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Cao Y, Hayashi CTH, Kumar N. A Novel Ex Vivo Assay to Evaluate Functional Effectiveness of Plasmodium vivax Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Using Pvs25 Transgenic Plasmodium berghei. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:1894-1903. [PMID: 38408353 PMCID: PMC11175679 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae102] [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: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax account for >90% global malaria burden. Transmission intervention strategies encompassing transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV) and drugs represent ideal public health tools to eliminate malaria at the population level. The availability of mature P. falciparum gametocytes through in vitro culture has facilitated development of a standard membrane feeding assay to assess efficacy of transmission interventions against P. falciparum. The lack of in vitro culture for P. vivax has significantly hampered similar progress on P. vivax and limited studies have been possible using blood from infected patients in endemic areas. The ethical and logistical limitations of on-time access to blood from patients have impeded the development of P. vivax TBVs. METHODS Transgenic murine malaria parasites (Plasmodium berghei) expressing TBV candidates offer a promising alternative for evaluation of P. vivax TBVs through in vivo studies in mice, and ex vivo membrane feeding assay (MFA). RESULTS We describe the development of transmission-competent transgenic TgPbvs25 parasites and optimization of parameters to establish an ex vivo MFA to evaluate P. vivax TBV based on Pvs25 antigen. CONCLUSIONS The MFA is expected to expedite Pvs25-based TBV development without dependence on blood from P. vivax-infected patients in endemic areas for evaluation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Clifford T H Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
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Miura K, Flores-Garcia Y, Long CA, Zavala F. Vaccines and monoclonal antibodies: new tools for malaria control. Clin Microbiol Rev 2024; 37:e0007123. [PMID: 38656211 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00071-23] [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] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYMalaria remains one of the biggest health problems in the world. While significant reductions in malaria morbidity and mortality had been achieved from 2000 to 2015, the favorable trend has stalled, rather significant increases in malaria cases are seen in multiple areas. In 2022, there were 249 million estimated cases, and 608,000 malaria-related deaths, mostly in infants and children aged under 5 years, globally. Therefore, in addition to the expansion of existing anti-malarial control measures, it is critical to develop new tools, such as vaccines and monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), to fight malaria. In the last 2 years, the first and second malaria vaccines, both targeting Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite proteins (PfCSP), have been recommended by the World Health Organization to prevent P. falciparum malaria in children living in moderate to high transmission areas. While the approval of the two malaria vaccines is a considerable milestone in vaccine development, they have much room for improvement in efficacy and durability. In addition to the two approved vaccines, recent clinical trials with mAbs against PfCSP, blood-stage vaccines against P. falciparum or P. vivax, and transmission-blocking vaccine or mAb against P. falciparum have shown promising results. This review summarizes the development of the anti-PfCSP vaccines and mAbs, and recent topics in the blood- and transmission-blocking-stage vaccine candidates and mAbs. We further discuss issues of the current vaccines and the directions for the development of next-generation vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Yevel Flores-Garcia
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Carole A Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Malaria Research Institute, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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3
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Yamamoto Y, Fabbri C, Okuhara D, Takagi R, Kawabata Y, Katayama T, Iyori M, Hasyim AA, Sakamoto A, Mizukami H, Shida H, Lopes S, Yoshida S. A two-dose viral-vectored Plasmodium vivax multistage vaccine confers durable protection and transmission-blockade in a pre-clinical study. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1372584. [PMID: 38745665 PMCID: PMC11091281 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1372584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Among Plasmodium spp. responsible for human malaria, Plasmodium vivax ranks as the second most prevalent and has the widest geographical range; however, vaccine development has lagged behind that of Plasmodium falciparum, the deadliest Plasmodium species. Recently, we developed a multistage vaccine for P. falciparum based on a heterologous prime-boost immunization regimen utilizing the attenuated vaccinia virus strain LC16m8Δ (m8Δ)-prime and adeno-associated virus type 1 (AAV1)-boost, and demonstrated 100% protection and more than 95% transmission-blocking (TB) activity in the mouse model. In this study, we report the feasibility and versatility of this vaccine platform as a P. vivax multistage vaccine, which can provide 100% sterile protection against sporozoite challenge and >95% TB efficacy in the mouse model. Our vaccine comprises m8Δ and AAV1 viral vectors, both harboring the gene encoding two P. vivax circumsporozoite (PvCSP) protein alleles (VK210; PvCSP-Sal and VK247; -PNG) and P25 (Pvs25) expressed as a Pvs25-PvCSP fusion protein. For protective efficacy, the heterologous m8Δ-prime/AAV1-boost immunization regimen showed 100% (short-term; Day 28) and 60% (long-term; Day 242) protection against PvCSP VK210 transgenic Plasmodium berghei sporozoites. For TB efficacy, mouse sera immunized with the vaccine formulation showed >75% TB activity and >95% transmission reduction activity by a direct membrane feeding assay using P. vivax isolates in blood from an infected patient from the Brazilian Amazon region. These findings provide proof-of-concept that the m8Δ/AAV1 vaccine platform is sufficiently versatile for P. vivax vaccine development. Future studies are needed to evaluate the safety, immunogenicity, vaccine efficacy, and synergistic effects on protection and transmission blockade in a non-human primate model for Phase I trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutaro Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Camila Fabbri
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane/Fiocruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Diagnóstico e Controle e Doenças Infecciosas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Unidade de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema - UPCCB, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Daiki Okuhara
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Rina Takagi
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yuna Kawabata
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Takuto Katayama
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Musashino University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ammar A. Hasyim
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Genetic Therapeutics, Jichi Medical University, Shimono, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hisatoshi Shida
- Laboratory of Primate Model, Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Stefanie Lopes
- Instituto Leônidas & Maria Deane/Fiocruz Amazônia, Laboratório de Diagnóstico e Controle e Doenças Infecciosas da Amazônia, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Unidade de Pesquisa Clínica Carlos Borborema - UPCCB, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
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Gao W, Qiu Y, Zhu L, Yu X, Yang F, Chen M, He G, Liu Y, Cui L, Liu F, Zhu X, Cao Y. A dual-antigen malaria vaccine targeting Pb22 and Pbg37 was able to induce robust transmission-blocking activity. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:455. [PMID: 38098083 PMCID: PMC10720250 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06071-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite years of effort to develop an effective vaccine against malaria infection, a vaccine that provides individuals with sufficient protection against malaria illness and death in endemic areas is not yet available. The development of transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) is a promising strategy for malaria control. A dual-antigen malaria vaccine targeting both pre- and post-fertilization antigens could effectively improve the transmission-blocking activity of vaccines against the sexual stages of the parasite. METHODS A chimeric recombinant protein Pb22-Pbg37 (Plasmodium berghei 22-P. berghei G37) composed of 19-218 amino acids (aa) of Pb22 and the N-terminal 26-88 aa of Pbg37 was designed and expressed in the Escherichia coli expression system. The antibody titers of the fusion (Pb22-Pbg37) and mixed (Pb22+Pbg37) antigens, as well as those of Pb22 and Pbg37 single antigens were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunofluorescence and western blot assays were performed to test the reactivity of the antisera with the native proteins in the parasite. The induction of transmission-blocking activity (TBA) by Pb22-Pbg37 and Pb22+Pbg37 were evaluated by in vitro gametocyte activation, gamete and exflagellation center formation, ookinete conversion, and in the direct mosquito feeding assay. RESULTS The Pb22-Pbg37 fusion protein was successfully expressed in vitro. Co-administration of Pb22 and Pbg37 as a fusion or mixed protein elicited comparable antibody responses in mice and resulted in responses to both antigens. Most importantly, both the mixed and fusion antigens induced antibodies with significantly higher levels of TBA than did each of the individual antigens when administered alone. In addition, the efficacy of vaccination with the Pb22-Pbg37 fusion protein was equivalent to that of vaccination with the mixed single antigens. CONCLUSIONS Dual-antigen vaccines, which expand/lengthen the period during which the transmission-blocking antibodies can act during sexual-stage development, can provide a promising higher transmission-reducing activity compared to single antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyan Gao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, NO. 155, Nanjing Street, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yue Qiu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
- Department of Cardiovascular Ultrasound, The First Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, Liaoning, China
| | - Liying Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Muyan Chen
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang He
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinjie Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiaotong Zhu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang, 110122, Liaoning, People's Republic of China.
