1
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Wilks LR, Joshi G, Rychener N, Gill HS. Generation of Broad Protection against Influenza with Di-Tyrosine-Cross-Linked M2e Nanoclusters. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:1552-1560. [PMID: 38623820 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.3c00429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Tyrosine cross-linking has recently been used to produce nanoclusters (NCs) from peptides to enhance their immunogenicity. In this study, NCs were generated using the ectodomain of the ion channel Matrix 2 (M2e) protein, a conserved influenza surface antigen. The NCs were administered via intranasal (IN) or intramuscular (IM) routes in a mouse model in a prime-boost regimen in the presence of the adjuvant CpG. After boost, a significant increase in anti-M2e IgG and its subtypes was observed in the serum and lungs of mice vaccinated through the IM and IN routes; however, significant enhancement in anti-M2e IgA in lungs was observed only in the IN group. Analysis of cytokine concentrations in stimulated splenocyte cultures indicated a Th1/Th17-biased response. Mice were challenged with a lethal dose of A/California/07/2009 (H1N1pdm), A/Puerto Rico/08/1934 (H1N1), or A/Hong Kong/08/1968 (H3N2) strains. Mice that received M2e NCs + CpG were significantly protected against these strains and showed decreased lung viral titers compared with the naive mice and M2e NC-alone groups. The IN-vaccinated group showed superior protection against the H3N2 strain as compared to the IM group. This research extends our earlier efforts involving the tyrosine-based cross-linking method and highlights the potential of this technology in enhancing the immunogenicity of short peptide immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan R Wilks
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Eighth Street and Canton Avenue, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3121, United States
| | - Gaurav Joshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Eighth Street and Canton Avenue, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3121, United States
| | - Natalie Rychener
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Eighth Street and Canton Avenue, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3121, United States
| | - Harvinder Singh Gill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, Eighth Street and Canton Avenue, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3121, United States
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2
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Opriessnig T, Gauger PC, Filippsen Favaro P, Rawal G, Magstadt DR, Digard P, Lee HM, Halbur PG. An experimental universal swine influenza a virus (IAV) vaccine candidate based on the M2 ectodomain (M2e) peptide does not provide protection against H1N1 IAV challenge in pigs. Vaccine 2024; 42:220-228. [PMID: 38087714 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.12.012] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024]
Abstract
Swine flu is a common disease problem in North American pig populations and swine influenza A viruses (IAV) are extremely diverse and the lack of cross protection between heterologous strains is impacting vaccine efficacy in the field. The objective of this study was to design and test a novel swine flu vaccine targeting the M2 ectodomain (M2e) of IAV, a highly conserved region within the IAV proteome. In brief, an M2e peptide was designed to match the predominant swine IAV M2 sequence based on global analysis of sequences from pigs and humans. The resulting sequence was used to synthesize the M2e peptide coupled to a carrier protein. The final vaccine concentration was 200 µg per dose, and a commercial, microemulsion-based aqueous adjuvant was added. Nine 3-week-old IAV negative piglets were randomly assigned to three groups and rooms including non-vaccinated pigs (NEG-CONTROLs) and vaccinated pigs using the intramuscular (M2e-IM) or the intranasal route (M2e-IN). Vaccinations were done at weaning and again at 2 weeks later. An in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and validated to study the M2e IgG antibody response and demonstrated M2e-IM pigs had a higher systemic antibody response compared to M2e-IN pigs. Subsequently, an IAV challenge study was conducted. The results indicated that M2e-IM vaccinated pigs were not protected from H1N1 (US pandemic clade, global clade 1A.3.3.2) challenge despite having a strong humoral anti-M2e immune response. In conclusion, while the experimental IAV vaccine was able to induce anti-M2e antibodies, when challenged with H1N1, the vaccinated pigs were not protected, perhaps indicating that reactivity to the M2e antigen alone is not sufficient to reduce clinical signs, lesions or shedding associated with experimental IAV challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanja Opriessnig
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; Vaccines and Diagnostics Department, Moredun Research Institute, Penicuik, Edinburgh, UK.
| | - Phillip C Gauger
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
| | | | - Gaurav Rawal
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
| | - Drew R Magstadt
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
| | - Paul Digard
- The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
| | - Hui-Min Lee
- The Roslin Institute and The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Midlothian, UK.
| | - Patrick G Halbur
- Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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3
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Park J, Champion JA. Development of Self-Assembled Protein Nanocage Spatially Functionalized with HA Stalk as a Broadly Cross-Reactive Influenza Vaccine Platform. ACS NANO 2023; 17:25045-25060. [PMID: 38084728 PMCID: PMC10753887 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c07669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
There remains a need for the development of a universal influenza vaccine, as current seasonal influenza vaccines exhibit limited protection against mismatched, mutated, or pandemic influenza viruses. A desirable approach to developing an effective universal influenza vaccine is the incorporation of highly conserved antigens in a multivalent scaffold that enhances their immunogenicity. Here, we develop a broadly cross-reactive influenza vaccine by functionalizing self-assembled protein nanocages (SAPNs) with multiple copies of the hemagglutinin stalk on the outer surface and matrix protein 2 ectodomain on the inner surface. SAPNs were generated by engineering short coiled coils, and the design was simulated by MD GROMACS. Due to the short sequences, off-target immune responses against empty SAPN scaffolds were not seen in immunized mice. Vaccination with the multivalent SAPNs induces high levels of broadly cross-reactive antibodies of only external antigens, demonstrating tight spatial control over the designed antigen placement. This work demonstrates the use of SAPNs as a potential influenza vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyoung Park
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular
Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-2000, United States
| | - Julie A. Champion
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular
Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-2000, United States
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4
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Braz Gomes K, Zhang YN, Lee YZ, Eldad M, Lim A, Ward G, Auclair S, He L, Zhu J. Single-Component Multilayered Self-Assembling Protein Nanoparticles Displaying Extracellular Domains of Matrix Protein 2 as a Pan-influenza A Vaccine. ACS NANO 2023; 17:23545-23567. [PMID: 37988765 PMCID: PMC10722606 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
The development of a cross-protective pan-influenza A vaccine remains a significant challenge. In this study, we designed and evaluated single-component self-assembling protein nanoparticles (SApNPs) presenting the conserved extracellular domain of matrix protein 2 (M2e) as vaccine candidates against influenza A viruses. The SApNP-based vaccine strategy was first validated for human M2e (hM2e) and then applied to tandem repeats of M2e from human, avian, and swine hosts (M2ex3). Vaccination with M2ex3 displayed on SApNPs demonstrated higher survival rates and less weight loss compared to the soluble M2ex3 antigen against the lethal challenges of H1N1 and H3N2 in mice. M2ex3 I3-01v9a SApNPs formulated with a squalene-based adjuvant were retained in the lymph node follicles over 8 weeks and induced long-lived germinal center reactions. Notably, a single low dose of M2ex3 I3-01v9a SApNP formulated with a potent adjuvant, either a Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) agonist or a stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist, conferred 90% protection against a lethal H1N1 challenge in mice. With the ability to induce robust and durable M2e-specific functional antibody and T cell responses, the M2ex3-presenting I3-01v9a SApNP provides a promising pan-influenza A vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keegan Braz Gomes
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Yi-Nan Zhang
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Yi-Zong Lee
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Mor Eldad
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Alexander Lim
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Garrett Ward
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Sarah Auclair
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Linling He
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department
of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Department
of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps
Research Institute, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
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5
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Sun H, Tu S, Luo D, Dai C, Jin M, Chen H, Zou J, Zhou H. Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 mediates arginine symmetric dimethylation of influenza A virus PB2 and supports viral replication. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e29171. [PMID: 37830751 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.29171] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) relies on intricate and highly coordinated associations with host factors for efficient replication and transmission. Characterization of such factors holds great significance for development of anti-IAV drugs. Our study identified protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) as a novel host factor indispensable for IAV replication. Silencing PRMT5 resulted in drastic repression of IAV replication. Our findings revealed that PRMT5 interacts with each protein component of viral ribonucleoproteins (vRNPs) and promotes arginine symmetric dimethylation of polymerase basic 2 (PB2). Overexpression of PRMT5 enhanced viral polymerase activity in a dose-dependent manner, emphasizing its role in genome transcription and replication of IAV. Moreover, analysis of PB2 protein sequences across various subtypes of IAVs demonstrated the high conservation of potential RG motifs recognized by PRMT5. Overall, our study suggests that PRMT5 supports IAV replication by facilitating viral polymerase activity by interacting with PB2 and promoting its arginine symmetric dimethylation. This study deepens our understanding of how IAV manipulates host factors to facilitate its replication and highlights the great potential of PRMT5 to serve as an anti-IAV therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shaoyu Tu
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Didan Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chao Dai
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Meilin Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huanchun Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiahui Zou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hongbo Zhou
- National Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Key Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine in Hubei Province, The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Animal Breeding and Sustainable Production, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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6
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Ashraf F, Khan MA, Ahmed N, Umar M, Khan MI, Akram M, Bhatti R, Malik K. Development of transgenic algae strain expressing CTB-M2e fusion gene an approach towards the development of a universal edible vaccine in algae. J Biotechnol 2023; 374:31-37. [PMID: 37481211 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2023.07.004] [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: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Avian Influenza, the most studied virus, is of high concern due to its zoonotic pandemic potential. In recent years, several influenza vaccines have been used with the broad goal of managing and in certain cases, eliminating the disease. The matrix 2 extracellular domain (M2e), is one of the key targets of the universal influenza vaccine, a liner peptide that is conserved throughout all influenza A subtypes virus. Many recombinant influenza proteins have been expressed in yeast and plants for vaccine development. A remarkable development has been made in the field of biotechnology to explore the potential of microalga as an expression host. In this study, we designed a fusion gene code for M2e peptide and CTB protein as M2e's natural form has a low level of immunogenicity. The fusion gene was cloned in the Chloroplast transformation vector pSRSapI and expressed in the TN72 mutant strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardii. The expression of the targeted protein was confirmed by ECL western blot analysis. A GM1-ELISA was carried out to detect the affinity of fusion protein for GM1 monosialoganglioside and the significant P-value is lower than 0.05. Immunogenicity assay on chicken detected the anti-M2e bodies in chicken serum. This study gives evidence of therapeutic protein production through algae chloroplast and a stable, selection free and low cost oral delivery for universal vaccine against influenza A virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fareeha Ashraf
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Mohsin Ahmad Khan
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Nadeem Ahmed
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Umar
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Islam Khan
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Maham Akram
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Rashid Bhatti
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Kausar Malik
- Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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7
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Hendy DA, Lifshits LM, Batty CJ, Carlock MA, Ross TM, Mousa JJ, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Zinc Carnosine Metal-Organic Coordination Polymer as a Potent Broadly Active Influenza Vaccine Platform with In Vitro Shelf-Stability. Mol Pharm 2023; 20:4687-4697. [PMID: 37603310 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Current seasonal influenza vaccines are limited in that they need to be reformulated every year in order to account for the constant mutation of the virus. Hemagglutinin (HA) immunogens have been developed using a computationally optimized broadly reactive antigen (COBRA) methodology, which are able to elicit an antibody response that neutralizes antigenically distinct influenza strains; however, subunit proteins are not immunogenic enough on their own to generate a substantial immune response. Due to this, different delivery strategies and adjuvants can be used to improve immunogenicity. Recently, we reported a new coordination polymer composed of the dipeptide carnosine and zinc (ZnCar) that is able to deliver protein antigens along with CpG to generate a potent immune response. In the present work, ZnCar was used to deliver the COBRA HA immunogen Y2 and the adjuvant CpG. We incorporated Y2 into ZnCar using two different methods to assess which would be the most immunogenic. Mice vaccinated with Y2 and CpG complexed with ZnCar showed an improved humoral and cellular response when compared to mice vaccinated with soluble Y2 and CpG. Further, we demonstrate in vitro that when Y2 and CpG are coordinated with ZnCar, they are protected from degradation at 40 °C for 3 months or 24 °C for 6 months. Overall, ZnCar shows promise as a delivery vehicle for subunit vaccines, given its superior immunogenicity and in vitro storage stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan A Hendy
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill 27599, North Carolina, United States
| | - Liubov M Lifshits
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill 27599, North Carolina, United States
| | - Cole J Batty
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill 27599, North Carolina, United States
| | - Michael A Carlock
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Port Saint, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Port St. Lucie 33331-3609, Florida, United States
| | - Ted M Ross
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Port Saint, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Port St. Lucie 33331-3609, Florida, United States
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-0002, Georgia, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-0002, Georgia, United States
| | - Jarrod J Mousa
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-0002, Georgia, United States
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens 30602-0002, Georgia, United States
| | - Eric M Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill 27599, North Carolina, United States
| | - Kristy M Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill 27599, North Carolina, United States
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill 27599, North Carolina, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill 27599, North Carolina, United States
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8
