1
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Wang Y. Rendezvous with Vaccinia Virus in the Post-smallpox Era: R&D Advances. Viruses 2023; 15:1742. [PMID: 37632084 PMCID: PMC10457812 DOI: 10.3390/v15081742] [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] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Smallpox was eradicated in less than 200 years after Edward Jenner's practice of cowpox variolation in 1796. The forty-three years of us living free of smallpox, beginning in 1979, never truly separated us from poxviruses. The recent outbreak of monkeypox in May 2022 might well warn us of the necessity of keeping up both the scientific research and public awareness of poxviruses. One of them in particular, the vaccinia virus (VACV), has been extensively studied as a vector given its broad host range, extraordinary thermal stability, and exceptional immunogenicity. Unceasing fundamental biological research on VACV provides us with a better understanding of its genetic elements, involvement in cellular signaling pathways, and modulation of host immune responses. This enables the rational design of safer and more efficacious next-generation vectors. To address the new technological advancement within the past decade in VACV research, this review covers the studies of viral immunomodulatory genes, modifications in commonly used vectors, novel mechanisms for rapid generation and purification of recombinant virus, and several other innovative approaches to studying its biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxiang Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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2
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Shakiba Y, Vorobyev PO, Mahmoud M, Hamad A, Kochetkov DV, Yusubalieva GM, Baklaushev VP, Chumakov PM, Lipatova AV. Recombinant Strains of Oncolytic Vaccinia Virus for Cancer Immunotherapy. BIOCHEMISTRY. BIOKHIMIIA 2023; 88:823-841. [PMID: 37748878 DOI: 10.1134/s000629792306010x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Cancer virotherapy is an alternative therapeutic approach based on the viruses that selectively infect and kill tumor cells. Vaccinia virus (VV) is a member of the Poxviridae, a family of enveloped viruses with a large linear double-stranded DNA genome. The proven safety of the VV strains as well as considerable transgene capacity of the viral genome, make VV an excellent platform for creating recombinant oncolytic viruses for cancer therapy. Furthermore, various genetic modifications can increase tumor selectivity and therapeutic efficacy of VV by arming it with the immune-modulatory genes or proapoptotic molecules, boosting the host immune system, and increasing cross-priming recognition of the tumor cells by T-cells or NK cells. In this review, we summarized the data on bioengineering approaches to develop recombinant VV strains for enhanced cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasmin Shakiba
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Dolgoprudny, Moscow Region, 141701, Russia.
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - Pavel O Vorobyev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Marah Mahmoud
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Azzam Hamad
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Dmitriy V Kochetkov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Gaukhar M Yusubalieva
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Federal Research Clinical Center for Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), Moscow, 115682, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies of the FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 117513, Russia
| | - Vladimir P Baklaushev
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
- Federal Research Clinical Center for Specialized Medical Care and Medical Technologies, Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA), Moscow, 115682, Russia
- Federal Center of Brain Research and Neurotechnologies of the FMBA of Russia, Moscow, 117513, Russia
| | - Peter M Chumakov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | - Anastasia V Lipatova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
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3
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Kaynarcalidan O, Moreno Mascaraque S, Drexler I. Vaccinia Virus: From Crude Smallpox Vaccines to Elaborate Viral Vector Vaccine Design. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1780. [PMID: 34944596 PMCID: PMC8698642 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9121780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Various vaccinia virus (VACV) strains were applied during the smallpox vaccination campaign to eradicate the variola virus worldwide. After the eradication of smallpox, VACV gained popularity as a viral vector thanks to increasing innovations in genetic engineering and vaccine technology. Some VACV strains have been extensively used to develop vaccine candidates against various diseases. Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a VACV vaccine strain that offers several advantages for the development of recombinant vaccine candidates. In addition to various host-restriction genes, MVA lacks several immunomodulatory genes of which some have proven to be quite efficient in skewing the immune response in an unfavorable way to control infection in the host. Studies to manipulate these genes aim to optimize the immunogenicity and safety of MVA-based viral vector vaccine candidates. Here we summarize the history and further work with VACV as a vaccine and present in detail the genetic manipulations within the MVA genome to improve its immunogenicity and safety as a viral vector vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ingo Drexler
- Institute for Virology, Düsseldorf University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany; (O.K.); (S.M.M.)
