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Kalantari H, Habibi M, Ferdousi A, Asadi Karam MR, Mohammadian T. Development of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against Pseudomonas aeruginosa causing urinary tract infection and evaluation of its immunoreactivity in a rabbit model. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024; 42:6212-6227. [PMID: 37489041 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2239915] [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: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with different infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). The increased antibiotic resistance reaches the need to develop vaccine against the infections. In the present study, bioinformatics approaches were applied to design a novel multi-epitope of PcrV and OmpE from P. aeruginosa. The raised antibody against the multi-epitope was evaluated and challenge experiment was done to evaluate the efficacy of the multi-epitope. The results of epitope mapping of B-cells indicated 8 regions for PcrV and OmpE. The predicted 3D structure showed C-score = -1 and Z-score = -8.12. Molecular docking indicated high interaction between residues of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 with the multi-epitope. The results of in silico simulation of the immune responses showed elevated levels of B-cell, T-cell, and memory cells. PcrV, OmpE, and the multi-epitope were expressed in pET28a-E. coli BL21 (DE3) and purified by Nickel columns. Our findings indicated that the sera collected from immunized rabbits with the multi-epitope reacted with the multi-epitope, PcrV, and OmpE in western blot. According to the ELISA results, the antibody developed against the multi-epitope showed cross-reactivity with individual proteins PcrV and OmpE. The level of antibody raised against the multi-epitope was significantly higher than the antibody reacted with PcrV or OmpE alone in ELISA. The challenge results confirmed that the load of bacteria was decreased in immunized rabbits as compared to the control. The results present the multi-epitope composed of PcrV and OmpE as a promising candidate against P. aeruginosa. Further evaluations are under investigation in animal model.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamidreza Kalantari
- Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehri Habibi
- Department of Molecular Biology, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atosa Ferdousi
- Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Taher Mohammadian
- Department of Microbiology, Shahr-e-Qods Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Zhu X, Wang X, Liu T, Zhang D, Jin T. Design of multi-epitope vaccine against porcine rotavirus using computational biology and molecular dynamics simulation approaches. Virol J 2024; 21:160. [PMID: 39039549 PMCID: PMC11264426 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02440-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Porcine Rotavirus (PoRV) is a significant pathogen affecting swine-rearing regions globally, presenting a substantial threat to the economic development of the livestock sector. At present, no specific pharmaceuticals are available for this disease, and treatment options remain exceedingly limited. This study seeks to design a multi-epitope peptide vaccine for PoRV employing bioinformatics approaches to robustly activate T-cell and B-cell immune responses. Two antigenic proteins, VP7 and VP8*, were selected from PoRV, and potential immunogenic T-cell and B-cell epitopes were predicted using immunoinformatic tools. These epitopes were further screened according to non-toxicity, antigenicity, non-allergenicity, and immunogenicity criteria. The selected epitopes were linked with linkers to form a novel multi-epitope vaccine construct, with the PADRE sequence (AKFVAAWTLKAAA) and RS09 peptide attached at the N-terminus of the designed peptide chain to enhance the vaccine's antigenicity. Protein-protein docking of the vaccine constructs with toll-like receptors (TLR3 and TLR4) was conducted using computational methods, with the lowest energy docking results selected as the optimal predictive model. Subsequently, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation methods were employed to assess the stability of the protein vaccine constructs and TLR3 and TLR4 receptors. The results indicated that the vaccine-TLR3 and vaccine-TLR4 docking models remained stable throughout the simulation period. Additionally, the C-IMMSIM tool was utilized to determine the immunogenic triggering capability of the vaccine protein, demonstrating that the constructed vaccine protein could induce both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses, thereby playing a role in eliciting host immune responses. In conclusion, this study successfully constructed a multi-epitope vaccine against PoRV and validated the stability and efficacy of the vaccine through computational analysis. However, as the study is purely computational, experimental evaluation is required to validate the safety and immunogenicity of the newly constructed vaccine protein.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Swine
- Molecular Dynamics Simulation
- Rotavirus/immunology
- Rotavirus/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/chemistry
- Computational Biology
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Rotavirus Vaccines/immunology
- Rotavirus Vaccines/chemistry
- Rotavirus Vaccines/genetics
- Rotavirus Infections/prevention & control
- Rotavirus Infections/immunology
- Rotavirus Infections/virology
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/chemistry
- Antigens, Viral/immunology
- Antigens, Viral/genetics
- Antigens, Viral/chemistry
- Molecular Docking Simulation
- Swine Diseases/prevention & control
- Swine Diseases/immunology
- Swine Diseases/virology
- Capsid Proteins/immunology
- Capsid Proteins/genetics
- Capsid Proteins/chemistry
- Vaccine Development
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochen Zhu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Breeding and Healthy Husbandry, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Xinyuan Wang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Breeding and Healthy Husbandry, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Tingting Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Breeding and Healthy Husbandry, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Dongchao Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Breeding and Healthy Husbandry, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China.
- Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Livestock Pathogen Detection and Genetic Engineering Vaccine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China.
| | - Tianming Jin
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Breeding and Biotechnology, Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary, Tianjin Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Tianjin, 300381, China.
- Tianjin Engineering Technology Center of Livestock Pathogen Detection and Genetic Engineering Vaccine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China.