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Rajneesh, Tiwari R, Singh VK, Kumar A, Gupta RP, Singh AK, Gautam V, Kumar R. Advancements and Challenges in Developing Malaria Vaccines: Targeting Multiple Stages of the Parasite Life Cycle. ACS Infect Dis 2023; 9:1795-1814. [PMID: 37708228 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00332] [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: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Malaria, caused by Plasmodium species, remains a major global health concern, causing millions of deaths annually. While the introduction of the RTS,S vaccine has shown promise, there is a pressing need for more effective vaccines due to the emergence of drug-resistant parasites and insecticide-resistant vectors. However, the complex life cycle and genetic diversity of the parasite, technical obstacles, limited funding, and the impact of the 2019 pandemic have hindered progress in malaria vaccine development. This review focuses on advancements in malaria vaccine development, particularly the ongoing clinical trials targeting antigens from different stages of the Plasmodium life cycle. Additionally, we discuss the rationale, strategies, and challenges associated with vaccine design, aiming to enhance the immune response and protective efficacy of vaccine candidates. A cost-effective and multistage vaccine could hold the key to controlling and eradicating malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajneesh
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rahul Tiwari
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Vishal K Singh
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Awnish Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rohit P Gupta
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
- Department of Applied Microbiology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Akhilesh K Singh
- Faculty of Dental Science, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Vibhav Gautam
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Rajiv Kumar
- Centre of Experimental Medicine & Surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
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Zhu J, Liu J, Yan C, Wang D, Pan W. Trained immunity: a cutting edge approach for designing novel vaccines against parasitic diseases? Front Immunol 2023; 14:1252554. [PMID: 37868995 PMCID: PMC10587610 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1252554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The preventive situation of parasitosis, a global public health burden especially for developing countries, is not looking that good. Similar to other infections, vaccines would be the best choice for preventing and controlling parasitic infection. However, ideal antigenic molecules for vaccine development have not been identified so far, resulting from the complicated life history and enormous genomes of the parasites. Furthermore, the suppression or down-regulation of anti-infectious immunity mediated by the parasites or their derived molecules can compromise the effect of parasitic vaccines. Comparing the early immune profiles of several parasites in the permissive and non-permissive hosts, a robust innate immune response is proposed to be a critical event to eliminate the parasites. Therefore, enhancing innate immunity may be essential for designing novel and effective parasitic vaccines. The newly emerging trained immunity (also termed innate immune memory) has been increasingly recognized to provide a novel perspective for vaccine development targeting innate immunity. This article reviews the current status of parasitic vaccines and anti-infectious immunity, as well as the conception, characteristics, and mechanisms of trained immunity and its research progress in Parasitology, highlighting the possible consideration of trained immunity in designing novel vaccines against parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhang Zhu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiaxi Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chao Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dahui Wang
- Liangshan College (Li Shui) China, Lishui University, Lishui, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wei Pan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Jiangsu International Key Laboratory of Immunity and Metabolism, Department of Pathogen Biology and Immunology, Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, China
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7
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Tsoumani ME, Voyiatzaki C, Efstathiou A. Malaria Vaccines: From the Past towards the mRNA Vaccine Era. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1452. [PMID: 37766129 PMCID: PMC10536368 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium spp. is the etiological agent of malaria, a life-threatening parasitic disease transmitted by infected mosquitoes. Malaria remains a major global health challenge, particularly in endemic regions. Over the years, various vaccine candidates targeting different stages of Plasmodium parasite life-cycle have been explored, including subunit vaccines, vectored vaccines, and whole organism vaccines with Mosquirix, a vaccine based on a recombinant protein, as the only currently approved vaccine for Plasmodium falciparum malaria. Despite the aforementioned notable progress, challenges such as antigenic diversity, limited efficacy, resistant parasites escaping protective immunity and the need for multiple doses have hindered the development of a highly efficacious malaria vaccine. The recent success of mRNA-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 has sparked renewed interest in mRNA vaccine platforms. The unique mRNA vaccine features, including their potential for rapid development, scalability, and flexibility in antigen design, make them a promising avenue for malaria vaccine development. This review provides an overview of the malaria vaccines' evolution from the past towards the mRNA vaccine era and highlights their advantages in overcoming the limitations of previous malaria vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Tsoumani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Aigaleo, Greece; (M.E.T.); (C.V.)
| | - Chrysa Voyiatzaki
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Aigaleo, Greece; (M.E.T.); (C.V.)
| | - Antonia Efstathiou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Aigaleo, Greece; (M.E.T.); (C.V.)
- Immunology of Infection Group, Department of Microbiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 11521 Athens, Greece
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8
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Hayashi CTH, Cao Y, Clark LC, Tripathi AK, Zavala F, Dwivedi G, Knox J, Alameh MG, Lin PJC, Tam YK, Weissman D, Kumar N. mRNA-LNP expressing PfCSP and Pfs25 vaccine candidates targeting infection and transmission of Plasmodium falciparum. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:155. [PMID: 36456563 PMCID: PMC9715627 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00577-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a deadly disease responsible for between 550,000 and 627,000 deaths annually. There is a pressing need to develop vaccines focused on malaria elimination. The complex lifecycle of Plasmodium falciparum provides opportunities not only to target the infectious sporozoite stage, introduced by anopheline mosquitoes, but also the sexual stages, which are ingested by mosquitoes during blood feeding, leading to parasite transmission. It is widely recognized that a vaccine targeting multiple stages would induce efficacious transmission reducing immunity. Technological advancements offer new vaccine platforms, such as mRNA-LNPs, which can be used to develop highly effective malarial vaccines. We evaluated the immunogenicity of two leading P. falciparum vaccine candidates, Pfs25 and PfCSP, delivered as mRNA-LNP vaccines. Both vaccines induced extremely potent immune responses when administered alone or in combination, which were superior to Pfs25 and PfCSP DNA vaccine formulations. Purified IgGs from Pfs25 mRNA-LNPs immunized mice were highly potent in reducing malaria transmission to mosquitoes. Additionally, mice after three and four immunizations with PfCSP mRNA-LNP provided evidence for varying degrees of protection against sporozoite challenge. The comparison of immune responses and stage-specific functional activity induced by each mRNA-LNP vaccine, administered alone or in combination, also supports the development of an effective combination vaccine without any risk of immune interference for targeting malaria parasites at various life cycle stages. A combination of vaccines targeting both the infective stage and sexual/midgut stages is expected to interrupt malaria transmission, which is critical for achieving elimination goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clifford T H Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Yi Cao
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Leor C Clark
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Abhai K Tripathi
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21215, USA
| | - Garima Dwivedi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - James Knox
- Department of Pathology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | | | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Drew Weissman
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA.
