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Guzman Ruiz L, Zollner AM, Hoxie I, Küchler J, Hausjell C, Mesurado T, Krammer F, Jungbauer A, Pereira Aguilar P, Klausberger M, Grabherr R. Enhancing NA immunogenicity through novel VLP designs. Vaccine 2024; 42:126270. [PMID: 39197219 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.126270] [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: 06/27/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
Current influenza virus vaccines poorly display key neuraminidase (NA) epitopes and do not robustly induce NA-reactive antibodies; instead, they focus on the induction of hemagglutinin (HA)-reactive antibodies. Next-generation influenza vaccines should be optimized in order to activate NA-reactive B cells and to induce a broadly cross-reactive and protective antibody response. We aimed at enhancing the immunogenicity of the NA on vaccines by two strategies: (i) modifying the HA:NA ratio of the vaccine preparation and (ii) exposing epitopes on the lateral surface or beneath the head of the NA by extending the NA stalk. The H1N1 glycoproteins from the influenza virus A/California/04/2009 strain were displayed on human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) gag-based virus-like particles (VLP). Using the baculovirus insect cell expression system, we biased the quantity of surface glycoproteins employing two different promoters, the very late baculovirus p10 promoter and the early and late gp64 promoter. This led to a 1:1 to 2:1 HA:NA ratio, which was approximately double or triple the amount of NA as present on the wild-type influenza A virus (HA:NA ratio 3:1 to 5:1). Furthermore, by insertion of 15 amino acids from the A-New York/61/2012 strain (NY12) which prolongates the NA stalk (NA long stalk; NA-LS), we intended to improve the accessibility of the NA. Six different types of VLPs were produced and purified using a platform downstream process based on Capto-Core 700™ followed by Capto-Heparin™ affinity chromatography combined with ultracentrifugation. These VLPs were then tested in a mouse model. Robust titers of antibodies that inhibit the neuraminidase activity were elicited even after vaccination with two low doses (0.3 μg) of the H1N1 VLPs without compromising the anti-HA responses. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the feasibility of the two developed strategies to retain HA immunogenicity and improve NA immunogenicity as a future influenza vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leticia Guzman Ruiz
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBT), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria; University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering (IBSE), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander M Zollner
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering (IBSE), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Irene Hoxie
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Microbiology, Gustave L. Levy Place, 10029-5674 New York, NY, USA; Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jan Küchler
- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems, Bioprocess Engineering, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Christina Hausjell
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBT), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Tomas Mesurado
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering (IBSE), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Florian Krammer
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Microbiology, Gustave L. Levy Place, 10029-5674 New York, NY, USA; Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA; Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, Interuniversity Institute for Infection Research, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alois Jungbauer
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering (IBSE), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria; acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Patricia Pereira Aguilar
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Bioprocess Science and Engineering (IBSE), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria; acib - Austrian Centre of Industrial Biotechnology, Muthgasse 11, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Miriam Klausberger
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBT), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria
| | - Reingard Grabherr
- University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular Biotechnology (IMBT), Muthgasse 18, 1190 Vienna, Austria.
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2
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Cunliffe RF, Stirling DC, Razzano I, Murugaiah V, Montomoli E, Kim S, Wane M, Horton H, Caproni LJ, Tregoning JS. Optimizing a linear 'Doggybone' DNA vaccine for influenza virus through the incorporation of DNA targeting sequences and neuraminidase antigen. DISCOVERY IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 3:kyad030. [PMID: 38567290 PMCID: PMC10917164 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Influenza virus represents a challenge for traditional vaccine approaches due to its seasonal changes and potential for zoonotic transmission. Nucleic acid vaccines can overcome some of these challenges, especially through the inclusion of multiple antigens to increase the breadth of response. RNA vaccines were an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but for future outbreaks DNA vaccines may have some advantages in terms of stability and manufacturing cost that warrant continuing investigation to fully realize their potential. Here, we investigate influenza virus vaccines made using a closed linear DNA platform, Doggybone™ DNA (dbDNA), produced by a rapid and scalable cell-free method. Influenza vaccines have mostly focussed on Haemagglutinin (HA), but the inclusion of Neuraminidase (NA) may provide additional protection. Here, we explored the potential of including NA in a dbDNA vaccine, looking at DNA optimization, mechanism and breadth of protection. We showed that DNA targeting sequences (DTS) improved immune responses against HA but not NA. We explored whether NA vaccine-induced protection against influenza virus infection was cell-mediated, but depletion of CD8 and NK cells made no impact, suggesting it was antibody-mediated. This is reflected in the restriction of protection to homologous strains of influenza virus. Importantly, we saw that including both HA and NA in a single combined vaccine did not dampen the immune response to either one. Overall, we show that linear dbDNA can induce an immune response against NA, which may offer increased protection in instances of HA mismatch where NA remains more conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Cunliffe
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - David C Stirling
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Ilaria Razzano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- VisMederi srl, Siena, 53100, Italia
| | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi srl, Siena, 53100, Italia
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sungwon Kim
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd, Hampton, TW12 2ER, UK
| | - Madina Wane
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd, Hampton, TW12 2ER, UK
| | | | | | - John S Tregoning
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
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3
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Jiang H, Zhang Z. Immune response in influenza virus infection and modulation of immune injury by viral neuraminidase. Virol J 2023; 20:193. [PMID: 37641134 PMCID: PMC10463456 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-023-02164-2] [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: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza A viruses cause severe respiratory illnesses in humans and animals. Overreaction of the innate immune response to influenza virus infection results in hypercytokinemia, which is responsible for mortality and morbidity. The influenza A virus surface glycoprotein neuraminidase (NA) plays a vital role in viral attachment, entry, and virion release from infected cells. NA acts as a sialidase, which cleaves sialic acids from cell surface proteins and carbohydrate side chains on nascent virions. Here, we review progress in understanding the role of NA in modulating host immune response to influenza virus infection. We also discuss recent exciting findings targeting NA protein to interrupt influenza-induced immune injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Jiang
- The People's Hospital of Dayi Country, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Inflammation and Allergic Diseases Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
| | - Zongde Zhang
- The People's Hospital of Dayi Country, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.
- Inflammation and Allergic Diseases Research Unit, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China.
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4
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Liu DJ, Liu CC, Zhong XQ, Wu X, Zhang HH, Lu SW, Shen ZL, Song WW, Zhao SL, Peng YS, Zheng HP, Wan MY, Chen YQ, Deng L. Boost immunizations with NA-derived peptide conjugates achieve induction of NA inhibition antibodies and heterologous influenza protections. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112766. [PMID: 37421618 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuraminidase is suggested as an important component for developing a universal influenza vaccine. Targeted induction of neuraminidase-specific broadly protective antibodies by vaccinations is challenging. To overcome this, we rationally select the highly conserved peptides from the consensus amino acid sequence of the globular head domains of neuraminidase. Inspired by the B cell receptor evolution process, a reliable sequential immunization regimen is designed to result in immuno-focusing by steering bulk immune responses to a selected region where broadly protective B lymphocyte epitopes reside. After priming neuraminidase protein-specific antibody responses in C57BL/6 or BALB/c inbred mice strains by immunization or pre-infection, boost immunizations with certain neuraminidase-derived peptide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates significantly strengthened serum neuraminidase inhibition activities and cross-protections. Overall, this study provides proof of concept for a peptide-based sequential immunization strategy for achieving targeted induction of cross-protective antibody response, which provides references for designing universal vaccines against other highly variable pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Jian Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Cui-Cui Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xiu-Qin Zhong
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Hui-Hui Zhang
- Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Shang-Wen Lu
- Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Zhuo-Ling Shen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Wen-Wen Song
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Shi-Long Zhao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - You-Song Peng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - He-Ping Zheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Mu-Yang Wan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Yao-Qing Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518107, China
| | - Lei Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Beijing Weimiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Haidian District, Beijing 100000, China.
