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Kaewbandit N, Malla A, Boonyayothin W, Rattanapisit K, Phetphoung T, Pisuttinusart N, Strasser R, Saetung R, Tawinwung S, Phoolcharoen W. Effect of plant produced Anti-hIL-6 receptor antibody blockade on pSTAT3 expression in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11927. [PMID: 37488213 PMCID: PMC10366097 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39106-5] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
As a response to invasion by pathogens, the secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6) which is a cytokine, activates IL-6/JAKs/STAT3 intracellular signaling via., phosphorylation. Over expression of pSTAT3 induces IL-6 positive feedback loop causing cytokine release syndrome or cytokine storm. Plants have gained momentum as an alternative expression system. Hence, this study aims to produce mAb targeting human IL-6 receptor (hIL-6R) in Nicotiana benthamiana for down regulating its cellular signaling thus, decreasing the expression of pSTAT3. The variable regions of heavy and light chains of anti-hIL-6R mAb were constructed in pBYK2e geminiviral plant expression vector and transiently co-expressed in N. benthamiana. The results demonstrate the proper protein assembly of anti-hIL-6R mAb with highest expression level of 2.24 mg/g FW at 5 dpi, with a yield of 21.4 µg/g FW after purification. The purity and N-glycosylation of plant produced antibody was analyzed, including its specificity to human IL-6 receptor by ELISA. Additionally, we investigated the effect to pSTAT3 expression in human PBMC's by flow cytometry wherein, the results confirmed lower expression of pSTAT3 with increasing concentrations of plant produced anti-hIL-6R mAb. Although, further in vivo studies are key to unveil the absolute functionality of anti-hIL-6R, we hereby show the potential of the plant platform and its suitability for the production of this therapeutic antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namthip Kaewbandit
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Wanuttha Boonyayothin
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | | | - Thareeya Phetphoung
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Nuttapat Pisuttinusart
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Graduate Program of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rattana Saetung
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Supannikar Tawinwung
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
- Cellular Immunotherapy Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
| | - Waranyoo Phoolcharoen
- Center of Excellence in Plant-Produced Pharmaceuticals, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Nakanishi K, Takase T, Ohira Y, Ida R, Mogi N, Kikuchi Y, Matsuda M, Kurohane K, Akimoto Y, Hayakawa J, Kawakami H, Niwa Y, Kobayashi H, Umemoto E, Imai Y. Prevention of Shiga toxin 1-caused colon injury by plant-derived recombinant IgA. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17999. [PMID: 36289440 PMCID: PMC9606113 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22851-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a candidate antibody for oral passive immunization against mucosal pathogens like Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). We previously established a mouse IgG monoclonal antibody (mAb) neutralizing Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1), a bacterial toxin secreted by STEC. We designed cDNA encoding an anti-Stx1 antibody, in which variable regions were from the IgG mAb and all domains of the heavy chain constant region from a mouse IgA mAb. Considering oral administration, we expressed the cDNA in a plant expression system aiming at the production of enough IgA at low cost. The recombinant-IgA expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana formed the dimeric IgA, bound to the B subunit of Stx1, and neutralized Stx1 toxicity to Vero cells. Colon injury was examined by exposing BALB/c mice to Stx1 via the intrarectal route. Epithelial cell death, loss of crypt and goblet cells from the distal colon were observed by electron microscopy. A loss of secretory granules containing MUC2 mucin and activation of caspase-3 were observed by immunohistochemical methods. Pretreatment of Stx1 with the plant-based recombinant IgA completely suppressed caspase-3 activation and loss of secretory granules. The results indicate that a plant-based recombinant IgA prevented colon damage caused by Stx1 in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiro Nakanishi
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Taichi Takase
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Yuya Ohira
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Ryota Ida
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Noriko Mogi
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Yuki Kikuchi
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Minami Matsuda
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Kohta Kurohane
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Akimoto
- grid.411205.30000 0000 9340 2869Department of Anatomy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611 Japan
| | - Junri Hayakawa
- grid.411205.30000 0000 9340 2869Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611 Japan
| | - Hayato Kawakami
- grid.411205.30000 0000 9340 2869Department of Anatomy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo, 181-8611 Japan
| | - Yasuo Niwa
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Plant Molecular Improvement, Graduate Division of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kobayashi
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Plant Molecular Improvement, Graduate Division of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Eiji Umemoto
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Imai
- grid.469280.10000 0000 9209 9298Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526 Japan
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3
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Shaughnessy J, Chabeda A, Tran Y, Zheng B, Nowak N, Steffens C, DeOliveira RB, Gulati S, Lewis LA, Maclean J, Moss JA, Wycoff KL, Ram S. An optimized Factor H-Fc fusion protein against multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Immunol 2022; 13:975676. [PMID: 36110842 PMCID: PMC9468773 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.975676] [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: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Novel therapeutics against the global threat of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are urgently needed. Gonococci evade killing by complement by binding factor H (FH), a key inhibitor of the alternative pathway. FH comprises 20 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains organized as a single chain. Gonococci bind FH through domains 6 and 7, and C-terminal domains 18 through 20. Previously, we showed that a chimeric protein comprising (from the N- to C-terminus) FH domains 18-20 (containing a point mutation in domain 19 to prevent lysis of host cells) fused to human IgG1 Fc (called FH*/Fc1) killed gonococci in a complement-dependent manner and reduced the duration and bacterial burden in the mouse vaginal colonization model of gonorrhea. Considering the N. gonorrhoeae-binding FH domains 18-20 are C-terminal in native FH, we reasoned that positioning Fc N-terminal to FH* (Fc1/FH*) would improve binding and bactericidal activity. Although both molecules bound gonococci similarly, Fc1/FH* displayed a 5-fold lower IC50 (the concentration required for 50% killing in complement-dependent bactericidal assays) than FH*/Fc1. To further increase complement activation, we replaced human IgG1 Fc in Fc1/FH* with Fc from human IgG3, the most potent complement-activating IgG subclass, to obtain Fc3/FH*. Bactericidal activity was further increased ~2.3-fold in Fc3/FH* compared to Fc1/FH*. Fc3/FH* killed (defined by <50% survival) 45/45 (100%) diverse PorB1B-expessing gonococci, but only 2/15 PorB1A-expressing isolates, in a complement-dependent manner. Decreased Fc3/FH* binding accounted for the limited activity against PorB1A strains. Fc3/FH* was efficacious against all four tested PorB1B gonococcal strains in the mouse vaginal colonization model when administered at a dose of 5 µg intravaginally, daily. Furthermore, Fc3/FH* retained bactericidal activity when reconstituted following lyophilization or spray-drying, suggesting feasibility for formulation into intravaginal rings. In conclusion, Fc3/FH* represents a promising prophylactic immunotherapeutic against multidrug-resistant gonococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Aleyo Chabeda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Y. Tran
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - Bo Zheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Nancy Nowak
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Carolynn Steffens
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rosane B. DeOliveira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Lisa A. Lewis
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - James Maclean
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - John A. Moss
- Oak Crest Institute of Science, Monrovia, CA, United States
| | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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4
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A Factor H-Fc fusion protein increases complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis and killing of community associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0265774. [PMID: 35324969 PMCID: PMC8946749 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0265774] [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: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus employs a multitude of immune-evasive tactics to circumvent host defenses including the complement system, a component of innate immunity central to controlling bacterial infections. With antibiotic resistance becoming increasingly common, there is a dire need for novel therapies. Previously, we have shown that S. aureus binds the complement regulator factor H (FH) via surface protein SdrE to inhibit complement. To address the need for novel therapeutics and take advantage of the FH:SdrE interaction, we examined the effect of a fusion protein comprised of the SdrE-interacting domain of FH coupled with IgG Fc on complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis and bacterial killing of community associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus. S. aureus bound significantly more FH-Fc compared to Fc-control proteins and FH-Fc competed with serum FH for S. aureus binding. FH-Fc treatment increased C3-fragment opsonization of S. aureus for both C3b and iC3b, and boosted generation of the anaphylatoxin C5a. In 5 and 10% serum, FH-Fc treatment significantly increased S. aureus killing by polymorphonuclear cells. This anti-staphylococcal effect was evident in 75% (3/4) of clinical isolates tested. This study demonstrates that FH-Fc fusion proteins have the potential to mitigate the protective effects of bound serum FH rendering S. aureus more vulnerable to the host immune system. Thus, we report the promise of virulence-factor-targeted fusion-proteins as an avenue for prospective anti-staphylococcal therapeutic development.
