1
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Bakkers MJG, Ritschel T, Tiemessen M, Dijkman J, Zuffianò AA, Yu X, van Overveld D, Le L, Voorzaat R, van Haaren MM, de Man M, Tamara S, van der Fits L, Zahn R, Juraszek J, Langedijk JPM. Efficacious human metapneumovirus vaccine based on AI-guided engineering of a closed prefusion trimer. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6270. [PMID: 39054318 PMCID: PMC11272930 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50659-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The prefusion conformation of human metapneumovirus fusion protein (hMPV Pre-F) is critical for eliciting the most potent neutralizing antibodies and is the preferred immunogen for an efficacious vaccine against hMPV respiratory infections. Here we show that an additional cleavage event in the F protein allows closure and correct folding of the trimer. We therefore engineered the F protein to undergo double cleavage, which enabled screening for Pre-F stabilizing substitutions at the natively folded protomer interfaces. To identify these substitutions, we developed an AI convolutional classifier that successfully predicts complex polar interactions often overlooked by physics-based methods and visual inspection. The combination of additional processing, stabilization of interface regions and stabilization of the membrane-proximal stem, resulted in a Pre-F protein vaccine candidate without the need for a heterologous trimerization domain that exhibited high expression yields and thermostability. Cryo-EM analysis shows the complete ectodomain structure, including the stem, and a specific interaction of the newly identified cleaved C-terminus with the adjacent protomer. Importantly, the protein induces high and cross-neutralizing antibody responses resulting in near complete protection against hMPV challenge in cotton rats, making the highly stable, double-cleaved hMPV Pre-F trimer an attractive vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J G Bakkers
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
- ForgeBio B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tina Ritschel
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
- J&J Innovative Medicine Technology, R&D, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | - Jacobus Dijkman
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab, Informatics Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Angelo A Zuffianò
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Promaton BV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xiaodi Yu
- Structural & Protein Science, Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA, 19044, USA
| | | | - Lam Le
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | | | - Martijn de Man
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Sem Tamara
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Roland Zahn
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jarek Juraszek
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johannes P M Langedijk
- Janssen Vaccines & Prevention BV, Leiden, The Netherlands.
- ForgeBio B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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2
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Lee YZ, Han J, Zhang YN, Ward G, Gomes KB, Auclair S, Stanfield RL, He L, Wilson IA, Zhu J. A tale of two fusion proteins: understanding the metastability of human respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus and implications for rational design of uncleaved prefusion-closed trimers. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.07.583986. [PMID: 38496645 PMCID: PMC10942449 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.07.583986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) cause human respiratory diseases and are major targets for vaccine development. In this study, we designed uncleaved prefusion-closed (UFC) trimers for the fusion (F) proteins of both viruses by examining mutations critical to F metastability. For RSV, we assessed four previous prefusion F designs, including the first and second generations of DS-Cav1, SC-TM, and 847A. We then identified key mutations that can maintain prefusion F in a native-like, closed trimeric form (up to 76%) without introducing any interprotomer disulfide bond. For hMPV, we developed a stable UFC trimer with a truncated F2-F1 linkage and an interprotomer disulfide bond. Tens of UFC constructs were characterized by negative-stain electron microscopy (nsEM), x-ray crystallography (11 RSV-F and one hMPV-F structures), and antigenic profiling. Using an optimized RSV-F UFC trimer as bait, we identified three potent RSV neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) from a phage-displayed human antibody library, with a public NAb lineage targeting sites Ø and V and two cross-pneumovirus NAbs recognizing site III. In mouse immunization, rationally designed RSV-F and hMPV-F UFC trimers induced robust antibody responses with high neutralizing titers. Our study provides a foundation for future prefusion F-based RSV and hMPV vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Zong Lee
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Jerome Han
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Yi-Nan Zhang
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Garrett Ward
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Keegan Braz Gomes
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Sarah Auclair
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Robyn L Stanfield
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Linling He
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Ian A Wilson
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
- Skaggs Institute for Chemical Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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3
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Hsieh CL, Leist SR, Miller EH, Zhou L, Powers JM, Tse AL, Wang A, West A, Zweigart MR, Schisler JC, Jangra RK, Chandran K, Baric RS, McLellan JS. Prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 S2-only antigen provides protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1553. [PMID: 38378768 PMCID: PMC10879192 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45404-x] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Ever-evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) have diminished the effectiveness of therapeutic antibodies and vaccines. Developing a coronavirus vaccine that offers a greater breadth of protection against current and future VOCs would eliminate the need to reformulate COVID-19 vaccines. Here, we rationally engineer the sequence-conserved S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and characterize the resulting S2-only antigens. Structural studies demonstrate that the introduction of interprotomer disulfide bonds can lock S2 in prefusion trimers, although the apex samples a continuum of conformations between open and closed states. Immunization with prefusion-stabilized S2 constructs elicits broadly neutralizing responses against several sarbecoviruses and protects female BALB/c mice from mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 lethal challenge and partially protects female BALB/c mice from mouse-adapted SARS-CoV lethal challenge. These engineering and immunogenicity results should inform the development of next-generation pan-coronavirus therapeutics and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Sarah R Leist
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Emily Happy Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ling Zhou
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - John M Powers
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Alexandra L Tse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Albert Wang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ande West
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mark R Zweigart
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan C Schisler
- McAllister Heart Institute and Department of Pharmacology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Rohit K Jangra
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, 71103, USA
| | - Kartik Chandran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Jason S McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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4