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5
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Werninghaus IC, Hinke DM, Fossum E, Bogen B, Braathen R. Neuraminidase delivered as an APC-targeted DNA vaccine induces protective antibodies against influenza. Mol Ther 2023; 31:2188-2205. [PMID: 36926694 PMCID: PMC10362400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional influenza vaccines focus on hemagglutinin (HA). However, antibody responses to neuraminidase (NA) have been established as an independent correlate of protection. Here, we introduced the ectodomain of NA into DNA vaccines that, as translated dimeric vaccine proteins, target antigen-presenting cells (APCs). The targeting was mediated by an single-chain variable fragment specific for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II, which is genetically linked to NA via a dimerization motif. A single immunization of BALB/c mice elicited strong and long-lasting NA-specific antibodies that inhibited NA enzymatic activity and reduced viral replication. Vaccine-induced NA immunity completely protected against a homologous influenza virus and out-competed NA immunity induced by a conventional inactivated virus vaccine. The protection was mainly mediated by antibodies, although NA-specific T cells also contributed. APC-targeting and antigen bivalency were crucial for vaccine efficacy. The APC-targeted vaccine was potent at low doses of DNA, indicating a dose-sparing effect. Similar results were obtained with NA vaccines that targeted different surface molecules on dendritic cells. Interestingly, the protective efficacy of NA as antigen compared favorably with HA and therefore ought to receive more attention in influenza vaccine research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ina Charlotta Werninghaus
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway; Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway.
| | - Daniëla Maria Hinke
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Even Fossum
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bjarne Bogen
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway; Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway
| | - Ranveig Braathen
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0372 Oslo, Norway; Division of Laboratory Medicine, Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway.
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6
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Jiang L, Chen H, Li C. Advances in deciphering the interactions between viral proteins of influenza A virus and host cellular proteins. CELL INSIGHT 2023; 2:100079. [PMID: 37193064 PMCID: PMC10134199 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellin.2023.100079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) poses a severe threat to the health of animals and humans. The genome of IAV consists of eight single-stranded negative-sense RNA segments, encoding ten essential proteins as well as certain accessory proteins. In the process of virus replication, amino acid substitutions continuously accumulate, and genetic reassortment between virus strains readily occurs. Due to this high genetic variability, new viruses that threaten animal and human health can emerge at any time. Therefore, the study on IAV has always been a focus of veterinary medicine and public health. The replication, pathogenesis, and transmission of IAV involve intricate interplay between the virus and host. On one hand, the entire replication cycle of IAV relies on numerous proviral host proteins that effectively allow the virus to adapt to its host and support its replication. On the other hand, some host proteins play restricting roles at different stages of the viral replication cycle. The mechanisms of interaction between viral proteins and host cellular proteins are currently receiving particular interest in IAV research. In this review, we briefly summarize the current advances in our understanding of the mechanisms by which host proteins affect virus replication, pathogenesis, or transmission by interacting with viral proteins. Such information about the interplay between IAV and host proteins could provide insights into how IAV causes disease and spreads, and might help support the development of antiviral drugs or therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Hualan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
| | - Chengjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Biotechnology, Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Harbin, China
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7
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Li J, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Liu L. Influenza and Universal Vaccine Research in China. Viruses 2022; 15:116. [PMID: 36680158 PMCID: PMC9861666 DOI: 10.3390/v15010116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses usually cause seasonal influenza epidemics and influenza pandemics, resulting in acute respiratory illness and, in severe cases, multiple organ complications and even death, posing a serious global and human health burden. Compared with other countries, China has a large population base and a large number of influenza cases and deaths. Currently, influenza vaccination remains the most cost-effective and efficient way to prevent and control influenza, which can significantly reduce the risk of influenza virus infection and serious complications. The antigenicity of the influenza vaccine exhibits good protective efficacy when matched to the seasonal epidemic strain. However, when influenza viruses undergo rapid and sustained antigenic drift resulting in a mismatch between the vaccine strain and the epidemic strain, the protective effect is greatly reduced. As a result, the flu vaccine must be reformulated and readministered annually, causing a significant drain on human and financial resources. Therefore, the development of a universal influenza vaccine is necessary for the complete fight against the influenza virus. By statistically analyzing cases related to influenza virus infection and death in China in recent years, this paper describes the existing marketed vaccines, vaccine distribution and vaccination in China and summarizes the candidate immunogens designed based on the structure of influenza virus, hoping to provide ideas for the design and development of new influenza vaccines in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Longding Liu
- Key Laboratory of Systemic Innovative Research on Virus Vaccine, Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming 650118, China
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8