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4
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Mohamadi A, Pagès G, Hashemzadeh MS. The Important Role of Oncolytic Viruses in Common Cancer Treatments. CURRENT CANCER THERAPY REVIEWS 2020. [DOI: 10.2174/1573394716666200211120906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Oncolytic viruses (OV) are considered as promising tools in cancer treatment. In addition
to direct cytolysis, the stimulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses is the most
important mechanism in oncolytic virotherapy that finally leads to the long-standing tumor retardations
in the advanced melanoma clinical trials. The OVs have become a worthy method in cancer
treatment, due to their several biological advantages including (1) the selective replication in
cancer cells without affecting normal cells; (2) the lack of resistance to the treatment; (3) cancer
stem cell targeting; (4) the ability to be spread; and (5) the immune response induction against the
tumors. Numerous types of viruses; for example, Herpes simplex viruses, Adenoviruses, Reoviruses,
Poliovirus, and Newcastle disease virus have been studied as a possible cancer treatment
strategy. Although some viruses have a natural orientation or tropism to cancer cells, several others
need attenuation and genetic manipulation to increase the safety and tumor-specific replication activity.
Two important mechanisms are involved in OV antitumor responses, which include the tumor
cell death due to virus replication, and also induction of immunogenic cell death as a result of
the immune system responses against the tumor cells. Furthermore, the high efficiency of OV on
antitumor immune response stimulation can finally lead to a significant tumor shrinkage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Mohamadi
- Applied Virology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gilles Pagès
- Centre Antoine Lacassagne, University of Cote d’Azur, Nice, France
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5
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Mühlemann B, Vinner L, Margaryan A, Wilhelmson H, de la Fuente Castro C, Allentoft ME, de Barros Damgaard P, Hansen AJ, Holtsmark Nielsen S, Strand LM, Bill J, Buzhilova A, Pushkina T, Falys C, Khartanovich V, Moiseyev V, Jørkov MLS, Østergaard Sørensen P, Magnusson Y, Gustin I, Schroeder H, Sutter G, Smith GL, Drosten C, Fouchier RAM, Smith DJ, Willerslev E, Jones TC, Sikora M. Diverse variola virus (smallpox) strains were widespread in northern Europe in the Viking Age. Science 2020; 369:369/6502/eaaw8977. [PMID: 32703849 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw8977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Smallpox, one of the most devastating human diseases, killed between 300 million and 500 million people in the 20th century alone. We recovered viral sequences from 13 northern European individuals, including 11 dated to ~600-1050 CE, overlapping the Viking Age, and reconstructed near-complete variola virus genomes for four of them. The samples predate the earliest confirmed smallpox cases by ~1000 years, and the sequences reveal a now-extinct sister clade of the modern variola viruses that were in circulation before the eradication of smallpox. We date the most recent common ancestor of variola virus to ~1700 years ago. Distinct patterns of gene inactivation in the four near-complete sequences show that different evolutionary paths of genotypic host adaptation resulted in variola viruses that circulated widely among humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Mühlemann
- Centre for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.,Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lasse Vinner
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ashot Margaryan
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Institute of Molecular Biology, National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, 0014 Yerevan, Armenia
| | - Helene Wilhelmson
- Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden.,Sydsvensk Arkeologi AB, 291 22 Kristianstad, Sweden
| | | | - Morten E Allentoft
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Trace and Environmental DNA (TrEnD) Laboratory, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, 6102 Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Peter de Barros Damgaard
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anders Johannes Hansen
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sofie Holtsmark Nielsen
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lisa Mariann Strand
- Department of Archaeology and Cultural History, Norwegian University of Science and Technology University Museum, 7491 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jan Bill
- Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, 0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexandra Buzhilova
- Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 125009, Russian Federation
| | - Tamara Pushkina
- Department of Archaeology, Faculty of History, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119992, Russian Federation
| | - Ceri Falys
- Thames Valley Archaeological Services, Reading RG1 5NR, UK
| | - Valeri Khartanovich
- Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) RAS, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Vyacheslav Moiseyev
- Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (Kunstkamera) RAS, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
| | - Marie Louise Schjellerup Jørkov
- Laboratory of Biological Anthropology, Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Ingrid Gustin
- Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hannes Schroeder
- Section for Evolutionary Genomics, GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Gerd Sutter
- Institute for Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, LMU University of Munich, 80539 Munich, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Partner Site, Munich, Germany
| | - Geoffrey L Smith
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Christian Drosten
- Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ron A M Fouchier