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9
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Sun Y, Shi X, Lu F, Fu H, Yin Y, Xu J, Jin C, Han ET, Huang X, Chen Y, Dong C, Cheng Y. Vesicular stomatitis virus-based vaccine targeting plasmodium blood-stage antigens elicits immune response and protects against malaria with protein booster strategy. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1042414. [PMID: 36504817 PMCID: PMC9731671 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1042414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Merozoite invasion of the erythrocytes in humans is a key step in the pathogenesis of malaria. The proteins involved in the merozoite invasion could be potential targets for the development of malaria vaccines. Novel viral-vector-based malaria vaccine regimens developed are currently under clinical trials. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) is a single-stranded negative-strand RNA virus widely used as a vector for virus or cancer vaccines. Whether the VSV-based malarial vaccine is more effective than conventional vaccines based on proteins involved in parasitic invasion is still unclear. In this study, we have used the reverse genetics system to construct recombinant VSVs (rVSVs) expressing apical membrane protein 1 (AMA1), rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2), and reticulocyte-binding protein homolog 5 (RH5), which are required for Plasmodium falciparum invasion. Our results showed that VSV-based viral vaccines significantly increased Plasmodium-specific IgG levels and lymphocyte proliferation. Also, VSV-PyAMA1 and VSV-PyRON2sp prime-boost regimens could significantly increase the levels of IL-2 and IFN-γ-producing by CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and suppress invasion in vitro. The rVSV prime-protein boost regimen significantly increase Plasmodium antigen-specific IgG levels in the serum of mice compared to the homologous rVSV prime-boost. Furthermore, the protective efficacy of rVSV prime protein boost immunization in the mice challenged with P. yoelii 17XL was better compared to traditional antigen immunization. Together, our results show that VSV vector is a novel strategy for malarial vaccine development and preventing the parasitic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaodan Shi
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Lu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Haitian Fu
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,Department of Nuclear Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yi Yin
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Jiahui Xu
- Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Eun-taek Han
- Department of Medical Environmental Biology and Tropical Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
| | - Xuan Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongquan Chen
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunsheng Dong
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institutes of Biology and Medical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China,*Correspondence: Chunsheng Dong,
| | - Yang Cheng
- Laboratory of Pathogen Infection and Immunity, Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China,Yang Cheng,
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Iyori M, Blagborough AM, Mizuno T, Abe YI, Nagaoka M, Hori N, Yamagoshi I, Da DF, Gregory WF, Hasyim AA, Yamamoto Y, Sakamoto A, Yoshida K, Mizukami H, Shida H, Yoshida S. Sterile protection and transmission blockade by a multistage anti-malarial vaccine in the pre-clinical study. Front Immunol 2022; 13:1005476. [PMID: 36248835 PMCID: PMC9558734 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1005476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap 2013 (World Health Organization) aims to develop safe and effective vaccines by 2030 that will offer at least 75% protective efficacy against clinical malaria and reduce parasite transmission. Here, we demonstrate a highly effective multistage vaccine against both the pre-erythrocytic and sexual stages of Plasmodium falciparum that protects and reduces transmission in a murine model. The vaccine is based on a viral-vectored vaccine platform, comprising a highly-attenuated vaccinia virus strain, LC16m8Δ (m8Δ), a genetically stable variant of a licensed and highly effective Japanese smallpox vaccine LC16m8, and an adeno-associated virus (AAV), a viral vector for human gene therapy. The genes encoding P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) and the ookinete protein P25 (Pfs25) are expressed as a Pfs25-PfCSP fusion protein, and the heterologous m8Δ-prime/AAV-boost immunization regimen in mice provided both 100% protection against PfCSP-transgenic P. berghei sporozoites and up to 100% transmission blocking efficacy, as determined by a direct membrane feeding assay using parasites from P. falciparum-positive, naturally-infected donors from endemic settings. Remarkably, the persistence of vaccine-induced immune responses were over 7 months and additionally provided complete protection against repeated parasite challenge in a murine model. We propose that application of the m8Δ/AAV malaria multistage vaccine platform has the potential to contribute to the landmark goals of the malaria vaccine technology roadmap, to achieve life-long sterile protection and high-level transmission blocking efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | | | - Tetsushi Mizuno
- Department of Parasitology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yu-ichi Abe
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Mio Nagaoka
