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Shi H, Zhang X, Ge P, Meliopoulos V, Freiden P, Livingston B, Schultz-Cherry S, Ross TM. Inactivated influenza virus vaccines expressing COBRA hemagglutinin elicited broadly reactive, long-lived protective antibodies. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2024; 20:2356269. [PMID: 38826029 PMCID: PMC11152115 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2356269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The influenza viruses cause seasonal respiratory illness that affect millions of people globally every year. Prophylactic vaccines are the recommended method to prevent the breakout of influenza epidemics. One of the current commercial influenza vaccines consists of inactivated viruses that are selected months prior to the start of a new influenza season. In many seasons, the vaccine effectiveness (VE) of these vaccines can be relatively low. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop an improved, more universal influenza vaccine (UIV) that can provide broad protection against various drifted strains in all age groups. To meet this need, the computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) methodology was developed to design a hemagglutinin (HA) molecule as a new influenza vaccine. In this study, COBRA HA-based inactivated influenza viruses (IIV) expressing the COBRA HA from H1 or H3 influenza viruses were developed and characterized for the elicitation of immediate and long-term protective immunity in both immunologically naïve or influenza pre-immune animal models. These results were compared to animals vaccinated with IIV vaccines expressing wild-type H1 or H3 HA proteins (WT-IIV). The COBRA-IIV elicited long-lasting broadly reactive antibodies that had hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) activity against drifted influenza variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Shi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Xiaojian Zhang
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Pan Ge
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Victoria Meliopoulos
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Pam Freiden
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Brandi Livingston
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Stacey Schultz-Cherry
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Department of Host-Microbe Interactions, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Nagashima KA, Dzimianski JV, Yang M, Abendroth J, Sautto GA, Ross TM, DuBois RM, Edwards TE, Mousa JJ. Structural basis for the broad antigenicity of the computationally optimized influenza hemagglutinin X6. Structure 2024:S0969-2126(24)00178-3. [PMID: 38810648 DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2024.05.001] [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: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality. As an alternative approach to current seasonal vaccines, the computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) platform has been previously applied to hemagglutinin (HA). This approach integrates wild-type HA sequences into a single immunogen to expand the breadth of accessible antibody epitopes. Adding to previous studies of H1, H3, and H5 COBRA HAs, we define the structural features of another H1 subtype COBRA, X6, that incorporates HA sequences from before and after the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic. We determined structures of this antigen alone and in complex with COBRA-specific as well as broadly reactive and functional antibodies, analyzing its antigenicity. We found that X6 possesses features representing both historic and recent H1 HA strains, enabling binding to both head- and stem-reactive antibodies. Overall, these data confirm the integrity of broadly reactive antibody epitopes of X6 and contribute to design efforts for a next-generation vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaito A Nagashima
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - John V Dzimianski
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Meng Yang
- UCB BioSciences, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA; Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Diseases (SSGCID), Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jan Abendroth
- UCB BioSciences, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA; Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Diseases (SSGCID), Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Giuseppe A Sautto
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Rebecca M DuBois
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, USA
| | - Thomas E Edwards
- UCB BioSciences, Bainbridge Island, WA, USA; Seattle Structural Genomics Center for Infectious Diseases (SSGCID), Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA.
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Expression of Concern: Split inactivated COBRA vaccine elicits protective antibodies against H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297253. [PMID: 38198500 PMCID: PMC10781065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
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Shi H, Ross TM. Inactivated recombinant influenza vaccine: the promising direction for the next generation of influenza vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2024; 23:409-418. [PMID: 38509022 PMCID: PMC11056089 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2024.2333338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vaccination is the most effective method to control the prevalence of seasonal influenza and the most widely used influenza vaccine is the inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV). Each season, the influenza vaccine must be updated to be most effective against current circulating variants. Therefore, developing a universal influenza vaccine (UIV) that can elicit both broad and durable protection is of the utmost importance. AREA COVERED This review summarizes and compares the available influenza vaccines in the market and inactivation methods used for manufacturing IIVs. Then, we discuss the latest progress of the UIV development in the IIV format and the challenges to address for moving these vaccine candidates to clinical trials and commercialization. The literature search was based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the PubMed databases. EXPERT OPINION The unmet need for UIV is the primary aim of developing the next generation of influenza vaccines. The IIV has high antigenicity and a refined manufacturing process compared to most other formats. Developing the UIV in IIV format is a promising direction with advanced biomolecular technologies and next-generation adjuvant. It also inspires the development of universal vaccines for other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Shi
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
- Department of Infection Biology, Lehner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Carlock MA, Ross TM. A computationally optimized broadly reactive hemagglutinin vaccine elicits neutralizing antibodies against influenza B viruses from both lineages. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15911. [PMID: 37741893 PMCID: PMC10517972 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43003-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza B viruses (IBV) can cause severe disease and death much like influenza A viruses (IAV), with a disproportionate number of infections in children. Despite moving to a quadrivalent vaccine to include strains from both the B/Victoria and B/Yamagata lineages, vaccine effectiveness rates continue to be variable and low in many past seasons. To develop more effective influenza B virus vaccines, three novel IBV hemagglutinin (HA) vaccines were designed using a computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) methodology. These IBV HA proteins were expressed on the surface of a virus-like particle (VLP) and used to vaccinate ferrets that were pre-immune to historical B/Victoria or B/Yamagata lineage viruses. Ferrets vaccinated with B-COBRA HA vaccines had neutralizing antibodies with high titer HAI titer against all influenza B viruses regardless of pre-immunization history. Conversely, VLPs expressing wild-type IBV HA antigens preferentially boosted titers against viruses from the same lineage and there was little-to-no seroprotective antibodies detected in ferrets with mismatched IBV pre-immune infections. Overall, a single IBV HA developed using the COBRA methodology elicited protective broadly-reactive antibodies against current and future drifted IBVs from both lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Carlock
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Global Vaccine Development, Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
- Global Vaccine Development, Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA.