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3
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Akter S, Rahman MS, Islam MR, Akther M, Anjume H, Marjia M, Rahaman MM, Hossain MA, Sultana M. Development of recombinant proteins for vaccine candidates against serotypes O and A of Foot-and-Mouth Disease virus in Bangladesh. Access Microbiol 2024; 6:000713.v4. [PMID: 39045246 PMCID: PMC11261717 DOI: 10.1099/acmi.0.000713.v4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Frequent vaccine failure leading to recurrent outbreaks of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in livestock populations necessitates the development of a customizable vaccine platform comprising potential antigenic determinants of circulating lineages of FMD viruses. Artificially designed, chimaeric protein-based recombinant vaccines are novel approaches to combat the phylogenetically diverse FMD Virus (FMDV) strains. Among seven recognized serotypes, only serotypes O and A are dominantly circulating in Bangladesh and neighbouring countries of Asia, where transboundary transmission, recurrent outbreaks and emergence of novel lineages of FMDV are highly prevalent. The objective of this study was to develop multi-epitope recombinant proteins, procuring immunogenicity against circulating diverse genotypes of FMDV serotypes O and A. Two chimaeric proteins, named B1 (41.0 kDa) and B3 (39.3 kDa), have been designed to incorporate potential B-cell and T-cell epitopes selected from multiple FMDV strains, including previously reported and newly emerged sub-lineages. After expression, characterization and immunization of guinea pigs with a considerable antigen load of B1 and B3 followed by serological assays revealed the significant protective immunogenicity, developed from the higher (100 µg) doses of both antigens, against most of the currently prevalent serotype O and A strains of FMDV. The efficient expression, antigenic stability, and multivalent immunogenic potency of the chimaeric proteins strongly indicate their credibility as novel vaccine candidates for existing serotypes O and A of FMDV in Bangladesh and surrounding territories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Akter
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
- Department of Microbiology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka-1342, Bangladesh
| | - M. Shaminur Rahman
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Sciences and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - M. Rafiul Islam
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
| | - Masuda Akther
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
| | - Humaira Anjume
- Department of Microbiology, Jashore University of Sciences and Technology, Jashore, Bangladesh
| | - Mafruha Marjia
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
| | | | - M. Anwar Hossain
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
- Vice-Chancellor, Jashore University of Science and Technology, Jashore-7408, Bangladesh
| | - Munawar Sultana
- Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
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Hovakimyan A, Chilingaryan G, King O, Capocchi JK, Chadarevian JP, Davtyan H, Kniazev R, Agadjanyan MG, Ghochikyan A. mRNA Vaccine for Alzheimer's Disease: Pilot Study. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:659. [PMID: 38932388 PMCID: PMC11209092 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060659] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The escalating global healthcare challenge posed by Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and compounded by the lack of effective treatments emphasizes the urgent need for innovative approaches to combat this devastating disease. Currently, passive and active immunotherapies remain the most promising strategy for AD. FDA-approved lecanemab significantly reduces Aβ aggregates from the brains of early AD patients administered biweekly with this humanized monoclonal antibody. Although the clinical benefits noted in these trials have been modest, researchers have emphasized the importance of preventive immunotherapy. Importantly, data from immunotherapy studies have shown that antibody concentrations in the periphery of vaccinated people should be sufficient for targeting Aβ in the CNS. To generate relatively high concentrations of antibodies in vaccinated people at risk of AD, we generated a universal vaccine platform, MultiTEP, and, based on it, developed a DNA vaccine, AV-1959D, targeting pathological Aβ, completed IND enabling studies, and initiated a Phase I clinical trial with early AD volunteers. Our current pilot study combined our advanced MultiTEP technology with a novel mRNA approach to develop an mRNA vaccine encapsulated in lipid-based nanoparticles (LNPs), AV-1959LR. Here, we report our initial findings on the immunogenicity of 1959LR in mice and non-human primates, comparing it with the immunogenicity of its DNA counterpart, AV-1959D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armine Hovakimyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA; (A.H.); (G.C.); (O.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Garri Chilingaryan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA; (A.H.); (G.C.); (O.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Olga King
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA; (A.H.); (G.C.); (O.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Joia Kai Capocchi
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, The University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (J.K.C.)
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jean Paul Chadarevian
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, The University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (J.K.C.)
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Hayk Davtyan
- The Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, The University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; (J.K.C.)
- Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Roman Kniazev
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA; (A.H.); (G.C.); (O.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Michael G. Agadjanyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA; (A.H.); (G.C.); (O.K.); (R.K.)
| | - Anahit Ghochikyan
- The Institute for Molecular Medicine, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA; (A.H.); (G.C.); (O.K.); (R.K.)
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5
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Sobczak JM, Barkovska I, Balke I, Rothen DA, Mohsen MO, Skrastina D, Ogrina A, Martina B, Jansons J, Bogans J, Vogel M, Bachmann MF, Zeltins A. Identifying Key Drivers of Efficient B Cell Responses: On the Role of T Help, Antigen-Organization, and Toll-like Receptor Stimulation for Generating a Neutralizing Anti-Dengue Virus Response. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:661. [PMID: 38932390 PMCID: PMC11209419 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12060661] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
T help (Th), stimulation of toll-like receptors (pathogen-associated molecular patterns, PAMPs), and antigen organization and repetitiveness (pathogen-associated structural patterns, PASPs) were shown numerous times to be important in driving B-cell and antibody responses. In this study, we dissected the individual contributions of these parameters using newly developed "Immune-tag" technology. As model antigens, we used eGFP and the third domain of the dengue virus 1 envelope protein (DV1 EDIII), the major target of virus-neutralizing antibodies. The respective proteins were expressed alone or genetically fused to the N-terminal fragment of the cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) capsid protein-nCMV, rendering the antigens oligomeric. In a step-by-step manner, RNA was attached as a PAMP, and/or a universal Th-cell epitope was genetically added for additional Th. Finally, a PASP was added to the constructs by displaying the antigens highly organized and repetitively on the surface of CMV-derived virus-like particles (CuMV VLPs). Sera from immunized mice demonstrated that each component contributed stepwise to the immunogenicity of both proteins. All components combined in the CuMV VLP platform induced by far the highest antibody responses. In addition, the DV1 EDIII induced high levels of DENV-1-neutralizing antibodies only if displayed on VLPs. Thus, combining multiple cues typically associated with viruses results in optimal antibody responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M. Sobczak
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (D.A.R.); (M.O.M.); (M.V.); (M.F.B.)
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Irena Barkovska
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (I.B.); (I.B.); (D.S.); (A.O.); (J.J.); (J.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Ina Balke
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (I.B.); (I.B.); (D.S.); (A.O.); (J.J.); (J.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Dominik A. Rothen
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (D.A.R.); (M.O.M.); (M.V.); (M.F.B.)
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mona O. Mohsen
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (D.A.R.); (M.O.M.); (M.V.); (M.F.B.)
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (I.B.); (I.B.); (D.S.); (A.O.); (J.J.); (J.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Anete Ogrina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (I.B.); (I.B.); (D.S.); (A.O.); (J.J.); (J.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Byron Martina
- Artemis Bioservices, 2629 JD Delft, The Netherlands;
- Protinhi Therapeutics, 6534 AT Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (I.B.); (I.B.); (D.S.); (A.O.); (J.J.); (J.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Janis Bogans
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (I.B.); (I.B.); (D.S.); (A.O.); (J.J.); (J.B.); (A.Z.)
| | - Monique Vogel
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (D.A.R.); (M.O.M.); (M.V.); (M.F.B.)
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin F. Bachmann
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland; (D.A.R.); (M.O.M.); (M.V.); (M.F.B.)
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 7BN, UK
| | - Andris Zeltins
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (I.B.); (I.B.); (D.S.); (A.O.); (J.J.); (J.B.); (A.Z.)