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Naoto Hori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Iroha Yamagoshi
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Dari F. Da
- Département de Biologie Médicale et Santé Publique, Unité Paludisme et Maladies Tropicales Négligées, Institut de Recherche en Sciences de la Santé, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
| | - William F. Gregory
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ammar A. Hasyim
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Yutaro Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Kunitaka Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Gene Therapy, Jichi Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Hisatoshi Shida
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Ishikawa, Japan
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11
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Kanoi BN, Maina M, Likhovole C, Kobia FM, Gitaka J. Malaria vaccine approaches leveraging technologies optimized in the COVID-19 era. FRONTIERS IN TROPICAL DISEASES 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fitd.2022.988665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Africa bears the greatest burden of malaria with more than 200 million clinical cases and more than 600,000 deaths in 2020 alone. While malaria-associated deaths dropped steadily until 2015, the decline started to falter after 2016, highlighting the need for novel potent tools in the fight against malaria. Currently available tools, such as antimalarial drugs and insecticides are threatened by development of resistance by the parasite and the mosquito. The WHO has recently approved RTS,S as the first malaria vaccine for public health use. However, because the RTS,S vaccine has an efficacy of only 36% in young children, there is need for more efficacious vaccines. Indeed, based on the global goal of licensing a malaria vaccine with at least 75% efficacy by 2030, RTS,S is unlikely to be sufficient alone. However, recent years have seen tremendous progress in vaccine development. Although the COVID-19 pandemic impacted malaria control, the rapid progress in research towards the development of COVID-19 vaccines indicate that harnessing funds and technological advances can remarkably expedite vaccine development. In this review, we highlight and discuss current and prospective trends in global efforts to discover and develop malaria vaccines through leveraging mRNA vaccine platforms and other systems optimized during COVID-19 vaccine studies.
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12
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Hasyim AA, Iyori M, Mizuno T, Abe YI, Yamagoshi I, Yusuf Y, Syafira I, Sakamoto A, Yamamoto Y, Mizukami H, Shida H, Yoshida S. Adeno-associated virus-based malaria booster vaccine following attenuated replication-competent vaccinia virus LC16m8Δ priming. Parasitol Int 2022; 92:102652. [PMID: 36007703 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2022.102652] [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: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that boosting with adeno-associated virus (AAV) type 1 (AAV1) can induce highly effective and long-lasting protective immune responses against malaria parasites when combined with replication-deficient adenovirus priming in a rodent model. In the present study, we compared the efficacy of two different AAV serotypes, AAV1 and AAV5, as malaria booster vaccines following priming with the attenuated replication-competent vaccinia virus strain LC16m8Δ (m8Δ), which harbors the fusion gene encoding both the pre-erythrocytic stage protein, Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite (PfCSP) and the sexual stage protein (Pfs25) in a two-dose heterologous prime-boost immunization regimen. Both regimens, m8Δ/AAV1 and m8Δ/AAV5, induced robust anti-PfCSP and anti-Pfs25 antibodies. To evaluate the protective efficacy, the mice were challenged with sporozoites twice after immunization. At the first sporozoite challenge, m8Δ/AAV5 achieved 100% sterile protection whereas m8Δ/AAV1 achieved 70% protection. However, at the second challenge, 100% of the surviving mice from the first challenge were protected in the m8Δ/AAV1 group whereas only 55.6% of those in the m8Δ/AAV5 group were protected. Regarding the transmission-blocking efficacy, we found that both immunization regimens induced high levels of transmission-reducing activity (>99%) and transmission-blocking activity (>95%). Our data indicate that the AAV5-based multistage malaria vaccine is as effective as the AAV1-based vaccine when administered following an m8Δ-based vaccine. These results suggest that AAV5 could be a viable alternate vaccine vector as a malaria booster vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammar A Hasyim
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Tetsushi Mizuno
- Department of Global Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0934, Japan
| | - Yu-Ichi Abe
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Iroha Yamagoshi
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yenni Yusuf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan 90245, Indonesia
| | - Intan Syafira
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Yutaro Yamamoto
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Gene Therapy, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan
| | - Hisatoshi Shida
- Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0815, Japan
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-1192, Japan.
