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Whittle L, Chapman R, Douglass N, Jaffer M, Margolin E, Rybicki E, Williamson AL. Development of a dual vaccine against East Coast fever and lumpy skin disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1143034. [PMID: 37063887 PMCID: PMC10098110 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1143034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
East Coast fever is an acute bovine disease caused by the apicomplexan parasite Theileria parva and is regarded as one of the most important tick-vectored diseases in Africa. The current vaccination procedure has many drawbacks, as it involves the use of live T. parva sporozoites. As a novel vaccination strategy, we have constructed the recombinant lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV) named LSDV-SODis-p67HA-BLV-Gag, encoding a modified form of the T. parva p67 surface antigen (p67HA), as well as the bovine leukemia virus (BLV) gag gene for the formation of virus-like particles (VLPs) to potentially enhance p67 immunogenicity. In place of the native sequence, the chimeric p67HA antigen has the human tissue plasminogen activator signal sequence and the influenza hemagglutinin A2 transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail. p67HA was detected on the surface of infected cells, and VLPs comprising BLV Gag and p67HA were produced. We also show that higher multiple bands observed in western blot analysis are due to glycosylation of p67. The two vaccines, pMExT-p67HA (DNA) and LSDV-SODis-p67HA-BLV-Gag, were tested for immunogenicity in mice. p67-binding antibodies were produced by vaccinated animals, with higher titers detected in mice vaccinated with the recombinant LSDV. This candidate dual vaccine warrants further testing in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Whittle
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- *Correspondence: Ros Chapman,
| | - Nicola Douglass
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Mohamed Jaffer
- Electron Microscope Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Margolin
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward Rybicki
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Whittle L, Chapman R, van Diepen M, Rybicki EP, Williamson AL. Characterization of a Novel Chimeric Theileria parva p67 Antigen Which Incorporates into Virus-like Particles and Is Highly Immunogenic in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020210. [PMID: 35214669 PMCID: PMC8880696 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The current method to protect cattle against East Coast Fever (ECF) involves the use of live Theileria parva sporozoites. Although this provides immunity, using live parasites has many disadvantages, such as contributing to the spread of ECF. Subunit vaccines based on the sporozoite surface protein p67 have been investigated as a replacement for the current method. In this study, two DNA vaccines expressing recombinant forms of p67 designed to display on retrovirus-like particles were constructed with the aim of improving immunogenicity. The native leader sequence was replaced with the human tissue plasminogen activator leader in both vaccines. The full-length p67 gene was included in the first DNA vaccine (p67); in the second, the transmembrane domain and cytoplasmic tail were replaced with those of an influenza A virus hemagglutinin 5 (p67HA). Immunofluorescent staining of fixed and live transfected mammalian cells showed that both p67 and p67HA were successfully expressed, and p67HA localised on the cell surface. Furthermore, p67HA was displayed on the surface of both bovine leukaemia virus (BLV) Gag and HIV-1 Gag virus-like particles (VLPs) made in the same cells. Mice vaccinated with DNA vaccines expressing p67 and p67HA alone, or p67HA with BLV or HIV-1 Gag, developed high titres of p67 and BLV Gag-binding antibodies. Here we show that it is possible to integrate a form of p67 containing all known antigenic domains into VLPs. This p67HA–VLP combination has the potential to be incorporated into a vaccine against ECF, as a DNA vaccine or as other vaccine platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Whittle
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (L.W.); (M.v.D.); (E.P.R.); (A.-L.W.)
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (L.W.); (M.v.D.); (E.P.R.); (A.-L.W.)
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
- Correspondence:
| | - Michiel van Diepen
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (L.W.); (M.v.D.); (E.P.R.); (A.-L.W.)
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (L.W.); (M.v.D.); (E.P.R.); (A.-L.W.)
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa; (L.W.); (M.v.D.); (E.P.R.); (A.-L.W.)