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Gonzalez KJ, Huang J, Criado MF, Banerjee A, Tompkins SM, Mousa JJ, Strauch EM. A general computational design strategy for stabilizing viral class I fusion proteins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1335. [PMID: 38351001 PMCID: PMC10864359 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45480-z] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Many pathogenic viruses rely on class I fusion proteins to fuse their viral membrane with the host cell membrane. To drive the fusion process, class I fusion proteins undergo an irreversible conformational change from a metastable prefusion state to an energetically more stable postfusion state. Mounting evidence underscores that antibodies targeting the prefusion conformation are the most potent, making it a compelling vaccine candidate. Here, we establish a computational design protocol that stabilizes the prefusion state while destabilizing the postfusion conformation. With this protocol, we stabilize the fusion proteins of the RSV, hMPV, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses, testing fewer than a handful of designs. The solved structures of these designed proteins from all three viruses evidence the atomic accuracy of our approach. Furthermore, the humoral response of the redesigned RSV F protein compares to that of the recently approved vaccine in a mouse model. While the parallel design of two conformations allows the identification of energetically sub-optimal positions for one conformation, our protocol also reveals diverse molecular strategies for stabilization. Given the clinical significance of viruses using class I fusion proteins, our algorithm can substantially contribute to vaccine development by reducing the time and resources needed to optimize these immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Gonzalez
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jiachen Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Miria F Criado
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Avik Banerjee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Stephen M Tompkins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Eva-Maria Strauch
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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5
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Johnson NV, Wall SC, Kramer KJ, Holt CM, Periasamy S, Richardson S, Suryadevara N, Andreano E, Paciello I, Pierleoni G, Piccini G, Huang Y, Ge P, Allen JD, Uno N, Shiakolas AR, Pilewski KA, Nargi RS, Sutton RE, Abu-Shmais AA, Parks R, Haynes BF, Carnahan RH, Crowe JE, Montomoli E, Rappuoli R, Bukreyev A, Ross TM, Sautto GA, McLellan JS, Georgiev IS. Discovery and Characterization of a Pan-betacoronavirus S2-binding antibody. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.15.575741. [PMID: 38293237 PMCID: PMC10827111 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.15.575741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Three coronaviruses have spilled over from animal reservoirs into the human population and caused deadly epidemics or pandemics. The continued emergence of coronaviruses highlights the need for pan-coronavirus interventions for effective pandemic preparedness. Here, using LIBRA-seq, we report a panel of 50 coronavirus antibodies isolated from human B cells. Of these antibodies, 54043-5 was shown to bind the S2 subunit of spike proteins from alpha-, beta-, and deltacoronaviruses. A cryo-EM structure of 54043-5 bound to the pre-fusion S2 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike defined an epitope at the apex of S2 that is highly conserved among betacoronaviruses. Although non-neutralizing, 54043-5 induced Fc-dependent antiviral responses, including ADCC and ADCP. In murine SARS-CoV-2 challenge studies, protection against disease was observed after introduction of Leu234Ala, Leu235Ala, and Pro329Gly (LALA-PG) substitutions in the Fc region of 54043-5. Together, these data provide new insights into the protective mechanisms of non-neutralizing antibodies and define a broadly conserved epitope within the S2 subunit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole V. Johnson
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Steven C. Wall
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 73232, USA
| | - Kevin J. Kramer
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 73232, USA
| | - Clinton M. Holt
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Program in Chemical and Physical Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Sivakumar Periasamy
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Simone Richardson
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
| | | | - Emanuele Andreano
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Ida Paciello
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Giulio Pierleoni
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena 53100, Italy
| | | | - Ying Huang
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Pan Ge
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - James D. Allen
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Naoko Uno
- Department of Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44196, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Andrea R. Shiakolas
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 73232, USA
| | - Kelsey A. Pilewski
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 73232, USA
| | - Rachel S. Nargi
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Rachel E. Sutton
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Alexandria A. Abu-Shmais
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 73232, USA
| | - Robert Parks
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Barton F. Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Departments of Medicine and Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Robert H. Carnahan
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - James E. Crowe
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 73232, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Research S.r.l., Siena 53100, Italy
- VisMederi S.r.l, Siena 53100, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Rino Rappuoli
- Monoclonal Antibody Discovery (MAD) Lab, Fondazione Toscana Life Sciences, Siena 53100, Italy
- Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Siena 53100, Italy
| | - Alexander Bukreyev
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Galveston National Laboratory, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
- Department of Infection Biology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44196, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Giuseppe A. Sautto
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987, USA
| | - Jason S. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ivelin S. Georgiev
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 73232, USA
- Vanderbilt Institute for Infection, Immunology, and Inflammation, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department of Computer Science, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Program in Computational Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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6
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Ballegeer M, van Scherpenzeel RC, Delgado T, Iglesias-Caballero M, García Barreno B, Pandey S, Rush SA, Kolkman JA, Mas V, McLellan JS, Saelens X. A neutralizing single-domain antibody that targets the trimer interface of the human metapneumovirus fusion protein. mBio 2024; 15:e0212223. [PMID: 38117059 PMCID: PMC10790764 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.02122-23] [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: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important respiratory pathogen for which no licensed antivirals or vaccines exist. Single-domain antibodies represent promising antiviral biologics that can be easily produced and formatted. We describe the isolation and detailed characterization of two hMPV-neutralizing single-domain antibodies that are directed against the fusion protein F. One of these single-domain antibodies broadly neutralizes hMPV A and B strains, can prevent proteolytic maturation of F, and binds to an epitope in the F trimer interface. This suggests that hMPV pre-F undergoes trimer opening or "breathing" on infectious virions, exposing a vulnerable site for neutralizing antibodies. Finally, we show that this single-domain antibody, fused to a human IgG1 Fc, can protect cotton rats against hMPV replication, an important finding for potential future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlies Ballegeer
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Teresa Delgado
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Shubham Pandey
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Scott A. Rush
