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Puchner KP, Bottazzi ME, Periago V, Grobusch M, Maizels R, McCarthy J, Lee B, Gaspari E, Diemert D, Hotez P. Vaccine value profile for Hookworm. Vaccine 2024; 42:S25-S41. [PMID: 37863671 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.05.013] [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: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Hookworm, a parasitic infection, retains a considerable burden of disease, affecting the most underprivileged segments of the general population in endemic countries and remains one of the leading causes of mild to severe anemia in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), particularly in pregnancy and children under 5. Despite repeated large scale Preventive Chemotherapy (PC) interventions since more than 3 decades, there is broad consensus among scholars that elimination targets set in the newly launched NTD roadmap will require additional tools and interventions. Development of a vaccine could constitute a promising expansion of the existing arsenal against hookworm. Therefore, we have evaluated the biological and implementation feasibility of the vaccine development as well as the added value of such a novel tool. Based on pipeline landscaping and the current knowledge on key biological aspects of the pathogen and its interactions with the host, we found biological feasibility of development of a hookworm vaccine to be moderate. Also, our analysis on manufacturing and regulatory issues as well as potential uptake yielded moderate implementation feasibility. Modelling studies suggest a that introduction of a vaccine in parallel with ongoing integrated interventions (PC, WASH, shoe campaigns), could substantially reduce burden of disease in a cost - saving mode. Finally a set of actions are recommended that might impact positively the likelihood of timely development and introduction of a hookworm vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Elena Bottazzi
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor, TX, USA
| | | | - Martin Grobusch
- Center of Tropical Medicine and Travel Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location AMC, Amsterdam Infection & Immunity, Amsterdam Public Health, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rick Maizels
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - James McCarthy
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bruce Lee
- Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Erika Gaspari
- European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP), The Hague, The Netherlands
| | - David Diemert
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology & Tropical Medicine, George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Peter Hotez
- National School of Tropical Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Baylor, TX, USA
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2
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Alharbi N, Shalash AO, Koirala P, Boer JC, Hussein WM, Khalil ZG, Capon RJ, Plebanski M, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Cholesterol as an inbuilt immunoadjuvant for a lipopeptide vaccine against group A Streptococcus infection. J Colloid Interface Sci 2024; 663:43-52. [PMID: 38387185 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.02.134] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Peptide-based vaccines can trigger highly specific immune responses, although peptides alone are usually unable to confer strong humoral or cellular immunity. Consequently, peptide antigens are administered with immunostimulatory adjuvants, but only a few are safe and effective for human use. To overcome this obstacle, herein a peptide antigen was lipidated to effectively anchor it to liposomes and emulsion. A peptide antigen B cell epitope from Group A Streptococcus M protein was conjugated to a universal T helper epitope, the pan DR-biding epitope (PADRE), alongside a lipidic moiety cholesterol. Compared to a free peptide antigen, the lipidated version (LP1) adopted a helical conformation and self-assembled into small nanoparticles. Surprisingly, LP1 alone induced the same or higher antibody titers than liposomes or emulsion-based formulations. In addition, antibodies produced by mice immunized with LP1 were more opsonic than those induced by administering the antigen with incomplete Freund's adjuvant. No side effects were observed in the immunized mice and no excessive inflammatory immune responses were detected. Overall, this study demonstrated how simple conjugation of cholesterol to a peptide antigen can produce a safe and efficacious vaccine against Group A Streptococcus - the leading cause of superficial infections and the bacteria responsible for deadly post-infection autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedaa Alharbi
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; University of Jeddah, College of Science, Department of Chemistry, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ahmed O Shalash
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Prashamsa Koirala
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jennifer C Boer
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Waleed M Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zeinab G Khalil
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robert J Capon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Magdalena Plebanski
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC 3083, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
