1
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Rush JS, Zamakhaeva S, Murner NR, Deng P, Morris AJ, Kenner CW, Black I, Heiss C, Azadi P, Korotkov KV, Widmalm G, Korotkova N. Structure and mechanism of biosynthesis of Streptococcus mutans cell wall polysaccharide. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.09.593426. [PMID: 38766245 PMCID: PMC11100793 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.09.593426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Streptococcus mutans, the causative agent of human dental caries, expresses a cell wall attached Serotype c- specific Carbohydrate (SCC) that is critical for cell viability. SCC consists of a repeating →3)α-Rha(1→2)α-Rha(1→ polyrhamnose backbone, with glucose (Glc) side-chains and glycerol phosphate (GroP) decorations. This study reveals that SCC has one major and two minor Glc modifications. The major Glc modification, α-Glc, attached to position 2 of 3-rhamnose, is installed by SccN and SccM glycosyltransferases and is the site of the GroP addition. The minor Glc modifications are β-Glc linked to position 4 of 3-rhamnose installed by SccP and SccQ glycosyltransferases, and α-Glc attached to position 4 of 2-rhamnose installed by SccN working in tandem with an unknown enzyme. Both the major and the minor β-Glc modifications control bacterial morphology, but only the GroP and major Glc modifications are critical for biofilm formation.
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2
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Nakakana U, Serry-Bangura A, Edem BE, Tessitore P, Di Cesare L, Moriel DG, Podda A, De Ryck IS, Arora AK. Application of Transthoracic Echocardiography for Cardiac Safety Evaluation in the Clinical Development Process of Vaccines Against Streptococcus pyogenes. Drugs R D 2024; 24:1-12. [PMID: 38494581 PMCID: PMC11035538 DOI: 10.1007/s40268-024-00452-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Superficial infections with Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A), pharyngitis and impetigo can induce acute rheumatic fever, an autoimmune sequela manifesting mostly with arthritis and rheumatic carditis. Valvular heart damage can persist or advance following repeated episodes of acute rheumatic fever, causing rheumatic heart disease. Acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease disproportionately affect children and young adults in developing countries and disadvantaged communities in developed countries. People living with rheumatic heart disease are at risk of experiencing potentially fatal complications such as heart failure, bacterial endocarditis or stroke. Transthoracic echocardiography plays a central role in diagnosing both rheumatic carditis and rheumatic heart disease. Despite the obvious medical need, no licensed Strep A vaccines are currently available, as their clinical development process faces several challenges, including concerns for cardiac safety. However, the development of Strep A vaccines has been recently relaunched by many vaccine developers. In this context, a reliable and consistent safety evaluation of Strep A vaccine candidates, including the use of transthoracic echocardiography for detecting cardiac adverse events, could greatly contribute to developing a safe and efficacious product in the near future. Here, we propose a framework for the consistent use of transthoracic echocardiography to proactively detect cardiac safety events in clinical trials of Strep A vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Usman Nakakana
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Bassey Effiom Edem
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
- Janssen Biologics BV, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Leonardo Di Cesare
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Danilo Gomes Moriel
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
| | - Audino Podda
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
- Independent consultant, Siena, Italy
| | | | - Ashwani Kumar Arora
- Vaccines Institute for Global Health (Global Health Vaccines R&D), GSK, Siena, Italy
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3
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Lai CY, Xie JX, Lai MC, Wu ZY, Lin JS, Huang YT, Chi CY, Chiang-Ni C, Walker MJ, Chang YC. Conserved molecular chaperone PrsA stimulates protective immunity against group A Streptococcus. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:46. [PMID: 38409165 PMCID: PMC10897429 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00839-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a significant human pathogen that poses a global health concern. However, the development of a GAS vaccine has been challenging due to the multitude of diverse M-types and the risk of triggering cross-reactive immune responses. Our previous research has identified a critical role of PrsA1 and PrsA2, surface post-translational molecular chaperone proteins, in maintaining GAS proteome homeostasis and virulence traits. In this study, we aimed to further explore the potential of PrsA1 and PrsA2 as vaccine candidates for preventing GAS infection. We found that PrsA1 and PrsA2 are highly conserved among GAS isolates, demonstrating minimal amino acid variation. Antibodies specifically targeting PrsA1/A2 showed no cross-reactivity with human heart proteins and effectively enhanced neutrophil opsonophagocytic killing of various GAS serotypes. Additionally, passive transfer of PrsA1/A2-specific antibodies conferred protective immunity in infected mice. Compared to alum, immunization with CFA-adjuvanted PrsA1/A2 induced higher levels of Th1-associated IgG isotypes and complement activation and provided approximately 70% protection against invasive GAS challenge. These findings highlight the potential of PrsA1 and PrsA2 as universal vaccine candidates for the development of an effective GAS vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Yu Lai
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - Jia-Xun Xie
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Chih Lai
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - Zhao-Yi Wu
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - Jr-Shiuan Lin
- Graduate Institute of Immunology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tsung Huang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Yu Chi
- National Institute of Infectious Disease and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, 300, Taiwan
| | - Chuan Chiang-Ni
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, 333, Taiwan
| | - Mark J Walker
- Centre for Superbug Solutions, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Yung-Chi Chang
- Graduate Institute of Microbiology, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10051, Taiwan.