- Department of Infection Biology, Lehner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
- Global Vaccine Development, Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, 9801 SW Discovery Way, Port Saint Lucie, FL, 34987, USA.
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Ellis D, Dosey A, Boyoglu-Barnum S, Park YJ, Gillespie R, Syeda H, Tsybovsky Y, Murphy M, Pettie D, Matheson N, Chan S, Ueda G, Fallas JA, Carter L, Graham BS, Veesler D, Kanekiyo M, King NP. Antigen spacing on protein nanoparticles influences antibody responses to vaccination. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.23.541980. [PMID: 37292995 PMCID: PMC10245855 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.541980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Immunogen design approaches aim to control the specificity and quality of antibody responses to enable the creation of next-generation vaccines with improved potency and breadth. However, our understanding of the relationship between immunogen structure and immunogenicity is limited. Here we use computational protein design to generate a self-assembling nanoparticle vaccine platform based on the head domain of influenza hemagglutinin (HA) that enables precise control of antigen conformation, flexibility, and spacing on the nanoparticle exterior. Domain-based HA head antigens were presented either as monomers or in a native-like closed trimeric conformation that prevents exposure of trimer interface epitopes. These antigens were connected to the underlying nanoparticle by a rigid linker that was modularly extended to precisely control antigen spacing. We found that nanoparticle immunogens with decreased spacing between closed trimeric head antigens elicited antibodies with improved hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) and neutralization potency as well as binding breadth across diverse HAs within a subtype. Our "trihead" nanoparticle immunogen platform thus enables new insights into anti-HA immunity, establishes antigen spacing as an important parameter in structure-based vaccine design, and embodies several design features that could be used to generate next-generation vaccines against influenza and other viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ellis
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Daniel Ellis and Annie Dosey
| | - Annie Dosey
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- These authors contributed equally: Daniel Ellis and Annie Dosey
| | - Seyhan Boyoglu-Barnum
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Young-Jun Park
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Rebecca Gillespie
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hubza Syeda
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21701, USA
| | - Michael Murphy
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Deleah Pettie
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Nick Matheson
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Sidney Chan
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - George Ueda
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jorge A. Fallas
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Lauren Carter
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Barney S. Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David Veesler
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Masaru Kanekiyo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Neil P. King
- Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
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7
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Batty CJ, Lifshits LM, Hendy DA, Eckshtain-Levi M, Ontiveros-Padilla LA, Carlock MA, Ross TM, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Vinyl Sulfone-functionalized Acetalated Dextran Microparticles as a Subunit Broadly Acting Influenza Vaccine. AAPS J 2023; 25:22. [PMID: 36720729 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-023-00786-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza is a global health concern with millions of infections occurring yearly. Seasonal flu vaccines are one way to combat this virus; however, they are poorly protective against influenza as the virus is constantly mutating, particularly at the immunodominant hemagglutinin (HA) head group. A more broadly acting approach involves Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA). COBRA HA generates a broad immune response that is capable of protecting against mutating strains. Unfortunately, protein-based vaccines are often weekly immunogenic, so to help boost the immune response, we employed the use of acetalated dextran (Ace-DEX) microparticles (MPs) two ways: one to conjugate COBRA HA to the surface and a second to encapsulate cGAMP. To conjugate the COBRA HA to the surface of the Ace-DEX MPs, a poly(L-lactide)-polyethylene glycol co-polymer with a vinyl sulfone terminal group (PLLA-PEG-VS) was used. MPs encapsulating the STING agonist cGAMP were co-delivered with the antigen to form a broadly active influenza vaccine. This vaccine approach was evaluated in vivo with a prime-boost-boost vaccination schedule and illustrated generation of a humoral and cellular response that could protect against a lethal challenge of A/California/07/2009 in BALB/c mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole J Batty
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4211 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Liubov M Lifshits
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4211 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Dylan A Hendy
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4211 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Meital Eckshtain-Levi
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4211 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Luis A Ontiveros-Padilla
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4211 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Michael A Carlock
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Port Saint, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Port Saint, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA.,Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, Goergia, USA
| | - Eric M Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4211 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Kristy M Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4211 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. .,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, USA.
