1
|
Romero-Cruz VA, Ramos-Ligonio A, García-Alejandro K, Cerecedo-García M, Lagunes-Castro MDLS, López-Monteon A. Immunization of recombinant NS3 protein (protease region) of dengue virus induces high levels of CTLA-4 and apoptosis in splenocytes of BALB/c mice. Virus Genes 2024:10.1007/s11262-024-02095-2. [PMID: 39102085 DOI: 10.1007/s11262-024-02095-2] [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: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
DENV infection outcomes depend on the host's variable expression of immune receptors and mediators, leading to either resolution or exacerbation. While the NS3 protein is known to induce robust immune responses, the specific impact of its protease region epitopes remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of recombinant NS3 protease region proteins from all four DENV serotypes on splenocyte activation in BALB/c mice (n = 5/group). Mice were immunized with each protein, and their splenocytes were subsequently stimulated with homologous antigens. We measured the expression of costimulatory molecules (CD28, CD80, CD86, CD152) by flow cytometry, along with IL-2 production, CD25 expression, and examined the antigen-specific activation of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells. Additionally, the expression of IL-1, IL-10, and TGF-β1 in splenocytes from immunized animals was assessed. Apoptosis was evaluated using Annexin V/PI staining and DNA fragmentation analysis. Stimulation of splenocytes from immunized mice triggered apoptosis (phosphatidylserine exposure and caspase 3/7 activation) and increased costimulatory molecule expression, particularly CD152. Low IL-2 production and low CD25 expression, as well as sustained expression of the IL-10 gene. These results suggest that these molecules might be involved in mechanisms by which the NS3 protein contributes to viral persistence and disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Adolfo Romero-Cruz
- Doctorado en Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Veracruzana, Luis Castelazo, Animas, 91190, Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Angel Ramos-Ligonio
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Edificio D, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6 No. 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, 94340, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Karen García-Alejandro
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Edificio D, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6 No. 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, 94340, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
- Maestría en Procesos Biológicos, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6 No. 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, 94340, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Melissa Cerecedo-García
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Edificio D, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6 No. 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, 94340, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
- Maestría en Procesos Biológicos, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6 No. 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, 94340, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - María de la Soledad Lagunes-Castro
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Edificio D, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6 No. 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, 94340, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico
| | - Aracely López-Monteon
- LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Edificio D, Universidad Veracruzana, Prolongación de Oriente 6 No. 1009, Col. Rafael Alvarado, 94340, Orizaba, Veracruz, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kao YS, Wang LC, Chang PC, Lin HM, Lin YS, Yu CY, Chen CC, Lin CF, Yeh TM, Wan SW, Wang JR, Ho TS, Chu CC, Zhang BC, Chang CP. Negative regulation of type I interferon signaling by integrin-linked kinase permits dengue virus replication. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011241. [PMID: 36930690 PMCID: PMC10057834 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) infection can induce life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome in infected patients. DENV is a threat to global health due to its growing numbers and incidence of infection in the last 50 years. During infection, DENV expresses ten structural and nonstructural proteins modulating cell responses to benefit viral replication. However, the lack of knowledge regarding the cellular proteins and their functions in enhancing DENV pathogenesis impedes the development of antiviral drugs and therapies against fatal DENV infection. Here, we identified that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a novel enhancing factor for DENV infection by suppressing type I interferon (IFN) responses. Mechanistically, ILK binds DENV NS1 and NS3, activates Akt and Erk, and induces NF-κB-driven suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression. Elevated SOCS3 in DENV-infected cells inhibits phosphorylation of STAT1/2 and expression of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Inhibiting ILK, Akt, or Erk activation abrogates SOCS3 expression. In DENV-infected mice, the treatment of an ILK inhibitor significantly reduces viral loads in the brains, disease severity, and mortality rate. Collectively, our results show that ILK is a potential therapeutic target against DENV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Sheng Kao
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Li-Chiu Wang
- School of Medicine, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
| | - Po-Chun Chang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Heng-Ming Lin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yee-Shin Lin
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yi Yu
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chiou-Feng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Trai-Ming Yeh
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Wen Wan
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Ren Wang
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Tzong-Shiann Ho
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Department of Pediatrics, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chou Chu
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Bo-Cheng Zhang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Peng Chang
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- The Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Center of Infectious Disease and Signaling Research, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Alves AMB, Costa SM, Pinto PBA. Dengue Virus and Vaccines: How Can DNA Immunization Contribute to This Challenge? FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2021; 3:640964. [PMID: 35047911 PMCID: PMC8757892 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2021.640964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue infections still have a tremendous impact on public health systems in most countries in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is systemic and dynamic with broad range of manifestations, varying from mild symptoms to severe dengue (Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever and Dengue Shock Syndrome). The only licensed tetravalent dengue vaccine, Dengvaxia, is a chimeric yellow fever virus with prM and E genes from the different dengue serotypes. However, recent results indicated that seronegative individuals became more susceptible to develop severe dengue when infected after vaccination, and now WHO recommends vaccination only to dengue seropositive people. One possibility to explain these data is the lack of robust T-cell responses and antibody-dependent enhancement of virus replication in vaccinated people. On the other hand, DNA vaccines are excellent inducers of T-cell responses in experimental animals and it can also elicit antibody production. Clinical trials with DNA vaccines have improved and shown promising results regarding the use of this approach for human vaccination. Therefore, in this paper we review preclinical and clinical tests with DNA vaccines against the dengue virus. Most of the studies are based on the E protein since this antigen is the main target for neutralizing antibody production. Yet, there are other reports with DNA vaccines based on non-structural dengue proteins with protective results, as well. Combining structural and non-structural genes may be a solution for inducing immune responses aging in different infection moments. Furthermore, DNA immunizations are also a very good approach in combining strategies for vaccines against dengue, in heterologous prime/boost regimen or even administering different vaccines at the same time, in order to induce efficient humoral and cellular immune responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ada Maria Barcelos Alves