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4
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Fulurija A, Cunningham MW, Korotkova N, Masterson MY, Bansal GP, Baker MG, Cannon JW, Carapetis JR, Steer AC. Research opportunities for the primordial prevention of rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease-streptococcal vaccine development: a national heart, lung and blood institute workshop report. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e013534. [PMID: 38164699 PMCID: PMC10729269 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-013534] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes, also known as group A streptococcus (StrepA), is a bacterium that causes a range of human diseases, including pharyngitis, impetigo, invasive infections, and post-infection immune sequelae such as rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease. StrepA infections cause some of the highest burden of disease and death in mostly young populations in low-resource settings. Despite decades of effort, there is still no licensed StrepA vaccine, which if developed, could be a cost-effective way to reduce the incidence of disease. Several challenges, including technical and regulatory hurdles, safety concerns and a lack of investment have hindered StrepA vaccine development. Barriers to developing a StrepA vaccine must be overcome in the future by prioritising key areas of research including greater understanding of StrepA immunobiology and autoimmunity risk, better animal models that mimic human disease, expanding the StrepA vaccine pipeline and supporting vaccine clinical trials. The development of a StrepA vaccine is a complex and challenging process that requires significant resources and investment. Given the global burden of StrepA infections and the potential for a vaccine to save lives and livelihoods, StrepA vaccine development is an area of research that deserves considerable support. This report summarises the findings of the Primordial Prevention Working Group-VAX, which was convened in November 2021 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. The focus of this report is to identify research gaps within the current StrepA vaccine landscape and find opportunities and develop priorities to promote the rapid and successful advancement of StrepA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma Fulurija
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Madeleine W Cunningham
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Natalia Korotkova
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Mary Y Masterson
- Center for Translation Research and Implementation Science (CTRIS), National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Geetha P Bansal
- John E Fogarty International Center, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Michael G Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jeffrey W Cannon
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard University T H Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Jonathan R Carapetis
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Andrew C Steer
- Infection, Immunity and Global Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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5
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Wang J, Ma C, Li M, Gao X, Wu H, Dong W, Wei L. Streptococcus pyogenes: Pathogenesis and the Current Status of Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1510. [PMID: 37766186 PMCID: PMC10534548 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11091510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus; GAS), a Gram-positive coccal bacterium, poses a significant global disease burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Its manifestations can range from pharyngitis and skin infection to severe and aggressive diseases, such as necrotizing fasciitis and streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. At present, although GAS is still sensitive to penicillin, there are cases of treatment failure for GAS pharyngitis, and antibiotic therapy does not universally prevent subsequent disease. In addition to strengthening global molecular epidemiological surveillance and monitoring of antibiotic resistance, developing a safe and effective licensed vaccine against GAS would be the most effective way to broadly address GAS-related diseases. Over the past decades, the development of GAS vaccines has been stalled, mainly because of the wide genetic heterogeneity of GAS and the diverse autoimmune responses to GAS. With outbreaks of scarlet fever in various countries in recent years, accelerating the development of a safe and effective vaccine remains a high priority. When developing a GAS vaccine, many factors need to be considered, including the selection of antigen epitopes, avoidance of self-response, and vaccine coverage. Given the challenges in GAS vaccine development, this review describes the important virulence factors that induce disease by GAS infection and how this has influenced the progression of vaccine development efforts, focusing on several candidate vaccines that are further along in development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Lin Wei
- Key Laboratory of Immune Mechanism and Intervention on Serious Disease in Hebei Province, Department of Immunology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China
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6
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Ajay Castro S, Dorfmueller HC. Update on the development of Group A Streptococcus vaccines. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:135. [PMID: 37709900 PMCID: PMC10502077 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00730-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sowmya Ajay Castro
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK
| | - Helge C Dorfmueller
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, DD1 5EH, UK.