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Batty CJ, Amouzougan EA, A Carlock M, Ross TM, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Sustained delivery of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide by acetalated dextran microparticles augments effector response to Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) influenza hemagglutinin. Int J Pharm 2023; 630:122429. [PMID: 36436743 PMCID: PMC9789738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A subunit or protein-based influenza vaccine can be a safer alternative to live attenuated vaccine (Flumist) and require fewer boosts than an inactivated vaccine (e.g. Fluzone). However, to form an effective subunit vaccine, an adjuvant is often needed. In this work we used electrospray to encapsulate the hydrophilic adjuvant CpG into microparticles made from the hydrophobic biodegradable polymer acetalated dextran. To understand the rate of particle degradation on CpG release, polymer that was slow (21 h at phagosomal pH 5) and fast (0.25 h at pH 5) degrading was used to encapsulate the adjuvant. The slow-degrading particles exhibited the greatest degree of innate immune stimulation of antigen-presenting cells in vitro. In mice, the broadly acting Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) Y2 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) antigen was used with CpG particles, soluble CpG, or MF-59 like adjuvant Addavax. Particles and soluble CpG elicited similar induction of anti-HA antibodies and protection against lethal influenza challenge, but the sustained release particles elicited the highest levels antibody effector functions. These results demonstrate a suitable method for encapsulation of CpG oligonucleotide in a hydrophobic particle matrix, and suggest that sustained release of CpG from Ace-DEX microparticles could potentially be used to induce potent antibody effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole J Batty
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Eva A Amouzougan
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michael A Carlock
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Eric M Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristy M Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, NC, USA.
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9
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Nagashima K, Dzimianski JV, Han J, Abbadi N, Gingerich AD, Royer F, O'Rourke S, Sautto GA, Ross TM, Ward AB, DuBois RM, Mousa JJ. The Pre-Existing Human Antibody Repertoire to Computationally Optimized Influenza H1 Hemagglutinin Vaccines. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:5-15. [PMID: 35697384 PMCID: PMC9246865 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2101171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Computationally optimized broadly reactive Ag (COBRA) hemagglutinin (HA) immunogens have previously been generated for several influenza subtypes to improve vaccine-elicited Ab breadth. As nearly all individuals have pre-existing immunity to influenza viruses, influenza-specific memory B cells will likely be recalled upon COBRA HA vaccination. We determined the epitope specificity and repertoire characteristics of pre-existing human B cells to H1 COBRA HA Ags. Cross-reactivity between wild-type HA and H1 COBRA HA proteins P1, X6, and Y2 were observed for isolated mAbs. The mAbs bound five distinct epitopes on the pandemic A/California/04/2009 HA head and stem domains, and most mAbs had hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing activity against 2009 pandemic H1 strains. Two head-directed mAbs, CA09-26 and CA09-45, had hemagglutination inhibition and neutralizing activity against a prepandemic H1 strain. One mAb, P1-05, targeted the stem region of H1 HA, but did not compete with a known stem-targeting H1 mAb. We determined that mAb P1-05 recognizes a recently discovered HA epitope, the anchor epitope, and we identified similar mAbs using B cell repertoire sequencing. In addition, the trimerization domain distance from HA was critical to recognition of this epitope by mAb P1-05, suggesting the importance of protein design for vaccine formulations. Overall, these data indicate that seasonally vaccinated individuals possess a population of functional H1 COBRA HA-reactive B cells that target head, central stalk, and anchor epitopes, and they demonstrate the importance of structure-based assessment of subunit protein vaccine candidates to ensure accessibility of optimal protein epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaito Nagashima
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - John V Dzimianski
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Julianna Han
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA; and
| | - Nada Abbadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Aaron D Gingerich
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Fredejah Royer
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Sara O'Rourke
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Giuseppe A Sautto
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Andrew B Ward
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA; and
| | - Rebecca M DuBois
- Department of Biomolecular Engineering, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA;
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
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10
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Eckshtain-Levi M, Batty CJ, Lifshits LM, McCammitt B, Moore KM, Amouzougan EA, Stiepel RT, Duggan E, Ross TM, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Metal-Organic Coordination Polymer for Delivery of a Subunit Broadly Acting Influenza Vaccine. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:28548-28558. [PMID: 35704854 PMCID: PMC9495290 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c04671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A zinc-carnosine (ZnCar) metal-organic coordination polymer was fabricated in biologically relevant N-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine-N'-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer for use as a vaccine platform. In vitro, ZnCar exhibited significantly less cytotoxicity than a well-established zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8). Adsorption of CpG on the ZnCar surface resulted in enhanced innate immune activation compared to soluble CpG. The model antigen ovalbumin (OVA) was encapsulated in ZnCar and exhibited acid-sensitive release in vitro. When injected intramuscularly on days 0 and 21 in C57BL/6 mice, OVA-specific serum total IgG and IgG1 were significantly greater in all groups with ZnCar and antigen compared to soluble controls. Th1-skewed IgG2c antibodies were significantly greater in OVA and CpG groups delivered with ZnCar for all time points, regardless of whether the antigen and adjuvant were co-formulated in one material or co-delivered in separate materials. When broadly acting Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) P1 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) was ligated to ZnCar via its His-tag, significantly greater antibody levels were observed at all time points compared to soluble antigen and CpG. ZnCar-formulated antigen elicited increased peptide presentation to B3Z T cells in vitro and production of IL-2 after ex vivo antigen recall of splenocytes isolated from vaccinated mice. Overall, this work displays the formation of a zinc-carnosine metal-organic coordination polymer that can be applied as a platform for recombinant protein-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meital Eckshtain-Levi
