. [PMID: 34372558 PMCID: PMC8310243 DOI: 10.3390/v13071351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Thirty years after its discovery, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains a leading cause of liver disease worldwide. Given that many countries continue to experience high rates of transmission despite the availability of potent antiviral therapies, an effective vaccine is seen as critical for the elimination of HCV. The recent failure of the first vaccine efficacy trial for the prevention of chronic HCV confirmed suspicions that this virus will be a challenging vaccine target. Here, we examine the published data from this first efficacy trial along with the earlier clinical and pre-clinical studies of the vaccine candidate and then discuss three key research directions expected to be important in ongoing and future HCV vaccine development. These include the following: 1. design of novel immunogens that generate immune responses to genetically diverse HCV genotypes and subtypes, 2. strategies to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against envelope glycoproteins in addition to cytotoxic and helper T cell responses, and 3. consideration of the unique immunological status of individuals most at risk for HCV infection, including those who inject drugs, in vaccine platform development and early immunogenicity trials.
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14
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Sevvana M, Keck Z, Foung SK, Kuhn RJ. Structural perspectives on HCV humoral immune evasion mechanisms. Curr Opin Virol 2021; 49:92-101. [PMID: 34091143 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2021.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The molecular mechanisms of hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistence and pathogenesis are poorly understood. The design of an effective HCV vaccine is challenging despite a robust humoral immune response against closely related strains of HCV. This is primarily because of the huge genetic diversity of HCV and the molecular evolution of various virus escape mechanisms. These mechanisms are steered by the presence of a high mutational rate in HCV, structural plasticity of the immunodominant regions on the virion surface of diverse HCV genotypes, and constant amino acid substitutions on key structural components of HCV envelope glycoproteins. Here, we review the molecular basis of neutralizing antibody (nAb)-mediated immune response against diverse HCV variants, HCV-steered humoral immune evasion strategies and explore the essential structural elements to consider for designing a universal HCV vaccine. Structural perspectives on key escape pathways mediated by a point mutation within the epitope, allosteric modulation of the epitope by distant mutations and glycan shift on envelope glycoproteins will be highlighted (abstract graphic).
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhumati Sevvana
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA
| | - Zhenyong Keck
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Steven Kh Foung
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Richard J Kuhn
- Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA; Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology, and Infectious Disease, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47904, USA.
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15
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Structural and Biophysical Characterization of the HCV E1E2 Heterodimer for Vaccine Development. Viruses 2021; 13:v13061027. [PMID: 34072451 PMCID: PMC8227786 DOI: 10.3390/v13061027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An effective vaccine for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major unmet medical and public health need, and it requires an antigen that elicits immune responses to multiple key conserved epitopes. Decades of research have generated a number of vaccine candidates; based on these data and research through clinical development, a vaccine antigen based on the E1E2 glycoprotein complex appears to be the best choice. One bottleneck in the development of an E1E2-based vaccine is that the antigen is challenging to produce in large quantities and at high levels of purity and antigenic/functional integrity. This review describes the production and characterization of E1E2-based vaccine antigens, both membrane-associated and a novel secreted form of E1E2, with a particular emphasis on the major challenges facing the field and how those challenges can be addressed.
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16
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Kemming J, Thimme R, Neumann-Haefelin C. Adaptive Immune Response against Hepatitis C Virus. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165644. [PMID: 32781731 PMCID: PMC7460648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A functional adaptive immune response is the major determinant for clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, in the majority of patients, this response fails and persistent infection evolves. Here, we dissect the HCV-specific key players of adaptive immunity, namely B cells and T cells, and describe factors that affect infection outcome. Once chronic infection is established, continuous exposure to HCV antigens affects functionality, phenotype, transcriptional program, metabolism, and the epigenetics of the adaptive immune cells. In addition, viral escape mutations contribute to the failure of adaptive antiviral immunity. Direct-acting antivirals (DAA) can mediate HCV clearance in almost all patients with chronic HCV infection, however, defects in adaptive immune cell populations remain, only limited functional memory is obtained and reinfection of cured individuals is possible. Thus, to avoid potential reinfection and achieve global elimination of HCV infections, a prophylactic vaccine is needed. Recent vaccine trials could induce HCV-specific immunity but failed to protect from persistent infection. Thus, lessons from natural protection from persistent infection, DAA-mediated cure, and non-protective vaccination trials might lead the way to successful vaccination strategies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Kemming
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Schaenzlestrasse 1, 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Robert Thimme
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
| | - Christoph Neumann-Haefelin
- Department of Medicine II, Freiburg University Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Hugstetter Strasse 55, 79102 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany; (J.K.); (R.T.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-761-270-32800
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17
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Osuch S, Metzner KJ, Caraballo Cortés K. Reversal of T Cell Exhaustion in Chronic HCV Infection. Viruses 2020; 12:v12080799. [PMID: 32722372 PMCID: PMC7472290 DOI: 10.3390/v12080799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The long-term consequences of T cell responses’ impairment in chronic HCV infection are not entirely characterized, although they may be essential in the context of the clinical course of infection, re-infection, treatment-mediated viral clearance and vaccine design. Furthermore, it is unclear whether a complete reinvigoration of HCV-specific T cell response may be feasible. In most studies, attempting to reverse the effects of compromised immune response quality by specific blockades of negative immune regulators, a restoration of functional competence of HCV-specific T cells was shown. This implies that HCV-induced immune dysfunction may be reversible. The advent of highly successful, direct-acting antiviral treatment (DAA) for chronic HCV infection instigated investigation whether the treatment-driven elimination of viral antigens restores T cell function. Most of studies demonstrated that DAA treatment may result in at least partial restoration of T cell immune function. They also suggest that a complete restoration comparable to that seen after spontaneous viral clearance may not be attained, pointing out that long-term antigenic stimulation imprints an irreversible change on the T cell compartment. Understanding the mechanisms of HCV-induced immune dysfunction and barriers to immune restoration following viral clearance is of utmost importance to diminish the possible long-term consequences of chronic HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia Osuch
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Karin J. Metzner
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, CH-8091 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute of Medical Virology, University of Zurich, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kamila Caraballo Cortés
- Department of Immunopathology of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-22-572-07-09; Fax: +48-22-883-10-60
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18
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Hepatitis C virus vaccine design: focus on the humoral immune response. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:78. [PMID: 32631318 PMCID: PMC7338099 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00669-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent development of safe and highly effective direct-acting antivirals, hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains a significant health problem. In 2016, the World Health Organization set out to reduce the rate of new HCV infections by 90% by 2030. Still, global control of the virus does not seem to be achievable in the absence of an effective vaccine. Current approaches to the development of a vaccine against HCV include the production of recombinant proteins, synthetic peptides, DNA vaccines, virus-like particles, and viral vectors expressing various antigens. In this review, we focus on the development of vaccines targeting the humoral immune response against HCV based on the cumulative evidence supporting the important role of neutralizing antibodies in protection against HCV infection. The main targets of HCV-specific neutralizing antibodies are the glycoproteins E1 and E2. Recent advances in the knowledge of HCV glycoprotein structure and their epitopes, as well as the possibility of getting detailed information on the human antibody repertoire generated by the infection, will allow rational structure-based antigen design to target specific germline antibodies. Although obtaining a vaccine capable of inducing sterilizing immunity will be a difficult task, a vaccine that prevents chronic hepatitis C infections, a more realistic goal in the short term, would have a considerable health impact.
