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Induction of Genotype Cross-Reactive, Hepatitis C Virus-Specific, Cell-Mediated Immunity in DNA-Vaccinated Mice. J Virol 2018; 92:JVI.02133-17. [PMID: 29437963 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02133-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A universal hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine should elicit multiantigenic, multigenotypic responses, which are more likely to protect against challenge with the range of genotypes and subtypes circulating in the community. A vaccine cocktail and vaccines encoding consensus HCV sequences are attractive approaches to achieve this goal. Consequently, in a series of mouse vaccination studies, we compared the immunogenicity of a DNA vaccine encoding a consensus HCV nonstructural 5B (NS5B) protein to that of a cocktail of DNA plasmids encoding the genotype 1b (Gt1b) and Gt3a NS5B proteins. To complement this study, we assessed responses to a multiantigenic cocktail regimen by comparing a DNA vaccine cocktail encoding Gt1b and Gt3a NS3, NS4, and NS5B proteins to a single-genotype NS3/4/5B DNA vaccine. To thoroughly evaluate in vivo cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and T helper (Th) cell responses against Gt1b and Gt3a HCV peptide-pulsed target cells, we exploited a novel fluorescent-target array (FTA). FTA and enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot (ELISpot) analyses collectively indicated that the cocktail regimens elicited higher responses to Gt1b and Gt3a NS5B proteins than those with the consensus vaccine, while the multiantigenic DNA cocktail significantly increased the responses to NS3 and NS5B compared to those elicited by the single-genotype vaccines. Thus, a DNA cocktail vaccination regimen is more effective than a consensus vaccine or a monovalent vaccine at increasing the breadth of multigenotypic T cell responses, which has implications for the development of vaccines for communities where multiple HCV genotypes circulate.IMPORTANCE Despite the development of highly effective direct-acting antivirals (DAA), infections with hepatitis C virus (HCV) continue, particularly in countries where the supply of DAA is limited. Furthermore, patients who eliminate the virus as a result of DAA therapy can still be reinfected. Thus, a vaccine for HCV is urgently required, but the heterogeneity of HCV strains makes the development of a universal vaccine difficult. To address this, we developed a novel cytolytic DNA vaccine which elicits robust cell-mediated immunity (CMI) to the nonstructural (NS) proteins in vaccinated animals. We compared the immune responses against genotypes 1 and 3 that were elicited by a consensus DNA vaccine or a DNA vaccine cocktail and showed that the cocktail induced higher levels of CMI to the NS proteins of both genotypes. This study suggests that a universal HCV vaccine can most readily be achieved by use of a DNA vaccine cocktail.
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Ikram A, Anjum S, Tahir M. In Silico Identification and Conservation Analysis of B-cell and T-Cell Epitopes of Hepatitis C Virus 3a Genotype Enveloped Glycoprotein 2 From Pakistan: A Step Towards Heterologous Vaccine Design. HEPATITIS MONTHLY 2014; 14:e9832. [PMID: 24976845 PMCID: PMC4071360 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.9832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2013] [Revised: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 10/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is known for the eminent global disease burden responsible for encumbering public health. Development of an effective vaccine is the major need of the day; however, several obstacles loom ahead of this objective. One of the major barriers is that as a RNA virus, it mutates rapidly resulting in high sequence divergence and several viral isolates in the world. Theglycoprotein 2 (gpE2) is the primary component of HCV envelope with direct interaction with the host cell surface receptors; it is an indispensable target of neutralizing antibodies and hence, should be a fundamental component of vaccine design. OBJECTIVES This study focused on B-cells and T-cells epitopes prediction in HCV gpE2, particularly in 3a genotype, in Pakistan and identification of the conserved epitopes among various 3a isolates at global level, principally conserved across HCV major genotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Epitope finding was done by using online available bioinformatics tools including Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), ProPred-I, and ProPred. Conservation of these epitopes was found by aligning selected gpE2 sequences using MultAlin online software and conservancy analysis tool available at IEDB. RESULTS Many B-cell and T-cell epitopes predicted in gpE2 were found conserved among HCV 3a genotypes whereas few were conserved in other genotypes anticipating these epitopes as potential candidates of producing strong B-cell and T-cell response against HCV 3a and other genotypes. CONCLUSIONS HCV gpE2 is an ideal target for HCV vaccine. Prediction of epitope immunogenicity and characterization on the basis of peptide sequences will be significantly helpful for development of a heterologous vaccine against HCV variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqsa Ikram
- Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Sadia Anjum
- Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Corresponding Author: Sadia Anjum, Atta-ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan. Tel: +92-5190856152 Fax+92-5190856102, E-mail:
