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Mouhoub E, Domenech P, Ndao M, Reed MB. The Diverse Applications of Recombinant BCG-Based Vaccines to Target Infectious Diseases Other Than Tuberculosis: An Overview. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:757858. [PMID: 34745066 PMCID: PMC8566895 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.757858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Live attenuated Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the world's most widely used vaccine which is mainly administered for its protection against tuberculosis (TB), particularly in young children. However, since its initial use over 100years ago, it has also proven to offer a level of protection against various other pathogens, as a consequence of its non-specific immune enhancing effects. Thus, over the past few decades, recombinant BCG (rBCG) technology has been used as a vector to create rBCG vaccines expressing heterologous antigens that elicit immunity against a range of bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases. Our goal with this mini-review is to provide an up-to-date survey of the various techniques, approaches, and applications of rBCG-based vaccines for targeting infectious diseases other than TB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esma Mouhoub
- The Department of Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The McGill International TB Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Pilar Domenech
- The Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The McGill International TB Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Momar Ndao
- The Department of Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The McGill International TB Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael B. Reed
- The Department of Microbiology & Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health Program, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The McGill International TB Centre, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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CD8 T Cells Show Protection against Highly Pathogenic Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) after Vaccination with SIV Gene-Expressing BCG Prime and Vaccinia Virus/Sendai Virus Vector Boosts. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.01718-20. [PMID: 33087465 PMCID: PMC7851566 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01718-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Because both AIDS and tuberculosis are serious health threats in middle/low-income countries, development of a dual vaccine against them would be highly beneficial. To approach the goal, here we first assessed a urease-deficient bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for improvement of immunogenicity against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SIV. Second, we demonstrated the usefulness of Asian-origin cynomolgus monkeys for development of a preclinical AIDS vaccine by direct comparison with Indian rhesus macaques as the only validated hosts that identically mirror the outcomes of clinical trials, since the availability of Indian rhesus macaques is limited in countries other than the United States. Finally, we report the protective effect of a vaccination regimen comprising BCG, the highly attenuated vaccinia virus LC16m8Δ strain, and nontransmissible Sendai virus as safe vectors expressing SIV genes using repeated mucosal challenge with highly pathogenic SIVmac251. Identification of CD8+ T cells as a protective immunity suggests a future direction of AIDS vaccine development. Toward development of a dual vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and tuberculosis infections, we developed a urease-deficient bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) strain Tokyo172 (BCGΔurease) to enhance its immunogenicity. BCGΔurease expressing a simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Gag induced BCG antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells more efficiently and more Gag-specific CD8+ T cells. We evaluated its protective efficacy against SIV infection in cynomolgus monkeys of Asian origin, shown to be as susceptible to infection with SIVmac251 as Indian rhesus macaques. Priming with recombinant BCG (rBCG) expressing SIV genes was followed by a boost with SIV gene-expressing LC16m8Δ vaccinia virus and a second boost with SIV Env-expressing Sendai virus. Eight weeks after the second boost, monkeys were repeatedly challenged with a low dose of SIVmac251 intrarectally. Two animals out of 6 vaccinees were protected, whereas all 7 control animals were infected without any early viral controls. In one vaccinated animal, which had the most potent CD8+ T cells in an in vitro suppression activity (ISA) assay of SIVmac239 replication, plasma viremia was undetectable throughout the follow-up period. Protection was confirmed by the lack of anamnestic antibody responses and detectable cell-associated provirus in various organs. Another monkey with a high ISA acquired a small amount of SIV, but it later became suppressed below the detection limit. Moreover, the ISA score correlated with SIV acquisition. On the other hand, any parameter relating anti-Env antibody was not correlated with the protection. IMPORTANCE Because both AIDS and tuberculosis are serious health threats in middle/low-income countries, development of a dual vaccine against them would be highly beneficial. To approach the goal, here we first assessed a urease-deficient bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) for improvement of immunogenicity against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SIV. Second, we demonstrated the usefulness of Asian-origin cynomolgus monkeys for development of a preclinical AIDS vaccine by direct comparison with Indian rhesus macaques as the only validated hosts that identically mirror the outcomes of clinical trials, since the availability of Indian rhesus macaques is limited in countries other than the United States. Finally, we report the protective effect of a vaccination regimen comprising BCG, the highly attenuated vaccinia virus LC16m8Δ strain, and nontransmissible Sendai virus as safe vectors expressing SIV genes using repeated mucosal challenge with highly pathogenic SIVmac251. Identification of CD8+ T cells as a protective immunity suggests a future direction of AIDS vaccine development.