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19
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Roingeard P, Beaumont E. Hepatitis C Vaccine: 10 Good Reasons for Continuing. Hepatology 2020; 71:1845-1850. [PMID: 32060946 DOI: 10.1002/hep.31182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Roingeard
- Faculté de Médecine, INSERM U1259, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
| | - Elodie Beaumont
- Faculté de Médecine, INSERM U1259, Université de Tours and CHRU de Tours, Tours, France
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20
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Atcheson E, Li W, Bliss CM, Chinnakannan S, Heim K, Sharpe H, Hutchings C, Dietrich I, Nguyen D, Kapoor A, Jarvis MA, Klenerman P, Barnes E, Simmonds P. Use of an Outbred Rat Hepacivirus Challenge Model for Design and Evaluation of Efficacy of Different Immunization Strategies for Hepatitis C Virus. Hepatology 2020; 71:794-807. [PMID: 31400152 PMCID: PMC7154631 DOI: 10.1002/hep.30894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS The lack of immunocompetent small animal models for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has greatly hindered the development of effective vaccines. Using rodent hepacivirus (RHV), a homolog of HCV that shares many characteristics of HCV infection, we report the development and application of an RHV outbred rat model for HCV vaccine development. APPROACH AND RESULTS Simian adenovirus (ChAdOx1) encoding a genetic immune enhancer (truncated shark class II invariant chain) fused to the nonstructural (NS) proteins NS3-NS5B from RHV (ChAd-NS) was used to vaccinate Sprague-Dawley rats, resulting in high levels of cluster of differentiation 8-positive (CD8+ ) T-cell responses. Following RHV challenge (using 10 or 100 times the minimum infectious dose), 42% of vaccinated rats cleared infection within 6-8 weeks, while all mock vaccinated controls became infected with high-level viremia postchallenge. A single, 7-fold higher dose of ChAd-NS increased efficacy to 67%. Boosting with ChAd-NS or with a plasmid encoding the same NS3-NS5B antigens increased efficacy to 100% and 83%, respectively. A ChAdOx1 vector encoding structural antigens (ChAd-S) was also constructed. ChAd-S alone showed no efficacy. Strikingly, when combined with ChAd-NS, ChAD-S produced 83% efficacy. Protection was associated with a strong CD8+ interferon gamma-positive recall response against NS4. Next-generation sequencing of a putative RHV escape mutant in a vaccinated rat identified mutations in both identified immunodominant CD8+ T-cell epitopes. CONCLUSIONS A simian adenovirus vector vaccine strategy is effective at inducing complete protective immunity in the rat RHV model. The RHV Sprague-Dawley rat challenge model enables comparative testing of vaccine platforms and antigens and identification of correlates of protection and thereby provides a small animal experimental framework to guide the development of an effective vaccine for HCV in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwan Atcheson
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Wenqin Li
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Carly M. Bliss
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | | | - Kathrin Heim
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Hannah Sharpe
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Claire Hutchings
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Isabelle Dietrich
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Dung Nguyen
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Centre for Vaccines and ImmunityThe Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s HospitalColumbusOH
| | | | - Paul Klenerman
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
| | - Peter Simmonds
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen ResearchUniversity of OxfordOxfordUK
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21
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Chen F, Nagy K, Chavez D, Willis S, McBride R, Giang E, Honda A, Bukh J, Ordoukhanian P, Zhu J, Frey S, Lanford R, Law M. Antibody Responses to Immunization With HCV Envelope Glycoproteins as a Baseline for B-Cell-Based Vaccine Development. Gastroenterology 2020; 158:1058-1071.e6. [PMID: 31809725 PMCID: PMC7371413 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2019.11.282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 11/11/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS We investigated antibody responses to hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigens E1 and E2 and the relevance of animal models for vaccine development. We compared antibody responses to vaccination with recombinant E1E2 complex in healthy volunteers, non-human primates (NHPs), and mice. METHODS We analyzed 519 serum samples from participants in a phase 1 vaccine trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT00500747) and compared them with serum or plasma samples from C57BL/6J mice (n = 28) and rhesus macaques (n = 4) immunized with the same HCV E1E2 antigen. Blood samples were collected at different time points and analyzed for antibody binding, neutralizing activity, and epitope specificity. Monoclonal antibodies from the immunized NHPs were isolated from single plasmablasts and memory B cells, and their immunogenetic properties were characterized. RESULTS Antibody responses of the volunteers, NHPs, and mice to the non-neutralizing epitopes on the E1 N-terminus and E2 hypervariable region 1 did not differ significantly. Antibodies from volunteers and NHPs that neutralized heterologous strains of HCV primarily interacted with epitopes in the antigen region 3. However, the neutralizing antibodies were not produced in sufficient levels for broad neutralization of diverse HCV isolates. Broadly neutralizing antibodies similar to the human VH1-69 class antibody specific for antigen region 3 were produced in the immunized NHPs. CONCLUSIONS In an analysis of vaccinated volunteers, NHPs, and mice, we found that recombinant E1E2 vaccine antigen induces high-antibody titers that are insufficient to neutralize diverse HCV isolates. Antibodies from volunteers and NHPs bind to the same neutralizing epitopes for virus neutralization. NHPs can therefore be used as a preclinical model to develop HCV vaccines. These findings also provide useful baseline values for development of vaccines designed to induce production of neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Chen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Kenna Nagy
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Deborah Chavez
- Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Shelby Willis
- NGS and Microarray Research Cores, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Ryan McBride
- NGS and Microarray Research Cores, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Erick Giang
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Andrew Honda
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases, Hvidovre Hospital, and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Phillip Ordoukhanian
- NGS and Microarray Research Cores, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Sharon Frey
- Saint Louis University Center for Vaccine Development, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Robert Lanford
- Southwest National Primate Research Center at Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Mansun Law
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California.
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22
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Duncan JD, Urbanowicz RA, Tarr AW, Ball JK. Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine: Challenges and Prospects. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010090. [PMID: 32079254 PMCID: PMC7157504 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes both acute and chronic infection and continues to be a global problem despite advances in antiviral therapeutics. Current treatments fail to prevent reinfection and remain expensive, limiting their use to developed countries, and the asymptomatic nature of acute infection can result in individuals not receiving treatment and unknowingly spreading HCV. A prophylactic vaccine is therefore needed to control this virus. Thirty years since the discovery of HCV, there have been major gains in understanding the molecular biology and elucidating the immunological mechanisms that underpin spontaneous viral clearance, aiding rational vaccine design. This review discusses the challenges facing HCV vaccine design and the most recent and promising candidates being investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua D. Duncan
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - Richard A. Urbanowicz
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Alexander W. Tarr
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Jonathan K. Ball
- School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK; (R.A.U.); (A.W.T.); (J.K.B.)
- NIHR Nottingham BRC, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and the University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
- Nottingham Digestive Diseases Centre, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
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23
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Cox AL. Challenges and Promise of a Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2020; 10:cshperspect.a036947. [PMID: 31548228 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a036947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
An estimated 1.5-2 million new hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections occur globally each year. Critical to the World Health Organization's (WHO) HCV elimination strategy is an 80% reduction in incidence of HCV infections by 2030. However, even among high-income countries, few are on target to achieve the WHO's incident infection-reduction goal. A preventative vaccine could have a major impact in achieving incidence-reduction targets globally. However, barriers to HCV vaccine development are significant and include at-risk populations that are often marginalized: viral diversity, limited options for testing HCV vaccines, and an incomplete understanding of protective immune responses. In part because of those factors, testing of only one vaccine strategy has been completed in at-risk individuals as of 2019. Despite challenges, immunity against HCV protects against chronic infection in some repeated HCV exposures and an effective HCV vaccine could prevent transmission regardless of risk factors. Ultimately, prophylactic vaccines will likely be necessary to achieve global HCV elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Cox
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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24
