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Kamensek U, Cemazar M, Kranjc Brezar S, Jesenko T, Kos S, Znidar K, Markelc B, Modic Z, Komel T, Gorse T, Rebersek E, Jakopic H, Sersa G. What We Learned about the Feasibility of Gene Electrotransfer for Vaccination on a Model of COVID-19 Vaccine. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1981. [PMID: 37514166 PMCID: PMC10385748 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15071981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccination is one of the emerging approaches for a wide range of applications, including prophylactic vaccination against infectious diseases and therapeutic vaccination against cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of our previously optimized protocols for gene electrotransfer (GET)-mediated delivery of plasmid DNA into skin and muscle tissues on a model of COVID-19 vaccine. Plasmids encoding the SARS-CoV-2 proteins spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) were used as the antigen source, and a plasmid encoding interleukin 12 (IL-12) was used as an adjuvant. Vaccination was performed in the skin or muscle tissue of C57BL/6J mice on days 0 and 14 (boost). Two weeks after the boost, blood, spleen, and transfected tissues were collected to determine the expression of S, N, IL-12, serum interferon-γ, the induction of antigen-specific IgG antibodies, and cytotoxic T-cells. In accordance with prior in vitro experiments that indicated problems with proper expression of the S protein, vaccination with S did not induce S-specific antibodies, whereas significant induction of N-specific antibodies was detected after vaccination with N. Intramuscular vaccination outperformed skin vaccination and resulted in significant induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity. Moreover, both boost and adjuvant were found to be redundant for the induction of an immune response. Overall, the study confirmed the feasibility of the GET for DNA vaccination and provided valuable insights into this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urska Kamensek
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Maja Cemazar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Primorska, Polje 42, SI-6310 Izola, Slovenia
| | | | - Tanja Jesenko
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Spela Kos
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarina Znidar
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Bostjan Markelc
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena Pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Ziva Modic
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tilen Komel
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Vrazov Trg 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tim Gorse
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Eva Rebersek
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Jakopic
- Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Jamnikarjeva Ulica 101, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Sersa
- Institute of Oncology Ljubljana, Zaloska Cesta 2, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Zdravstvena Pot 5, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Aurisicchio L, Brambilla N, Cazzaniga ME, Bonfanti P, Milleri S, Ascierto PA, Capici S, Vitalini C, Girolami F, Giacovelli G, Caselli G, Visintin M, Fanti F, Ghirri M, Conforti A, Compagnone M, Lione L, Salvatori E, Pinto E, Muzi A, Marra E, Palombo F, Roscilli G, Manenti A, Montomoli E, Cadossi M, Rovati LC. A first-in-human trial on the safety and immunogenicity of COVID-eVax, a cellular response-skewed DNA vaccine against COVID-19. Mol Ther 2023; 31:788-800. [PMID: 36575794 PMCID: PMC9792419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and the need for additional safe, effective, and affordable vaccines gave new impetus into development of vaccine genetic platforms. Here we report the findings from the phase 1, first-in-human, dose-escalation study of COVID-eVax, a DNA vaccine encoding the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Sixty-eight healthy adults received two doses of 0.5, 1, or 2 mg 28 days apart, or a single 2-mg dose, via intramuscular injection followed by electroporation, and they were monitored for 6 months. All participants completed the primary safety and immunogenicity assessments after 8 weeks. COVID-eVax was well tolerated, with mainly mild to moderate solicited adverse events (tenderness, pain, bruising, headache, and malaise/fatigue), less frequent after the second dose, and it induced an immune response (binding antibodies and/or T cells) at all prime-boost doses tested in up to 90% of the volunteers at the highest dose. However, the vaccine did not induce neutralizing antibodies, while particularly relevant was the T cell-mediated immunity, with a robust Th1 response. This T cell-skewed immunological response adds significant information to the DNA vaccine platform and should be assessed in further studies for its protective capacity and potential usefulness also in other therapeutic areas, such as oncology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nadia Brambilla
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Marina E Cazzaniga
- Phase 1 Research Centre and Division of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Paolo Bonfanti
- Infectious Diseases Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Stefano Milleri
- CRC - Centro Ricerche Cliniche di Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy
| | - Paolo A Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori, IRCCS, Fondazione G. Pascale, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Serena Capici
- Phase 1 Research Centre and Division of Medical Oncology, San Gerardo Hospital, University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesca Fanti
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Matteo Ghirri
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy
| | - Antonella Conforti
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy; Evvivax Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Lucia Lione
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Alessia Muzi
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fabio Palombo
- Takis Biotech, Via Castel Romano 100, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Research, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | | | - Lucio C Rovati
- Rottapharm Biotech, Via Valosa di Sopra 9, 20900 Monza, Italy; University of Milano-Bicocca School of Medicine, 20900 Monza, Italy.