| | - Muhammad Tahir
- Atta-Ur-Rahman School of Applied Biosciences, National University of Sciences and Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
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3
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Weigand K, Voigt F, Encke J, Hoyler B, Stremmel W, Eisenbach C. Vaccination with dendritic cells pulsed with hepatitis C pseudo particles induces specific immune responses in mice. World J Gastroenterol 2012; 18:785-93. [PMID: 22371638 PMCID: PMC3286141 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v18.i8.785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2011] [Revised: 03/26/2011] [Accepted: 06/13/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To explore dendritic cells (DCs) multiple functions in immune modulation. METHODS We used bone-marrow derived dendritic cells from BALB/c mice pulsed with pseudo particles from the hepatitis C virus to vaccinate naive BALB/c mice. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) pseudo particles consist of the genotype 1b derived envelope proteins E1 and E2, covering a non-HCV core structure. Thus, not a single epitope, but the whole "viral surface" induces immunogenicity. For vaccination, mature and activated DC were injected subcutaneously twice. RESULTS Humoral and cellular immune responses measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and interferon-gamma enzyme-linked immunosorbent spot test showed antibody production as well as T-cells directed against HCV. Furthermore, T-cell responses confirmed two highly immunogenic regions in E1 and E2 outside the hypervariable region 1. CONCLUSION Our results indicate dendritic cells as a promising vaccination model for HCV infection that should be evaluated further.
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Torresi J, Johnson D, Wedemeyer H. Progress in the development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines for hepatitis C virus. J Hepatol 2011; 54:1273-85. [PMID: 21236312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2010.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2010] [Revised: 08/27/2010] [Accepted: 09/07/2010] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a blood borne disease estimated to chronically infect 3% of the worlds' population causing significant morbidity and mortality. Current medical therapy is curative in approximately 50% of patients. While recent treatment advances of genotype 1 infection using directly acting antiviral agents (DAAs) are encouraging, there is still a need to develop vaccine strategies capable of preventing infection. Moreover, vaccines may also be used in future in combination with DAAs enabling interferon-free treatment regimens. Viral and host specific factors contribute to viral evasion and present important impediments to vaccine development. Both, innate and adaptive immune responses are of major importance for the control of HCV infection. However, HCV has evolved ways of evading the host's immune response in order to establish persistent infection. For example, HCV inhibits intracellular interferon signalling pathways, impairs the activation of dendritic cells, CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cell responses, induces a state of T-cell exhaustion and selects escape variants with mutations CD8(+) T cell epitopes. An effective vaccine will need to produce strong and broadly cross-reactive CD4(+), CD8(+) T cell and neutralising antibody (NAb) responses to be successful in preventing or clearing HCV. Vaccines in clinical trials now include recombinant proteins, synthetic peptides, virosome based vaccines, tarmogens, modified vaccinia Ankara based vaccines, and DNA based vaccines. Several preclinical vaccine strategies are also under development and include recombinant adenoviral vaccines, virus like particles, and synthetic peptide vaccines. This paper will review the vaccines strategies employed, their success to date and future directions of vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Torresi
- Austin Centre for Infection Research, Department of Infectious Diseases Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
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5
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Hearty S, Conroy PJ, Ayyar BV, Byrne B, O'Kennedy R. Surface plasmon resonance for vaccine design and efficacy studies: recent applications and future trends. Expert Rev Vaccines 2010; 9:645-64. [PMID: 20518719 DOI: 10.1586/erv.10.52] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The lack of a clear correlation between design and protection continues to present a barrier to progress in vaccine research. In this article, we outline how surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensors are emerging as tools to help resolve some of the key biophysical determinants of protection and, thereby, facilitate more rational vaccine design campaigns. SPR technology has contributed significantly to our understanding of the complex biophysical determinants of HIV neutralization and offers a platform for preclinical evaluation of vaccine candidates. In particular, the concept of reverse-engineering HIV vaccine targets based on known broadly neutralizing antibody modalities is explored and extended to include other infectious diseases, such as malaria and influenza, and other diseases such as cancer. The analytical capacity afforded by SPR includes serum screening to monitor immune responses and highly efficient quality-control surveillance measures. These are discussed alongside key technological advances, such as developments in sample throughput, and a perspective predicting continued growth and diversification of the role of SPR in vaccine development is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Hearty