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Pliasas VC, Menne Z, Aida V, Yin JH, Naskou MC, Neasham PJ, North JF, Wilson D, Horzmann KA, Jacob J, Skountzou I, Kyriakis CS. A Novel Neuraminidase Virus-Like Particle Vaccine Offers Protection Against Heterologous H3N2 Influenza Virus Infection in the Porcine Model. Front Immunol 2022; 13:915364. [PMID: 35874791 PMCID: PMC9300842 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.915364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a global health threat, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths and millions of hospitalizations annually. The two major surface glycoproteins of IAVs, hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), are important antigens in eliciting neutralizing antibodies and protection against disease. However, NA is generally ignored in the formulation and development of influenza vaccines. In this study, we evaluate the immunogenicity and efficacy against challenge of a novel NA virus-like particles (VLPs) vaccine in the porcine model. We developed an NA2 VLP vaccine containing the NA protein from A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2) and the matrix 1 (M1) protein from A/MI/73/2015, formulated with a water-in-oil-in-water adjuvant. Responses to NA2 VLPs were compared to a commercial adjuvanted quadrivalent whole inactivated virus (QWIV) swine IAV vaccine. Animals were prime boost vaccinated 21 days apart and challenged four weeks later with an H3N2 swine IAV field isolate, A/swine/NC/KH1552516/2016. Pigs vaccinated with the commercial QWIV vaccine demonstrated high hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titers but very weak anti-NA antibody titers and subsequently undetectable NA inhibition (NAI) titers. Conversely, NA2 VLP vaccinated pigs demonstrated undetectable HAI titers but high anti-NA antibody titers and NAI titers. Post-challenge, NA2 VLPs and the commercial QWIV vaccine showed similar reductions in virus replication, pulmonary neutrophilic infiltration, and lung inflammation compared to unvaccinated controls. These data suggest that anti-NA immunity following NA2 VLP vaccination offers comparable protection to QWIV swine IAV vaccines inducing primarily anti-HA responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilis C. Pliasas
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Zach Menne
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Virginia Aida
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ji-Hang Yin
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Maria C. Naskou
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Peter J. Neasham
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - J. Fletcher North
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Dylan Wilson
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Katharine A. Horzmann
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Joshy Jacob
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Ioanna Skountzou
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Constantinos S. Kyriakis, ; Ioanna Skountzou,
| | - Constantinos S. Kyriakis
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
- Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS), Atlanta, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Constantinos S. Kyriakis, ; Ioanna Skountzou,
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9
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Ellis D, Lederhofer J, Acton OJ, Tsybovsky Y, Kephart S, Yap C, Gillespie RA, Creanga A, Olshefsky A, Stephens T, Pettie D, Murphy M, Sydeman C, Ahlrichs M, Chan S, Borst AJ, Park YJ, Lee KK, Graham BS, Veesler D, King NP, Kanekiyo M. Structure-based design of stabilized recombinant influenza neuraminidase tetramers. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1825. [PMID: 35383176 PMCID: PMC8983682 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29416-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is a major antiviral drug target and has recently reemerged as a key target of antibody-mediated protective immunity. Here we show that recombinant NAs across non-bat subtypes adopt various tetrameric conformations, including an "open" state that may help explain poorly understood variations in NA stability across viral strains and subtypes. We use homology-directed protein design to uncover the structural principles underlying these distinct tetrameric conformations and stabilize multiple recombinant NAs in the "closed" state, yielding two near-atomic resolution structures of NA by cryo-EM. In addition to enhancing thermal stability, conformational stabilization improves affinity to protective antibodies elicited by viral infection, including antibodies targeting a quaternary epitope and the broadly conserved catalytic site. Stabilized NAs can also be integrated into viruses without affecting fitness. Our findings provide a deeper understanding of NA structure, stability, and antigenicity, and establish design strategies for reinforcing the conformational integrity of recombinant NA proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ellis
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Icosavax Inc., Seattle, WA, 98102, USA
| | - Julia Lederhofer
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Oliver J Acton
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Sally Kephart
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Christina Yap
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Rebecca A Gillespie
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Adrian Creanga
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Audrey Olshefsky
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Tyler Stephens
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA
| | - Deleah Pettie
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Michael Murphy
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Claire Sydeman
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Maggie Ahlrichs
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Sidney Chan
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Andrew J Borst
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Kelly K Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Neil P King
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Masaru Kanekiyo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
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10
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Gu M, Zhao Y, Ge Z, Li Y, Gao R, Wang X, Hu J, Liu X, Hu S, Peng D, Liu X. Effects of HA2 154 Deglycosylation and NA V202I Mutation on Biological Property of H5N6 Subtype Avian Influenza Virus. Vet Microbiol 2022; 266:109353. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2022.109353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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11
