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Neckermann P, Mohr M, Billmeier M, Karlas A, Boilesen DR, Thirion C, Holst PJ, Jordan I, Sandig V, Asbach B, Wagner R. Transgene expression knock-down in recombinant Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara vectors improves genetic stability and sustained transgene maintenance across multiple passages. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1338492. [PMID: 38380318 PMCID: PMC10877035 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1338492] [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: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Modified vaccinia virus Ankara is a versatile vaccine vector, well suited for transgene delivery, with an excellent safety profile. However, certain transgenes render recombinant MVA (rMVA) genetically unstable, leading to the accumulation of mutated rMVA with impaired transgene expression. This represents a major challenge for upscaling and manufacturing of rMVA vaccines. To prevent transgene-mediated negative selection, the continuous avian cell line AGE1.CR pIX (CR pIX) was modified to suppress transgene expression during rMVA generation and amplification. This was achieved by constitutively expressing a tetracycline repressor (TetR) together with a rat-derived shRNA in engineered CR pIX PRO suppressor cells targeting an operator element (tetO) and 3' untranslated sequence motif on a chimeric poxviral promoter and the transgene mRNA, respectively. This cell line was instrumental in generating two rMVA (isolate CR19) expressing a Macaca fascicularis papillomavirus type 3 (MfPV3) E1E2E6E7 artificially-fused polyprotein following recombination-mediated integration of the coding sequences into the DelIII (CR19 M-DelIII) or TK locus (CR19 M-TK), respectively. Characterization of rMVA on parental CR pIX or engineered CR pIX PRO suppressor cells revealed enhanced replication kinetics, higher virus titers and a focus morphology equaling wild-type MVA, when transgene expression was suppressed. Serially passaging both rMVA ten times on parental CR pIX cells and tracking E1E2E6E7 expression by flow cytometry revealed a rapid loss of transgene product after only few passages. PCR analysis and next-generation sequencing demonstrated that rMVA accumulated mutations within the E1E2E6E7 open reading frame (CR19 M-TK) or deletions of the whole transgene cassette (CR19 M-DelIII). In contrast, CR pIX PRO suppressor cells preserved robust transgene expression for up to 10 passages, however, rMVAs were more stable when E1E2E6E7 was integrated into the TK as compared to the DelIII locus. In conclusion, sustained knock-down of transgene expression in CR pIX PRO suppressor cells facilitates the generation, propagation and large-scale manufacturing of rMVA with transgenes hampering viral replication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Neckermann
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Madlen Mohr
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Martina Billmeier
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | | | - Ditte R. Boilesen
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher APS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Peter J. Holst
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Center for Medical Parasitology, The Panum Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- InProTher APS, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | | | - Benedikt Asbach
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Molecular Microbiology (Virology), University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
- Institue of Clinical Microbiology and Hygiene, University Hospital Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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Rabaan AA, Al-Shwaikh SA, Alfouzan WA, Al-Bahar AM, Garout M, Halwani MA, Albayat H, Almutairi NB, Alsaeed M, Alestad JH, Al-Mozaini MA, Ashgar TMA, Alotaibi S, Abuzaid AA, Aldawood Y, Alsaleh AA, Al-Afghani HM, Altowaileb JA, Alshukairi AN, Arteaga-Livias K, Singh KKB, Imran M. A Comprehensive Review on Monkeypox Viral Disease with Potential Diagnostics and Therapeutic Options. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1826. [PMID: 37509466 PMCID: PMC10376530 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11071826] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this review is to give an up-to-date, thorough, and timely overview of monkeypox (Mpox), a severe infectious viral disease. Furthermore, this review provides an up-to-date treatment option for Mpox. The monkeypox virus (MPXV) has remained the most virulent poxvirus for humans since the elimination of smallpox approximately 41 years ago, with distribution mainly in central and west Africa. Mpox in humans is a zoonotically transferred disease that results in symptoms like those of smallpox. It had spread throughout west and central Africa when it was first diagnosed in the Republic of Congo in 1970. Mpox has become a major threat to global health security, necessitating a quick response by virologists, veterinarians, public health professionals, doctors, and researchers to create high-efficiency diagnostic tests, vaccinations, antivirals, and other infection control techniques. The emergence of epidemics outside of Africa emphasizes the disease's global significance. A better understanding of Mpox's dynamic epidemiology may be attained by increased surveillance and identification of cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran 31311, Saudi Arabia
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur 22610, Pakistan
| | - Seham A Al-Shwaikh
- Department of Commitment Management, Directorate of Health Affairs in the Eastern Province, Dammam 31176, Saudi Arabia
| | - Wadha A Alfouzan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat 13110, Kuwait
- Microbiology Unit, Department of Laboratories, Farwania Hospital, Farwania 85000, Kuwait
| | - Ali M Al-Bahar
- Department of Laboratory, Dhahran Long Term Care Hospital, Dhahran 34257, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Garout
- Department of Community Medicine and Health Care for Pilgrims, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad A Halwani
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Al Baha University, Al Baha 4781, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hawra Albayat
- Infectious Disease Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Norah B Almutairi
- Infectious Disease Department, King Saud Medical City, Riyadh 7790, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alsaeed
- Infectious Disease Division, Department of Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh 11159, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jeehan H Alestad
- Immunology and Infectious Microbiology Department, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK
- Microbiology Department, Collage of Medicine, Jabriya 46300, Kuwait
| | - Maha A Al-Mozaini
- Immunocompromsised Host Research Section, Department of Infection and Immunity, King Faisal, Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh 11564, Saudi Arabia
| | - Tala M Al Ashgar
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh 11481, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sultan Alotaibi
- Molecular Microbiology Department, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh 11525, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A Abuzaid