- Biomedical Diagnostics Institute, Dublin City University, Dublin 9, Ireland
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6
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Cuevas JM, Torres-Puente M, Jiménez-Hernández N, Bracho MA, García-Robles I, Wrobel B, Carnicer F, del Olmo J, Ortega E, Moya A, González-Candelas F. Genetic variability of hepatitis C virus before and after combined therapy of interferon plus ribavirin. PLoS One 2008; 3:e3058. [PMID: 18725975 PMCID: PMC2518109 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0003058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2007] [Accepted: 08/06/2008] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We present an analysis of the selective forces acting on two hepatitis C virus genome regions previously postulated to be involved in the viral response to combined antiviral therapy. One includes the three hypervariable regions in the envelope E2 glycoprotein, and the other encompasses the PKR binding domain and the V3 domain in the NS5A region. We used a cohort of 22 non-responder patients to combined therapy (interferon alpha-2a plus ribavirin) for which samples were obtained before initiation of therapy and after 6 or/and 12 months of treatment. A range of 25-100 clones per patient, genome region and time sample were sequenced. These were used to detect general patterns of adaptation, to identify particular adaptation mechanisms and to analyze the patterns of evolutionary change in both genome regions. These analyses failed to detect a common adaptive mechanism for the lack of response to antiviral treatment in these patients. On the contrary, a wide range of situations were observed, from patients showing no positively selected sites to others with many, and with completely different topologies in the reconstructed phylogenetic trees. Altogether, these results suggest that viral strategies to evade selection pressure from the immune system and antiviral therapies do not result from a single mechanism and they are likely based on a range of different alternatives, in which several different changes, or their combination, along the HCV genome confer viruses the ability to overcome strong selective pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Manuel Cuevas
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Manuela Torres-Puente
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nuria Jiménez-Hernández
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Alma Bracho
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Inmaculada García-Robles
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Boris Wrobel
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fernando Carnicer
- Unidad de Hepatología, Hospital General de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan del Olmo
- Servicio de Hepatología. Hospital Clínico de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Enrique Ortega
- Unidad de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital General de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andrés Moya
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fernando González-Candelas
- Instituto Cavanilles de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva and Departamento de Genética, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- CIBER en Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Barcelona, Spain
- * E-mail:
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7
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Garcia JE, Fierro R, Puentes A, Cortés J, Bermúdez A, Cifuentes G, Vanegas M, Patarroyo ME. Monosaccharides modulate HCV E2 protein-derived peptide biological properties. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2007; 355:409-18. [PMID: 17306766 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.01.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2007] [Accepted: 01/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
A hepatitis C virus E(2) protein-derived sequence was selected for studying the effect of N-glycosylation on the peptide chain's conformational structure. The results suggested that the (534)TDVF(537) motif contained in peptide 33402 ((529)WGENDTDVFVLNNTRY(544)) had a type III beta-turn, relevant in antigen recognition of polyclonal antibodies, binding to human cells, and binding to HLA DRB1 *0401 molecules. N-Glycopeptides derived from this sequence contained monosaccharides in Asn(532). N-Glycopeptides presented differences in peptide chain structure compared to non-glycosylated peptides. Peptide 33402 specifically bound to human cells, specificity becoming lost when it was N-glycosylated. N-Glycosylation decreased antigen recognition of mouse polyclonal sera against this sequence. N-Glycopeptide binding to HLA DRB1 *0401 molecules was similar to that presented by non-glycosylated peptide, indicating that N-glycosylation did not affect binding to HLA DRB1 *0401 molecules. N-Glycosylation induced changes at structural and functional level which could be relevant for modulating human cell binding properties and antibody recognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier E Garcia
- Fundación Instituto de Immunología de Colombia, Carrera 50 #26-00, Bogotá, Colombia
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8
