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Meredith S, Majam V, Zheng H, Verma N, Puri A, Akue A, KuKuruga M, Oakley M, Kumar S. Protective efficacy and correlates of immunity of immunodominant recombinant Babesia microti antigens. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0016223. [PMID: 37728332 PMCID: PMC10580920 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00162-23] [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: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Babesia microti, an intraerythrocytic apicomplexan parasite, is the primary causative agent of human babesiosis and an emerging threat to public health in the United States and elsewhere. An effective vaccine against B. microti would reduce disease severity in acute babesiosis patients and shorten the parasitemic period in asymptomatic individuals, thereby minimizing the risk of transfusion-transmitted babesiosis. Here we report on immunogenicity, protective efficacy, and correlates of immunity following immunization with four immunodominant recombinantly produced B. microti antigens-Serine Reactive Antigen 1 (SERA1), Maltese Cross Form Related Protein 1 (MCFRP1), Piroplasm β-Strand Domain 1 (PiβS1), and Babesia microti Alpha Helical Cell Surface Protein 1 (BAHCS1)-delivered subcutaneously in Montanide ISA 51/CpG adjuvant in three doses to BALB/c mice. Following B. microti parasite challenge, BAHCS1 led to the highest reduction in peak parasitemia (67.8%), followed by SERA1 (44.8%) and MCFRP1 (41.9%); PiβS1 (27.6%) had minimal protective effect. All four B. microti antigens induced high ELISA total IgG and each isotype; however, antibody levels did not directly correlate with anti-parasitic activity in mice. Increased prechallenge levels of some cell populations including follicular helper T cells (TFH) and memory B cells, along with a set of six cytokines [IL-1α, IL-2, IL-3, IL-6, IL-12(p40), and G-CSF] that belong to both innate and adaptive immune responses, were generally associated with protective immunity. Our results indicate that mechanisms driving recombinant B. microti antigen-induced immunity are complex and multifactorial. We think that BAHCS1 warrants further evaluation in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Meredith
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Victoria Majam
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Hong Zheng
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Nitin Verma
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Ankit Puri
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Adovi Akue
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Mark KuKuruga
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Miranda Oakley
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
| | - Sanjai Kumar
- Laboratory of Emerging Pathogens, Division of Emerging and Transfusion Transmitted Diseases, Office of Blood Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
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Pendyala G, Calvo‐Calle JM, Moreno A, Kane RS. A multivalent Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein-based nanoparticle malaria vaccine elicits a robust and durable antibody response against the junctional epitope and the major repeats. Bioeng Transl Med 2023; 8:e10514. [PMID: 37476056 PMCID: PMC10354751 DOI: 10.1002/btm2.10514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) malaria continues to cause considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. The circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is a particularly attractive candidate for designing vaccines that target sporozoites-the first vertebrate stage in a malaria infection. Current PfCSP-based vaccines, however, do not include epitopes that have recently been shown to be the target of potent neutralizing antibodies. We report the design of a SpyCatcher-mi3-nanoparticle-based vaccine presenting multiple copies of a chimeric PfCSP (cPfCSP) antigen that incorporates these important "T1/junctional" epitopes as well as a reduced number of (NANP)n repeats. cPfCSP-SpyCatcher-mi3 was immunogenic in mice eliciting high and durable IgG antibody levels as well as a balanced antibody response against the T1/junctional region and the (NANP)n repeats. Notably, the antibody concentration elicited by immunization was significantly greater than the reported protective threshold defined in a murine challenge model. Refocusing the immune response toward functionally relevant subdominant epitopes to induce a more balanced and durable immune response may enable the design of a more effective second generation PfCSP-based vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetanjali Pendyala
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGeorgia30332USA
| | - J. Mauricio Calvo‐Calle
- Department of PathologyUniversity of Massachusetts Medical SchoolWorcesterMassachusetts01655USA
| | - Alberto Moreno
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory National Primate Research CenterEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgia30329USA
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of MedicineEmory UniversityAtlantaGeorgia30303USA
| | - Ravi S. Kane
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGeorgia30332USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical EngineeringGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAtlantaGeorgia30332USA