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7
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Burns K, Dorfmueller HC, Wren BW, Mawas F, Shaw HA. Progress towards a glycoconjugate vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. NPJ Vaccines 2023; 8:48. [PMID: 36977677 PMCID: PMC10043865 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-023-00639-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Group A Carbohydrate (GAC) is a defining feature of Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) or Streptococcus pyogenes. It is a conserved and simple polysaccharide, comprising a rhamnose backbone and GlcNAc side chains, further decorated with glycerol phosphate on approximately 40% GlcNAc residues. Its conservation, surface exposure and antigenicity have made it an interesting focus on Strep A vaccine design. Glycoconjugates containing this conserved carbohydrate should be a key approach towards the successful mission to build a universal Strep A vaccine candidate. In this review, a brief introduction to GAC, the main carbohydrate component of Strep A bacteria, and a variety of published carrier proteins and conjugation technologies are discussed. Components and technologies should be chosen carefully for building affordable Strep A vaccine candidates, particularly for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Towards this, novel technologies are discussed, such as the prospective use of bioconjugation with PglB for rhamnose polymer conjugation and generalised modules for membrane antigens (GMMA), particularly as low-cost solutions to vaccine production. Rational design of "double-hit" conjugates encompassing species specific glycan and protein components would be beneficial and production of a conserved vaccine to target Strep A colonisation without invoking an autoimmune response would be ideal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keira Burns
- Vaccine Division, Scientific Research & Innovation Group, MHRA, Potters Bar, UK
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Helge C Dorfmueller
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, Dow Street, Dundee, UK
| | - Brendan W Wren
- Department of Infection Biology, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Fatme Mawas
- Vaccine Division, Scientific Research & Innovation Group, MHRA, Potters Bar, UK
| | - Helen A Shaw
- Vaccine Division, Scientific Research & Innovation Group, MHRA, Potters Bar, UK.
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8
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Abstract
Recent efforts have re-invigorated the Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A Streptococcus) vaccine development field, though scientific, regulatory and commercial barriers persist, and the vaccine pipeline remains sparse. There is an ongoing need to accelerate all aspects of development to address the large global burden of disease caused by the pathogen. Building on over 100 years of S. pyogenes vaccine development, there are currently eight candidates on a product development track, including four M protein-based candidates and four candidates designed around non-M protein antigens. These candidates have demonstrated proof of concept for protection against S. pyogenes in preclinical models, one has demonstrated safety and immunogenicity in a Phase 1 trial and at least four others are poised to soon enter clinical trials. To maintain momentum, the Strep A Vaccine Global Consortium (SAVAC) was established to bring together experts to accelerate global S. pyogenes vaccine development. This article highlights the past, present and future of S. pyogenes vaccine development and emphasizes key priorities, and the role of SAVAC, in advancing the field.
