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Piva-Amaral R, Augusto Pires de Souza G, Carlos Vilela Vieira Júnior J, Fróes Goulart de Castro R, Permagnani Gozzi W, Pereira Lima Neto S, Cauvilla Dos Santos AL, Pavani Cassiano H, Christine Ferreira da Silva L, Dias Novaes R, Santos Abrahão J, Ervolino de Oliveira C, de Mello Silva B, de Paula Costa G, Cosme Cotta Malaquias L, Felipe Leomil Coelho L. Bovine serum albumin nanoparticles containing Poly (I:C) can enhance the neutralizing antibody response induced by envelope protein of Orthoflavivirus zikaense. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 128:111523. [PMID: 38219440 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111523] [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: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Since the Orthoflavivirus zikaense (ZIKV) has been considered a risk for Zika congenital syndrome development, developing a safe and effective vaccine has become a high priority. Numerous research groups have developed strategies to prevent ZIKV infection and have identified the domain III of the ZIKV envelope protein (zEDIII) as a promising target. Subunit antigens are often poorly immunogenic, necessitating the use of adjuvants and/or delivery systems to induce optimal immune responses. The subject of nanotechnology has substantial expansion in recent years in terms of research and applications. Nanoparticles could be used as drug delivery systems and to increase the immunogenicity and stability of a given antigen. This work aims to characterize and validate the potential of a vaccine formulation composed of domain zEDIII and bovine serum albumin nanoparticles containing polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (NPPI). NPPI were uptake in vitro by immature bone marrow dendritic cells and histological analysis of the skin of mice treated with NPPI showed an increase in cellularity. Immunization assay showed that mice immunized with zEDIII in the presence of NPPI produced neutralizing antibodies. Through the passive transfer of sera from immunized mice to ZIKV-infected neonatal mice, it was demonstrated that these antibodies provide protection, mitigating weight loss, clinical or neurological signs induced by infection, and significantly increased survival rates. Protection was further substantiated by the reduction in the number of viable infectious ZIKV, as well as a decrease in inflammatory cytokines and tissue alterations in the brains of infected mice. Taken together, data presented in this study shows that NPPI + zEDIII is a promising vaccine candidate for ZIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raíne Piva-Amaral
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil.
| | - Gabriel Augusto Pires de Souza
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil; Laboratório de Vírus, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Carlos Vilela Vieira Júnior
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Renato Fróes Goulart de Castro
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - William Permagnani Gozzi
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Sergio Pereira Lima Neto
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Ana Luisa Cauvilla Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Helena Pavani Cassiano
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | | | - Romulo Dias Novaes
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Biologia Estrutural, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-001 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Jônatas Santos Abrahão
- Laboratório de Vírus, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Carine Ervolino de Oliveira
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Departamento de Patologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, 37130-001 Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Breno de Mello Silva
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Paula Costa
- Núcleo de Pesquisas em Ciências Biológicas, NUPEB, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto 35400-000, Brazil
| | - Luiz Cosme Cotta Malaquias
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil
| | - Luiz Felipe Leomil Coelho
- Laboratório de Vacinas, Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal de Alfenas, Rua Gabriel Monteiro da Silva, 700, Alfenas 37130-001, Brazil.