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Lu L, Kong WY, Zhang J, Firdaus F, Wells JW, Stephenson RJ, Toth I, Skwarczynski M, Cruz JLG. Utilizing murine dendritic cell line DC2.4 to evaluate the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines in vitro. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1298721. [PMID: 38469294 PMCID: PMC10925716 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1298721] [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: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Subunit vaccines hold substantial promise in controlling infectious diseases, due to their superior safety profile, specific immunogenicity, simplified manufacturing processes, and well-defined chemical compositions. One of the most important end-targets of vaccines is a subset of lymphocytes originating from the thymus, known as T cells, which possess the ability to mount an antigen-specific immune response. Furthermore, vaccines confer long-term immunity through the generation of memory T cell pools. Dendritic cells are essential for the activation of T cells and the induction of adaptive immunity, making them key for the in vitro evaluation of vaccine efficacy. Upon internalization by dendritic cells, vaccine-bearing antigens are processed, and suitable fragments are presented to T cells by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. In addition, DCs can secrete various cytokines to crosstalk with T cells to coordinate subsequent immune responses. Here, we generated an in vitro model using the immortalized murine dendritic cell line, DC2.4, to recapitulate the process of antigen uptake and DC maturation, measured as the elevation of CD40, MHC-II, CD80 and CD86 on the cell surface. The levels of key DC cytokines, tumor necrosis alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured to better define DC activation. This information served as a cost-effective and rapid proxy for assessing the antigen presentation efficacy of various vaccine formulations, demonstrating a strong correlation with previously published in vivo study outcomes. Hence, our assay enables the selection of the lead vaccine candidates based on DC activation capacity prior to in vivo animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lantian Lu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Wei Yang Kong
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Farrhana Firdaus
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - James W. Wells
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel J. Stephenson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Institute of Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jazmina L. Gonzalez Cruz
- Faculty of Medicine, Frazer Institute, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
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Koirala P, Shalash AO, Chen SPR, Faruck MO, Wang J, Hussein WM, Khalil ZG, Capon RJ, Monteiro MJ, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Polymeric Nanoparticles as Oral and Intranasal Peptide Vaccine Delivery Systems: The Role of Shape and Conjugation. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:198. [PMID: 38400181 PMCID: PMC10893271 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12020198] [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: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 02/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Mucosal vaccines are highly attractive due to high patient compliance and their suitability for mass immunizations. However, all currently licensed mucosal vaccines are composed of attenuated/inactive whole microbes, which are associated with a variety of safety concerns. In contrast, modern subunit vaccines use minimal pathogenic components (antigens) that are safe but typically poorly immunogenic when delivered via mucosal administration. In this study, we demonstrated the utility of various functional polymer-based nanostructures as vaccine carriers. A Group A Streptococcus (GAS)-derived peptide antigen (PJ8) was selected in light of the recent global spread of invasive GAS infection. The vaccine candidates were prepared by either conjugation or physical mixing of PJ8 with rod-, sphere-, worm-, and tadpole-shaped polymeric nanoparticles. The roles of nanoparticle shape and antigen conjugation in vaccine immunogenicity were demonstrated through the comparison of three distinct immunization pathways (subcutaneous, intranasal, and oral). No additional adjuvant or carrier was required to induce bactericidal immune responses even upon oral vaccine administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashamsa Koirala
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.K.); (A.O.S.); (M.O.F.); (J.W.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Ahmed O. Shalash
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.K.); (A.O.S.); (M.O.F.); (J.W.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Sung-Po R. Chen
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (S.-P.R.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Mohammad O. Faruck
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.K.); (A.O.S.); (M.O.F.); (J.W.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Jingwen Wang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.K.); (A.O.S.); (M.O.F.); (J.W.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.K.); (A.O.S.); (M.O.F.); (J.W.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Zeinab G. Khalil
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.G.K.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Robert J. Capon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.G.K.); (R.J.C.)
| | - Michael J. Monteiro
- Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (S.-P.R.C.); (M.J.M.)
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.K.); (A.O.S.); (M.O.F.); (J.W.); (W.M.H.)
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (P.K.); (A.O.S.); (M.O.F.); (J.W.); (W.M.H.)