- Medical Microbiology Department, Security Forces Hospital Programme, Dammam 32314, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya Aldawood
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdulmonem A Alsaleh
- Clinical Laboratory Science Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam 34222, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani M Al-Afghani
- Laboratory Department, Security Forces Hospital, Makkah 24269, Saudi Arabia
- iGene Center for Research and Training, Jeddah 2022, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jaffar A Altowaileb
- Microbiology Laboratory, Laboratory Department, Qatif Central Hospital, Qatif 32654, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abeer N Alshukairi
- College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh 11533, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Jeddah 22233, Saudi Arabia
| | - Kovy Arteaga-Livias
- Escuela de Medicina-Filial Ica, Universidad Privada San Juan Bautista, Ica 11000, Peru
- Escuela de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huanuco 10000, Peru
| | - Kirnpal Kaur Banga Singh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Imran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha 91911, Saudi Arabia
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MVA vector expression of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and protection of adult Syrian hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:145. [PMID: 34862398 PMCID: PMC8642471 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00410-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, are under development. The majority of vaccine candidates to date are designed to induce immune responses against the viral spike (S) protein, although different forms of S antigen have been incorporated. To evaluate the yield and immunogenicity of different forms of S, we constructed modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) vectors expressing full-length S (MVA-S), the RBD, and soluble S ectodomain and tested their immunogenicity in dose-ranging studies in mice. All three MVA vectors induced spike-specific immunoglobulin G after one subcutaneous immunization and serum titers were boosted following a second immunization. The MVA-S and MVA-ssM elicited the strongest neutralizing antibody responses. In assessing protective efficacy, MVA-S-immunized adult Syrian hamsters were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 (USA/WA1/2020). MVA-S-vaccinated hamsters exhibited less severe manifestations of atypical pneumocyte hyperplasia, hemorrhage, vasculitis, and especially consolidation, compared to control animals. They also displayed significant reductions in gross pathology scores and weight loss, and a moderate reduction in virus shedding was observed post challenge in nasal washes. There was evidence of reduced viral replication by in situ hybridization, although the reduction in viral RNA levels in lungs and nasal turbinates did not reach significance. Taken together, the data indicate that immunization with two doses of an MVA vector expressing SARS-CoV-2 S provides protection against a stringent SARS-CoV-2 challenge of adult Syrian hamsters, reaffirm the utility of this animal model for evaluating candidate SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, and demonstrate the value of an MVA platform in facilitating vaccine development against SARS-CoV-2.
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Stanfield BA, Kousoulas KG, Fernandez A, Gershburg E. Rational Design of Live-Attenuated Vaccines against Herpes Simplex Viruses. Viruses 2021; 13:1637. [PMID: 34452501 PMCID: PMC8402837 DOI: 10.3390/v13081637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Diseases caused by human herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2) affect millions of people worldwide and range from fatal encephalitis in neonates and herpes keratitis to orofacial and genital herpes, among other manifestations. The viruses can be shed efficiently by asymptomatic carriers, causing increased rates of infection. Viral transmission occurs through direct contact of mucosal surfaces followed by initial replication of the incoming virus in skin tissues. Subsequently, the viruses infect sensory neurons in the trigeminal and lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia, where they are primarily maintained in a transcriptionally repressed state termed "latency", which persists for the lifetime of the host. HSV DNA has also been detected in other sympathetic ganglia. Periodically, latent viruses can reactivate, causing ulcerative and often painful lesions primarily at the site of primary infection and proximal sites. In the United States, recurrent genital herpes alone accounts for more than a billion dollars in direct medical costs per year, while there are much higher costs associated with the socio-economic aspects of diseased patients, such as loss of productivity due to mental anguish. Currently, there are no effective FDA-approved vaccines for either prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of human herpes simplex infections, while several recent clinical trials have failed to achieve their endpoint goals. Historically, live-attenuated vaccines have successfully combated viral diseases, including polio, influenza, measles, and smallpox. Vaccines aimed to protect against the devastation of smallpox led to the most significant achievement in medical history: the eradication of human disease by vaccination. Recently, novel approaches toward developing safe and effective live-attenuated vaccines have demonstrated high efficacy in various preclinical models of herpetic disease. This next generation of live-attenuated vaccines has been tailored to minimize vaccine-associated side effects and promote effective and long-lasting immune responses. The ultimate goal is to prevent or reduce primary infections (prophylactic vaccines) or reduce the frequency and severity of disease associated with reactivation events (therapeutic vaccines). These vaccines' "rational" design is based on our current understanding of the immunopathogenesis of herpesviral infections that guide the development of vaccines that generate robust and protective immune responses. This review covers recent advances in the development of herpes simplex vaccines and the current state of ongoing clinical trials in pursuit of an effective vaccine against herpes simplex virus infections and associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent A. Stanfield
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
| | - Konstantin G. Kousoulas
- Division of Biotechnology and Molecular Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
- Rational Vaccines Inc., Woburn, MA 01801, USA;
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Cianci R, Franza L. Genomic Medicine and Advances in Vaccine Technology and Development in the Developing and Developed World. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 9:vaccines9010009. [PMID: 33374343 PMCID: PMC7823288 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rossella Cianci
- Internal Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-3015-7597; Fax: +39-06-3550-2775
| | - Laura Franza
- Emergency Medicine, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Roma, Italy;
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