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7925, South Africa
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Atuhaire DK, Muleya W, Mbao V, Bazarusanga T, Gafarasi I, Salt J, Namangala B, Musoke AJ. Sequence diversity of cytotoxic T cell antigens and satellite marker analysis of Theileria parva informs the immunization against East Coast fever in Rwanda. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:452. [PMID: 32894166 PMCID: PMC7487574 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04322-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background East Coast fever (ECF) caused by Theileria parva is endemic in Rwanda. In this study, the antigenic and genetic diversity of T. parva coupled with immunization and field challenge were undertaken to provide evidence for the introduction of ECF immunization in Rwanda. Methods Blood collected from cattle in the field was screened for T. parva using ELISA and PCR targeting the p104 gene. Tp1 and Tp2 gene sequences were generated from field samples and from Gikongoro and Nyakizu isolates. Furthermore, multilocus genotype data was generated using 5 satellite markers and an immunization challenge trial under field conditions using Muguga cocktail vaccine undertaken. Results Out of 120 samples, 44 and 20 were positive on ELISA and PCR, respectively. Antigenic diversity of the Tp1 and Tp2 gene sequences revealed an abundance of Muguga, Kiambu and Serengeti epitopes in the samples. A further three clusters were observed on both Tp1 and Tp2 phylogenetic trees; two clusters comprising of field samples and vaccine isolates and the third cluster comprising exclusively of Rwanda samples. Both antigens exhibited purifying selection with no positive selection sites. In addition, satellite marker analysis revealed that field samples possessed both shared alleles with Muguga cocktail on all loci and also a higher proportion of unique alleles. The Muguga cocktail (Muguga, Kiambu and Serengeti) genotype compared to other vaccine isolates, was the most represented in the field samples. Further low genetic sub-structuring (FST = 0.037) coupled with linkage disequilibrium between Muguga cocktail and the field samples was observed. Using the above data to guide a field immunization challenge trial comprising 41 immunized and 40 control animals resulted in 85% seroconversion in the immunized animals and an efficacy of vaccination of 81.7%, implying high protection against ECF. Conclusions Antigenic and genetic diversity analysis of T. parva facilitated the use of Muguga cocktail vaccine in field conditions. A protection level of 81.7% was achieved, demonstrating the importance of combining molecular tools with field trials to establish the suitability of implementation of immunization campaigns. Based on the information in this study, Muguga cocktail immunization in Rwanda has a potential to produce desirable results.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Walter Muleya
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia.
| | - Victor Mbao
- International Development Research Centre, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | | | - Jeremy Salt
- Global Alliance for Livestock Veterinary Medicines, Doherty Building, Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, Edinburgh, EH26 0PZ, Scotland, UK
| | - Boniface Namangala
- Department of Paraclinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, P.O. Box 32379, Lusaka, 10101, Zambia
| | - Antony Jim Musoke
- LMK Medical laboratories and consultancies, P.O. Box 33686, Kampala, Uganda
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Genetic Diversity and Sequence Polymorphism of Two Genes Encoding Theileria parva Antigens Recognized by CD8 + T Cells among Vaccinated and Unvaccinated Cattle in Malawi. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9050334. [PMID: 32365795 PMCID: PMC7281522 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9050334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 04/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
East Coast fever (ECF) is an acute fatal tick-borne disease of cattle caused by Theileria parva. It causes major losses in exotic and crossbreed cattle, but this could be prevented by a vaccine of T. parva if the vaccine is selected properly based on information from molecular epidemiology studies. The Muguga cocktail (MC) vaccine (Muguga, Kiambu 5 and Serengeti-transformed strains) has been used on exotic and crossbreed cattle. A total of 254 T. parva samples from vaccinated and unvaccinated cattle were used to understand the genetic diversity of T. parva in Malawi using partial sequences of the Tp1 and Tp2 genes encoding T. parva CD8+ antigens, known to be immunodominant and current candidate antigens for a subunit vaccine. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were observed at 14 positions (3.65%) in Tp1 and 156 positions (33.12%) in Tp2, plus short deletions in Tp1, resulting in 6 and 10 amino acid variants in the Tp1 and Tp2 genes, respectively. Most sequences were either identical or similar to T. parva Muguga and Kiambu 5 strains. This may suggest the possible expansion of vaccine components into unvaccinated cattle, or that a very similar genotype already existed in Malawi. This study provides information that support the use of MC to control ECF in Malawi.
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