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Creytens S, Pascha MN, Ballegeer M, Saelens X, de Haan CAM. Influenza Neuraminidase Characteristics and Potential as a Vaccine Target. Front Immunol 2021; 12:786617. [PMID: 34868073 PMCID: PMC8635103 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.786617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuraminidase of influenza A and B viruses plays a critical role in the virus life cycle and is an important target of the host immune system. Here, we highlight the current understanding of influenza neuraminidase structure, function, antigenicity, immunogenicity, and immune protective potential. Neuraminidase inhibiting antibodies have been recognized as correlates of protection against disease caused by natural or experimental influenza A virus infection in humans. In the past years, we have witnessed an increasing interest in the use of influenza neuraminidase to improve the protective potential of currently used influenza vaccines. A number of well-characterized influenza neuraminidase-specific monoclonal antibodies have been described recently, most of which can protect in experimental challenge models by inhibiting the neuraminidase activity or by Fc receptor-dependent mechanisms. The relative instability of the neuraminidase poses a challenge for protein-based antigen design. We critically review the different solutions that have been proposed to solve this problem, ranging from the inclusion of stabilizing heterologous tetramerizing zippers to the introduction of inter-protomer stabilizing mutations. Computationally engineered neuraminidase antigens have been generated that offer broad, within subtype protection in animal challenge models. We also provide an overview of modern vaccine technology platforms that are compatible with the induction of robust neuraminidase-specific immune responses. In the near future, we will likely see the implementation of influenza vaccines that confront the influenza virus with a double punch: targeting both the hemagglutinin and the neuraminidase.
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MESH Headings
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antigenic Drift and Shift
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/ultrastructure
- Catalytic Domain/genetics
- Catalytic Domain/immunology
- Cross Protection
- Evolution, Molecular
- Humans
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/genetics
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Influenza, Human/immunology
- Influenza, Human/prevention & control
- Influenza, Human/virology
- Alphainfluenzavirus/enzymology
- Alphainfluenzavirus/genetics
- Alphainfluenzavirus/immunology
- Betainfluenzavirus/enzymology
- Betainfluenzavirus/genetics
- Betainfluenzavirus/immunology
- Mutation
- Nanoparticles
- Neuraminidase/administration & dosage
- Neuraminidase/genetics
- Neuraminidase/immunology
- Neuraminidase/ultrastructure
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/ultrastructure
- Viral Proteins/administration & dosage
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Viral Proteins/immunology
- Viral Proteins/ultrastructure
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Creytens
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mirte N. Pascha
- Section Virology, Division Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Marlies Ballegeer
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Xavier Saelens
- Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB)-UGent Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Cornelis A. M. de Haan
- Section Virology, Division Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
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12
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The potential of neuraminidase as an antigen for nasal vaccines to increase cross-protection against influenza viruses. J Virol 2021; 95:e0118021. [PMID: 34379511 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01180-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the availability of vaccines that efficiently reduce the severity of clinical symptoms, influenza viruses still cause substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this regard, nasal influenza vaccines-because they induce virus-specific IgA-may be more effective than traditional parenteral formulations in preventing infection of the upper respiratory tract. In addition, the neuraminidase (NA) of influenza virus has shown promise as a vaccine antigen to confer broad cross-protection, in contrast to hemagglutinin (HA), the target of most current vaccines, which undergoes frequent antigenic changes leading to vaccine ineffectiveness against mismatched heterologous strains. However, the usefulness of NA as an antigen for nasal vaccines is unclear. Here, we compared NA and HA as antigens for nasal vaccines in mice. Intranasal immunization with recombinant NA (rNA) plus adjuvant protected mice against not only homologous but also heterologous virus challenge in the upper respiratory tract, whereas intranasal immunization with rHA failed to protect against heterologous challenge. In addition, intranasal immunization with rNA, but not rHA, conferred cross-protection even in the absence of adjuvant in virus infection-experienced mice; this strong cross-protection was due to the broader binding capacity of NA-specific antibodies to heterologous virus. Furthermore, the NA-specific IgA in the upper respiratory tract that was induced through rNA intranasal immunization recognized more epitopes than did the NA-specific IgG and IgA in plasma, again increasing cross-protection. Together, our findings suggest the potential of NA as an antigen for nasal vaccines to provide broad cross-protection against both homologous and heterologous influenza viruses. IMPORTANCE Because mismatch between vaccine strains and epidemic strains cannot always be avoided, the development of influenza vaccines that induce broad cross-protection against antigenically mismatched heterologous strains is needed. Although the importance of NA-specific antibodies to cross-protection in humans and experimental animals is becoming clear, the potential of NA as an antigen for providing cross-protection through nasal vaccines is unknown. We show here that intranasal immunization with NA confers broad cross-protection in the upper respiratory tract, where virus transmission is initiated, by inducing NA-specific IgA that recognizes a wide range of epitopes. These data shed new light on NA-based nasal vaccines as powerful anti-influenza tools that confer broad cross-protection.