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5
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Cryan LM, Tsang TM, Stiles J, Bazinet L, Lee SL, Garrard S, Madrian E, Roberts C, Payne J, Jensen A, Frankel AE, Ackroyd PC, Christensen KA, Rogers MS. Capillary morphogenesis gene 2 (CMG2) mediates growth factor-induced angiogenesis by regulating endothelial cell chemotaxis. Angiogenesis 2022; 25:397-410. [PMID: 35212873 PMCID: PMC9250616 DOI: 10.1007/s10456-022-09833-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Anthrax protective antigen (PA) is a potent inhibitor of pathological angiogenesis with an unknown mechanism. In anthrax intoxication, PA interacts with capillary morphogenesis gene 2 (CMG2) and tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8). Here, we show that CMG2 mediates the antiangiogenic effects of PA and is required for growth-factor-induced chemotaxis. Using specific inhibitors of CMG2 and TEM8 interaction with natural ligand, as well as mice with the CMG2 or TEM8 transmembrane and intracellular domains disrupted, we demonstrate that inhibiting CMG2, but not TEM8 reduces growth-factor-induced angiogenesis in the cornea. Furthermore, the antiangiogenic effect of PA was abolished when the CMG2, but not the TEM8, gene was disrupted. Binding experiments demonstrated a broad ligand specificity for CMG2 among extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Ex vivo experiments demonstrated that CMG2 (but not TEM8) is required for PA activity in human dermal microvascular endothelial cell (HMVEC-d) network formation assays. Remarkably, blocking CMG2-ligand binding with PA or CRISPR knockout abolishes endothelial cell chemotaxis but not chemokinesis in microfluidic migration assays. These effects are phenocopied by Rho inhibition. Because CMG2 mediates the chemotactic response of endothelial cells to peptide growth factors in an ECM-dependent fashion, CMG2 is well-placed to integrate growth factor and ECM signals. Thus, CMG2 targeting is a novel way to inhibit angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorna M Cryan
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 11.211 Karp Family Research Bldg., 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Tsz-Ming Tsang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Jessica Stiles
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 11.211 Karp Family Research Bldg., 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Lauren Bazinet
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 11.211 Karp Family Research Bldg., 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sai Lun Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Samuel Garrard
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA.,Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 11.211 Karp Family Research Bldg., 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Erika Madrian
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 11.211 Karp Family Research Bldg., 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Cody Roberts
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Jessie Payne
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Andrew Jensen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Arthur E Frankel
- Department of Medicine, West Palm Beach VA Medical Center, 7305 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL, 33410, USA
| | - P Christine Ackroyd
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Kenneth A Christensen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, 84602, USA
| | - Michael S Rogers
- Vascular Biology Program, Department of Surgery, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 11.211 Karp Family Research Bldg., 300 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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6
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Shaughnessy J, Tran Y, Zheng B, DeOliveira RB, Gulati S, Song WC, Maclean JM, Wycoff KL, Ram S. Development of Complement Factor H-Based Immunotherapeutic Molecules in Tobacco Plants Against Multidrug-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583305. [PMID: 33193396 PMCID: PMC7649208 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel therapeutics against the global threat of multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae are urgently needed. Gonococci possess several mechanisms to evade killing by human complement, including binding of factor H (FH), a key inhibitor of the alternative pathway. FH comprises 20 short consensus repeat (SCR) domains organized in a head-to-tail manner as a single chain. N. gonorrhoeae binds two regions in FH; domains 6 and 7 and domains 18 through 20. We designed a novel anti-infective immunotherapeutic molecule that fuses domains 18-20 of FH containing a D-to-G mutation in domain 19 at position 1119 (called FH*) with human IgG1 Fc. FH*/Fc retained binding to gonococci but did not lyse human erythrocytes. Expression of FH*/Fc in tobacco plants was undertaken as an alternative, economical production platform. FH*/Fc was expressed in high yields in tobacco plants (300-600 mg/kg biomass). The activities of plant- and CHO-cell produced FH*/Fc against gonococci were similar in vitro and in the mouse vaginal colonization model of gonorrhea. The addition of flexible linkers [e.g., (GGGGS)2 or (GGGGS)3] between FH* and Fc improved the bactericidal efficacy of FH*/Fc 2.7-fold. The linkers also improved PMN-mediated opsonophagocytosis about 11-fold. FH*/Fc with linker also effectively reduced the duration and burden of colonization of two gonococcal strains tested in mice. FH*/Fc lost efficacy: i) in C6-/- mice (no terminal complement) and ii) when Fc was mutated to abrogate complement activation, suggesting that an intact complement was necessary for FH*/Fc function in vivo. In summary, plant-produced FH*/Fc represent promising prophylactic or adjunctive immunotherapeutics against multidrug-resistant gonococci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jutamas Shaughnessy
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Y Tran
- Planet Biotechnology, Inc., Hayward, CA, United States
| | - Bo Zheng
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Rosane B. DeOliveira
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Sunita Gulati
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Wen-Chao Song
- Department of Systems Pharmacology and Translational Therapeutics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | | | | | - Sanjay Ram
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Manish M, Verma S, Kandari D, Kulshreshtha P, Singh S, Bhatnagar R. Anthrax prevention through vaccine and post-exposure therapy. Expert Opin Biol Ther 2020; 20:1405-1425. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2020.1801626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Manish Manish
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Shashikala Verma
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Divya Kandari
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
| | - Parul Kulshreshtha
- Department of Zoology, Shivaji College, University of Delhi, Delhi, India
| | - Samer Singh
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rakesh Bhatnagar
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Genetic Engineering, School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Omersa N, Podobnik M, Anderluh G. Inhibition of Pore-Forming Proteins. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:E545. [PMID: 31546810 PMCID: PMC6784129 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11090545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Perforation of cellular membranes by pore-forming proteins can affect cell physiology, tissue integrity, or immune response. Since many pore-forming proteins are toxins or highly potent virulence factors, they represent an attractive target for the development of molecules that neutralize their actions with high efficacy. There has been an assortment of inhibitors developed to specifically obstruct the activity of pore-forming proteins, in addition to vaccination and antibiotics that serve as a plausible treatment for the majority of diseases caused by bacterial infections. Here we review a wide range of potential inhibitors that can specifically and effectively block the activity of pore-forming proteins, from small molecules to more specific macromolecular systems, such as synthetic nanoparticles, antibodies, antibody mimetics, polyvalent inhibitors, and dominant negative mutants. We discuss their mechanism of inhibition, as well as advantages and disadvantages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neža Omersa