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9
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Pitirollo O, Di Benedetto R, Henriques P, Gasperini G, Mancini F, Carducci M, Massai L, Rossi O, Volbeda AG, Codée JDC, Berlanda Scorza F, Moriel DG, Necchi F, Lay L, Adamo R, Micoli F. Elucidating the role of N-acetylglucosamine in Group A Carbohydrate for the development of an effective glycoconjugate vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. Carbohydr Polym 2023; 311:120736. [PMID: 37028871 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.120736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Group A Carbohydrate (GAC), conjugated to an appropriate carrier protein, has been proposed as an attractive vaccine candidate against Group A Streptococcus infections. Native GAC consists of a polyrhamnose (polyRha) backbone with N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) at every second rhamnose residue. Both native GAC and the polyRha backbone have been proposed as vaccine components. Here, chemical synthesis and glycoengineering were used to generate a panel of different length GAC and polyrhamnose fragments. Biochemical analyses were performed confirming that the epitope motif of GAC is composed of GlcNAc in the context of the polyrhamnose backbone. Conjugates from GAC isolated and purified from a bacterial strain and polyRha genetically expressed in E. coli and with similar molecular size to GAC were compared in different animal models. The GAC conjugate elicited higher anti-GAC IgG levels with stronger binding capacity to Group A Streptococcus strains than the polyRha one, both in mice and in rabbits. This work contributes to the development of a vaccine against Group A Streptococcus suggesting GAC as preferable saccharide antigen to include in the vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olimpia Pitirollo
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; Department of Chemistry and CRC Materiali Polimerici (LaMPo), University of Milan, Via C. Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Roberta Di Benedetto
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Gianmarco Gasperini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Francesca Mancini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Martina Carducci
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Luisa Massai
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Omar Rossi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Anne Geert Volbeda
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands.
| | | | - Danilo Gomes Moriel
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Francesca Necchi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Luigi Lay
- Department of Chemistry and CRC Materiali Polimerici (LaMPo), University of Milan, Via C. Golgi 19, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | | | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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10
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Kapoor N, Uchiyama S, Pill L, Bautista L, Sedra A, Yin L, Regan M, Chu E, Rabara T, Wong M, Davey P, Fairman J, Nizet V. Non-Native Amino Acid Click Chemistry-Based Technology for Site-Specific Polysaccharide Conjugation to a Bacterial Protein Serving as Both Carrier and Vaccine Antigen. ACS OMEGA 2022; 7:24111-24120. [PMID: 35874267 PMCID: PMC9301713 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.1c07360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Surface-expressed bacterial polysaccharides are important vaccine antigens but must be conjugated to a carrier protein for efficient antigen presentation and development of strong memory B cell and antibody responses, especially in young children. The commonly used protein carriers include tetanus toxoid (TT), diphtheria toxoid (DT), and its derivative CRM197, but carrier-induced epitopic suppression and bystander interference may limit the expanded use of the same carriers in the pediatric immunization schedule. Recent efforts to develop a vaccine against the major human pathogen group A Streptococcus (GAS) have sought to combine two promising vaccine antigens-the universally conserved group A cell wall carbohydrate (GAC) with the secreted toxin antigen streptolysin O (SLO) as a protein carrier; however, standard reductive amination procedures appeared to destroy function epitopes of the protein, markedly diminishing functional antibody responses. Here, we couple a cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) platform, allowing the incorporation of non-natural amino acids into a C-terminally truncated SLO toxoid for the precise conjugation to the polyrhamnose backbone of GAC. The combined immunogen generated functional antibodies against both conserved GAS virulence factors and provided protection against systemic GAS challenges. CFPS may represent a scalable method for generating pathogen-specific carrier proteins for multivalent subunit vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeraj Kapoor
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Satoshi Uchiyama
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems
and Therapeutics, Department of
Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive Mail Code 0760, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Lucy Pill
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Leslie Bautista
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Angie Sedra
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Lu Yin
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Maritoni Regan
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Ellen Chu
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Taylor Rabara
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Melissa Wong
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Peter Davey
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Jeff Fairman
- Vaxcyte,
Inc., 825 Industrial
Road, Suite 300, San Carlos, California 94070, United States
| | - Victor Nizet
- Division of Host-Microbe Systems
and Therapeutics, Department of
Pediatrics and Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive Mail Code 0760, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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11
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Palmieri E, Kis Z, Ozanne J, Di Benedetto R, Ricchetti B, Massai L, Carducci M, Oldrini D, Gasperini G, Aruta MG, Rossi O, Kontoravdi C, Shah N, Mawas F, Micoli F. GMMA as an Alternative Carrier for a Glycoconjugate Vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10071034. [PMID: 35891202 PMCID: PMC9324507 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10071034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes about 500,000 annual deaths globally, and no vaccines are currently available. The Group A Carbohydrate (GAC), conserved across all GAS serotypes, conjugated to an appropriate carrier protein, represents a promising vaccine candidate. Here, we explored the possibility to use Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA) as an alternative carrier system for GAC, exploiting their intrinsic adjuvant properties. Immunogenicity of GAC-GMMA conjugate was evaluated in different animal species in comparison to GAC-CRM197; and the two conjugates were also compared from a techno-economic point of view. GMMA proved to be a good alternative carrier for GAC, resulting in a higher immune response compared to CRM197 in different mice strains, as verified by ELISA and FACS analyses. Differently from CRM197, GMMA induced significant levels of anti-GAC IgG titers in mice also in the absence of Alhydrogel. In rabbits, a difference in the immune response could not be appreciated; however, antibodies from GAC-GMMA-immunized animals showed higher affinity toward purified GAC antigen compared to those elicited by GAC-CRM197. In addition, the GAC-GMMA production process proved to be more cost-effective, making this conjugate particularly attractive for low- and middle-income countries, where this pathogen has a huge burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Palmieri
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Zoltán Kis
- The Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (Z.K.); (C.K.); (N.S.)