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Liu DJ, Liu CC, Zhong XQ, Wu X, Zhang HH, Lu SW, Shen ZL, Song WW, Zhao SL, Peng YS, Zheng HP, Wan MY, Chen YQ, Deng L. Boost immunizations with NA-derived peptide conjugates achieve induction of NA inhibition antibodies and heterologous influenza protections. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112766. [PMID: 37421618 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuraminidase is suggested as an important component for developing a universal influenza vaccine. Targeted induction of neuraminidase-specific broadly protective antibodies by vaccinations is challenging. To overcome this, we rationally select the highly conserved peptides from the consensus amino acid sequence of the globular head domains of neuraminidase. Inspired by the B cell receptor evolution process, a reliable sequential immunization regimen is designed to result in immuno-focusing by steering bulk immune responses to a selected region where broadly protective B lymphocyte epitopes reside. After priming neuraminidase protein-specific antibody responses in C57BL/6 or BALB/c inbred mice strains by immunization or pre-infection, boost immunizations with certain neuraminidase-derived peptide-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugates significantly strengthened serum neuraminidase inhibition activities and cross-protections. Overall, this study provides proof of concept for a peptide-based sequential immunization strategy for achieving targeted induction of cross-protective antibody response, which provides references for designing universal vaccines against other highly variable pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- De-Jian Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Cui-Cui Liu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xiu-Qin Zhong
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Xuan Wu
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Hui-Hui Zhang
- Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Shang-Wen Lu
- Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Zhuo-Ling Shen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Wen-Wen Song
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Shi-Long Zhao
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - You-Song Peng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - He-Ping Zheng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Mu-Yang Wan
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
| | - Yao-Qing Chen
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province 518107, China
| | - Lei Deng
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Virology, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Bioinformatics Center, College of Biology, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China; Beijing Weimiao Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Haidian District, Beijing 100000, China.
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9
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Ma D, Tian S, Qin Q, Yu Y, Jiao J, Xiong X, Guo Y, Zhang X, Ouyang X. Construction of an inhalable recombinant M2e-FP-expressing Bacillus subtilis spores-based vaccine and evaluation of its protection efficacy against influenza in a mouse model. Vaccine 2023; 41:4402-4413. [PMID: 37308364 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.05.074] [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: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a deadly zoonotic pathogen that remains a burden to global health systems despite continuous vaccinations, indicating the need for an improved vaccine strategy. In this work, we constructed a new recombinant influenza vaccine using Bacillus subtilis spores expressing M2e-FP protein (RSM2eFP) and assessed its potency and efficacy in BALB/c mouse immunized via aerosolized intratracheal inoculation (i.t.) or intragastric (i.g.) administration. Immunization via i.t. route conferred 100 % protection against 20 × LD50 A/PR/8/34 (H1N1) virus compared with only 50 % via the i.g. route. Even when challenged with 40 × LD50 virus, the RSM2eFP vaccine immunized via i.t. provided 80 % protection. Consistently, i.t. inoculation of RSM2eFP spore vaccine induced a stronger lung mucosal immune response and a greater cellular immune response than i.g. administration, as indicated by the high production of IgG and SIgA. In addition, the RSM2eFP spore vaccine diminished the yield of infectious virus in the lung of mice immunized via i.t. These results suggest that i.t. immunization of the RSM2eFP spore vaccine may be a promising strategy for the development of mucosal vaccines against IAV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Ma
- School of Life Science, Ludong University, 186# Hong-Qi-Zhong Street, Zhifu, Yantai 264000, Shandong, China; State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Shengyuan Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China; College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, 20# Nan-Er-Huan-Dong Street, Yuhua, Hebei 050010, China
| | - Qingqing Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China; College of Life Sciences and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, 15(#) Bei-San-Huan-Dong Street, Chaoyang, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Yonghui Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Jun Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Xiaolu Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China.
| | - Xingxiao Zhang
- School of Life Science, Ludong University, 186# Hong-Qi-Zhong Street, Zhifu, Yantai 264000, Shandong, China.
| | - Xuan Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, 20# Dong-Da-Jie Street, Fengtai, Beijing 100071, China.
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10
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Braz Gomes K, Vijayanand S, Bagwe P, Menon I, Kale A, Patil S, Kang SM, Uddin MN, D’Souza MJ. Vaccine-Induced Immunity Elicited by Microneedle Delivery of Influenza Ectodomain Matrix Protein 2 Virus-like Particle (M2e VLP)-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10612. [PMID: 37445784 PMCID: PMC10341628 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310612] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
This study focused on developing an influenza vaccine delivered in polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) using dissolving microneedles. We first formulated an influenza extracellular matrix protein 2 virus-like particle (M2e VLP)-loaded with poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles, yielding M2e5x VLP PLGA NPs. The vaccine particles were characterized for their physical properties and in vitro immunogenicity. Next, the M2e5x VLP PLGA NPs, along with the adjuvant Alhydrogel® and monophosphoryl lipid A® (MPL-A®) PLGA NPs, were loaded into fast-dissolving microneedles. The vaccine microneedle patches were then evaluated in vivo in a murine model. The results from this study demonstrated that the vaccine nanoparticles effectively stimulated antigen-presenting cells in vitro resulting in enhanced autophagy, nitric oxide, and antigen presentation. In mice, the vaccine elicited M2e-specific antibodies in both serum and lung supernatants (post-challenge) and induced significant expression of CD4+ and CD8+ populations in the lymph nodes and spleens of immunized mice. Hence, this study demonstrated that polymeric particulates for antigen and adjuvant encapsulation, delivered using fast-dissolving microneedles, significantly enhanced the immunogenicity of a conserved influenza antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keegan Braz Gomes
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Sharon Vijayanand
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Priyal Bagwe
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Ipshita Menon
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Akanksha Kale
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Smital Patil
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity, and Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Mohammad N. Uddin
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Martin J. D’Souza
- Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
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11
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Blokhina EA, Mardanova ES, Zykova AA, Stepanova LA, Shuklina MA, Tsybalova LM, Ravin NV. Plant-Produced Nanoparticles Based on Artificial Self-Assembling Peptide Bearing the Influenza M2e Epitope. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 12:plants12112228. [PMID: 37299207 DOI: 10.3390/plants12112228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in vaccine development, influenza remains a persistent global health threat and the search for a broad-spectrum recombinant vaccine against influenza continues. The extracellular domain of the transmembrane protein M2 (M2e) of the influenza A virus is highly conserved and can be used to develop a universal vaccine. M2e is a poor immunogen by itself, but it becomes highly immunogenic when linked to an appropriate carrier. Here, we report the transient expression of a recombinant protein comprising four tandem copies of M2e fused to an artificial self-assembling peptide (SAP) in plants. The hybrid protein was efficiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana using the self-replicating potato virus X-based vector pEff. The protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography under denaturing conditions. The hybrid protein was capable of self-assembly in vitro into spherical particles 15-30 nm in size. The subcutaneous immunization of mice with M2e-carrying nanoparticles induced high levels of M2e-specific IgG antibodies in serum and mucosal secretions. Immunization provided mice with protection against a lethal influenza A virus challenge. SAP-based nanoparticles displaying M2e peptides can be further used to develop a recombinant "universal" vaccine against influenza A produced in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Blokhina
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugenia S Mardanova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Zykova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Liudmila A Stepanova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Marina A Shuklina
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Liudmila M Tsybalova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nikolai V Ravin
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
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12
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Sun T, Wang Y, Zou P, Wang Q, Liu J, Liu W, Huang J, Wu F. M2e-specific antibodies protect against influenza PR8 virus in an isotype and route dependent manner. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28721. [PMID: 37185862 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28721] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
The ectodomain of influenza matrix protein 2 (M2e) is a promising target for the development of universal prophylactic and therapeutic agents against influenza viruses of different subtypes. We constructed three M2e-specific monoclonal antibody variants, M2A1-1 (IgG1), M2A1-2a (IgG2a), M2A1-2b (IgG2b), which have the same Fab region targeting the M2e epitope but different isotypes, and compared their protective efficacy in influenza PR8-infected mice. We found that anti-M2e antibodies provided protection against influenza virus in a subtype-dependent manner, with the IgG2a variant providing significantly better protection with lower virus titers and milder lung injury than IgG1 and IgG2b isotypes. Additionally, we observed that the protective efficacy was dependent on the administration routes, with intranasal administration of antibody providing better protection than intraperitoneal administration. The timing of administration was also critical in determining the protective efficacy; while all the antibody isotypes provided protection when administered before influenza challenge, only IgG2a provided minimal protection when the antibodies were administered after virus challenge. These results provide valuable information for optimizing the therapeutics usage of M2e-based antibodies and furthering the development of M2e-based universal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Sun
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingdan Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qimin Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangyan Liu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanli Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Key Lab for Immunological Research on Chronic Diseases, School of Life Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, Institute for Immunology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jinghe Huang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center and Shanghai Institute of Infectious Disease and Biosecurity, Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Shanghai Immune Therapy Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine Affiliated Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China
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13
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Henson TR, Richards KA, Gandhapudi SK, Woodward JG, Sant AJ. R-DOTAP Cationic Lipid Nanoparticles Outperform Squalene-Based Adjuvant Systems in Elicitation of CD4 T Cells after Recombinant Influenza Hemagglutinin Vaccination. Viruses 2023; 15:538. [PMID: 36851752 PMCID: PMC9959843 DOI: 10.3390/v15020538] [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: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
It is clear that new approaches are needed to promote broadly protective immunity to viral pathogens, particularly those that are prone to mutation and escape from antibody-mediated immunity. Prototypic pathogens of this type are influenza and SARS-CoV-2, where the receptor-binding protein exhibits extremely high variability in its receptor-binding regions. T cells, known to target many viral proteins, and within these, highly conserved peptide epitopes, can contribute greatly to protective immunity through multiple mechanisms but are often poorly recruited by current vaccine strategies. Here, we have studied a promising novel pure enantio-specific cationic lipid 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (R-DOTAP), which was previously recognized for its ability to generate anti-tumor immunity through the induction of potent cytotoxic CD8 T cells. Using a preclinical mouse model, we have assessed an R-DOTAP nanoparticle adjuvant system for its ability to promote CD4 T cell responses to vaccination with recombinant influenza protein. Our studies revealed that R-DOTAP consistently outperformed a squalene-based adjuvant emulsion, even when it was introduced with a potent TLR agonist CpG, in the ability to elicit peptide epitope-specific CD4 T cells when quantified by IFN-γ and IL-2 ELISpot assays. Clinical testing of R-DOTAP containing vaccines in earlier work by others has demonstrated an acceptable safety profile. Hence, R-DOTAP can offer exciting opportunities as an immune stimulant for next-generation prophylactic recombinant protein-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas R. Henson
- David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Katherine A. Richards
- David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Siva K. Gandhapudi
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky School of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Jerold G. Woodward
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics, University of Kentucky School of Medicine, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Andrea J. Sant
- David H. Smith Center for Vaccine Biology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
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14
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Batty CJ, Amouzougan EA, A Carlock M, Ross TM, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Sustained delivery of CpG oligodeoxynucleotide by acetalated dextran microparticles augments effector response to Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) influenza hemagglutinin. Int J Pharm 2023; 630:122429. [PMID: 36436743 PMCID: PMC9789738 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2022.122429] [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: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
A subunit or protein-based influenza vaccine can be a safer alternative to live attenuated vaccine (Flumist) and require fewer boosts than an inactivated vaccine (e.g. Fluzone). However, to form an effective subunit vaccine, an adjuvant is often needed. In this work we used electrospray to encapsulate the hydrophilic adjuvant CpG into microparticles made from the hydrophobic biodegradable polymer acetalated dextran. To understand the rate of particle degradation on CpG release, polymer that was slow (21 h at phagosomal pH 5) and fast (0.25 h at pH 5) degrading was used to encapsulate the adjuvant. The slow-degrading particles exhibited the greatest degree of innate immune stimulation of antigen-presenting cells in vitro. In mice, the broadly acting Computationally Optimized Broadly Reactive Antigen (COBRA) Y2 influenza hemagglutinin (HA) antigen was used with CpG particles, soluble CpG, or MF-59 like adjuvant Addavax. Particles and soluble CpG elicited similar induction of anti-HA antibodies and protection against lethal influenza challenge, but the sustained release particles elicited the highest levels antibody effector functions. These results demonstrate a suitable method for encapsulation of CpG oligonucleotide in a hydrophobic particle matrix, and suggest that sustained release of CpG from Ace-DEX microparticles could potentially be used to induce potent antibody effector functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cole J Batty
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Eva A Amouzougan
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Michael A Carlock
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ted M Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA; Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Eric M Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kristy M Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, NC, USA.