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Deng S, Graham ML, Chen XM. The Complexity of Interferon Signaling in Host Defense against Protozoan Parasite Infection. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12020319. [PMID: 36839591 PMCID: PMC9962834 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12020319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium, Leishmania, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, and Trypanosoma, are causative agents of health-threatening diseases in both humans and animals, leading to significant health risks and socioeconomic losses globally. The development of effective therapeutic and prevention strategies for protozoan-caused diseases requires a full understanding of the pathogenesis and protective events occurring in infected hosts. Interferons (IFNs) are a family of cytokines with diverse biological effects in host antimicrobial defense and disease pathogenesis, including protozoan parasite infection. Type II IFN (IFN-γ) has been widely recognized as the essential defense cytokine in intracellular protozoan parasite infection, whereas recent studies also revealed the production and distinct function of type I and III IFNs in host defense against these parasites. Decoding the complex network of the IFN family in host-parasite interaction is critical for exploring potential new therapeutic strategies against intracellular protozoan parasite infection. Here, we review the complex effects of IFNs on the host defense against intracellular protozoan parasites and the crosstalk between distinct types of IFN signaling during infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silu Deng
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE 68178, USA
| | - Marion L. Graham
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Xian-Ming Chen
- Department of Microbial Pathogens and Immunity, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Correspondence:
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Sun Y, Shi X, Lu F, Fu H, Yin Y, Xu J, Jin C, Han ET, Huang X, Chen Y, Dong C, Cheng Y. Vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine targeting plasmodium blood-stage antigens elicits immune response and protects against malaria with protein booster strategy. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1042414. [PMID: 36504817 PMCID: PMC9731671 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1042414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Merozoite invasion of the erythrocytes in humans is a key step in the pathogenesis of malaria. The proteins involved in the merozoite invasion could be potential targets for the development of malaria vaccines. Novel viral-vector-based malaria vaccine regimens developed are currently under clinical trials. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a single-stranded negative-strand RNA virus widely used as a vector for virus or cancer vaccines. Whether the VSV-based malarial vaccine is more effective than conventional vaccines based on proteins involved in parasitic invasion is still unclear. In this study, we have used the reverse genetics system to construct recombinant VSVs (rVSVs) expressing apical membrane protein 1 (AMA1), rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2), and reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (RH5), which are required for Plasmodium falciparum invasion. Our results showed that VSV-based viral vaccines significantly increased Plasmodium-specific IgG levels and lymphocyte proliferation. Also, VSV-PyAMA1 and VSV-PyRON2sp prime-boost regimens could significantly increase the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ-producing by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and suppress invasion in vitro. The rVSV prime-protein boost regimen significantly increase Plasmodium antigen-specific IgG levels in the serum of mice compared to the homologous rVSV prime-boost. Furthermore, the protective efficacy of rVSV prime protein boost immunization in the mice challenged with P. yoelii 17XL was better compared to traditional antigen immunization. Together, our results show that VSV vector is a novel strategy for malarial vaccine development and preventing the parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaodan Shi
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Lu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haitian Fu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Eun-taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
| | - Xuan Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongquan Chen
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunsheng Dong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Chunsheng Dong,
| | - Yang Cheng
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,Yang Cheng,
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Plasmodium pre-erythrocytic vaccine antigens enhance sterile protection in mice induced by circumsporozoite protein. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0016521. [PMID: 34310889 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00165-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-erythrocytic vaccines prevent malaria by targeting parasites in the clinically silent sporozoite and liver stages and preventing progression to the virulent blood stages. The leading pre-erythrocytic vaccine RTS,S/AS01E (Mosquirix®) entered implementation programs in 2019 and targets the major sporozoite surface antigen called circumsporozoite protein or CSP. However, in phase III clinical trials, RTS,S conferred partial protection with limited durability, indicating a need to improve CSP-based vaccination. Previously, we identified highly expressed liver stage proteins that could potentially be used in combination with CSP and are referred to as pre-erythrocytic vaccine antigens (PEVA). Here, we developed heterologous prime-boost CSP vaccination models to confer partial sterilizing immunity against Plasmodium yoelii (Py)(protein prime/adenovirus 5 (Ad5) boost) and P. berghei (Pb) (DNA prime/Ad5 boost) in mice. When combined as individual antigens with PyCSP, 3 of 8 PyPEVA significantly enhanced sterile protection against sporozoite challenge, compared to PyCSP alone. Similar results were obtained when 3 PbPEVA and PbCSP were combined in a single vaccine regimen. In general, PyCSP antibody responses were similar after CSP alone versus CSP+PEVA vaccinations. Both Py and Pb CSP+PEVA combination vaccines induced robust CD8+ T cell responses including signature IFN-γ increases. In the Pb model system, IFN-γ responses were significantly higher in hepatic than splenic CD8+ T cells. The addition of novel antigens may enhance the degree and duration of sterile protective immunity conferred by a human vaccine such as RTS,S.