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Akache B, Deschatelets L, Harrison BA, Dudani R, Stark FC, Jia Y, Landi A, Law JLM, Logan M, Hockman D, Kundu J, Tyrrell DL, Krishnan L, Houghton M, McCluskie MJ. Effect of Different Adjuvants on the Longevity and Strength of Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to the HCV Envelope Glycoproteins. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040204. [PMID: 31816920 PMCID: PMC6963754 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to liver cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma and remains a major cause of serious disease morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, current treatment regimens remain inaccessible to most patients, particularly in developing countries, and, therefore, the development of a novel vaccine capable of protecting subjects from chronic infection by HCV could greatly reduce the rates of HCV infection, subsequent liver pathogenesis, and in some cases death. Herein, we evaluated two different semi-synthetic archaeosome formulations as an adjuvant to the E1/E2 HCV envelope protein in a murine model and compared antigen-specific humoral (levels of anti-E1/E2 IgG and HCV pseudoparticle neutralization) and cellular responses (numbers of antigen-specific cytokine-producing T cells) to those generated with adjuvant formulations composed of mimetics of commercial adjuvants including a squalene oil-in-water emulsion, aluminum hydroxide/monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and liposome/MPLA/QS-21. In addition, we measured the longevity of these responses, tracking humoral, and cellular responses up to 6 months following vaccination. Overall, we show that the strength and longevity of anti-HCV responses can be influenced by adjuvant selection. In particular, a simple admixed sulfated S-lactosylarchaeol (SLA) archaeosome formulation generated strong levels of HCV neutralizing antibodies and polyfunctional antigen-specific CD4 T cells producing multiple cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2. While liposome/MPLA/QS-21 as adjuvant generated superior cellular responses, the SLA E1/E2 admixed formulation was superior or equivalent to the other tested formulations in all immune parameters tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Blair A. Harrison
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Renu Dudani
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Felicity C. Stark
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Yimei Jia
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Amir Landi
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - John L. M. Law
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Michael Logan
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Darren Hockman
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Juthika Kundu
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - D. Lorne Tyrrell
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Michael J. McCluskie
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
- Correspondence:
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25
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Abstract
Evidence for the existence of another hepatitis-causing pathogen, other than the known hepatitis A and B viruses, emerged in the mid-1970s. A frustrating search of 15 years was ended by the identification of the hepatitis C virus in 1989 using a recombinant DNA immunoscreening method. This discovery quickly led to blood tests that eliminated posttransfusion hepatitis C and could show the partial efficacy of type 1 interferon-based therapies. Subsequent knowledge of the viral replication cycle then led to the development of effective direct-acting antivirals targeting its serine protease, polymerase, and nonstructural protein 5A that resulted in the approval of orally available drug combinations that can cure patients within a few months with few side effects. Meanwhile, vaccine strategies have been shown to be feasible, and they are still required to effectively control this global epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
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26
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A Recombinant Hepatitis C Virus Genotype 1a E1/E2 Envelope Glycoprotein Vaccine Elicits Antibodies That Differentially Neutralize Closely Related 2a Strains through Interactions of the N-Terminal Hypervariable Region 1 of E2 with Scavenger Receptor B1. J Virol 2019; 93:JVI.00810-19. [PMID: 31462563 PMCID: PMC6819942 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00810-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A vaccine is still urgently needed to overcome the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic. It is estimated that 1.75 million new HCV infections occur each year, many of which will go undiagnosed and untreated. Untreated HCV can lead to continued spread of the disease, progressive liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually, end-stage liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, our 1a E1/E2 glycoprotein vaccine was shown to elicit broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies; however, there remains variation in the effectiveness of these antibodies against different HCV genotypes. In this study, we investigated determinants of differential neutralization sensitivity between two highly related genotype 2a isolates, J6 and JFH-1. Our data indicate that the HVR1 region determines neutralization sensitivity to vaccine antisera through modulation of sensitivity to antibodies and interactions with SR-B1. Our results provide additional insight into optimizing a broadly neutralizing HCV vaccine. The global health burden for hepatitis C virus (HCV) remains high, despite available effective treatments. To eliminate HCV, a prophylactic vaccine is needed. One major challenge in the development of a vaccine is the genetic diversity of the virus, with 7 major genotypes and many subtypes. A global vaccine must be effective against all HCV genotypes. Our previous data showed that the 1a E1/E2 glycoprotein vaccine component elicits broad cross-neutralizing antibodies in humans and animals. However, some variation is seen in the effectiveness of these antibodies to neutralize different HCV genotypes and isolates. Of interest was the differences in neutralizing activity against two closely related isolates of HCV genotype 2a, the J6 and JFH-1 strains. Using site-directed mutagenesis to generate chimeric viruses between the J6 and JFH-1 strains, we found that variant amino acids within the core E2 glycoprotein domain of these two HCV genotype 2a viruses do not influence isolate-specific neutralization. Further analysis revealed that the N-terminal hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of the E2 protein determines the sensitivity of isolate-specific neutralization, and the HVR1 of the resistant J6 strain binds scavenger receptor class-B type-1 (SR-B1), while the sensitive JFH-1 strain does not. Our data provide new information on mechanisms of isolate-specific neutralization to facilitate the optimization of a much-needed HCV vaccine. IMPORTANCE A vaccine is still urgently needed to overcome the hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemic. It is estimated that 1.75 million new HCV infections occur each year, many of which will go undiagnosed and untreated. Untreated HCV can lead to continued spread of the disease, progressive liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and eventually, end-stage liver disease and/or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previously, our 1a E1/E2 glycoprotein vaccine was shown to elicit broadly cross-neutralizing antibodies; however, there remains variation in the effectiveness of these antibodies against different HCV genotypes. In this study, we investigated determinants of differential neutralization sensitivity between two highly related genotype 2a isolates, J6 and JFH-1. Our data indicate that the HVR1 region determines neutralization sensitivity to vaccine antisera through modulation of sensitivity to antibodies and interactions with SR-B1. Our results provide additional insight into optimizing a broadly neutralizing HCV vaccine.
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27
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Vranjkovic A, Deonarine F, Kaka S, Angel JB, Cooper CL, Crawley AM. Direct-Acting Antiviral Treatment of HCV Infection Does Not Resolve the Dysfunction of Circulating CD8 + T-Cells in Advanced Liver Disease. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1926. [PMID: 31456810 PMCID: PMC6700371 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection disrupts immune functions, including that of cytotoxic CD8+ T-cells which are important mediators of immune response. While HCV cure aims to eliminate long term sequelae of infection, whether direct-acting antiviral (DAA) treatment results in immune reconstitution remains unclear. We and others have reported generalized CD8+ T-cell dysfunction in chronic HCV infection and our research suggests that the degree of liver damage is a factor in this process. Our recent research indicates that liver fibrosis is not readily reversed after DAA-mediated clearance of chronic HCV infection. We therefore examined the function of circulating CD8+ T-cell subsets in chronic HCV infection in the context of liver fibrosis severity, determined by ultrasound elastography and Metavir F-score system. We observed progressive shifts in CD8+ T-cell subset distribution in HCV-infected individuals with advanced liver fibrosis (F4) compared to minimal fibrosis (F0-1) or uninfected controls, and this remained unchanged after viral cure. Impaired CD8+ T-cell function was observed as a reduced proportion of CD107+ and perforin+ late effector memory cells in HCV+(F4) and HCV+(F0-1) individuals, respectively. In HCV+(F4) individuals, nearly all CD8+ T-cell subsets had an elevated proportion of perforin+ cells while naïve cells had increased proportions of IFN-γ+ and CD107+ cells. These exaggerated CD8+ T-cell activities were not resolved when evaluated 24 weeks after completion of DAA therapy and HCV clearance. This was further supported by sustained, high levels of cell proliferation and cytolytic activity. Furthermore, DAA therapy had no effect on elevated concentrations of systemic inflammatory cytokines and decreased levels of inhibitory TGF-β in the plasma of HCV+(F4) individuals, suggesting HCV infection and advanced liver disease result in a long-lasting immune activating microenvironment. These data demonstrate that in chronic HCV infection, liver fibrosis severity is associated with generalized hyperfunctional CD8+ T-cells, particularly with perforin production and cytotoxicity, and this persists after viral clearance. Whether DAA therapy will eliminate other related long-term sequelae in HCV+(F4) individuals remains an important research question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agatha Vranjkovic
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Felicia Deonarine
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Shaima Kaka
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jonathan B Angel
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Curtis L Cooper
- Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Angela M Crawley
- Chronic Disease Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Division of Infectious Diseases, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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28
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Abstract
Many hurdles have plagued the development of an effective vaccine for hepatitis C virus. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Kinchen et al. (2018) and Flyak et al. (2018) report on the characterization of neutralizing antibodies from individuals that spontaneously cleared infection, providing insights that promise to propel vaccine design forward.