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Centre, 3015 CN Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Derek J Smith
- Centre for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK
| | - Eske Willerslev
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark. .,Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.,Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK.,Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Terry C Jones
- Centre for Pathogen Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK. .,Institute of Virology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 10117 Berlin, Germany.,German Center for Infection Research (DZIF), Associated Partner Site, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Sikora
- Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
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6
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Pérez P, Marín MQ, Lázaro-Frías A, Sorzano CÓS, Gómez CE, Esteban M, García-Arriaza J. Deletion of Vaccinia Virus A40R Gene Improves the Immunogenicity of the HIV-1 Vaccine Candidate MVA-B. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010070. [PMID: 32041218 PMCID: PMC7158668 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of a safe and efficacious vaccine against the HIV/AIDS pandemic remains a major scientific goal. We previously described an HIV/AIDS vaccine based on the modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) expressing HIV-1 gp120 and Gag-Pol-Nef (GPN) of clade B (termed MVA-B), which showed moderate immunogenicity in phase I prophylactic and therapeutic clinical trials. Here, to improve the immunogenicity of MVA-B, we generated a novel recombinant virus, MVA-B ΔA40R, by deleting in the MVA-B genome the vaccinia virus (VACV) A40R gene, which encodes a protein with unknown immune function. The innate immune responses triggered by MVA-B ΔA40R in infected human macrophages, in comparison to parental MVA-B, revealed an increase in the mRNA expression levels of interferon (IFN)-β, IFN-induced genes, and chemokines. Compared to priming with DNA-B (a mixture of DNA-gp120 plus DNA-GPN) and boosting with MVA-B, mice immunized with a DNA-B/MVA-B ΔA40R regimen induced higher magnitude of adaptive and memory HIV-1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell immune responses that were highly polyfunctional, mainly directed against Env. and of an effector memory phenotype, together with enhanced levels of antibodies against HIV-1 gp120. Reintroduction of the A40R gene into the MVA-B ΔA40R genome (virus termed MVA-B ΔA40R-rev) promoted in infected cells high mRNA and protein A40 levels, with A40 protein localized in the cell membrane. MVA-B ΔA40R-rev significantly reduced mRNA levels of IFN-β and of several other innate immune-related genes in infected human macrophages. In immunized mice, MVA-B ΔA40R-rev reduced the magnitude of the HIV-1-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses compared to MVA-B ΔA40R. These results revealed an immunosuppressive role of the A40 protein, findings relevant for the optimization of poxvirus vectors as vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Pérez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.); (M.Q.M.); (A.L.-F.); (C.E.G.); (M.E.)
| | - María Q. Marín
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.); (M.Q.M.); (A.L.-F.); (C.E.G.); (M.E.)
| | - Adrián Lázaro-Frías
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.); (M.Q.M.); (A.L.-F.); (C.E.G.); (M.E.)
| | - Carlos Óscar S. Sorzano
- Biocomputing Unit, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain;
| | - Carmen E. Gómez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.); (M.Q.M.); (A.L.-F.); (C.E.G.); (M.E.)
| | - Mariano Esteban
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.); (M.Q.M.); (A.L.-F.); (C.E.G.); (M.E.)
| | - Juan García-Arriaza
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain; (P.P.); (M.Q.M.); (A.L.-F.); (C.E.G.); (M.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-915-854-560
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7
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Shchelkunov SN, Shchelkunova GA. Genes that Control Vaccinia Virus Immunogenicity. Acta Naturae 2020; 12:33-41. [PMID: 32477596 PMCID: PMC7245956 DOI: 10.32607/actanaturae.10935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The live smallpox vaccine was a historical first and highly effective vaccine. However, along with high immunogenicity, the vaccinia virus (VACV) caused serious side effects in vaccinees, sometimes with lethal outcomes. Therefore, after global eradication of smallpox, VACV vaccination was stopped. For this reason, most of the human population worldwide lacks specific immunity against not only smallpox, but also other zoonotic orthopoxviruses. Outbreaks of diseases caused by these viruses have increasingly occurred in humans on different continents. However, use of the classical live VACV vaccine for prevention against these diseases is unacceptable because of potential serious side effects, especially in individuals with suppressed immunity or immunodeficiency (e.g., HIV-infected patients). Therefore, highly attenuated VACV variants that preserve their immunogenicity are needed. This review discusses current ideas about the development of a humoral and cellular immune response to orthopoxvirus infection/vaccination and describes genetic engineering approaches that could be utilized to generate safe and highly immunogenic live VACV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. N. Shchelkunov
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, Novosibirsk region, Koltsovo, 630559 Russia
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
- Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090 Russia
| | - G. A. Shchelkunova
- State Research Center of Virology and Biotechnology “Vector”, Rospotrebnadzor, Novosibirsk region, Koltsovo, 630559 Russia
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8