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | | | - Vicente Mas
- Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jason S. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Xavier Saelens
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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7
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Xiao X, Wen Z, Chen Q, Shipman JM, Kostas J, Reid JC, Warren C, Tang A, Luo B, O’Donnell G, Fridman A, Chen Z, Vora KA, Zhang L, Su HP, Eddins MJ. Structural characterization of M8C10, a neutralizing antibody targeting a highly conserved prefusion-specific epitope on the metapneumovirus fusion trimerization interface. J Virol 2023; 97:e0105223. [PMID: 38032197 PMCID: PMC10734504 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01052-23] [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: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a common pathogen causing lower respiratory tract infections worldwide and can develop severe symptoms in high-risk populations such as infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. There are no approved hMPV vaccines or neutralizing antibodies available for therapeutic or prophylactic use. The trimeric hMPV fusion F protein is the major target of neutralizing antibodies in human sera. Understanding the immune recognition of antibodies to hMPV-F antigen will provide critical insights into developing efficacious hMPV monoclonal antibodies and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xiao
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
- Discovery Biologics, Merck & Co., Inc., Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- MRL Postdoctoral Research Program, Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, New Jersey, USA
| | - Zhiyun Wen
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Qing Chen
- Protein and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Jennifer M. Shipman
- Protein and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James Kostas
- Protein and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John C. Reid
- Protein and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Christopher Warren
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Aimin Tang
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bin Luo
- Quantitative Biosciences, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Gregory O’Donnell
- Quantitative Biosciences, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Arthur Fridman
- Data Science and Scientific Informatics, Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Zhifeng Chen
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Kalpit A. Vora
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lan Zhang
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccines Discovery, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hua-Poo Su
- Protein and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Michael J. Eddins
- Protein and Structural Chemistry, Merck & Co., Inc., West Point, Pennsylvania, USA
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8
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Sun F, Lei G, Tian C, Bai Z, Bai C, Li Y, Deng Z, Yang H, Li C, Zhao Z, Niu Y, Yang P. Protective efficacy of a novel recombinant influenza virus carrying partial human metapneumovirus F protein epitopes. Virulence 2023:2284515. [PMID: 37974334 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2284515] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory tract infections in infants and children. Currently, no approved HMPV vaccine is available. We developed a novel recombinant influenza virus, which carried partial HMPV F protein (HMPV-F) epitopes, utilizing reverse genetics. The novel single-stranded RNA virus, termed rFLU-HMPV/F-NA, was synthesized in the neuraminidase (NA) fragment of influenza virus A/PuertoRico/8/34 (PR8). The morphological characteristics of rFLU-HMPV/F-NA were consistent with the wild-type flu virus. The virus could passage in specific pathogen-free (SPF) chicken embryos for at least five consecutive generations with haemagglutinin (HA) titres of 28-9 or 8-9LogTCID50/mL. BALB/c mice were intranasally immunized at 21-day intervals with 104 TCID50 (low-dose group) or 106 TCID50 (high-dose group) rFLU-HMPV/F-NA, and PBS or PR8 vaccine was used for the control group. rFLU-HMPV/F-NA induced robust humoral, mucosal, and cellular immune responses in vivo in a dose-dependent manner. More importantly, wt clinical HMPV isolate challenge studies showed that rFLU-HMPV/F-NA provided significant immune protection against HMPV infection compared to the PBS or PR8 vaccine control group, as shown by improved histopathological changes and reduced viral titres in the lungs of immunized mice post-challenge. These findings demonstrate that rFLU-HMPV/F-NA has potential as a promising HMPV candidate vaccine and warrants further investigation into its control of HMPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Sun
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Guanglin Lei
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chongyu Tian
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhifang Bai
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Changqing Bai
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yufeng Li
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhuoya Deng
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Li
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | | | - Yan Niu
- Inner Mongolia Medical University, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
| | - Penghui Yang
- Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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9
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Otomaru H, Nguyen HAT, Vo HM, Toizumi M, Le MN, Mizuta K, Moriuchi H, Bui MX, Dang DA, Yoshida LM. A decade of human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infection: molecular epidemiology in central Vietnam, 2007-2017. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15757. [PMID: 37735242 PMCID: PMC10514255 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42692-z] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) can cause severe acute respiratory infection (ARI). We aimed to clarify the clinical and molecular epidemiological features of hMPV. We conducted an ARI surveillance targeting hospitalized children aged 1 month to 14 years in Nha Trang, Vietnam. Nasopharyngeal swabs were tested for respiratory viruses with PCR. We described the clinical characteristics of hMPV patients in comparison with those with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and those with neither RSV nor hMPV, and among different hMPV genotypes. Among 8822 patients, 278 (3.2%) were hMPV positive, with a median age of 21.0 months (interquartile range: 12.7-32.5). Among single virus-positive patients, hMPV cases were older than patients with RSV (p < 0.001) and without RSV (p = 0.003). The proportions of clinical pneumonia and wheezing in hMPV patients resembled those in RSV patients but were higher than in non-RSV non-hMPV patients. Seventy percent (n = 195) were genotyped (A2b: n = 40, 20.5%; A2c: n = 99, 50.8%; B1: n = 37, 19%; and B2: n = 19, 9.7%). The wheezing frequency was higher in A2b patients (76.7%) than in those with other genotypes (p = 0.033). In conclusion, we found a moderate variation in clinical features among hMPV patients with various genotypes. No seasonality was observed, and the multiple genotype co-circulation was evident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirono Otomaru
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hien Anh Thi Nguyen
- Department of Bacteriology, National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Hien Minh Vo
- Department of Pediatrics, Khanh Hoa General Hospital, Nha Trang, Vietnam
| | - Michiko Toizumi
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Minh Nhat Le
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research Centre, National Institute of Infectious Disease (NIID), Sinjuku, Japan
- Tay Nguyen Institute of Science Research, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), Da Lat, Vietnam
| | - Katsumi Mizuta
- Yamagata Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Yamagata, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Moriuchi
- Department of Pediatrics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Minh Xuan Bui
- Khanh Hoa Health Service Department, Nha Trang, Vietnam
| | - Duc Anh Dang
- National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Hanoi, Vietnam
| | - Lay-Myint Yoshida
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan.