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6
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Sabzehei F, Taromchi AH, Ramazani A, Nedaei K, Feizi A, Arsang-Jang S, Danafar H. Cationic micelle delivery of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate derived from tumor-associated antigens, causing regression in established CT26 colorectal tumors in mice. J Biomed Mater Res A 2024; 112:733-742. [PMID: 38088136 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.37654] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Among all the cancers, colorectal cancer (CRC) has the third mortality rank in both genders. Cancer vaccines have shown promising results in boosting patients' immune systems to fight cancer. Using the IEDB database, we predicted mouse MHC-I (H2-Ld) binding epitopes from four tumor-associated antigens (APC, KRAS, TP53, and PIK3CA) and designed a multi-epitope vaccine. We expressed the candidate vaccine and encapsulated it into the cationic micelle with polyethyleneimine conjugated to oleic acid as its building blocks. We studied tumor inhibition effect, cytokine production, and lymphocyte proliferation in the mouse CRC model after vaccination. Our finding illustrated significant tumor growth inhibition in mouse models treated with the candidate nanovaccine. Besides the significant release of IFN-γ and IL-4 by immunized mouse spleen T-lymphocytes, T-cell proliferation assay results confirmed effective immune response after the vaccination. These results demonstrate the potential therapeutic effects of nanovaccines and could be a possible approach to CRC immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Sabzehei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Amir Hossein Taromchi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Ali Ramazani
- Cancer Gene Therapy Research Center, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Keivan Nedaei
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Abdolamir Feizi
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Shahram Arsang-Jang
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Medicine, Znjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
| | - Hossein Danafar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials, School of Pharmacy, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
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Tan C, Zhou J, Wu A, Li C. In silico development of a novel anti-mutation, multi-epitope mRNA vaccine against MPXV variants of emerging lineage and sub-lineages by using immunoinformatics approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2024:1-18. [PMID: 38450722 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2024.2325109] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Over the past year, an unexpected surge in human monkeypox (hMPX) cases has been observed. This outbreak differs from previous ones, displaying distinct epidemiological characteristics and transmission patterns, believed to be influenced by a newly emerging monkeypox virus (MPXV) lineage. Notably, this emerging MPXV lineage has exhibited several non-synonymous mutations, some of which are linked to immunomodulatory activities and antigenic characteristics that aid in host detection. However, specific treatments or vaccines for human monkeypox are currently lacking. Hence, we aim to develop a multi-epitope mRNA vaccine by using immunoinformatics approaches against the MPXV, particularly its emerging variants. Six proteins (A29L, A35R, B6R, M1R, H3L, and E8L) were chosen for epitope and mutation site identification. Seventeen top-performing epitopes and eight epitopes containing mutation sites were selected and combined with adjuvants, the PADRE sequence, and linkers for vaccine development. The molecular and physical properties of the designed vaccine (WLmpx) were favorable. Immunological characteristics of WLmpx were assessed through molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and immune simulations. Finally, the vaccine sequence was utilized to formulate an mRNA-based vaccine. The informatics-based predicted results indicated that the designed vaccine exhibits significant potential in eliciting high-level humoral and cellular immune responses, but further validation through in vivo and vitro studies is warranted.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Tan
- Infection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (XiangYa Hospital), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Jingxiang Zhou
- Infection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (XiangYa Hospital), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Anhua Wu
- Infection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (XiangYa Hospital), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Chunhui Li
- Infection Control Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders (XiangYa Hospital), Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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8
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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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9
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Khazaei S, Varela-Calviño R, Rad-Malekshahi M, Quattrini F, Jokar S, Rezaei N, Balalaie S, Haririan I, Csaba N, Garcia-Fuentes M. Self-assembled peptide/polymer hybrid nanoplatform for cancer immunostimulating therapies. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2024; 14:455-473. [PMID: 37721693 PMCID: PMC10761384 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-023-01410-y] [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] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023]
Abstract
Integrating peptide epitopes in self-assembling materials is a successful strategy to obtain nanovaccines with high antigen density and improved efficacy. In this study, self-assembling peptides containing MAGE-A3/PADRE epitopes were designed to generate functional therapeutic nanovaccines. To achieve higher stability, peptide/polymer hybrid nanoparticles were formulated by controlled self-assembly of the engineered peptides. The nanoparticles showed good biocompatibility to both human red blood- and dendritic cells. Incubation of the nanoparticles with immature dendritic cells triggered immune effects that ultimately activated CD8 + cells. The antigen-specific and IgG antibody responses of healthy C57BL/6 mice vaccinated with the nanoparticles were analyzed. The in vivo results indicate a specific response to the nanovaccines, mainly mediated through a cellular pathway. This research indicates that the immunogenicity of peptide epitope vaccines can be effectively enhanced by developing self-assembled peptide-polymer hybrid nanostructures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeedeh Khazaei
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ruben Varela-Calviño
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Mazda Rad-Malekshahi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Federico Quattrini
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Safura Jokar
- Department of Nuclear Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Balalaie
- Peptide Chemistry Research Center, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ismaeil Haririan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biomaterials and Medical Biomaterials Research Center, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Noemi Csaba
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marcos Garcia-Fuentes
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, CiMUS Research Center and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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10
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Temchura V, Wagner JT, Damm D. Immunogenicity of Recombinant Lipid-Based Nanoparticle Vaccines: Danger Signal vs. Helping Hand. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:24. [PMID: 38258035 PMCID: PMC10818441 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010024] [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: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Infectious diseases are a predominant problem in human health. While the incidence of many pathogenic infections is controlled by vaccines, some pathogens still pose a challenging task for vaccine researchers. In order to face these challenges, the field of vaccine development has changed tremendously over the last few years. For non-replicating recombinant antigens, novel vaccine delivery systems that attempt to increase the immunogenicity by mimicking structural properties of pathogens are already approved for clinical applications. Lipid-based nanoparticles (LbNPs) of different natures are vesicles made of lipid layers with aqueous cavities, which may carry antigens and other biomolecules either displayed on the surface or encapsulated in the cavity. However, the efficacy profile of recombinant LbNP vaccines is not as high as that of live-attenuated ones. This review gives a compendious picture of two approaches that affect the immunogenicity of recombinant LbNP vaccines: (i) the incorporation of immunostimulatory agents and (ii) the utilization of pre-existing or promiscuous cellular immunity, which might be beneficial for the development of tailored prophylactic and therapeutic LbNP vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir Temchura
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
| | | | - Dominik Damm
- Institute of Clinical and Molecular Virology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany;
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11
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Li X, Wen H, Xiao X, Ren Z, Tan C, Fu C. Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine candidate against endometrial cancer using immunoinformatics and bioinformatics approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37771176 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2263213] [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: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial cancer (EC) is one of the most common cancers of the female reproductive system. Multi-epitope vaccine may be a promising and effective strategy against EC. In this study, we designed a novel multi-epitope vaccine based on the antigenic proteins PRAME and TMPRSS4 using immunoinformatics and bioinformatics approaches. After a rigorous selection process, 14 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, 6 helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, and 8 B cell epitopes (BCEs) were finally selected for vaccine construction. To enhance the immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate, the pan HLA DR-binding epitope was included in the vaccine design as an adjuvant. The final vaccine construct had 455 amino acids and a molecular weight of 49.8 kDa, and was predicted to cover 95.03% of the total world population. Docking analysis showed that there were 10 hydrogen bonds and 19 hydrogen bonds in the vaccine-HLA-A*02:01 and vaccine-HLA-DRB1*01:01 complexes, respectively, indicating that the vaccine has a good affinity to MHC molecules. This was further supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Immune simulation showed that the designed vaccine was able to induce higher levels of immune cell activity, with the secretion of numerous cytokines. The codon adaptation index (CAI) value and GC content of the optimised codon sequences of the vaccine were 0.986 and 54.43%, respectively, indicating that the vaccine has the potential to be highly expressed. The in silico analysis suggested that the designed vaccine may provide a novel therapeutic option for the individualised treatment of EC patients in the future.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haicheng Wen
- Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiao Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Zhen Ren
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Caixia Tan
- Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chun Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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12
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Zykova AA, Blokhina EA, Stepanova LA, Shuklina MA, Ozhereleva OO, Tsybalova LM, Kuprianov VV, Ravin NV. Nanoparticles Carrying Conserved Regions of Influenza A Hemagglutinin, Nucleoprotein, and M2 Protein Elicit a Strong Humoral and T Cell Immune Response and Protect Animals from Infection. Molecules 2023; 28:6441. [PMID: 37764217 PMCID: PMC10537994 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28186441] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Current influenza vaccines are mainly strain-specific and have limited efficacy in preventing new influenza A strains. Efficient control of infection can potentially be achieved through the development of broad-spectrum vaccines based on conserved antigens. A combination of several such antigens, including the conserved region of the second subunit of the hemagglutinin (HA2), the extracellular domain of the M2 protein (M2e), and epitopes of nucleoprotein (NP), which together can elicit an antibody- and cell-mediated immune response, would be preferred for vaccine development. In this study, we obtained recombinant virus-like particles formed by an artificial self-assembling peptide (SAP) carrying two epitopes from NP, tandem copies of M2e and HA2 peptides, along with a T helper Pan DR-binding epitope (PADRE). Fusion proteins expressed in Escherichia coli self-assembled in vitro into spherical particles with a size of 15-35 nm. Immunization of mice with these particles induced strong humoral immune response against M2e and the entire virus, and lead to the formation of cytokine-secreting antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ effector memory T cells. Immunization provided high protection of mice against the lethal challenge with the influenza A virus. Our results show that SAP-based nanoparticles carrying conserved peptides from M2, HA, and NP proteins of the influenza A virus, as well as T helper epitope PADRE, can be used for the development of universal flu vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna A. Zykova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Elena A. Blokhina
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Liudmila A. Stepanova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, St. Petersburg 197376, Russia
| | - Marina A. Shuklina
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, St. Petersburg 197376, Russia
| | - Olga O. Ozhereleva
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, St. Petersburg 197376, Russia
| | - Liudmila M. Tsybalova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, St. Petersburg 197376, Russia
| | - Victor V. Kuprianov
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
| | - Nikolai V. Ravin
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 119071, Russia
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13
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Rcheulishvili N, Mao J, Papukashvili D, Feng S, Liu C, Wang X, He Y, Wang PG. Design, evaluation, and immune simulation of potentially universal multi-epitope mpox vaccine candidate: focus on DNA vaccine. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1203355. [PMID: 37547674 PMCID: PMC10403236 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1203355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Monkeypox (mpox) is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the mpox virus. Mpox symptoms are similar to smallpox with less severity and lower mortality. As yet mpox virus is not characterized by as high transmissibility as some severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants, still, it is spreading, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). Thus, taking preventive measures, such as vaccination, is highly recommended. While the smallpox vaccine has demonstrated considerable efficacy against the mpox virus due to the antigenic similarities, the development of a universal anti-mpox vaccine remains a necessary pursuit. Recently, nucleic acid vaccines have garnered special attention owing to their numerous advantages compared to traditional vaccines. Importantly, DNA vaccines have certain advantages over mRNA vaccines. In this study, a potentially universal DNA vaccine candidate against mpox based on conserved epitopes was designed and its efficacy was evaluated via an immunoinformatics approach. The vaccine candidate demonstrated potent humoral and cellular immune responses in silico, indicating the potential efficacy in vivo and the need for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Yunjiao He
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Peng George Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
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14
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Micoli F, Stefanetti G, MacLennan CA. Exploring the variables influencing the immune response of traditional and innovative glycoconjugate vaccines. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1201693. [PMID: 37261327 PMCID: PMC10227950 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1201693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are cost-effective tools for reducing morbidity and mortality caused by infectious diseases. The rapid evolution of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, the introduction of tetravalent meningococcal conjugate vaccines, mass vaccination campaigns in Africa with a meningococcal A conjugate vaccine, and the recent licensure and introduction of glycoconjugates against S. Typhi underlie the continued importance of research on glycoconjugate vaccines. More innovative ways to produce carbohydrate-based vaccines have been developed over the years, including bioconjugation, Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV) and the Multiple antigen-presenting system (MAPS). Several variables in the design of these vaccines can affect the induced immune responses. We review immunogenicity studies comparing conjugate vaccines that differ in design variables, such as saccharide chain length and conjugation chemistry, as well as carrier protein and saccharide to protein ratio. We evaluate how a better understanding of the effects of these different parameters is key to designing improved glycoconjugate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Giuseppe Stefanetti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy
| | - Calman A. MacLennan
- Enteric and Diarrheal Diseases, Global Health, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, United States
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- The Institute of Immunology and Immunotherapy, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
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15
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Kassardjian A, Sun E, Sookhoo J, Muthuraman K, Boligan KF, Kucharska I, Rujas E, Jetha A, Branch DR, Babiuk S, Barber B, Julien JP. Modular adjuvant-free pan-HLA-DR-immunotargeting subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 elicits broad sarbecovirus-neutralizing antibody responses. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112391. [PMID: 37053069 PMCID: PMC10067452 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112391] [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: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Subunit vaccines typically require co-administration with an adjuvant to elicit protective immunity, adding development hurdles that can impede rapid pandemic responses. To circumvent the need for adjuvant in a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) subunit vaccine, we engineer a thermostable immunotargeting vaccine (ITV) that leverages the pan-HLA-DR monoclonal antibody 44H10 to deliver the viral spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD) to antigen-presenting cells. X-ray crystallography shows that 44H10 binds to a conserved epitope on HLA-DR, providing the basis for its broad HLA-DR reactivity. Adjuvant-free ITV immunization in rabbits and ferrets induces robust anti-RBD antibody responses that neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and protect recipients from SARS-CoV-2 challenge. We demonstrate that the modular nature of the ITV scaffold with respect to helper T cell epitopes and diverse RBD antigens facilitates broad sarbecovirus neutralization. Our findings support anti-HLA-DR immunotargeting as an effective means to induce strong antibody responses to subunit antigens without requiring an adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey Kassardjian
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Eric Sun
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jamie Sookhoo
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M4, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Krithika Muthuraman
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | - Iga Kucharska
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Edurne Rujas
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain; Pharmacokinetic, Nanotechnology and Gene Therapy Group, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, 01006 Vitoria, Spain; Bioaraba, Microbiology, Infectious Disease, Antimicrobial Agents, and Gene Therapy, 01006 Vitoria, Spain
| | - Arif Jetha
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada
| | - Donald R Branch
- Canadian Blood Services, Keenan Research Centre, Toronto, ON M5B 1W8, Canada; University of Toronto, Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Shawn Babiuk
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3M4, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0T5, Canada
| | - Brian Barber
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Jean-Philippe Julien
- Program in Molecular Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A8, Canada.