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Physiology of Viral Infections, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz (IOC), Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Feng K, Zheng X, Wang R, Gao N, Fan D, Sheng Z, Zhou H, Chen H, An J. Long-Term Protection Elicited by a DNA Vaccine Candidate Expressing the prM-E Antigen of Dengue Virus Serotype 3 in Mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:87. [PMID: 32257963 PMCID: PMC7089926 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.00087] [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: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus (DENV) is the causative agent of dengue, and its incidence has increased 30-fold in the past five decades. Among the four cocirculating serotypes, DENV3 is associated with an increased number of severe infections and has become widespread. Vaccination is the mainstay of prevention in reducing disease burden. Previously, the protective efficacy of DNA vaccine candidates toward DENV1, 2, and 4 was confirmed in mice. In this study, a DNA vaccine candidate (pVAX1-D3ME) expressing the prM and E proteins of DENV3 was constructed, and then the immunogenicity and protection were assessed in mice to further develop a tetravalent dengue vaccine. Moreover, the cross-reactive immune responses against the other three serotypes were investigated. The results showed that three doses of 50 μg of pVAX1-D3ME were sufficient to induce strong antigen-specific T cell responses and robust and consistent neutralizing antibodies. Additionally, immunization with pVAX1-D3ME offered protective immunity against not only DENV3 but also the other three serotypes, which could be observed even after 12 months. This study shows great promise for the further evaluation of a dengue tetravalent DNA vaccine candidate in large animal models, including non-human primates.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaihao Feng
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zheng
- Beijing Tropical Medicine Research Institute, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Na Gao
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Dongying Fan
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyang Sheng
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongning Zhou
- Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Vector-borne Disease Control and Research, Yunnan Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Pu'er, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing An
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.,Center of Epilepsy, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Shrestha AC, Wijesundara DK, Masavuli MG, Mekonnen ZA, Gowans EJ, Grubor-Bauk B. Cytolytic Perforin as an Adjuvant to Enhance the Immunogenicity of DNA Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7020038. [PMID: 31052178 PMCID: PMC6630607 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7020038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA vaccines present one of the most cost-effective platforms to develop global vaccines, which have been tested for nearly three decades in preclinical and clinical settings with some success in the clinic. However, one of the major challenges for the development of DNA vaccines is their poor immunogenicity in humans, which has led to refinements in DNA delivery, dosage in prime/boost regimens and the inclusion of adjuvants to enhance their immunogenicity. In this review, we focus on adjuvants that can enhance the immunogenicity of DNA encoded antigens and highlight the development of a novel cytolytic DNA platform encoding a truncated mouse perforin. The application of this innovative DNA technology has considerable potential in the development of effective vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ashish C Shrestha
- Virology Laboratory, Discipline of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research and University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5011, Australia.
| | - Danushka K Wijesundara
- Virology Laboratory, Discipline of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research and University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5011, Australia.
| | - Makutiro G Masavuli
- Virology Laboratory, Discipline of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research and University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5011, Australia.
| | - Zelalem A Mekonnen
- Virology Laboratory, Discipline of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research and University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5011, Australia.
| | - Eric J Gowans
- Virology Laboratory, Discipline of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research and University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5011, Australia.
| | - Branka Grubor-Bauk
- Virology Laboratory, Discipline of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research and University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5011, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Dengue viruses and promising envelope protein domain III-based vaccines. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2018; 102:2977-2996. [PMID: 29470620 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-8822-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 01/26/2018] [Accepted: 01/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Dengue viruses are emerging mosquito-borne pathogens belonging to Flaviviridae family which are transmitted to humans via the bites of infected mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. Because of the wide distribution of these mosquito vectors, more than 2.5 billion people are approximately at risk of dengue infection. Dengue viruses cause dengue fever and severe life-threatening illnesses as well as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome. All four serotypes of dengue virus can cause dengue diseases, but the manifestations are nearly different depending on type of the virus in consequent infections. Infection by any serotype creates life-long immunity against the corresponding serotype and temporary immunity to the others. This transient immunity declines after a while (6 months to 2 years) and is not protective against other serotypes, even may enhance the severity of a secondary heterotypic infection with a different serotype through a phenomenon known as antibody-depended enhancement (ADE). Although, it can be one of the possible explanations for more severe dengue diseases in individuals infected with a different serotype after primary infection. The envelope protein (E protein) of dengue virus is responsible for a wide range of biological activities, including binding to host cell receptors and fusion to and entry into host cells. The E protein, and especially its domain III (EDIII), stimulates host immunity responses by inducing protective and neutralizing antibodies. Therefore, the dengue E protein is an important antigen for vaccine development and diagnostic purposes. Here, we have provided a comprehensive review of dengue disease, vaccine design challenges, and various approaches in dengue vaccine development with emphasizing on newly developed envelope domain III-based dengue vaccine candidates.
Collapse
|