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The University of Sheffield, Mappin Street, Sheffield S1 3JD, UK
| | - James Ozanne
- The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK; (J.O.); (F.M.)
| | - Roberta Di Benedetto
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Beatrice Ricchetti
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Luisa Massai
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Martina Carducci
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Davide Oldrini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Gianmarco Gasperini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Maria Grazia Aruta
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Omar Rossi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
| | - Cleo Kontoravdi
- The Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (Z.K.); (C.K.); (N.S.)
| | - Nilay Shah
- The Sargent Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK; (Z.K.); (C.K.); (N.S.)
| | - Fatme Mawas
- The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), South Mimms EN6 3QG, UK; (J.O.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (E.P.); (R.D.B.); (B.R.); (L.M.); (M.C.); (D.O.); (G.G.); (M.G.A.); (O.R.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577-539087
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Development and Characterisation of a Four-Plex Assay to Measure Streptococcus pyogenes Antigen-Specific IgG in Human Sera. Methods Protoc 2022; 5:mps5040055. [PMID: 35893581 PMCID: PMC9326740 DOI: 10.3390/mps5040055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The measurement of antibodies to vaccine antigens is crucial for research towards a safe and effective vaccine for Streptococcus pyogenes (Strep A). We describe the establishment and detailed characterisation of a four-plex assay to measure IgG to the Strep A vaccine antigens SpyCEP, Slo, SpyAD and GAC using the Luminex multiplex platform. A standard curve was established and characterized to allow the quantification of antigen-specific IgG. Assay specificity, precision, linearity, reproducibility and repeatability were determined via the measurement of antigen-specific IgG from pooled human serum. The assay is highly specific, reproducible and performs well across a large range of antibody concentrations against all four antigens. It is, therefore, suitable for future clinical trials in humans with a four-component vaccine, as well as for seroepidemiological studies to gain insights into naturally occurring immunity.
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PplD is a de-N-acetylase of the cell wall linkage unit of streptococcal rhamnopolysaccharides. Nat Commun 2022; 13:590. [PMID: 35105886 PMCID: PMC8807736 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28257-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The cell wall of the human bacterial pathogen Group A Streptococcus (GAS) consists of peptidoglycan decorated with the Lancefield group A carbohydrate (GAC). GAC is a promising target for the development of GAS vaccines. In this study, employing chemical, compositional, and NMR methods, we show that GAC is attached to peptidoglycan via glucosamine 1-phosphate. This structural feature makes the GAC-peptidoglycan linkage highly sensitive to cleavage by nitrous acid and resistant to mild acid conditions. Using this characteristic of the GAS cell wall, we identify PplD as a protein required for deacetylation of linkage N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc). X-ray structural analysis indicates that PplD performs catalysis via a modified acid/base mechanism. Genetic surveys in silico together with functional analysis indicate that PplD homologs deacetylate the polysaccharide linkage in many streptococcal species. We further demonstrate that introduction of positive charges to the cell wall by GlcNAc deacetylation protects GAS against host cationic antimicrobial proteins.