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29
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Masavuli MG, Wijesundara DK, Underwood A, Christiansen D, Earnest-Silveira L, Bull R, Torresi J, Gowans EJ, Grubor-Bauk B. A Hepatitis C Virus DNA Vaccine Encoding a Secreted, Oligomerized Form of Envelope Proteins Is Highly Immunogenic and Elicits Neutralizing Antibodies in Vaccinated Mice. Front Immunol 2019; 10:1145. [PMID: 31178869 PMCID: PMC6543710 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.01145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) persistently infects approximately 71 million people globally. To prevent infection a vaccine which elicits neutralizing antibodies against the virus envelope proteins (E1/E2) which are required for entry into host cells is desirable. DNA vaccines are cost-effective to manufacture globally and despite recent landmark studies highlighting the therapeutic efficacy of DNA vaccines in humans against cervical cancer, DNA vaccines encoding E1/E2 developed thus far are poorly immunogenic. We now report a novel and highly immunogenic DNA vaccination strategy that incorporates secreted E1 and E2 (sE1 and sE2) into oligomers by fusion with the oligomerization domain of the C4b-binding protein, IMX313P. The FDA approved plasmid, pVax, was used to encode sE1, sE2, or sE1E2 with or without IMX313P, and intradermal prime-boost vaccination studies in BALB/c mice showed that vaccines encoding IMX313P were the most effective in eliciting humoral and cell-mediated immunity against the envelope proteins. Further boosting with recombinant E1E2 proteins but not DNA nor virus-like particles (VLPs) expressing E1E2 increased the immunogenicity of the DNA prime-boost regimen. Nevertheless, the antibodies generated by the homologous DNA prime-boost vaccinations more effectively inhibited the binding of VLPs to target cells and neutralized transduction with HCV pseudoparticles (HCVpp) derived from different genotypes including genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. This report provides the first evidence that IMX313P can be used as an adjuvant for E1/E2-based DNA vaccines and represents a translatable approach for the development of a HCV DNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makutiro Ghislain Masavuli
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Medicine, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Danushka K Wijesundara
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Medicine, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Alexander Underwood
- Faculty of Medicine, The Kirby Institute, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Dale Christiansen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Linda Earnest-Silveira
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Rowena Bull
- Faculty of Medicine, The Kirby Institute, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joseph Torresi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Eric J Gowans
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Medicine, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Branka Grubor-Bauk
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Medicine, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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30
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Mekonnen ZA, Grubor-Bauk B, Masavuli MG, Shrestha AC, Ranasinghe C, Bull RA, Lloyd AR, Gowans EJ, Wijesundara DK. Toward DNA-Based T-Cell Mediated Vaccines to Target HIV-1 and Hepatitis C Virus: Approaches to Elicit Localized Immunity for Protection. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2019; 9:91. [PMID: 31001491 PMCID: PMC6456646 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2019.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major contributors to the global disease burden with many experts recognizing the requirement of an effective vaccine to bring a durable end to these viral epidemics. The most promising vaccine candidates that have advanced into pre-clinical models and the clinic to eliminate or provide protection against these chronic viruses are viral vectors [e.g., recombinant cytomegalovirus, Adenovirus, and modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA)]. This raises the question, is there a need to develop DNA vaccines against HIV-1 and HCV? Since the initial study from Wolff and colleagues which showed that DNA represents a vector that can be used to express transgenes durably in vivo, DNA has been regularly evaluated as a vaccine vector albeit with limited success in large animal models and humans. However, several recent studies in Phase I-IIb trials showed that vaccination of patients with recombinant DNA represents a feasible therapeutic intervention to even cure cervical cancer, highlighting the potential of using DNA for human vaccinations. In this review, we will discuss the limitations and the strategies of using DNA as a vector to develop prophylactic T cell-mediated vaccines against HIV-1 and HCV. In particular, we focus on potential strategies exploiting DNA vectors to elicit protective localized CD8+ T cell immunity in the liver for HCV and in the cervicovaginal mucosa for HIV-1 as localized immunity will be an important, if not critical component, of an efficacious vaccine against these viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zelalem A. Mekonnen
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Branka Grubor-Bauk
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Makutiro G. Masavuli
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Ashish C. Shrestha
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Charani Ranasinghe
- Molecular Mucosal Vaccine Immunology Group, The John Curtin School of Medical Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Rowena A. Bull
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew R. Lloyd
- Viral Immunology Systems Program, The Kirby Institute, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Eric J. Gowans
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Danushka K. Wijesundara
- Virology Laboratory, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, Discipline of Surgery, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia,*Correspondence: Danushka K. Wijesundara
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31
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Khera T, Behrendt P, Bankwitz D, Brown RJP, Todt D, Doepke M, Khan AG, Schulze K, Law J, Logan M, Hockman D, Wong JAJX, Dold L, Gonzalez-Motos V, Spengler U, Viejo-Borbolla A, Ströh LJ, Krey T, Tarr AW, Steinmann E, Manns MP, Klein F, Guzman CA, Marcotrigiano J, Houghton M, Pietschmann T. Functional and immunogenic characterization of diverse HCV glycoprotein E2 variants. J Hepatol 2019; 70:593-602. [PMID: 30439392 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2018.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2018] [Revised: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS Induction of cross-reactive antibodies targeting conserved epitopes of the envelope proteins E1E2 is a key requirement for an hepatitis C virus vaccine. Conserved epitopes like the viral CD81-binding site are targeted by rare broadly neutralizing antibodies. However, these viral segments are occluded by variable regions and glycans. We aimed to identify antigens exposing conserved epitopes and to characterize their immunogenicity. METHODS We created hepatitis C virus variants with mutated glycosylation sites and/or hypervariable region 1 (HVR1). Exposure of the CD81 binding site and conserved epitopes was quantified by soluble CD81 and antibody interaction and neutralization assays. E2 or E1-E2 heterodimers with mutations causing epitope exposure were used to immunize mice. Vaccine-induced antibodies were examined and compared with patient-derived antibodies. RESULTS Mutant viruses bound soluble CD81 and antibodies targeting the CD81 binding site with enhanced efficacy. Mice immunized with E2 or E1E2 heterodimers incorporating these modifications mounted strong, cross-binding, and non-interfering antibodies. E2-induced antibodies neutralized the autologous virus but they were not cross-neutralizing. CONCLUSIONS Viruses lacking the HVR1 and selected glycosylation sites expose the CD81 binding site and cross-neutralization antibody epitopes. Recombinant E2 proteins carrying these modifications induce strong cross-binding but not cross-neutralizing antibodies. LAY SUMMARY Conserved viral epitopes can be made considerably more accessible for binding of potently neutralizing antibodies by deletion of hypervariable region 1 and selected glycosylation sites. Recombinant E2 proteins carrying these mutations are unable to elicit cross-neutralizing antibodies suggesting that exposure of conserved epitopes is not sufficient to focus antibody responses on production of cross-neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanvi Khera
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Patrick Behrendt
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany; Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dorothea Bankwitz
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Richard J P Brown
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Daniel Todt
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Mandy Doepke
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany
| | - Abdul Ghafoor Khan
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-9806, USA
| | - Kai Schulze
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - John Law
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Michael Logan
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Darren Hockman
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jason Alexander Ji-Xhin Wong
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Leona Dold
- Institute of Virology, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Cologne, Germany
| | | | - Ulrich Spengler
- Department of Internal Medicine 1, Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Luisa J Ströh
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Thomas Krey
- Institute of Virology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Alexander W Tarr
- NIHR Nottingham Digestive Diseases Biomedical Research Centre and School of Life Sciences, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Eike Steinmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany; Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Michael P Manns
- Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endocrinology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Florian Klein
- Institute of Virology, Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Cologne, Germany
| | - Carlos A Guzman
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Joseph Marcotrigiano
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-9806, USA
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research; a Joint Venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Hannover, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), partner site Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.