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Marjetka Podobnik
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Gregor Anderluh
- Department of Molecular Biology and Nanobiotechnology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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9
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Xiong Y, Karuppanan K, Bernardi A, Li Q, Kommineni V, Dandekar AM, Lebrilla CB, Faller R, McDonald KA, Nandi S. Effects of N-Glycosylation on the Structure, Function, and Stability of a Plant-Made Fc-Fusion Anthrax Decoy Protein. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2019; 10:768. [PMID: 31316527 PMCID: PMC6611495 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2019.00768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Protein N-glycosylation is an important post-translational modification and has influences on a variety of biological processes at the cellular and molecular level, making glycosylation a major study aspect for glycoprotein-based therapeutics. To achieve a comprehensive understanding on how N-glycosylation impacts protein properties, an Fc-fusion anthrax decoy protein, viz rCMG2-Fc, was expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plant with three types of N-glycosylation profiles. Three variants were produced by targeting protein to plant apoplast (APO), endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or removing the N-glycosylation site by a point mutation (Agly). Both the APO and ER variants had a complex-type N-glycan (GnGnXF) as their predominant glycans. In addition, ER variant had a higher concentration of mannose-type N-glycans (50%). The decoy protein binds to the protective antigen (PA) of anthrax through its CMG2 domain and inhibits toxin endocytosis. The protein expression, sequence, N-glycosylation profile, binding kinetics to PA, toxin neutralization efficiency, and thermostability were determined experimentally. In parallel, we performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the predominant full-length rCMG2-Fc glycoform for each of the three N-glycosylation profiles to understand the effects of glycosylation at the molecular level. The MAN8 glycoform from the ER variant was additionally simulated to resolve differences between the APO and ER variants. Glycosylation showed strong stabilizing effects on rCMG2-Fc during in planta accumulation, evidenced by the over 2-fold higher expression and less protein degradation observed for glycosylated variants compared to the Agly variant. Protein function was confirmed by toxin neutralization assay (TNA), with effective concentration (EC50) rankings from low to high of 67.6 ng/ml (APO), 83.15 ng/ml (Agly), and 128.9 ng/ml (ER). The binding kinetics between rCMG2-Fc and PA were measured with bio-layer interferometry (BLI), giving sub-nanomolar affinities regardless of protein glycosylation and temperatures (25 and 37°C). The protein thermostability was examined utilizing the PA binding ELISA to provide information on EC50 differences. The fraction of functional ER variant decayed after overnight incubation at 37°C, and no significant change was observed for APO or Agly variants. In MD simulations, the MAN8 glycoform exhibits quantitatively higher distance between the CMG2 and Fc domains, as well as higher hydrophobic solvent accessible surface areas (SASA), indicating a possibly higher aggregation tendency of the ER variant. This study highlights the impacts of N-glycosylation on protein properties and provides insight into the effects of glycosylation on protein molecular dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongao Xiong
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Kalimuthu Karuppanan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Austen Bernardi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Qiongyu Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | | | - Abhaya M. Dandekar
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Carlito B. Lebrilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Roland Faller
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Karen A. McDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Global HealthShare Initiative, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
- Global HealthShare Initiative, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
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10
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Sukenik SC, Karuppanan K, Li Q, Lebrilla CB, Nandi S, McDonald KA. Transient Recombinant Protein Production in Glycoengineered Nicotiana benthamiana Cell Suspension Culture. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1205. [PMID: 29659495 PMCID: PMC5979281 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2018] [Revised: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Transient recombinant protein production is a promising alternative to stable transgenic systems, particularly for emergency situations in which rapid production of novel therapeutics is needed. In plants, Agrobacterium tumefaciens can be used as a gene delivery vector for transient expression. A potential barrier for plant-based production of human therapeutics is that different glycosylation patterns are found on plant and mammalian proteins. Since glycosylation can affect the efficacy, safety and stability of a therapeutic protein, methods to control glycan structures and distributions in plant-based systems would be beneficial. In these studies, we performed Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in glycoengineered plant cell suspension cultures. To reduce the presence of plant-specific glycans on the product, we generated and characterized cell suspension cultures from β-1,2-xylosyltransferase and α-1,3-fucosyltransferase knockdown Nicotiana benthamiana. An anthrax decoy fusion protein was transiently produced in these glycoengineered plant cell suspension cultures through co-culture with genetically engineered Agrobacterium. The mass ratio of Agrobacterium to plant cells used was shown to impact recombinant protein expression levels. N-glycosylation analysis on the anthrax decoy fusion protein produced in glycoengineered N. benthamiana showed a dramatic reduction in plant-specific N-glycans. Overall, the results presented here demonstrate the feasibility of a simple, rapid and scalable process for transient production of recombinant proteins without plant-specific glycans in a glycoengineered plant cell culture host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara C Sukenik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Kalimuthu Karuppanan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Qiongyu Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Carlito B Lebrilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Foods for Health Institute, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Global HealthShare Initiative, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Karen A McDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Global HealthShare Initiative, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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11
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Xiong Y, Li Q, Kailemia MJ, Lebrilla CB, Nandi S, McDonald KA. Glycoform Modification of Secreted Recombinant Glycoproteins through Kifunensine Addition during Transient Vacuum Agroinfiltration. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E890. [PMID: 29562594 PMCID: PMC5877751 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19030890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Kifunensine, a potent and selective inhibitor of class I α-mannosidases, prevents α-mannosidases I from trimming mannose residues on glycoproteins, thus resulting in oligomannose-type glycans. We report for the first time that through one-time vacuum infiltration of kifunensine in plant tissue, N-linked glycosylation of a recombinant protein transiently produced in whole-plants shifted completely from complex-type to oligomannose-type. Fc-fused capillary morphogenesis protein 2 (CMG2-Fc) containing one N-glycosylation site on the Fc domain, produced in Nicotiana benthamiana whole plants, served as a model protein. The CMG2-Fc fusion protein was produced transiently through vacuum agroinfiltration, with and without kifunensine at a concentration of 5.4 µM in the agroinfiltration suspension. The CMG2-Fc N-glycan profile was determined using LC-MS/MS with a targeted dynamic multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) method. The CMG2-Fc expression level in the infiltrated plant tissue and the percentage of oligomannose-type N-glycans for kifunensine treated plants was 874 mg/kg leaf fresh weight (FW) and 98.2%, respectively, compared to 717 mg/kg leaf FW and 2.3% for untreated plants. Oligomannose glycans are amenable to in vitro enzymatic modification to produce more human-like N-glycan structures that are preferred for the production of HIV-1 viral vaccine and certain monoclonal antibodies. This method allows glycan modifications using a bioprocessing approach without compromising protein yield or modification of the primary sequence, and could be expanded to other small molecule inhibitors of glycan-processing enzymes. For recombinant protein targeted for secretion, kifunensine treatment allows collection of glycoform-modified target protein from apoplast wash fluid (AWF) with minimal plant-specific complex N-glycan at higher starting purity and concentration than in whole-leaf extract, thus simplifying the downstream processing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongao Xiong