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13
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Vaccine co-display of CSP and Pfs230 on liposomes targeting two Plasmodium falciparum differentiation stages. Commun Biol 2022; 5:773. [PMID: 35915227 PMCID: PMC9341416 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03688-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A vaccine targeting multiple stages of the Plasmodium falciparum parasite life cycle is desirable. The sporozoite surface Circumsporozoite Protein (CSP) is the target of leading anti-infective P. falciparum pre-erythrocytic vaccines. Pfs230, a sexual-stage P. falciparum surface protein, is currently in trials as the basis for a transmission-blocking vaccine, which inhibits parasite development in the mosquito vector. Here, recombinant full-length CSP and a Pfs230 fragment (Pfs230D1+) are co-displayed on immunogenic liposomes to induce immunity against both infection and transmission. Liposomes contain cobalt-porphyrin phospholipid (CoPoP), monophosphoryl lipid A and QS-21, and rapidly bind His-tagged CSP and Pfs230D1+ upon admixture to form bivalent particles that maintain reactivity with conformational monoclonal antibodies. Use of multicolor fluorophore-labeled antigens reveals liposome binding upon admixture, stability in serum and enhanced uptake in murine macrophages in vitro. Bivalent liposomes induce humoral and cellular responses against both CSP and Pfs230D1+. Vaccine-induced antibodies reduce parasite numbers in mosquito midguts in a standard membrane feeding assay. Mice immunized with liposome-displayed antigens or that passively receive antibodies from immunized rabbits have reduced parasite liver burden following challenge with transgenic sporozoites expressing P. falciparum CSP.
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14
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Cao Y, Hayashi CTH, Zavala F, Tripathi AK, Simonyan H, Young CN, Clark LC, Usuda Y, Van Parys JM, Kumar N. Effective Functional Immunogenicity of a DNA Vaccine Combination Delivered via In Vivo Electroporation Targeting Malaria Infection and Transmission. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1134. [PMID: 35891298 PMCID: PMC9323668 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) and Pfs25 are leading candidates for the development of pre-erythrocytic and transmission-blocking vaccines (TBV), respectively. Although considerable progress has been made in developing PfCSP- and Pfs25-based vaccines, neither have elicited complete protection or transmission blocking in clinical trials. The combination of antigens targeting various life stages is an alternative strategy to develop a more efficacious malaria vaccine. In this study, female and male mice were immunized with DNA plasmids encoding PfCSP and Pfs25, administered alone or in combination via intramuscular in vivo electroporation (EP). Antigen-specific antibodies were analyzed for antibody titers, avidity and isotype by ELISA. Immune protection against sporozoite challenge, using transgenic P. berghei expressing PfCSP and a GFP-luciferase fusion protein (PbPfCSP-GFP/Luc), was assessed by in vivo bioluminescence imaging and blood-stage parasite growth. Transmission reducing activity (TRA) was evaluated in standard membrane feeding assays (SMFA). High levels of PfCSP- and Pfs25-specific antibodies were induced in mice immunized with either DNA vaccine alone or in combination. No difference in antibody titer and avidity was observed for both PfCSP and Pfs25 between the single DNA and combined DNA immunization groups. When challenged by PbPfCSP-GFP/Luc sporozoites, mice immunized with PfCSP alone or combined with Pfs25 revealed significantly reduced liver-stage parasite loads as compared to mice immunized with Pfs25, used as a control. Furthermore, parasite liver loads were negatively correlated with PfCSP-specific antibody levels. When evaluating TRA, we found that immunization with Pfs25 alone or in combination with PfCSP elicited comparable significant transmission reduction. Our studies reveal that the combination of PfCSP and Pfs25 DNAs into a vaccine delivered by in vivo EP in mice does not compromise immunogenicity, infection protection and transmission reduction when compared to each DNA vaccine individually, and provide support for further evaluation of this DNA combination vaccine approach in larger animals and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Cao
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Clifford T. H. Hayashi
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Fidel Zavala
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (F.Z.); (A.K.T.)
| | - Abhai K. Tripathi
- Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; (F.Z.); (A.K.T.)
| | - Hayk Simonyan
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (H.S.); (C.N.Y.)
| | - Colin N. Young
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (H.S.); (C.N.Y.)
| | - Leor C. Clark
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Yukari Usuda
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Jacob M. Van Parys
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
| | - Nirbhay Kumar
- Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (Y.C.); (C.T.H.H.); (L.C.C.); (Y.U.); (J.M.V.P.)