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14
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Mahmoud A, Toth I, Stephenson R. Developing an Effective Glycan‐Based Vaccine for
Streptococcus Pyogenes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202115342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Mahmoud
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland Woolloongabba Australia
- School of Pharmacy The Universitry of Queensland St Lucia Australia
- Institue for Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
| | - Rachel Stephenson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences The University of Queensland St Lucia Australia
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15
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Whitcombe AL, McGregor R, Bennett J, Gurney JK, Williamson DA, Baker MG, Moreland NJ. OUP accepted manuscript. J Infect Dis 2022; 226:167-176. [PMID: 35134931 PMCID: PMC9373162 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Group A Streptococcus (GAS) causes superficial pharyngitis and skin infections as well as serious autoimmune sequelae such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and subsequent rheumatic heart disease. ARF pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Immune priming by repeated GAS infections is thought to trigger ARF, and there is growing evidence for the role of skin infections in this process. Methods We utilized our recently developed 8-plex immunoassay, comprising antigens used in clinical serology for diagnosis of ARF (SLO, DNase B, SpnA), and 5 conserved putative GAS vaccine antigens (Spy0843, SCPA, SpyCEP, SpyAD, Group A carbohydrate), to characterize antibody responses in sera from New Zealand children with a range of clinically diagnosed GAS disease: ARF (n = 79), GAS-positive pharyngitis (n = 94), GAS-positive skin infection (n = 51), and matched healthy controls (n = 90). Results The magnitude and breadth of antibodies in ARF was very high, giving rise to a distinct serological profile. An average of 6.5 antigen-specific reactivities per individual was observed in ARF, compared to 4.2 in skin infections and 3.3 in pharyngitis. Conclusions ARF patients have a unique serological profile, which may be the result of repeated precursor pharyngitis and skin infections that progressively boost antibody breadth and magnitude.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana L Whitcombe
- School of Medical Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Reuben McGregor
- School of Medical Sciences and Maurice Wilkins Centre, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Julie Bennett
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jason K Gurney
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Deborah A Williamson
- University of Melbourne at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael G Baker
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Nicole J Moreland
- Correspondence: Nicole J. Moreland, BSc, PhD, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand ()
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16
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Mahmoud A, Toth I, Stephenson R. Developing an Effective Glycan-based Vaccine for Streptococcus Pyogenes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 61:e202115342. [PMID: 34935243 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202115342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus pyogenes is a primary infective agent that causes approximately 700 million human infections each year, resulting in more than 500,000 deaths. Carbohydrate-based vaccines are proven to be one of the most promising subunit vaccine candidates, as the bacterial glycan pattern(s) are different from mammalian cells and show increased pathogen serotype conservancy than the protein components. In this review we highlight reverse vaccinology for use in the development of subunit vaccines against S. pyogenes, and report reproducible methods of carbohydrate antigen production, in addition to the structure-immunogenicity correlation between group A carbohydrate epitopes and alternative vaccine antigen carrier systems. We also report recent advances used to overcome hurdles in carbohydrate-based vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmaa Mahmoud
- The University of Queensland - Saint Lucia Campus: The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, AUSTRALIA
| | - Istvan Toth
- The University of Queensland - Saint Lucia Campus: The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, AUSTRALIA
| | - Rachel Stephenson
- The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, 4068, Brisbane, AUSTRALIA
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17
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Whitcombe AL, Han F, McAlister SM, Kirkham LAS, Young PG, Ritchie SR, Atatoa Carr P, Proft T, Moreland NJ. An eight-plex immunoassay for Group A streptococcus serology and vaccine development. J Immunol Methods 2021; 500:113194. [PMID: 34801540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2021.113194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a major human pathogen responsible for superficial infections through to life-threatening invasive disease and the autoimmune sequelae acute rheumatic fever (ARF). Despite a significant global economic and health burden, there is no licensed vaccine available to prevent GAS disease. Several pre-clinical vaccines that target conserved GAS antigens are in development. Assays that measure antigen-specific antibodies are essential for vaccine research. The aim of this study was to develop a multiplex beadbased immunoassay that can detect and quantify