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10
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Guo L, Li L, Liu L, Zhang T, Sun M. Neutralising antibodies against human metapneumovirus. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2023; 4:e732-e744. [PMID: 37499668 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(23)00134-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory infection. Since its discovery in 2001, no specific antiviral or vaccine has been available in contrast to its closely related family member human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV). Neutralising monoclonal antibodies (nMAbs) are the core effectors of vaccines and are essential therapeutic immune drugs against infectious pathogens. The development of nMAbs against hMPV has accelerated in recent years as a result of breakthroughs in viral fusion (F) protein structural biology and experience with hRSV and other enveloped viruses. We provide an overview of the potent F-specific nMAbs of hMPV, generalise their targeting F antigen epitopes, and discuss the nMAb development strategy and future directions for hMPV and broad-spectrum hMPV, hRSV nMabs, and vaccine research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Guo
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Yunnan Institute of Pediatrics, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Li
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Yunnan Institute of Pediatrics, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Li Liu
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Yunnan Institute of Pediatrics, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Tiesong Zhang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Children's Major Disease Research, Yunnan Institute of Pediatrics, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
| | - Ming Sun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
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11
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Wen X, Suryadevara N, Kose N, Liu J, Zhan X, Handal LS, Williamson LE, Trivette A, Carnahan RH, Jardetzky TS, Crowe JE. Potent cross-neutralization of respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus through a structurally conserved antibody recognition mode. Cell Host Microbe 2023; 31:1288-1300.e6. [PMID: 37516111 PMCID: PMC10527986 DOI: 10.1016/j.chom.2023.07.002] [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: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infections pose a significant health burden. Using pre-fusion conformation fusion (F) proteins, we isolated a panel of anti-F antibodies from a human donor. One antibody (RSV-199) potently cross-neutralized 8 RSV and hMPV strains by recognizing antigenic site III, which is partially conserved in RSV and hMPV F. Next, we determined the cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of RSV-199 bound to RSV F trimers, hMPV F monomers, and an unexpected dimeric form of hMPV F. These structures revealed how RSV-199 engages both RSV and hMPV F proteins through conserved interactions of the antibody heavy-chain variable region and how variability within heavy-chain complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3) can be accommodated at the F protein interface in site-III-directed antibodies. Furthermore, RSV-199 offered enhanced protection against RSV A and B strains and hMPV in cotton rats. These findings highlight the mechanisms of broad neutralization and therapeutic potential of RSV-199.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Wen
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | | | - Nurgun Kose
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Zhan
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Laura S Handal
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Lauren E Williamson
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Andrew Trivette
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Robert H Carnahan
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Theodore S Jardetzky
- Department of Structural Biology, Stanford University School of Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - James E Crowe
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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12
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Miller RJ, Mousa JJ. Structural basis for respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus neutralization. Curr Opin Virol 2023; 61:101337. [PMID: 37544710 PMCID: PMC10421620 DOI: 10.1016/j.coviro.2023.101337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) continue to be a global burden to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. In the past ten years, there has been substantial progress in the development of new vaccine candidates and therapies against these viruses. These advancements were guided by the structural elucidation of the major surface glycoproteins for these viruses, the fusion (F) protein and attachment (G) protein. The identification of immunodominant epitopes on the RSV F and hMPV F proteins has expanded current knowledge on antibody-mediated immune responses, which has led to new approaches for vaccine and therapeutic development through the stabilization of pre-fusion constructs of the F protein and pre-fusion-specific monoclonal antibodies with high potency and efficacy. In this review, we describe structural characteristics of known antigenic sites on the RSV and hMPV proteins, their influence on the immune response, and current progress in vaccine and therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose J Miller
- 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.
