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Gutierrez-Valdes N, Cunyat F, Balieu J, Walet-Balieu ML, Paul MJ, de Groot J, Blanco-Perera A, Carrillo J, Lerouge P, Seters MJV, Joensuu JJ, Bardor M, Ma J, Blanco J, Ritala A. Production and characterization of novel Anti-HIV Fc-fusion proteins in plant-based systems: Nicotiana benthamiana & tobacco BY-2 cell suspension. N Biotechnol 2024; 83:142-154. [PMID: 39142626 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2024.08.499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Multifunctional anti-HIV Fc-fusion proteins aim to tackle HIV efficiently through multiple modes of action. Although results have been promising, these recombinant proteins are hard to produce. This study explored the production and characterization of anti-HIV Fc-fusion proteins in plant-based systems, specifically Nicotiana benthamiana plants and tobacco BY-2 cell suspension. Fc-fusion protein expression in plants was optimized by incorporating codon optimization, ER retention signals, and hydrophobin fusion elements. Successful transient protein expression was achieved in N. benthamiana, with notable improvements in expression levels achieved through N-terminal hydrophobin fusion and ER retention signals. Stable expression in tobacco BY-2 resulted in varying accumulation levels being at highest 2.2.mg/g DW. The inclusion of hydrophobin significantly enhanced accumulation, providing potential benefits for downstream processing. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the presence of the ER retention signal and of N-glycans. Functional characterization revealed strong binding to CD64 and CD16a receptors, the latter being important for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Interaction with HIV antigens indicated potential neutralization capabilities. In conclusion, this research highlights the potential of plant-based systems for producing functional anti-HIV Fc-fusion proteins, offering a promising avenue for the development of these novel HIV therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noemi Gutierrez-Valdes
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, P.O. Box 1000, Espoo FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Francesc Cunyat
- AlbaJuna Therapeutics SL, Carretera Canyet, Badalona 08916, Spain
| | - Juliette Balieu
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Laboratoire GlycoMEV UR4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Marie-Laure Walet-Balieu
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Laboratoire GlycoMEV UR4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Matthew J Paul
- St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Jonas de Groot
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, P.O. Box 1000, Espoo FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | | | - Jorge Carrillo
- AlbaJuna Therapeutics SL, Carretera Canyet, Badalona 08916, Spain
| | - Patrice Lerouge
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Laboratoire GlycoMEV UR4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, Rouen F-76000, France
| | | | - Jussi J Joensuu
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, P.O. Box 1000, Espoo FI-02044 VTT, Finland; University of Helsinki, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, P.O. Box 56, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Muriel Bardor
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Laboratoire GlycoMEV UR4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, Rouen F-76000, France
| | - Julian Ma
- St George's, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Julià Blanco
- AlbaJuna Therapeutics SL, Carretera Canyet, Badalona 08916, Spain
| | - Anneli Ritala
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, P.O. Box 1000, Espoo FI-02044 VTT, Finland.
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Dashti N, Golsaz-Shirazi F, Soltanghoraee H, Zarnani AH, Mohammadi M, Imani D, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Amiri MM, Shokri F. Preclinical assessment of a recombinant RBD-Fc fusion protein as SARS-CoV-2 candidate vaccine. Eur J Microbiol Immunol (Bp) 2024; 14:228-242. [PMID: 38753442 PMCID: PMC11393645 DOI: 10.1556/1886.2024.00045] [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: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Waning immunity and emergence of new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), highlight the need for further research in vaccine development. Methods A recombinant fusion protein containing the receptor-binding domain (RBD) fused to the human IgG1 Fc (RBD-Fc) was produced in CHO-K1 cells. RBD-Fc was emulsified with four adjuvants to evaluate its immunogenicity. The RBD-specific humoral and cellular immune responses were assessed by ELISA. The virus neutralizing potency of the vaccine was investigated using four neutralization methods. Safety was studied in mice and rabbits, and Antibody-Dependent Enhancement (ADE) effects were investigated by flow cytometry. Results RBD-Fc emulsified in Alum induced a high titer of anti-RBD antibodies with remarkable efficacy in neutralizing both pseudotyped and live SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. The neutralization potency dropped significantly in response to the Omicron variant. RBD-Fc induced both TH2 and particularly TH1 immune responses. Histopathologic examinations demonstrated no substantial pathologic changes in different organs. No changes in serum biochemical and hematologic parameters were observed. ADE effect was not observed following immunization with RBD-Fc. Conclusion RBD-Fc elicits highly robust neutralizing antibodies and cellular immune responses, with no adverse effects. Therefore, it could be considered a promising and safe subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Dashti