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Cole J. Batty
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Liubov M. Lifshits
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Brandon McCammitt
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kathryn M. Moore
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eva A. Amouzougan
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rebeca T. Stiepel
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Eliza Duggan
- North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Eric M. Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Kristy M. Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, USA
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11
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Dhakal S, Deshpande S, McMahon M, Strohmeier S, Krammer F, Klein SL. Female-biased effects of aging on a chimeric hemagglutinin stalk-based universal influenza virus vaccine in mice. Vaccine 2022; 40:1624-1633. [PMID: 33293159 PMCID: PMC8178415 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Revised: 11/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
To determine if biological sex and age intersect to affect universal influenza vaccine-induced immunity, adult and aged male and female C57BL/6 mice were sequentially immunized with a chimeric-hemagglutinin (cHA) stalk-based H1 vaccine. Adult mice developed greater quantity and quality of H1-stalk antibodies, that were more cross-reactive with other group 1, but not group 2, influenza viruses, than aged mice. The vaccine did not induce neutralizing or hemagglutination inhibition antibodies, but rather antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, which was greater in adult than aged mice. Vaccinated adult mice were better protected than aged mice after challenge with 2009 H1N1 virus, experiencing less morbidity and having lower pulmonary virus titers. The age-associated decline in immunity and protection was consistently greater among females than males, with the reduction in immunity and protection for aged as compared with adult females often being the sole comparison driving the overall age-associated significant differences. The age-associated reduction in stalk-based immunity in females was not, however, associated with changes in estradiol. To determine if the better antibodies in adults could be utilized to protect aged mice, serum was passively transferred from vaccinated adult mice into naïve sex-matched aged mice. Even with transferred serum from young adult mice, aged females still suffered greater morbidity than aged males. These data suggest there are sex-dependent effects of aging on cHA-based universal influenza virus vaccine-induced immunity that cannot be reversed through transfer of serum from young animals. The lack of consideration of sex-specific effects of aging on immunity could hinder efforts toward universal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Santosh Dhakal
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Sharvari Deshpande
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Meagan McMahon
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Shirin Strohmeier
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Sabra L Klein
- W. Harry Feinstone Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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12
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Universal Influenza Virus Neuraminidase Vaccine Elicits Protective Immune Responses against Human Seasonal and Pre-pandemic Strains. J Virol 2021; 95:e0075921. [PMID: 34160258 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00759-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The hemagglutinin (HA) surface protein is the primary immune target for most influenza vaccines. The neuraminidase (NA) surface protein is often a secondary target for vaccine designs. In this study, computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) methodology was used to generate the N1-I NA vaccine antigen that was designed to cross-react with avian, swine, and human influenza viruses of the N1 NA subtype. The elicited antibodies bound to NA proteins derived from A/California/07/2009 (H1N1)pdm09, A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1), A/Swine/North Carolina/154074/2015 (H1N1), and A/Viet Nam/1203/2004 (H5N1) influenza viruses, with NA-neutralizing activity against a broad panel of HXN1 influenza strains. Mice vaccinated with the N1-I COBRA NA vaccine were protected from mortality and viral lung titers were lower when challenged with four different viral challenges (A/California/07/2009, A/Brisbane/59/2007, A/Swine/North Carolina/154074/2015, and A/Viet Nam/1203/2004). Vaccinated mice had little to no weight loss against both homologous, but also cross-NA, genetic clade challenges. Lung viral titers were lower than the mock-vaccinated mice and, at times, equivalent to the homologous control. Thus, the N1-I COBRA NA antigen has the potential to be a complementary component in a multiantigen universal influenza virus vaccine formulation that also contains HA antigens. IMPORTANCE The development and distribution of a universal influenza vaccine would alleviate global economic and public health stress from annual influenza virus outbreaks. The influenza virus NA vaccine antigen allows for protection from multiple HA subtypes and virus host origins, but it has not been the focus of vaccine development. The N1-I NA antigen described here protected mice from direct challenge of four distinct influenza viruses and inhibited the enzymatic activity of an N1 influenza virus panel. The use of the NA antigen in combination with the HA antigen widens the breadth of protection against various virus strains. Therefore, this research opens the door to the development of a longer-lasting vaccine with increased protective breadth.