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2
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Jablunovsky A, Jose J. The Dynamic Landscape of Capsid Proteins and Viral RNA Interactions in Flavivirus Genome Packaging and Virus Assembly. Pathogens 2024; 13:120. [PMID: 38392858 PMCID: PMC10893219 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13020120] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Flavivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family of enveloped single-stranded RNA viruses encompasses more than 70 members, many of which cause significant disease in humans and livestock. Packaging and assembly of the flavivirus RNA genome is essential for the formation of virions, which requires intricate coordination of genomic RNA, viral structural, and nonstructural proteins in association with virus-induced, modified endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane structures. The capsid (C) protein, a small but versatile RNA-binding protein, and the positive single-stranded RNA genome are at the heart of the elusive flavivirus assembly process. The nucleocapsid core, consisting of the genomic RNA encapsidated by C proteins, buds through the ER membrane, which contains viral glycoproteins prM and E organized as trimeric spikes into the lumen, forming an immature virus. During the maturation process, which involves the low pH-mediated structural rearrangement of prM and E and furin cleavage of prM in the secretory pathway, the spiky immature virus with a partially ordered nucleocapsid core becomes a smooth, mature virus with no discernible nucleocapsid. This review focuses on the mechanisms of genome packaging and assembly by examining the structural and functional aspects of C protein and viral RNA. We review the current lexicon of critical C protein features and evaluate interactions between C and genomic RNA in the context of assembly and throughout the life cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastazia Jablunovsky
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
| | - Joyce Jose
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA;
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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3
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Shin M, Kang H, Shin KR, Lee R, Kim K, Min K, Cho KN, Sohn EJ, Kim KS, Kim SH, Cho YJ, Park J, Hahn TW. Plant-expressed Zika virus envelope protein elicited protective immunity against the Zika virus in immunocompetent mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:22955. [PMID: 38151523 PMCID: PMC10752873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47428-7] [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: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus infection causes multiple clinical issues, including Guillain-Barré syndrome and neonatal malformation. Vaccination is considered as the only strategy for the prevention of ZIKV-induced clinical issues. This study developed a plant-based recombinant vaccine that transiently expressed the ZIKV envelope protein (ZikaEnv:aghFc) in Nicotiana benthamiana and evaluated the protective immunity afforded by it in immunocompetent mice. ZikaEnv:aghFc induced both humoral and cellular immunity at a low dose (1-5 μg). This immune-inducing potential was enhanced further when adjuvanted CIA09A. In addition, antigen-specific antibodies and neutralizing antibodies were vertically transferred from immunized females to their progeny and afforded both protective immunity to ZIKV and cross-protection to Dengue virus infection. These results suggest that our plant-based ZIKV vaccine provides a safe and efficient protective strategy with a competitive edge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minna Shin
- INNOVAC, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyangju Kang
- BioApplications Inc., Pohang Techno Park Complex, 394 Jigok-Ro Nam-Gu, Pohang, Korea.
| | | | - Rangyeon Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Kiju Kim
- INNOVAC, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungmin Min
- BioApplications Inc., Pohang Techno Park Complex, 394 Jigok-Ro Nam-Gu, Pohang, Korea
| | - Kyou-Nam Cho
- BioApplications Inc., Pohang Techno Park Complex, 394 Jigok-Ro Nam-Gu, Pohang, Korea
| | - Eun-Ju Sohn
- BioApplications Inc., Pohang Techno Park Complex, 394 Jigok-Ro Nam-Gu, Pohang, Korea
| | - Kwang Sung Kim
- EYEGENE Inc., B-1211, 401 Yangcheon-Ro, Gangseo-Gu, Seoul, 07528, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Hyun Kim
- EYEGENE Inc., B-1211, 401 Yangcheon-Ro, Gangseo-Gu, Seoul, 07528, Republic of Korea
| | - Yang Je Cho
- EYEGENE Inc., B-1211, 401 Yangcheon-Ro, Gangseo-Gu, Seoul, 07528, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongho Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Tae-Wook Hahn
- INNOVAC, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
- College of Veterinary Medicine & Institute of Veterinary Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
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Yashavarddhan MH, Bohra D, Rana R, Tuli HS, Ranjan V, Rana DS, Ganguly NK. Comprehensive overview of 2022 human monkeypox outbreak and its pathology, prevention, and treatment: A strategy for disease control. Microbiol Res 2023; 277:127504. [PMID: 37812873 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2023.127504] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
The 2022 Monkeypox virus, an evolved DNA strain originating in Africa, exhibits heightened human-to-human transmissibility and potential animal transmission. Its host remains unidentified. While its initial slow transmission rate restrained global impact, 2022 saw a surge in cases, causing widespread concern in over 103 countries by September. This virus's distinctive human-to-human transmission marks a crucial shift, demanding a prompt revaluation of containment strategies. However, the host source for this shift requires urgent research attention. Regrettably, no universal preventive or curative methods have emerged for this evolved virus. Repurposed from smallpox vaccines, only some vaccinations offer a partial defense. Solely one therapeutic drug is available. The article's essence is to provide a comprehensive grasp of the virus's epidemiology, morphology, immune invasion mechanisms, and existing preventive and treatment measures. This knowledge equips researchers to devise strategies against its spread and potential public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- M H Yashavarddhan
- Department of Biotechnology & Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi 110060, India
| | - Deepika Bohra
- Department of Biotechnology & Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi 110060, India
| | - Rashmi Rana
- Department of Biotechnology & Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi 110060, India.