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Qiongyu Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Muchena J Kailemia
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Carlito B Lebrilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Global HealthShare, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Karen A McDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Global HealthShare, Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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12
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Roychowdhury S, Oh YJ, Kajiura H, Hamorsky KT, Fujiyama K, Matoba N. Hydroponic Treatment of Nicotiana benthamiana with Kifunensine Modifies the N-glycans of Recombinant Glycoprotein Antigens to Predominantly Man9 High-Mannose Type upon Transient Overexpression. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2018; 9:62. [PMID: 29441088 PMCID: PMC5797603 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2018.00062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Nicotiana benthamiana transient overexpression systems offer unique advantages for rapid and scalable biopharmaceuticals production, including high scalability and eukaryotic post-translational modifications such as N-glycosylation. High-mannose-type glycans (HMGs) of glycoprotein antigens have been implicated in the effectiveness of some subunit vaccines. In particular, Man9GlcNAc2 (Man9) has high binding affinity to mannose-specific C-type lectin receptors such as the mannose receptor and dendritic cell-specific intracellular adhesion molecule 3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN). Here, we investigated the effect of kifunensine, an α-mannosidase I inhibitor, supplemented in a hydroponic culture of N. benthamiana for the production of Man9-rich HMG glycoproteins, using N-glycosylated cholera toxin B subunit (gCTB) and human immunodeficiency virus gp120 that are tagged with a H/KDEL endoplasmic reticulum retention signal as model vaccine antigens. Biochemical analysis using anti-fucose and anti-xylose antibodies as well as Endo H and PNGase F digestion showed that kifunensine treatment effectively reduced plant-specific glycoforms while increasing HMGs in the N-glycan compositions of gCTB. Detailed glycan profiling revealed that plant-produced gp120 had a glycan profile bearing mostly HMGs regardless of kifunensine treatment. However, the gp120 produced under kifunensine-treatment conditions showed Man9 being the most prominent glycoform (64.5%), while the protein produced without kifunensine had a substantially lower Man9 composition (20.3%). Our results open up possibilities for efficient production of highly mannosylated recombinant vaccine antigens in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sugata Roychowdhury
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Young J. Oh
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Hiroyuki Kajiura
- The International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Krystal T. Hamorsky
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
| | - Kazuhito Fujiyama
- The International Center for Biotechnology, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Matoba
- James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
- Center for Predictive Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, United States
- *Correspondence: Nobuyuki Matoba
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13
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Nakanishi K, Morikane S, Ichikawa S, Kurohane K, Niwa Y, Akimoto Y, Matsubara S, Kawakami H, Kobayashi H, Imai Y. Protection of Human Colon Cells from Shiga Toxin by Plant-based Recombinant Secretory IgA. Sci Rep 2017; 7:45843. [PMID: 28368034 PMCID: PMC5377459 DOI: 10.1038/srep45843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2016] [Accepted: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Shiga toxin is a major virulence factor of food-poisoning caused by Escherichia coli such as O157:H7. Secretory immunoglobulin (Ig) A (SIgA) is supposed to prevent infection of the mucosal surface and is a candidate agent for oral immunotherapy. We previously established a recombinant monoclonal antibody (mAb) consisting of variable regions from a mouse IgG mAb specific for the binding subunit of Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and the Fc region of mouse IgA. Here we produced a secretory form of the recombinant IgA (S-hyIgA) with transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plant. All the S-hyIgA cDNAs (heavy, light, J chain and secretory component) were expressed under the control of a bidirectional promoter of a chlorophyll a/b-binding protein of A. thaliana without using a viral promoter. The plant-based S-hyIgA exhibited antigen binding, and was modified with plant-specific N-linked sugar chains. The Ig heavy chain and secretory components were observed in an intracellular protein body-like structure of the transgenic leaves on immuno-electron microscopy. An extract of the transgenic leaves neutralized the cytotoxicity of Stx1 toward butyrate-treated Caco-2 cells, a human colon carcinoma cell line. These results will contribute to the development of edible therapeutic antibodies such as those for the treatment of mucosal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katsuhiro Nakanishi
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Shota Morikane
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Shiori Ichikawa
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Kohta Kurohane
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Yasuo Niwa
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Improvement, Graduate Division of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Akimoto
- Department of Anatomy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8612, Japan
| | - Sachie Matsubara
- Laboratory for Electron Microscopy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8612, Japan
| | - Hayato Kawakami
- Department of Anatomy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Mitaka, Tokyo 181-8612, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kobayashi
- Laboratory of Plant Molecular Improvement, Graduate Division of Nutritional and Environmental Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Imai
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka City, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
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14
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Karuppanan K, Duhra-Gill S, Kailemia MJ, Phu ML, Lebrilla CB, Dandekar AM, Rodriguez RL, Nandi S, McDonald KA. Expression, Purification, and Biophysical Characterization of a Secreted Anthrax Decoy Fusion Protein in Nicotiana benthamiana. Int J Mol Sci 2017; 18:E89. [PMID: 28054967 PMCID: PMC5297723 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18010089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax toxin receptor-mediated drug development for blocking anthrax toxin action has received much attention in recent decades. In this study, we produced a secreted anthrax decoy fusion protein comprised of a portion of the human capillary morphogenesis gene-2 (CMG2) protein fused via a linker to the fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain of human immunoglobulin G1 in Nicotiana benthamiana plants using a transient expression system. Using the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter and co-expression with the p19 gene silencing suppressor, we were able to achieve a high level of recombinant CMG2-Fc-Apo (rCMG2-Fc-Apo) protein accumulation. Production kinetics were observed up to eight days post-infiltration, and maximum production of 826 mg/kg fresh leaf weight was observed on day six. Protein A affinity chromatography purification of the rCMG2-Fc-Apo protein from whole leaf extract and apoplast wash fluid showed the homodimeric form under non-reducing gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the molecular integrity of the secreted protein. The N-glycosylation pattern of purified rCMG2-Fc-Apo protein was analysed; the major portion of N-glycans consists of complex type structures in both protein samples. The most abundant (>50%) N-glycan structure was GlcNAc₂(Xyl)Man₃(Fuc)GlcNAc₂ in rCMG2-Fc-Apo recovered from whole leaf extract and apoplast wash fluid. High mannose N-glycan structures were not detected in the apoplast wash fluid preparation, which confirmed the protein secretion. Altogether, these findings demonstrate that high-level production of rCMG2-Fc-Apo can be achieved by transient production in Nicotiana benthamiana plants with apoplast targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kalimuthu Karuppanan