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16
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Nandi A, Solanki V, Tiwari V, Sajjanar B, Sankar M, Saini M, Shrivastava S, Bhure SK, Ghosh S. Protective Efficacy of Multiple Epitope-Based Vaccine against Hyalomma anatolicum, Vector of Theileria annulata and Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11040881. [PMID: 37112793 PMCID: PMC10143353 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11040881] [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: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyalomma anatolicum is the principal vector for Theileria annulata, T. equi, and T. Lestoquardi in animals and the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in humans. Due to the gradual loss of efficacy of the available acaricides against field tick populations, the development of phytoacaricides and vaccines has been considered the two most critical components of the integrated tick management strategies. In the present study, in order to induce both cellular and humoral immune responses in the host against H. anatolicum, two multi-epitopic peptides (MEPs), i.e., VT1 and VT2, were designed. The immune-stimulating potential of the constructs was determined by in silicoinvestigation on allergenicity (non-allergen, antigenic (0.46 and 1.0046)), physicochemical properties (instability index 27.18 and 35.46), as well as the interaction of constructs with TLRs by docking and molecular dynamics analysis. The immunization efficacy of the MEPs mixed with 8% MontanideTM gel 01 PR against H. anatolicum larvae was determined as 93.3% and 96.9% in VT1- and VT2-immunized rabbits, respectively. Against adults, the efficacy was 89.9% and 86.4% in VT1- and VT2-immunized rabbits, respectively. A significant (p < 0.001) reduction in the anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-4) and significantly higher IgG response was observed in a VT1-immunized group of rabbits as compared with the response observed in the control group. However, in the case of the VT2-immunized rabbits, an elevated anti-VT2 IgG and pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-2) (>30 fold) along with a decreased level of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-4 (0.75 times) was noted. The efficacy of MEP and its potential immune stimulatory responses indicate that it might be useful for tick management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijit Nandi
- Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Vandana Solanki
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Vishvanath Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Ajmer 305817, India
| | - Basavaraj Sajjanar
- Veterinary Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Muthu Sankar
- Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Mohini Saini
- Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Sameer Shrivastava
- Veterinary Biotechnology Division, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - S K Bhure
- Division of Biochemistry, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
| | - Srikant Ghosh
- Division of Parasitology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar 243122, India
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17
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Tan C, Zhu F, Pan P, Wu A, Li C. Development of multi-epitope vaccines against the monkeypox virus based on envelope proteins using immunoinformatics approaches. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1112816. [PMID: 36993967 PMCID: PMC10040844 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1112816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BackgroundSince May 2022, cases of monkeypox, a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus (MPXV), have been increasingly reported worldwide. There are, however, no proven therapies or vaccines available for monkeypox. In this study, several multi-epitope vaccines were designed against the MPXV using immunoinformatics approaches.MethodsThree target proteins, A35R and B6R, enveloped virion (EV) form-derived antigens, and H3L, expressed on the mature virion (MV) form, were selected for epitope identification. The shortlisted epitopes were fused with appropriate adjuvants and linkers to vaccine candidates. The biophysical andbiochemical features of vaccine candidates were evaluated. The Molecular docking and molecular dynamics(MD) simulation were run to understand the binding mode and binding stability between the vaccines and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and major histocompatibility complexes (MHCs). The immunogenicity of the designed vaccines was evaluated via immune simulation.ResultsFive vaccine constructs (MPXV-1-5) were formed. After the evaluation of various immunological and physicochemical parameters, MPXV-2 and MPXV-5 were selected for further analysis. The results of molecular docking showed that the MPXV-2 and MPXV-5 had a stronger affinity to TLRs (TLR2 and TLR4) and MHC (HLA-A*02:01 and HLA-DRB1*02:01) molecules, and the analyses of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation have further confirmed the strong binding stability of MPXV-2 and MPXV-5 with TLRs and MHC molecules. The results of the immune simulation indicated that both MPXV-2 and MPXV-5 could effectively induce robust protective immune responses in the human body.ConclusionThe MPXV-2 and MPXV-5 have good efficacy against the MPXV in theory, but further studies are required to validate their safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixia Tan
- Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Fei Zhu
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Pinhua Pan
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Chunhui Li, ; Anhua Wu, ; Pinhua Pan,
| | - Anhua Wu
- Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Chunhui Li, ; Anhua Wu, ; Pinhua Pan,
| | - Chunhui Li
- Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorder, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
- *Correspondence: Chunhui Li, ; Anhua Wu, ; Pinhua Pan,
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18
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Chen S, Xu X, Zhang Y, Ye L, Zhang L, Li L, Chen G. Nanovaccine Based on a Biepitope Antigen to Potentiate the Immunogenicity of a Neoantigen. ACS Macro Lett 2023; 12:281-287. [PMID: 36752382 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.2c00742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Specific neoantigens are promising candidates for personalized cancer vaccines and immunotherapies, whereas the low immunogenicity and physicochemical variability are the main challenges in clinical trials. Herein, based on the rational design of neoantigens, we developed biepitope nanovaccines via integrating CD4+ with CD8+ T cell epitopes. A class of amphiphilic peptides composed of biepitope and hydrophilic amino acids can form well-defined nanostructures, thus incorporating functional sequences into an artificial platform. Cellular uptake studies demonstrated the enhanced endocytosis of biepitope neoantigens in dendritic cells (DCs). Such designed biepitopes can further stimulate the maturation of DCs, as validated by the upregulation of costimulatory molecules and secreted proinflammatory cytokines, which show the potential ability to prime T cells and evoke specific cellular immunity. The inspiring prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of biepitope nanovaccines was evaluated in murine colon cancer. In contrast to individual CD8+ T cell epitopes, the rationally designed biepitope nanovaccines can efficiently provoke immune activation and potentiate antitumor immunity both in vitro and in vivo, presenting an alternative strategy for neoantigen vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Chen