| | | | - Vivek Ranjan
- Department of Blood Transfusion Medicine, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi 110060, India
| | | | - Nirmal Kumar Ganguly
- Department of Biotechnology & Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi 110060, India
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5
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Guan X, Verma AK, Wang G, Shi J, Perlman S, Du L. Glycosylated Delta-receptor-binding domain mucosal vaccine elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies with protection against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. iScience 2023; 26:108033. [PMID: 37822493 PMCID: PMC10563057 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108033] [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: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Mucosal COVID-19 vaccines are needed to block SARS-CoV-2 infection at the mucosal site. Intranasal delivery of a glycosylated Delta variant receptor-binding domain (Delta-RBD) mucosal vaccine elicited potent and balanced systemic antibody titers comparable to those induced by the intramuscular injection of the same vaccine or Omicron-S subunit vaccine, as well as high mucosal IgA antibody responses. It elicited broadly neutralizing antibodies against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain, Delta and Omicron BA1/BA2 variants, completely protecting transgenic mice from lethal challenge with a Delta variant, including complete absence of weight loss. Of note, intramuscular priming with the Omicron-S protein followed by intranasal boosting with the Delta-RBD protein improved the vaccine's ability to generate broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies against recent BA5 and XBB Omicron variants. Overall, this vaccine has the potential to prevent the SARS-CoV-2 infection of the respiratory mucosa, while the i.m. priming and i.n. boosting vaccination strategy may offer protection against known and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqing Guan
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Abhishek K. Verma
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gang Wang
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Juan Shi
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Lanying Du
- Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
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6
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Shi J, Zhao Y, Peng M, Zhu S, Wu Y, Ji R, Shen C. Screening of Efficient Adjuvants for the RBD-Based Subunit Vaccine of SARS-CoV-2. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040713. [PMID: 37112625 PMCID: PMC10147067 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are more transmissible, with a reduced sensitivity to vaccines targeting the original virus strain. Therefore, developing an effective vaccine against both the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and its variants is an urgent need. It is known that the receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the S protein of SARS-CoV-2 is an important vaccine target, but subunit vaccines usually have lower immunogenicity and efficacy. Thus, selecting appropriate adjuvants to enhance the immunogenicity of protein-based subunit vaccine antigens is necessary. Here, an RBD-Fc subunit vaccine of SARS-CoV-2 has been generated, followed by vaccination in B6 mice, and four adjuvant regimens were investigated, including aluminum salts (Alum) + 3-O-desacyl-4'-monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL), AddaVax, QS21 + MPL, and Imiquimod. The adjuvant potency was evaluated by comparing the elicited polyclonal antibodies titers with measuring binding to RBD and S protein in ELISA and Western blot analysis, and also the cross-neutralizing antibodies titers using a pseudovirus infection assay of hACE2-expressing 293T cells, with pseudoviruses expressing the S protein of the SARS-CoV-2 original strain and Delta strain. The presence of QS21 + MPL adjuvant induced stronger polyclonal antibody response and neutralization potency blocking the original strain and Delta strain, as compared with the non-adjuvant RBD-Fc group and other adjuvant groups. Meanwhile, Imiquimod even had a negative effect in inducing specific antibodies and cross-neutralizing antibody production as an adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Shi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yu Zhao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Min Peng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Suyue Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Yandan Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Ruixue Ji
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
| | - Chuanlai Shen
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing 210009, China
