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Zhang G, Wang P, Jiang L, Kong Y, Wang S, Li Y, Zhang S. Evaluation of the immunogenicity of a Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus vaccine candidate in mice developed based on a baculovirus Zera nanoparticle delivery system. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1126785. [PMID: 37323845 PMCID: PMC10267325 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1126785] [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: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic disease caused by Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), which can cause severe clinical disease and even death in humans. In recent years, the disease has spread to a wider area, posing a major public health threat to China as well as the Middle East, Europe and Africa, and there is no safe and effective vaccine to prevent the disease. Recently, it has been shown that using the Zera fusion to target proteins can enhance immunogenicity and improve the potential for developing viral vaccines. Based on this finding, in this study, two vaccine candidates, Zera-Gn and Zera-Np, were prepared using an insect baculovirus system expressing CCHFV glycoprotein (Gn) and nucleocapsid protein (Np) fused with Zera tags, and evaluated for immunogenicity in BALB/c mice. The obtainedresults showed that both Zera-Gn and Zera-Np recombinant nanoparticles were successfully expressed, and Zera-Gn had good induction of humoral and cellular immunity in mice, and its immunogenicity was significantly higher than that of Zera-Np. The results indicated that Zera-Gn self-assembled nanoparticles prepared by fusing Zera tags with CCHFV spike-in protein Gn have the potential to be a candidate vaccine for CCHF, and this study provides a reference for the development of Zera self-assembled nanoparticle vaccine for CCHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Pu Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Lingling Jiang
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yunyi Kong
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Yong Li
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
| | - Sinong Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, China
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2
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Adams A, Hendrikse M, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. Optimal size of DNA encapsidated by plant produced human papillomavirus pseudovirions. Virology 2023; 580:88-97. [PMID: 36801669 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.02.003] [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: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are known to be the cause of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers as well as genital and common warts. HPV pseudovirions (PsVs) are synthetic viral particles that are made up of the L1 major and L2 minor HPV capsid proteins and up to 8 Kb of encapsidated pseudogenome dsDNA. HPV PsVs are used to test novel neutralising antibodies elicited by vaccines, for studying the virus life cycle, and potentially for the delivery of therapeutic DNA vaccines. HPV PsVs are typically produced in mammalian cells, however, it has recently been shown that Papillomavirus PsVs can be produced in plants, a potentially safer, cheaper and more easily scalable means of production. We analysed the encapsidation frequencies of pseudogenomes expressing EGFP, ranging in size from 4.8 Kb to 7.8 Kb, by plant-made HPV-35 L1/L2 particles. The smaller pseudogenomes were found to be packaged more efficiently into PsVs as higher concentrations of encapsidated DNA and higher levels of EGFP expression were obtained with the 4.8 Kb pseudogenome, compared to the larger 5.8-7.8 Kb pseudogenomes. Thus, smaller pseudogenomes, of 4.8 Kb, should be used for efficient plant production of HPV-35 PsVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Adams
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Megan Hendrikse
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Inga I Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
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3
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Schwestka J, Zeh L, Tschofen M, Schubert F, Arcalis E, Esteve-Gasent M, Pedrazzini E, Vitale A, Stoger E. Generation of multi-layered protein bodies in N. benthamiana for the encapsulation of vaccine antigens. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1109270. [PMID: 36733717 PMCID: PMC9887037 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1109270] [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: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The ability of plants to assemble particulate structures such as virus-like particles and protein storage organelles allows the direct bioencapsulation of recombinant proteins during the manufacturing process, which holds promise for the development of new drug delivery vehicles. Storage organelles found in plants such as protein bodies (PBs) have been successfully used as tools for accumulation and encapsulation of recombinant proteins. The fusion of sequences derived from 27-kDa-γ-zein, a major storage protein of maize, with a protein of interest leads to the incorporation of the chimeric protein into the stable and protected environment inside newly induced PBs. While this procedure has proven successful for several, but not all recombinant proteins, the aim of this study was to refine the technology by using a combination of PB-forming proteins, thereby generating multi-layered protein assemblies in N. benthamiana. We used fluorescent proteins to demonstrate that up to three proteinaceous components can be incorporated into different layers. In addition to 27-kDa-γ-zein, which is essential for PB initiation, 16-kDa-γ-zein was identified as a key element to promote the incorporation of a third zein-component into the core of the PBs. We show that a vaccine antigen could be incorporated into the matrix of multi-layered PBs, and the protein microparticles were characterized by confocal and electron microscopy as well as flow cytometry. In future, this approach will enable the generation of designer PBs that serve as drug carriers and integrate multiple components that can be functionalized in different ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schwestka
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Zeh
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marc Tschofen
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Fabian Schubert
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elsa Arcalis
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Esteve-Gasent
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, College Station, TX, United States
| | - Emanuela Pedrazzini
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Milano, Italy
| | - Eva Stoger
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
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Harnessing the Potential of Plant Expression System towards the Production of Vaccines for the Prevention of Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10122064. [PMID: 36560473 PMCID: PMC9782824 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological malignant tumor worldwide, and it remains a major health problem among women, especially in developing countries. Despite the significant research efforts employed for tumor prevention, cervical cancer ranks as the leading cause of cancer death. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most important risk factor for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease, for which early detection could increase survival rates. Immunotherapies represent a promising approach in the treatment of cancer, and several potential candidates are in clinical trials, while some are available in the market. However, equal access to available HPV vaccines is limited due to their high cost, which remains a global challenge for cervical cancer prevention. The implementation of screening programs, disease control systems, and medical advancement in developed countries reduce the serious complications associated with the disease somewhat; however, the incidence and prevalence of cervical cancer in low-income and middle-income countries continues to gradually increase, making it the leading cause of mortality, largely due to the unaffordable and inaccessible anti-cancer therapeutic options. In recent years, plants have been considered as a cost-effective production system for the development of vaccines, therapeutics, and other biopharmaceuticals. Several proof-of-concept studies showed the possibility of producing recombinant biopharmaceuticals for cancer immunotherapy in a plant platform. This review summarizes the current knowledge and therapeutic options for the prevention of cervical cancer and discusses the potential of the plant expression platform to produce affordable HPV vaccines.
