1
|
James J, Thomas SS, Seekings AH, Mahmood S, Kelly M, Banyard AC, Núñez A, Brookes SM, Slomka MJ. Evaluating the epizootic and zoonotic threat of an H7N9 low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) variant associated with enhanced pathogenicity in turkeys. J Gen Virol 2024; 105. [PMID: 38980150 DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.002008] [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] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Between 2013 and 2017, the A/Anhui/1/13-lineage (H7N9) low-pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) was epizootic in chickens in China, causing mild disease, with 616 fatal human cases. Despite poultry vaccination, H7N9 has not been eradicated. Previously, we demonstrated increased pathogenesis in turkeys infected with H7N9, correlating with the emergence of the L217Q (L226Q H3 numbering) polymorphism in the haemagglutinin (HA) protein. A Q217-containing virus also arose and is now dominant in China following vaccination. We compared infection and transmission of this Q217-containing 'turkey-adapted' (ty-ad) isolate alongside the H7N9 (L217) wild-type (wt) virus in different poultry species and investigated the zoonotic potential in the ferret model. Both wt and ty-ad viruses demonstrated similar shedding and transmission in turkeys and chickens. However, the ty-ad virus was significantly more pathogenic than the wt virus in turkeys but not in chickens, causing 100 and 33% mortality in turkeys respectively. Expanded tissue tropism was seen for the ty-ad virus in turkeys but not in chickens, yet the viral cell receptor distribution was broadly similar in the visceral organs of both species. The ty-ad virus required exogenous trypsin for in vitro replication yet had increased replication in primary avian cells. Replication was comparable in mammalian cells, and the ty-ad virus replicated successfully in ferrets. The L217Q polymorphism also affected antigenicity. Therefore, H7N9 infection in turkeys can generate novel variants with increased risk through altered pathogenicity and potential HA antigenic escape. These findings emphasize the requirement for enhanced surveillance and understanding of A/Anhui/1/13-lineage viruses and their risk to different species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe James
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Saumya S Thomas
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Amanda H Seekings
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Sahar Mahmood
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Michael Kelly
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Ashley C Banyard
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
- WOAH/FAO International Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Alejandro Núñez
- Pathology and Animal Sciences Department, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Sharon M Brookes
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| | - Marek J Slomka
- Department of Virology, Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA-Weybridge), Woodham Lane, Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3NB, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ho YLT, Hynes D, Martina Y, Love B, Horwell E, Xu R, Kadioglu A, Vo L, Hong HA, Nguyen LH, Cutting SM. Intranasal administration of DSM 32444 Bacillus subtilis spores: safety and tolerability. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 38963177 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001845] [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] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction. Administered nasally, spores of the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis have been shown to be able to induce innate immunity sufficient to confer protection to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.Hypothesis. Although members of the aerobiome, intranasal delivery of high numbers of live spores carries potential safety issues.Aim. To address the potential safety risk of using live spores, we assessed the safety of spores that had been completely inactivated using heat sterilization.Methodology. Using autoclaved, and therefore killed, spores of a generally recognized as safe-notified B. subtilis strain (DSM 32444), safety was assessed in vitro (biotype, genome and cell based cytoxicity) and in vivo, using intranasal administration in rodent models and lastly in human volunteers.Results. Using a 15-day, repeat-dose, regimen in a rodent model, no indication of toxicity was observed. In a registered human study (NCT05984004), a formulated preparation of inactivated DSM 32444 spores referred to as SPEROVID was developed, and tolerance in human volunteers was assessed following 7 days of nasal dosing (2-4 times/day).Conclusion. Our study demonstrated that in humans an intranasal dose of up to 3×108 killed spores was safe and well tolerated.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Linh Thi Ho
- Huro Biotech JSC, Lot A1-8, VL3 Road, Vinh Loc 2 Industrial Park, Long Hiep Commune, Ben Luc District, Long An Province, Vietnam
| | - Daniel Hynes
- Destiny Pharma plc., Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SB, UK
| | - Yuri Martina
- Destiny Pharma plc., Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SB, UK
| | - Bill Love
- Destiny Pharma plc., Sussex Innovation Centre, Science Park Square, Falmer, Brighton, BN1 9SB, UK
| | - Ed Horwell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Rong Xu
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Liverpool, The Ronald Ross Building, 8 West Derby St, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Aras Kadioglu
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology & Immunology, University of Liverpool, The Ronald Ross Building, 8 West Derby St, Liverpool, L69 7BE, UK
| | - Linh Vo
- SporeGen Ltd., London Bioscience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| | - Huynh A Hong
- SporeGen Ltd., London Bioscience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| | - Linh Hanh Nguyen
- Huro Biotech JSC, Lot A1-8, VL3 Road, Vinh Loc 2 Industrial Park, Long Hiep Commune, Ben Luc District, Long An Province, Vietnam
| | - Simon M Cutting
- SporeGen Ltd., London Bioscience Innovation Centre, 2 Royal College Street, London, NW1 0NH, UK
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Uddin MS, Kaldis A, Menassa R, Ortiz Guluarte J, Barreda DR, Guan LL, Alexander TW. Mucosal Immunization with Spore-Based Vaccines against Mannheimia haemolytica Enhances Antigen-Specific Immunity. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:375. [PMID: 38675757 PMCID: PMC11054499 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mannheimia haemolytica is a bovine respiratory pathogen commonly associated with bacterial bronchopneumonia. Current vaccine strategies have shown variable efficacy in feedlot cattle, and therefore novel vaccines are needed. Bacillus subtilis spores have been investigated as a mucosal vaccine platform, due to their ability to bind and present antigens to the mucosa and act as an adjuvant. The aim of this study was to develop two spore-based mucosal vaccines targeting M. haemolytica and evaluate their immunogenicity in mice. METHODS Two antigen constructs composed of cholera toxin B subunit, M. haemolytica leukotoxin, and either the M. haemolytica outer membrane protein PlpE (MhCP1) or GS60 (MhCP2) were synthesized, purified and then bound to spores as vaccines. In two separate mice trials, the spore-bound vaccines (Spore-MhCP1 and Spore-MhCP2) were administered to mice through intranasal and intragastric routes, while free antigens were administered intranasally and intramuscularly. Unbound spores were also evaluated intranasally. Antigen-specific serum IgG and mucosal IgA from bronchoalveolar lavage, feces, and saliva were measured after vaccination. Mice sera from all treatment groups were assessed for their bactericidal activity against M. haemolytica. RESULTS In both mice experiments, intramuscular immunization induced the strongest serum IgG antibody response. However, the intranasal administration of Spore-MhCP1 and Spore-MhCP2 elicited the greatest secretory IgA-specific response against leukotoxin, PlpE, and GS60 in bronchoalveolar lavage, saliva, and feces (p < 0.05). Compared to the intranasal administration of free antigen, spore-bound antigen groups showed greater bactericidal activity against M. haemolytica (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Since intranasally delivered Spore-MhCP1 and Spore-MhCP2 elicited both systemic and mucosal immune responses in mice, these vaccines may have potential to mitigate lung infection in cattle by restricting M. haemolytica colonization and proliferation in the respiratory tract. The efficacy of these mucosal spore-based vaccines merits further assessment against M. haemolytica in cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muhammed Salah Uddin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (M.S.U.); (J.O.G.)