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Kale A, Joshi D, Menon I, Bagwe P, Patil S, Vijayanand S, Braz Gomes K, Uddin MN, D'Souza MJ. Zika Vaccine Microparticles (MPs)-Loaded Dissolving Microneedles (MNs) Elicit a Significant Immune Response in a Pre-Clinical Murine Model. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11030583. [PMID: 36992167 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11030583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the global Zika epidemic in 2015–16 fueled vaccine development efforts, there is no approved Zika vaccine or treatment available to date. Current vaccine platforms in clinical trials are administered via either subcutaneous or intramuscular injections, which are painful and decrease compliance. Therefore, in the present study, we explored Zika vaccine microparticles (MPs)-loaded dissolving microneedles (MNs) with adjuvant MPs encapsulating Alhydrogel® and MPL-A® administered via the transdermal route as a pain-free vaccine strategy. We characterized the MNs for needle length, pore formation, and dissolvability when applied to murine skin. Further, we evaluated the in vivo efficacy of vaccine MPs-loaded MNs with or without adjuvants by measuring the immune response after transdermal immunization. The vaccine MPs-loaded dissolving MNs with adjuvants induced significant IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a titers in immunized mice compared to the untreated control group. After the dosing regimen, the animals were challenged with Zika virus, monitored for seven days, and sacrificed to collect spleen and lymph nodes. The lymphocytes and splenocytes from the immunized mice showed significant expressions of helper (CD4) and cytotoxic (CD8a) cell surface markers compared to the control group. Thus, this study puts forth a ‘proof-of-concept’ for a pain-free transdermal vaccine strategy against Zika.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Kale
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Devyani Joshi
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Ipshita Menon
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Priyal Bagwe
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Smital Patil
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Sharon Vijayanand
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Keegan Braz Gomes
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Mohammad N Uddin
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Martin J D'Souza
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery and Research, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
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8
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Brzuska G, Szewczyk B, Krol E. Influence of Dosing Regimen and Adjuvant Type on the Immunogenicity of Novel Recombinant Zika Virus-Like Particles. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0288522. [PMID: 36541807 PMCID: PMC9927573 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02885-22] [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: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a reemerging mosquito-borne flavivirus that causes febrile illness and is also linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome as well as to microcephaly in newborns. Due to the risk of fetuses developing microcephaly, ZIKV is a serious problem for pregnant women. Although different types of vaccine antigens have been investigated, there is still no approved vaccine that prevents ZIKV. The aim of this study was to produce a potential anti-Zika virus vaccine candidate based on virus-like particles (VLPs) in mammalian cells and to analyze the role of dosing regimen and adjuvant type on the immunogenicity of the obtained antigen. Novel recombinant VLPs (F2A) were designed by introducing the optimized signal sequence of prM protein and by adding a self-cleavage peptide 2A between proteins prM and E. These modifications improved the formation of the glycoprotein E dimer. It has been shown that the increasing dosing regimen generates a significantly higher titer of antibodies; however, the adjuvant type does not affect this process. Sera from mice immunized using an increasing dosing schedule also showed higher neutralization activity against both Zika strains (H/PAN/2016/BEI-259634, a pandemic strain belonging to Asian lineage, and MR766, a reference strain from African lineage). In summary, this is the first report showing the influence of vaccination schedules and adjuvants on the immunogenicity of ZIKV virus-like particles. IMPORTANCE Considering the transmission of ZIKV and the risk of another epidemic as well as the neurological complications that follow ZIKV infection, the virus remains a serious problem for the human population, especially pregnant women. Therefore, there is a great need to develop new effective vaccine candidates. Although different types of vaccine antigens have been used in preclinical studies worldwide, there is still no approved vaccine to prevent ZIKV. VLPs are among the most potent antigens, but to use VLPs, adjuvants must be added to the formulation and appropriate administration must be performed. In this study, we show for the first time the influence of vaccination schedules and adjuvants on the immunogenicity of recombinant ZIKV VLPs. The obtained results can be used in new vaccine designs not only against ZIKV but also against other important viral pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Brzuska
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Boguslaw Szewczyk
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Ewelina Krol
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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9