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Rozov SM, Deineko EV. Increasing the Efficiency of the Accumulation of Recombinant Proteins in Plant Cells: The Role of Transport Signal Peptides. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 11:2561. [PMID: 36235427 PMCID: PMC9572730 DOI: 10.3390/plants11192561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The problem with increasing the yield of recombinant proteins is resolvable using different approaches, including the transport of a target protein to cell compartments with a low protease activity. In the cell, protein targeting involves short-signal peptide sequences recognized by intracellular protein transport systems. The main systems of the protein transport across membranes of the endoplasmic reticulum and endosymbiotic organelles are reviewed here, as are the major types and structure of the signal sequences targeting proteins to the endoplasmic reticulum and its derivatives, to plastids, and to mitochondria. The role of protein targeting to certain cell organelles depending on specific features of recombinant proteins and the effect of this targeting on the protein yield are discussed, in addition to the main directions of the search for signal sequences based on their primary structure. This knowledge makes it possible not only to predict a protein localization in the cell but also to reveal the most efficient sequences with potential biotechnological utility.
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Ray S, Wirth DM, Ortega-Rivera OA, Steinmetz NF, Pokorski JK. Dissolving Microneedle Delivery of a Prophylactic HPV Vaccine. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:903-912. [PMID: 35139303 PMCID: PMC9831510 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.1c01345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Prophylactic vaccines capable of preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are still inaccessible to a vast majority of the global population due to their high cost and challenges related to multiple administrations performed in a medical setting. In an effort to improve distribution and administration, we have developed dissolvable microneedles loaded with a thermally stable HPV vaccine candidate consisting of Qβ virus-like particles (VLPs) displaying a highly conserved epitope from the L2 protein of HPV (Qβ-HPV). Polymeric microneedle delivery of Qβ-HPV produces similar amounts of anti-HPV16 L2 IgG antibodies compared to traditional subcutaneous injection while delivering a much smaller amount of intradermal dose. However, a dose sparing effect was found. Furthermore, immunization yielded neutralizing antibody responses in a HPV pseudovirus assay. The vaccine candidate was confirmed to be stable at room temperature after storage for several months, potentially mitigating many of the challenges associated with cold-chain distribution. The ease of self-administration and minimal invasiveness of such microneedle patch vaccines may enable wide-scale distribution of the HPV vaccine and lead to higher patient compliance. The Qβ VLP and its delivery technology is a plug-and-play system that could serve as a universal platform with a broad range of applications. Qβ VLPs may be stockpiled for conjugation to a wide range of epitopes, which are then packaged and delivered directly to the patient via noninvasive microneedle patches. Such a system paves the way for rapid distribution and self-administration of vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayoni Ray
- Department of NanoEngineering and Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - David M. Wirth
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Oscar A. Ortega-Rivera
- Department of NanoEngineering and Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, Department of Bioengineering, Department of Radiology, and Moores Cancer Center, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Jonathan K. Pokorski
- Department of NanoEngineering, Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, and Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla, California 92039, United States
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7
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Improving Protein Quantity and Quality—The Next Level of Plant Molecular Farming. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031326. [PMID: 35163249 PMCID: PMC8836236 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plants offer several unique advantages in the production of recombinant pharmaceuticals for humans and animals. Although numerous recombinant proteins have been expressed in plants, only a small fraction have been successfully put into use. The hugely distinct expression systems between plant and animal cells frequently cause insufficient yield of the recombinant proteins with poor or undesired activity. To overcome the issues that greatly constrain the development of plant-produced pharmaceuticals, great efforts have been made to improve expression systems and develop alternative strategies to increase both the quantity and quality of the recombinant proteins. Recent technological revolutions, such as targeted genome editing, deconstructed vectors, virus-like particles, and humanized glycosylation, have led to great advances in plant molecular farming to meet the industrial manufacturing and clinical application standards. In this review, we discuss the technological advances made in various plant expression platforms, with special focus on the upstream designs and milestone achievements in improving the yield and glycosylation of the plant-produced pharmaceutical proteins.
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He W, Baysal C, Lobato Gómez M, Huang X, Alvarez D, Zhu C, Armario‐Najera V, Blanco Perera A, Cerda Bennaser P, Saba‐Mayoral A, Sobrino‐Mengual G, Vargheese A, Abranches R, Alexandra Abreu I, Balamurugan S, Bock R, Buyel JF, da Cunha NB, Daniell H, Faller R, Folgado A, Gowtham I, Häkkinen ST, Kumar S, Sathish Kumar R, Lacorte C, Lomonossoff GP, Luís IM, K.‐C. Ma J, McDonald KA, Murad A, Nandi S, O’Keef B, Parthiban S, Paul MJ, Ponndorf D, Rech E, Rodrigues JC, Ruf S, Schillberg S, Schwestka J, Shah PS, Singh R, Stoger E, Twyman RM, Varghese IP, Vianna GR, Webster G, Wilbers RHP, Christou P, Oksman‐Caldentey K, Capell T. Contributions of the international plant science community to the fight against infectious diseases in humans-part 2: Affordable drugs in edible plants for endemic and re-emerging diseases. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2021; 19:1921-1936. [PMID: 34181810 PMCID: PMC8486237 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