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Saubi N, Kilpeläinen A, Eto Y, Chen CW, Olvera À, Hanke T, Brander C, Joseph-Munné J. Priming with Recombinant BCG Expressing HTI Enhances the Magnitude and Breadth of the T-Cell Immune Responses Elicited by MVA.HTI in BALB/c Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040678. [PMID: 33202884 PMCID: PMC7712201 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040678] [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: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) as a live vaccine vehicle is a promising approach for HIV-1-specific T-cell induction. In this study, we used recombinant BCG expressing HIVACAT T-cell immunogen (HTI), BCG.HTI2auxo.int. BALB/c mice immunization with BCG.HTI2auxo.int prime and MVA.HTI boost was safe and induced HIV-1-specific T-cell responses. Two weeks after boost, T-cell responses were assessed by IFN-γ ELISpot. The highest total magnitude of IFN-γ spot-forming cells (SFC)/106 splenocytes was observed in BCG.HTI2auxo.int primed mice compared to mice receiving MVA.HTI alone or mice primed with BCGwt, although the differences between the vaccination regimens only reached trends. In order to evaluate the differences in the breadth of the T-cell immune responses, we examined the number of reactive peptide pools per mouse. Interestingly, both BCG.HTI2auxo.int and BCGwt primed mice recognized an average of four peptide pools per mouse. However, the variation was higher in BCG.HTI2auxo.int primed mice with one mouse recognizing 11 peptide pools and three mice recognizing few or no peptide pools. The recognition profile appeared to be more spread out for BCG.HTI2auxo.int primed mice and mice only receiving MVA.HTI. Here, we describe a useful vaccine platform for priming protective responses against HIV-1/TB and other prevalent infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narcís Saubi
- Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (N.S.); (A.K.); (Y.E.); (C.-W.C.)
- EAVI2020 European AIDS Vaccine Initiative H2020 Research Programme, London SW7 2BU, UK
| | - Athina Kilpeläinen
- Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (N.S.); (A.K.); (Y.E.); (C.-W.C.)
- EAVI2020 European AIDS Vaccine Initiative H2020 Research Programme, London SW7 2BU, UK
| | - Yoshiki Eto
- Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (N.S.); (A.K.); (Y.E.); (C.-W.C.)
| | - Chun-Wei Chen
- Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (N.S.); (A.K.); (Y.E.); (C.-W.C.)
| | - Àlex Olvera
- Irsicaixa AIDS Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (À.O.); (C.B.)
- Biosciences Department, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tomáš Hanke
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD, UK;
- International Research Center of Medical Sciences (IRCMS), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-8555, Japan
| | - Christian Brander
- Irsicaixa AIDS Research Institute, 08916 Badalona, Spain; (À.O.); (C.B.)
- Biosciences Department, Universitat de Vic-Universitat Central de Catalunya (UVic-UCC), 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain
- ICREA, Pg. Lluís Companys 23, 08010 Barcelona, Spain
- AELIX Therapeutics, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Joseph-Munné
- Vall d’Hebron Research Institute, 08035 Barcelona, Spain; (N.S.); (A.K.); (Y.E.); (C.-W.C.)