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Grollo L, Torresi J, Drummer H, Zeng W, Williamson N, Jackson DC. Exploiting Information Inherent in Binding Sites of Virus-Specific Antibodies: Design of An HCV Vaccine Candidate Cross-Reactive with Multiple Genotypes. Antivir Ther 2006. [DOI: 10.1177/135965350601100809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Background/Aims The role of antibody in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains unclear although many reports attest to its role in viral clearance. Here we describe epitopes that are recognized by antibody present in the serum of infected patients and show that such epitopes can induce neutralizing antibodies. Methods Human serum containing hyperimmune anti-HCV IgG was used to extract epitopes from a library of synthetic peptides that encompassed the sequences of the E1 and E2 proteins of HCV genotype 1a H77. Peptides that were bound by IgG were identified by mass spectrometry. Assembly of these epitopes with a helper T cell determinant was then carried out in order to construct candidate epitope-based vaccines. Results Three distinct antigenic sites were defined in the E1E2 glycoproteins by epitopes identified by antibody present in infected individuals. Four of the peptide epitopes identified are conserved in at least three HCV genotypes and are bound by antibody present in the sera of chronically infected and convalescent individuals. Synthetic vaccines based on these epitopes elicited antibodies that are capable of (i) capturing HCV virions from the serum of viraemic patients and (ii) inhibiting HCV pseudovirus particle entry into Huh7 cells. Conclusions This approach exploits the information inherent in the binding sites of virus-specific antibodies and represents a novel method for the design of synthetic epitope-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Grollo
- Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Joseph Torresi
- Department of Medicine and Center for Clinical Research Excellence, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Heidi Drummer
- Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Weiguang Zeng
- Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Nicholas Williamson
- Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - David C Jackson
- Cooperative Research Centre for Vaccine Technology, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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9
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Kim M, Shin D, Kim SI, Park M. Inhibition of hepatitis C virus gene expression by small interfering RNAs using a tri-cistronic full-length viral replicon and a transient mouse model. Virus Res 2006; 122:1-10. [PMID: 16979254 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2006.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2006] [Revised: 05/09/2006] [Accepted: 05/19/2006] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
HCV is an ideal target for siRNA as its genome, a single-stranded RNA, is translated into a single viral polyprotein and replicated into negative-stranded RNA. In the present study, we monitored the effects of 36 different small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) transcribed from a plasmid-derived expression system on the luciferase activities expressed from a full-length HCV replicon, to identify potent siRNA target sites. Delivery of nine selected siRNA expression vectors into human hepatoma cells (Huh7) carrying a genomic HCV replicon resulted in a significant reduction in viral protein and RNA levels. Moreover, synthetic siRNAs directed to target sites (core, NS3, NS4A and NS4B coding regions) in the HCV genome efficiently suppressed viral replication in a dose-dependent manner. A transient mouse model system expressing viral structural proteins in the liver was constructed using the hydrodynamic transfection method to confirm in vivo anti-HCV activity of the selected siRNAs. A 21-nucleotide siRNA, which can hybridize to the HCV core coding region with a single G-U base pair, suppressed weakly transgene expression in mice. However, this anti-viral effect was enhanced upon substitution with a 27-mer duplex RNA. Our results will provide useful information about designing potent siRNAs against variable target sites.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antiviral Agents/administration & dosage
- Antiviral Agents/pharmacology
- Blotting, Western
- Carrier Proteins/genetics
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Disease Models, Animal
- Gene Expression Regulation, Viral
- Genes, Reporter
- Genes, Viral
- Genetic Vectors
- Hepacivirus/genetics
- Hepacivirus/growth & development
- Humans
- Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
- Luciferases/biosynthesis
- Luciferases/genetics
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Transgenic
- Plasmids
- RNA, Small Interfering/administration & dosage
- RNA, Small Interfering/genetics
- RNA, Small Interfering/pharmacology
- RNA, Viral/biosynthesis
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Viral Nonstructural Proteins/genetics
- Viral Proteins/biosynthesis
- Viral Proteins/genetics
- Virus Replication/genetics
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Affiliation(s)
- Meehyein Kim
- Immunology and Virology group, Mogam Biotechnology Research Institute, 341 Pojung-ri, Guseong-eup, Yongin-city, Kyonggi-do 449-913, South Korea
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10