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13
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Animal Models Utilized for the Development of Influenza Virus Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070787. [PMID: 34358203 PMCID: PMC8310120 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models have been an important tool for the development of influenza virus vaccines since the 1940s. Over the past 80 years, influenza virus vaccines have evolved into more complex formulations, including trivalent and quadrivalent inactivated vaccines, live-attenuated vaccines, and subunit vaccines. However, annual effectiveness data shows that current vaccines have varying levels of protection that range between 40–60% and must be reformulated every few years to combat antigenic drift. To address these issues, novel influenza virus vaccines are currently in development. These vaccines rely heavily on animal models to determine efficacy and immunogenicity. In this review, we describe seasonal and novel influenza virus vaccines and highlight important animal models used to develop them.
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14
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An Antigenic Thrift-Based Approach to Influenza Vaccine Design. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060657. [PMID: 34208489 PMCID: PMC8235769 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060657] [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: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The antigenic drift theory states that influenza evolves via the gradual accumulation of mutations, decreasing a host’s immune protection against previous strains. Influenza vaccines are designed accordingly, under the premise of antigenic drift. However, a paradox exists at the centre of influenza research. If influenza evolved primarily through mutation in multiple epitopes, multiple influenza strains should co-circulate. Such a multitude of strains would render influenza vaccines quickly inefficacious. Instead, a single or limited number of strains dominate circulation each influenza season. Unless additional constraints are placed on the evolution of influenza, antigenic drift does not adequately explain these observations. Here, we explore the constraints placed on antigenic drift and a competing theory of influenza evolution – antigenic thrift. In contrast to antigenic drift, antigenic thrift states that immune selection targets epitopes of limited variability, which constrain the variability of the virus. We explain the implications of antigenic drift and antigenic thrift and explore their current and potential uses in the context of influenza vaccine design.
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15
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Zeigler DF, Gage E, Clegg CH. Epitope-targeting platform for broadly protective influenza vaccines. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252170. [PMID: 34043704 PMCID: PMC8158873 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Seasonal influenza vaccines are often ineffective because they elicit strain-specific antibody responses to mutation-prone sites on the hemagglutinin (HA) head. Vaccines that provide long-lasting immunity to conserved epitopes are needed. Recently, we reported a nanoparticle-based vaccine platform produced by solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) for targeting linear and helical protein-based epitopes. Here, we illustrate its potential for building broadly protective influenza vaccines. Targeting known epitopes in the HA stem, neuraminidase (NA) active site, and M2 ectodomain (M2e) conferred 50-75% survival against 5LD50 influenza B and H1N1 challenge; combining stem and M2e antigens increased survival to 90%. Additionally, protein sequence and structural information were employed in tandem to identify alternative epitopes that stimulate greater protection; we report three novel HA and NA sites that are highly conserved in type B viruses. One new target in the HA stem stimulated 100% survival, highlighting the value of this simple epitope discovery strategy. A candidate influenza B vaccine targeting two adjacent HA stem sites led to >104-fold reduction in pulmonary viral load. These studies describe a compelling platform for building vaccines that target conserved influenza epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F. Zeigler
- TRIA Bioscience Corp., Seattle, Washington, United States of America
| | - Emily Gage
- TRIA Bioscience Corp., Seattle, Washington, United States of America
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16
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Rioux M, Francis ME, Swan CL, Ge A, Kroeker A, Kelvin AA. The Intersection of Age and Influenza Severity: Utility of Ferrets for Dissecting the Age-Dependent Immune Responses and Relevance to Age-Specific Vaccine Development. Viruses 2021; 13:678. [PMID: 33920917 PMCID: PMC8071347 DOI: 10.3390/v13040678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Many factors impact the host response to influenza virus infection and vaccination. Ferrets have been an indispensable reagent for influenza virus research for almost one hundred years. One of the most significant and well-known factors affecting human disease after infection is host age. Another significant factor is the virus, as strain-specific disease severity is well known. Studying age-related impacts on viral infection and vaccination outcomes requires an animal model that reflects both the physiological and immunological changes that occur with human aging, and sensitivity to differentially virulent influenza viruses. The ferret is uniquely susceptible to a plethora of influenza viruses impacting humans and has proven extremely useful in studying the clinical and immunological pictures of influenza virus infection. Moreover, ferrets developmentally have several of the age-related physiological changes that occur in humans throughout infancy, adulthood, old age, and pregnancy. In this review, we discuss ferret susceptibility to influenza viruses, summarize previous influenza studies using ferrets as models of age, and finally, highlight the application of ferret age models in the pursuit of prophylactic and therapeutic agents to address age-related influenza disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Rioux
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H4R2, Canada; (M.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Magen E. Francis
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E3, Canada; (M.E.F.); (C.L.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Cynthia L. Swan
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E3, Canada; (M.E.F.); (C.L.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Anni Ge
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H4R2, Canada; (M.R.); (A.G.)