| | - 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 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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13
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Gonzalez KJ, Huang J, Criado MF, Banerjee A, Tompkins S, Mousa JJ, Strauch EM. A general computational design strategy for stabilizing viral class I fusion proteins. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.16.532924. [PMID: 36993551 PMCID: PMC10055117 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.16.532924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Many pathogenic viruses, including influenza virus, Ebola virus, coronaviruses, and Pneumoviruses, rely on class I fusion proteins to fuse viral and cellular membranes. To drive the fusion process, class I fusion proteins undergo an irreversible conformational change from a metastable prefusion state to an energetically more favorable and stable postfusion state. An increasing amount of evidence exists highlighting that antibodies targeting the prefusion conformation are the most potent. However, many mutations have to be evaluated before identifying prefusion-stabilizing substitutions. We therefore established a computational design protocol that stabilizes the prefusion state while destabilizing the postfusion conformation. As a proof of concept, we applied this principle to the fusion protein of the RSV, hMPV, and SARS-CoV-2 viruses. For each protein, we tested less than a handful of designs to identify stable versions. Solved structures of designed proteins from the three different viruses evidenced the atomic accuracy of our approach. Furthermore, the immunological response of the RSV F design compared to a current clinical candidate in a mouse model. While the parallel design of two conformations allows identifying and selectively modifying energetically less optimized positions for one conformation, our protocol also reveals diverse molecular strategies for stabilization. We recaptured many approaches previously introduced manually for the stabilization of viral surface proteins, such as cavity-filling, optimization of polar interactions, as well as postfusion-disruptive strategies. Using our approach, it is possible to focus on the most impacting mutations and potentially preserve the immunogen as closely as possible to its native version. The latter is important as sequence re-design can cause perturbations to B and T cell epitopes. Given the clinical significance of viruses using class I fusion proteins, our algorithm can substantially contribute to vaccine development by reducing the time and resources needed to optimize these immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen J Gonzalez
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jiachen Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Miria F Criado
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Pathobiology, Auburn University; Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Avik Banerjee
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Stephen Tompkins
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
| | - Eva-Maria Strauch
- Institute of Bioinformatics, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
- Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia; Athens, GA 30602, USA
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14
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Gingerich AD, Royer F, McCormick AL, Scasny A, Vidal JE, Mousa JJ. Synergistic Protection against Secondary Pneumococcal Infection by Human Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Distinct Epitopes. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2023; 210:50-60. [PMID: 36351696 PMCID: PMC9898123 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae persists as a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia despite the widespread use of polysaccharide-based vaccines. The limited serotype coverage of current vaccines has led to increased incidence of nonvaccine serotypes, as well as an increase in antibiotic resistance among these serotypes. Pneumococcal infection often follows a primary viral infection such as influenza virus, which hinders host defense and results in bacterial spread to the lungs. We previously isolated human monoclonal Abs (mAbs) against the conserved surface Ag pneumococcal histidine triad protein D (PhtD), and we demonstrated that mAbs to this Ag are protective against lethal pneumococcal challenge prophylactically and therapeutically. In this study, we elucidated the mechanism of protection of a protective anti-pneumococcal human mAb, PhtD3, which is mediated by the presence of complement and macrophages in a mouse model of pneumococcal infection. Treatment with mAb PhtD3 reduced blood and lung bacterial burden in mice, and mAb PhtD3 is able to bind to bacteria in the presence of the capsular polysaccharide, indicating exposure of surface PhtD on encapsulated bacteria. In a mouse model of secondary pneumococcal infection, protection mediated by mAb PhtD3 and another mAb targeting a different epitope, PhtD7, was reduced; however, robust protection was restored by combining mAb PhtD3 with mAb PhtD7, indicating a synergistic effect. Overall, these studies provide new insights into anti-pneumococcal mAb protection and demonstrate, to our knowledge, for the first time, that mAbs to pneumococcal surface proteins can protect against secondary pneumococcal infection in the mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Anna L McCormick
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA
| | - Anna Scasny
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; and
| | - Jorge E Vidal
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS; and
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA;
- Department of Infectious Diseases, 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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15
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Nagashima K, Mousa JJ. Epitope Binning of Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies by Biolayer Interferometry. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2673:17-32. [PMID: 37258904 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3239-0_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] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the epitopes of antibodies elicited by infection and vaccination is often useful in immunogen design. In this chapter, we describe biolayer interferometry (BLI)-based methods to evaluate such epitopes and permit simultaneous analysis of antibodies from several sources, including monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and polyclonal serum antibodies (pAbs). Using previously characterized antibodies with known epitopes as controls, the distribution of epitopes for the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) is shown for isolated human mAbs and pooled serum from HA-immunized mice. This method is versatile, high-throughput, and can be adapted to several antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaito 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
| | - 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 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
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16
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Characterization of prefusion-F-specific antibodies elicited by natural infection with human metapneumovirus. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111399. [PMID: 36130517 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a major cause of acute respiratory infections in infants and older adults, for which no vaccines or therapeutics are available. The viral fusion (F) glycoprotein is required for entry and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies; however, little is known about the humoral immune response generated from natural infection. Here, using prefusion-stabilized F proteins to interrogate memory B cells from two older adults, we obtain over 700 paired non-IgM antibody sequences representing 563 clonotypes, indicative of a highly polyclonal response. Characterization of 136 monoclonal antibodies reveals broad recognition of the protein surface, with potently neutralizing antibodies targeting each antigenic site. Cryo-EM studies further reveal two non-canonical sites and the molecular basis for recognition of the apex of hMPV F by two prefusion-specific neutralizing antibodies. Collectively, these results provide insight into the humoral response to hMPV infection in older adults and will help guide vaccine development.