The fight against infectious diseases often focuses on epidemics and pandemics, which demand urgent resources and command attention from the health authorities and media. However, the vast majority of deaths caused by infectious diseases occur in endemic zones, particularly in developing countries, placing a disproportionate burden on underfunded health systems and often requiring international interventions. The provision of vaccines and other biologics is hampered not only by the high cost and limited scalability of traditional manufacturing platforms based on microbial and animal cells, but also by challenges caused by distribution and storage, particularly in regions without a complete cold chain. In this review article, we consider the potential of molecular farming to address the challenges of endemic and re-emerging diseases, focusing on edible plants for the development of oral drugs. Key recent developments in this field include successful clinical trials based on orally delivered dried leaves of Artemisia annua against malarial parasite strains resistant to artemisinin combination therapy, the ability to produce clinical-grade protein drugs in leaves to treat infectious diseases and the long-term storage of protein drugs in dried leaves at ambient temperatures. Recent FDA approval of the first orally delivered protein drug encapsulated in plant cells to treat peanut allergy has opened the door for the development of affordable oral drugs that can be manufactured and distributed in remote areas without cold storage infrastructure and that eliminate the need for expensive purification steps and sterile delivery by injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenshu He
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Can Baysal
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Maria Lobato Gómez
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Xin Huang
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Derry Alvarez
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Changfu Zhu
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Victoria Armario‐Najera
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Aamaya Blanco Perera
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Pedro Cerda Bennaser
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Andrea Saba‐Mayoral
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | | | - Ashwin Vargheese
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
| | - Rita Abranches
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Isabel Alexandra Abreu
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Shanmugaraj Balamurugan
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Ralph Bock
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Johannes F. Buyel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for Molecular BiotechnologyRWTH Aachen UniversityAachenGermany
| | - Nicolau B. da Cunha
- Centro de Análise Proteômicas e Bioquímicas de BrasíliaUniversidade Católica de BrasíliaBrasíliaBrazil
| | - Henry Daniell
- School of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Roland Faller
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - André Folgado
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Iyappan Gowtham
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Suvi T. Häkkinen
- Industrial Biotechnology and Food SolutionsVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland LtdEspooFinland
| | - Shashi Kumar
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyNew DelhiIndia
| | - Ramalingam Sathish Kumar
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Cristiano Lacorte
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | | | - Ines M. Luís
- Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António XavierUniversidade Nova de LisboaOeirasPortugal
| | - Julian K.‐C. Ma
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Karen A. McDonald
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Global HealthShare InitiativeUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Andre Murad
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Somen Nandi
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Global HealthShare InitiativeUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Barry O’Keef
- Division of Cancer Treatment and DiagnosisMolecular Targets ProgramCenter for Cancer ResearchNational Cancer Institute, and Natural Products Branch, Developmental Therapeutics ProgramNational Cancer Institute, NIHFrederickMDUSA
| | - Subramanian Parthiban
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Mathew J. Paul
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Daniel Ponndorf
- Department of Biological ChemistryJohn Innes CentreNorwich Research Park, NorwichUK
| | - Elibio Rech
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Julio C.M. Rodrigues
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Stephanie Ruf
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant PhysiologyPotsdam‐GolmGermany
| | - Stefan Schillberg
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IMEAachenGermany
- Institute for PhytopathologyJustus‐Liebig‐University GiessenGiessenGermany
| | - Jennifer Schwestka
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Priya S. Shah
- Department of Chemical EngineeringUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular GeneticsUniversity of California, DavisDavisCAUSA
| | - Rahul Singh
- School of Dental MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Eva Stoger
- Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | | | - Inchakalody P. Varghese
- Plant Genetic Engineering LaboratoryDepartment of BiotechnologyBharathiar UniversityTamil NaduIndia
| | - Giovanni R. Vianna
- Brazilian Agriculture Research CorporationEmbrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and National Institute of Science and Technology Synthetic in Biology, Parque Estação BiológicaBrasiliaBrazil
| | - Gina Webster
- Institute for Infection and ImmunitySt. George’s University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Ruud H. P. Wilbers
- Laboratory of NematologyPlant Sciences GroupWageningen University and ResearchWageningenThe Netherlands
| | - Paul Christou
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
- ICREACatalan Institute for Research and Advanced StudiesBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Teresa Capell
- Department of Crop and Forest SciencesUniversity of Lleida‐Agrotecnio CERCA CenterLleidaSpain
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9
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Microparticles and Nanoparticles from Plants-The Benefits of Bioencapsulation. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040369. [PMID: 33920425 PMCID: PMC8069552 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficacy of drugs and vaccines depends on their stability and ability to interact with their targets in vivo. Many drugs benefit from encapsulation, which protects them from harsh conditions and allows targeted delivery and controlled release. Although many encapsulation methods are inexpensive, such as the formulation of tablets for oral delivery, others require complex procedures that add significantly to production costs and require low-temperature transport and storage, making them inaccessible in developing countries. In this review we consider the benefits of encapsulation technologies based on plants. Plant-derived biopolymers such as starch and the maize storage protein zein are already used as protective coatings, but plant cells used as production host provide natural in vivo bioencapsulation that survives passage through the stomach and releases drugs in the intestine, due to the presence of microbes that can digest the cell wall. Proteins can also be encapsulated in subcellular compartments such as protein bodies, which ensure stability and activity while often conferring additional immunomodulatory effects. Finally, we consider the incorporation of drugs and vaccines into plant-derived nanoparticles assembled from the components of viruses. These are extremely versatile, allowing the display of epitopes and targeting peptides as well as carrying cargoes of drugs and imaging molecules.