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13
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Universal Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Vaccine Elicits Protective Immune Responses against Human Seasonal and Pre-pandemic Strains. J Virol 2021; 95:e0075921. [PMID: 34160258 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00759-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hemagglutinin (HA) surface protein is the primary immune target for most influenza vaccines. The neuraminidase (NA) surface protein is often a secondary target for vaccine designs. In this study, computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) methodology was used to generate the N1-I NA vaccine antigen that was designed to cross-react with avian, swine, and human influenza viruses of the N1 NA subtype. The elicited antibodies bound to NA proteins derived from A/California/07/2009 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1), A/Swine/North Carolina/154074/2015 (H1N1), and A/Viet Nam/1203/2004 (H5N1) influenza viruses, with NA-neutralizing activity against a broad panel of HXN1 influenza strains. Mice vaccinated with the N1-I COBRA NA vaccine were protected from mortality and viral lung titers were lower when challenged with four different viral challenges (A/California/07/2009, A/Brisbane/59/2007, A/Swine/North Carolina/154074/2015, and A/Viet Nam/1203/2004). Vaccinated mice had little to no weight loss against both homologous, but also cross-NA, genetic clade challenges. Lung viral titers were lower than the mock-vaccinated mice and, at times, equivalent to the homologous control. Thus, the N1-I COBRA NA antigen has the potential to be a complementary component in a multiantigen universal influenza virus vaccine formulation that also contains HA antigens. IMPORTANCE The development and distribution of a universal influenza vaccine would alleviate global economic and public health stress from annual influenza virus outbreaks. The influenza virus NA vaccine antigen allows for protection from multiple HA subtypes and virus host origins, but it has not been the focus of vaccine development. The N1-I NA antigen described here protected mice from direct challenge of four distinct influenza viruses and inhibited the enzymatic activity of an N1 influenza virus panel. The use of the NA antigen in combination with the HA antigen widens the breadth of protection against various virus strains. Therefore, this research opens the door to the development of a longer-lasting vaccine with increased protective breadth.
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14
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Menne Z, Pliasas VC, Compans RW, Glover S, Kyriakis CS, Skountzou I. Bivalent vaccination with NA1 and NA2 neuraminidase virus-like particles is protective against challenge with H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses in a murine model. Virology 2021; 562:197-208. [PMID: 34375782 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Neuraminidase (NA) is the second most abundant glycoprotein on the surface of influenza A viruses (IAV). Neuraminidase type 1 (NA1) based virus-like particles (VLPs) have previously been shown to protect against challenge with H1N1 and H3N2 IAV. In this study, we produced neuraminidase type 2 (NA2) VLPs derived from the sequence of the seasonal IAV A/Perth/16/2009. Intramuscular vaccination of mice with NA2 VLPs induced high anti-NA serum IgG levels capable of inhibiting NA activity. NA2 VLP vaccination protected against mortality in a lethal A/Hong Kong/1/1968 (H3N2) virus challenge model, but not against lethal challenge with A/California/04/2009 (H1N1) virus. However, bivalent vaccination with NA1 and NA2 VLPs demonstrated no antigenic competition in anti-NA IgG responses and protected against lethal challenge with H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. Here we demonstrate that vaccination with NA VLPs is protective against influenza challenge and supports focusing on anti-NA responses in the development of future vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zach Menne
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance, Emory-UGA Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Vasilis C Pliasas
- Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance, Emory-UGA Center, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Richard W Compans
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance, Emory-UGA Center, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sheniqua Glover
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Constantinos S Kyriakis
- Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance, Emory-UGA Center, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Ioanna Skountzou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA; Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Surveillance, Emory-UGA Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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15
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Rajendran M, Krammer F, McMahon M. The Human Antibody Response to the Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Following Infection or Vaccination. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9080846. [PMID: 34451971 PMCID: PMC8402431 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9080846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The influenza virus neuraminidase (NA) is primarily involved in the release of progeny viruses from infected cells—a critical role for virus replication. Compared to the immuno-dominant hemagglutinin, there are fewer NA subtypes, and NA experiences a slower rate of antigenic drift and reduced immune selection pressure. Furthermore, NA inhibiting antibodies prevent viral egress, thus preventing viral spread. Anti-NA immunity can lessen disease severity, reduce viral shedding, and decrease viral lung titers in humans and various animal models. As a result, there has been a concerted effort to investigate the possibilities of incorporating immunogenic forms of NA as a vaccine antigen in future vaccine formulations. In this review, we discuss NA-based immunity and describe several human NA-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that have a broad range of protection. We also review vaccine platforms that are investigating NA antigens in pre-clinical models and their potential use for next-generation influenza virus vaccines. The evidence presented here supports the inclusion of immunogenic NA in future influenza virus vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhusudan Rajendran