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xuyang Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yufei Zhang
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Linfei Ye
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Long Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Guosong Chen
- The State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers and Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China.,Multiscale Research Institute for Complex Systems, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Zhu F, Tan C, Li C, Ma S, Wen H, Yang H, Rao M, Zhang P, Peng W, Cui Y, Chen J, Pan P. Design of a multi-epitope vaccine against six Nocardia species based on reverse vaccinology combined with immunoinformatics. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1100188. [PMID: 36845087 PMCID: PMC9952739 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1100188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nocardia genus, a complex group of species classified to be aerobic actinomycete, can lead to severe concurrent infection as well as disseminated infection, typically in immunocompromised patients. With the expansion of the susceptible population, the incidence of Nocardia has been gradually growing, accompanied by increased resistance of the pathogen to existing therapeutics. However, there is no effective vaccine against this pathogen yet. In this study, a multi-epitope vaccine was designed against the Nocardia infection using reverse vaccinology combined with immunoinformatics approaches. Methods First, the proteomes of 6 Nocardia subspecies Nocardia subspecies (Nocardia farcinica, Nocardia cyriacigeorgica, Nocardia abscessus, Nocardia otitidiscaviarum, Nocardia brasiliensis and Nocardia nova) were download NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) database on May 1st, 2022 for the target proteins selection. The essential, virulent-associated or resistant-associated, surface-exposed, antigenic, non-toxic, and non-homologous with the human proteome proteins were selected for epitope identification. The shortlisted T-cell and B-cell epitopes were fused with appropriate adjuvants and linkers to construct vaccines. The physicochemical properties of the designed vaccine were predicted using multiple online servers. The Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation were performed to understand the binding pattern and binding stability between the vaccine candidate and Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The immunogenicity of the designed vaccines was evaluated via immune simulation. Results 3 proteins that are essential, virulent-associated or resistant-associated, surface-exposed, antigenic, non-toxic, and non-homologous with the human proteome were selected from 218 complete proteome sequences of the 6 Nocardia subspecies epitope identification. After screening, only 4 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes, 6 helper T lymphocyte (HTL) epitopes, and 8 B cell epitopes that were antigenic, non-allergenic, and non-toxic were included in the final vaccine construct. The results of molecular docking and MD simulation showed that the vaccine candidate has a strong affinity for TLR2 and TLR4 of the host and the vaccine-TLR complexes were dynamically stable in the natural environment. The results of the immune simulation indicated that the designed vaccine had the potential to induce strong protective immune responses in the host. The codon optimization and cloned analysis showed that the vaccine was available for mass production. Conclusion The designed vaccine has the potential to stimulate long-lasting immunity in the host, but further studies are required to validate its safety and efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhu
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Caixia Tan
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China,Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Chunhui Li
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China,Department of Infection Control Center of Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Shiyang Ma
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haicheng Wen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Mingjun Rao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Peipei Zhang
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Wenzhong Peng
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yanhui Cui
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China,*Correspondence: Jie Chen, ; Pinhua Pan,
| | - Pinhua Pan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Key Clinical Specialty, Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Disease, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Center of Respiratory Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China,Clinical Research Center for Respiratory Diseases in Hunan Province, Changsha, Hunan, China,Hunan Engineering Research Center for Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment of Respiratory Disease, Changsha, Hunan, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, China,*Correspondence: Jie Chen, ; Pinhua Pan,
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20
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Singh S, Rao A, Kumar K, Mishra A, Prajapati VK. Translational vaccinomics and structural filtration algorithm to device multiepitope vaccine for catastrophic monkeypox virus. Comput Biol Med 2023; 153:106497. [PMID: 36599210 PMCID: PMC9800352 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2022.106497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Recent outbreak of monkeypox disease commenced in April 2022, and on May 7, the first confirmed case was reported. The world health organization then designated monkeypox disease as a public health emergency of international outrage on July 23, after it spread to 70 non-endemic nations in less than 15 days. This catastrophic viral infection encourages the development of antiviral therapeutics due to the lack of specific treatments with negligible adverse effects. This analysis developed a highly immunogenic multiepitope subunit vaccine against the monkeypox virus using an in silico translational vaccinomics technique. Highly antigenic B cell and T cell (HTL and CTL) epitopes were predicted and conjugated with the help of unique linkers. An adjuvant (β-defensin) and a pan-HLA DR sequence were attached at the vaccine construct's N-terminal to invoke a robust immunological response. Additionally, physiochemical, allergic, toxic, and antigenic properties were anticipated. Interactions between the vaccine candidate and the TLR3 demonstrated that the vaccine candidate triggers a robust immunological response. Finally, the stability is confirmed by the molecular dynamics study. In contrast, the modified vaccine candidate's ability to produce a protective immune response were verified by an immune dynamics simulation study conducted via C-ImmSim server. This study validates the generation of B cell, Th cell, and Tc cell populations as well as the production of IFN-γ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satyendra Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Abhishek Rao
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ketan Kumar
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, 342037, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, Central University of Rajasthan, Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer, 305817, Rajasthan, India; Department of Biochemistry, School of Basic Sciences, Central University of Punjab, Bhatinda, Punjab, India.