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Dorostkar F, Arashkia A, Roohvand F, Shoja Z, Navari M, Mashhadi Abolghasem Shirazi M, Shahosseini Z, Farahmand M, Shams Nosrati MS, Jalilvand S. Co-administration of 2'3'-cGAMP STING activator and CpG-C adjuvants with a mutated form of HPV 16 E7 protein leads to tumor growth inhibition in the mouse model. Infect Agent Cancer 2021; 16:7. [PMID: 33499895 PMCID: PMC7836183 DOI: 10.1186/s13027-021-00346-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent infection with high-risk genotypes of human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The HPV oncoprotein E7 is constitutively expressed in cervical cancer and considered as an essential target for tumor-specific immunity. The goal of this study was to develop a candidate therapeutic vaccine based on the mutated E7 protein that had possibly reduced transformation capacity while was able to elicit a robust immune response. Therefore, the mutant type of HPV 16 E7 (E7GRG) protein was recombinantly expressed in E. coli. The protein was then purified and formulated with 2’-3’cGAMP CDN and/or CpG-C ODN adjuvants and subcutaneously injected to female C57BL/6 mice. To evaluate the immunogenic response, lymphocyte proliferation, secretion levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 cytokines, granzyme B level, and total IgG and subclasses of IgG antibody were measured. The anti-tumor activity was evaluated in tumor-harboring C57BL/6 mice. The highest rate of cell proliferation, IFN-γ and granzyme B levels, and amount of IgG antibody were found in mice group that were injected by E7GRG + 2′-3′cGAMP + CpG-C. Therapeutic immunization with E7GRG + 2′-3′cGAMP + CpG-C also significantly suppressed TC-1 tumor growth in mice. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that E7GRG + 2′-3′cGAMP + CpG-C induced strong cell-mediated and humoral immune responses that resulted in inhibition of tumor in mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fariba Dorostkar
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 14155, Tehran, Iran
| | - Arash Arashkia
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Farzin Roohvand
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zabihollah Shoja
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Navari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | | | - Zahra Shahosseini
- Department of Molecular Virology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Farahmand
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 14155, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Somayeh Jalilvand
- Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, 14155, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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Franconi R, Massa S, Paolini F, Vici P, Venuti A. Plant-Derived Natural Compounds in Genetic Vaccination and Therapy for HPV-Associated Cancers. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113101. [PMID: 33114220 PMCID: PMC7690868 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary DNA vaccination represents a useful approach for human papillomavirus (HPV) cancer therapy. The therapeutic potential of plant-based natural compounds for control of HPV- associated cancers has been also widely explored. Genetic vaccines for HPV-associated tumors that include plant protein-encoding gene sequences, used alone or in combinations with plant metabolites, are being investigated but are still in their infancy. Main focus of this paper is to provide an overview of the current state of novel therapeutic strategies employing genetic vaccines along with plant-derived compounds and genes. We highlight the importance of multimodality treatment regimen such as combining immunotherapy with plant-derived agents. Abstract Antigen-specific immunotherapy and, in particular, DNA vaccination provides an established approach for tackling human papillomavirus (HPV) cancers at different stages. DNA vaccines are stable and have a cost-effective production. Their intrinsic low immunogenicity has been improved by several strategies with some success, including fusion of HPV antigens with plant gene sequences. Another approach for the control of HPV cancers is the use of natural immunomodulatory agents like those derived from plants, that are able to interfere in carcinogenesis by modulating many different cellular pathways and, in some instances, to reduce chemo- and radiotherapy resistance of tumors. Indeed, plant-derived compounds represent, in many cases, an abundantly available, cost-effective source of molecules that can be either harvested directly in nature or obtained from plant cell cultures. In this review, an overview of the most relevant data reported in literature on the use of plant natural compounds and genetic vaccines that include plant-derived sequences against HPV tumors is provided. The purpose is also to highlight the still under-explored potential of multimodal treatments implying DNA vaccination along with plant-derived agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosella Franconi
- Division of Health Protection Technology, Department for Sustainability, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development, ENEA, 00123 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.F.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-06-3048-4482 (R.F.); +39-06-3048-4052 (S.M.)
| | - Silvia Massa
- Division of Biotechnology and Agroindustry, Department for Sustainability, ENEA, 00123 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: (R.F.); (S.M.); Tel.: +39-06-3048-4482 (R.F.); +39-06-3048-4052 (S.M.)
| | - Francesca Paolini
- HPV-UNIT—UOSD Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.V.)
| | - Patrizia Vici
- Division of Medical Oncology B, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy;
| | - Aldo Venuti
- HPV-UNIT—UOSD Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144 Rome, Italy; (F.P.); (A.V.)
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12
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Plastid Transformation: How Does it Work? Can it Be Applied to Crops? What Can it Offer? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144854. [PMID: 32659946 PMCID: PMC7402345 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, plant genetic engineering has advanced agriculture in terms of crop improvement, stress and disease resistance, and pharmaceutical biosynthesis. Cells from land plants and algae contain three organelles that harbor DNA: the nucleus, plastid, and mitochondria. Although the most common approach for many plant species is the introduction of foreign DNA into the nucleus (nuclear transformation) via Agrobacterium- or biolistics-mediated delivery of transgenes, plastid transformation offers an alternative means for plant transformation. Since there are many copies of the chloroplast genome in each cell, higher levels of protein accumulation can often be achieved from transgenes inserted in the chloroplast genome compared to the nuclear genome. Chloroplasts are therefore becoming attractive hosts for the introduction of new agronomic traits, as well as for the biosynthesis of high-value pharmaceuticals, biomaterials and industrial enzymes. This review provides a comprehensive historical and biological perspective on plastid transformation, with a focus on current and emerging approaches such as the use of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as DNA delivery vehicles, overexpressing morphogenic regulators to enhance regeneration ability, applying genome editing techniques to accelerate double-stranded break formation, and reconsidering protoplasts as a viable material for plastid genome engineering, even in transformation-recalcitrant species.
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13
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Ximba P, Chapman R, Meyers AE, Margolin E, van Diepen MT, Williamson AL, Rybicki EP. Characterization and Immunogenicity of HIV Envelope gp140 Zera ® Tagged Antigens. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:321. [PMID: 32328488 PMCID: PMC7160593 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) remains the most relevant target for the elicitation of functional antibodies to HIV by vaccination. However, soluble Env antigens often do not elicit the desired immune responses. Delivering subunit antigens on particulate nanoparticles is an established approach to improve their immunogenicity. In this study the sequence encoding Zera®, a proline-rich domain derived from the γ-zein storage protein, was fused to either the C- or N-terminus of the superinfecting HIV-1 CAP256 gp140 envelope: Zera® generally induces the formation of protein bodies (PBs), which can significantly improve both the immunogenicity and yields of the partner protein. The expression of gp140-Zera® and Zera®-gp140 (N- and C-terminal fusions respectively) in mammalian cells was confirmed by western blot analysis and immunostaining. However, isopycnic ultracentrifugation showed that neither gp140-Zera® nor Zera®-gp140 accumulated in characteristic electron-dense PBs. gp140-Zera® elicited higher binding antibody titers in rabbits to autologous gp140 and V1V2 scaffold than Zera®-gp140. Rabbit anti-gp140-Zera® sera also had significantly higher Tier 1A neutralizing antibody titers than anti-Zera®-gp140 sera. Neither gp140-Zera® nor Zera®-gp140-specific sera neutralized Tier 1B or autologous Tier 2 viruses. These results showed that HIV-1 gp140 tagged with Zera® at either the N- or C-termini elicited high titers of gp140 and V1V2 binding antibodies, and low levels of Tier 1 neutralizing antibodies in rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phindile Ximba