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15
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Wilks LR, Joshi G, Kang SM, Wang BZ, Gill HS. Peptide Cross-Linking Using Tyrosine Residues Facilitated by an Exogenous Nickel-Histidine Complex: A Facile Approach for Enhancing Vaccine-Specific Immunogenicity. ACS Infect Dis 2022; 8:2389-2395. [PMID: 36346898 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.2c00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
An improved method for the generation of peptide vaccines using di-tyrosine cross-linking is described. The conserved ion channel peptide, M2e, of influenza A virus was modified with the addition of small tyrosine-rich regions (GYGY-) at both the N- and C-termini and extensively cross-linked via tyrosine-tyrosine linkages to form peptide nanoclusters. The cross-linking was catalyzed using exogenous nickel(II) ions complexed to an exogenous glycine-glycine-histidine peptide in the presence of an oxidizer. Mice that were intranasally or intramuscularly immunized with the M2e-vaccine nanoclusters induced comparable levels of M2e-specific serum antibodies. Vaccination via the intranasal or intramuscular route protected mice from subsequent lethal challenge with an influenza A virus. In comparison to our previous approach, where a histidine-rich tag was added into the peptide structure, the use of exogenous histidine reduced irrelevant off-target immune response. Additionally, the purity of the resulting nanoclusters is an attractive feature, making this approach appealing for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Logan R Wilks
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, 8th street and Canton Ave., Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3121, United States
| | - Gaurav Joshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, 8th street and Canton Ave., Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3121, United States
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, Georgia 30302, United States
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta, Georgia 30302, United States
| | - Harvinder Singh Gill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, 8th street and Canton Ave., Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock, Texas 79409-3121, United States
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16
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Hoang PT, Luong QXT, Cho S, Lee Y, Na K, Ayun RQ, Vo TTB, Kim T, Lee S. Enhancing neutralizing activity against influenza H1N1/PR8 by engineering a single-domain VL-M2 specific into a bivalent form. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273934. [PMID: 36044435 PMCID: PMC9432714 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Flu disease, with high mortality and morbidity, is caused by the influenza virus. Influenza infections are most effectively prevented through vaccination, but it requires annual reformulation due to the antigenic shift or drift of hemagglutinin and neuraminidase proteins. Increasing resistance to available anti-influenza drugs was also recently reported. The M2 surface protein of the influenza virus is an attractive target for universal vaccine development as it is highly conserved and multifunctional throughout the viral life cycle. This study aimed to discover a single-chain variable fragment (scFv) targeting the M2 protein of influenza A H1N1/PR8, showing neutralizing activity through plaque inhibition in virus replication. Several candidates were isolated using bio-panning, including scFv and single-domain VL target M2 protein, which was displayed on the yeast surface. The scFv/VL proteins were obtained with high yield and high purity through soluble expression in E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysE strains. A single-domain VL-M2-specific antibody, NVLM10, exhibited the highest binding affinity to influenza virions and was engineered into a bivalent format (NVL2M10) to improve antigen binding. Both antibodies inhibited virus replication in a dose-dependent manner, determined using plaque reduction- and immunocytochemistry assays. Furthermore, bivalent anti-M2 single-domain VL antibodies significantly reduced the plaque number and viral HA protein intensity as well as viral genome (HA and NP) compared to the monovalent single-domain VL antibodies. This suggests that mono- or bivalent single-domain VL antibodies can exhibit neutralizing activity against influenza virus A, as determined through binding to virus particle activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong Thi Hoang
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Quynh Xuan Thi Luong
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungchan Cho
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Daesang Cellgene, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongjun Lee
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungho Na
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ramadhani Qurrota Ayun
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Thuy Thi Bich Vo
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Taehyun Kim
- Novelgen Co., Ltd., R&D center, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sukchan Lee
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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17
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Díaz-Dinamarca DA, Salazar ML, Castillo BN, Manubens A, Vasquez AE, Salazar F, Becker MI. Protein-Based Adjuvants for Vaccines as Immunomodulators of the Innate and Adaptive Immune Response: Current Knowledge, Challenges, and Future Opportunities. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081671. [PMID: 36015297 PMCID: PMC9414397 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
New-generation vaccines, formulated with subunits or nucleic acids, are less immunogenic than classical vaccines formulated with live-attenuated or inactivated pathogens. This difference has led to an intensified search for additional potent vaccine adjuvants that meet safety and efficacy criteria and confer long-term protection. This review provides an overview of protein-based adjuvants (PBAs) obtained from different organisms, including bacteria, mollusks, plants, and humans. Notably, despite structural differences, all PBAs show significant immunostimulatory properties, eliciting B-cell- and T-cell-mediated immune responses to administered antigens, providing advantages over many currently adopted adjuvant approaches. Furthermore, PBAs are natural biocompatible and biodegradable substances that induce minimal reactogenicity and toxicity and interact with innate immune receptors, enhancing their endocytosis and modulating subsequent adaptive immune responses. We propose that PBAs can contribute to the development of vaccines against complex pathogens, including intracellular pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, those with complex life cycles such as Plasmodium falciparum, those that induce host immune dysfunction such as HIV, those that target immunocompromised individuals such as fungi, those with a latent disease phase such as Herpes, those that are antigenically variable such as SARS-CoV-2 and those that undergo continuous evolution, to reduce the likelihood of outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego A. Díaz-Dinamarca
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Sección de Biotecnología, Departamento Agencia Nacional de Dispositivos Médicos, Innovación y Desarrollo, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Michelle L. Salazar
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Byron N. Castillo
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Augusto Manubens
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Biosonda Corporation, Santiago 7750000, Chile
| | - Abel E. Vasquez
- Sección de Biotecnología, Departamento Agencia Nacional de Dispositivos Médicos, Innovación y Desarrollo, Instituto de Salud Pública de Chile, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Facultad de Ciencias para el Cuidado de la Salud, Universidad San Sebastián, Providencia, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Fabián Salazar
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QD, UK
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (M.I.B.)
| | - María Inés Becker
- Fundación Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (FUCITED), Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Biosonda Corporation, Santiago 7750000, Chile
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (M.I.B.)