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence: (F.K.); (M.M.)
| | - Meagan McMahon
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA;
- Correspondence: (F.K.); (M.M.)
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16
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Chen TH, Yang YL, Jan JT, Chen CC, Wu SC. Site-Specific Glycan-Masking/Unmasking Hemagglutinin Antigen Design to Elicit Broadly Neutralizing and Stem-Binding Antibodies Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus Infections. Front Immunol 2021; 12:692700. [PMID: 34335603 PMCID: PMC8317614 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.692700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 viruses with the capability of transmission from birds to humans have a serious impact on public health. To date, HPAI H5N1 viruses have evolved into ten antigenically distinct clades that could cause a mismatch of vaccine strains and reduce vaccine efficacy. In this study, the glycan masking and unmasking strategies on hemagglutinin antigen were used for designing two antigens: H5-dm/st2 and H5-tm/st2, and investigated for their elicited immunity using two-dose recombinant H5 (rH5) immunization and a first-dose adenovirus vector prime, followed by a second-dose rH5 protein booster immunization. The H5-dm/st2 antigen was found to elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies against different H5N1 clade/subclade viruses, as well as more stem-binding antibodies to inhibit HA-facilitated membrane fusion activity. Mice immunized with the H5-dm/st2 antigen had a higher survival rate when challenged with homologous and heterologous clades of H5N1 viruses. Mutant influenza virus replaced with the H5-dm/st2 gene generated by reverse genetics (RG) technology amplified well in MDCK cells and embryonated chicken eggs. Again, the inactivated H5N1-dm/st2 RG virus elicited more potent cross-clade neutralizing and anti-fusion antibodies in sera. Therefore, the H5N1-dm/st2 RG virus with the site-specific glycan-masking on the globular head and the glycan-unmasking on the stem region of H5 antigen can be used for further development of cross-protective H5N1 vaccines.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/administration & dosage
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies/blood
- Chick Embryo
- Disease Models, Animal
- Dogs
- Female
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/administration & dosage
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Immunization
- Immunodominant Epitopes
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/genetics
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/immunology
- Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype/pathogenicity
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/blood
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology
- Polysaccharides/administration & dosage
- Polysaccharides/immunology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting-Hsuan Chen
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Lin Yang
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Tsrong Jan
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Chu Chen
- Department of Internal Medicine, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Teaching Center of Natural Science, Minghsin University of Science and Technology, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Suh-Chin Wu
- Institute of Biotechnology, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Science, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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17
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Zheng A, Sun W, Xiong X, Freyn AW, Peukes J, Strohmeier S, Nachbagauer R, Briggs JAG, Krammer F, Palese P. Enhancing Neuraminidase Immunogenicity of Influenza A Viruses by Rewiring RNA Packaging Signals. J Virol 2020; 94:e00742-20. [PMID: 32493826 PMCID: PMC7394900 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00742-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 06/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Humoral immune protection against influenza virus infection is mediated largely by antibodies against hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA), the two major glycoproteins on the virus surface. While influenza virus vaccination efforts have focused mainly on HA, NA-based immunity has been shown to reduce disease severity and provide heterologous protection. Current seasonal vaccines do not elicit strong anti-NA responses-in part due to the immunodominance of the HA protein. Here, we demonstrate that by swapping the 5' and 3' terminal packaging signals of the HA and NA genomic segments, which contain the RNA promoters, we are able to rescue influenza viruses that express more NA and less HA. Vaccination with formalin-inactivated "rewired" viruses significantly enhances the anti-NA antibody response compared to vaccination with unmodified viruses. Passive transfer of sera from mice immunized with rewired virus vaccines shows better protection against influenza virus challenge. Our results provide evidence that the immunodominance of HA stems in part from its abundance on the viral surface, and that rewiring viral packaging signals-thereby increasing the NA content on viral particles-is a viable strategy for improving the immunogenicity of NA in an influenza virus vaccine.IMPORTANCE Influenza virus infections are a major source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Increasing evidence highlights neuraminidase as a potential vaccination target. This report demonstrates the efficacy of rewiring influenza virus packaging signals for creating vaccines with more neuraminidase content which provide better neuraminidase (NA)-based protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allen Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Weina Sun