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Guo ZS, Lu B, Guo Z, Giehl E, Feist M, Dai E, Liu W, Storkus WJ, He Y, Liu Z, Bartlett DL. Vaccinia virus-mediated cancer immunotherapy: cancer vaccines and oncolytics. J Immunother Cancer 2019; 7:6. [PMID: 30626434 PMCID: PMC6325819 DOI: 10.1186/s40425-018-0495-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 12/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer vaccines and oncolytic immunotherapy are promising treatment strategies with potential to provide greater clinical benefit to patients with advanced-stage cancer. In particular, recombinant vaccinia viruses (VV) hold great promise as interventional agents. In this article, we first summarize the current understanding of virus biology and viral genes involved in host-virus interactions to further improve the utility of these agents in therapeutic applications. We then discuss recent findings from basic and clinical studies using VV as cancer vaccines and oncolytic immunotherapies. Despite encouraging results gleaned from translational studies in animal models, clinical trials implementing VV vectors alone as cancer vaccines have yielded largely disappointing results. However, the combination of VV vaccines with alternate forms of standard therapies has resulted in superior clinical efficacy. For instance, combination regimens using TG4010 (MVA-MUC1-IL2) with first-line chemotherapy in advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer or combining PANVAC with docetaxel in the setting of metastatic breast cancer have clearly provided enhanced clinical benefits to patients. Another novel cancer vaccine approach is to stimulate anti-tumor immunity via STING activation in Batf3-dependent dendritic cells (DC) through the use of replication-attenuated VV vectors. Oncolytic VVs have now been engineered for improved safety and superior therapeutic efficacy by arming them with immune-stimulatory genes or pro-apoptotic molecules to facilitate tumor immunogenic cell death, leading to enhanced DC-mediated cross-priming of T cells recognizing tumor antigens, including neoantigens. Encouraging translational and early phase clinical results with Pexa-Vec have matured into an ongoing global phase III trial for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Combinatorial approaches, most notably those using immune checkpoint blockade, have produced exciting pre-clinical results and warrant the development of innovative clinical studies. Finally, we discuss major hurdles that remain in the field and offer some perspectives regarding the development of next generation VV vectors for use as cancer therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong Sheng Guo
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Binfeng Lu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zongbi Guo
- Fujian Tianjian Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Sanming, Fujian, China
| | - Esther Giehl
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mathilde Feist
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Enyong Dai
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Weilin Liu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Walter J Storkus
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Immunology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Dermatology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Yukai He
- Georgia Cancer Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Zuqiang Liu
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - David L Bartlett
- UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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9
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Zhu Y, Li Y, Bai B, Fang J, Zhang K, Yin X, Li S, Li W, Ma Y, Cui Y, Wang J, Liu X, Li X, Sun L, Jin N. Construction of an attenuated goatpox virus AV41 strain by deleting the TK gene and ORF8-18. Antiviral Res 2018; 157:111-119. [PMID: 30030019 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2018] [Revised: 07/09/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Goatpox virus (GTPV) is prevalent in goats and is associated with high mortality. This virus causes fever, skin nodules, lesions in the respiratory and lymph node enlargement. Considering the safety risks and side effects of vaccination with attenuated live GPTV vaccine strain AV41, an attenuated goatpox virus (GTPV-TK-ORF), was constructed by deleting non-essential gene fragments without affecting replication and related to the virulence and immunomodulatory functions of the goatpox virus AV41 strain (GTPV-AV41) using homologous recombination and the Cre (Cyclization Recombination Enzyme)/Loxp system. The results of both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that GTPV-TK-ORF was safer than wild type GTPV-AV41, possessed satisfactory immunogenicity, and could protect goats from a virulent GTPV-AV40 infection. Moreover, the IFN-γ, GTPV-specific antibody, and neutralizing antibody levels in the GTPV-TK-ORF-immunized group were significantly higher than that in the normal saline control group following immunization (P < 0.01). Thus, GTPV-TK-ORF may be used as a potential novel vaccine and viral vector with good safety and immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilong Zhu
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Yiquan Li
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China; Medical College, Yanbian University, Yanji, 133002, China
| | - Bing Bai
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Jinbo Fang
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Kelong Zhang
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Xunzhe Yin
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Shanzhi Li
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Wenjie Li
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Yizhen Ma
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Yingli Cui
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Xing Liu
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China
| | - Xiao Li
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China; Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Lili Sun
- Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, 225009, China; Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Tumor Hospital of Jilin Province, Changchun, 130012, China.