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17
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Abbadi N, Nagashima K, Pena-Briseno A, Ross TM, Mousa JJ. Differential Recognition of Computationally Optimized H3 Hemagglutinin Influenza Vaccine Candidates by Human Antibodies. J Virol 2022; 96:e0089622. [PMID: 35916534 PMCID: PMC9400492 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00896-22] [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: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Among circulating influenza viruses in humans, H3N2 viruses typically evolve faster than other subtypes and have caused disease in millions of people since emerging in 1968. Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) technology is one strategy to broaden vaccine-elicited antibody responses among influenza subtypes. In this study, we determined the structural integrity of an H3N2 COBRA hemagglutinin (HA), TJ5, and we probed the antigenic profile of several H3N2 COBRA HAs by assessing recognition of these immunogens by human B cells from seasonally vaccinated human subjects. Of three recently described COBRA H3 HA antigens (TJ5, NG2, and J4), we determined that TJ5 and J4 HA proteins recognize pre-existing B cells more effectively than NG2 HA and a wild-type Hong Kong/4801/2014 protein. We also isolated a panel of 12 H3 HA-specific human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and identified that most MAbs recognize both wild-type and COBRA HA proteins and have functional activity against a broad panel of H3N2 viruses. Most MAbs target the receptor-binding site, and one MAb targets the HA stem. MAb TJ5-5 recognizes TJ5 and J4 COBRA HA proteins but has poor recognition of NG2 HA, similar to the global B-cell analysis. We determined a 3.4 Å structure via cryo-electron microscopy of Fab TJ5-5 complexed with the H3 COBRA TJ5, which revealed residues important to the differential binding. Overall, these studies determined that COBRA H3 HA proteins have correct antigenic and structural features, and the proteins are recognized by B cells and MAbs isolated from seasonally vaccinated humans. IMPORTANCE Vaccine development for circulating influenza viruses, particularly for the H3N2 subtype, remains challenging due to consistent antigenic drift. Computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) technology has proven effective for broadening influenza hemagglutinin (HA)-elicited antibody responses compared to wild-type immunogens. Here, we determined the structural features and antigenic profiles of H3 COBRA HA proteins. Two H3 COBRA HA proteins, TJ5 and J4, are better recognized by pre-existing B cells and monoclonal antibodies from the 2017 to 2018 vaccine season compared to COBRA NG2 and a wild-type A/Hong Kong/2014 HA protein. We determined a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of one MAb that poorly recognizes NG2, MAb TJ5-5, in complex with the TJ5 COBRA HA protein and identified residues critical to MAb recognition. As NG2 is more effective than TJ5 for the recent Hong Kong/2019 virus, these data provide insights into the diminished effectiveness of influenza vaccines across vaccine seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Abbadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Kaito Nagashima
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Alma Pena-Briseno
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
| | - Jarrod J. Mousa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, USA
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18
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Huang J, Miller RJ, Mousa JJ. A Pan-Pneumovirus vaccine based on immunodominant epitopes of the fusion protein. Front Immunol 2022; 13:941865. [PMID: 36003370 PMCID: PMC9393700 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.941865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) are two leading causes of severe respiratory infections in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. The fusion (F) protein is the major target of neutralizing antibodies. Recent developments in stabilizing the pre-fusion conformation of the F proteins, and identifying immunodominant epitopes that elicit potent neutralizing antibodies have led to the testing of numerous pre-fusion RSV F-based vaccines in clinical trials. We designed and tested the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a chimeric fusion protein that contains immunodominant epitopes of RSV F and hMPV F (RHMS-1). RHMS-1 has several advantages over vaccination with pre-fusion RSV F or hMPV F, including a focus on recalling B cells to the most important protective epitopes and the ability to induce protection against two viruses with a single antigen. RHMS-1 was generated as a trimeric recombinant protein, and analysis by negative-stain electron microscopy demonstrated the protein resembles the pre-fusion conformation. Probing of RHMS-1 antigenicity using a panel of RSV and hMPV F-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) revealed the protein retains features of both viruses, including the pre-fusion site Ø epitope of RSV F. Mice immunized with RHMS-1 generated neutralizing antibodies to both viruses and were completely protected from RSV or hMPV challenge. Overall, this study demonstrates protection against two viruses with a single antigen and supports testing of RHMS-1 in additional pre-clinical animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiachen Huang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Rose J. Miller
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
| | - Jarrod J. Mousa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jarrod J. Mousa,
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19
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Potently neutralizing and protective anti-human metapneumovirus antibodies target diverse sites on the fusion glycoprotein. Immunity 2022; 55:1710-1724.e8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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20
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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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21
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Banerjee A, Huang J, Rush SA, Murray J, Gingerich AD, Royer F, Hsieh CL, Tripp RA, McLellan JS, Mousa JJ. Structural basis for ultrapotent antibody-mediated neutralization of human metapneumovirus. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2203326119. [PMID: 35696580 PMCID: PMC9231621 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2203326119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is a leading cause of morbidity and hospitalization among children worldwide, however, no vaccines or therapeutics are currently available for hMPV disease prevention and treatment. The hMPV fusion (F) protein is the sole target of neutralizing antibodies. To map the immunodominant epitopes on the hMPV F protein, we isolated a panel of human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and the mAbs were assessed for binding avidity, neutralization potency, and epitope specificity. We found the majority of the mAbs target diverse epitopes on the hMPV F protein, and we discovered multiple mAb binding approaches for antigenic site III. The most potent mAb, MPV467, which had picomolar potency, was examined in prophylactic and therapeutic mouse challenge studies, and MPV467 limited virus replication in mouse lungs when administered 24 h before or 72 h after viral infection. We determined the structure of MPV467 in complex with the hMPV F protein using cryo-electron microscopy to a resolution of 3.3 Å, which revealed a complex novel prefusion-specific epitope overlapping antigenic sites II and V on a single protomer. Overall, our data reveal insights into the immunodominant antigenic epitopes on the hMPV F protein, identify a mAb therapy for hMPV F disease prevention and treatment, and provide the discovery of a prefusion-specific epitope on the hMPV F protein.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/isolation & purification
- Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/isolation & purification
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Viral/chemistry
- Antibodies, Viral/isolation & purification
- Antibodies, Viral/therapeutic use
- Antigens, Viral/chemistry
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Cryoelectron Microscopy
- Epitopes/immunology
- Humans
- Metapneumovirus/immunology
- Mice
- Paramyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control
- Primary Prevention
- Viral Fusion Proteins/chemistry
- Viral Fusion Proteins/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- Avik Banerjee
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Jiachen Huang
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Scott A. Rush
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Jackelyn Murray
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Aaron D. Gingerich
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Fredejah Royer
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Ching-Lin Hsieh
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Ralph A. Tripp
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
| | - Jason S. McLellan
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712
| | - Jarrod J. Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
- Department of Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
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22
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Suryadevara N, Shiakolas AR, VanBlargan LA, Binshtein E, Chen RE, Case JB, Kramer KJ, Armstrong EC, Myers L, Trivette A, Gainza C, Nargi RS, Selverian CN, Davidson E, Doranz BJ, Diaz SM, Handal LS, Carnahan RH, Diamond MS, Georgiev IS, Crowe JE. An antibody targeting the N-terminal domain of SARS-CoV-2 disrupts the spike trimer. J Clin Invest 2022; 132:e159062. [PMID: 35472136 PMCID: PMC9151704 DOI: 10.1172/jci159062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The protective human antibody response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) focuses on the spike (S) protein, which decorates the virion surface and mediates cell binding and entry. Most SARS-CoV-2 protective antibodies target the receptor-binding domain or a single dominant epitope ("supersite") on the N-terminal domain (NTD). Using the single B cell technology called linking B cell receptor to antigen specificity through sequencing (LIBRA-Seq), we isolated a large panel of NTD-reactive and SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing antibodies from an individual who had recovered from COVID-19. We found that neutralizing antibodies against the NTD supersite were commonly encoded by the IGHV1-24 gene, forming a genetic cluster representing a public B cell clonotype. However, we also discovered a rare human antibody, COV2-3434, that recognizes a site of vulnerability on the SARS-CoV-2 S protein in the trimer interface (TI) and possesses a distinct class of functional activity. COV2-3434 disrupted the integrity of S protein trimers, inhibited the cell-to-cell spread of the virus in culture, and conferred protection in human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-transgenic (ACE2-transgenic) mice against the SARS-CoV-2 challenge. This study provides insight into antibody targeting of the S protein TI region, suggesting this region may be a site of virus vulnerability.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea R. Shiakolas
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | - Rita E. Chen
- Department of Medicine and
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Kevin J. Kramer
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert H. Carnahan
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michael S. Diamond
- Department of Medicine and
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Ivelin S. Georgiev
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - James E. Crowe
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center and
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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23
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Profiling of hMPV F-specific antibodies isolated from human memory B cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2546. [PMID: 35538099 PMCID: PMC9091222 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) belongs to the Pneumoviridae family and is closely related to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The surface fusion (F) glycoprotein mediates viral fusion and is the primary target of neutralizing antibodies against hMPV. Here we report 113 hMPV-F specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) isolated from memory B cells of human donors. We characterize the antibodies' germline usage, epitopes, neutralization potencies, and binding specificities. We find that unlike RSV-F specific mAbs, antibody responses to hMPV F are less dominant against the apex of the antigen, and the majority of the potent neutralizing mAbs recognize epitopes on the side of hMPV F. Furthermore, neutralizing epitopes that differ from previously defined antigenic sites on RSV F are identified, and multiple binding modes of site V and II mAbs are discovered. Interestingly, mAbs that bind preferentially to the unprocessed prefusion F show poor neutralization potency. These results elucidate the immune recognition of hMPV infection and provide novel insights for future hMPV antibody and vaccine development.
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24
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Hsieh CL, Rush SA, Palomo C, Chou CW, Pickens W, Más V, McLellan JS. Structure-based design of prefusion-stabilized human metapneumovirus fusion proteins. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1299. [PMID: 35288548 PMCID: PMC8921277 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28931-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) fusion (F) protein is essential for viral entry and is a key target of neutralizing antibodies and vaccine development. The prefusion conformation is thought to be the optimal vaccine antigen, but previously described prefusion F proteins expressed poorly and were not well stabilized. Here, we use structures of hMPV F to guide the design of 42 variants containing stabilizing substitutions. Through combinatorial addition of disulfide bonds, cavity-filling substitutions, and improved electrostatic interactions, we describe a prefusion-stabilized F protein (DS-CavEs2) that expresses at 15 mg/L and has a melting temperature of 71.9 °C. Crystal structures of two prefusion-stabilized hMPV F variants reveal that antigenic surfaces are largely unperturbed. Importantly, immunization of mice with DS-CavEs2 elicits significantly higher neutralizing antibody titers against hMPV A1 and B1 viruses than postfusion F. The improved properties of DS-CavEs2 will advance the development of hMPV vaccines and the isolation of therapeutic antibodies. The degree to which the conformation of the human metapneumovirus fusion (F) protein affects immunogenicity has been debated. Here, Hsieh et al. engineer prefusion-stabilized F variants with enhanced thermostability that elicit higher neutralizing antibody titers in mice than postfusion F.