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; (D.R.B.); (L.L.G.)
| | - Angelo Kaldis
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada; (A.K.); (R.M.)
| | - Rima Menassa
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON N5V 4T3, Canada; (A.K.); (R.M.)
| | - José Ortiz Guluarte
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (M.S.U.); (J.O.G.)
| | - Daniel R. Barreda
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; (D.R.B.); (L.L.G.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2R3, Canada
| | - Le Luo Guan
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P5, Canada; (D.R.B.); (L.L.G.)
- Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Trevor W. Alexander
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB T1J 4B1, Canada; (M.S.U.); (J.O.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Katsande PM, Nguyen VD, Nguyen TLP, Nguyen TKC, Mills G, Bailey DMD, Christie G, Hong HA, Cutting SM. Prophylactic immunization to Helicobacter pylori infection using spore vectored vaccines. Helicobacter 2023; 28:e12997. [PMID: 37314018 PMCID: PMC10909515 DOI: 10.1111/hel.12997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori infection remains a major public health threat leading to gastrointestinal illness and increased risk of gastric cancer. Mostly affecting populations in developing countries no vaccines are yet available and the disease is controlled by antimicrobials which, in turn, are driving the emergence of AMR. MATERIALS AND METHODS We have engineered spores of Bacillus subtilis to display putative H. pylori protective antigens, urease subunit A (UreA) and subunit B (UreB) on the spore surface. Following oral dosing of mice with these spores, we evaluated immunity and colonization in animals challenged with H. pylori. RESULTS Oral immunization with spores expressing either UreA or UreB showed antigen-specific mucosal responses (fecal sIgA) including seroconversion and hyperimmunity. Following challenge, colonization by H. pylori was significantly reduced by up to 1-log. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates the utility of bacterial spores for mucosal vaccination to H. pylori infection. The heat stability and robustness of Bacillus spores coupled with their existing use as probiotics make them an attractive solution for either protection against H. pylori infection or potentially for therapy and control of active infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Van Duy Nguyen
- Institute of Biotechnology and EnvironmentNha Trang UniversityNha TrangVietnam
| | | | - Thi Kim Cuc Nguyen
- Institute of Biotechnology and EnvironmentNha Trang UniversityNha TrangVietnam
| | - Gabrielle Mills
- Department of Chemical Engineering & BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - David M. D. Bailey
- Department of Chemical Engineering & BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Graham Christie
- Department of Chemical Engineering & BiotechnologyUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Huynh Anh Hong
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
| | - Simon M. Cutting
- Department of Biological SciencesRoyal Holloway University of LondonEghamUK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Heterologous Systemic Prime–Intranasal Boosting Using a Spore SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Confers Mucosal Immunity and Cross-Reactive Antibodies in Mice as well as Protection in Hamsters. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10111900. [PMID: 36366408 PMCID: PMC9692796 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines are administered systemically and typically result in poor immunogenicity at the mucosa. As a result, vaccination is unable to reduce viral shedding and transmission, ultimately failing to prevent infection. One possible solution is that of boosting a systemic vaccine via the nasal route resulting in mucosal immunity. Here, we have evaluated the potential of bacterial spores as an intranasal boost. Method: Spores engineered to express SARS-CoV-2 antigens were administered as an intranasal boost following a prime with either recombinant Spike protein or the Oxford AZD1222 vaccine. Results: In mice, intranasal boosting following a prime of either Spike or vaccine produced antigen-specific sIgA at the mucosa together with the increased production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines. In a hamster model of infection, the clinical and virological outcomes resulting from a SARS-CoV-2 challenge were ameliorated. Wuhan-specific sIgA were shown to cross-react with Omicron antigens, suggesting that this strategy might offer protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. Conclusions: Despite being a genetically modified organism, the spore vaccine platform is attractive since it offers biological containment, the rapid and cost-efficient production of vaccines together with heat stability. As such, employed in a heterologous systemic prime–mucosal boost regimen, spore vaccines might have utility for current and future emerging diseases.
Collapse
|