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Hartlage AS, Murthy S, Kumar A, Trivedi S, Dravid P, Sharma H, Walker CM, Kapoor A. Vaccination to prevent T cell subversion can protect against persistent hepacivirus infection. Nat Commun 2019; 10:1113. [PMID: 30846697 PMCID: PMC6405742 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09105-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Efforts to develop an effective vaccine against the hepatitis C virus (HCV; human hepacivirus) have been stymied by a lack of small animal models. Here, we describe an experimental rat model of chronic HCV-related hepacivirus infection and its response to T cell immunization. Immune-competent rats challenged with a rodent hepacivirus (RHV) develop chronic viremia characterized by expansion of non-functional CD8+ T cells. Single-dose vaccination with a recombinant adenovirus vector expressing hepacivirus non-structural proteins induces effective immunity in majority of rats. Resolution of infection coincides with a vigorous recall of intrahepatic cellular responses. Host selection of viral CD8 escape variants can subvert vaccine-conferred immunity. Transient depletion of CD8+ cells from vaccinated rats prolongs infection, while CD4+ cell depletion results in chronic viremia. These results provide direct evidence that co-operation between CD4+ and CD8+ T cells is important for hepacivirus immunity, and that subversion of responses can be prevented by prophylactic vaccination. Development of a HCV vaccine is hampered by a lack of appropriate small animal models. Here, Hartlage et al. describe a rat model of hepacivirus persistence and show that persistence can be prevented by vaccination with viral non-structural proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex S Hartlage
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Medical Scientist Training Program, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Satyapramod Murthy
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Arvind Kumar
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Sheetal Trivedi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Piyush Dravid
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Himanshu Sharma
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA
| | - Christopher M Walker
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Amit Kapoor
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, 43205, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine and Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Chernykh E, Leplina O, Oleynik E, Tikhonova M, Tyrinova T, Starostina N, Ostanin A. Immunotherapy with interferon-α-induced dendritic cells for chronic HCV infection (the results of pilot clinical trial). Immunol Res 2019; 66:31-43. [PMID: 29164490 DOI: 10.1007/s12026-017-8967-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The key role of T cells in hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination and the ability of dendritic cells (DCs) to induce antiviral T cell responses suggest that DC vaccines could be a promising approach in the treatment of chronic HCV infection. The aim of our study was to evaluate, whether immunotherapy with DCs is safe and elicits anti-HCV T cell responses. Ten patients with HCV (genotype 1) were vaccinated with monocyte-derived DCs, generated in the presence of IFN-α (IFN-DCs) and pulsed with recombinant HCV Core and NS3 proteins. Treatment schedule included four subcutaneous vaccinations with 1 week interval and six vaccinations with month interval. No serious adverse events or an increase in hepatitis C biochemical activity were registered after vaccination. Using ex vivo assays for the detection of proliferative responses, IFN-γ production and CD8+ degranulation have shown that immunotherapy elicited antigen-specific responses in all patients although individual heterogeneity existed within their types, magnitude, and timing. Core/NS3-specific proliferative response and CD8+ T cell degranulation have already been registered after the first course of vaccination. Of note, Core-specific responses had higher magnitude. The appearance of antigen-specific IFN-γ responses was registered after the second vaccination course. Vaccination did not cause Th2 response and expansion of the CD4+CD25+CD127- regulatory T cells. Generated immune responses failed to provide virus elimination. Nevertheless, there were inverse correlations between viral load and NS3-specific proliferation (R S = 0.62; p = 0.05) and IFN-γ secretion (R S = - 0.82; p = 0.001) at 6-month post-treatment period. Immunotherapy with IFN-DCs was safe and elicited HCV-specific T cell responses which were insufficient to eliminate viruses but could be implicated in the restriction of viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Chernykh
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099, Novosibirsk, Yadrintsevskaya str., 14, Russia
| | - Olga Leplina
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099, Novosibirsk, Yadrintsevskaya str., 14, Russia.
| | - Ekaterina Oleynik
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099, Novosibirsk, Yadrintsevskaya str., 14, Russia
| | - Marina Tikhonova
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099, Novosibirsk, Yadrintsevskaya str., 14, Russia
| | - Tamara Tyrinova
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099, Novosibirsk, Yadrintsevskaya str., 14, Russia
| | - Natalia Starostina
- Department of the Clinic of Immunopathology of Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alexandr Ostanin
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunotherapy, Institute of Fundamental and Clinical Immunology, 630099, Novosibirsk, Yadrintsevskaya str., 14, Russia
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Bailey JR, Barnes E, Cox AL. Approaches, Progress, and Challenges to Hepatitis C Vaccine Development. Gastroenterology 2019; 156:418-430. [PMID: 30268785 PMCID: PMC6340767 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2018.08.060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Revised: 08/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection vary, and there were an estimated 1.75 million new cases worldwide in 2015. The World Health Organization aims for a 90% reduction in new HCV infections by 2030. An HCV vaccine would prevent transmission, regardless of risk factors, and significantly reduce the global burden of HCV-associated disease. Barriers to development include virus diversity, limited models for testing vaccines, and our incomplete understanding of protective immune responses. Although highly effective vaccines could prevent infection altogether, immune responses that increase the rate of HCV clearance and prevent chronic infection may be sufficient to reduce disease burden. Adjuvant envelope or core protein and virus-vectored nonstructural antigen vaccines have been tested in healthy volunteers who are not at risk for HCV infection; viral vectors encoding nonstructural proteins are the only vaccine strategy to be tested in at-risk individuals. Despite development challenges, a prophylactic vaccine is necessary for global control of HCV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin R. Bailey
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Eleanor Barnes
- Peter Medawar Building for Pathogen Research, Nuffield Department of Medicine and the Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford University, UK
| | - Andrea L. Cox
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland,Reprint requests Address requests for reprints to: Andrea L. Cox, MD, PhD, Division of Infectious Diseases, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 551 Rangos Building, 855 N Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205. fax: (443)769-1221.
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35
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Kumar A, Pandey R, Yadav IS, Bharadwaj M. Structural and Epitope Analysis (T- and B-Cell Epitopes) of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Glycoproteins: An in silico Approach. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2018; 8:352-361. [PMID: 30568344 PMCID: PMC6286880 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2017.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic infection with Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) poses a major risk for liver disease like cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. In terms of percentage, the prevalence of HCV in India was found to be low to moderate (1-1.5%), but in terms of sheer numbers, India has a significant number of global HCV patients. Presently, HCV can be treated with direct acting-antibody drugs but there is no prophylactic or therapeutic vaccine available against it. In HCV infection, T- and B-cell immunity is important for clearing the virus. In the present study immunoinformatics was used to identify potent vaccine target for HCV vaccine development. METHODS Sequence of HCV was retrieved from NCBI and their structural analysis was done by using Protpram, PSIPRED, iTASSER and PDBsum servers. T-cell and B-cell epitopes were predicted by Immune Epitope Database and ACBPRED servers. RESULTS On epitope prediction, 25 and 55 potent MHC-I epitopes and 7 and 13 potent B-cell epitopes were predicted for E1 and E2 protein respectively. Their antigenicity score was also calculated. The most potent MHC-I epitopes were MMMNWSPAV and MAWDMMMNW for HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-B*53:01 and most potent B-cell epitope was TGHRMAWDMMMNWSPA for E1 protein. For E2, four MHC-I epitopes having the lowest binding energy and most potent B-cell epitope was DRPYCWHYAPRPCDTI. CONCLUSION In the present study, most potent epitopes for HCV was determined on the basis of their antigenicity along with 3D modeling and docking. Identified B- and T-cell epitopes can be used for the development of potent vaccine against most prevalent HCV type in India to limit its infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoop Kumar
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, National Institute of Cancer prevention and research (NICPR) formerly Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology, Noida, India,Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, National Institute of Biologicals, Noida, India
| | - Roma Pandey
- Department of Biotechnology, Mangalmay Institute of Management and Technology, Greater Noida, India
| | - Inderjit S. Yadav
- School of Agricultural Biotechnology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India
| | - Mausumi Bharadwaj
- Division of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, National Institute of Cancer prevention and research (NICPR) formerly Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology, Noida, India,Address for correspondence: Mausumi Bharadwaj, Scientist F, Division of Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICMR), Noida, India.