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Alsharedeh RH, Rezigue M, Bashatwah RM, Amawi H, Aljabali AAA, Obeid MA, Tambuwala MM. Nanomaterials as a Potential Target for Infectious Parasitic Agents. Curr Drug Deliv 2024; 21:828-851. [PMID: 36815647 DOI: 10.2174/1567201820666230223085403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the technological advancement in the era of personalized medicine and therapeutics development, infectious parasitic causative agents remain one of the most challenging areas of research and development. The disadvantages of conventional parasitic prevention and control are the emergence of multiple drug resistance as well as the non-specific targeting of intracellular parasites, which results in high dose concentration needs and subsequently intolerable cytotoxicity. Nanotechnology has attracted extensive interest to reduce medication therapy adverse effects including poor bioavailability and drug selectivity. Numerous nanomaterials-based delivery systems have previously been shown in animal models to be effective in the treatment of various parasitic infections. This review discusses a variety of nanomaterials-based antiparasitic procedures and techniques as well as the processes that allow them to be targeted to different parasitic infections. This review focuses on the key prerequisites for creating novel nanotechnology-based carriers as a potential option in parasite management, specifically in the context of human-related pathogenic parasitic agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rawan H Alsharedeh
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Meriem Rezigue
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Rasha M Bashatwah
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Haneen Amawi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, Jordan
| | - Alaa A A Aljabali
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Mohammad A Obeid
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yarmouk University, Irbid, 21163, Jordan
| | - Murtaza M Tambuwala
- Lincoln Medical School, Brayford Pool Campus, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN6 7TS, United Kingdom
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6
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Multiepitope Subunit Peptide-Based Nanovaccine against Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) Elicited High Antibody Titers in Vaccinated Mice. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052248. [PMID: 36903494 PMCID: PMC10005372 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052248] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) infection is one of the most serious threats to the swine industry. While the disease can be prevented, to some extent, by commercial PCV2a vaccines, the evolving nature of PCV2 necessitates the development of a novel vaccine that can compete with the mutations of the virus. Thus, we have developed novel multiepitope vaccines based on the PCV2b variant. Three PCV2b capsid protein epitopes, together with a universal T helper epitope, were synthesized and formulated with five delivery systems/adjuvants: complete Freund's adjuvant, poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA), poly(hydrophobic amino acid), liposomes and rod-shaped polymeric nanoparticles built from polystyrene-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-poly(N-dimethylacrylamide). Mice were subcutaneously immunized with the vaccine candidates three times at three-week intervals. All vaccinated mice produced high antibody titters after three immunizations as analyzed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while mice vaccinated with PMA-adjuvanted vaccine elicited high antibody titers even after a single immunization. Thus, the multiepitope PCV2 vaccine candidates designed and examined here show strong potential for further development.
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Liposomal Formulations of a Polyleucine-Antigen Conjugate as Therapeutic Vaccines against Cervical Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020602. [PMID: 36839923 PMCID: PMC9965676 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is responsible for all cases of cervical cancer. While prophylactic vaccines are available, the development of peptide-based vaccines as a therapeutic strategy is still under investigation. In comparison with the traditional and currently used treatment strategies of chemotherapy and surgery, vaccination against HPV is a promising therapeutic option with fewer side effects. A peptide derived from the HPV-16 E7 protein, called 8Qm, in combination with adjuvants showed promise as a therapeutic vaccine. Here, the ability of polymerized natural amino acids to act as a self-adjuvating delivery system as a therapeutic vaccine was investigated for the first time. Thus, 8Qm was conjugated to polyleucine by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis and self-assembled into nanoparticles or incorporated in liposomes. The liposome bearing the 8Qm conjugate significantly increased mice survival and decreased tumor growth after a single immunization. Further, these liposomes eradicated seven-day-old well-established tumors in mice. Dendritic cell (DC)-targeting moieties were introduced to further enhance vaccine efficacy, and the newly designed liposomal vaccine was tested in mice bearing 11-day-old tumors. Interestingly, these DCs-targeting moieties did not significantly improve vaccine efficacy, whereas the simple liposomal formulation of 8Qm-polyleucine conjugate was still effective in tumor eradication. In summary, a peptide-based anticancer vaccine was developed that stimulated strong cellular immune responses without the help of a classical adjuvant.