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18
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Kim KH, Li Z, Bhatnagar N, Subbiah J, Park BR, Shin CH, Pushko P, Wang BZ, Kang SM. Universal protection against influenza viruses by multi-subtype neuraminidase and M2 ectodomain virus-like particle. PLoS Pathog 2022; 18:e1010755. [PMID: 36006890 PMCID: PMC9409530 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1010755] [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: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended to update the variable hemagglutinin antigens. Here, we first designed a virus-like particle (VLP) displaying consensus multi-neuraminidase (NA) subtypes (cN1, cN2, B cNA) and M2 ectodomain (M2e) tandem repeat (m-cNA-M2e VLP). Vaccination of mice with m-cNA-M2e VLP induced broad NA inhibition (NAI), and M2e antibodies as well as interferon-gamma secreting T cell responses. Mice vaccinated with m-cNA-M2e VLP were protected against influenza A (H1N1, H5N1, H3N2, H9N2, H7N9) and influenza B (Yamagata and Victoria lineage) viruses containing substantial antigenic variations. Protective immune contributors include cellular and humoral immunity as well as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Furthermore, comparable cross protection by m-cNA-M2e VLP vaccination was induced in aged mice. This study supports a novel strategy of developing a universal vaccine against influenza A and B viruses potentially in both young and aged populations by inducing multi-NA subtype and M2e immunity with a single VLP entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ki-Hye Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Zhuo Li
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Noopur Bhatnagar
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jeeva Subbiah
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Bo Ryoung Park
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Chong Hyun Shin
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Peter Pushko
- Medigen, Inc., Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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19
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Subbiah J, Oh J, Kim KH, Shin CH, Park BR, Bhatnagar N, Seong BL, Wang BZ, Kang SM. A chimeric thermostable M2e and H3 stalk-based universal influenza A virus vaccine. NPJ Vaccines 2022; 7:68. [PMID: 35768475 PMCID: PMC9243060 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-022-00498-6] [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: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
We developed a new chimeric M2e and H3 hemagglutinin (HA) stalk protein vaccine (M2e-H3 stalk) by genetic engineering of modified H3 stalk domain conjugated with conserved M2e epitopes to overcome the drawbacks of low efficacy by monomeric domain-based universal vaccines. M2e-H3 stalk protein expressed and purified from Escherichia coli was thermostable, displaying native-like antigenic epitopes recognized by antisera of different HA subtype proteins and influenza A virus infections. Adjuvanted M2e-H3 stalk vaccination induced M2e and stalk-specific IgG antibodies recognizing viral antigens on virus particles and on the infected cell surface, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses, and antibody-dependent cytotoxic cell surrogate activity in mice. M2e-H3 stalk was found to confer protection against heterologous and heterosubtypic cross-group subtype viruses (H1N1, H5N1, H9N2, H3N2, H7N9) at similar levels in adult and aged mice. These results provide evidence that M2e-H3 stalk chimeric proteins can be developed as a universal influenza A virus vaccine candidate for young and aged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeeva Subbiah
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Judy Oh
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Ki-Hye Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Chong-Hyun Shin
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Bo Ryoung Park
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Noopur Bhatnagar
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Baik-Lin Seong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea.,Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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20
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Subbbiah J, Oh J, Kim KH, Shin CH, Park BR, Bhatnagar N, Jung YJ, Lee Y, Wang BZ, Seong BL, Kang SM. Thermostable H1 hemagglutinin stem with M2e epitopes provides broad cross-protection against group1 and 2 influenza A viruses. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2022; 26:38-51. [PMID: 35755946 PMCID: PMC9198381 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Hemagglutinin (HA) stem-based vaccines have limitations in providing broad and effective protection against cross-group influenza viruses, despite being a promising universal vaccine target. To overcome the limited cross-protection and low efficacy by HA stem vaccination, we genetically engineered a chimeric conjugate of thermostable H1 HA stem and highly conserved M2e repeat (M2e-H1stem), which was expressed at high yields in Escherichia coli. M2e-H1stem protein presented native-like epitopes reactive to antisera of live virus infection. M2e-H1stem protein vaccination of mice induced strong M2e- and HA stem-specific immune responses, conferring broadly effective cross-protection against both antigenically distinct group 1 (H1N1, H5N1, and H9N2 subtypes) and group 2 (H3N2 and H7N9 subtypes) seasonal and pandemic potential influenza viruses. M2e-H1stem vaccination generated CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses and antibody-dependent cytotoxic cellular and humoral immunity, which contributed to enhancing cross-protection. Furthermore, comparable broad cross-group protection was observed in older aged mice after M2e-H1stem vaccination. This study provides evidence warranting further development of chimeric M2e-stem proteins as a promising universal influenza vaccine candidate in adult and aged populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeeva Subbbiah
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Judy Oh
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Ki-Hye Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Chong Hyun Shin
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Bo Ryoung Park
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Noopur Bhatnagar
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Yu-Jin Jung
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Youri Lee
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Baik-Lin Seong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Vaccine Innovative Technology Alliance (VITAL), Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Corresponding author Sang-Moo Kang, PhD, Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, 100 Piedmont Avenue, PSC 718 P.O. Box 5035, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA.
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21
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Zhao Y, Li Z, Voyer J, Li Y, Chen X. Flagellin/Virus-like Particle Hybrid Platform with High Immunogenicity, Safety, and Versatility for Vaccine Development. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:21872-21885. [PMID: 35467839 PMCID: PMC9121874 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c01028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B core (HBc) virus-like particles (VLPs) and flagellin are highly immunogenic and widely explored vaccine delivery platforms. Yet, HBc VLPs mainly allow the insertion of relatively short antigenic epitopes into the immunodominant c/e1 loop without affecting VLP assembly, and flagellin-based vaccines carry the risk of inducing systemic adverse reactions. This study explored a hybrid flagellin/HBc VLP (FH VLP) platform to present heterologous antigens by replacing the surface-exposed D3 domain of flagellin. FH VLPs were prepared by the insertion of flagellin gene into the c/e1 loop of HBc, followed by E. coli expression, purification, and self-assembly into VLPs. Using the ectodomain of influenza matrix protein 2 (M2e) and ovalbumin (OVA) as models, we found that the D3 domain of flagellin could be replaced with four tandem copies of M2e or the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitope of OVA without interfering with the FH VLP assembly, while the insertion of four tandem copies of M2e into the c/e1 loop of HBc disrupted the VLP assembly. FH VLP-based M2e vaccine elicited potent anti-M2e antibody responses and conferred significant protection against multiple influenza A viral strains, while FljB- or HBc-based M2e vaccine failed to elicit significant protection. FH VLP-based OVA peptide vaccine elicited more potent CTL responses and protection against OVA-expressing lymphoma or melanoma challenges than FljB- or HBc-based OVA peptide vaccine. FH VLP-based vaccines showed a good systemic safety, while flagellin-based vaccines significantly increased serum interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α levels and also rectal temperature at increased doses. We further found that the incorporation of a clinical CpG 1018 adjuvant could enhance the efficacy of FH VLP-based vaccines. Our data support FH VLPs to be a highly immunogenic, safe, and versatile platform for vaccine development to elicit potent humoral and cellular immune responses.
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22
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Abstract
Although the need for a universal influenza vaccine has long been recognized, only a handful of candidates have been identified so far, with even fewer advancing in the clinical pipeline. The 24–amino acid ectodomain of M2 protein (M2e) has been developed over the past two decades. However, M2e-based vaccine candidates have shortcomings, including the need for several administrations and the lack of sustained antibody titers over time. We report here a vaccine targeting strategy that has the potential to confer sustained and strong protection upon a single shot of a small amount of M2e antigen. The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of developing versatile, powerful platforms for the rapid deployment of vaccines against any incoming threat. Influenza, commonly referred to as “flu,” is a major global public health concern and a huge economic burden to societies. Current influenza vaccines need to be updated annually to match circulating strains, resulting in low take-up rates and poor coverage due to inaccurate prediction. Broadly protective universal flu vaccines that do not need to be updated annually have therefore been pursued. The highly conserved 24–amino acid ectodomain of M2 protein (M2e) is a leading candidate, but its poor immunogenicity has been a major roadblock in its clinical development. Here, we report a targeting strategy that shuttles M2e to a specific dendritic cell subset (cDC1) by engineering a recombinant anti-Clec9A monoclonal antibody fused at each of its heavy chains with three copies of M2e. Single administration in mice of 2 µg of the Clec9A–M2e construct triggered an exceptionally sustained anti-M2e antibody response and resulted in a strong anamnestic protective response upon influenza challenge. Furthermore, and importantly, Clec9A–M2e immunization significantly boosted preexisting anti-M2e titers from prior flu exposure. Thus, the Clec9A-targeting strategy allows antigen and dose sparing, addressing the shortcomings of current M2e vaccine candidates. As the cDC1 subset exists in humans, translation to humans is an exciting and realistic avenue.
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23
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Hendy DA, Amouzougan EA, Young IC, Bachelder EM, Ainslie KM. Nano/microparticle Formulations for Universal Influenza Vaccines. AAPS J 2022; 24:24. [PMID: 34997352 PMCID: PMC8741137 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-021-00676-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza affects millions of people worldwide and can result in severe sickness and even death. The best method of prevention is vaccination; however, the seasonal influenza vaccine often suffers from low efficacy and requires yearly vaccination due to changes in strain and viral mutations. More conserved universal influenza antigens like M2 ectodomain (M2e) and the stalk region of hemagglutinin (HA stalk) have been used clinically but often suffer from low antigenicity. To increase antigenicity, universal antigens have been formulated using nano/microparticles as vaccine carriers against influenza. Utilizing polymers, liposomes, metal, and protein-based particles, indicators of immunity and protection in mouse, pig, ferrets, and chicken models of influenza have been shown. In this review, seasonal and universal influenza vaccine formulations comprised of these materials including their physiochemical properties, fabrication, characterization, and biologic responses in vivo are highlighted. The review is concluded with future perspectives for nano/microparticles as carrier systems and other considerations within the universal influenza vaccine delivery landscape. Graphical Abstract ![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan A Hendy
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4012 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Eva A Amouzougan
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4012 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Isabella C Young
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4012 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Eric M Bachelder
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4012 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA
| | - Kristy M Ainslie
- Division of Pharmacoengineering and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 4012 Marsico Hall, 125 Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, USA. .,Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, UNC School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
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24
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Universal influenza vaccine technologies and recombinant virosome production. METHODS IN MICROBIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.mim.2022.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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25