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25
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Abstract
Antibodies have been used to prevent or treat viral infections since the nineteenth century, but the full potential to use passive immunization for infectious diseases has yet to be realized. The advent of efficient methods for isolating broad and potently neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies is enabling us to develop antibodies with unprecedented activities. The discovery of IgG Fc region modifications that extend antibody half-life in humans to three months or more suggests that antibodies could become the principal tool with which we manage future viral epidemics. Antibodies for members of most virus families that cause severe disease in humans have been isolated, and many of them are in clinical development, an area that has accelerated during the effort to prevent or treat COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019). Broad and potently neutralizing antibodies are also important research reagents for identification of protective epitopes that can be engineered into active vaccines through structure-based reverse vaccinology. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Immunology, Volume 40 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- James E Crowe
- Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, Department of Pediatrics, and Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA;
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26
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Structure, Immunogenicity, and Conformation-Dependent Receptor Binding of the Postfusion Human Metapneumovirus F Protein. J Virol 2021; 95:e0059321. [PMID: 34160259 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00593-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important cause of acute viral respiratory infection. As the only target of neutralizing antibodies, the hMPV fusion (F) protein has been a major focus for vaccine development and targeting by drugs and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). While X-ray structures of trimeric prefusion and postfusion hMPV F proteins from genotype A, and monomeric prefusion hMPV F protein from genotype B have been determined, structural data for the postfusion conformation for genotype B is lacking. We determined the crystal structure of this protein and compared the structural differences of postfusion hMPV F between hMPV A and B genotypes. We also assessed the receptor binding properties of the hMPV F protein to heparin and heparan sulfate (HS). A library of HS oligomers was used to verify the HS binding activity of hMPV F, and several compounds showed binding to predominantly prefusion hMPV F, but had limited binding to postfusion hMPV F. Furthermore, MAbs to antigenic sites III and the 66-87 intratrimeric epitope block heparin binding. In addition, we evaluated the efficacy of postfusion hMPV B2 F protein as a vaccine candidate in BALB/c mice. Mice immunized with hMPV B2 postfusion F protein showed a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response and generated neutralizing antibodies against both subgroup A2 and B2 hMPV strains, which protected the mice from hMPV challenge. Antibody competition analysis revealed the antibodies generated by immunization target two known antigenic sites (III and IV) on the hMPV F protein. Overall, this study provides new characteristics of the hMPV F protein, which may be informative for vaccine and therapy development. IMPORTANCE Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) is an important cause of viral respiratory disease. In this paper, we report the X-ray crystal structure of the hMPV fusion (F) protein in the postfusion conformation from genotype B. We also assessed binding of the hMPV F protein to heparin and heparan sulfate, a previously reported receptor for the hMPV F protein. Furthermore, we determined the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of postfusion hMPV B2 F protein, which is the first study using a homogenous conformation of the protein. Antibodies generated in response to vaccination give a balanced Th1/Th2 response and target two previously discovered neutralizing epitopes.
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27
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Broadly Reactive Human Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting the Pneumococcal Histidine Triad Protein Protect against Fatal Pneumococcal Infection. Infect Immun 2021; 89:IAI.00747-20. [PMID: 33649050 PMCID: PMC8091081 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00747-20] [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: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia despite the widespread use of vaccines. While vaccines are effective at reducing the incidence of most serotypes included in vaccines, a rise in infection due to nonvaccine serotypes and moderate efficacy against some vaccine serotypes have contributed to high disease incidence. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a leading cause of bacterial pneumonia despite the widespread use of vaccines. While vaccines are effective at reducing the incidence of most serotypes included in vaccines, a rise in infection due to nonvaccine serotypes and moderate efficacy against some vaccine serotypes have contributed to high disease incidence. Additionally, numerous isolates of S. pneumoniae are antibiotic or multidrug resistant. Several conserved pneumococcal proteins prevalent in the majority of serotypes have been examined for their potential as vaccines in preclinical and clinical trials. An additional, yet-unexplored tool for disease prevention and treatment is the use of human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) targeting conserved pneumococcal proteins. Here, we isolated the first human MAbs (PhtD3, PhtD6, PhtD7, PhtD8, and PspA16) against the pneumococcal histidine triad protein (PhtD) and the pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), two conserved and protective antigens. MAbs to PhtD target diverse epitopes on PhtD, and MAb PspA16 targets the N-terminal segment of PspA. The PhtD-specific MAbs bind to multiple serotypes, while MAb PspA16 serotype breadth is limited. MAbs PhtD3 and PhtD8 prolong the survival of mice infected with pneumococcal serotype 3. Furthermore, MAb PhtD3 prolongs the survival of mice in intranasal and intravenous infection models with pneumococcal serotype 4 and in mice infected with pneumococcal serotype 3 when administered 24 h after pneumococcal infection. All PhtD and PspA MAbs demonstrate opsonophagocytic activity, suggesting a potential mechanism of protection. Our results identify new human MAbs for pneumococcal disease prevention and treatment and identify epitopes on PhtD and PspA recognized by human B cells.
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28
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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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