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15
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Yu S, Wang J, Luo X, Zheng H, Wang L, Yang X, Wang Y. Transmission-Blocking Strategies Against Malaria Parasites During Their Mosquito Stages. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:820650. [PMID: 35252033 PMCID: PMC8889032 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.820650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is still the most widespread parasitic disease and causes the most infections globally. Owing to improvements in sanitary conditions and various intervention measures, including the use of antimalarial drugs, the malaria epidemic in many regions of the world has improved significantly in the past 10 years. However, people living in certain underdeveloped areas are still under threat. Even in some well-controlled areas, the decline in malaria infection rates has stagnated or the rates have rebounded because of the emergence and spread of drug-resistant malaria parasites. Thus, new malaria control methods must be developed. As the spread of the Plasmodium parasite is dependent on the part of its life cycle that occurs in mosquitoes, to eliminate the possibility of malaria infections, transmission-blocking strategies against the mosquito stage should be the first choice. In fact, after the gametocyte enters the mosquito body, it undergoes a series of transformation processes over a short period, thus providing numerous potential blocking targets. Many research groups have carried out studies based on targeting the blocking of transmission during the mosquito phase and have achieved excellent results. Meanwhile, the direct killing of mosquitoes could also significantly reduce the probability of malaria infections. Microorganisms that display complex interactions with Plasmodium, such as Wolbachia and gut flora, have shown observable transmission-blocking potential. These could be used as a biological control strategy and play an important part in blocking the transmission of malaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shasha Yu
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xue Luo
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Luhan Wang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xuesen Yang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Tropical Medicine, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Wang,
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16
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Perera DJ, Ndao M. Promising Technologies in the Field of Helminth Vaccines. Front Immunol 2021; 12:711650. [PMID: 34489961 PMCID: PMC8418310 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.711650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Helminths contribute a larger global burden of disease than both malaria and tuberculosis. These eukaryotes have caused human infections since before our earliest recorded history (i.e.: earlier than 1200 B.C. for Schistosoma spp.). Despite the prevalence and importance of these infections, helminths are considered a neglected tropical disease for which there are no vaccines approved for human use. Similar to other parasites, helminths are complex organisms which employ a plethora of features such as: complex life cycles, chronic infections, and antigenic mimicry to name a few, making them difficult to target by conventional vaccine strategies. With novel vaccine strategies such as viral vectors and genetic elements, numerous constructs are being defined for a wide range of helminth parasites; however, it has yet to be discussed which of these approaches may be the most effective. With human trials being conducted, and a pipeline of potential anti-helminthic antigens, greater understanding of helminth vaccine-induced immunity is necessary for the development of potent vaccine platforms and their optimal design. This review outlines the conventional and the most promising approaches in clinical and preclinical helminth vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilhan J Perera
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Program of Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Momar Ndao
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Program of Infectious Diseases and Immunity in Global Health, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,National Reference Centre for Parasitology, Research Institute of McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
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17
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Shahnaij M, Iyori M, Mizukami H, Kajino M, Yamagoshi I, Syafira I, Yusuf Y, Fujiwara K, Yamamoto DS, Kato H, Ohno N, Yoshida S. Liver-Directed AAV8 Booster Vaccine Expressing Plasmodium falciparum Antigen Following Adenovirus Vaccine Priming Elicits Sterile Protection in a Murine Model. Front Immunol 2021; 12:612910. [PMID: 34248928 PMCID: PMC8261234 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.612910] [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: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatocyte infection by malaria sporozoites is a bottleneck in the life-cycle of Plasmodium spp. including P. falciparum, which causes the most lethal form of malaria. Therefore, developing an effective vaccine capable of inducing the strong humoral and cellular immune responses necessary to block the pre-erythrocytic stage has potential to overcome the spatiotemporal hindrances pertaining to parasite biology and hepatic microanatomy. We recently showed that when combined with a human adenovirus type 5 (AdHu5)-priming vaccine, adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1) is a potent booster malaria vaccine vector capable of inducing strong and long-lasting protective immune responses in a rodent malaria model. Here, we evaluated the protective efficacy of a hepatotropic virus, adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8), as a booster vector because it can deliver a transgene potently and rapidly to the liver, the organ malaria sporozoites initially infect and multiply in following sporozoite injection by the bite of an infected mosquito. We first generated an AAV8-vectored vaccine expressing P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP). Intravenous (i.v.) administration of AAV8-PfCSP to mice initially primed with AdHu5-PfCSP resulted in a hepatocyte transduction rate ~2.5 times above that seen with intramuscular (i.m.) administration. This immunization regimen provided a better protection rate (100% sterile protection) than that of the i.m. AdHu5-prime/i.m. AAV8-boost regimen (60%, p < 0.05), i.m. AdHu5-prime/i.v. AAV1-boost (78%), or i.m. AdHu5-prime/i.m. AAV1-boost (80%) against challenge with transgenic PfCSP-expressing P. berghei sporozoites. Compared with the i.m. AdHu5-prime/i.v. AAV1-boost regimen, three other regimens induced higher levels of PfCSP-specific humoral immune responses. Importantly, a single i.v. dose of AAV8-PfCSP recruited CD8+ T cells, especially resident memory CD8+ T cells, in the liver. These data suggest that boost with i.v. AAV8-PfCSP can improve humoral and cellular immune responses in BALB/c mice. Therefore, this regimen holds great promise as a next-generation platform for the development of an effective malaria vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Shahnaij