- EAVI2020 European AIDS Vaccine Initiative H2020 Research Programme, London SW7 2BU, UK
- Microbiology Department, Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence:
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Sharan R, Kaushal D. Vaccine strategies for the Mtb/HIV copandemic. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:95. [PMID: 33083030 PMCID: PMC7555484 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00245-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
One-third of world’s population is predicted to be infected with tuberculosis (TB). The resurgence of this deadly disease has been inflamed by comorbidity with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The risk of TB in people living with HIV (PLWH) is 15–22 times higher than people without HIV. Development of a single vaccine to combat both diseases is an ardent but tenable ambition. Studies have focused on the induction of specific humoral and cellular immune responses against HIV-1 following recombinant BCG (rBCG) expressing HIV-1 antigens. Recent advances in the TB vaccines led to the development of promising candidates such as MTBVAC, the BCG revaccination approach, H4:IC31, H56:IC31, M72/AS01 and more recently, intravenous (IV) BCG. Modification of these vaccine candidates against TB/HIV coinfection could reveal key correlates of protection in a representative animal model. This review discusses the (i) potential TB vaccine candidates that can be exploited for use as a dual vaccine against TB/HIV copandemic (ii) progress made in the realm of TB/HIV dual vaccine candidates in small animal model, NHP model, and human clinical trials (iii) the failures and promising targets for a successful vaccine strategy while delineating the correlates of vaccine-induced protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riti Sharan
- Southwest National Primate Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227 USA
| | - Deepak Kaushal
- Southwest National Primate Center, Texas Biomedical Research Institute, San Antonio, TX 78227 USA
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Yan Y, Xue QJ, Liu A, Wang H, Zhang H, Wang S, Zhao L, Li Y, Li X, Yang Y, Chen T, Li S. EB virus-positive tumors are inhibited by rBCG expressing hGM-CSF and LMP2A. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:654-663. [PMID: 31567046 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1670593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
For the development of safe and effective EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) vaccines, the Ag85A signal peptide from M. tuberculosis H37Rv was used to construct a recombinant secretory BCG (Bacillus Chalmette-Guérin) plasmid. The Ag85A gene, fused to the EBV LMP2A (latent membrane protein) and hGM-CSF (human granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor) genes, was inserted into the pMV261 vector (secretory BCG plasmid). The expression levels of the hGM-CSF and LMP2A proteins in rBCG (recombinant BCG) were measured by Western blot analysis. Humoral immunity, cellular immunity, and antitumor effects were determined by a series of experiments. The recombinant pMVGCA plasmid effectively expressed GCA (hGM-CSF and LMP2A fusion protein) in BCG after transformation, and the rBCG proteins were recognized by antibodies against hGM-CSF and LMP2A. Six weeks after immunization, the maximum dose of rBCG resulted in antibody titers of 1:19,800 (hGM-CSF antibody) and 1:21,800 (LMP2A antibody). When the effector:target ratio was 40:1, specific lysis was maximal and approximately two times stronger than that in mice immunized with the control. Tumorigenicity was lower in the rBCG treatment group, with a tumor inhibition rate of 0.81 ± 0.09 compared with the control groups. EB virus-positive tumors are inhibited by rBCG expressing an hGM-CSF and LMP2A fusion protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchun Yan
- School of Mental Health, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Qing-Jie Xue
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Ang Liu
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Hui Wang
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Honghua Zhang
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Shuang Wang
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Longyu Zhao
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Yunqing Li
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Xiuzhen Li
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Yuanyuan Yang
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Ting Chen
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
| | - Shigen Li
- School of Basic Medical, Jining Medical University, Shandong, China