- 1Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Forough Golsaz-Shirazi
- 1Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haleh Soltanghoraee
- 2Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- 1Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- 3Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mohammadi
- 4Department of Medical Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran
| | - Danyal Imani
- 1Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
- 5Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Amiri
- 1Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazel Shokri
- 1Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Richel E, Wagner JT, Klessing S, Di Vincenzo R, Temchura V, Überla K. Antigen-dependent modulation of immune responses to antigen-Fc fusion proteins by Fc-effector functions. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1275193. [PMID: 37868961 PMCID: PMC10585040 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1275193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fc-fusion proteins have been successfully developed for therapeutic purposes, but are also a promising platform for the fast generation and purification of immunogens capable of inducing strong humoral immune responses in preclinical immunization studies. As the Fc-portion of immunoglobulins fused to an antigen confers functional properties of the parental antibody, such as dimerization, binding to Fc-receptors and complement activation, several studies reported that Fc-fusion proteins elicit stronger antigen-specific antibody responses than the unfused antigen. However, dimerization or half-life extension of an antigen have also been described to enhance immunogenicity. Methods To explore the role of Fc-effector functions for the immunogenicity of fusions proteins of viral glycoproteins and Fc fragments, the HIV-1 gp120 and the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 were fused to the wild type muIgG2a Fc fragment or mutants with impaired (LALA-PG) or improved (GASDIE) Fc-effector functions. Results Immunization of BALB/c mice with DNA vaccines encoding gp120 - Fc LALA-PG induced significantly higher antigen-specific antibody responses than gp120 - Fc WT and GASDIE. In contrast, immunization with DNA vaccines encoding the RBD fused to the same Fc mutants, resulted in comparable anti-RBD antibody levels and similar neutralization activity against several SARS-CoV-2 variants. Conclusion Depending on the antigen, Fc-effector functions either do not modulate or suppress the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines encoding Fc-antigen fusion proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elie Richel
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Klaus Überla
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Hessell AJ, Powell R, Jiang X, Luo C, Weiss S, Dussupt V, Itri V, Fox A, Shapiro MB, Pandey S, Cheever T, Fuller DH, Park B, Krebs SJ, Totrov M, Haigwood NL, Kong XP, Zolla-Pazner S. Multimeric Epitope-Scaffold HIV Vaccines Target V1V2 and Differentially Tune Polyfunctional Antibody Responses. Cell Rep 2020; 28:877-895.e6. [PMID: 31340151 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.06.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The V1V2 region of the HIV-1 envelope is the target of several broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Antibodies to V1V2 elicited in the RV144 clinical trial correlated with a reduced risk of HIV infection, but these antibodies were without broad neutralizing activity. Antibodies targeting V1V2 also correlated with a reduced viral load in immunized macaques challenged with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). To focus immune responses on V1V2, we engrafted the native, glycosylated V1V2 domain onto five different multimeric scaffold proteins and conducted comparative immunogenicity studies in macaques. Vaccinated macaques developed high titers of plasma and mucosal antibodies that targeted structurally distinct V1V2 epitopes. Plasma antibodies displayed limited neutralizing activity but were functionally active for ADCC and phagocytosis, which was detectable 1-2 years after immunizations ended. This study demonstrates that multivalent, glycosylated V1V2-scaffold protein immunogens focus the antibody response on V1V2 and are differentially effective at inducing polyfunctional antibodies with characteristics associated with protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann J Hessell
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
| | - Rebecca Powell
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Xunqing Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Christina Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Svenja Weiss
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Vincent Dussupt
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Vincenza Itri
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Alisa Fox
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Mariya B Shapiro
- Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Shilpi Pandey
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Tracy Cheever
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Deborah H Fuller
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Washington National Primate Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Byung Park
- Primate Genetics Program, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Shelly J Krebs
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | | | - Nancy L Haigwood
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA; Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239.
| | - Xiang-Peng Kong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Susan Zolla-Pazner
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA.