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Chaudhari R, Tandel N, Sahu K, Negi S, Bashir H, Rupareliya A, Mishra RPN, Dalai SK, Tyagi RK. Transdermal Immunization of Elastic Liposome-Laden Recombinant Chimeric Fusion Protein of P. falciparum ( PfMSP-Fu 24) Mounts Protective Immune Response. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:406. [PMID: 33562617 PMCID: PMC7914931 DOI: 10.3390/nano11020406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Transdermal immunization exhibits poor immunogenic responses due to poor permeability of antigens through the skin. Elastic liposomes, the ultradeformable nanoscale lipid vesicles, overcome the permeability issues and prove a versatile nanocarrier for transcutaneous delivery of protein, peptide, and nucleic acid antigens. Elastic liposome-mediated subcutaneous delivery of chimeric fusion protein (PfMSP-Fu24) of Plasmodium falciparum exhibited improved immunogenic responses. Elastic liposomes-mediated immunization of PfMSP-Fu24 conferred immunity to the asexual blood-stage infection. Present study is an attempt to compare the protective immune response mounted by the PfMSP-Fu24 upon administered through transdermal and intramuscular routes. Humoral and cell-mediated immune (CMI) response elicited by topical and intramuscularly administered PfMSP-Fu24-laden elastic liposomes (EL-PfMSP-Fu24) were compared and normalized with the vehicle control. Sizeable immune responses were seen with the transcutaneously immunized EL-PfMSP-Fu24 and compared with those elicited with intramuscularly administered antigen. Our results show significant IgG isotype subclass (IgG1and IgG3) response of specific antibody levels as well as cell-mediated immunity (CMI) activating factor (IFN-γ), a crucial player in conferring resistance to blood-stage malaria in mice receiving EL-PfMSP-Fu24 through transdermal route as compared to the intramuscularly administered formulation. Heightened immune response obtained by the vaccination of EL-PfMSP-Fu24 was complemented by the quantification of the transcript (mRNA) levels cell-mediated (IFN-γ, IL-4), and regulatory immune response (IL-10) in the lymph nodes and spleen. Collectively, elastic liposomes prove their immune-adjuvant property as they evoke sizeable and perdurable immune response against PfMSP-Fu24 and justify its potential for the improved vaccine delivery to inducing both humoral and CM immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Chaudhari
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, Gujarat, India; (R.C.); (N.T.); (A.R.); (S.K.D.)
| | - Nikunj Tandel
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, Gujarat, India; (R.C.); (N.T.); (A.R.); (S.K.D.)
| | - Kiran Sahu
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-Immunology Lab., CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Sec-39A, Chandigarh 160036, India; (K.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Sushmita Negi
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-Immunology Lab., CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Sec-39A, Chandigarh 160036, India; (K.S.); (S.N.)
| | - Hilal Bashir
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Sec-39A, Chandigarh 160036, India;
| | - Arzu Rupareliya
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, Gujarat, India; (R.C.); (N.T.); (A.R.); (S.K.D.)
| | - Ravi PN Mishra
- BERPDC Department, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Sector 39A, Chandigarh 160036, India;
| | - Sarat K. Dalai
- Institute of Science, Nirma University, Ahmedabad 382481, Gujarat, India; (R.C.); (N.T.); (A.R.); (S.K.D.)
| | - Rajeev K. Tyagi
- Division of Cell Biology and Immunology, Biomedical Parasitology and Nano-Immunology Lab., CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (IMTECH), Sec-39A, Chandigarh 160036, India; (K.S.); (S.N.)
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