antibody responses to multiple GAS antigen targets in small volume blood samples. This builds on our existing triplex assay comprised of antigens used in clinical serology for the diagnosis of ARF (SLO, DNase B and SpnA). Five additional conserved putative GAS vaccine antigens (Spy0843, SCPA, SpyCEP, SpyAD and the Group A carbohydrate), were coupled to spectrally unique beads to form an 8-plex antigen panel. After optimisation of the assay protocol, standard curves were generated, and assessments of assay specificity, precision and reproducibility were conducted. A broad range of antibody (IgG) titres were able to be quickly and accurately quantified from a single serum dilution. Assay utility was assessed using a panel of 62 clinical samples including serum from adults with GAS bacteraemia and children with ARF. Circulating IgG to all eight antigens was elevated in patients with GAS disease (n = 23) compared to age-matched controls (n = 39) (P < 0.05). The feasibility of using dried blood samples to quantify antigen-specific IgG was also demonstrated. In summary, a robust and reproducible 8-plex assay has been developed that simultaneously quantifies IgG antibodies to GAS vaccine and diagnostic antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana L Whitcombe
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Franklin Han
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sonia M McAlister
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Disease, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Division of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Lea-Ann S Kirkham
- Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Disease, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Centre for Child Health Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
| | - Paul G Young
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Thomas Proft
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicole J Moreland
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, New Zealand.
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18
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Immunobiology of the Classical Lancefield Group A Streptococcal Carbohydrate Antigen. Infect Immun 2021; 89:e0029221. [PMID: 34543125 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00292-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a preeminent human bacterial pathogen causing hundreds of millions of infections each year worldwide. In the clinical setting, the bacterium is easily identified by a rapid antigen test against the group A carbohydrate (GAC), a polysaccharide that comprises 30 to 50% of the GAS cell wall by weight. Originally described by Rebecca Lancefield in the 1930s, GAC consists of a polyrhamnose backbone and a N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) side chain. This side chain, the species-defining immunodominant antigen, is potentially implicated in autoreactive immune responses against human heart or brain tissue in poststreptococcal rheumatic fever or rheumatic heart disease. The recent discovery of the genetic locus encoding GAC biosynthesis and new insights into its chemical structure have provided novel insights into the assembly of the polysaccharide, its contribution to immune evasion and virulence, and ideas for safely harnessing its natural immunogenicity in vaccine design. This minireview serves to summarize the emerging new literature on GAC, the eponymous cell well antigen that provides structural integrity to GAS and directly interfaces with host innate and adaptive immune responses.
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19
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Chizhov AO. Complex Carbohydrates and Glycoconjugates: Structure, Functions and Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212219. [PMID: 34830101 PMCID: PMC8618160 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexander O Chizhov
- N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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20
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Zhu H, Rollier CS, Pollard AJ. Recent advances in lipopolysaccharide-based glycoconjugate vaccines. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1515-1538. [PMID: 34550840 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1984889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The public health burden caused by pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria is increasingly prominent due to antimicrobial resistance. The surface carbohydrates are potential antigens for vaccines against Gram-negative bacteria. The enhanced immunogenicity of the O-specific polysaccharide (O-SP) moiety of LPS when coupled to a carrier protein may protect against bacterial pathogens. However, because of the toxic lipid A moiety and relatively high costs of O-SP isolation, LPS has not been a popular vaccine antigen until recently. AREAS COVERED In this review, we discuss the rationales for developing LPS-based glycoconjugate vaccines, principles of glycoconjugate-induced immunity, and highlight the recent developments and challenges faced by LPS-based glycoconjugate vaccines. EXPERT OPINION Advances in LPS harvesting, LPS chemical synthesis, and newer carrier proteins in the past decade have propelled LPS-based glycoconjugate vaccines toward further development, through to clinical evaluation. The development of LPS-based glycoconjugates offers a new horizon for vaccine prevention of Gram-negative bacterial infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henderson Zhu
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford and the National Institute for Health Research (Nihr) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Christine S Rollier