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3
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Zhang T, Wang Z, Yang J, Xu X. Immunogenicity of novel DNA vaccines encoding receptor-binding domain (RBD) dimer-Fc fusing antigens derived from different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28563. [PMID: 36755368 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28563] [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: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The continuously emerging of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 variants of concern (VOCs) led to a decline in effectiveness of the first-generation vaccines. Therefore, optimized vaccines and vaccination strategies, which show advantages in protecting against VOCs, are urgently needed. Here we constructed an optimized DNA vaccine plasmid containing built-in CpG adjuvant, and designed vaccine candidates encoding five forms of antigens derived from Wuhan-Hu-1. The results showed that plasmid with receptor binding domain (RBD) dimer-Fc fusing antigen (2RBD-Fc) induced the highest level of RBD-specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies in mice. Then 2dRBD-Fc and 2omRBD-Fc vaccines, respectively derived from delta and omicron VOCs, were constructed. The 2dRBD-Fc induced potent humoral and cellular immune responses, while the immunogenicity of 2omRBD-Fc was low. We also observed that sequential immunization with 2RBD-Fc, 2dRBD-Fc and 2omRBD-Fc effectively elicited neutralizing antibodies against each immunized strain, and RBD-specific T cell responses. To be noted, the Wuhan-Hu-1, delta and omicron neutralizing antibody titers induced by sequential immunization were comparable to that induced by repetitive immunization with 2RBD-Fc, 2dRBD-Fc or 2omRBD-Fc respectively. The results suggest that sequential immunization with DNA vaccines encoding potent antigens derived from different VOCs, may be a promising strategy to elicit immune responses against multiple variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhirong Wang
- Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaojiao Yang
- Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xuemei Xu
- Department of Biophysics and Structural Biology, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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Kisakov DN, Kisakova LA, Borgoyakova MB, Starostina EV, Taranov OS, Ivleva EK, Pyankov OV, Zaykovskaya AV, Shcherbakov DN, Rudometov AP, Rudometova NB, Volkova NV, Gureev VN, Ilyichev AA, Karpenko LI. Optimization of In Vivo Electroporation Conditions and Delivery of DNA Vaccine Encoding SARS-CoV-2 RBD Using the Determined Protocol. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14112259. [PMID: 36365078 PMCID: PMC9693113 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 and other viral infections requires safe, effective, and inexpensive vaccines that can be rapidly developed. DNA vaccines are candidates that meet these criteria, but one of their drawbacks is their relatively weak immunogenicity. Electroporation (EP) is an effective way to enhance the immunogenicity of DNA vaccines, but because of the different configurations of the devices that are used for EP, it is necessary to carefully select the conditions of the procedure, including characteristics such as voltage, current strength, number of pulses, etc. In this study, we determined the optimal parameters for delivery DNA vaccine by electroporation using the BEX CO device. BALB/c mice were used as a model. Plasmid DNA phMGFP was intramuscular (I/M) injected into the quadriceps muscle of the left hind leg of animals using insulin syringes, followed by EP. As a result of the experiments, the following EP parameters were determined: direct and reverse polarity rectangular DC current in three pulses, 12 V voltage for 30 ms and 950 ms intervals, with a current limit of 45 mA. The selected protocol induced a low level of injury and provided a high level of GFP expression. The chosen protocol was used to evaluate the immunogenicity of the DNA vaccine encoding the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 protein (pVAXrbd) injected by EP. It was shown that the delivery of pVAXrbd via EP significantly enhanced both specific humoral and cellular immune responses compared to the intramuscular injection of the DNA vaccine.
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Ramot Y, Kronfeld N, Ophir Y, Ezov N, Friedman S, Saloheimo M, Vitikainen M, Ben-Artzi H, Avigdor A, Tchelet R, Valbuena Crespo N, Emalfarb M, Nyska A. Toxicity and Local Tolerance of a Novel Spike Protein RBD Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2, Produced Using the C1 Thermothelomyces Heterothallica Protein Expression Platform. Toxicol Pathol 2022; 50:294-307. [PMID: 35514116 PMCID: PMC9128004 DOI: 10.1177/01926233221090518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and there is a growing demand for safe and effective vaccines. The thermophilic Thermothelomyces heterothallica filamentous fungal host, C1-cell, can be utilized as an expression platform for the rapid production of large quantities of antigens for developing vaccines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local tolerance and the systemic toxicity of a C1-cell expressed receptor-binding domain (C1-RBD) vaccine, following repeated weekly intramuscular injections (total of 4 administrations), in New Zealand White rabbits. The animals were sacrificed either 3 days or 3 weeks following the last dose. No signs of toxicity were observed, including no injection site reactions. ELISA studies revealed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in the sera of C1-RBD-treated animals starting from day 13 post injection, that were further elevated. Histopathology evaluation and immunohistochemical staining revealed follicular hyperplasia, consisting of B-cell type, in the spleen and inguinal lymph nodes of the treated animals that were sustained throughout the recovery phase. No local or systemic toxicity was observed. In conclusion, the SARS-CoV-2 C1-RBD vaccine candidate demonstrated an excellent safety profile and a lasting immunogenic response against receptor-binding domain, thus supporting its further development for use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Ramot
- The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Department of Dermatology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Yakir Ophir
- Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Nati Ezov
- Envigo CRS Israel Limited, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Hanna Ben-Artzi
- BTG-Biotechnology General (Israel) Ltd., Kiryat Malachi, Israel
| | - Avi Avigdor
- BTG-Biotechnology General (Israel) Ltd., Kiryat Malachi, Israel
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