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Sifti Duhra-Gill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Muchena J Kailemia
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - My L Phu
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Carlito B Lebrilla
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Abhaya M Dandekar
- Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Raymond L Rodriguez
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
| | - Karen A McDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
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15
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Abstract
In some Bacillus species, including Bacillus subtilis, the coat is the outermost layer of the spore. In others, such as the Bacillus cereus family, there is an additional layer that envelops the coat, called the exosporium. In the case of Bacillus anthracis, a series of fine hair-like projections, also referred to as a "hairy" nap, extends from the exosporium basal layer. The exact role of the exosporium in B. anthracis, or for any of the Bacillus species possessing this structure, remains unclear. However, it has been assumed that the exosporium would play some role in infection for B. anthracis, because it is the outermost structure of the spore and would make initial contact with host and immune cells during infection. Therefore, the exosporium has been a topic of great interest, and over the past decade much progress has been made to understand its composition, biosynthesis, and potential roles. Several key aspects of this spore structure, however, are still debated and remain undetermined. Although insights have been gained on the interaction of exosporium with the host during infection, the exact role and significance of this complex structure remain to be determined. Furthermore, because the exosporium is a highly antigenic structure, future strategies for the next-generation anthrax vaccine should pursue its inclusion as a component to provide protection against the spore itself during the initial stages of anthrax.
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16
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Animal Models for the Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention of Infection by Bacillus anthracis. Microbiol Spectr 2016; 3:TBS-0001-2012. [PMID: 26104551 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.tbs-0001-2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This article reviews the characteristics of the major animal models utilized for studies on Bacillus anthracis and highlights their contributions to understanding the pathogenesis and host responses to anthrax and its treatment and prevention. Advantages and drawbacks associated with each model, to include the major models (murine, guinea pig, rabbit, nonhuman primate, and rat), and other less frequently utilized models, are discussed. Although the three principal forms of anthrax are addressed, the main focus of this review is on models for inhalational anthrax. The selection of an animal model for study is often not straightforward and is dependent on the specific aims of the research or test. No single animal species provides complete equivalence to humans; however, each species, when used appropriately, can contribute to a more complete understanding of anthrax and its etiologic agent.
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17
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Sun J, Jacquez P. Roles of Anthrax Toxin Receptor 2 in Anthrax Toxin Membrane Insertion and Pore Formation. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:34. [PMID: 26805886 PMCID: PMC4773787 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8020034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 01/18/2016] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Interaction between bacterial toxins and cellular surface receptors is an important component of the host-pathogen interaction. Anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA) binds to the cell surface receptor, enters the cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis, and forms a pore on the endosomal membrane that translocates toxin enzymes into the cytosol of the host cell. As the major receptor for anthrax toxin in vivo, anthrax toxin receptor 2 (ANTXR2) plays an essential role in anthrax toxin action by providing the toxin with a high-affinity binding anchor on the cell membrane and a path of entry into the host cell. ANTXR2 also acts as a molecular clamp by shifting the pH threshold of PA pore formation to a more acidic pH range, which prevents premature pore formation at neutral pH before the toxin reaches the designated intracellular location. Most recent studies have suggested that the disulfide bond in the immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain of ANTXR2 plays an essential role in anthrax toxin action. Here we will review the roles of ANTXR2 in anthrax toxin action, with an emphasis on newly updated knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianjun Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
| | - Pedro Jacquez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Border Biomedical Research Center, University of Texas at El Paso, 500 West University Avenue, El Paso, TX 79968, USA.
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18
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Li L, Guo Q, Liu J, Zhang J, Yin Y, Dong D, Fu L, Xu J, Chen W. Recombinant HSA-CMG2 Is a Promising Anthrax Toxin Inhibitor. Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8010028. [PMID: 26805881 PMCID: PMC4728550 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax toxin is the major virulence factor produced by Bacillus anthracis. Protective antigen (PA) is the key component of the toxin and has been confirmed as the main target for the development of toxin inhibitors. The inhibition of the binding of PA to its receptor, capillary morphogenesis protein-2 (CMG2), can effectively block anthrax intoxication. The recombinant, soluble von Willebrand factor type A (vWA) domain of CMG2 (sCMG2) has demonstrated potency against anthrax toxin. However, the short half-life of sCMG2 in vivo is a disadvantage for its development as a new anthrax drug. In the present study, we report that HSA-CMG2, a protein combining human serum albumin (HSA) and sCMG2, produced in the Pichia pastoris expression system prolonged the half-life of sCMG2 while maintaining PA binding ability. The IC50 of HSA-CMG2 is similar to those of sCMG2 and CMG2-Fc in in vitro toxin neutralization assays, and HSA-CMG2 completely protects rats from lethal doses of anthrax toxin challenge; these same challenge doses exceed sCMG2 at a sub-equivalent dose ratio and overwhelm CMG2-Fc. Our results suggest that HSA-CMG2 is a promising inhibitor of anthrax toxin and may contribute to the development of novel anthrax drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liangliang Li
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Navy, Beijing 101113, China.
| | - Qiang Guo
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Ju Liu
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Ying Yin
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Dayong Dong
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Ling Fu
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Junjie Xu
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Wei Chen
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing 100071, China.