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21
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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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22
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Vivekanandam R, Rajagopalan K, Jeevanandam M, Ganesan H, Jagannathan V, Selvan Christyraj JD, Kalimuthu K, Selvan Christyraj JRS, Mohan M. Designing of cytotoxic T lymphocyte-based multi-epitope vaccine against SARS-CoV2: a reverse vaccinology approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2022; 40:13711-13726. [PMID: 34696708 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1993338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV2 is a single-stranded RNA virus, gaining much attention after it out broke in China in December 2019. The virus rapidly spread to several countries around the world and caused severe respiratory illness to humans. Since the outbreak, researchers around the world have devoted maximum resources and effort to develop a potent vaccine that would offer protection to uninfected individuals against SARS-CoV2. Reverse vaccinology is a relatively new approach that thrives faster in vaccine research. In this study, we constructed Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes (CTL)-based multi-epitope vaccine using hybrid epitope prediction methods. A total of 121 immunogenic CTL epitopes were screened by various sequence-based prediction methods and docked with their respective HLA alleles using the AutoDock Vina v1.1.2. In all, 17 epitopes were selected based on their binding affinity, followed by the construction of multi-epitope vaccine by placing the appropriate linkers between the epitopes and tuberculosis heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) adjuvant. The final vaccine construct was modeled by the I-TASSER server and the best model was further validated by ERRAT, ProSA, and PROCHECK servers. Furthermore, the molecular interaction of the constructed vaccine with TLR4 was assessed by ClusPro 2.0 and PROtein binDIng enerGY prediction (PRODIGY) server. The immune simulation analysis confirms that the constructed vaccine was capable of inducing long-lasting memory T helper (Th) and CTL responses. Finally, the nucleotide sequence was codon-optimized by the JCAT tool and cloned into the pET21a (+) vector. The current results reveal that the candidate vaccine is capable of provoking robust CTL response against the SARS-CoV2.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reethu Vivekanandam
- Department of Biotechnology, Bharathiyar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Kamarajan Rajagopalan
- Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Madesh Jeevanandam
- Department of Biochemistry, PSG college of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Harsha Ganesan
- Chettinad Academy of Research and Education (CARE), Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute (CHRI), Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Vaishnavi Jagannathan
- Institute of Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding (IFGTB), Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Jackson Durairaj Selvan Christyraj
- Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Kalishwaralal Kalimuthu
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Johnson Retnaraj Samuel Selvan Christyraj
- Regeneration and Stem Cell Biology Lab, Centre for Molecular and Nanomedical Sciences, International Research Centre, Sathyabama Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Manikandan Mohan
- Vaxigen International Research Center Private Limited, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, India.,Department of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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23
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Kovačić D, Salihović A. Multi-epitope mRNA Vaccine Design that Exploits Variola Virus and Monkeypox Virus Proteins for Elicitation of Long-lasting Humoral and Cellular Protection Against Severe Disease. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.20883/medical.e750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Human monkeypox represents a relatively underexplored infection that has received increased attention since the reported outbreak in May 2022. Due to its clinical similarities with human smallpox, this virus represents a potentially tremendous health problem demanding further research in the context of host-pathogen interactions and vaccine development. Furthermore, the cross-continental spread of monkeypox has reaffirmed the need for devoting attention to human poxviruses in general, as they represent potential bioterrorism agents. Currently, smallpox vaccines are utilized in immunization efforts against monkeypox, an unsurprising fact considering their genomic and phenotypic similarities. Though it offers long-lasting protection against smallpox, its protective effects against human monkeypox continue to be explored, with encouraging results. Taking this into account, this works aims at utilizing in silico tools to identify potent peptide-based epitopes stemming from the variola virus and monkeypox virus proteomes, to devise a vaccine that would offer significant protection against smallpox and monkeypox. In theory, a vaccine that offers cross-protection against variola and monkeypox would also protect against related viruses, at least in severe clinical manifestation. Herein, we introduce a novel multi-epitope mRNA vaccine design that exploits these two viral proteomes to elicit long-lasting humoral and cellular immunity. Special consideration was taken in ensuring that the vaccine candidate elicits a Th1 immune response, correlated with protection against clinically severe disease for both viruses. Immune system simulations and physicochemical and safety analyses characterize our vaccine candidate as antigenically potent, safe, and overall stable. The protein product displays high binding affinity towards relevant immune receptors. Furthermore, the vaccine candidate is to elicit a protective, humoral and Th1-dominated cellular immune response that lasts over five years. Lastly, we build a case about the rapidity and convenience of circumventing the live attenuated vaccine platform using mRNA vaccine technology.
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24
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Shivatare SS, Shivatare VS, Wong CH. Glycoconjugates: Synthesis, Functional Studies, and Therapeutic Developments. Chem Rev 2022; 122:15603-15671. [PMID: 36174107 PMCID: PMC9674437 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c01032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Glycoconjugates are major constituents of mammalian cells that are formed via covalent conjugation of carbohydrates to other biomolecules like proteins and lipids and often expressed on the cell surfaces. Among the three major classes of glycoconjugates, proteoglycans and glycoproteins contain glycans linked to the protein backbone via amino acid residues such as Asn for N-linked glycans and Ser/Thr for O-linked glycans. In glycolipids, glycans are linked to a lipid component such as glycerol, polyisoprenyl pyrophosphate, fatty acid ester, or sphingolipid. Recently, glycoconjugates have become better structurally defined and biosynthetically understood, especially those associated with human diseases, and are accessible to new drug, diagnostic, and therapeutic developments. This review describes the status and new advances in the biological study and therapeutic applications of natural and synthetic glycoconjugates, including proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycolipids. The scope, limitations, and novel methodologies in the synthesis and clinical development of glycoconjugates including vaccines, glyco-remodeled antibodies, glycan-based adjuvants, glycan-specific receptor-mediated drug delivery platforms, etc., and their future prospectus are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin S Shivatare
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Vidya S Shivatare
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
| | - Chi-Huey Wong
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037, United States
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan
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25
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Cavazzini D, Spagnoli G, Mariz FC, Reggiani F, Maggi S, Franceschi V, Donofrio G, Müller M, Bolchi A, Ottonello S. Enhanced immunogenicity of a positively supercharged archaeon thioredoxin scaffold as a cell-penetrating antigen carrier for peptide vaccines. Front Immunol 2022; 13:958123. [PMID: 36032169 PMCID: PMC9405434 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.958123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Polycationic resurfaced proteins hold great promise as cell-penetrating bioreagents but their use as carriers for the intracellular delivery of peptide immuno-epitopes has not thus far been explored. Here, we report on the construction and functional characterization of a positively supercharged derivative of Pyrococcus furiosus thioredoxin (PfTrx), a thermally hyperstable protein we have previously validated as a peptide epitope display and immunogenicity enhancing scaffold. Genetic conversion of 13 selected amino acids to lysine residues conferred to PfTrx a net charge of +21 (starting from the -1 charge of the wild-type protein), along with the ability to bind nucleic acids. In its unfused form, +21 PfTrx was readily internalized by HeLa cells and displayed a predominantly cytosolic localization. A different intracellular distribution was observed for a +21 PfTrx-eGFP fusion protein, which although still capable of cell penetration was predominantly localized within endosomes. A mixed cytosolic/endosomal partitioning was observed for a +21 PfTrx derivative harboring three tandemly repeated copies of a previously validated HPV16-L2 (aa 20-38) B-cell epitope grafted to the display site of thioredoxin. Compared to its wild-type counterpart, the positively supercharged antigen induced a faster immune response and displayed an overall superior immunogenicity, including a substantial degree of self-adjuvancy. Altogether, the present data point to +21 PfTrx as a promising novel carrier for intracellular antigen delivery and the construction of potentiated recombinant subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Cavazzini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences & Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Gloria Spagnoli