| | - Andrea Kroeker
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E3, Canada; (M.E.F.); (C.L.S.); (A.K.)
| | - Alyson A. Kelvin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H4R2, Canada; (M.R.); (A.G.)
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E3, Canada; (M.E.F.); (C.L.S.); (A.K.)
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3K6R8, Canada
- The Canadian Center for Vaccinology (IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University and the Nova Scotia Health Authority), Halifax, NS B3K6R8, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 107 Wiggins Road, Saskatoon, SK S7N5E5, Canada
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17
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Nagashima KA, Mousa JJ. Next-Generation Influenza HA Immunogens and Adjuvants in Pursuit of a Broadly Protective Vaccine. Viruses 2021; 13:v13040546. [PMID: 33805245 PMCID: PMC8064354 DOI: 10.3390/v13040546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus, a highly mutable respiratory pathogen, causes significant disease nearly every year. Current vaccines are designed to protect against circulating influenza strains of a given season. However, mismatches between vaccine strains and circulating strains, as well as inferior vaccine effectiveness in immunodeficient populations, represent major obstacles. In an effort to expand the breadth of protection elicited by influenza vaccination, one of the major surface glycoproteins, hemagglutinin (HA), has been modified to develop immunogens that display conserved regions from multiple viruses or elicit a highly polyclonal antibody response to broaden protection. These approaches, which target either the head or the stalk domain of HA, or both domains, have shown promise in recent preclinical and clinical studies. Furthermore, the role of adjuvants in bolstering the robustness of the humoral response has been studied, and their effects on the vaccine-elicited antibody repertoire are currently being investigated. This review will discuss the progress made in the universal influenza vaccine field with respect to influenza A viruses from the perspectives of both antigen and adjuvant, with a focus on the elicitation of broadly neutralizing antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaito A. Nagashima
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jarrod J. Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA;
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Correspondence:
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18
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McMillan CL, Young PR, Watterson D, Chappell KJ. The Next Generation of Influenza Vaccines: Towards a Universal Solution. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9010026. [PMID: 33430278 PMCID: PMC7825669 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9010026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2020] [Revised: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses remain a constant burden in humans, causing millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths each year. Current influenza virus vaccine modalities primarily induce antibodies directed towards the highly variable head domain of the hemagglutinin protein on the virus surface. Such antibodies are often strain-specific, meaning limited cross-protection against divergent influenza viruses is induced, resulting in poor vaccine efficacy. To attempt to counteract this, yearly influenza vaccination with updated formulations containing antigens from more recently circulating viruses is required. This is an expensive and time-consuming exercise, and the constant arms race between host immunity and virus evolution presents an ongoing challenge for effective vaccine development. Furthermore, there exists the constant pandemic threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses with high fatality rates (~30–50%) or the emergence of new, pathogenic reassortants. Current vaccines would likely offer little to no protection from such viruses in the event of an epidemic or pandemic. This highlights the urgent need for improved influenza virus vaccines capable of providing long-lasting, robust protection from both seasonal influenza virus infections as well as potential pandemic threats. In this narrative review, we examine the next generation of influenza virus vaccines for human use and the steps being taken to achieve universal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L.D. McMillan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.R.Y.); (D.W.)
- Correspondence: (C.L.D.M.); (K.J.C.)
| | - Paul R. Young
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.R.Y.); (D.W.)