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford and the National Institute for Health Research (Nihr) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew J Pollard
- Oxford Vaccine Group, Department of Paediatrics, University of Oxford and the National Institute for Health Research (Nihr) Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford, UK
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21
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Micoli F, Alfini R, Di Benedetto R, Necchi F, Schiavo F, Mancini F, Carducci M, Oldrini D, Pitirollo O, Gasperini G, Balocchi C, Bechi N, Brunelli B, Piccioli D, Adamo R. Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens as Carrier for Polysaccharides: Impact of Sugar Length, Density, and Attachment Site on the Immune Response Elicited in Animal Models. Front Immunol 2021; 12:719315. [PMID: 34594333 PMCID: PMC8477636 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.719315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticle systems are being explored for the display of carbohydrate antigens, characterized by multimeric presentation of glycan epitopes and special chemico-physical properties of nano-sized particles. Among them, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are receiving great attention, combining antigen presentation with the immunopotentiator effect of the Toll-like receptor agonists naturally present on these systems. In this context, we are testing Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA), OMVs naturally released from Gram-negative bacteria mutated to increase blebbing, as carrier for polysaccharides. Here, we investigated the impact of saccharide length, density, and attachment site on the immune response elicited by GMMA in animal models, using a variety of structurally diverse polysaccharides from different pathogens (i.e., Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A and C, Haemophilus influenzae type b, and streptococcus Group A Carbohydrate and Salmonella Typhi Vi). Anti-polysaccharide immune response was not affected by the number of saccharides per GMMA particle. However, lower saccharide loading can better preserve the immunogenicity of GMMA as antigen. In contrast, saccharide length needs to be optimized for each specific antigen. Interestingly, GMMA conjugates induced strong functional immune response even when the polysaccharides were linked to sugars on GMMA. We also verified that GMMA conjugates elicit a T-dependent humoral immune response to polysaccharides that is strictly dependent on the nature of the polysaccharide. The results obtained are important to design novel glycoconjugate vaccines using GMMA as carrier and support the development of multicomponent glycoconjugate vaccines where GMMA can play the dual role of carrier and antigen. In addition, this work provides significant insights into the mechanism of action of glycoconjugates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Renzo Alfini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Fabiola Schiavo
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Davide Oldrini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Siena, Italy
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22
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Gao NJ, Uchiyama S, Pill L, Dahesh S, Olson J, Bautista L, Maroju S, Berges A, Liu JZ, Zurich RH, van Sorge NM, Fairman J, Kapoor N, Nizet V. Site-Specific Conjugation of Cell Wall Polyrhamnose to Protein SpyAD Envisioning a Safe Universal Group A Streptococcal Vaccine. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021. [DOI: 10.1097/im9.0000000000000044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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23
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Wagstaff BA, Zorzoli A, Dorfmueller HC. NDP-rhamnose biosynthesis and rhamnosyltransferases: building diverse glycoconjugates in nature. Biochem J 2021; 478:685-701. [PMID: 33599745 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Rhamnose is an important 6-deoxy sugar present in many natural products, glycoproteins, and structural polysaccharides. Whilst predominantly found as the l-enantiomer, instances of d-rhamnose are also found in nature, particularly in the Pseudomonads bacteria. Interestingly, rhamnose is notably absent from humans and other animals, which poses unique opportunities for drug discovery targeted towards rhamnose utilizing enzymes from pathogenic bacteria. Whilst the biosynthesis of nucleotide-activated rhamnose (NDP-rhamnose) is well studied, the study of rhamnosyltransferases that synthesize rhamnose-containing glycoconjugates is the current focus amongst the scientific community. In this review, we describe where rhamnose has been found in nature, as well as what is known about TDP-β-l-rhamnose, UDP-β-l-rhamnose, and GDP-α-d-rhamnose biosynthesis. We then focus on examples of rhamnosyltransferases that have been characterized using both in vivo and in vitro approaches from plants and bacteria, highlighting enzymes where 3D structures have been obtained. The ongoing study of rhamnose and rhamnosyltransferases, in particular in pathogenic organisms, is important to inform future drug discovery projects and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben A Wagstaff
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, U.K
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Azul Zorzoli
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
| | - Helge C Dorfmueller
- Division of Molecular Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, U.K
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