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Bowser S, Melton-Celsa A, Chapartegui-González I, Torres AG. Further Evaluation of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli Gold Nanoparticle Vaccines Utilizing Citrobacter rodentium as the Model Organism. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:508. [PMID: 38793759 PMCID: PMC11125983 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12050508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) is a group of pathogenic bacteria that is associated with worldwide human foodborne diarrheal illnesses and the development of hemolytic uremic syndrome, a potentially deadly condition associated with Shiga toxins (Stxs). Currently, approved vaccines for human prophylaxis against infection do not exist, and one barrier preventing the successful creation of EHEC vaccines is the absence of dependable animal models, including mice, which are naturally resistant to EHEC infection and do not manifest the characteristic signs of the illness. Our lab previously developed gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based EHEC vaccines, and assessed their efficacy using Citrobacter rodentium, which is the mouse pathogen counterpart of EHEC, along with an Stx2d-producing strain that leads to more consistent disease kinetics in mice, including lethality. The purpose of this study was to continue evaluating these vaccines to increase protection. Here, we demonstrated that subcutaneous immunization of mice with AuNPs linked to the EHEC antigens EscC and intimin (Eae), either alone or simultaneously, elicits functional robust systemic humoral responses. Additionally, vaccination with both antigens together showed some efficacy against Stx2d-producing C. rodentium while AuNP-EscC successfully limited infection with non-Stx2d-producing C. rodentium. Overall, the collected results indicate that our AuNP vaccines have promising potential for preventing disease with EHEC, and that evaluation of novel vaccines using an appropriate animal model, like C. rodentium described here, could be the key to finally developing an effective EHEC vaccine that can progress into human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Bowser
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Angela Melton-Celsa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | | | - Alfredo G. Torres
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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Gray MC, Thomas KS, Lamb ER, Werner LM, Connolly KL, Jerse AE, Criss AK. Evaluating vaccine-elicited antibody activities against Neisseria gonorrhoeae: cross-protective responses elicited by the 4CMenB meningococcal vaccine. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0030923. [PMID: 37991382 PMCID: PMC10715150 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00309-23] [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: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent global health problem due to increasing numbers of infections, coupled with rampant antibiotic resistance. Vaccines against gonorrhea are being prioritized to combat drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Meningococcal serogroup B vaccines such as four-component meningococcal B vaccine (4CMenB) are predicted by epidemiology studies to cross-protect individuals from natural infection with N. gonorrhoeae and elicit antibodies that cross-react with N. gonorrhoeae. Evaluation of vaccine candidates for gonorrhea requires a suite of assays for predicting efficacy in vitro and in animal models of infection, including the role of antibodies elicited by immunization. Here, we present the development and optimization of assays to evaluate antibody functionality after immunization of mice: antibody binding to intact N. gonorrhoeae, serum bactericidal activity, and opsonophagocytic killing activity using primary human neutrophils [polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs)]. These assays were developed with purified antibodies against N. gonorrhoeae and used to evaluate serum from mice that were vaccinated with 4CMenB or given alum as a negative control. Results from these assays will help prioritize gonorrhea vaccine candidates for advanced preclinical to early clinical studies and will contribute to identifying correlates and mechanisms of immune protection against N. gonorrhoeae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary C. Gray
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Keena S. Thomas
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Evan R. Lamb
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Lacie M. Werner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Kristie L. Connolly
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Ann E. Jerse
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alison K. Criss
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Gray MC, Thomas KS, Lamb ER, Werner LM, Connolly KL, Jerse AE, Criss AK. Evaluating vaccine-elicited antibody activities against Neisseria gonorrhoeae: cross-protective responses elicited by the 4CMenB meningococcal vaccine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.03.551882. [PMID: 37577557 PMCID: PMC10418180 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.03.551882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent global health problem due to increasing numbers of infections, coupled with rampant antibiotic resistance. Vaccines against gonorrhea are being prioritized to combat drug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae. Meningococcal serogroup B vaccines such as 4CMenB are predicted by epidemiology studies to cross-protect individuals from natural infection with N. gonorrhoeae and elicit antibodies that cross-react with N. gonorrhoeae. Evaluation of vaccine candidates for gonorrhea requires a suite of assays for predicting efficacy in vitro and in animal models of infection, including the role of antibodies elicited by immunization. Here we present assays to evaluate antibody functionality after immunization: antibody binding to intact N. gonorrhoeae, serum bactericidal activity, and opsonophagocytic killing activity using primary human neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes). These assays were developed with purified antibodies against N. gonorrhoeae and used to evaluate serum from mice that were vaccinated with 4CMenB or given alum as a negative control. Results from these assays will help prioritize gonorrhea vaccine candidates for advanced preclinical to early clinical study and will contribute to identifying correlates and mechanisms of immune protection against N. gonorrhoeae .