- The Australian Institute for Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- The Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Watterson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.R.Y.); (D.W.)
- The Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Keith J. Chappell
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.R.Y.); (D.W.)
- The Australian Institute for Biotechnology and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- The Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence: (C.L.D.M.); (K.J.C.)
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19
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Li Z, Zaiser SA, Shang P, Heiden DL, Hajovsky H, Katwal P, DeVries B, Baker J, Richt JA, Li Y, He B, Fang Y, Huber VC. A chimeric influenza hemagglutinin delivered by parainfluenza virus 5 vector induces broadly protective immunity against genetically divergent influenza a H1 viruses in swine. Vet Microbiol 2020; 250:108859. [PMID: 33039727 PMCID: PMC7500346 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2020.108859] [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: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
An HA-based vaccine candidate, created by DNA shuffling (HA-113), can be immunogenic when recombinant antigen is expressed by PIV5 (PIV5-113). Immunity induced by the PIV5-113 vaccine can protect mice against infection with 4 of 5 parental HAs used to create the vaccine. Immunity induced by PIV5-113 can protect pigs against infection with an influenza virus isolate that is known to be infectious in pigs.
Pigs are an important reservoir for human influenza viruses, and influenza causes significant economic loss to the swine industry. As demonstrated during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, control of swine influenza virus infection is a critical step toward blocking emergence of human influenza virus. An effective vaccine that can induce broadly protective immunity against heterologous influenza virus strains is critically needed. In our previous studies [McCormick et al., 2015; PLoS One, 10(6):e0127649], we used molecular breeding (DNA shuffling) strategies to increase the breadth of the variable and conserved epitopes expressed within a single influenza A virus chimeric hemagglutinin (HA) protein. Chimeric HAs were constructed using parental HAs from the 2009 pandemic virus and swine influenza viruses that had a history of zoonotic transmission to humans. In the current study, we used parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV-5) as a vector to express one of these chimeric HA antigens, HA-113. Recombinant PIV-5 expressing HA-113 (PIV5-113) were rescued, and immunogenicity and protective efficacy were tested in both mouse and pig models. The results showed that PIV5-113 can protect mice and pigs against challenge with viruses expressing parental HAs. The protective immunity was extended against other genetically diversified influenza H1-expressing viruses. Our work demonstrates that PIV5-based influenza vaccines are efficacious as vaccines for pigs. The PIV5 vaccine vector and chimeric HA-113 antigen are discussed in the context of the development of universal influenza vaccines and the potential contribution of PIV5-113 as a candidate universal vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, United States
| | - Sarah A Zaiser
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Pengcheng Shang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, United States
| | - Dustin L Heiden
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Heather Hajovsky
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Pratik Katwal
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Baylor DeVries
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Jack Baker
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States
| | - Juergen A Richt
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, United States
| | - Yanhua Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, United States
| | - Biao He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, United States.
| | - Ying Fang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, United States.
| | - Victor C Huber
- Division of Basic Biomedical Sciences, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, United States.
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20
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Ross TM. Universal Influenza Vaccine Approaches Using Full-Length or Head-Only Hemagglutinin Proteins. J Infect Dis 2020; 219:S57-S61. [PMID: 30715379 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There is currently an unmet need to develop an effective broadly reactive or universal vaccine against influenza viruses capable of conferring protection against both seasonal and prepandemic strains. Influenza vaccines elicit immune responses that are protective against antigenically similar viruses within a subtype. These vaccines elicit antibodies that target the surface viral glycoproteins hemagglutinin and neuraminidase. If there is an antigenic mismatch between these proteins in the influenza vaccines and cocirculating influenza isolates, there is a decrease in the vaccine effectiveness in vaccinated persons. Various novel influenza vaccine candidates are being evaluated in animal studies and clinical human trials. This article focuses on the advantages and potential shortcomings of broadly reactive or universal vaccine candidates based on the hemagglutinin globular head and the thoughts about using this antigen as the basis for future influenza vaccine strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ted M Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens.,Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens
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21
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An Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen Elicits Antibodies Endowed with Group 1 Heterosubtypic Breadth against Swine Influenza Viruses. J Virol 2020; 94:JVI.02061-19. [PMID: 31996430 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02061-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
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22