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19
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Plant-Derived Monoclonal Antibodies for Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Disease. Microbiol Spectr 2015; 2:AID-0004-2012. [PMID: 26082108 DOI: 10.1128/microbiolspec.aid-0004-2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that recognize and neutralize infectious pathogens have been isolated and developed over the years. The fact that infectious diseases can involve large populations of infected individuals is an important factor that has motivated the search for both cost-effective and scalable methods of antibody production. The current technologies for production of antibodies in plants allow for very rapid expression and evaluation that can also be readily scaled for multikilogram production runs. In addition, recent progress in manipulating glycosylation in plant production systems has allowed for the evaluation of antibodies containing glycans that are nearly homogeneous, are mammalian in structure, and have enhanced neutralizing capabilities. Among the anti-infectious disease antibodies that have been produced in plants are included those intended for prevention or treatment of anthrax, Clostridium perfringens, Ebola virus, human immunodeficiency virus, herpes simplex virus, rabies, respiratory syncytial virus, staphylococcal enterotoxin, West Nile virus, and tooth decay. Animal and human efficacy data for these MAbs are discussed.
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20
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Wycoff K, Maclean J, Belle A, Yu L, Tran Y, Roy C, Hayden F. Anti-infective immunoadhesins from plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2015; 13:1078-93. [PMID: 26242703 PMCID: PMC4749143 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/27/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Immunoadhesins are recombinant proteins that combine the ligand-binding region of a receptor or adhesion molecule with immunoglobulin constant domains. All FDA-approved immunoadhesins are designed to modulate the interaction of a human receptor with its normal ligand, such as Etanercept (Enbrel(®) ), which interferes with the binding of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) to the TNF-alpha receptor and is used to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Like antibodies, immunoadhesins have long circulating half-lives, are readily purified by affinity-based methods and have the avidity advantages conferred by bivalency. Immunoadhesins that incorporate normal cellular receptors for viruses or bacterial toxins hold great, but as yet unrealized, potential for treating infectious disease. As decoy receptors, immunoadhesins have potential advantages over pathogen-targeted monoclonal antibodies. Planet Biotechnology has specialized in developing anti-infective immunoadhesins using plant expression systems. An immunoadhesin incorporating the cellular receptor for anthrax toxin, CMG2, potently blocks toxin activity in vitro and protects animals against inhalational anthrax. An immunoadhesin based on the receptor for human rhinovirus, ICAM-1, potently blocks infection of human cells by one of the major causes of the common cold. An immunoadhesin targeting the MERS coronavirus is in an early stage of development. We describe here the unique challenges involved in designing and developing immunoadhesins targeting infectious diseases in the hope of inspiring further research into this promising class of drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lloyd Yu
- Planet Biotechnology Inc., Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Y Tran
- Planet Biotechnology Inc., Hayward, CA, USA
| | - Chad Roy
- Tulane National Primate Research Center, Covington, LA, USA
| | - Frederick Hayden
- University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
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21
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Ohanjanian L, Remy KE, Li Y, Cui X, Eichacker PQ. An overview of investigational toxin-directed therapies for the adjunctive management of Bacillus anthracis infection and sepsis. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2015; 24:851-65. [PMID: 25920540 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.2015.1041587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Sepsis with Bacillus anthracis infection has a very high mortality rate despite appropriate antibiotic and supportive therapies. Over the past 15 years, recent outbreaks in the US and in Europe, coupled with anthrax's bioterrorism weapon potential, have stimulated efforts to develop adjunctive therapies to improve clinical outcomes. Since lethal toxin and edema toxin (LT and ET) make central contributions to the pathogenesis of B. anthracis, these have been major targets in this effort. AREAS COVERED Here, the authors review different investigative biopharmaceuticals that have been recently identified for their therapeutic potential as inhibitors of LT or ET. Among these inhibitors are two antibody preparations that have been included in the Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) and several more that have reached Phase I testing. Presently, however, many of these candidate agents have only been studied in vitro and very few tested in bacteria-challenged models. EXPERT OPINION Although a large number of drugs have been identified as potential therapeutic inhibitors of LT and ET, in most cases their testing has been limited. The use of the two SNS antibody therapies during a large-scale exposure to B. anthracis will be difficult. Further testing and development of agents with oral bioavailability and relatively long shelf lives should be a focus for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lernik Ohanjanian
- National Institutes of Health, Clinical Center, Critical Care Medicine Department , Building 10, Room 2C145, Bethesda, MD 20892 , USA +1 301 402 2914 ; +1 301 402 1213 ;
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Xi Y, Wu X, Gao L, Shao Y, Peng H, Chen H, Chen H, Hu X, Yue J. Improving the anti-toxin abilities of the CMG2-Fc fusion protein with the aid of computational design. PLoS One 2014; 9:e104674. [PMID: 25101992 PMCID: PMC4125234 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0104674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 07/16/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
CMG2-Fc is a fusion protein composed of the extracellular domain of capillary morphogenesis protein 2 (CMG2) and the Fc region of human immunoglobulin G; CMG2-Fc neutralizes anthrax toxin and offers protection against Bacillus anthracis challenge. To enhance the efficacy of CMG2-Fc against anthrax toxin, we attempted to engineer a CMG2-Fc with an improved affinity for PA. Using the automatic design algorithm FoldX and visual inspection, we devised two CMG2-Fc variants that introduce mutations in the CMG2 binding interface and improve the computationally assessed binding affinity for PA. An experimental affinity assay revealed that the two variants showed increased binding affinity, and in vitro and in vivo toxin neutralization testing indicated that one of these mutants (CMG2-Fc(E117Q)) has superior activity against anthrax toxin and was suitable for further development as a therapeutic agent for anthrax infections. This study shows that the computational design of the PA binding interface of CMG2 to obtain CMG2-Fc variants with improving anti-toxin abilities is viable. Our results demonstrate that computational design can be further applied to generate other CMG2-Fc mutants with greatly improved therapeutic efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongyi Xi
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojie Wu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Gao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Shao
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Peng
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | | | - Huipeng Chen
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (HPC); (XWH); (JJY)
| | - Xianwen Hu
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (HPC); (XWH); (JJY)
| | - Junjie Yue
- Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (HPC); (XWH); (JJY)
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23
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Liu S, Moayeri M, Leppla SH. Anthrax lethal and edema toxins in anthrax pathogenesis. Trends Microbiol 2014; 22:317-25. [PMID: 24684968 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.02.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2013] [Revised: 02/23/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