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36
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Law JLM, Logan M, Landi A, Tyrrell DL, Houghton M. Progress toward approval of an HCV vaccine. CANADIAN LIVER JOURNAL 2018; 1:130-138. [DOI: 10.3138/canlivj.2018.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
New effective drugs to treat hepatitis C (HCV) promise to cure nearly all patients, but relying solely on antivirals without an effective vaccine has been ineffective in eliminating all other infectious diseases. A prophylactic HCV vaccine needs to be developed. Along with increased screening and drug coverage, an effective vaccine could make it possible to meet the World Health Organization’s target to eliminate HCV by 2030. On the basis of recent knowledge of immune correlates of protection combined with the demonstrated immunogenicity and protective animal efficacies of various HCV vaccine candidates, there is a possibility that a prophylactic HCV vaccine is on the horizon. This article summarizes the current status of a prophylactic HCV vaccine. Elicitation of cross-neutralizing antibodies and broad cellular immune responses are likely needed to overcome this highly diverse virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- John LM Law
- 1Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - Mike Logan
- 1Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - Amir Landi
- 1Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - D Lorne Tyrrell
- 1Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
| | - Michael Houghton
- 1Li Ka Shing Applied Virology Institute, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
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37
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Kinchen VJ, Bailey JR. Defining Breadth of Hepatitis C Virus Neutralization. Front Immunol 2018; 9:1703. [PMID: 30116237 PMCID: PMC6082923 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.01703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Extraordinary genetic diversity is a hallmark of hepatitis C virus (HCV). Therefore, accurate measurement of the breadth of antibody neutralizing activity across diverse HCV isolates is key to defining correlates of immune protection against the virus, and essential to guide vaccine development. Panels of HCV pseudoparticle (HCVpp) or replication-competent cell culture viruses (HCVcc) can be used to measure neutralizing breadth of antibodies. These in vitro assays have been used to define neutralizing breadth of antibodies in serum, to characterize broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies, and to identify mechanisms of HCV resistance to antibody neutralization. Recently, larger and more diverse panels of both HCVpp and HCVcc have been described that better represent the diversity of circulating HCV strains, but further work is needed to expand and standardize these neutralization panels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie J Kinchen
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Justin R Bailey
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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38
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Guo X, Zhong JY, Li JW. Hepatitis C Virus Infection and Vaccine Development. J Clin Exp Hepatol 2018; 8:195-204. [PMID: 29892184 PMCID: PMC5992307 DOI: 10.1016/j.jceh.2018.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In the twenty-seven years since the discovery of hepatitis C virus (HCV) the majority of individuals exposed to HCV establish a persistent infection, which is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In developed nations, the cure rates of HCV infection could be over 90% with direct-acting antiviral (DAA) regimens, which has made the great progress in global eradication. However, the cost of these treatments is so expensive that the patients in developing nations, where the disease burden is the most severe, could not afford it, which highly restricted its access. Additionally, the largely asymptomatic nature of infection facilitates continued transmission in risk groups due to limited surveillance. Consequently a protective vaccine and likely emergence of drug-resistant viral variants call for further studies of HCV biology. In the current review, the development and the progress of preventive and therapeutic vaccines against the HCV have been reviewed in the context of peptide vaccines, recombinant protein vaccines, HCV-like particle, DNA vaccines and viral vectors expressing HCV genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuan Guo
- Research Institute of Chemical Defense, No.1 Huaiyin Road, Beijing 102205, China
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 Dali Road, Tianjin 300050, China
| | - Jin-Yi Zhong
- Research Institute of Chemical Defense, No.1 Huaiyin Road, Beijing 102205, China
| | - Jun-Wen Li
- Department of Environment and Health, Tianjin Institute of Health and Environmental Medicine, No.1 Dali Road, Tianjin 300050, China
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39
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Abstract
Current evidence supports a protective role for virus-neutralizing antibodies in immunity against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Many cross-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies have been identified. These antibodies have been shown to provide protection or to clear infection in animal models. Previous clinical trials have shown that a gpE1/gpE2 vaccine can induce antibodies that neutralize the in vitro infectivity of all the major cell culture-derived HCV (HCVcc) genotypes around the world. However, cross-neutralization appeared to favor certain genotypes, with significant but lower neutralization against others. HCV may employ epitope masking to avoid antibody-mediated neutralization. Hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) at the amino terminus of glycoprotein E2 has been shown to restrict access to many neutralizing antibodies. Consistent with this, other groups have reported that recombinant viruses lacking HVR1 are hypersensitive to neutralization. It has been proposed that gpE1/gpE2 lacking this domain could be a better vaccine antigen to induce broadly neutralizing antibodies. In this study, we examined the immunogenicity of recombinant gpE1/gpE2 lacking HVR1 (ΔHVR1). Our results indicate that wild-type (WT) and ΔHVR1 gpE1/gpE2 antigens induced antibodies targeting many well-characterized cross-genotype-neutralizing epitopes. However, while the WT gpE1/gpE2 vaccine can induce cross-genotype protection against various genotypes of HCVcc and/or HCV-pseudotyped virus (HCVpp), antisera from ΔHVR1 gpE1/gpE2-immunized animals exhibited either reduced homologous neutralization activity compared to that of the WT or heterologous neutralization activity similar to that of the WT. These data suggest that ΔHVR1 gpE1/gpE2 is not a superior vaccine antigen. Based on previously reported chimpanzee protection data using WT gpE1/gpE2 and our current findings, we are preparing a combination vaccine including wild-type recombinant gpE1/gpE2 for clinical testing in the future. IMPORTANCE An HCV vaccine is an unmet medical need. Current evidence suggests that neutralizing antibodies play an important role in virus clearance, along with cellular immune responses. Previous clinical data showed that gpE1/gpE2 can effectively induce cross-neutralizing antibodies, although they favor certain genotypes. HCV employs HVR1 within gpE2 to evade host immune control. It has been hypothesized that the removal of this domain would improve the production of cross-neutralizing antibodies. In this study, we compared the immunogenicities of WT and ΔHVR1 gpE1/gpE2 antigens as vaccine candidates. Our results indicate that the ΔHVR1 gpE1/gpE2 antigen confers no advantages in the neutralization of HCV compared with the WT antigen. Previously, we showed that this WT antigen remains the only vaccine candidate to protect chimpanzees from chronic infection, contains multiple cross-neutralizing epitopes, and is well tolerated and immunogenic in humans. The current data support the further clinical development of this vaccine antigen component.
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40
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Can Broadly Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies Lead to a Hepatitis C Virus Vaccine? Trends Microbiol 2018; 26:854-864. [PMID: 29703495 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
While licensed vaccines elicit protective antibody responses against a variety of viral infections, an effective vaccine for hepatitis C virus (HCV) has remained elusive. The extraordinary genetic diversity of HCV and the ability of the virus to evade the immune response have hindered vaccine development efforts. However, recent studies have greatly expanded the number of well characterized broadly neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (bNAbs) against HCV. These bNAbs target relatively conserved HCV epitopes, prevent HCV infection in animal models, and are associated with spontaneous clearance of human HCV infection. In this review, recent high-resolution bNAb epitope mapping and structural analysis of bNAb-epitope complexes that may serve as a guide for vaccine development are discussed along with major obstacles.
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Bartenschlager R, Baumert TF, Bukh J, Houghton M, Lemon SM, Lindenbach BD, Lohmann V, Moradpour D, Pietschmann T, Rice CM, Thimme R, Wakita T. Critical challenges and emerging opportunities in hepatitis C virus research in an era of potent antiviral therapy: Considerations for scientists and funding agencies. Virus Res 2018; 248:53-62. [PMID: 29477639 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 02/16/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The development and clinical implementation of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) has revolutionized the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Infection with any hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype can now be eliminated in more than 95% of patients with short courses of all-oral, well-tolerated drugs, even in those with advanced liver disease and liver transplant recipients. DAAs have proven so successful that some now consider HCV amenable to eradication, and continued research on the virus of little remaining medical relevance. However, given 400,000 HCV-related deaths annually important challenges remain, including identifying those who are infected, providing access to treatment and reducing its costs. Moreover, HCV infection rarely induces sterilizing immunity, and those who have been cured with DAAs remain at risk for reinfection. Thus, it is very unlikely that global eradication and elimination of the cancer risk associated with HCV infection can be achieved without a vaccine, yet research in that direction receives little attention. Further, over the past two decades HCV research has spearheaded numerous fundamental discoveries in the fields of molecular and cell biology, immunology and microbiology. It will continue to do so, given the unique opportunities afforded by the reagents and knowledge base that have been generated in the development and clinical application of DAAs. Considering these critical challenges and new opportunities, we conclude that funding for HCV research must be sustained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ralf Bartenschlager
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany; Division Virus-Associated Carcinogenesis, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany; German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Heidelberg and Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Thomas F Baumert
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, U1110, Institut de Recherche sur les Maladies Virales et Hépatiques, Strasbourg, France; Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire, Pôle Hépato-digestif, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jens Bukh
- Copenhagen Hepatitis C Program (CO-HEP), Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Research Centre, Hvidovre Hospital and Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Stanley M Lemon
- Departments of Medicine and Microbiology & Immunology, Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brett D Lindenbach
- Department of Microbial Pathogenesis, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Volker Lohmann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Molecular Virology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Darius Moradpour
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, University of Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Pietschmann
- German Centre for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Sites Heidelberg and Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany; Institute of Experimental Virology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research (a joint venture between the Medical School Hannover (MHH) and the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI)), Hannover, Germany
| | - Charles M Rice
- Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease, Center for the Study of Hepatitis C, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert Thimme