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Chang SY, Lee KC, Ko SY, Ko HJ, Kang CY. Enhanced efficacy of DNA vaccination against Her-2/neu tumor antigen by genetic adjuvants. Int J Cancer 2004; 111:86-95. [PMID: 15185348 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.20232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Certain types of malignant tumors overexpress Her-2/neu, a transmembrane glycoprotein of the class I receptor tyrosine kinase erbB family. To develop an effective Her-2/neu vaccine for selective immunotherapy of these malignancies, we prepared Her-2/neu DNA plasmid encoding the transmembrane and extracellular domain (pHM) and tested the ability of this construct to induce antitumor immunity in animal models. In addition, we investigated the effects of cytokine used as a genetic adjuvant. Modulation by factors that affect T-cell function or hematopoiesis, including interleukin-12, interleukin-15, interleukin-18, interleukin-23, Eta-1, Flt3L and GM-CSF, was studied in the forms of monocistronic and bicistronic plasmid. Our results demonstrated that vaccination of pHM could induce successful antitumor immunity against Her-2/neu-expressing murine tumor cells in BALB/c mice. We also showed that the antitumor activity of pHM was augmented by coadministration and coexpression of different cytokines. Despite the similar levels of gene expression, the antitumor effects of bicistronic plasmids coexpressing Her-2/neu antigen and cytokine were improved in comparison with coadministration of separate monocistronic plasmid. In particular, coexpression of interleukin-18 or GM-CSF with Her-2/neu increased antitumor activity in both preventive and therapeutic experiments. These findings can help in the decision concerning which of the various cytokine adjuvants should be used for the development of a Her-2/neu DNA vaccine. In addition, our results from a large panel of cytokine adjuvants in the various tumor models may provide an insight into the important immune components of antitumor immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Young Chang
- Laboratory of Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
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11
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Youn JW, Park SH, Cho JH, Sung YC. Optimal induction of T-cell responses against hepatitis C virus E2 by antigen engineering in DNA immunization. J Virol 2003; 77:11596-602. [PMID: 14557645 PMCID: PMC229347 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.77.21.11596-11602.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although DNA immunization is a safe and efficient method for inducing cellular immune responses, it generates relatively weak and slow immune responses. Here, we investigated the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) antigen modifications on the induction of T-cell responses in DNA immunization. It is likely that the strength of T-cell responses has an inverse relationship with the length of the insert DNA. Interestingly, a mixture of several plasmids carrying each gene induced a higher level of T-cell responses than a single plasmid expressing a long polyprotein. Moreover, the presence of a transmembrane domain in HCV E2 resulted in stronger T-cell responses against E2 protein than its absence. Taken together, our results indicate that the tailored modifications of DNA-encoded antigens are capable of optimizing the induction of T-cell responses which is required for eliminating the cells chronically infected with highly variable viruses such as HCV and human immunodeficiency virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Won Youn
- Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Division of Molecular and Life Sciences, Pohang University of Science and Technology, Hyoja Dong, Pohang, Kyungbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea
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12
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Pandya J, Chakraborti A, Chawla Y. Expression and purification of E2/NS1 protein of hepatitis C virus and detection of anti-E2/NS1 antibodies in chronic liver disease patients. J Biomed Sci 2003; 10:276-82. [PMID: 12595764 DOI: 10.1007/bf02256063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2002] [Accepted: 10/04/2002] [Indexed: 10/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycoproteins on the surface of viral particles present the main target of neutralizing antibodies. The structural proteins of most Flaviviruses are known to elicit neutralizing antibodies and, thus, to help in both the natural resolution of the infection and the protection from challenge with homologous hepatitis C virus (HCV). Because such antigens are associated with the viral clearance in both humans and chimpanzees, we aimed to express the E2/NS1 protein of HCV and to study the role of anti-E2/NS1 antibodies in the natural resolution of HCV infection. The prevalence of anti-E2/NS1 antibodies to recombinant E2/NS1 protein was seen by Western blot in chronic liver disease patients (15 chronic hepatitis and 12 cirrhotic patients), who were positive for anti-HCV and negative for HBV infection. The study also included 2 negative controls (positive for HBV infection and negative for anti-HCV antibodies) and 2 healthy controls (negative for both HBV and HCV infection). Anti-E2/NS1 was present in 20% of the chronic hepatitis and 16% of the cirrhosis patients. None of the controls were positive for anti-E2/NS1 antibodies. Serum samples positive for anti-E2/NS1 antibodies were also positive for HCV RNA by RT/PCR. Accordingly, the presence of anti-E2/NS1 may have very little or no role in the natural resolution of HCV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Pandya
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Tex 77555-0435, USA.