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Rosamund Chapman
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ann E Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michiel T van Diepen
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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14
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Schwestka J, Tschofen M, Vogt S, Marcel S, Grillari J, Raith M, Swoboda I, Stoger E. Plant-derived protein bodies as delivery vehicles for recombinant proteins into mammalian cells. Biotechnol Bioeng 2020; 117:1037-1047. [PMID: 31956981 PMCID: PMC7079162 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2019] [Revised: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The encapsulation of biopharmaceuticals into micro- or nanoparticles is a strategy frequently used to prevent degradation or to achieve the slow release of therapeutics and vaccines. Protein bodies (PBs), which occur naturally as storage organelles in seeds, can be used as such carrier vehicles. The fusion of the N-terminal sequence of the maize storage protein, γ-zein, to other proteins is sufficient to induce the formation of PBs, which can be used to bioencapsulate recombinant proteins directly in the plant production host. In addition, the immunostimulatory effects of zein have been reported, which are advantageous for vaccine delivery. However, little is known about the interaction between zein PBs and mammalian cells. To better understand this interaction, fluorescent PBs, resulting from the fusion of the N-terminal portion of zein to a green fluorescent protein, was produced in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves, recovered by a filtration-based downstream procedure, and used to investigate their internalization efficiency into mammalian cells. We show that fluorescent PBs were efficiently internalized into intestinal epithelial cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs) at a higher rate than polystyrene beads of comparable size. Furthermore, we observed that PBs stimulated cytokine secretion by epithelial cells, a characteristic that may confer vaccine adjuvant activities through the recruitment of APCs. Taken together, these results support the use of zein fusion proteins in developing novel approaches for drug delivery based on controlled protein packaging into plant PBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Schwestka
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Marc Tschofen
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Stefan Vogt
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular BiotechnologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | | | - Johannes Grillari
- Department of Biotechnology, Institute of Molecular BiotechnologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Biotechnology of Skin AgingUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical TraumatologyViennaAustria
| | - Marianne Raith
- Biotechnology Section, FH Campus WienUniversity of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna BiocenterViennaAustria
| | - Ines Swoboda
- Biotechnology Section, FH Campus WienUniversity of Applied Sciences Campus Vienna BiocenterViennaAustria
| | - Eva Stoger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
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15
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Chabeda A, Yanez RJR, Lamprecht R, Meyers AE, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. Therapeutic vaccines for high-risk HPV-associated diseases. PAPILLOMAVIRUS RESEARCH (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2018; 5:46-58. [PMID: 29277575 PMCID: PMC5887015 DOI: 10.1016/j.pvr.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Revised: 12/13/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and it is estimated that Human papillomavirus (HPV) related cancers account for 5% of all human cancers. Current HPV vaccines are extremely effective at preventing infection and neoplastic disease; however, they are prophylactic and do not clear established infections. Therapeutic vaccines which trigger cell-mediated immune responses for the treatment of established infections and malignancies are therefore required. The E6 and E7 early genes are ideal targets for vaccine therapy due to their role in disruption of the cell cycle and their constitutive expression in premalignant and malignant tissues. Several strategies have been investigated for the development of therapeutic vaccines, including live-vector, nucleic acid, peptide, protein-based and cell-based vaccines as well as combinatorial approaches, with several vaccine candidates progressing to clinical trials. With the current understanding of the HPV life cycle, molecular mechanisms of infection, carcinogenesis, tumour biology, the tumour microenvironment and immune response mechanisms, an approved HPV therapeutic vaccine seems to be a goal not far from being achieved. In this article, the status of therapeutic HPV vaccines in clinical trials are reviewed, and the potential for plant-based vaccine production platforms described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleyo Chabeda
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Romana J R Yanez
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Renate Lamprecht
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Ann E Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa
| | - Inga I Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch 7701, South Africa.
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16
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Yanez RJR, Lamprecht R, Granadillo M, Torrens I, Arcalís E, Stöger E, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. LALF 32-51 -E7, a HPV-16 therapeutic vaccine candidate, forms protein body-like structures when expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 16:628-637. [PMID: 28733985 PMCID: PMC5787834 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause cervical cancer, and while there are good prophylactic vaccines on the market, these are ineffective against established infections, creating a clear need for therapeutic vaccines. The HPV E7 protein is one of the essential oncoproteins for the onset and maintenance of malignancy and is therefore an ideal therapeutic vaccine target. We fused the HPV-16 E7 protein to the Limulus polyphemus antilipopolysaccharide factor (LALF32-51 ), a small hydrophobic peptide that can penetrate cell membranes and that has immunomodulatory properties. LALF32-51 -E7 was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana, and we previously determined that it accumulated better when targeted to chloroplasts compared to being localized in the cytoplasm. Subsequently, we aimed to prove whether LALF32-51 -E7 was indeed associated with the chloroplasts by determining its subcellular localization. The LALF32-51 -E7 gene was fused to one encoding enhanced GFP to generate a LG fusion protein, and localization was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fluorescence observed from chloroplast-targeted LG was distinctively different from that of the cytoplasmic LG. Small spherical structures resembling protein bodies (PBs) were seen that clearly localized with the chloroplasts. Larger but less abundant PB-like structures were also seen for the cytoplasmic LG. PB-like structure formation was confirmed for both LG and LALF32-51 -E7 by TEM. LALF32-51 -E7 was indeed targeted to the chloroplasts by the chloroplast transit peptide used in this study, and it formed aggregated PB-like structures. This study could open a new avenue for the use of LALF32-51 as a PB-inducing peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana J. R. Yanez
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Renate Lamprecht
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | - Isis Torrens
- Center for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyHavanaCuba
| | - Elsa Arcalís
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Eva Stöger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Inga I. Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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17