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Xiaoli Xiong
- Structural Studies Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Alec W Freyn
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Julia Peukes
- Structural Studies Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Shirin Strohmeier
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Raffael Nachbagauer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - John A G Briggs
- Structural Studies Division, Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Peter Palese
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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18
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Choi A, García-Sastre A, Schotsaert M. Host immune response-inspired development of the influenza vaccine. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2020; 125:28-35. [PMID: 32325117 PMCID: PMC7327511 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Objective To assess the current and future development of influenza vaccines. Data Sources PubMed searches were performed cross-referencing the keywords influenza, influenza vaccine, host immune response, correlates of protection, vaccine development, vaccine efficacy. Articles were reviewed for additional citations. Study Selections Articles were reviewed and selected on the basis of relevance to subject matter. Results In this review, we first introduce the influenza virus, its nomenclature, and the concepts of antigenic drift and shift. Second, we discuss the status of currently licensed influenza virus vaccines. We briefly focus on influenza vaccine responses beyond hemagglutination inhibition that may correlate with protection against influenza viruses of different subtypes. Third, we explain how studying host responses to influenza infection and vaccination with advanced serologic methods, B-cell receptor sequencing, and transcriptomic profiling can guide the development of improved influenza virus vaccines. Fourth, we provide 2 suggestions on how current influenza vaccines can be optimized by redirecting immune responses toward conserved viral antigens and the use of adjuvants. Conclusion Influenza vaccine design can benefit from novel insights obtained from the study of host responses to influenza virus infection and vaccination. Integration of the large amount of available clinical and preclinical data requires systems approaches that can elucidate novel correlates of protection and will guide further development of influenza vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Choi
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; The Tish Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Michael Schotsaert
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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19
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Vogel OA, Manicassamy B. Broadly Protective Strategies Against Influenza Viruses: Universal Vaccines and Therapeutics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:135. [PMID: 32117155 PMCID: PMC7020694 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus is a respiratory pathogen that can cause disease in humans, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. The vast majority of influenza virus infections in humans are observed during seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. Given the substantial public health burden associated with influenza virus infection, yearly vaccination is recommended for protection against seasonal influenza viruses. Despite vigilant surveillance for new variants and careful selection of seasonal vaccine strains, the efficacy of seasonal vaccines can vary widely from year to year. This often results in lowered protection within the population, regardless of vaccination status. In order to broaden the protection afforded by seasonal influenza vaccines, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has deemed the development of a universal influenza virus vaccine to be a priority in influenza virus vaccine research. This universal vaccine would provide protection against all influenza virus strains, eliminating the need for the yearly reformulations of seasonal influenza vaccines. In addition to universal influenza vaccine efforts, substantial progress has been made in developing novel influenza virus therapeutics that utilize broadly neutralizing antibodies to provide protection against influenza virus infection and to mitigate disease outcomes during infection. In this review, we discuss various approaches toward the goal of improving influenza virus vaccine efficacy through a universal influenza virus vaccine. We also address the novel methods of discovery and utilization of broadly neutralizing antibodies to improve influenza disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia A Vogel
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Balaji Manicassamy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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