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13
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Lee JY, Kim DH, Chung Y, Shin SU, Kang CY. Comparison of the antitumor efficacies of Her-2/neu DNA vaccines inducing contrasting IgG immunity but comparable CTL activity in mice. Vaccine 2003; 21:521-31. [PMID: 12531652 DOI: 10.1016/s0264-410x(02)00470-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
The relative importance of CTL and antibodies in rejecting Her-2/neu-expressing tumors was evaluated in preventive and therapeutic models by DNA vaccination. Four human Her-2/neu-expressing plasmids (pNeu(TM), pNeu(ECD), pNeu(TM-gDs), and pNeu(ECD-gDs)) were generated encoding either the transmembrane and extracellular domains or the extracellular domain. Interestingly, these plasmids demonstrated substantial difference in inducing Her-2/neu-specific serum IgG according to their signal sequence when injected in BALB/c mice. pNeu(TM) and pNeu(ECD) induced high serum IgG titers. pNeu(TM-gDs) and pNeu(ECD-gDs) induced low or very low serum IgG titers, respectively. As a result, mice vaccinated with not only pNeu(ECD) but also pNeu(ECD-gDs) exhibited complete eradication of a small number of tumor cells. Nevertheless, when the number of tumor cells was increased in a therapeutic model, only pNeu(ECD) exhibited statistically significant antitumor immunity. These studies demonstrate that strong CTL may be sufficient in tumor prevention, but the collaboration of CTL and antibody may be required in tumor therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joon Youb Lee
- Laboratory of Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Shillim-Dong, Kwanak-Gu, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
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Jin J, Yang JY, Liu J, Kong YY, Wang Y, Li GD. DNA immunization with fusion genes encoding different regions of hepatitis C virus E2 fused to the gene for hepatitis B surface antigen elicits immune responses to both HCV and HBV. World J Gastroenterol 2002; 8:505-10. [PMID: 12046080 PMCID: PMC4656431 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v8.i3.505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2001] [Revised: 12/23/2001] [Accepted: 01/23/2002] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM Both Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major causative agents of transfusion-associated and community-acquired hepatitis worldwide. Development of a HCV vaccine as well as more effective HBV vaccines is an urgent task. DNA immunization provides a promising approach to elicit protective humoral and cellular immune responses against viral infection. The aim of this study is to achieve immune responses against both HCV and HBV by DNA immunization with fusion constructs comprising various HCV E2 gene fragments fused to HBsAg gene of HBV. METHODS C57BL/6 mice were immunized with plasmid DNA expressing five fragments of HCV E2 fused to the gene for HBsAg respectively. After one primary and one boosting immunizations, antibodies against HCV E2 and HBsAg were tested and subtyped in ELISA. Splenic cytokine expression of IFN-gamma and IL-10 was analyzed using an RT-PCR assay. Post-immune mouse antisera also were tested for their ability to capture HCV viruses in the serum of a hepatitis C patient in vitro. RESULTS After immunization, antibodies against both HBsAg and HCV E2 were detected in mouse sera, with IgG2a being the dominant immunoglobulin sub-class. High-level expression of INF-gamma was detected in cultured splenic cells. Mouse antisera against three of the five fusion constructs were able to capture HCV viruses in an in vitro assay. CONCLUSION The results indicate that these fusion constructs could efficiently elicit humoral and Th1 dominant cellular immune responses against both HBV S and HCV E2 antigens in DNA-immunized mice. They thus could serve as candidates for a bivalent vaccine against HBV and HCV infection. In addition, the capacity of mouse antisera against three of the five fusion constructs to capture HCV viruses in vitro suggested that neutralizing epitopes may be present in other regions of E2 besides the hypervariable region 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Jin
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 320 Yue-Yang Road, Shanghai 200031, China
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Olenina LV, Nikolaeva LI, Sobolev BN, Blokhina NP, Archakov AI, Kolesanova EF. Mapping and characterization of B cell linear epitopes in the conservative regions of hepatitis C virus envelope glycoproteins. J Viral Hepat 2002; 9:174-82. [PMID: 12010504 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2893.2002.00358.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Forty-eight overlapping octapeptides covering highly conservative regions of E1 and E2 hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope proteins were synthesized and tested by ELISA against different groups of sera obtained from HCV-infected patients. All sera from patients with acute infection, except a single case of serum reactivity with the region HINRTALN, were nonreactive with any peptide. Sera obtained from chronic patients reacted with 12 peptides from five selected regions. Two immunodominant B epitopes were found, one being the precisely mapped antigenic site RMAWDM positioned inside the earlier shown immunodominant epitope from E1, and the second site, PALSTGLIH from E2, detected for the first time. New minor antigenic site was determined as PTDCFRKH from E2. We found only minor seroreactivity for one of the putative sites involved in CD81 binding, PYCWHYAP.