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Bagwe P, Bajaj L, Menon I, Braz Gomes K, Kale A, Patil S, Vijayanand S, Gala R, D'Souza MJ, Zughaier SM. Gonococcal microparticle vaccine in dissolving microneedles induced immunity and enhanced bacterial clearance in infected mice. Int J Pharm 2023; 642:123182. [PMID: 37369287 PMCID: PMC10529368 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2023.123182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
There is an alarming rise in the number of gonorrhea cases worldwide. Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacteria that causes gonorrhea infection, has gradually developed antimicrobial resistance over the years. To date, there is no licensed vaccine for gonorrhea. This study investigates the in vivo immunogenicity of a whole-cell inactivated gonococci in a microparticle formulation (Gc-MP) along with adjuvant microparticles (Alhydrogel®- Alum MP and AddaVax™ MP) delivered transdermally using dissolving microneedles (MN). The proposed vaccine formulation (Gc-MP + Alum MP + AddaVax™ MP) was assessed for induction of humoral, cellular, and protective immune responses in vivo. Our results show the induction of significant gonococcal-specific serum IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and vaginal mucosal IgA antibodies in mice immunized with Gc-MP + Alum MP + AddaVax™ MP and Gc-MP when compared to the control groups receiving blank MN or no treatment. The serum bactericidal assay revealed that the antibodies generated in mice after immunization with Gc-MP + Alum MP + AddaVax™ MP were bactericidal towards live Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Gc-MP + Alum MP + AddaVax™ MP and Gc-MP-immunized mice showed enhanced clearance rate of gonococcal bacterial infection post challenge. In contrast, the control groups did not begin to clear the infection until day 10. In addition, the mice which received Gc-MP + Alum MP + AddaVax™ MP showed enhanced expression of cellular immunity markers CD4 and CD8 on the surface of T cells in the spleen and lymph nodes. Taken together, the data shows that microneedle immunization with whole-cell inactivated gonococci MP in mice induced humoral, cellular, and protective immunity against gonococcal infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyal Bagwe
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Lotika Bajaj
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Ipshita Menon
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Keegan Braz Gomes
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Akanksha Kale
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Smital Patil
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Sharon Vijayanand
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Rikhav Gala
- Fraunhofer USA, Center Mid-Atlantic, Biotechnology Division, 9, Innovation Way, Newark, DE 19011, USA
| | - Martin J D'Souza
- Vaccine Nanotechnology Laboratory, Center for Drug Delivery Research, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
| | - Susu M Zughaier
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, PO Box 2731, Doha, Qatar.
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Sekar A, Lekkala S, Oral E. A Novel Method to Determine the Longitudinal Antibacterial Activity of Drug-Eluting Materials. J Vis Exp 2023:10.3791/64641. [PMID: 36939249 PMCID: PMC10859037 DOI: 10.3791/64641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is widely used in total joint arthroplasties as a load-bearing surface. Periprosthetic joint infections, the majority of which occur shortly after joint replacement, constitute almost 25% of total knee revision surgeries, and the complete eradication of bacterial infection poses a major challenge. A promising way to tackle this problem is to ensure the local sustained delivery of antibiotic concentrations sufficient to inhibit the bacteria to support routine systemic antibiotic prophylaxis. There is increased research into the development of efficient local drug delivery devices. Although established antibacterial testing methods for drugs can be used to test the antibacterial efficacy of drug-eluting materials, they are lacking in terms of providing real-time and longitudinal antibacterial efficacy data that can be correlated to the elution profiles of antibiotics from these devices. Here, we report a direct and versatile methodology to determine the antibacterial efficacy of antibiotic-eluting UHMWPE implants. This methodology can be used as a platform to avoid bacterial culture at each time point of a lengthy experiment and can also be adapted to other local drug delivery devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amita Sekar
- Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School
| | - Sashank Lekkala
- Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital
| | - Ebru Oral
- Harris Orthopaedics Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School;
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Yoon HK, Park SY, Kim CG. Comparison of the bacterial viability assessments for the disinfected quarantined water along with an effect of total residual oxidants. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2021; 193:782. [PMID: 34751845 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-021-09371-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The water discarded from the quarantine station inspecting aquatic products can be served as an influx channel of invasive microorganisms to our own ecosystem. This study thus compared the viability of three different pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Vibrio harveyi, and Enterococcus faecalis) in either seawater or freshwater after their disinfection. For that, they were treated by ozonation (2.08 mM of ozone), ultraviolet irradiation (UVC-254), or thermal treatment (90℃) for 10 min, during which their resultant viability was monitored using colorimetric ATP assay, colony counting, and real-time quantitative RT-PCR. From this, ATP measurement and real-time quantitative RT-PCR have proved to be a much stronger correlation built in the fraction of each of their assays versus the colony counting, although they differed in the type of disinfection implemented. Especially, ATP assay was the most sensitively influenced by high levels of total residual oxidants (TRO) undesirably produced during the ozonation of V. harveyi and E. faecalis in seawater, although easily and shortly measured within 1 h, with higher accuracy. Aside from that, the real-time quantitative RT-PCR had a stronger correlation versus either that of seawater ozonation or thermal treatment. It is decided referring to measurement time and convenience in the field that ATP assay can be more reliably used in bacterial cell viability measurement in the quarantine after the ozonation in seawater to specifically allow the bacterial deactivation, not to overwhelmingly produce TRO due to the residual ozone provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Keun Yoon
- Department of Environmental Engineering, INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon Yeong Park
- Department of Environmental Engineering, INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang Gyun Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
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