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Kim M, Cheong Y, Lee J, Lim J, Byun S, Jang YH, Seong BL. A Host-Restricted Self-Attenuated Influenza Virus Provides Broad Pan-Influenza A Protection in a Mouse Model. Front Immunol 2021; 12:779223. [PMID: 34925355 PMCID: PMC8674563 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.779223] [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: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus infections can cause a broad range of symptoms, form mild respiratory problems to severe and fatal complications. While influenza virus poses a global health threat, the frequent antigenic change often significantly compromises the protective efficacy of seasonal vaccines, further increasing the vulnerability to viral infection. Therefore, it is in great need to employ strategies for the development of universal influenza vaccines (UIVs) which can elicit broad protection against diverse influenza viruses. Using a mouse infection model, we examined the breadth of protection of the caspase-triggered live attenuated influenza vaccine (ctLAIV), which was self-attenuated by the host caspase-dependent cleavage of internal viral proteins. A single vaccination in mice induced a broad reactive antibody response against four different influenza viruses, H1 and rH5 (HA group 1) and H3 and rH7 subtypes (HA group 2). Notably, despite the lack of detectable neutralizing antibodies, the vaccination provided heterosubtypic protection against the lethal challenge with the viruses. Sterile protection was confirmed by the complete absence of viral titers in the lungs and nasal turbinates after the challenge. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activities of non-neutralizing antibodies contributed to cross-protection. The cross-protection remained robust even after in vivo depletion of T cells or NK cells, reflecting the strength and breadth of the antibody-dependent effector function. The robust mucosal secretion of sIgA reflects an additional level of cross-protection. Our data show that the host-restricted designer vaccine serves an option for developing a UIV, providing pan-influenza A protection against both group 1 and 2 influenza viruses. The present results of potency and breadth of protection from wild type and reassortant viruses addressed in the mouse model by single immunization merits further confirmation and validation, preferably in clinically relevant ferret models with wild type challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minjin Kim
- Graduate Program in Biomaterials Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yucheol Cheong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jinhee Lee
- Department of Integrated OMICS for Biomedical Science, College of Life science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jongkwan Lim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sanguine Byun
- Graduate Program in Biomaterials Science and Engineering, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yo Han Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Major in Bio-Vaccine Engineering, Andong National University, Andong, South Korea.,Vaccine Industry Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong, South Korea
| | - Baik Lin Seong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea.,Vaccine Innovative Technology ALliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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26
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Heinimäki S, Lampinen V, Tamminen K, Hankaniemi MM, Malm M, Hytönen VP, Blazevic V. Antigenicity and immunogenicity of HA2 and M2e influenza virus antigens conjugated to norovirus-like, VP1 capsid-based particles by the SpyTag/SpyCatcher technology. Virology 2021; 566:89-97. [PMID: 34894525 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) modified through different molecular technologies are employed as delivery vehicles or platforms for heterologous antigen display. We have recently created a norovirus (NoV) VLP platform, where two influenza antigens, the extracellular domain of matrix protein M2 (M2e) or the stem domain of the major envelope glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA2) are displayed on the surface of the NoV VLPs by SpyTag/SpyCatcher conjugation. To demonstrate the feasibility of the platform to deliver foreign antigens, this study examined potential interference of the conjugation with induction of antibodies against conjugated M2e peptide, HA2, and NoV VLP carrier. High antibody response was induced by HA2 but not M2e decorated VLPs. Furthermore, HA2-elicited antibodies did not neutralize the homologous influenza virus in vitro. Conjugated NoV VLPs retained intact receptor binding capacity and self-immunogenicity. The results demonstrate that NoV VLPs could be simultaneously used as a platform to deliver foreign antigens and a NoV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Heinimäki
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Vili Lampinen
- Protein Dynamics Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kirsi Tamminen
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Minna M Hankaniemi
- Protein Dynamics Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maria Malm
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesa P Hytönen
- Protein Dynamics Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesna Blazevic
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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27
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Freyn AW, Pine M, Rosado VC, Benz M, Muramatsu H, Beattie M, Tam YK, Krammer F, Palese P, Nachbagauer R, McMahon M, Pardi N. Antigen modifications improve nucleoside-modified mRNA-based influenza virus vaccines in mice. Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev 2021; 22:84-95. [PMID: 34485597 PMCID: PMC8390451 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2021.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Nucleoside-modified, lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNAs have recently emerged as suitable vaccines for influenza viruses and other pathogens in part because the platform allows delivery of multiple antigens in a single immunization. mRNA vaccines allow for easy antigen modification, enabling rapid iterative design. We studied protein modifications such as mutating functional sites, changing secretion potential, and altering protein conformation, which could improve the safety and/or potency of mRNA-based influenza virus vaccines. Mice were vaccinated intradermally with wild-type or mutant constructs of influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA), matrix protein 2 (M2), nucleoprotein (NP), or matrix protein 1 (M1). Membrane-bound HA constructs elicited more potent and protective antibody responses than secreted forms. Altering the catalytic site of NA to reduce enzymatic activity decreased reactogenicity while protective immunity was maintained. Disruption of M2 ion channel activity improved immunogenicity and protective efficacy. A comparison of internal proteins NP and M1 revealed the superiority of NP in conferring protection from influenza virus challenge. These findings support the use of the nucleoside-modified mRNA platform for guided antigen design for influenza virus with extension to other pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alec W Freyn
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Matthew Pine
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Victoria C Rosado
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Marcel Benz
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Hiromi Muramatsu
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | | | - Ying K Tam
- Acuitas Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Peter Palese
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Raffael Nachbagauer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Meagan McMahon
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Norbert Pardi
- Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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28
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Ingrole RSJ, Tao W, Joshi G, Gill HS. M2e conjugated gold nanoparticle influenza vaccine displays thermal stability at elevated temperatures and confers protection to ferrets. Vaccine 2021; 39:4800-4809. [PMID: 34301431 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.07.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Currently approved influenza vaccines are not only limited in breadth of protection but also have a limited shelf-life of 12-18 months when stored under appropriate conditions (2-8 °C). Inadvertent alteration in storage temperatures during manufacturing, transportation, distribution until delivery to patient, can damage the vaccine thus reducing its efficacy. A thermally stable vaccine can decrease the economic burden by reducing reliance on refrigeration system and can also enhance outreach of the vaccination program by allowing transportation to remote areas of the world where refrigerated conditions are scarce. We have previously developed a broadly protective influenza A vaccine by coupling the highly conserved extracellular region of the matrix 2 protein (M2e) of influenza A virus to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and upon subsequent addition of toll-like receptor 9 agonist - CpG, as an adjuvant, have shown its breadth of protection in a mouse model. In this study, we show that the vaccine is thermally stable when stored at 4 °C for 3 months, 37 °C for 3 months and 50 °C for 2 weeks in its lyophilized form, and later it was possible to readily reconstitute it in water without aggregation. Intranasal vaccination of mice using reconstituted vaccine induced M2e-specific IgG and IgG subtypes in serum similar to the freshly formulated vaccine, and fully protected mice against lethal influenza A challenge. Immunization of ferrets intranasally or intramuscularly with the vaccine induced M2e-specific IgG and there was reduced virus level in nasal wash of ferrets immunized through intranasal route.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohan S J Ingrole
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, 8th street and Canton Ave, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock TX 79409-3121, USA
| | - Wenqian Tao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, 8th street and Canton Ave, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock TX 79409-3121, USA
| | - Gaurav Joshi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, 8th street and Canton Ave, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock TX 79409-3121, USA
| | - Harvinder Singh Gill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Tech University, 8th street and Canton Ave, Mail Stop 3121, Lubbock TX 79409-3121, USA.
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29
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Universal Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Candidates Expressing Multiple M2e Epitopes Protect Ferrets against a High-Dose Heterologous Virus Challenge. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071280. [PMID: 34209093 PMCID: PMC8310119 DOI: 10.3390/v13071280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of an influenza vaccine with broad protection and durability remains an attractive idea due to the high mutation rate of the influenza virus. An extracellular domain of Matrix 2 protein (M2e) is among the most attractive target for the universal influenza vaccine owing to its high conservancy rate. Here, we generated two recombinant live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) candidates encoding four M2e epitopes representing consensus sequences of human, avian and swine influenza viruses, and studied them in a preclinical ferret model. Both LAIV+4M2e viruses induced higher levels of M2e-specific antibodies compared to the control LAIV strain, with the LAIV/HA+4M2e candidate being significantly more immunogenic than the LAIV/NS+4M2e counterpart. A high-dose heterosubtypic influenza virus challenge revealed the highest degree of protection after immunization with LAIV/HA+4M2e strain, followed by the NS-modified LAIV and the classical LAIV virus. Furthermore, only the immune sera from the LAIV/HA+4M2e-immunized ferrets protected mice from a panel of lethal influenza viruses encoding M genes of various origins. These data suggest that the improved cross-protection of the LAIV/HA+4M2e universal influenza vaccine candidate was mediated by the M2e-targeted antibodies. Taking into account the safety profile and improved cross-protective potential, the LAIV/HA+4M2e vaccine warrants its further evaluation in a phase I clinical trial.
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30
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Sei CJ, Rao M, Schuman RF, Daum LT, Matyas GR, Rikhi N, Muema K, Anderson A, Jobe O, Kroscher KA, Alving CR, Fischer GW. Conserved Influenza Hemagglutinin, Neuraminidase and Matrix Peptides Adjuvanted with ALFQ Induce Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9070698. [PMID: 34202178 PMCID: PMC8310080 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9070698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A universal influenza candidate vaccine that targets multiple conserved influenza virus epitopes from hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and matrix (M2e) proteins was combined with the potent Army liposomal adjuvant (ALFQ) to promote induction of broad immunity to seasonal and pandemic influenza strains. The unconjugated and CRM-conjugated composite peptides formulated with ALFQ were highly immunogenic and induced both humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Broadly reactive serum antibodies were induced across various IgG isotypes. Mice immunized with the unconjugated composite peptide developed antibody responses earlier than mice immunized with conjugated peptides, and the IgG antibodies were broadly reactive and neutralizing across Groups 1 and 2 influenza viruses. Multi-epitope unconjugated influenza composite peptides formulated with ALFQ provide a novel strategy for the development of a universal influenza vaccine. These synthetic peptide vaccines avoid the pitfalls of egg-produced influenza vaccines and production can be scaled up rapidly and economically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara J. Sei
- Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA; (N.R.); (K.M.); (K.A.K.); (G.W.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-240-848-4293
| | - Mangala Rao
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (M.R.); (G.R.M.); (A.A.); (O.J.); (C.R.A.)
| | | | - Luke T. Daum
- Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, San Antonio, TX 78209, USA;
| | - Gary R. Matyas
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (M.R.); (G.R.M.); (A.A.); (O.J.); (C.R.A.)
| | - Nimisha Rikhi
- Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA; (N.R.); (K.M.); (K.A.K.); (G.W.F.)
| | - Kevin Muema
- Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA; (N.R.); (K.M.); (K.A.K.); (G.W.F.)
| | - Alexander Anderson
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (M.R.); (G.R.M.); (A.A.); (O.J.); (C.R.A.)
- Oak Ridge Institute of Science and Education, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
| | - Ousman Jobe
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (M.R.); (G.R.M.); (A.A.); (O.J.); (C.R.A.)
- Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA
| | - Kellie A. Kroscher
- Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA; (N.R.); (K.M.); (K.A.K.); (G.W.F.)
| | - Carl R. Alving
- U.S. Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA; (M.R.); (G.R.M.); (A.A.); (O.J.); (C.R.A.)
| | - Gerald W. Fischer
- Longhorn Vaccines and Diagnostics, Gaithersburg, MD 20878, USA; (N.R.); (K.M.); (K.A.K.); (G.W.F.)