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Zhang Y, Zhou Z, Zhu SL, Zu X, Wang Z, Zhang LK, Wang W, Xiao G. A novel RSV F-Fc fusion protein vaccine reduces lung injury induced by respiratory syncytial virus infection. Antiviral Res 2019; 165:11-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2019.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2018] [Revised: 02/23/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Zapata JC, Medina-Moreno S, Guzmán-Cardozo C, Salvato MS. Improving the Breadth of the Host's Immune Response to Lassa Virus. Pathogens 2018; 7:E84. [PMID: 30373278 PMCID: PMC6313495 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens7040084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 10/20/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In 2017, the global Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness (CEPI) declared Lassa virus disease to be one of the world's foremost biothreats. In January 2018, World Health Organization experts met to address the Lassa biothreat. It was commonly recognized that the diversity of Lassa virus (LASV) isolated from West African patient samples was far greater than that of the Ebola isolates from the West African epidemic of 2013⁻2016. Thus, vaccines produced against Lassa virus disease face the added challenge that they must be broadly-protective against a wide variety of LASV. In this review, we discuss what is known about the immune response to Lassa infection. We also discuss the approaches used to make broadly-protective influenza vaccines and how they could be applied to developing broad vaccine coverage against LASV disease. Recent advances in AIDS research are also potentially applicable to the design of broadly-protective medical countermeasures against LASV disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Zapata
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Sandra Medina-Moreno
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Camila Guzmán-Cardozo
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
| | - Maria S Salvato
- Institute of Human Virology, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
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Incomplete Downregulation of CD4 Expression Affects HIV-1 Env Conformation and Antibody-Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity Responses. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.00484-18. [PMID: 29669829 PMCID: PMC6002730 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00484-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 04/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1-infected cells expressing envelope glycoproteins (Env) in the CD4-bound conformation on their surfaces are targeted by antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) mediated by CD4-induced (CD4i) antibodies and sera from HIV-1-infected individuals (HIV+ sera). By downregulating the surface expression of CD4, Nef prevents Env-CD4 interaction, thus protecting HIV-1-infected cells from ADCC. HIV-1 infectious molecular clones (IMCs) are widely used to measure ADCC. In order to facilitate the identification of infected cells and high-throughput ADCC analysis, reporter genes (e.g., the Renilla luciferase [LucR] gene) are often introduced into IMC constructs. We evaluated the susceptibility of HIV-1-infected CD4+ T lymphocytes to ADCC using a panel of parental IMCs and derivatives that expressed the LucR reporter gene, utilizing different molecular strategies, including one specifically designed to retain Nef expression. We found that in some of these constructs, Nef expression in CD4+ T cells was suboptimal, and consequently, CD4 downregulation was incomplete. CD4 molecules remaining on the cell surface resulted in the exposure of ADCC-mediating CD4i epitopes on Env and a dramatic increase in the susceptibility of the infected cells to ADCC. Strikingly, protection from ADCC was observed when cells were infected with the parental IMC, which exhibited strong CD4 downregulation. This discrepancy between the parental and Nef-impaired viruses was independent of the strains of Env expressed, but rather, it was correlated with the levels of CD4 surface expression. Overall, our results indicate that caution should be taken when selecting IMCs for ADCC measurements and that CD4 downregulation needs to be carefully monitored when drawing conclusions about the nature and magnitude of ADCC. IMPORTANCE In-depth understanding of the susceptibility of HIV-1-infected cells to ADCC might help establish correlates of vaccine protection and guide the development of HIV-1 vaccine strategies. Different ADCC assays have been developed, including those using infectious molecular clones (IMCs) carrying a LucR reporter gene that greatly facilitates large-scale quantitative analysis. We previously reported different molecular strategies for introducing LucR while maintaining Nef expression and function and, consequently, CD4 surface downregulation. Here, we demonstrate that utilizing IMCs that exhibit impaired Nef expression can have undesirable consequences due to incomplete CD4 downregulation. CD4 molecules remaining on the cell surface resulted in the exposure of ADCC-mediating CD4i epitopes on Env and a dramatic increase in the susceptibility of the infected cells to ADCC. Overall, our results indicate that CD4 downregulation needs to be carefully monitored when drawing conclusions about the nature and magnitude of ADCC.
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