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George RS, Lewis DR, Archibald CW, Heathcote G. Bilateral HPV Positive Squamous Cell Carcinoma In Situ of Conjunctiva. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg 2018. [DOI: 10.1097/iop.0000000000000947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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18
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Yanez RJR, Lamprecht R, Granadillo M, Weber B, Torrens I, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. Expression optimization of a cell membrane-penetrating human papillomavirus type 16 therapeutic vaccine candidate in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183177. [PMID: 28800364 PMCID: PMC5553638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (hr-HPVs) cause cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. A HPV-16 candidate therapeutic vaccine, LALF32-51-E7, was developed by fusing a modified E7 protein to a bacterial cell-penetrating peptide (LALF): this elicited both tumour protection and regression in pre-clinical immunization studies. In the current study, we investigated the potential for producing LALF32-51-E7 in a plant expression system by evaluating the effect of subcellular localization and usage of different expression vectors and gene silencing suppressors. The highest expression levels of LALF32-51-E7 were obtained by using a self-replicating plant expression vector and chloroplast targeting, which increased its accumulation by 27-fold compared to cytoplasmic localization. The production and extraction of LALF32-51-E7 was scaled-up and purification optimized by affinity chromatography. If further developed, this platform could potentially allow for the production of a more affordable therapeutic vaccine for HPV-16. This would be extremely relevant in the context of developing countries, where cervical cancer and other HPV-related malignancies are most prevalent, and where the population have limited or no access to preventative vaccines due to their typical high costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana J. R. Yanez
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Renate Lamprecht
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Milaid Granadillo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cubanacan, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Brandon Weber
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Isis Torrens
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cubanacan, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inga I. Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
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19
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van Zyl AR, Meyers AE, Rybicki EP. Development of plant-produced protein body vaccine candidates for bluetongue virus. BMC Biotechnol 2017; 17:47. [PMID: 28558675 PMCID: PMC5450216 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-017-0370-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bluetongue is a disease of domestic and wild ruminants caused by bluetongue virus serotypes (BTV), which have caused serious outbreaks worldwide. Commercially available vaccines are live-attenuated or inactivated virus strains: these are effective, but there is the risk of reversion to virulence or reassortment with circulating strains for live virus, and residual live virus for the inactivated vaccines. The live-attenuated virus vaccines are not able to distinguish naturally infected animals from vaccinated animals (DIVA compliant). Recombinant vaccines are preferable to minimize the risks associated with these vaccines, and would also enable the development of candidate vaccines that are DIVA-compliant. RESULTS In this study, two novel protein body (PB) plant-produced vaccines were developed, Zera®-VP2ep and Zera®-VP2. Zera®-VP2ep contained B-cell epitope sequences of multiple BTV serotypes and Zera®-VP2 contained the full-length BTV-8 VP2 codon-optimised sequence. In addition to fulfilling the DIVA requirement, Zera®-VP2ep was aimed at being multivalent with the ability to stimulate an immune response to several BTV serotypes. Both these candidate vaccines were successfully made in N. benthamiana via transient Agrobacterium-mediated expression, and in situ TEM analysis showed that the expressed proteins accumulated within the cytoplasm of plant cells in dense membrane-defined PBs. The peptide sequences included in Zera®-VP2ep contained epitopes that bound antibodies produced against native VP2. Preliminary murine immunogenicity studies showed that the PB vaccine candidates elicited anti-VP2 immune responses in mice without the use of adjuvant. CONCLUSIONS These proof of concept results demonstrate that Zera®-VP2ep and Zera®-VP2 have potential as BTV vaccines and their development should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albertha R. van Zyl
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa
| | - Ann E. Meyers
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
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20
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Plant-Based Peroral Vaccines. MULTIFUNCTIONAL SYSTEMS FOR COMBINED DELIVERY, BIOSENSING AND DIAGNOSTICS 2017. [PMCID: PMC7152130 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-52725-5.00010-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Data about the development of plant-made peroral vaccines are stated on the base of transgenic plants. Different aspects of plant made vaccines (PMV) with their peculiarities and with a plethora of advantages are discussed, in comparison with traditional vaccines. The results disclosing the characteristics of the creation of PMV of both preventive and therapeutic actions are presented. The role of regulatory genes in the increase of the production of antigenic proteins, and in the activation of the glycosylation that enhances the efficiency of PMV, is discussed, according to preventive and therapeutic vaccines and plantibodies.
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21
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Rybicki E. From plant virology to vaccinology: The road less travelled. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 11:2517-21. [PMID: 26553154 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1092751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Edward Rybicki
- a Biopharming Research Unit; Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine; University of Cape Town ; Cape Town , South Africa
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22
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Investigation the Possibility of Using Peptides with a Helical Repeating Pattern of Hydro-Phobic and Hydrophilic Residues to Inhibit IL-10. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0153939. [PMID: 27100390 PMCID: PMC4839630 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0153939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Blockade of IL-10 signalling clears chronic viral and bacterial infections. Immunization together with blockade of IL-10 signalling or relatively low level of IL-10 further enhances viral and bacterial clearance. IL-10 functions through binding to interleukin 10 receptor (IL-10R). Here we showed that peptides P1 and P2 with the hydrophobic and hydrophilic pattern of the IL10R-binding helix in IL-10 could bind with either IL-10R1 or IL-10, and inhibit inflammatory signals with long duration and negligible cytotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, P2 can enhance antigen specific CD8+ T cell responses in mice induced by the vaccine based on a long peptide of protein E7 in a human papillomavirus type 16.
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23
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The case for plant-made veterinary immunotherapeutics. Biotechnol Adv 2016; 34:597-604. [PMID: 26875776 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2016.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2015] [Revised: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The excessive use of antibiotics in food animal production has contributed to resistance in pathogenic bacteria, thereby triggering regulations and consumer demands to limit their use. Alternatives for disease control are therefore required that are cost-effective and compatible with intensive production. While vaccines are widely used and effective, they are available against a minority of animal diseases, and development of novel vaccines and other immunotherapeutics is therefore needed. Production of such proteins recombinantly in plants can provide products that are effective and safe, can be orally administered with minimal processing, and are easily scalable with a relatively low capital investment. The present report thus advocates the use of plants for producing vaccines and antibodies to protect farm animals from diseases that have thus far been managed with antibiotics; and highlights recent advances in product efficacy, competitiveness, and regulatory approval.