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Affiliation(s)
- L V Olenina
- Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Medical Science, Moscow, Russia.
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16
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Garcia JE, Puentes A, Súarez J, López R, Vera R, Rodríguez LE, Ocampo M, Curtidor H, Guzman F, Urquiza M, Patarroyo ME. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) E1 and E2 protein regions that specifically bind to HepG2 cells. J Hepatol 2002; 36:254-62. [PMID: 11830338 DOI: 10.1016/s0168-8278(01)00262-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Identify hepatitis C virus (HCV) sequences in E1 and E2 protein binding to HepG2. METHODS Synthetic 20-mer long, ten-residue overlapped peptides, from E1 and E2 proteins, were tested in HepG2 or Raji cell-binding assays. Affinity constants, binding site number per cell and Hill coefficients were determined by saturation assay for high activity binding peptides (HABPs). Receptors for HepG2 cell were determined by cross-linking and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis. RESULTS Twelve HABPs were found in HCV genotype 1a, allowing six hepatocyte-binding sequences (HBSs) to be defined: two peptide-binding regions in E1 HABPs 4913 (YQVRNSTGLYHVTNDCPNSS) and 4918 (MTPTVATRDGKLPATQLRRHY). Four hepatocyte-binding regions were defined in E2: region-I, peptide 4931 (ETHVTGGSAGHTVSGFVSLLY); region-II, 4937-4939 (HHKFNSSGCPERLASCRPLTDFDQGWGPISYANGSGPDQR); region-III, 4943-4945 (PVYCFTPSPVVVGTTDRSGAPTYSWGENDTDVFVLNNTR) and region-IV, 4949-4952 (CGAPPCVIGGAGNNTLHCPTDCFRKHPDATYSRCGSGPWITPRCLVDYPY). The underlined sequences are most relevant in the binding process. HABPs 4913 and 4938 also bind to CD81 positive Raji cells. Region-II 4938 HABPs bind to 50 and 60kDa HepG2 cell membrane surface proteins. CONCLUSIONS Six HVRs to the HepG2 were identified. Some HABPs have been previously found to be antigenic and immunogenic. HABPs, 4918 (from E1), 4938, 4949, 4950, 4951 and 4952 (from E2) have not been previously recognised. These HABPs could be relevant to HCV invasion of hepatocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javier Eduardo Garcia
- Fundación Instituto de Inmunologia de Colombia, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Avda. Calle 26 No. 51-60 Bogota, Colombia.