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Kilpeläinen A, Saubi N, Guitart N, Moyo N, Wee EG, Ravi K, Hanke T, Joseph J. Priming With Recombinant BCG Expressing Novel HIV-1 Conserved Mosaic Immunogens and Boosting With Recombinant ChAdOx1 Is Safe, Stable, and Elicits HIV-1-Specific T-Cell Responses in BALB/c Mice. Front Immunol 2019; 10:923. [PMID: 31156614 PMCID: PMC6530512 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.00923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BCG is currently the only licensed vaccine against tuberculosis (TB) and confers protection against meningitis and miliary tuberculosis in infants, although pulmonary disease protection in adults is inconsistent. Recently, promising HIV-1 immunogens were developed, such as the T-cell immunogens "tHIVconsvX," designed using functionally conserved protein regions across group M strains, with mosaic immunogens to improve HIV-1 variant match and response breadth. In this study, we constructed an integrative E. coli-mycobacterial shuttle plasmid, p2auxo.HIVconsvXint, expressing the immunogens HIVconsv1&2. This expression vector used an antibiotic resistance-free mechanism for plasmid selection and maintenance. It was first transformed into a glycine auxotrophic E. coli strain and subsequently transformed into a lysine auxotrophic Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain to generate vaccines BCG.HIVconsv12auxo.int and BCG.HIVconsv22auxo.int. The DNA sequence coding for the HIVconsv1&2 immunogens and protein expression were confirmed and working vaccine stocks were genetically and phenotypically characterized. We demonstrated that BCG.HIVconsv1&22auxo.int in combination with ChAdOx1.tHIVconsv5&6 were well tolerated and induced HIV-1-specific T-cell responses in adult BALB/c mice. In addition, we showed that the BCG.HIVconsv1&22auxo.int vaccine strains were stable in vitro after 35 bacterial generations and in vivo 7 weeks after inoculation. The use of integrative expression vectors and novel HIV-1 immunogens are likely to have improved the mycobacterial vaccine stability and specific immunogenicity and may enable the development of a useful vaccine platform for priming protective responses against HIV-1/TB and other prevalent pediatric pathogens shortly following birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Kilpeläinen
- AIDS Research Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Narcís Saubi
- AIDS Research Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Guitart
- AIDS Research Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Nathifa Moyo
- The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Edmund G. Wee
- The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Krupa Ravi
- The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tomáš Hanke
- The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Joan Joseph
- AIDS Research Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain
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Kilpeläinen A, Maya-Hoyos M, Saubí N, Soto CY, Joseph Munne J. Advances and challenges in recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG-based HIV vaccine development: lessons learned. Expert Rev Vaccines 2018; 17:1005-1020. [PMID: 30300040 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2018.1534588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, tuberculosis, and malaria are responsible for most human deaths produced by infectious diseases worldwide. Vaccination against HIV requires generation of memory T cells and neutralizing antibodies, mucosal immunity, and stimulation of an innate immune responses. In this context, the use of Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) as a live vaccine vehicle is a promising approach for T-cell induction. AREAS COVERED In this review, we provide a comprehensive summary of the literature regarding immunogenicity studies in animal models performed since 2005. Furthermore, we provide expert commentary and 5-year view on how the development of potential recombinant BCG-based HIV vaccines involves careful selection of the HIV antigen, expression vectors, promoters, BCG strain, preclinical animal models, influence of preexisting immunity, and safety issues, for the rational design of recombinant BCG:HIV vaccines to prevent HIV transmission in the general population. EXPERT COMMENTARY The three critical issues to be considered when developing a rBCG:HIV vaccine are codon optimization, antigen localization, and plasmid stability in vivo. The use of integrative expression vectors are likely to improve the mycobacterial vaccine stability and immunogenicity to develop not only recombinant BCG-based vaccines expressing second generation of HIV-1 immunogens but also other major pediatric pathogens to prime protective responses shortly following birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athina Kilpeläinen
- a Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development, AIDS Research Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Milena Maya-Hoyos
- b Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences , Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Ciudad Universitaria , Bogotá , Colombia
| | - Narcís Saubí
- a Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development, AIDS Research Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
| | - Carlos Y Soto
- b Chemistry Department, Faculty of Sciences , Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Ciudad Universitaria , Bogotá , Colombia
| | - Joan Joseph Munne
- a Catalan Center for HIV Vaccine Research and Development, AIDS Research Unit, Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Spain