The pathophysiological effects resulting from many bacterial diseases are caused by exotoxins released by the bacteria. Bacillus anthracis, a spore-forming bacterium, is such a pathogen, causing anthrax through a combination of bacterial infection and toxemia. B. anthracis causes natural infection in humans and animals and has been a top bioterrorism concern since the 2001 anthrax attacks in the USA. The exotoxins secreted by B. anthracis use capillary morphogenesis protein 2 (CMG2) as the major toxin receptor and play essential roles in pathogenesis during the entire course of the disease. This review focuses on the activities of anthrax toxins and their roles in initial and late stages of anthrax infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shihui Liu
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Mahtab Moayeri
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Stephen H Leppla
- Microbial Pathogenesis Section, Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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24
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De Buck S, Nolf J, De Meyer T, Virdi V, De Wilde K, Van Lerberge E, Van Droogenbroeck B, Depicker A. Fusion of an Fc chain to a VHH boosts the accumulation levels in Arabidopsis seeds. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2013; 11:1006-16. [PMID: 23915060 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2012] [Revised: 05/22/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Nanobodies® (VHHs) provide powerful tools in therapeutic and biotechnological applications. Nevertheless, for some applications, bivalent antibodies perform much better, and for this, an Fc chain can be fused to the VHH domain, resulting in a bivalent homodimeric VHH-Fc complex. However, the production of bivalent antibodies in Escherichia coli is rather inefficient. Therefore, we compared the production of VHH7 and VHH7-Fc as antibodies of interest in Arabidopsis seeds for detecting prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a well-known biomarker for prostate cancer in the early stages of tumour development. The influence of the signal sequence (camel versus plant) and that of the Fc chain origin (human, mouse or pig) were evaluated. The accumulation levels of VHHs were very low, with a maximum of 0.13% VHH of total soluble protein (TSP) in homozygous T3 seeds, while VHH-Fc accumulation levels were at least 10- to 100-fold higher, with a maximum of 16.25% VHH-Fc of TSP. Both the camel and plant signal peptides were efficiently cleaved off and did not affect the accumulation levels. However, the Fc chain origin strongly affected the degree of proteolysis, but only had a slight influence on the accumulation level. Analysis of the mRNA levels suggested that the low amount of VHHs produced in Arabidopsis seeds was not due to a failure in transcription, but rather to translation inefficiency, protein instability and/or degradation. Most importantly, the plant-produced VHH7 and VHH7-Fc antibodies were functional in detecting PSA and could thus be used for diagnostic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie De Buck
- Department of Plant Systems Biology, VIB, Gent, Belgium; Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
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25
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Artenstein AW, Opal SM. Novel approaches to the treatment of systemic anthrax. Clin Infect Dis 2012; 54:1148-61. [PMID: 22438345 DOI: 10.1093/cid/cis017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthrax continues to generate concern as an agent of bioterrorism and as a natural cause of sporadic disease outbreaks. Despite the use of appropriate antimicrobial agents and advanced supportive care, the mortality associated with the systemic disease remains high. This is primarily due to the pathogenic exotoxins produced by Bacillus anthracis as well as other virulence factors of the organism. For this reason, new therapeutic strategies that target events in the pathogenesis of anthrax and may potentially augment antimicrobials are being investigated. These include anti-toxin approaches, such as passive immune-based therapies; non-antimicrobial drugs with activity against anthrax toxin components; and agents that inhibit binding, processing, or assembly of toxins. Adjunct therapies that target spore germination or downstream events in anthrax intoxication are also under investigation. In combination, these modalities may enhance the management of systemic anthrax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew W Artenstein
- Center for Biodefense and Emerging Pathogens, Department of Medicine, Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island, Pawtucket, and The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02860, USA
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26
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Beierlein JM, Anderson AC. New developments in vaccines, inhibitors of anthrax toxins, and antibiotic therapeutics for Bacillus anthracis. Curr Med Chem 2012; 18:5083-94. [PMID: 22050756 DOI: 10.2174/092986711797636036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2011] [Revised: 09/07/2011] [Accepted: 09/09/2011] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent responsible for anthrax infections, poses a significant biodefense threat. There is a high mortality rate associated with untreated anthrax infections; specifically, inhalation anthrax is a particularly virulent form of infection with mortality rates close to 100%, even with aggressive treatment. Currently, a vaccine is not available to the general public and few antibiotics have been approved by the FDA for the treatment of inhalation anthrax. With the threat of natural or engineered bacterial resistance to antibiotics and the limited population for whom the current drugs are approved, there is a clear need for more effective treatments against this deadly infection. A comprehensive review of current research in drug discovery is presented in this article, including efforts to improve the purity and stability of vaccines, design inhibitors targeting the anthrax toxins, and identify inhibitors of novel enzyme targets. High resolution structural information for the anthrax toxins and several essential metabolic enzymes has played a significant role in aiding the structure-based design of potent and selective antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Beierlein
- Dept. Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut, 69 N. Eagleville Rd., Storrs, CT 06269, USA
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27
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Thomas D, Naughton J, Cote C, Welkos S, Manchester M, Young JAT. Delayed toxicity associated with soluble anthrax toxin receptor decoy-Ig fusion protein treatment. PLoS One 2012; 7:e34611. [PMID: 22511955 PMCID: PMC3325282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0034611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/05/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble receptor decoy inhibitors, including receptor-immunogloubulin (Ig) fusion proteins, have shown promise as candidate anthrax toxin therapeutics. These agents act by binding to the receptor-interaction site on the protective antigen (PA) toxin subunit, thereby blocking toxin binding to cell surface receptors. Here we have made the surprising observation that co-administration of receptor decoy-Ig fusion proteins significantly delayed, but did not protect, rats challenged with anthrax lethal toxin. The delayed toxicity was associated with the in vivo assembly of a long-lived complex comprised of anthrax lethal toxin and the receptor decoy-Ig inhibitor. Intoxication in this system presumably results from the slow dissociation of the toxin complex from the inhibitor following their prolonged circulation. We conclude that while receptor decoy-Ig proteins represent promising candidates for the early treatment of B. anthracis infection, they may not be suitable for therapeutic use at later stages when fatal levels of toxin have already accumulated in the bloodstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane Thomas
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - John Naughton
- Nomis Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher Cote
- Bacteriology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Susan Welkos
- Bacteriology Division, U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Fort Detrick, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Marianne Manchester
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MM); (JATY)
| | - John A. T. Young