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Bugli F, Mancini N, Kang CY, Di Campli C, Grieco A, Manzin A, Gabrielli A, Gasbarrini A, Fadda G, Varaldo PE, Clementi M, Burioni R. Mapping B-cell epitopes of hepatitis C virus E2 glycoprotein using human monoclonal antibodies from phage display libraries. J Virol 2001; 75:9986-90. [PMID: 11559832 PMCID: PMC114571 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.75.20.9986-9990.2001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that the hepatitis C virus (HCV) E2 glycoprotein (HCV/E2) is the most promising candidate for the development of an effective anti-HCV vaccine. Identification of the human epitopes that are conserved among isolates and are able to elicit protective antibodies would constitute a significant step forward. This work describes the mapping of the B-cell epitopes present on the surface of HCV/E2, as recognized by the immune system during infection, by the analysis of the reciprocal interactions of a panel of human recombinant Fabs derived from an HCV-infected patient. Three unrelated epitopes recognized by antibodies with no neutralization-of-binding (NOB) activity were identified; a fourth, major epitope was defined as a clustering of minor epitopes recognized by Fabs endowed with strong NOB activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Bugli
- Istituti di Microbiologia, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, 00168 Rome, Italy
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18
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Abstract
The application of surface plasmon resonance biosensors in life sciences and pharmaceutical research continues to increase. This review provides a comprehensive list of the commercial 1999 SPR biosensor literature and highlights emerging applications that are of general interest to users of the technology. Given the variability in the quality of published biosensor data, we present some general guidelines to help increase confidence in the results reported from biosensor analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Rich
- Center for Biomolecular Interaction Analysis, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA
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Riddell MA, Li F, Anderson DA. Identification of immunodominant and conformational epitopes in the capsid protein of hepatitis E virus by using monoclonal antibodies. J Virol 2000; 74:8011-7. [PMID: 10933710 PMCID: PMC112333 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.74.17.8011-8017.2000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Antibody to the capsid (PORF2) protein of hepatitis E virus (HEV) is sufficient to confer immunity, but knowledge of B-cell epitopes in the intact capsid is limited. A panel of murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) was generated following immunization with recombinant ORF2.1 protein, representing the C-terminal 267 amino acids (aa) of the 660-aa capsid protein. Two MAbs reacted exclusively with the conformational ORF2.1 epitope (F. Li, J. Torresi, S. A. Locarnini, H. Zhuang, W. Zhu, X. Guo, and D. A. Anderson, J. Med. Virol. 52:289-300, 1997), while the remaining five demonstrated reactivity with epitopes in the regions aa 394 to 414, 414 to 434, and 434 to 457. The antigenic structures of both the ORF2.1 protein expressed in Escherichia coli and the virus-like particles (VLPs) expressed using the baculovirus system were examined by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) using five of these MAbs and HEV patient sera. Despite the wide separation of epitopes within the primary sequence, all the MAbs demonstrated some degree of cross-inhibition with each other in ORF2. 1 and/or VLP ELISAs, suggesting a complex antigenic structure. MAbs specific for the conformational ORF2.1 epitope and a linear epitope within aa 434 to 457 blocked convalescent patient antibody reactivity against VLPs by approximately 60 and 35%, respectively, while MAbs against epitopes within aa 394 to 414 and 414 to 434 were unable to block patient serum reactivity. These results suggest that sequences spanning aa 394 to 457 of the capsid protein participate in the formation of strongly immunodominant epitopes on the surface of HEV particles which may be important in immunity to HEV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Riddell
- Hepatitis Research Unit and Australian Centre for Hepatitis Virology, Macfarlane Burnet Centre for Medical Research, Fairfield 3078, Victoria, Australia
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Yagnik AT, Lahm A, Meola A, Roccasecca RM, Ercole BB, Nicosia A, Tramontano A. A model for the hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein E2. Proteins 2000; 40:355-66. [PMID: 10861927 DOI: 10.1002/1097-0134(20000815)40:3<355::aid-prot20>3.0.co;2-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 166] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Several experimental studies on hepatitis C virus (HCV) have suggested the envelope glycoprotein E2 as a key antigen for an effective vaccine against the virus. Knowledge of its structure, therefore, would present a significant step forward in the fight against this disease. This paper reports the application of fold recognition methods in order to produce a model of the HCV E2 protein. Such investigation highlighted the envelope protein E of Tick Borne Encephalitis virus as a possible template for building a model of HCV E2. Mapping of experimental data onto the model allowed the prediction of a composite interaction site between E2 and its proposed cellular receptor CD81, as well as a heparin binding domain. In addition, experimental evidence is provided to show that CD81 recognition by E2 is isolate or strain specific and possibly mediated by the second hypervariable region (HVR2) of E2. Finally, the studies have also allowed a rough model for the quaternary structure of the envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 complex to be proposed. Proteins 2000;40:355-366.
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Affiliation(s)
- A T Yagnik
- Istituto di Ricerche di Biologia Molecolare P. Angeletti, Pomezia (Rome), Italy
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