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Huang Y, Mu L, Wang W. Monkeypox: epidemiology, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:373. [PMID: 36319633 PMCID: PMC9626568 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01215-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease that was once endemic in west and central Africa caused by monkeypox virus. However, cases recently have been confirmed in many nonendemic countries outside of Africa. WHO declared the ongoing monkeypox outbreak to be a public health emergency of international concern on July 23, 2022, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapidly increasing number of confirmed cases could pose a threat to the international community. Here, we review the epidemiology of monkeypox, monkeypox virus reservoirs, novel transmission patterns, mutations and mechanisms of viral infection, clinical characteristics, laboratory diagnosis and treatment measures. In addition, strategies for the prevention, such as vaccination of smallpox vaccine, is also included. Current epidemiological data indicate that high frequency of human-to-human transmission could lead to further outbreaks, especially among men who have sex with men. The development of antiviral drugs and vaccines against monkeypox virus is urgently needed, despite some therapeutic effects of currently used drugs in the clinic. We provide useful information to improve the understanding of monkeypox virus and give guidance for the government and relative agency to prevent and control the further spread of monkeypox virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Huang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Mu
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Department of Biotherapy, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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10
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Wang Y, Ling L, Zhang Z, Marin-Lopez A. Current Advances in Zika Vaccine Development. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10111816. [PMID: 36366325 PMCID: PMC9694033 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10111816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), an emerging arthropod-borne flavivirus, was first isolated in Uganda in 1947 from monkeys and first detected in humans in Nigeria in 1952; it has been associated with a dramatic burden worldwide. Since then, interventions to reduce the burden of ZIKV infection have been mainly restricted to mosquito control, which in the end proved to be insufficient by itself. Hence, the situation prompted scientists to increase research on antivirals and vaccines against the virus. These efforts are still ongoing as the pathogenesis and immune evasion mechanisms of ZIKV have not yet been fully elucidated. Understanding the viral disease mechanism will provide a better landscape to develop prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against ZIKV. Currently, no specific vaccines or drugs have been approved for ZIKV. However, some are undergoing clinical trials. Notably, different platforms have been evaluated for the design of vaccines, including DNA, mRNA, viral vectors, virus-like particles (VLPs), inactivated virus, live attenuated virus, peptide and protein-based vaccines, passive immunizations by using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), and vaccines that target vector-derived antigens. These vaccines have been shown to induce specific humoral and cellular immune responses and reduce viremia and viral RNA titers, both in vitro and in vivo. This review provides a comprehensive summary of current advancements in the development of vaccines against Zika virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Wang
- Department of Inspection and Quarantine Technology Communication, Shanghai Customs College, Shanghai 201204, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Lin Ling
- Department of Inspection and Quarantine Technology Communication, Shanghai Customs College, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Zilei Zhang
- Department of Inspection and Quarantine Technology Communication, Shanghai Customs College, Shanghai 201204, China
| | - Alejandro Marin-Lopez
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06420, USA
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11
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Design of Vaccine Targeting Zika Virus Polyprotein by Immunoinformatics Technique. Int J Pept Res Ther 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10989-022-10409-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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12
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Georgiev GI, Malonis RJ, Wirchnianski AS, Wessel AW, Jung HS, Cahill SM, Nyakatura EK, Vergnolle O, Dowd KA, Cowburn D, Pierson TC, Diamond MS, Lai JR. Resurfaced ZIKV EDIII nanoparticle immunogens elicit neutralizing and protective responses in vivo. Cell Chem Biol 2022; 29:811-823.e7. [PMID: 35231399 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2022.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus that can cause severe disease, but there are no approved treatments or vaccines. A complication for flavivirus vaccine development is the potential of immunogens to enhance infection via antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE), a process mediated by poorly neutralizing and cross-reactive antibodies. Thus, there is a great need to develop immunogens that minimize the potential to elicit enhancing antibodies. Here we utilized structure-based protein engineering to develop "resurfaced" (rs) ZIKV immunogens based on E glycoprotein domain III (ZDIIIs), in which epitopes bound by variably neutralizing antibodies were masked by combinatorial mutagenesis. We identified one resurfaced ZDIII immunogen (rsZDIII-2.39) that elicited a protective but immune-focused response. Compared to wild type ZDIII, immunization with resurfaced rsZDIII-2.39 protein nanoparticles produced fewer numbers of ZIKV EDIII antigen-reactive B cells and elicited serum that had a lower magnitude of induced ADE against dengue virus serotype 1 (DENV1) Our findings enhance our understanding of the structural and functional determinants of antibody protection against ZIKV.