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Mahant A, Saubi N, Eto Y, Guitart N, Gatell JM, Hanke T, Joseph J. Preclinical development of BCG.HIVA 2auxo.int, harboring an integrative expression vector, for a HIV-TB Pediatric vaccine. Enhancement of stability and specific HIV-1 T-cell immunity. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 13:1798-1810. [PMID: 28426273 PMCID: PMC5557246 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1316911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the critical issues that should be addressed in the development of a BCG-based HIV vaccine is genetic plasmid stability. Therefore, to address this issue we have considered using integrative vectors and the auxotrophic mutant of BCG complemented with a plasmid carrying a wild-type complementing gene. In this study, we have constructed an integrative E. coli-mycobacterial shuttle plasmid, p2auxo.HIVAint, expressing the HIV-1 clade A immunogen HIVA. This shuttle vector uses an antibiotic resistance-free mechanism for plasmid selection and maintenance. It was first transformed into a glycine auxotrophic E. coli strain and subsequently transformed into a lysine auxotrophic Mycobacterium bovis BCG strain to generate the vaccine BCG.HIVA2auxo.int. Presence of the HIVA gene sequence and protein expression was confirmed. We demonstrated that the in vitro stability of the integrative plasmid p2auxo.HIVAint was increased 4-fold, as compared with the BCG strain harboring the episomal plasmid, and was genetically and phenotypically characterized. The BCG.HIVA2auxo.int vaccine in combination with modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA).HIVA was found to be safe and induced HIV-1 and Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific interferon-γ-producing T-cell responses in adult BALB/c mice. We have engineered a more stable and immunogenic BCG-vectored vaccine using the prototype immunogen HIVA. Thus, the use of integrative expression vectors and the antibiotic-free plasmid selection system based on “double” auxotrophic complementation are likely to improve the mycobacterial vaccine stability in vivo and immunogenicity to develop not only recombinant BCG-based vaccines expressing second generation of HIV-1 immunogens but also other major pediatric pathogens to prime protective responses shortly following birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aakash Mahant
- a AIDS Research Group, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS-HIVACAT, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Narcís Saubi
- a AIDS Research Group, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS-HIVACAT, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Yoshiki Eto
- a AIDS Research Group, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS-HIVACAT, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Núria Guitart
- a AIDS Research Group, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS-HIVACAT, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Josep Ma Gatell
- a AIDS Research Group, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS-HIVACAT, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
| | - Tomáš Hanke
- b The Jenner Institute , University of Oxford , Oxford , UK
| | - Joan Joseph
- a AIDS Research Group, Hospital Clínic/IDIBAPS-HIVACAT, School of Medicine , University of Barcelona , Barcelona , Catalonia , Spain
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Williamson AL, Rybicki EP. Justification for the inclusion of Gag in HIV vaccine candidates. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 15:585-98. [PMID: 26645951 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2016.1129904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
It is widely accepted that effective human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccines need to elicit a range of responses, including neutralising antibodies and T-cells. In natural HIV infections, immune responses to Gag are associated with lower viral load in infected individuals, and these responses can be measured against infected cells before the replication of HIV. Priming immune responses to Gag with DNA or recombinant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccines, and boosting with Gag virus-like particles as subunit vaccines or Gag produced in vivo by other vaccine vectors, elicits high-magnitude, broad polyfunctional responses, with memory T-cell responses appropriate for virus control. This review provides justification for the inclusion of HIV Gag in vaccine regimens, either as a transgene expressing protein that may assemble to form budded particles, or as purified virus-like particles. Possible benefits would include early control via CD8(+) T-cells at the site of infection, control of spread from the entry portal, and control of viraemia if infection is established.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna-Lise Williamson