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24
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Hofbauer A, Melnik S, Tschofen M, Arcalis E, Phan HT, Gresch U, Lampel J, Conrad U, Stoger E. The Encapsulation of Hemagglutinin in Protein Bodies Achieves a Stronger Immune Response in Mice than the Soluble Antigen. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:142. [PMID: 26909090 PMCID: PMC4754457 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 01/27/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Zein is a water-insoluble polymer from maize seeds that has been widely used to produce carrier particles for the delivery of therapeutic molecules. We encapsulated a recombinant model vaccine antigen in newly formed zein bodies in planta by generating a fusion construct comprising the ectodomain of hemagglutinin subtype 5 and the N-terminal part of γ-zein. The chimeric protein was transiently produced in tobacco leaves, and H5-containing protein bodies (PBs) were used to immunize mice. An immune response was achieved in all mice treated with H5-zein, even at low doses. The fusion to zein markedly enhanced the IgG response compared the soluble H5 control, and the effect was similar to a commercial adjuvant. The co-administration of adjuvants with the H5-zein bodies did not enhance the immune response any further, suggesting that the zein portion itself mediates an adjuvant effect. While the zein portion used to induce protein body formation was only weakly immunogenic, our results indicate that zein-induced PBs are promising production and delivery vehicles for subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hofbauer
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Austria
| | - Stanislav Melnik
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Austria
| | - Marc Tschofen
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Austria
| | - Elsa Arcalis
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Austria
| | - Hoang T. Phan
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant ResearchGatersleben, Germany
| | - Ulrike Gresch
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant ResearchGatersleben, Germany
| | - Johannes Lampel
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Austria
| | - Udo Conrad
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant ResearchGatersleben, Germany
| | - Eva Stoger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life SciencesVienna, Austria
- *Correspondence: Eva Stoger, .
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Mbewana S, Mortimer E, Pêra FFPG, Hitzeroth II, Rybicki EP. Production of H5N1 Influenza Virus Matrix Protein 2 Ectodomain Protein Bodies in Tobacco Plants and in Insect Cells as a Candidate Universal Influenza Vaccine. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2015; 3:197. [PMID: 26697423 PMCID: PMC4672040 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2015.00197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of influenza A viruses is partially controlled and prevented by vaccination. The matrix protein 2 ectodomain (M2e) is the most conserved sequence in influenza A viruses, and is therefore a good potential target for a vaccine to protect against multiple virus subtypes. We explored the feasibility of an M2e-based universal influenza A vaccine candidate based on the highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus, H5N1. A synthetic M2e gene was human- and plant-codon optimized and fused in-frame with a sequence encoding the N-terminal proline-rich domain (Zera(®)) of the γ-zein protein of maize. Zera(®)M2e was expressed transiently in Nicotiana benthamiana and Sf21 baculovirus/insect cell expression systems, and Zera(®)M2e protein bodies (PBs) were successfully produced in both expression systems. The plant-produced Zera(®)M2e PBs were purified and injected into Balb/c mice. Western blot analysis using insect cell-produced Zera(®)M2e PBs and multiple tandem M2e sequences (5xM2e) fused with the avian influenza H5N1 transmembrane and cytosolic tail (5xM2e_tHA) confirmed the presence of M2e-specific antibodies in immunized mice sera. The immunogenicity of the Zera(®)M2e indicates that our plant-produced protein has potential as an inexpensive universal influenza A vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandiswa Mbewana
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town , Rondebosch , South Africa
| | - Elizabeth Mortimer
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town , Rondebosch , South Africa
| | - Francisco F P G Pêra
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town , Rondebosch , South Africa
| | - Inga Isabel Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town , Rondebosch , South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town , Rondebosch , South Africa ; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Heath Science, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
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Venuti A, Curzio G, Mariani L, Paolini F. Immunotherapy of HPV-associated cancer: DNA/plant-derived vaccines and new orthotopic mouse models. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2015; 64:1329-38. [PMID: 26138695 PMCID: PMC4554738 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-015-1734-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 06/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Under the optimistic assumption of high-prophylactic HPV vaccine coverage, a significant reduction of cancer incidence can only be expected after decades. Thus, immune therapeutic strategies are needed for persistently infected individuals who do not benefit from the prophylactic vaccines. However, the therapeutic strategies inducing immunity to the E6 and/or E7 oncoprotein of HPV16 are more effective for curing HPV-expressing tumours in animal models than for treating human cancers. New strategies/technologies have been developed to improve these therapeutic vaccines. Our studies focussed on preparing therapeutic vaccines with low-cost technologies by DNA preparation fused to either plant-virus or plant-toxin genes, such as saporin, and by plant-produced antigens. In particular, plant-derived antigens possess an intrinsic adjuvant activity that makes these preparations especially attractive for future development. Additionally, discrepancy in vaccine effectiveness between animals and humans may be due to non-orthotopic localization of animal models. Orthotopic transplantation leads to tumours giving a more accurate representation of the parent tumour. Since HPV can cause cancer in two main localizations, anogenital and oropharynx area, we developed two orthotopic tumour mouse models in these two sites. Both models are bioluminescent in order to follow up the tumour growth by imaging and are induced by cell injection without the need to intervene surgically. These models were utilized for immunotherapies with genetic or plant-derived therapeutic vaccines. In particular, the head/neck orthotopic model appears to be very promising for studies combining chemo-radio-immune therapy that seems to be very effective in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Venuti
- HPV-UNIT, Laboratory of Virology, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via E. Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy,
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Rosales-Mendoza S, Govea-Alonso DO. The potential of plants for the production and delivery of human papillomavirus vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2015; 14:1031-41. [PMID: 25882610 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.2015.1037744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The available vaccines against human papillomavirus have some limitations such as low coverage due to their high cost, reduced immune coverage and the lack of therapeutic effects. Recombinant vaccines produced in plants (genetically engineered using stable or transient expression systems) offer the possibility to obtain low cost, efficacious and easy to administer vaccines. The status on the development of plant-based vaccines against human papillomavirus is analyzed and placed in perspective in this review. Some candidates have been characterized at a preclinical level with interesting outcomes. However, there is a need to perform the immunological characterization of several vaccine prototypes, especially through the oral administration route, as well as develop new candidates based on new chimeric designs intended to provide broader immunoprotection and therapeutic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Laboratorio de Biofarmacéuticos Recombinantes, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP, 78210, México, USA
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28