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van der Put RM, Metz B, Pieters RJ. Carriers and Antigens: New Developments in Glycoconjugate Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020219. [PMID: 36851097 PMCID: PMC9962112 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycoconjugate vaccines have proven their worth in the protection and prevention of infectious diseases. The introduction of the Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine is the prime example, followed by other glycoconjugate vaccines. Glycoconjugate vaccines consist of two components: the carrier protein and the carbohydrate antigen. Current carrier proteins are tetanus toxoid, diphtheria toxoid, CRM197, Haemophilus protein D and the outer membrane protein complex of serogroup B meningococcus. Carbohydrate antigens have been produced mainly by extraction and purification from the original host. However, current efforts show great advances in the development of synthetically produced oligosaccharides and bioconjugation. This review evaluates the advances of glycoconjugate vaccines in the last five years. We focus on developments regarding both new carriers and antigens. Innovative developments regarding carriers are outer membrane vesicles, glycoengineered proteins, new carrier proteins, virus-like particles, protein nanocages and peptides. With regard to conjugated antigens, we describe recent developments in the field of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and ESKAPE pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert M.F. van der Put
- Intravacc, P.O. Box 450, 3720 AL Bilthoven, The Netherlands
- Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Correspondence:
| | - Bernard Metz
- Intravacc, P.O. Box 450, 3720 AL Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Roland J. Pieters
- Department of Chemical Biology & Drug Discovery, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, P.O. Box 80082, 3508 TB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Kiong J, Nahar UJ, Jin S, Shalash AO, Zhang J, Koirala P, Khalil ZG, Capon RJ, Skwarczynski M, Toth I, Hussein WM. Development of Multilayer Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Peptide-Based Subunit Vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14102151. [PMID: 36297584 PMCID: PMC9610843 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14102151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based subunit vaccines include only minimal antigenic determinants, and, therefore, are less likely to induce allergic immune responses and adverse effects compared to traditional vaccines. However, peptides are weakly immunogenic and susceptible to enzymatic degradation when administered on their own. Hence, we designed polyelectrolyte complex (PEC)-based delivery systems to protect peptide antigens from degradation and improve immunogenicity. Lipopeptide (LCP-1) bearing J8 B-cell epitope derived from Group A Streptococcus (GAS) M-protein was selected as the model peptide antigen. In the pilot study, LCP-1 incorporated in alginate/cross-linked polyarginine-J8-based PEC induced high J8-specific IgG antibody titres. The PEC system was then further modified to improve its immune stimulating capability. Of the formulations tested, PEC-4, bearing LCP-1, alginate and cross-linked polylysine, induced the highest antibody titres in BALB/c mice following subcutaneous immunisation. The antibodies produced were more opsonic than those induced by mice immunised with other PECs, and as opsonic as those induced by antigen adjuvanted with powerful complete Freund’s adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolynn Kiong
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ummey Jannatun Nahar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Shengbin Jin
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ahmed O. Shalash
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Jiahui Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Prashamsa Koirala
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zeinab G. Khalil
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Robert J. Capon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Correspondence:
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Alharbi N, Skwarczynski M, Toth I. The influence of component structural arrangement on peptide vaccine immunogenicity. Biotechnol Adv 2022; 60:108029. [PMID: 36028180 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2022.108029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Peptide-based subunit vaccines utilise minimal immunogenic components (i.e. peptides) to generate highly specific immune responses, without triggering adverse reactions. However, strong adjuvants and/or effective delivery systems must be incorporated into such vaccines, as peptide antigens cannot induce substantial immune responses on their own. Unfortunately, many adjuvants are too weak or too toxic to be used in combination with peptide antigens. These shortcomings have been addressed by the conjugation of peptide antigens with lipidic/ hydrophobic adjuvanting moieties. The conjugates have shown promising safety profiles and improved immunogenicity without the help of traditional adjuvants and have been efficient in inducing desired immune responses following various routes of administration, including subcutaneous, oral and intranasal. However, not only conjugation per se, but also component arrangement influences vaccine efficacy. This review highlights the importance of influence of the vaccine chemical structure modification on the immune responses generated. It discusses a variety of factors that affect the immunogenicity of peptide conjugates, including: i) self-adjuvanting moiety length and number; ii) the orientation of epitopes and self-adjuvanting moieties in the conjugate; iii) the presence of spacers between conjugated components; iv) multiepitopic arrangement; and v) the effect of chirality on vaccine efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nedaa Alharbi
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; University of Jeddah, College of Science and Arts, Department of Chemistry, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia.