- a Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.,b National Health Laboratory Service, Groote Schuur Hospital, Cape Town and Department of Pathology , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- a Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa.,c Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology , University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
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Korioth-Schmitz B, Perley CC, Sixsmith JD, Click EM, Lee S, Letvin NL, Frothingham R. Rhesus immune responses to SIV Gag expressed by recombinant BCG vectors are independent from pre-existing mycobacterial immunity. Vaccine 2015; 33:5715-5722. [PMID: 26192357 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2014] [Revised: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG (rBCG) vector expressing HIV transgenes is an attractive candidate as a dual vaccine against HIV and TB. However, pre-existing immune responses to mycobacteria may influence immune responses to rBCG. We analyzed data from a rhesus rBCG trial to determine the effect of pre-existing mycobacterial immune responses on the vaccine-induced responses to the vector and expressed transgene. METHODS Indian-origin rhesus macaques were primed with rBCG expressing simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Gag and boosted with attenuated vaccinia NYVAC gag-pol. Mycobacteria responses were measured by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) purified protein derivative (PPD) interferon-γ ELISpot and Mtb whole cell lysate (WCL) ELISA. SIV Gag responses were measured by SIV Gag ELISpot and by p11C tetramer binding. RESULTS Baseline Mtb PPD ELISpot responses and Mtb WCL antibody responses in rhesus macaques overlapped those in human populations. Cellular and antibody responses boosted sharply 4 weeks after rBCG vaccination. Mtb WCL antibody titers at 4 weeks correlated with baseline titers. Primates vaccinated with rBCG developed strong SIV Gag ELISpot and p11C tetramer responses after rBCG prime and NYVAC boost. There were no correlations between the pre-existing mycobacterial immune responses and the SIV Gag T cell responses after vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Rhesus immune responses to SIV Gag expressed by rBCG vectors were independent from pre-existing anti-mycobacterial immunity. Rhesus macaques may serve as a surrogate for investigations of pre-existing anti-mycobacterial immunity in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Korioth-Schmitz
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Casey C Perley
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Jaimie D Sixsmith
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Eva M Click
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Sunhee Lee
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, United States
| | - Norman L Letvin
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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Stable Expression of Lentiviral Antigens by Quality-Controlled Recombinant Mycobacterium bovis BCG Vectors. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2015; 22:726-41. [PMID: 25924766 PMCID: PMC4478521 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00075-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The well-established safety profile of the tuberculosis vaccine strain, Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), makes it an attractive vehicle for heterologous expression of antigens from clinically relevant pathogens. However, successful generation of recombinant BCG strains possessing consistent insert expression has encountered challenges in stability. Here, we describe a method for the development of large recombinant BCG accession lots which stably express the lentiviral antigens, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp120 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) Gag, using selectable leucine auxotrophic complementation. Successful establishment of vaccine stability stems from stringent quality control criteria which not only screen for highly stable complemented BCG ΔleuCD transformants but also thoroughly characterize postproduction quality. These parameters include consistent production of correctly sized antigen, retention of sequence-pure plasmid DNA, freeze-thaw recovery, enumeration of CFU, and assessment of cellular aggregates. Importantly, these quality assurance procedures were indicative of overall vaccine stability, were predictive for successful antigen expression in subsequent passaging both in vitro and in vivo, and correlated with induction of immune responses in murine models. This study has yielded a quality-controlled BCG ΔleuCD vaccine expressing HIV gp120 that retained stable full-length expression after 10(24)-fold amplification in vitro and following 60 days of growth in mice. A second vaccine lot expressed full-length SIV Gag for >10(68)-fold amplification in vitro and induced potent antigen-specific T cell populations in vaccinated mice. Production of large, well-defined recombinant BCG ΔleuCD lots can allow confidence that vaccine materials for immunogenicity and protection studies are not negatively affected by instability or differences between freshly grown production batches.
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