- Nomis Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (MM); (JATY)
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28
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Ivarsson ME, Leroux JC, Castagner B. Targeting bacterial toxins. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2012; 51:4024-45. [PMID: 22441768 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201104384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2011] [Revised: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Protein toxins constitute the main virulence factors of several species of bacteria and have proven to be attractive targets for drug development. Lead candidates that target bacterial toxins range from small molecules to polymeric binders, and act at each of the multiple steps in the process of toxin-mediated pathogenicity. Despite recent and significant advances in the field, a rationally designed drug that targets toxins has yet to reach the market. This Review presents the state of the art in bacterial toxin targeted drug development with a critical consideration of achieved breakthroughs and withstanding challenges. The discussion focuses on A-B-type protein toxins secreted by four species of bacteria, namely Clostridium difficile (toxins A and B), Vibrio cholerae (cholera toxin), enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (Shiga toxin), and Bacillus anthracis (anthrax toxin), which are the causative agents of diseases for which treatments need to be improved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattias E Ivarsson
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, Zurich, Switzerland
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Arzola L, Chen J, Rattanaporn K, Maclean JM, McDonald KA. Transient co-expression of post-transcriptional gene silencing suppressors for increased in planta expression of a recombinant anthrax receptor fusion protein. Int J Mol Sci 2011; 12:4975-90. [PMID: 21954339 PMCID: PMC3179146 DOI: 10.3390/ijms12084975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 06/18/2011] [Accepted: 07/20/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Potential epidemics of infectious diseases and the constant threat of bioterrorism demand rapid, scalable, and cost-efficient manufacturing of therapeutic proteins. Molecular farming of tobacco plants provides an alternative for the recombinant production of therapeutics. We have developed a transient production platform that uses Agrobacterium infiltration of Nicotiana benthamiana plants to express a novel anthrax receptor decoy protein (immunoadhesin), CMG2-Fc. This chimeric fusion protein, designed to protect against the deadly anthrax toxins, is composed of the von Willebrand factor A (VWA) domain of human capillary morphogenesis 2 (CMG2), an effective anthrax toxin receptor, and the Fc region of human immunoglobulin G (IgG). We evaluated, in N. benthamiana intact plants and detached leaves, the expression of CMG2-Fc under the control of the constitutive CaMV 35S promoter, and the co-expression of CMG2-Fc with nine different viral suppressors of post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS): p1, p10, p19, p21, p24, p25, p38, 2b, and HCPro. Overall, transient CMG2-Fc expression was higher on intact plants than detached leaves. Maximum expression was observed with p1 co-expression at 3.5 days post-infiltration (DPI), with a level of 0.56 g CMG2-Fc per kg of leaf fresh weight and 1.5% of the total soluble protein, a ten-fold increase in expression when compared to absence of suppression. Co-expression with the p25 PTGS suppressor also significantly increased the CMG2-Fc expression level after just 3.5 DPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Arzola
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA; E-Mails: (L.A.); (J.C.); (K.R.)
| | - Junxing Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA; E-Mails: (L.A.); (J.C.); (K.R.)
| | - Kittipong Rattanaporn
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA; E-Mails: (L.A.); (J.C.); (K.R.)
| | - James M. Maclean
- Planet Biotechnology Inc., 25571 Clawiter Road, Hayward, CA 94545, USA; E-Mail:
| | - Karen A. McDonald
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Davis, One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616, USA; E-Mails: (L.A.); (J.C.); (K.R.)
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31
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Rosenzweig JA, Jejelowo O, Sha J, Erova TE, Brackman SM, Kirtley ML, van Lier CJ, Chopra AK. Progress on plague vaccine development. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2011; 91:265-86. [PMID: 21670978 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-011-3380-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2011] [Accepted: 05/11/2011] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Yersinia pestis (YP), the gram-negative plague bacterium, has shaped human history unlike any other pathogen known to mankind. YP (transmitted by the bite of an infected flea) diverged only recently from the related enteric pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis but causes radically different diseases. Three forms of plague exist in humans: bubonic (swollen lymph nodes or bubos), septicemic (spread of YP through the lymphatics or bloodstream from the bubos to other organs), and contagious, pneumonic plague which can be communicated via YP-charged respiratory droplets resulting in person-person transmission and rapid death if left untreated (50-90% mortality). Despite the potential threat of weaponized YP being employed in bioterrorism and YP infections remaining prevalent in endemic regions of the world where rodent populations are high (including the four corner regions of the USA), an efficacious vaccine that confers immunoprotection has yet to be developed. This review article will describe the current vaccine candidates being evaluated in various model systems and provide an overall summary on the progress of this important endeavor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A Rosenzweig
- Department of Biology, Center for Bionanotechnology and Environmental Research (CBER), Texas Southern University, 3100 Cleburne Street, Houston, TX 77004, USA.
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32
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Cai C, Che J, Xu L, Guo Q, Kong Y, Fu L, Xu J, Cheng Y, Chen W. Tumor endothelium marker-8 based decoys exhibit superiority over capillary morphogenesis protein-2 based decoys as anthrax toxin inhibitors. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20646. [PMID: 21674060 PMCID: PMC3107238 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2011] [Accepted: 05/06/2011] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthrax toxin is the major virulence factor produced by Bacillus anthracis. The toxin consists of three protein subunits: protective antigen (PA), lethal factor, and edema factor. Inhibition of PA binding to its receptors, tumor endothelium marker-8 (TEM8) and capillary morphogenesis protein-2 (CMG2) can effectively block anthrax intoxication, which is particularly valuable when the toxin has already been overproduced at the late stage of anthrax infection, thus rendering antibiotics ineffectual. Receptor-like agonists, such as the mammalian cell-expressed von Willebrand factor type A (vWA) domain of CMG2 (sCMG2), have demonstrated potency against the anthrax toxin. However, the soluble vWA domain of TEM8 (sTEM8) was ruled out as an anthrax toxin inhibitor candidate due to its inferior affinity to PA. In the present study, we report that L56A, a PA-binding-affinity-elevated mutant of sTEM8, could inhibit anthrax intoxication as effectively as sCMG2 in Fisher 344 rats. Additionally, pharmacokinetics showed that L56A and sTEM8 exhibit advantages over sCMG2 with better lung-targeting and longer plasma retention time, which may contribute to their enhanced protective ability in vivo. Our results suggest that receptor decoys based on TEM8 are promising anthrax toxin inhibitors and, together with the pharmacokinetic studies in this report, may contribute to the development of novel anthrax drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenguang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Jinjing Che
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Long Xu
- Laboratory of protein engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Yirong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (JX) (JX); (YC) (YC); (WC) (WC)
| | - Yuanguo Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (JX) (JX); (YC) (YC); (WC) (WC)
| | - Wei Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (JX) (JX); (YC) (YC); (WC) (WC)
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