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Affiliation(s)
- George I Georgiev
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ryan J Malonis
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Ariel S Wirchnianski
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Alex W Wessel
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Helen S Jung
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Sean M Cahill
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Elisabeth K Nyakatura
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Olivia Vergnolle
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Kimberly A Dowd
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - David Cowburn
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA
| | - Theodore C Pierson
- Viral Pathogenesis Section, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Molecular Microbiology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Pathology & Immunology, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Jonathan R Lai
- Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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13
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Antonelli ACB, Almeida VP, de Castro FOF, Silva JM, Pfrimer IAH, Cunha-Neto E, Maranhão AQ, Brígido MM, Resende RO, Bocca AL, Fonseca SG. In silico construction of a multiepitope Zika virus vaccine using immunoinformatics tools. Sci Rep 2022; 12:53. [PMID: 34997041 PMCID: PMC8741764 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03990-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is an arbovirus from the Flaviviridae family and Flavivirus genus. Neurological events have been associated with ZIKV-infected individuals, such as Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune acute neuropathy that causes nerve demyelination and can induce paralysis. With the increase of ZIKV infection incidence in 2015, malformation and microcephaly cases in newborns have grown considerably, which suggested congenital transmission. Therefore, the development of an effective vaccine against ZIKV became an urgent need. Live attenuated vaccines present some theoretical risks for administration in pregnant women. Thus, we developed an in silico multiepitope vaccine against ZIKV. All structural and non-structural proteins were investigated using immunoinformatics tools designed for the prediction of CD4 + and CD8 + T cell epitopes. We selected 13 CD8 + and 12 CD4 + T cell epitopes considering parameters such as binding affinity to HLA class I and II molecules, promiscuity based on the number of different HLA alleles that bind to the epitopes, and immunogenicity. ZIKV Envelope protein domain III (EDIII) was added to the vaccine construct, creating a hybrid protein domain-multiepitope vaccine. Three high scoring continuous and two discontinuous B cell epitopes were found in EDIII. Aiming to increase the candidate vaccine antigenicity even further, we tested secondary and tertiary structures and physicochemical parameters of the vaccine conjugated to four different protein adjuvants: flagellin, 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12, heparin-binding hemagglutinin, or RS09 synthetic peptide. The addition of the flagellin adjuvant increased the vaccine's predicted antigenicity. In silico predictions revealed that the protein is a probable antigen, non-allergenic and predicted to be stable. The vaccine’s average population coverage is estimated to be 87.86%, which indicates it can be administered worldwide. Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMC) of individuals with previous ZIKV infection were tested for cytokine production in response to the pool of CD4 and CD8 ZIKV peptide selected. CD4 + and CD8 + T cells showed significant production of IFN-γ upon stimulation and IL-2 production was also detected by CD8 + T cells, which indicated the potential of our peptides to be recognized by specific T cells and induce immune response. In conclusion, we developed an in silico universal vaccine predicted to induce broad and high-coverage cellular and humoral immune responses against ZIKV, which can be a good candidate for posterior in vivo validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Clara Barbosa Antonelli
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 s/n, sala 335, Setor Universitário, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Vinnycius Pereira Almeida
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 s/n, sala 335, Setor Universitário, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Oliveira Feitosa de Castro
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 s/n, sala 335, Setor Universitário, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil.,Departament of Master in Environmental Sciences and Health, School of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | | | - Irmtraut Araci Hoffmann Pfrimer
- Departament of Master in Environmental Sciences and Health, School of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, Pontifical Catholic University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil
| | - Edecio Cunha-Neto
- Heart Institute (InCor), School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii) - National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Andréa Queiroz Maranhão
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii) - National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Macedo Brígido
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.,Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii) - National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT), São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Simone Gonçalves Fonseca
- Department of Bioscience and Technology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Rua 235 s/n, sala 335, Setor Universitário, Goiânia, GO, 74605-050, Brazil. .,Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii) - National Institute of Science and Technology (INCT), São Paulo, Brazil.