- Center for Medicine, Department of Medicine II, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Germany
| | - Takaji Wakita
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
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42
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Lanford RE, Walker CM, Lemon SM. The Chimpanzee Model of Viral Hepatitis: Advances in Understanding the Immune Response and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. ILAR J 2017; 58:172-189. [PMID: 29045731 PMCID: PMC5886334 DOI: 10.1093/ilar/ilx028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2016] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) have contributed to diverse fields of biomedical research due to their close genetic relationship to humans and in many instances due to the lack of any other animal model. This review focuses on the contributions of the chimpanzee model to research on hepatitis viruses where chimpanzees represented the only animal model (hepatitis B and C) or the most appropriate animal model (hepatitis A). Research with chimpanzees led to the development of vaccines for HAV and HBV that are used worldwide to protect hundreds of millions from these diseases and, where fully implemented, have provided immunity for entire generations. More recently, chimpanzee research was instrumental in the development of curative therapies for hepatitis C virus infections. Over a span of 40 years, this research would identify the causative agent of NonA,NonB hepatitis, validate the molecular tools for drug discovery, and provide safety and efficacy data on the therapies that now provide a rapid and complete cure of HCV chronic infections. Several cocktails of antivirals are FDA approved that eliminate the virus following 12 weeks of once-per-day oral therapy. This represents the first cure of a chronic viral disease and, once broadly implemented, will dramatically reduce the occurrence of cirrhosis and liver cancer. The recent contributions of chimpanzees to our current understanding of T cell immunity for HCV, development of novel therapeutics for HBV, and the biology of HAV are reviewed. Finally, a perspective is provided on the events leading to the cessation of the use of chimpanzees in research and the future of the chimpanzees previously used to bring about these amazing breakthroughs in human healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Lanford
- Robert E. Lanford, PhD, is director at Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher M. Walker, PhD, is at the Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and College of Medicine, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Stanley M. Lemon, MD, is at thea Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Christopher M Walker
- Robert E. Lanford, PhD, is director at Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher M. Walker, PhD, is at the Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and College of Medicine, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Stanley M. Lemon, MD, is at thea Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
| | - Stanley M Lemon
- Robert E. Lanford, PhD, is director at Southwest National Primate Research Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. Christopher M. Walker, PhD, is at the Center for Vaccines and Immunity, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital and College of Medicine, The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. Stanley M. Lemon, MD, is at thea Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases; Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center; and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
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Clarke JL, Paruch L, Dobrica M, Caras I, Tucureanu C, Onu A, Ciulean S, Stavaru C, Eerde A, Wang Y, Steen H, Haugslien S, Petrareanu C, Lazar C, Popescu C, Bock R, Dubuisson J, Branza‐Nichita N. Lettuce-produced hepatitis C virus E1E2 heterodimer triggers immune responses in mice and antibody production after oral vaccination. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2017; 15:1611-1621. [PMID: 28419665 PMCID: PMC5698045 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2016] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major etiologic agent for severe liver diseases (e.g. cirrhosis, fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma). Approximately 140 million people have chronic HCV infections and about 500 000 die yearly from HCV-related liver pathologies. To date, there is no licensed vaccine available to prevent HCV infection and production of a HCV vaccine remains a major challenge. Here, we report the successful production of the HCV E1E2 heterodimer, an important vaccine candidate, in an edible crop (lettuce, Lactuca sativa) using Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression technology. The wild-type dimer (E1E2) and a variant without an N-glycosylation site in the E2 polypeptide (E1E2∆N6) were expressed, and appropriate N-glycosylation pattern and functionality of the E1E2 dimers were demonstrated. The humoral immune response induced by the HCV proteins was investigated in mice following oral administration of lettuce antigens with or without previous intramuscular prime with the mammalian HEK293T cell-expressed HCV dimer. Immunization by oral feeding only resulted in development of weak serum levels of anti-HCV IgM for both antigens; however, the E1E2∆N6 proteins produced higher amounts of secretory IgA, suggesting improved immunogenic properties of the N-glycosylation mutant. The mice group receiving the intramuscular injection followed by two oral boosts with the lettuce E1E2 dimer developed a systemic but also a mucosal immune response, as demonstrated by the presence of anti-HCV secretory IgA in faeces extracts. In summary, our study demonstrates the feasibility of producing complex viral antigens in lettuce, using plant transient expression technology, with great potential for future low-cost oral vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa Paruch
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | | | - Iuliana Caras
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | | | - Adrian Onu
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Sonya Ciulean
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Crina Stavaru
- “Cantacuzino” National Research InstituteBucharestRomania
| | - Andre Eerde
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | - Yanliang Wang
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | - Hege Steen
- NIBIO‐Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy ResearchÅsNorway
| | | | | | - Catalin Lazar
- Institute of Biochemistry of the Romanian AcademyBucharestRomania
| | | | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Jean Dubuisson
- Center for Infection & Immunity of Lille (CIIL)Inserm U1019CNRS UMR8204Université de LilleInstitut Pasteur de LilleLilleFrance
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44
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Shimizu JF, Pereira CM, Bittar C, Batista MN, Campos GRF, da Silva S, Cintra ACO, Zothner C, Harris M, Sampaio SV, Aquino VH, Rahal P, Jardim ACG. Multiple effects of toxins isolated from Crotalus durissus terrificus on the hepatitis C virus life cycle. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187857. [PMID: 29141010 PMCID: PMC5687739 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the main causes of liver disease and transplantation worldwide. Current therapy is expensive, presents additional side effects and viral resistance has been described. Therefore, studies for developing more efficient antivirals against HCV are needed. Compounds isolated from animal venoms have shown antiviral activity against some viruses such as Dengue virus, Yellow fever virus and Measles virus. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the complex crotoxin (CX) and its subunits crotapotin (CP) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2-CB) isolated from the venom of Crotalus durissus terrificus on HCV life cycle. Huh 7.5 cells were infected with HCVcc JFH-1 strain in the presence or absence of these toxins and virus was titrated by focus formation units assay or by qPCR. Toxins were added to the cells at different time points depending on the stage of virus life cycle to be evaluated. The results showed that treatment with PLA2-CB inhibited HCV entry and replication but no effect on HCV release was observed. CX reduced virus entry and release but not replication. By treating cells with CP, an antiviral effect was observed on HCV release, the only stage inhibited by this compound. Our data demonstrated the multiple antiviral effects of toxins from animal venoms on HCV life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Farinha Shimizu
- Genomics Study Laboratory, São Paulo State University, IBILCE, S. José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Virology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carina Machado Pereira
- Genomics Study Laboratory, São Paulo State University, IBILCE, S. José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cintia Bittar
- Genomics Study Laboratory, São Paulo State University, IBILCE, S. José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Nogueira Batista
- Genomics Study Laboratory, São Paulo State University, IBILCE, S. José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Suely da Silva
- Genomics Study Laboratory, São Paulo State University, IBILCE, S. José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Laboratory of Virology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Carsten Zothner
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Harris
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, and Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Suely Vilela Sampaio
- Laboratory of Toxinology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Victor Hugo Aquino
- Laboratory of Virology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paula Rahal
- Genomics Study Laboratory, São Paulo State University, IBILCE, S. José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Gomes Jardim
- Genomics Study Laboratory, São Paulo State University, IBILCE, S. José do Rio Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- * E-mail:
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45
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Landi A, Law J, Hockman D, Logan M, Crawford K, Chen C, Kundu J, Ebensen T, Guzman CA, Deschatelets L, Krishnan L, Tyrrell DLJ, Houghton M. Superior immunogenicity of HCV envelope glycoproteins when adjuvanted with cyclic-di-AMP, a STING activator or archaeosomes. Vaccine 2017; 35:6949-6956. [PMID: 29089195 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.10.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Three decades after the discovery, hepatitis C virus (HCV) is still the leading cause of liver transplantation and poses a major threat to global health. In spite of recent advances in the development of direct acting antivirals, there is still a need for a prophylactic vaccine to limit the virus spread and protect at-risk populations, especially in developing countries, where the cost of the new treatments may severely limit access. The use of recombinant HCV glycoproteins E1E2 (rE1E2) in combination with the MF59, an oil-in-water emulsion-based adjuvant, has previously been shown to reduce the rate of chronicity in chimpanzees and to induce production of cross-neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses in human volunteers. To further improve neutralizing antibody responses in recipients along with robust T cell responses, we have explored the immunogenicity of different adjuvants when formulated with the HCV rE1E2 vaccine in mice. Our data show that cyclic di-adenosine monophosphate (c-di-AMP) and archaeosomes elicit strong neutralizing antibodies similar to those elicited using aluminum hydroxide/monophosphoryl lipid A (Alum/monophos. /MPLA) and MF59. However, both c-di-AMP and archaeosomes induced a more robust cellular immune response, which was confirmed by the detection of vaccine-specific poly-functional CD4+ T cells. We conclude that these adjuvants may substantially boost the immunogenicity of our E1E2 vaccine. In addition, our data also indicates that use of a partial or exclusive intranasal immunization regimen may also be feasible using c-di-AMP as adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Landi
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; Department of Virology and Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
| | - J Law
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - D Hockman
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - M Logan
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - K Crawford
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - C Chen
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - J Kundu
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - T Ebensen
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - C A Guzman
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - L Deschatelets
- Immunobiology Department, Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - L Krishnan
- Immunobiology Department, Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - D L J Tyrrell
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - M Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada.