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Kang S, Kim Y, Shin Y, Song JJ, Jon S. Antigen-Presenting, Self-Assembled Protein Nanobarrels as an Adjuvant-Free Vaccine Platform against Influenza Virus. ACS NANO 2021; 15:10722-10732. [PMID: 34114799 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Although naturally occurring, self-assembled protein nanoarchitectures have been utilized as antigen-delivery carriers, and the inability of such carriers to elicit immunogenicity requires additional use of strong adjuvants. Here, we report an immunogenic Brucella outer membrane protein BP26-derived nanoarchitecture displaying the influenza extracellular domain of matrix protein-2 (M2e) as a vaccine platform against influenza virus. Genetic engineering of a monomeric BP26 containing four or eight tandem repeats of M2e resulted in a hollow barrel-shaped nanoarchitecture (BP26-M2e nanobarrel). Immunization with BP26-M2e nanobarrels induced a strong M2e-specific humoral immune response in vivo that was much greater than that of a physical mixture of soluble M2e and BP26, with or without the use of an alum adjuvant. An anti-M2e antibody generated by BP26-M2e nanobarrel-immunized mice specifically bound to influenza virus-infected cells. Furthermore, in viral challenge tests, BP26-M2e nanobarrels effectively protected mice from influenza virus infection-associated death, even without the use of a conventional adjuvant. A mechanism study revealed that both M2e-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and T cell responses are involved in the vaccine efficacy of BP26-M2e nanobarrels. These findings suggest that the BP26-based nanobarrel developed here represents a versatile vaccine platform that can be used against various viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukmo Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Precision Bio-Nanomedicine, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Yumi Shin
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Joon Song
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Sangyong Jon
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST Institute for the BioCentury, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Center for Precision Bio-Nanomedicine, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), 291 Daehak-ro, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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32
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B Carvalho S, Peixoto C, T Carrondo MJ, S Silva RJ. Downstream processing for influenza vaccines and candidates: An update. Biotechnol Bioeng 2021; 118:2845-2869. [PMID: 33913510 DOI: 10.1002/bit.27803] [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: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Seasonal and pandemic influenza outbreaks present severe health and economic burdens. To overcome limitations on influenza vaccines' availability and effectiveness, researchers chase universal vaccines providing broad, long-lasting protection against multiple influenza subtypes, and including pandemic ones. Novel influenza vaccine designs are under development, in clinical trials, or reaching the market, namely inactivated, or live-attenuated virus, virus-like particles, or recombinant antigens, searching for improved effectiveness; all these bring downstream processing (DSP) new challenges. Having to deal with new influenza strains, including pandemics, requires shorter development time, driving the development of faster bioprocesses. To cope with better upstream processes, new regulatory demands for quality and safety, and cost reduction requirements, new unit operations and integrated processes are increasing DSP efficiency for novel vaccine formats. This review covers recent advances in DSP strategies of different influenza vaccine formats. Focus is given to the improvements on relevant state-of-the-art unit operations, from harvest and clarification to purification steps, ending with sterile filtration and formulation. The development of more efficient unit operations to cope with biophysical properties of the new candidates is discussed: emphasis is given to the design of new stationary phases, 3D printing approaches, and continuous processing tools, such as continuous chromatography. The impact of the production platforms and vaccine designs on the downstream operations for the different influenza vaccine formats approved for this season are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia B Carvalho
- Animal Cell Technology Unit, iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cristina Peixoto
- Animal Cell Technology Unit, iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Manuel J T Carrondo
- Animal Cell Technology Unit, iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Ricardo J S Silva
- Animal Cell Technology Unit, iBET, Instituto de Biologia Experimental e Tecnológica, Oeiras, Portugal.,Animal Cell Technology Unit, Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Oeiras, Portugal
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Jang YH, Seong BL. Immune Responses Elicited by Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccines as Correlates of Universal Protection against Influenza Viruses. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040353. [PMID: 33916924 PMCID: PMC8067561 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus infection remains a major public health challenge, causing significant morbidity and mortality by annual epidemics and intermittent pandemics. Although current seasonal influenza vaccines provide efficient protection, antigenic changes of the viruses often significantly compromise the protection efficacy of vaccines, rendering most populations vulnerable to the viral infection. Considerable efforts have been made to develop a universal influenza vaccine (UIV) able to confer long-lasting and broad protection. Recent studies have characterized multiple immune correlates required for providing broad protection against influenza viruses, including neutralizing antibodies, non-neutralizing antibodies, antibody effector functions, T cell responses, and mucosal immunity. To induce broadly protective immune responses by vaccination, various strategies using live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) and novel vaccine platforms are under investigation. Despite superior cross-protection ability, very little attention has been paid to LAIVs for the development of UIV. This review focuses on immune responses induced by LAIVs, with special emphasis placed on the breadth and the potency of individual immune correlates. The promising prospect of LAIVs to serve as an attractive and reliable vaccine platforms for a UIV is also discussed. Several important issues that should be addressed with respect to the use of LAIVs as UIV are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yo Han Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology Major in Bio-Vaccine Engineering, Andong National University, Andong 1375, Korea;
- Vaccine Industry Research Institute, Andong National University, Andong 1375, Korea
| | - Baik L. Seong
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Vaccine Innovation Technology Alliance (VITAL)-Korea, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-2-2123-7416
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Roles of the Fc Receptor γ-Chain in Inducing Protective Immune Responses after Heterologous Vaccination against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9030232. [PMID: 33800349 PMCID: PMC7998258 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9030232] [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: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The roles of the Fc receptor (FcR) in protection or inflammatory disease after respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination and infection remain unknown. Virus-like particles containing RSV fusion proteins (RSV F-VLPs) induce T-helper type 1 antibody responses and protection against RSV. Heterologous RSV F-VLP prime and formalin-inactivated RSV (FI-RSV) boost vaccination has been reported to be effective in providing protection without inflammatory disease. Here, we investigated whether the FcRγ-chain is important for immune protection by the heterologous F-VLP and FI-RSV vaccination using FcRγ-chain knockout (-/-) mice. RSV F-VLP-primed and FI-RSV-boosted FcRγ -/- mice displayed less protective efficacy, as shown by higher lung viral titers upon RSV challenge, compared to RSV F-VLP-primed and FI-RSV-boosted immunized wild-type mice. RSV F-VLP and FI-RSV immunization induced lower levels of neutralizing activity and interferon-γ-producing CD8 T-cells in the bronchoalveolar lavage cells of FcRγ -/- mice than in those of wild-type mice. In addition, FcRγ -/- mice displayed a trend of enhancing lung histopathology after RSV vaccination and infection. This study suggests that the FcRγ-chain plays an important role in inducing antiviral protection and CD8 T-cell responses in RSV F-VLP prime and FI-RSV boost vaccination after RSV infections.
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Bernasconi V, Norling K, Gribonika I, Ong LC, Burazerovic S, Parveen N, Schön K, Stensson A, Bally M, Larson G, Höök F, Lycke N. A vaccine combination of lipid nanoparticles and a cholera toxin adjuvant derivative greatly improves lung protection against influenza virus infection. Mucosal Immunol 2021; 14:523-536. [PMID: 32807838 DOI: 10.1038/s41385-020-0334-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This is a proof-of-principle study demonstrating that the combination of a cholera toxin derived adjuvant, CTA1-DD, and lipid nanoparticles (LNP) can significantly improve the immunogenicity and protective capacity of an intranasal vaccine. We explored the self-adjuvanted universal influenza vaccine candidate, CTA1-3M2e-DD (FPM2e), linked to LNPs. We found that the combined vector greatly enhanced survival against a highly virulent PR8 strain of influenza virus as compared to when mice were immunized with FPM2e alone. The combined vaccine vector enhanced early endosomal processing and peptide presentation in dendritic cells and upregulated co-stimulation. The augmenting effect was CTA1-enzyme dependent. Whereas systemic anti-M2e antibody and CD4+ T-cell responses were comparable to those of the soluble protein, the local respiratory tract IgA and the specific Th1 and Th17 responses were strongly enhanced. Surprisingly, the lung tissue did not exhibit gross pathology upon recovery from infection and M2e-specific lung resident CD4+ T cells were threefold higher than in FPM2e-immunized mice. This study conveys optimism as to the protective ability of a combination vaccine based on LNPs and various forms of the CTA1-DD adjuvant platform, in general, and, more specifically, an important way forward to develop a universal vaccine against influenza.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bernasconi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center (MIVAC), University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Norling
- Division of Biological Physics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Inta Gribonika
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center (MIVAC), University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Li Ching Ong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center (MIVAC), University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sabina Burazerovic
- Division of Biological Physics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nagma Parveen
- Division of Biological Physics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Schön
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center (MIVAC), University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Anneli Stensson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center (MIVAC), University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marta Bally
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, 901 85, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Göran Larson
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Höök
- Division of Biological Physics, Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Nils Lycke
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Center (MIVAC), University of Gothenburg, 405 30, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Park BR, Kim KH, Kotomina T, Kim MC, Kwon YM, Jeeva S, Jung YJ, Bhatnagar N, Isakova-Sivak I, Mezhenskaya D, Rudenko L, Wang BZ, Kang SM. Broad cross protection by recombinant live attenuated influenza H3N2 seasonal virus expressing conserved M2 extracellular domain in a chimeric hemagglutinin. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4151. [PMID: 33603072 PMCID: PMC7893060 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83704-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Hemagglutinin (HA)-based current vaccines provide suboptimum cross protection. Influenza A virus contains an ion channel protein M2 conserved extracellular domain (M2e), a target for developing universal vaccines. Here we generated reassortant influenza virus rgH3N2 4xM2e virus (HA and NA from A/Switzerland/9715293/2013/(H3N2)) expressing chimeric 4xM2e-HA fusion proteins with 4xM2e epitopes inserted into the H3 HA N-terminus. Recombinant rgH3N2 4xM2e virus was found to retain equivalent growth kinetics as rgH3N2 in egg substrates. Intranasal single inoculation of mice with live rgH3N2 4xM2e virus was effective in priming the induction of M2e specific IgG antibody responses in mucosal and systemic sites as well as T cell responses. The rgH3N2 4xM2e primed mice were protected against a broad range of different influenza A virus subtypes including H1N1, H3N2, H5N1, H7N9, and H9N2. The findings support a new approach to improve the efficacy of current vaccine platforms by recombinant influenza virus inducing immunity to HA and cross protective M2e antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ryoung Park
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Ki-Hye Kim
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Tatiana Kotomina
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Min-Chul Kim
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
- CARESIDE Co., Ltd., Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Man Kwon
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Subbiah Jeeva
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Yu-Jin Jung
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Noopur Bhatnagar
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Irina Isakova-Sivak
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Daria Mezhenskaya
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Larisa Rudenko
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St Petersburg, Russia
| | - Bao-Zhong Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA.
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37
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Matrix Protein 2 Extracellular Domain-Specific Monoclonal Antibodies Are an Effective and Potentially Universal Treatment for Influenza A. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.01027-20. [PMID: 33268521 PMCID: PMC8092830 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01027-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus infection causes significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Humans fail to make a universally protective memory immune response to influenza A. Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase undergo antigenic drift and shift, resulting in new influenza A strains to which humans are naive. Seasonal vaccines are often ineffective and escape mutants have been reported to all treatments for influenza A. In the absence of a universal influenza A vaccine or treatment, influenza A will remain a significant threat to human health. The extracellular domain of the M2-ion channel (M2e) is an ideal antigenic target for a universal therapeutic agent, as it is highly conserved across influenza A serotypes, has a low mutation rate, and is essential for viral entry and replication. Previous M2e-specific monoclonal antibodies (M2e-MAbs) show protective potential against influenza A, however, they are either strain specific or have limited efficacy. We generated seven murine M2e-MAbs and utilized in vitro and in vivo assays to validate the specificity of our novel M2e-MAbs and to explore the universality of their protective potential. Our data shows our M2e-MAbs bind to M2e peptide, HEK cells expressing the M2 channel, as well as, influenza virions and MDCK-ATL cells infected with influenza viruses of multiple serotypes. Our antibodies significantly protect highly influenza A virus susceptible BALB/c mice from lethal challenge with H1N1 A/PR/8/34, pH1N1 A/CA/07/2009, H5N1 A/Vietnam/1203/2004, and H7N9 A/Anhui/1/2013 by improving survival rates and weight loss. Based on these results, at least four of our seven M2e-MAbs show strong potential as universal influenza A treatments.IMPORTANCE Despite a seasonal vaccine and multiple therapeutic treatments, Influenza A remains a significant threat to human health. The biggest obstacle is producing a vaccine or treatment for influenza A is their universality or efficacy against not only seasonal variances in the influenza virus, but also against all human, avian, and swine serotypes and, therefore, potential pandemic strains. M2e has huge potential as a target for a vaccine or treatment against influenza A. It is the most conserved external protein on the virus. Antibodies against M2e have made it to clinical trials, but not succeeded. Here, we describe novel M2e antibodies produced in mice that are not only protective at low doses, but that we extensively test to determine their universality and found to be cross protective against all strains tested. Additionally, our work begins to elucidate the critical role of isotype for an influenza A monoclonal antibody therapeutic.
