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Kaiser FK, Hernandez MG, Krüger N, Englund E, Du W, Mykytyn AZ, Raadsen MP, Lamers MM, Rodrigues Ianiski F, Shamorkina TM, Snijder J, Armando F, Beythien G, Ciurkiewicz M, Schreiner T, Gruber-Dujardin E, Bleyer M, Batura O, Erffmeier L, Hinkel R, Rocha C, Mirolo M, Drabek D, Bosch BJ, Emalfarb M, Valbuena N, Tchelet R, Baumgärtner W, Saloheimo M, Pöhlmann S, Grosveld F, Haagmans BL, Osterhaus ADME. Filamentous fungus-produced human monoclonal antibody provides protection against SARS-CoV-2 in hamster and non-human primate models. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2319. [PMID: 38485931 PMCID: PMC10940701 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46443-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Monoclonal antibodies are an increasingly important tool for prophylaxis and treatment of acute virus infections like SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, their use is often restricted due to the time required for development, variable yields and high production costs, as well as the need for adaptation to newly emerging virus variants. Here we use the genetically modified filamentous fungus expression system Thermothelomyces heterothallica (C1), which has a naturally high biosynthesis capacity for secretory enzymes and other proteins, to produce a human monoclonal IgG1 antibody (HuMab 87G7) that neutralises the SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, and Omicron. Both the mammalian cell and C1 produced HuMab 87G7 broadly neutralise SARS-CoV-2 VOCs in vitro and also provide protection against VOC Omicron in hamsters. The C1 produced HuMab 87G7 is also able to protect against the Delta VOC in non-human primates. In summary, these findings show that the C1 expression system is a promising technology platform for the development of HuMabs in preventive and therapeutic medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franziska K Kaiser
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonosis, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Mariana Gonzalez Hernandez
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonosis, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Nadine Krüger
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ellinor Englund
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Wenjuan Du
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Anna Z Mykytyn
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mathijs P Raadsen
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mart M Lamers
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Francine Rodrigues Ianiski
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Tatiana M Shamorkina
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Snijder
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584, CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Federico Armando
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Georg Beythien
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Ciurkiewicz
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tom Schreiner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva Gruber-Dujardin
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Martina Bleyer
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olga Batura
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lena Erffmeier
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Rabea Hinkel
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Cheila Rocha
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Monica Mirolo
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonosis, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Dubravka Drabek
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Harbour BioMed, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Berend-Jan Bosch
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Markku Saloheimo
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, 02150, Espoo, Finland
| | - Stefan Pöhlmann
- German Primate Center - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Frank Grosveld
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Harbour BioMed, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart L Haagmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Albert D M E Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonosis, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover, Germany.
- Global Virus Network, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA.
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Boggiano-Ayo T, Palacios-Oliva J, Lozada-Chang S, Relova-Hernandez E, Gomez-Perez J, Oliva G, Hernandez L, Bueno-Soler A, Montes de Oca D, Mora O, Machado-Santisteban R, Perez-Martinez D, Perez-Masson B, Cabrera Infante Y, Calzadilla-Rosado L, Ramirez Y, Aymed-Garcia J, Ruiz-Ramirez I, Romero Y, Gomez T, Espinosa LA, Gonzalez LJ, Cabrales A, Guirola O, de la Luz KR, Pi-Estopiñan F, Sanchez-Ramirez B, Garcia-Rivera D, Valdes-Balbin Y, Rojas G, Leon-Monzon K, Ojito-Magaz E, Hardy E. Development of a scalable single process for producing SARS-CoV-2 RBD monomer and dimer vaccine antigens. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1287551. [PMID: 38050488 PMCID: PMC10693982 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1287551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a single process for producing two key COVID-19 vaccine antigens: SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) monomer and dimer. These antigens are featured in various COVID-19 vaccine formats, including SOBERANA 01 and the licensed SOBERANA 02, and SOBERANA Plus. Our approach involves expressing RBD (319-541)-His6 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells, generating and characterizing oligoclones, and selecting the best RBD-producing clones. Critical parameters such as copper supplementation in the culture medium and cell viability influenced the yield of RBD dimer. The purification of RBD involved standard immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC), ion exchange chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography. Our findings suggest that copper can improve IMAC performance. Efficient RBD production was achieved using small-scale bioreactor cell culture (2 L). The two RBD forms - monomeric and dimeric RBD - were also produced on a large scale (500 L). This study represents the first large-scale application of perfusion culture for the production of RBD antigens. We conducted a thorough analysis of the purified RBD antigens, which encompassed primary structure, protein integrity, N-glycosylation, size, purity, secondary and tertiary structures, isoform composition, hydrophobicity, and long-term stability. Additionally, we investigated RBD-ACE2 interactions, in vitro ACE2 recognition of RBD, and the immunogenicity of RBD antigens in mice. We have determined that both the monomeric and dimeric RBD antigens possess the necessary quality attributes for vaccine production. By enabling the customizable production of both RBD forms, this unified manufacturing process provides the required flexibility to adapt rapidly to the ever-changing demands of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and different COVID-19 vaccine platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy Boggiano-Ayo