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Mitsuhiro Iyori
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Mizukami
- Division of Gene Therapy, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Mayu Kajino
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Iroha Yamagoshi
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Intan Syafira
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Yenni Yusuf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Hasanuddin, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Ken Fujiwara
- Division of Histology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Daisuke S Yamamoto
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Hirotomo Kato
- Division of Medical Zoology, Department of Infection and Immunity, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Ohno
- Division of Histology and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Japan
| | - Shigeto Yoshida
- Laboratory of Vaccinology and Applied Immunology, Kanazawa University School of Pharmacy, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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18
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Zhan W, Muhuri M, Tai PWL, Gao G. Vectored Immunotherapeutics for Infectious Diseases: Can rAAVs Be The Game Changers for Fighting Transmissible Pathogens? Front Immunol 2021; 12:673699. [PMID: 34046041 PMCID: PMC8144494 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.673699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Conventional vaccinations and immunotherapies have encountered major roadblocks in preventing infectious diseases like HIV, influenza, and malaria. These challenges are due to the high genomic variation and immunomodulatory mechanisms inherent to these diseases. Passive transfer of broadly neutralizing antibodies may offer partial protection, but these treatments require repeated dosing. Some recombinant viral vectors, such as those based on lentiviruses and adeno-associated viruses (AAVs), can confer long-term transgene expression in the host after a single dose. Particularly, recombinant (r)AAVs have emerged as favorable vectors, given their high in vivo transduction efficiency, proven clinical efficacy, and low immunogenicity profiles. Hence, rAAVs are being explored to deliver recombinant antibodies to confer immunity against infections or to diminish the severity of disease. When used as a vaccination vector for the delivery of antigens, rAAVs enable de novo synthesis of foreign proteins with the conformation and topology that resemble those of natural pathogens. However, technical hurdles like pre-existing immunity to the rAAV capsid and production of anti-drug antibodies can reduce the efficacy of rAAV-vectored immunotherapies. This review summarizes rAAV-based prophylactic and therapeutic strategies developed against infectious diseases that are currently being tested in pre-clinical and clinical studies. Technical challenges and potential solutions will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhan
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Manish Muhuri
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Phillip W. L. Tai
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- VIDE Program, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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Huang WC, Deng B, Mabrouk MT, Seffouh A, Ortega J, Long C, Miura K, Wu Y, Lovell JF. Particle-based, Pfs230 and Pfs25 immunization is effective, but not improved by duplexing at fixed total antigen dose. Malar J 2020; 19:309. [PMID: 32859199 PMCID: PMC7453371 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03368-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The Plasmodium falciparum sexual-stage surface proteins Pfs25 and Pfs230 are antigen candidates for a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV), and have been widely investigated as such. It is not clear whether simultaneously presenting these two antigens in a particulate vaccine would enhance the transmission reducing activity (TRA) of induced antibodies. To assess this, immunization was carried out with liposomes containing synthetic lipid adjuvant monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), and cobalt-porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP), which rapidly converts recombinant, his-tagged antigens into particles. Methods His-tagged, recombinant Pfs25 and Pfs230C1 were mixed with CoPoP liposomes to form a bivalent vaccine. Antigens were fluorescently labelled to infer duplex particleization serum-stability and binding kinetics using fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Mice and rabbits were immunized with individual or duplexed particleized Pfs25 and Pfs230C1, at fixed total antigen doses. The resulting antibody responses were assessed for magnitude and TRA. Results Pfs230C1 and Pfs25 rapidly bound CoPoP liposomes to form a serum-stable, bivalent particle vaccine. In mice, immunization with 5 ng of total antigen (individual antigen or duplexed) elicited functional antibodies against Pfs25 and Pfs230. Compared to immunization with the individual antigen, Pfs25 antibody production was moderately lower for the bivalent CoPoP vaccine, whereas Pfs230C1 antibody production was not impacted. All antibodies demonstrated at least 92% inhibition in oocyst density at 750 μg/mL purified mouse IgG in the standard membrane feeding assay (SMFA). At lower IgG concentrations, the bivalent vaccine did not improve TRA; antibodies induced by particleized Pfs25 alone showed stronger function in these conditions. In rabbits, immunization with a 20 µg total antigen dose with the duplexed antigens yielded similar antibody production against Pfs25 and Pfs230 compared to immunization with a 20 µg dose of individual antigens. However, no enhanced TRA was observed with duplexing. Conclusions Pfs25, Pfs230 or the duplexed combination can readily be prepared as particulate vaccines by mixing CoPoP liposomes with soluble, recombinant antigens. This approach induces potent transmission-reducing antibodies following immunization in mice and rabbits. Immunization with bivalent, particleized, Pfs230 and Pfs25 did not yield antibodies with superior TRA compared to immunization with particleized Pfs25 as a single antigen. Altogether, duplexing antigens is straightforward and effective using CoPoP liposomes, but is likely to be more useful for targeting distinct parasite life stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Chiao Huang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Bingbing Deng
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Moustafa T Mabrouk
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| | - Amal Seffouh
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Joaquin Ortega
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University Montreal, Quebec, H3A 0C7, Canada
| | - Carole Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, 20852, USA
| | - Yimin Wu
- PATH's Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), Washington, DC, 20001, USA
| | - Jonathan F Lovell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA.
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