| | - Ningyi Jin
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130117, China; Institute of Military Veterinary Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Science, Changchun, 130122, China; Institute of Virology, Wenzhou University Town, Wenzhou, 325035, China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
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10
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Okoli A, Okeke MI, Tryland M, Moens U. CRISPR/Cas9-Advancing Orthopoxvirus Genome Editing for Vaccine and Vector Development. Viruses 2018; 10:E50. [PMID: 29361752 PMCID: PMC5795463 DOI: 10.3390/v10010050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology is revolutionizing genome editing approaches. Its high efficiency, specificity, versatility, flexibility, simplicity and low cost have made the CRISPR/Cas9 system preferable to other guided site-specific nuclease-based systems such as TALENs (Transcription Activator-like Effector Nucleases) and ZFNs (Zinc Finger Nucleases) in genome editing of viruses. CRISPR/Cas9 is presently being applied in constructing viral mutants, preventing virus infections, eradicating proviral DNA, and inhibiting viral replication in infected cells. The successful adaptation of CRISPR/Cas9 to editing the genome of Vaccinia virus paves the way for its application in editing other vaccine/vector-relevant orthopoxvirus (OPXV) strains. Thus, CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to resolve some of the major hindrances to the development of OPXV-based recombinant vaccines and vectors, including sub-optimal immunogenicity; transgene and genome instability; reversion of attenuation; potential of spread of transgenes to wildtype strains and close contacts, which are important biosafety and risk assessment considerations. In this article, we review the published literature on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in virus genome editing and discuss the potentials of CRISPR/Cas9 in advancing OPXV-based recombinant vaccines and vectors. We also discuss the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in combating viruses of clinical relevance, the limitations of CRISPR/Cas9 and the current strategies to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arinze Okoli
- Biosafety of Genome Editing Research Group, GenØk-Centre for Biosafety, Siva Innovation Centre, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Malachy I Okeke
- Biosafety of Genome Editing Research Group, GenØk-Centre for Biosafety, Siva Innovation Centre, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Morten Tryland
- Biosafety of Genome Editing Research Group, GenØk-Centre for Biosafety, Siva Innovation Centre, N-9294 Tromsø, Norway.
- Artic Infection Biology, Department of Artic and Marine Biology, The Artic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Ugo Moens
- Molecular Inflammation Research Group, Institute of Medical Biology, The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromsø, Norway.
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11
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Ryerson MR, Shisler JL. Characterizing the effects of insertion of a 5.2 kb region of a VACV genome, which contains known immune evasion genes, on MVA immunogenicity. Virus Res 2018; 246:55-64. [PMID: 29341877 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 01/11/2018] [Accepted: 01/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is an attenuated Vaccinia virus (VACV) that is a popular vaccine vector candidate against many different pathogens. Its replication-restricted nature makes it a safe vaccine. However, higher doses or multiple boosts of MVA are necessary to elicit an immune response similar to wild-type VACV. Multiple strategies have been used to create modified MVA viruses that remain safe, but have increased immunogenicity. For example, one common strategy is to delete MVA immunomodulatory proteins in hopes of increasing the host immune response. Here, we take the opposite approach and examine, for the first time, how re-introduction of a 5.2 kb region of VACV DNA (that codes for multiple immunomodulatory proteins) into MVA alters viral immunogenicity. Since antigen presenting cells (APCs) are critical connectors between the innate and adaptive immune system, we examined the effect of MVA/5.2 kb infection in these cells in vitro. MVA/5.2 kb infection decreased virus-induced apoptosis and virus-induced NF-κB activation. MVA.5.2 kb infection decreased TNF production. However, MVA/5.2 kb infection did not alter APC maturation or IL-6 and IL-8 production in vitro. We further explored MVA/5.2 kb immunogenicity in vivo. VACV-specific CD8+ T cells were decreased after in vivo infection with MVA/5.2 kb versus MVA, suggesting that the MVA/5.2 kb construct is less immunogenic than MVA. These results demonstrate the limitations of in vitro studies for predicting the effects of genetic manipulation of MVA on immunogenicity. Although MVA/5.2 kb did not enhance MVA's immunogenicity, this study examined an unexplored strategy for optimizing MVA, and the insight gained from these results can help direct how to modify MVA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Ryerson
- Department of Microbiology, B103 Chemical and Life Science Building, 601 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Joanna L Shisler
- Department of Microbiology, B103 Chemical and Life Science Building, 601 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