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Mtambo SE, Amoako DG, Somboro AM, Agoni C, Lawal MM, Gumede NS, Khan RB, Kumalo HM. Influenza Viruses: Harnessing the Crucial Role of the M2 Ion-Channel and Neuraminidase toward Inhibitor Design. Molecules 2021; 26:880. [PMID: 33562349 PMCID: PMC7916051 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26040880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2021] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
As a member of the Orthomyxoviridae family of viruses, influenza viruses (IVs) are known causative agents of respiratory infection in vertebrates. They remain a major global threat responsible for the most virulent diseases and global pandemics in humans. The virulence of IVs and the consequential high morbidity and mortality of IV infections are primarily attributed to the high mutation rates in the IVs' genome coupled with the numerous genomic segments, which give rise to antiviral resistant and vaccine evading strains. Current therapeutic options include vaccines and small molecule inhibitors, which therapeutically target various catalytic processes in IVs. However, the periodic emergence of new IV strains necessitates the continuous development of novel anti-influenza therapeutic options. The crux of this review highlights the recent studies on the biology of influenza viruses, focusing on the structure, function, and mechanism of action of the M2 channel and neuraminidase as therapeutic targets. We further provide an update on the development of new M2 channel and neuraminidase inhibitors as an alternative to existing anti-influenza therapy. We conclude by highlighting therapeutic strategies that could be explored further towards the design of novel anti-influenza inhibitors with the ability to inhibit resistant strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sphamadla E. Mtambo
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Daniel G. Amoako
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Anou M. Somboro
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
- Centre for Respiratory Diseases and Meningitis, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Johannesburg 2131, South Africa
| | - Clement Agoni
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Monsurat M. Lawal
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Nelisiwe S. Gumede
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Rene B. Khan
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
| | - Hezekiel M. Kumalo
- Drug Research and Innovation Unit, Discipline of Medical Biochemistry, School of Laboratory Medicine and Medical Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa; (S.E.M.); (A.M.S.); (C.A.); (M.M.L.); (N.S.G.); (R.B.K.)
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Sangesland M, Lingwood D. Antibody Focusing to Conserved Sites of Vulnerability: The Immunological Pathways for 'Universal' Influenza Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9020125. [PMID: 33562627 PMCID: PMC7914524 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9020125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza virus remains a serious public health burden due to ongoing viral evolution. Vaccination remains the best measure of prophylaxis, yet current seasonal vaccines elicit strain-specific neutralizing responses that favor the hypervariable epitopes on the virus. This necessitates yearly reformulations of seasonal vaccines, which can be limited in efficacy and also shortchange pandemic preparedness. Universal vaccine development aims to overcome these deficits by redirecting antibody responses to functionally conserved sites of viral vulnerability to enable broad coverage. However, this is challenging as such antibodies are largely immunologically silent, both following vaccination and infection. Defining and then overcoming the immunological basis for such subdominant or ‘immuno-recessive’ antibody targeting has thus become an important aspect of universal vaccine development. This, coupled with structure-guided immunogen design, has led to proof-of-concept that it is possible to rationally refocus humoral immunity upon normally ‘unseen’ broadly neutralizing antibody targets on influenza virus.
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Kalaiyarasu S, Bhatia S, Mishra N, Senthil Kumar D, Kumar M, Sood R, Rajukumar K, Ponnusamy B, Desai D, Singh VP. Elicitation of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 M2e and HA2-Specific Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immune Response in Chicken Following Immunization With Recombinant M2e-HA2 Fusion Protein. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:571999. [PMID: 33614753 PMCID: PMC7892607 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.571999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The study was aimed to evaluate the elicitation of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus (AIV) M2e and HA2-specific immunity in chicken to develop broad protective influenza vaccine against HPAI H5N1. Based on the analysis of Indian AIV H5N1 sequences, the conserved regions of extracellular domain of M2 protein (M2e) and HA2 were identified. Synthetic gene construct coding for M2e and two immunodominant HA2 conserved regions was designed and synthesized after codon optimization. The fusion recombinant protein (~38 kDa) was expressed in a prokaryotic system and characterized by Western blotting with anti-His antibody and anti-AIV polyclonal chicken serum. The M2e–HA2 fusion protein was found to be highly reactive with known AIV-positive and -negative chicken sera by ELISA. Two groups of specific pathogen-free (SPF) chickens were immunized (i/m) with M2e synthetic peptide and M2e–HA2 recombinant protein along with one control group with booster on the 14th day and 28th day with the same dose and route. Pre-immunization sera and whole blood were collected on day 0 followed by 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days and 2 weeks after the second booster (42 day). Lymphocyte proliferation assay by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method revealed that the stimulation index (SI) was increased gradually from days 0 to 14 in the immunized group (p < 0.05) than that in control chicken. Toll-like receptor (TLR) mRNA analysis by RT-qPCR showed maximum upregulation in the M2e–HA2-vaccinated group compared to M2e- and sham-vaccinated groups. M2e–HA2 recombinant protein-based indirect ELISA revealed that M2e–HA2 recombinant fusion protein has induced strong M2e and HA2-specific antibody responses from 7 days post-primary immunization, and then the titer gradually increased after booster dose. Similarly, M2e peptide ELISA revealed that M2e–HA2 recombinant fusion protein elicited M2e-specific antibody from day 14 onward. In contrast, no antibody response was detected in the chicken immunized with synthetic peptide M2e alone or control group. Findings of this study will be very useful in future development of broad protective H5N1 influenza vaccine targeting M2e and HA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Semmannan Kalaiyarasu
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
| | - Sandeep Bhatia
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
| | - Niranjan Mishra
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
| | - Dhanapal Senthil Kumar
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
| | - Richa Sood
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
| | - Katherukamem Rajukumar
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
| | - Boopathi Ponnusamy
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Dhruv Desai
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, India
| | - Vijendra Pal Singh
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal, India
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Yakabe K, Uchiyama J, Akiyama M, Kim YG. Understanding Host Immunity and the Gut Microbiota Inspires the New Development of Vaccines and Adjuvants. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:163. [PMID: 33530627 PMCID: PMC7911583 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccinations improve the mortality and morbidity rates associated with several infections through the generation of antigen-specific immune responses. Adjuvants are often used together with vaccines to improve immunogenicity. However, the immune responses induced by most on-going vaccines and adjuvants approved for human use vary in individuals; this is a limitation that must be overcome to improve vaccine efficacy. Several reports have indicated that the symbiotic bacteria, particularly the gut microbiota, impact vaccine-mediated antigen-specific immune responses and promote the induction of nonspecific responses via the "training" of innate immune cells. Therefore, the interaction between gut microbiota and innate immune cells should be considered to ensure the optimal immunogenicity of vaccines and adjuvants. In this review, we first introduce the current knowledge on the immunological mechanisms of vaccines and adjuvants. Subsequently, we discuss how the gut microbiota influences immunity and highlight the relationship between gut microbes and trained innate immunity, vaccines, and adjuvants. Understanding these complex interactions will provide insights into novel vaccine approaches centered on the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyosuke Yakabe
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan; (K.Y.); (J.U.); (M.A.)
- Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
| | - Jun Uchiyama
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan; (K.Y.); (J.U.); (M.A.)
- Division of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan
| | - Masahiro Akiyama
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan; (K.Y.); (J.U.); (M.A.)
- Environmental Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yun-Gi Kim
- Research Center for Drug Discovery, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan; (K.Y.); (J.U.); (M.A.)
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Sharma S, Kumari V, Kumbhar BV, Mukherjee A, Pandey R, Kondabagil K. Immunoinformatics approach for a novel multi-epitope subunit vaccine design against various subtypes of Influenza A virus. Immunobiology 2021; 226:152053. [PMID: 33517154 DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2021.152053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination is the best strategy for the control and prevention of contagious diseases caused by Influenza A viruses. Extraordinary genetic variability and continual evolvability are responsible for the virus having survival and adaptation to host cell immune response, thus rendering the current influenza vaccines with suboptimal effectiveness.Therefore, in the present study, using a novel immunoinformatics approach, we have designed a universal influenza subunit vaccine based on the highly conserved epitopic sequences of rapidly evolving (HA), a moderately evolving (NP) and slow evolving (M1) proteins of the virus. The vaccine design includes 2 peptide adjuvants, 26 CTL epitopes, 9 HTL epitopes, and 7 linear BCL epitopes to induce innate, cellular, and humoral immune responses against Influenza A viruses. We also analyzed the physicochemical properties of the designed construct to validate its thermodynamic stability, hydrophilicity, PI, antigenicity, and allergenicity. Furthermore, we predicted a highly stable tertiary model of the designed subunit vaccine, wherein additional disulfide bonds were incorporated to enhance its stability. The molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations of the refined vaccine model with TLR3, TLR7, TLR8, MHC-I and MHC-II showed stable vaccine and receptors complexes, thus confirming the immunogenicity of the designed vaccine. Collectively, these findings suggest that our multi-epitope vaccine construct may confer protection against various strains of influenza A virus subtypes, which could prevent the need for annual reformulation of vaccine and alleviate disease burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shipra Sharma
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Vibha Kumari
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India; Department of Microbiology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Bajarang Vasant Kumbhar
- HaystackAnalytics Private Limited, Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Amrita Mukherjee
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Ruchika Pandey
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Kiran Kondabagil
- Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India.
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Modular vaccine platform based on the norovirus-like particle. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:25. [PMID: 33468139 PMCID: PMC7815183 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00772-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines have recently emerged as a safe and effective alternative to conventional vaccine technologies. The strong immunogenic effects of VLPs can be harnessed for making vaccines against any pathogen by decorating VLPs with antigens from the pathogen. Producing the antigenic pathogen fragments and the VLP platform separately makes vaccine development rapid and convenient. Here we decorated the norovirus-like particle with two conserved influenza antigens and tested for the immunogenicity of the vaccine candidates in BALB/c mice. RESULTS SpyTagged noro-VLP was expressed with high efficiency in insect cells and purified using industrially scalable methods. Like the native noro-VLP, SpyTagged noro-VLP is stable for months when refrigerated in a physiological buffer. The conserved influenza antigens were produced separately as SpyCatcher fusions in E. coli before covalent conjugation on the surface of noro-VLP. The noro-VLP had a high adjuvant effect, inducing high titers of antibody production against the antigens presented on its surface. CONCLUSIONS The modular noro-VLP vaccine platform presented here offers a rapid, convenient and safe method to present various soluble protein antigens to the immune system for vaccination and antibody production purposes.