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Zhang S, Sun F, Ren T, Duan Y, Gu H, Lai C, Wang Z, Zhang P, Wang X, Yang P. Immunogenicity of an influenza virus-vectored vaccine carrying the hepatitis C virus protein epitopes in mice. Antiviral Res 2017; 145:168-174. [PMID: 28778831 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2017.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2016] [Revised: 06/25/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a devastating impact on human health, and infections can progress into liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. There is no effective HCV vaccine. In this study, we rescued a recombinant PR8 influenza viral vector, called rgFLU-HCVCE1E2, carrying the core and envelope glycoprotein (C/E1/E2) epitopes of HCV inserted into the influenza nonstructural protein 1 gene. The morphological characteristics of rgFLU-HCVCE1E2 and the expression of the C/E1/E2 epitopes of HCV were examined. rgFLU-HCVCE1E2 replicated in various cell lines, including MDCK, A549, and Huh7.5 cells. More importantly, in BALB/c mice immunized intranasally twice at a 21-day interval with 104, 105, or 106 TCID50 rgFLU-HCVCE1E2, the viral vector induced a robust antibody response to influenza and HCV and potent IFN-γ and IL-4 secretion in response to HCV antigens in a dose-dependent manner. The rgFLU-HCVCE1E2 virus also stimulated IFN-γ production by virus-specific peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients with chronic HCV infection. The study demonstrated that rgFLU-HCVCE1E2 carrying HCV antigens is immunogenic in vivo and has potential for the development of a HCV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fang Sun
- Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Tianyu Ren
- Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Yueqiang Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Hongjing Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | - Chengcai Lai
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China
| | | | | | - Xiliang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China.
| | - Penghui Yang
- Beijing 302 Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogens and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, 100071, China.
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Designing an HCV vaccine: a unique convergence of prevention and therapy? Curr Opin Virol 2017; 23:113-119. [PMID: 28550816 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2017.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Direct acting antivirals can cure chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection but whether they will reduce global liver disease burden is uncertain. Most chronic infections are undiagnosed and transmission has increased in recent years. The first trial of a preventive vaccine is now underway in humans at risk for HCV infection. It will test the novel hypothesis that T cell-mediated immunity alone can prevent persistent HCV infection. Another vaccine that elicits neutralizing antibodies is at an advanced stage of development. Attention is turning to the understudied question of whether direct acting antiviral (DAA) cure of chronic infection restores HCV immunity. If not, it will be important to determine if preventive vaccines can also act therapeutically to reverse immune dysfunction and protect from re-infection.
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48
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Computational Prediction of the Heterodimeric and Higher-Order Structure of gpE1/gpE2 Envelope Glycoproteins Encoded by Hepatitis C Virus. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.02309-16. [PMID: 28148799 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02309-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the recent success of newly developed direct-acting antivirals against hepatitis C, the disease continues to be a global health threat due to the lack of diagnosis of most carriers and the high cost of treatment. The heterodimer formed by glycoproteins E1 and E2 within the hepatitis C virus (HCV) lipid envelope is a potential vaccine candidate and antiviral target. While the structure of E1/E2 has not yet been resolved, partial crystal structures of the E1 and E2 ectodomains have been determined. The unresolved parts of the structure are within the realm of what can be modeled with current computational modeling tools. Furthermore, a variety of additional experimental data is available to support computational predictions of E1/E2 structure, such as data from antibody binding studies, cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), mutational analyses, peptide binding analysis, linker-scanning mutagenesis, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) studies. In accordance with these rich experimental data, we have built an in silico model of the full-length E1/E2 heterodimer. Our model supports that E1/E2 assembles into a trimer, which was previously suggested from a study by Falson and coworkers (P. Falson, B. Bartosch, K. Alsaleh, B. A. Tews, A. Loquet, Y. Ciczora, L. Riva, C. Montigny, C. Montpellier, G. Duverlie, E. I. Pecheur, M. le Maire, F. L. Cosset, J. Dubuisson, and F. Penin, J. Virol. 89:10333-10346, 2015, https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00991-15). Size exclusion chromatography and Western blotting data obtained by using purified recombinant E1/E2 support our hypothesis. Our model suggests that during virus assembly, the trimer of E1/E2 may be further assembled into a pentamer, with 12 pentamers comprising a single HCV virion. We anticipate that this new model will provide a useful framework for HCV envelope structure and the development of antiviral strategies.IMPORTANCE One hundred fifty million people have been estimated to be infected with hepatitis C virus, and many more are at risk for infection. A better understanding of the structure of the HCV envelope, which is responsible for attachment and fusion, could aid in the development of a vaccine and/or new treatments for this disease. We draw upon computational techniques to predict a full-length model of the E1/E2 heterodimer based on the partial crystal structures of the envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2. E1/E2 has been widely studied experimentally, and this provides valuable data, which has assisted us in our modeling. Our proposed structure is used to suggest the organization of the HCV envelope. We also present new experimental data from size exclusion chromatography that support our computational prediction of a trimeric oligomeric state of E1/E2.
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McCormick C, Grandvaux N. 1st Workshop of the Canadian Society for Virology. Viruses 2017; 9:v9030054. [PMID: 28335511 PMCID: PMC5371809 DOI: 10.3390/v9030054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2017] [Revised: 03/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The 1st Workshop of the Canadian Society for Virology (CSV2016) was a Special Workshop of the 35th Annual Meeting for the American Society for Virology, held on 18 June 2016 on the beautiful Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. The workshop provided a forum for discussion of recent advances in the field, in an informal setting conducive to interaction with colleagues. CSV2016 featured two internationally-renowned Canadian keynote speakers who discussed translational virology research; American Society for Virology President Grant McFadden (then from University of Florida, now relocated to Arizona State University) who presented his studies of oncolytic poxviruses, while Matthew Miller (McMaster University) reviewed the prospects for a universal influenza vaccine. The workshop also featured a variety of trainee oral and poster presentations, and a panel discussion on the topic of the future of the CSV and virus research in Canada.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig McCormick
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
- Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute, Dalhousie University, 5850 College Street, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2, Canada.
| | - Nathalie Grandvaux
- Département de Biochimie et Médecine Moléculaire, Université de Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche du CHUM (CRCHUM), Montréal, QC H2X 0A9, Canada.
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50
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Preclinical evaluation of multi antigenic HCV DNA vaccine for the prevention of Hepatitis C virus infection. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43531. [PMID: 28266565 PMCID: PMC5339862 DOI: 10.1038/srep43531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Accepted: 01/25/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct-acting antiviral treatment for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is costly and does not protect from re-infection. For human and chimpanzees, recovery from acute HCV infection correlates with host CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses. DNA plasmids targeting the HCV non-structural antigens NS3, NS4, and NS5, were previously reported to induce robust and sustained T cell responses in mice and primates. These plasmids were combined with a plasmid encoding cytokine IL-28B, together named as VGX-6150. The dose-dependent T cell response and safety of VGX-6150 administered intramuscularly and followed by electroporation was assessed in mice. Immune responses plateaued at 20 μg/dose with IL-28B demonstrating significant immunoadjuvant activity. Mice administered VGX-6150 at 40, 400, and 800 μg given either as a single injection or as 14 injections given bi-weekly over 26 weeks showed no vaccine related changes in any clinical parameter compared to placebo recipients. There was no evidence of VGX-6150 accumulation at the injection site or in any organ 1 month following the 14th vaccination. Based on these studies, the approximate lethal dose (ALD) exceeds 800 μg/dose and the NOAEL was 800 μg/dose in mouse. In conclusion, VGX-6150 appears safe and a promising preventive vaccine candidate for HCV infection.
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