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12
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Gómez CE, Perdiguero B, Sánchez-Corzo C, Sorzano COS, Esteban M. Immune Modulation of NYVAC-Based HIV Vaccines by Combined Deletion of Viral Genes that Act on Several Signalling Pathways. Viruses 2017; 10:v10010007. [PMID: 29280955 PMCID: PMC5795420 DOI: 10.3390/v10010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
An HIV-1 vaccine continues to be a major target to halt the AIDS pandemic. The limited efficacy of the RV144 phase III clinical trial with the canarypox virus-based vector ALVAC and a gp120 protein component led to the conclusion that improved immune responses to HIV antigens are needed for a more effective vaccine. In non-human primates, the New York vaccinia virus (NYVAC) poxvirus vector has a broader immunogenicity profile than ALVAC and has been tested in clinical trials. We therefore analysed the HIV immune advantage of NYVAC after removing viral genes that act on several signalling pathways (Toll-like receptors—TLR—interferon, cytokines/chemokines), as well as genes of unknown immune function. We generated a series of NYVAC deletion mutants and studied immune behaviour (T and B cell) to HIV antigens and to the NYVAC vector in mice. Our results showed that combined deletion of selected vaccinia virus (VACV) genes is a valuable strategy for improving the immunogenicity of NYVAC-based vaccine candidates. These immune responses were differentially modulated, positive or negative, depending on the combination of gene deletions. The deletions also led to enhanced antigen- or vector-specific cellular and humoral responses. These findings will facilitate the development of optimal NYVAC-based vaccines for HIV and other diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Elena Gómez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Perdiguero
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Cristina Sánchez-Corzo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos Oscar S Sorzano
- Biocomputing Unit, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mariano Esteban
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CNB-CSIC), Campus de Cantoblanco, 28049 Madrid, Spain.
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13
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Okeke MI, Okoli AS, Diaz D, Offor C, Oludotun TG, Tryland M, Bøhn T, Moens U. Hazard Characterization of Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Vector: What Are the Knowledge Gaps? Viruses 2017; 9:v9110318. [PMID: 29109380 PMCID: PMC5707525 DOI: 10.3390/v9110318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2017] [Revised: 10/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is the vector of choice for human and veterinary applications due to its strong safety profile and immunogenicity in vivo. The use of MVA and MVA-vectored vaccines against human and animal diseases must comply with regulatory requirements as they pertain to environmental risk assessment, particularly the characterization of potential adverse effects to humans, animals and the environment. MVA and recombinant MVA are widely believed to pose low or negligible risk to ecosystem health. However, key aspects of MVA biology require further research in order to provide data needed to evaluate the potential risks that may occur due to the use of MVA and MVA-vectored vaccines. The purpose of this paper is to identify knowledge gaps in the biology of MVA and recombinant MVA that are of relevance to its hazard characterization and discuss ongoing and future experiments aimed at providing data necessary to fill in the knowledge gaps. In addition, we presented arguments for the inclusion of uncertainty analysis and experimental investigation of verifiable worst-case scenarios in the environmental risk assessment of MVA and recombinant MVA. These will contribute to improved risk assessment of MVA and recombinant MVA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malachy I Okeke
- Genome Editing Research Group, GenØk-Center for Biosafety, Siva Innovation Center, N-9294 Tromso, Norway.
| | - Arinze S Okoli
- Genome Editing Research Group, GenØk-Center for Biosafety, Siva Innovation Center, N-9294 Tromso, Norway.
| | - Diana Diaz
- Molecular Inflammation Research Group, Institute of Medical Biology, University i Tromsø (UiT)-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromso, Norway.
| | - Collins Offor
- Department of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, IMC University of Applied Sciences Piaristengasse 1, A-3500 Krems, Austria.
| | - Taiwo G Oludotun
- Department of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, IMC University of Applied Sciences Piaristengasse 1, A-3500 Krems, Austria.
| | - Morten Tryland
- Genome Editing Research Group, GenØk-Center for Biosafety, Siva Innovation Center, N-9294 Tromso, Norway.
- Artic Infection Biology, Department of Artic and Marine Biology, UIT-The Artic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromso, Norway.
| | - Thomas Bøhn
- Genome Editing Research Group, GenØk-Center for Biosafety, Siva Innovation Center, N-9294 Tromso, Norway.
| | - Ugo Moens
- Molecular Inflammation Research Group, Institute of Medical Biology, University i Tromsø (UiT)-The Arctic University of Norway, N-9037 Tromso, Norway.
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