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Gröhn S, Heinimäki S, Tamminen K, Blazevic V. Expression of influenza A virus-derived peptides on a rotavirus VP6-based delivery platform. Arch Virol 2021; 166:213-217. [PMID: 33067651 PMCID: PMC7567002 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-020-04847-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recombinant protein technology enables the engineering of modern vaccines composed of a carrier protein displaying poorly immunogenic heterologous antigens. One promising carrier is based on the rotavirus inner-capsid VP6 protein. We explored different VP6 insertion sites for the presentation of two peptides (23 and 140 amino acids) derived from the M2 and HA genes of influenza A virus. Both termini and three surface loops of VP6 were successfully exploited as genetic fusion sites, as demonstrated by the expression of the fusion proteins. However, further studies are needed to assess the morphology and immunogenicity of these constructs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stina Gröhn
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Suvi Heinimäki
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Kirsi Tamminen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesna Blazevic
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, FI-33520 Tampere, Finland
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A Novel Mechanism Underlying Antiviral Activity of an Influenza Virus M2-Specific Antibody. J Virol 2020; 95:JVI.01277-20. [PMID: 33055251 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01277-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Protective immunity against influenza A viruses (IAVs) generally depends on antibodies to the major envelope glycoprotein, hemagglutinin (HA), whose antigenicity is distinctive among IAV subtypes. On the other hand, the matrix 2 (M2) protein is antigenically highly conserved and has been studied as an attractive vaccine antigen to confer cross-protective immunity against multiple subtypes of IAVs. However, antiviral mechanisms of M2-specific antibodies are not fully understood. Here, we report the molecular basis of antiviral activity of an M2-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb), rM2ss23. We first found that rM2ss23 inhibited A/Aichi/2/1968 (H3N2) (Aichi) but not A/PR/8/1934 (H1N1) (PR8) replication. rM2ss23 altered the cell surface distribution of M2, likely by cross-linking the molecules, and interfered with the colocalization of HA and M2, resulting in reduced budding of progeny viruses. However, these effects were not observed for another strain, PR8, despite the binding capacity of rM2ss23 to PR8 M2. Interestingly, HA was also involved in the resistance of PR8 to rM2ss23. We also found that two amino acid residues at positions 54 and 57 in the M2 cytoplasmic tail were critical for the insensitivity of PR8 to rM2ss2. These findings suggest that the disruption of the M2-HA colocalization on infected cells and subsequent reduction of virus budding is one of the principal mechanisms of antiviral activity of M2-specific antibodies and that anti-M2 antibody-sensitive and -resistant IAVs have different properties in the interaction between M2 and HA.IMPORTANCE Although the IAV HA is the major target of neutralizing antibodies, most of the antibodies are HA subtype specific, restricting the potential of HA-based vaccines. On the contrary, the IAV M2 protein has been studied as a vaccine antigen to confer cross-protective immunity against IAVs with multiple HA subtypes, since M2 is antigenically conserved. Although a number of studies highlight the protective role of anti-HA neutralizing and nonneutralizing antibodies, precise information on the molecular mechanism of action of M2-specific antibodies is still obscure. In this study, we found that an anti-M2 antibody interfered with the HA-M2 association, which is important for efficient budding of progeny virus particles from infected cells. The antiviral activity was IAV strain dependent despite the similar binding capacity of the antibody to M2, and, interestingly, HA was involved in susceptibility to the antibody. Our data provide a novel mechanism underlying antiviral activity of M2-specific antibodies.
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Jafari D, Malih S, Gomari MM, Safari M, Jafari R, Farajollahi MM. Designing a chimeric subunit vaccine for influenza virus, based on HA2, M2e and CTxB: a bioinformatics study. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2020; 21:89. [PMID: 33276715 PMCID: PMC7716444 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-020-00334-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Type A influenza viruses are contagious and even life-threatening if left untreated. So far, no broadly protective vaccine is available due to rapid antigenic changes and emergence of new subtypes of influenza virus. In this study, we exploited bioinformatics tools in order to design a subunit chimeric vaccine from the antigenic and highly conserved regions of HA and M2 proteins of H7N9 subtype of influenza virus. We used mucosal adjuvant candidates, including CTxB, STxB, ASP-1, and LTB to stimulate mucosal immunity and analyzed the combination of HA2, M2e, and the adjuvant. Furthermore, to improve the antigen function and to maintain their three-dimensional structure, 12 different linkers including six rigid linkers and six flexible linkers were used. The 3D structure model was generated using a combination of homology and ab initio modeling methods and the molecular dynamics of the model were analyzed, either. Results Analysis of different adjuvants showed that using CtxB as an adjuvant, results in higher overall vaccine stability and higher half-life among four adjuvant candidates. Fusion of antigens and the CTxB in the form of M2e-linker-CTxB-linker-HA2 has the most stability and half life compared to other combination forms. Furthermore, the KPKPKP rigid linker showed the best result for this candidate vaccine among 12 analyzed linkers. The changes in the vaccine 3D structure made by linker insertion found to be negligible, however, although small, the linker insertion between the antigens causes the structure to change slightly. Eventually, using predictive tools such as Ellipro, NetMHCpan I and II, CD4episcore, CTLpred, BepiPred and other epitope analyzing tools, we analyzed the conformational and linear epitopes of the vaccine. The solubility, proteasome cleavage sites, peptidase and potential chemical cutters, codon optimization, post translational modification were also carried out on the final vaccine. Conclusions It is concluded that M2e-Linker-CTxB-Linker-HA2 combination of chimeric vaccine retains its 3D structure and antigenicity when KPKPKP used as linker and CTxB used as adjuvant. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-020-00334-6.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davod Jafari
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Highway, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Sara Malih
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahmoudi Gomari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marzieh Safari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Rasool Jafari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Mohammad Morad Farajollahi
- Student Research Committee, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Hemmat Highway, Tehran, Iran.
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Kotomina T, Isakova-Sivak I, Kim KH, Park BR, Jung YJ, Lee Y, Mezhenskaya D, Matyushenko V, Kang SM, Rudenko L. Generation and Characterization of Universal Live-Attenuated Influenza Vaccine Candidates Containing Multiple M2e Epitopes. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040648. [PMID: 33153089 PMCID: PMC7711583 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza viruses constantly evolve, reducing the overall protective effect of routine vaccination campaigns. Many different strategies are being explored to design universal influenza vaccines capable of protecting against evolutionary diverged viruses. The ectodomain of influenza A M2e protein (M2e) is among the most promising targets for universal vaccine design. Here, we generated two recombinant live attenuated influenza vaccines (LAIVs) expressing additional four M2e tandem repeats (4M2e) from the N-terminus of the viral hemagglutinin (HA) protein, in an attempt to enhance the M2e-mediated cross-protection. The recombinant H1N1+4M2e and H3N2+4M2e viruses retained growth characteristics attributable to traditional LAIV viruses and induced robust influenza-specific antibody responses in BALB/c mice, although M2e-specific antibodies were raised only after two-dose vaccination with LAIV+4M2e viruses. Mice immunized with either LAIV or LAIV+4M2e viruses were fully protected against a panel of heterologous influenza challenge viruses suggesting that antibody and cell-mediated immunity contributed to the protection. The protective role of the M2e-specific antibody was seen in passive serum transfer experiments, where enhancement in the survival rates between classical LAIV and chimeric H3N2+4M2e LAIV was demonstrated for H3N2 and H5N1 heterologous challenge viruses. Overall, the results of our study suggest that M2e-specific antibodies induced by recombinant LAIV+4M2e in addition to cellular immunity by LAIV play an important role in conferring protection against heterologous viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Kotomina
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (T.K.); (D.M.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Irina Isakova-Sivak
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (T.K.); (D.M.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ki-Hye Kim
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (K.-H.K.); (B.R.P.); (Y.-J.J.); (Y.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Bo Ryoung Park
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (K.-H.K.); (B.R.P.); (Y.-J.J.); (Y.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Yu-Jin Jung
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (K.-H.K.); (B.R.P.); (Y.-J.J.); (Y.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Youri Lee
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (K.-H.K.); (B.R.P.); (Y.-J.J.); (Y.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Daria Mezhenskaya
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (T.K.); (D.M.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Victoria Matyushenko
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (T.K.); (D.M.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Sang-Moo Kang
- Center for Inflammation, Immunity and Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA; (K.-H.K.); (B.R.P.); (Y.-J.J.); (Y.L.); (S.-M.K.)
| | - Larisa Rudenko
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (T.K.); (D.M.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
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Hwang HS, Chang M, Kim YA. Influenza-Host Interplay and Strategies for Universal Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8030548. [PMID: 32962304 PMCID: PMC7564814 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Influenza is an annual epidemic and an occasional pandemic caused by pathogens that are responsible for infectious respiratory disease. Humans are highly susceptible to the infection mediated by influenza A viruses (IAV). The entry of the virus is mediated by the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein that binds to the cellular sialic acid receptors and facilitates the fusion of the viral membrane with the endosomal membrane. During IAV infection, virus-derived pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are recognized by host intracellular specific sensors including toll-like receptors (TLRs), C-type lectin receptors, retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs), and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptors (NLRs) either on the cell surface or intracellularly in endosomes. Herein, we comprehensively review the current knowledge available on the entry of the influenza virus into host cells and the molecular details of the influenza virus–host interface. We also highlight certain strategies for the development of universal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Suk Hwang
- Alan G. MacDiarmid Energy Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea;
| | - Mincheol Chang
- Alan G. MacDiarmid Energy Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea;
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Graduate School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (Y.A.K.); Tel.: +82-62-530-1771 (M.C.); +82-62-530-1871 (Y.A.K.)
| | - Yoong Ahm Kim
- Alan G. MacDiarmid Energy Research Institute, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea;
- Department of Polymer Engineering, Graduate School, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
- School of Polymer Science and Engineering, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea
- Correspondence: (M.C.); (Y.A.K.); Tel.: +82-62-530-1771 (M.C.); +82-62-530-1871 (Y.A.K.)
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Abstract
Conventional influenza vaccines are based on predicting the circulating viruses year by year, conferring limited effectiveness since the antigenicity of vaccine strains does not always match the circulating viruses. This necessitates development of universal influenza vaccines that provide broader and lasting protection against pan-influenza viruses. The discovery of the highly conserved immunogens (epitopes) of influenza viruses provides attractive targets for universal vaccine design. Here we review the current understanding with broadly protective immunogens (epitopes) and discuss several important considerations to achieve the goal of universal influenza vaccines.
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Wang Q, Zhang Y, Zou P, Wang M, Fu W, She J, Song Z, Xu J, Huang J, Wu F. Self-Assembly M2e-Based Peptide Nanovaccine Confers Broad Protection Against Influenza Viruses. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1961. [PMID: 32922379 PMCID: PMC7457018 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The extracellular domain of influenza M2 protein (M2e) is highly conserved and is a promising target for development of universal influenza vaccines. Here, we synthesized a peptide vaccine consisting of M2e epitope linked to a fibrillizing peptide, which could self-assemble into nanoparticle in physiological salt solutions. When administrated into mice without additional adjuvant, the influenza A M2e epitope-bearing nanoparticles induced antibodies against M2e of different influenza subtypes. Comparing with other M2e-based vaccine, these M2e nanoparticles did not induce immune response against the fibrillizing peptide, demonstrating minimal immunogenicity of vaccine carrier. Furthermore, vaccination with M2e-based nanoparticles did not only protect mice against homologous challenge of influenza PR8 H1N1 virus, but also provide protection against heterologous challenge of highly pathogenic avian influenza H7N9 virus. These results indicated that M2e-based self-assembled nanoparticle vaccine is safe and can elicit cross-protection, therefore is a promising candidate of universal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qimin Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuling Zhang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Peng Zou
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Meixiang Wang
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihui Fu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jialei She
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Song
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianqing Xu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinghe Huang
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Virology (MOE/NHC/CAMS), School of Basic Medical Sciences and Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wu
- Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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