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Vogel OA, Manicassamy B. Broadly Protective Strategies Against Influenza Viruses: Universal Vaccines and Therapeutics. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:135. [PMID: 32117155 PMCID: PMC7020694 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus is a respiratory pathogen that can cause disease in humans, with symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening. The vast majority of influenza virus infections in humans are observed during seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. Given the substantial public health burden associated with influenza virus infection, yearly vaccination is recommended for protection against seasonal influenza viruses. Despite vigilant surveillance for new variants and careful selection of seasonal vaccine strains, the efficacy of seasonal vaccines can vary widely from year to year. This often results in lowered protection within the population, regardless of vaccination status. In order to broaden the protection afforded by seasonal influenza vaccines, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has deemed the development of a universal influenza virus vaccine to be a priority in influenza virus vaccine research. This universal vaccine would provide protection against all influenza virus strains, eliminating the need for the yearly reformulations of seasonal influenza vaccines. In addition to universal influenza vaccine efforts, substantial progress has been made in developing novel influenza virus therapeutics that utilize broadly neutralizing antibodies to provide protection against influenza virus infection and to mitigate disease outcomes during infection. In this review, we discuss various approaches toward the goal of improving influenza virus vaccine efficacy through a universal influenza virus vaccine. We also address the novel methods of discovery and utilization of broadly neutralizing antibodies to improve influenza disease outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia A Vogel
- Department of Microbiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Balaji Manicassamy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
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23
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Zhang Y, Xu C, Zhang H, Liu GD, Xue C, Cao Y. Targeting Hemagglutinin: Approaches for Broad Protection against the Influenza A Virus. Viruses 2019; 11:v11050405. [PMID: 31052339 PMCID: PMC6563292 DOI: 10.3390/v11050405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza A viruses are dynamically epidemic and genetically diverse. Due to the antigenic drift and shift of the virus, seasonal vaccines are required to be reformulated annually to match with current circulating strains. However, the mismatch between vaccinal strains and circulating strains occurs frequently, resulting in the low efficacy of seasonal vaccines. Therefore, several “universal” vaccine candidates based on the structure and function of the hemagglutinin (HA) protein have been developed to meet the requirement of a broad protection against homo-/heterosubtypic challenges. Here, we review recent novel constructs and discuss several important findings regarding the broad protective efficacy of HA-based universal vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Cong Xu
- Research Center of Agricultural of Dongguan City, Dongguan 523086, China.
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - George Dacai Liu
- Firstline Biopharmaceuticals Corporation, 12,050 167th PL NE, Redmond, WA 98052, USA.
| | - Chunyi Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Yongchang Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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24
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Skarlupka AL, Owino SO, Suzuki-Williams LP, Crevar CJ, Carter DM, Ross TM. Computationally optimized broadly reactive vaccine based upon swine H1N1 influenza hemagglutinin sequences protects against both swine and human isolated viruses. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2019; 15:2013-2029. [PMID: 31448974 PMCID: PMC6773400 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2019.1653743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Revised: 07/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Swine H1 influenza viruses were stable within pigs for nearly 70 years until in 1998 when a classical swine virus reassorted with avian and human influenza viruses to generate the novel triple reassortant H1N1 strain that eventually led to the 2009 influenza pandemic. Previously, our group demonstrated broad protection against a panel of human H1N1 viruses using HA antigens derived by the COBRA methodology. In this report, the effectiveness of COBRA HA antigens (SW1, SW2, SW3 and SW4), which were designed using only HA sequences from swine H1N1 and H1N2 isolates, were tested in BALB/c mice. The effectiveness of these vaccines were compared to HA sequences designed using both human and swine H1 HA sequences or human only sequences. SW2 and SW4 elicited antibodies that detected the pandemic-like virus, A/California/07/2009 (CA/09), had antibodies with HAI activity against almost all the classical swine influenza viruses isolated from 1973-2015 and all of the Eurasian viruses in our panel. However, sera collected from mice vaccinated with SW2 or SW4 had HAI activity against ~25% of the human seasonal-like influenza viruses isolated from 2009-2015. In contrast, the P1 COBRA HA vaccine (derived from both swine and human HA sequences) elicited antibodies that had HAI activity against both swine and human H1 viruses and protected against CA/09 challenge, but not a human seasonal-like swine H1N2 virus challenge. However, the SW1 vaccine protected against this challenge as well as the homologous vaccine. These results support the idea that a pan-swine-human H1 influenza virus vaccine is possible.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Viral/blood
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Computers, Molecular
- Female
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/genetics
- Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology
- Humans
- Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype
- Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Influenza Vaccines/immunology
- Influenza, Human/prevention & control
- Influenza, Human/virology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred BALB C
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology
- Swine
- Vaccines, Virus-Like Particle/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Simon O. Owino
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - Corey J. Crevar
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute of Florida, Port St. Lucie, FL, USA
| | - Donald M. Carter
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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25
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Allen JD, Ray S, Ross TM. Correction: Split inactivated COBRA vaccine elicits protective antibodies against H1N1 and H3N2 influenza viruses. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0210043. [PMID: 30589902 PMCID: PMC6307928 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204284.].
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