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry & Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia.
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Shalash AO, Azuar A, Madge HYR, Modhiran N, Amarilla AA, Liang B, Khromykh AA, Hussein WM, Chappell KJ, Watterson D, Young PR, Skwarczynski M, Toth I. Peptide-Based Vaccine against SARS-CoV-2: Peptide Antigen Discovery and Screening of Adjuvant Systems. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:856. [PMID: 35456690 PMCID: PMC9024957 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14040856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused a global crisis, resulting in 0.5 billion infections and over 6 million deaths as of March 2022. Fortunately, infection and hospitalization rates were curbed due to the rollout of DNA and mRNA vaccines. However, the efficacy of these vaccines significantly drops a few months post immunization, from 88% down to 47% in the case of the Pfizer BNT162 vaccine. The emergence of variant strains, especially delta and omicron, have also significantly reduced vaccine efficacy. We propose peptide vaccines as a potential solution to address the inadequacies of the current vaccines. Peptide vaccines can be easily modified to target emerging strains, have greater stability, and do not require cold-chain storage. We screened five peptide fragments (B1-B5) derived from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein to identify neutralizing B-cell peptide antigens. We then investigated adjuvant systems for efficient stimulation of immune responses against the most promising peptide antigens, including liposomal formulations of polyleucine (L10) and polymethylacrylate (PMA), as well as classical adjuvants (CFA and MF59). Immune efficacy of formulations was evaluated using competitive ELISA, pseudovirion neutralization, and live virus neutralization assays. Unfortunately, peptide conjugation to L10 and PMA dramatically altered the secondary structure, resulting in low antibody neutralization efficacy. Of the peptides tested, only B3 administered with CFA or MF59 was highly immunogenic. Thus, a peptide vaccine relying on B3 may provide an attractive alternative to currently marketed vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed O. Shalash
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Armira Azuar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Harrison Y. R. Madge
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Naphak Modhiran
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Alberto A. Amarilla
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Benjamin Liang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Alexander A. Khromykh
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Keith J. Chappell
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Daniel Watterson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Paul R. Young
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (A.O.S.); (A.A.); (H.Y.R.M.); (N.M.); (A.A.A.); (B.L.); (A.A.K.); (W.M.H.); (K.J.C.); (D.W.); (P.R.Y.)
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
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Shalash AO, Becker L, Yang J, Giacomin P, Pearson M, Hussein WM, Loukas A, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Development of a Peptide Vaccine against Hookworm Infection: Immunogenicity, Efficacy, and Immune Correlates of Protection. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2022; 150:157-169.e10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2022.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Shalash AO, Hussein WM, Skwarczynski M, Toth I. Hookworm infection: Toward development of safe and effective peptide vaccines. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2021; 148:1394-1419.e6. [PMID: 34872650 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Hookworms are hematophagous nematode parasites that have infected a billion people worldwide. Anthelmintic drugs have limited efficacy and do not prevent reinfection. Therefore, prophylactic vaccines are in high demand. Whole parasite vaccines are allergic and unsafe; thus, research into subunit vaccines has been warranted. A comprehensive overview of protein or peptide subunit vaccines' safety, protective efficacy, and associated immune responses is provided herein. The differences between the immune responses against hookworm infection by patients from epidemic versus nonepidemic areas are discussed in detail. Moreover, the different immunologic mechanisms of protection are discussed, including those that rely on allergic and nonallergic humoral and antibody-dependent cellular responses. The allergic and autoimmune potential of hookworm antigens is also explored, as are the immunoregulatory responses induced by the hookworm secretome. The potential of oral mucosal immunizations has been overlooked. Oral immunity against hookworms is a long-lived and safer immune response that is associated with elimination of infection and protective against reinfections. However, the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal environment necessitates special oral delivery systems to unlock vaccines' protective potential. The potential for development of safer and more effective peptide- and protein-based anthelmintic vaccines is explored herein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed O Shalash
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Waleed M Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia; School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
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