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14
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Chen Z, Gou Q, Xiong Q, Duan L, Yuan Y, Zhu J, Zou J, Chen L, Jing H, Zhang X, Luo P, Zeng H, Zou Q, Zhao Z, Zhang J. Immunodominance of Epitopes and Protective Efficacy of HI Antigen Are Differentially Altered Using Different Adjuvants in a Mouse Model of Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia. Front Immunol 2021; 12:684823. [PMID: 34122448 PMCID: PMC8190387 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.684823] [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: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
HI, a fusion protein that consists of the alpha-toxin (Hla) and the N2 domain of iron surface determinant B (IsdB), is one of the antigens in the previously reported S. aureus vaccine rFSAV and has already entered phase II clinical trials. Previous studies revealed that HI is highly immunogenic in both mice and healthy volunteers, and the humoral immune response plays key roles in HI-mediated protection. In this study, we further investigated the protective efficacy of immunization with HI plus four different adjuvants in a mouse bacteremia model. Results showed that HI-mediated protection was altered in response to different adjuvants. Using antisera from immunized mice, we identified seven B-cell immunodominant epitopes on Hla and IsdB, including 6 novel epitopes (Hla1-18, Hla84-101, Hla186-203, IsdB342-359, IsdB366-383, and IsdB384-401). The immunodominance of B-cell epitopes, total IgG titers and the levels of IFN-γ and IL-17A from mice immunized with HI plus different adjuvants were different from each other, which may explain the difference in protective immunity observed in each immunized group. Thus, our results indicate that adjuvants largely affected the immunodominance of epitopes and the protective efficacy of HI, which may guide further adjuvant screening for vaccine development and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhifu Chen
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qiang Gou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qingshan Xiong
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lianli Duan
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yue Yuan
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiang Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jintao Zou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Longlong Chen
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Haiming Jing
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoli Zhang
- Department of Clinical Hematology, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Luo
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quanming Zou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuo Zhao
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jinyong Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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15
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Gambino F, Tai W, Voronin D, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Shi J, Wang X, Wang N, Du L, Qiao L. A vaccine inducing solely cytotoxic T lymphocytes fully prevents Zika virus infection and fetal damage. Cell Rep 2021; 35:109107. [PMID: 33979612 PMCID: PMC8742672 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
As vaccine-induced non-neutralizing antibodies may cause antibody-dependent enhancement of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, we test a vaccine that induces only specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) without specific antibodies. We construct a DNA vaccine expressing a ubiquitinated and rearranged ZIKV non-structural protein 3 (NS3). The protein is immediately degraded and processed in the proteasome for presentation via major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I for CTL generation. We immunize Ifnar1-/- adult mice with the ubiquitin/NS3 vaccine, impregnate them, and challenge them with ZIKV. Our data show that the vaccine greatly reduces viral titers in reproductive organs and other tissues of adult mice. All mice immunized with the vaccine survived after ZIKV challenge. The vaccine remarkably reduces placenta damage and levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and it fully protects fetuses from damage. CD8+ CTLs are essential in protection, as demonstrated via depletion experiments. Our study provides a strategy to develop safe and effective vaccines against viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Gambino
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Wanbo Tai
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,These authors contributed equally
| | - Denis Voronin
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Yi Zhang
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450052, China
| | - Xiujuan Zhang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Juan Shi
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Xinyi Wang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Lanying Du
- Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, New York, NY 10065, USA,Senior author,Correspondence: (L.D.), (L.Q.)
| | - Liang Qiao
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Chicago, Maywood, IL 60153, USA,Senior author,Lead contact,Correspondence: (L.D.), (L.Q.)
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16
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Qi J, He Y, Shen L, Yu W, Hu T. Conjugation of Hemoglobin and Mannan Markedly Improves the Immunogenicity of Domain III of the Zika Virus E Protein: Structural and Immunological Study. Bioconjug Chem 2021; 32:328-338. [PMID: 33522239 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.0c00700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) leads to congenital microcephaly and anomalies and severe neurological diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome. Safe and effective vaccines are necessitated to deal with these severe health threats. As an ideal antigen, the domain III of the envelope protein (EDIII) of ZIKV can evoke potent neutralizing antibodies without any antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effect. However, EDIII necessitates to be formulated with an antigen delivery system or adjuvants to improve its immunogenicity. Hemoglobin (Hb) regulates inflammation, cytokine levels, and activate macrophage. Mannan is a polysaccharide of the fungal cell wall with an immunomodulatory activity. In this study, EDIII was conjugated with Hb and mannan, using the disulfide bond as the linker. Hb and mannan both functioned as the adjuvants. Conjugation of Hb and mannan acted as the delivery system for EDIII. The structure of EDIII was essentially maintained upon conjugation of Hb and mannan. The intracellular release of EDIII from the conjugate (HM-EDIII-2) was achieved by reduction of the glutathione-sensitive disulfide bond. As compared with EDIII, HM-EDIII-2 elicited high EDIII-specific IgG titers and high levels of Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2) and Th2-type cytokines (IL-5 and IL-10), along with no apparent toxicity to the organs. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic study revealed a prolonged serum exposure of HM-EDIII-2 to the immune cells. Thus, HM-EDIII-2 could boost a strong humoral and cellular immune response to EDIII. Our study was expected to provide the feasibility necessary to develop a robust and potentially safe ZIKV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinming Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yunxia He
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Lijuan Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Weili Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Tao Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
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