- Process Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | - Gonzalo Oliva
- Process Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Alexi Bueno-Soler
- Process Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Osvaldo Mora
- Process Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Dayana Perez-Martinez
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Beatriz Perez-Masson
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | - Yaima Ramirez
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Judey Aymed-Garcia
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Yamile Romero
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Tania Gomez
- Quality Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | - Annia Cabrales
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Cuba
| | - Osmany Guirola
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Gertrudis Rojas
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Kalet Leon-Monzon
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Eugenio Hardy
- Process Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
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Taraban MB, Ndung'u T, Karki P, Li K, Fung G, Kirkitadze M, Yu YB. Analysis of the Adsorbed Vaccine Formulations Using Water Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance-Comparison with Optical Analytics. Pharm Res 2023; 40:1989-1998. [PMID: 37127780 PMCID: PMC10151113 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03528-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate wNMR, an emerging noninvasive analytical technology, for characterizing aluminum-adjuvanted vaccine formulations. METHODS wNMR stands for water proton nuclear magnetic resonance. In this work, wNMR and optical techniques (laser diffraction and laser scattering) were used to characterize vaccine formulations containing different antigen loads adsorbed onto AlPO4 adjuvant microparticles, including the fully dispersed state and the sedimentation process. All wNMR measurements were done noninvasively on sealed vials containing the adsorbed vaccine suspensions, while the optical techniques require transferring the adsorbed vaccine suspensions out of the original vial into specialized cuvette/tube for analysis. For analyzing fully dispersed suspensions, optical techniques also require sample dilution. RESULTS wNMR outperformed laser diffraction in differentiating high- and low-dose formulations of the same vaccine, while wNMR and laser scattering achieved comparable results on vaccine sedimentation kinetics and the compactness of fully settled vaccines. CONCLUSION wNMR could be used to analyze aluminum-adjuvanted formulations and to differentiate between formulations containing different antigen loads adsorbed onto aluminum adjuvant microparticles. The results demonstrate the capability of wNMR to characterize antigen-adjuvant complexes and to noninvasively inspect finished vaccine products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc B Taraban
- Bio‑ and Nano‑Technology Center, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Teresia Ndung'u
- Bio‑ and Nano‑Technology Center, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Pratima Karki
- Bio‑ and Nano‑Technology Center, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA
| | - Kira Li
- Analytical Sciences, Vaccine CMC Development and Supply, Sanofi, Toronto, ON, M2R 3T4, Canada
| | - Ginny Fung
- Analytical Sciences, Vaccine CMC Development and Supply, Sanofi, Toronto, ON, M2R 3T4, Canada
| | - Marina Kirkitadze
- Analytical Sciences, Vaccine CMC Development and Supply, Sanofi, Toronto, ON, M2R 3T4, Canada.
| | - Y Bruce Yu
- Bio‑ and Nano‑Technology Center, University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, and Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, MD, 20850, USA.
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Gonzalez-Hernandez M, Kaiser FK, Steffen I, Ciurkiewicz M, van Amerongen G, Tchelet R, Emalfarb M, Saloheimo M, Wiebe MG, Vitikainen M, Albulescu IC, Bosch BJ, Baumgärtner W, Haagmans BL, Osterhaus ADME. Preclinical immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2 RBD-based vaccine produced with the thermophilic filamentous fungal expression system Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1204834. [PMID: 37359531 PMCID: PMC10289020 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The emergency use of vaccines has been the most efficient way to control the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern has reduced the efficacy of currently used vaccines. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein is the main target for virus neutralizing (VN) antibodies. Methods A SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine candidate was produced in the Thermothelomyces heterothallica (formerly, Myceliophthora thermophila) C1 protein expression system and coupled to a nanoparticle. Immunogenicity and efficacy of this vaccine candidate was tested using the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) infection model. Results One dose of 10-μg RBD vaccine based on SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain, coupled to a nanoparticle in combination with aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant, efficiently induced VN antibodies and reduced viral load and lung damage upon SARS-CoV-2 challenge infection. The VN antibodies neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: D614G, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Discussion Our results support the use of the Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1 protein expression system to produce recombinant vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other virus infections to help overcome limitations associated with the use of mammalian expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Gonzalez-Hernandez
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Karola Kaiser
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Imke Steffen
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Ciurkiewicz
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Ronen Tchelet
- Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Mark Emalfarb
- Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, FL, United States
| | | | | | | | - Irina C. Albulescu
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Berend-Jan Bosch
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bart L. Haagmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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