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Bissa M, Illiano E, Pacchioni S, Paolini F, Zanotto C, De Giuli Morghen C, Massa S, Franconi R, Radaelli A, Venuti A. A prime/boost strategy using DNA/fowlpox recombinants expressing the genetically attenuated E6 protein as a putative vaccine against HPV-16-associated cancers. J Transl Med 2015; 13:80. [PMID: 25763880 PMCID: PMC4351974 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-015-0437-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Considering the high number of new cases of cervical cancer each year that are caused by human papilloma viruses (HPVs), the development of an effective vaccine for prevention and therapy of HPV-associated cancers, and in particular against the high-risk HPV-16 genotype, remains a priority. Vaccines expressing the E6 and E7 proteins that are detectable in all HPV-positive pre-cancerous and cancer cells might support the treatment of HPV-related lesions and clear already established tumors. METHODS In this study, DNA and fowlpox virus recombinants expressing the E6F47R mutant of the HPV-16 E6 oncoprotein were generated, and their correct expression verified by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Immunization protocols were tested in a preventive or therapeutic pre-clinical mouse model of HPV-16 tumorigenicity using heterologous (DNA/FP) or homologous (DNA/DNA and FP/FP) prime/boost regimens. The immune responses and therapeutic efficacy were evaluated by ELISA, ELISPOT assays, and challenge with TC-1* cells. RESULTS In the preventive protocol, while an anti-E6-specific humoral response was just detectable, a specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell response was elicited in immunized mice. After the challenge, there was a delay in cancer appearance and a significant reduction of tumor volume in the two groups of E6-immunized mice, thus confirming the pivotal role of the CD8(+) T-cell response in the control of tumor growth in the absence of E6-specific antibodies. In the therapeutic protocol, in-vivo experiments resulted in a higher number of tumor-free mice after the homologous DNA/DNA or heterologous DNA/FP immunization. CONCLUSIONS These data establish a preliminary indication for the prevention and treatment of HPV-related tumors by the use of DNA and avipox constructs as safe and effective immunogens following a prime/boost strategy. The combined use of recombinants expressing both E6 and E7 proteins might improve the antitumor efficacy, and should represent an important approach to control HPV-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Bissa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Elena Illiano
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sole Pacchioni
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Paolini
- Laboratory of Virology HPV-UNIT, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
| | - Carlo Zanotto
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Carlo De Giuli Morghen
- Department of Medical Biotechnologies and Translational Medicine, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy. .,Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Section, CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Silvia Massa
- Technical Unit of Radiation Biology and Human Health, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Rome, Italy.
| | - Rosella Franconi
- Technical Unit of Radiation Biology and Human Health, Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA), Casaccia Research Centre, Rome, Italy.
| | - Antonia Radaelli
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy. .,Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology Section, CNR Institute of Neurosciences, Università di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Aldo Venuti
- Laboratory of Virology HPV-UNIT, Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy.
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29
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Sack M, Hofbauer A, Fischer R, Stoger E. The increasing value of plant-made proteins. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2015; 32:163-170. [PMID: 25578557 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2014.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The production of high-value proteins in plants is maturing, as shown by the recent approval of innovative products and the latest studies that showcase plant-based production systems using technologies and approaches that are well established in other fields. These include host cell engineering, medium optimization, scalable unit operations for downstream processing (DSP), bioprocess optimization and detailed cost analysis. Product-specific benefits of plant-based systems have also been exploited, including bioencapsulation and the mucosal delivery of minimally processed topical and oral products with a lower entry barrier than pharmaceuticals for injection. Success stories spearheaded by the FDA approval of Elelyso developed by Protalix have revitalized the field and further interest has been fueled by the production of experimental Ebola treatments in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Sack
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen, Germany
| | - Anna Hofbauer
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rainer Fischer
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen, Germany; Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology (IME), Aachen, Germany
| | - Eva Stoger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria.
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30
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Hofbauer A, Peters J, Arcalis E, Rademacher T, Lampel J, Eudes F, Vitale A, Stoger E. The Induction of Recombinant Protein Bodies in Different Subcellular Compartments Reveals a Cryptic Plastid-Targeting Signal in the 27-kDa γ-Zein Sequence. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2014; 2:67. [PMID: 25566533 PMCID: PMC4263181 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2014.00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2014] [Accepted: 11/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Naturally occurring storage proteins such as zeins are used as fusion partners for recombinant proteins because they induce the formation of ectopic storage organelles known as protein bodies (PBs) where the proteins are stabilized by intermolecular interactions and the formation of disulfide bonds. Endogenous PBs are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we have used different targeting sequences to determine whether ectopic PBs composed of the N-terminal portion of mature 27 kDa γ-zein added to a fluorescent protein could be induced to form elsewhere in the cell. The addition of a transit peptide for targeting to plastids causes PB formation in the stroma, whereas in the absence of any added targeting sequence PBs were typically associated with the plastid envelope, revealing the presence of a cryptic plastid-targeting signal within the γ-zein cysteine-rich domain. The subcellular localization of the PBs influences their morphology and the solubility of the stored recombinant fusion protein. Our results indicate that the biogenesis and budding of PBs does not require ER-specific factors and therefore, confirm that γ-zein is a versatile fusion partner for recombinant proteins offering unique opportunities for the accumulation and bioencapsulation of recombinant proteins in different subcellular compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hofbauer
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences , Vienna , Austria
| | - Jenny Peters
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences , Vienna , Austria
| | - Elsa Arcalis
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences , Vienna , Austria
| | - Thomas Rademacher
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University , Aachen , Germany
| | - Johannes Lampel
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences , Vienna , Austria
| | - François Eudes
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada , Lethbridge, AB , Canada
| | - Alessandro Vitale
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology, National Research Council (CNR) , Milan , Italy
| | - Eva Stoger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences , Vienna , Austria
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31
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Abstract
Plant-made or "biofarmed" viral vaccines are some of the earliest products of the technology of plant molecular farming, and remain some of the brightest prospects for the success of this field. Proofs of principle and of efficacy exist for many candidate viral veterinary vaccines; the use of plant-made viral antigens and of monoclonal antibodies for therapy of animal and even human viral disease is also well established. This review explores some of the more prominent recent advances in the biofarming of viral vaccines and therapies, including the recent use of ZMapp for Ebolavirus infection, and explores some possible future applications of the technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular & Cell Biology and Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Private Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7701, Cape Town, South Africa.
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