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences & Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Filipe Colaco Mariz
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies (F035), Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Filippo Reggiani
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences & Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefano Maggi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences & Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | | | - Gaetano Donofrio
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-Tec, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
| | - Martin Müller
- German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Tumorvirus-specific Vaccination Strategies (F035), Heidelberg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Martin Müller, ; Angelo Bolchi,
| | - Angelo Bolchi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences & Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-Tec, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- *Correspondence: Martin Müller, ; Angelo Bolchi,
| | - Simone Ottonello
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences & Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
- Interdepartmental Center Biopharmanet-Tec, University of Parma, Parma, Italy
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26
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Rodrigues KA, Rodriguez-Aponte SA, Dalvie NC, Lee JH, Abraham W, Carnathan DG, Jimenez LE, Ngo JT, Chang JYH, Zhang Z, Yu J, Chang A, Nakao C, Goodwin B, Naranjo CA, Zhang L, Silva M, Barouch DH, Silvestri G, Crotty S, Love JC, Irvine DJ. Phosphate-mediated coanchoring of RBD immunogens and molecular adjuvants to alum potentiates humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabj6538. [PMID: 34878851 PMCID: PMC8654298 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abj6538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
There is a need for additional rapidly scalable, low-cost vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to achieve global vaccination. Aluminum hydroxide (alum) adjuvant is the most widely available vaccine adjuvant but elicits modest humoral responses. We hypothesized that phosphate-mediated coanchoring of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV-2 together with molecular adjuvants on alum particles could potentiate humoral immunity by promoting extended vaccine kinetics and codelivery of vaccine components to lymph nodes. Modification of RBD immunogens with phosphoserine (pSer) peptides enabled efficient alum binding and slowed antigen clearance, leading to notable increases in germinal center responses and neutralizing antibody titers in mice. Adding phosphate-containing CpG or saponin adjuvants to pSer-RBD:alum immunizations synergistically enhanced vaccine immunogenicity in mice and rhesus macaques, inducing neutralizing responses against SARS-CoV-2 variants. Thus, phosphate-mediated coanchoring of RBD and molecular adjuvants to alum is an effective strategy to enhance the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen A. Rodrigues
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology Program, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Sergio A. Rodriguez-Aponte
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Neil C. Dalvie
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jeong Hyun Lee
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Wuhbet Abraham
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Diane G. Carnathan
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Luis E. Jimenez
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Julia T. Ngo
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jason Y. H. Chang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Zeli Zhang
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Jingyou Yu
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Aiquan Chang
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Catherine Nakao
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Benjamin Goodwin
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Christopher A. Naranjo
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Libin Zhang
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Murillo Silva
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Dan H. Barouch
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Guido Silvestri
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shane Crotty
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Center for Infectious Disease and Vaccine Research, La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - J. Christopher Love
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Darrell J. Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
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Stergiou N, Urschbach M, Gabba A, Schmitt E, Kunz H, Besenius P. The Development of Vaccines from Synthetic Tumor-Associated Mucin Glycopeptides and their Glycosylation-Dependent Immune Response. CHEM REC 2021; 21:3313-3331. [PMID: 34812564 DOI: 10.1002/tcr.202100182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Tumor-associated carbohydrate antigens are overexpressed as altered-self in most common epithelial cancers. Their glycosylation patterns differ from those of healthy cells, functioning as an ID for cancer cells. Scientists have been developing anti-cancer vaccines based on mucin glycopeptides, yet the interplay of delivery system, adjuvant and tumor associated MUC epitopes in the induced immune response is not well understood. The current state of the art suggests that the identity, abundancy and location of the glycans on the MUC backbone are all key parameters in the cellular and humoral response. This review shares lessons learned by us in over two decades of research in glycopeptide vaccines. By bridging synthetic chemistry and immunology, we discuss efforts in designing synthetic MUC1/4/16 vaccines and focus on the role of glycosylation patterns. We provide a brief introduction into the mechanisms of the immune system and aim to promote the development of cancer subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natascha Stergiou
- Radionuclide Center, Radiology and Nuclear medicine Amsterdam UMC, VU University, De Boelelaan 1085c, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Moritz Urschbach
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Adele Gabba
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Edgar Schmitt
- Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Mainz, Langenbeckstr. 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Horst Kunz
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
| | - Pol Besenius
- Department of Chemistry, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Duesbergweg 10-14, 55128, Mainz, Germany
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Polyacrylate-GnRH Peptide Conjugate as an Oral Contraceptive Vaccine Candidate. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13071081. [PMID: 34371772 PMCID: PMC8308917 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13071081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Contraceptive vaccines are designed to elicit immune responses against major components of animal reproductive systems. These vaccines, which are most commonly administered via injection, typically target gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). However, the need to restrain animals for treatment limits the field applications of injectable vaccines. Oral administration would broaden vaccine applicability. We explored contraceptive vaccine candidates composed of GnRH peptide hormone, universal T helper PADRE (P), and a poly(methylacrylate) (PMA)-based delivery system. When self-assembled into nanoparticles, PMA-P-GnRH induced the production of high IgG titers after subcutaneous and oral administration in mice. PADRE was then replaced with pig T helper derived from the swine flu virus, and the vaccine was tested in pigs. High levels of systemic antibodies were produced in pigs after both injection and oral administration of the vaccine. In conclusion, we developed a simple peptide–polymer conjugate that shows promise as an effective, adjuvant-free, oral GnRH-based contraceptive vaccine.
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29
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Williams WB, Meyerhoff RR, Edwards RJ, Li H, Manne K, Nicely NI, Henderson R, Zhou Y, Janowska K, Mansouri K, Gobeil S, Evangelous T, Hora B, Berry M, Abuahmad AY, Sprenz J, Deyton M, Stalls V, Kopp M, Hsu AL, Borgnia MJ, Stewart-Jones GBE, Lee MS, Bronkema N, Moody MA, Wiehe K, Bradley T, Alam SM, Parks RJ, Foulger A, Oguin T, Sempowski GD, Bonsignori M, LaBranche CC, Montefiori DC, Seaman M, Santra S, Perfect J, Francica JR, Lynn GM, Aussedat B, Walkowicz WE, Laga R, Kelsoe G, Saunders KO, Fera D, Kwong PD, Seder RA, Bartesaghi A, Shaw GM, Acharya P, Haynes BF. Fab-dimerized glycan-reactive antibodies are a structural category of natural antibodies. Cell 2021; 184:2955-2972.e25. [PMID: 34019795 PMCID: PMC8135257 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.04.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Natural antibodies (Abs) can target host glycans on the surface of pathogens. We studied the evolution of glycan-reactive B cells of rhesus macaques and humans using glycosylated HIV-1 envelope (Env) as a model antigen. 2G12 is a broadly neutralizing Ab (bnAb) that targets a conserved glycan patch on Env of geographically diverse HIV-1 strains using a unique heavy-chain (VH) domain-swapped architecture that results in fragment antigen-binding (Fab) dimerization. Here, we describe HIV-1 Env Fab-dimerized glycan (FDG)-reactive bnAbs without VH-swapped domains from simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV)-infected macaques. FDG Abs also recognized cell-surface glycans on diverse pathogens, including yeast and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike. FDG precursors were expanded by glycan-bearing immunogens in macaques and were abundant in HIV-1-naive humans. Moreover, FDG precursors were predominately mutated IgM+IgD+CD27+, thus suggesting that they originated from a pool of antigen-experienced IgM+ or marginal zone B cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wilton B Williams
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - R Ryan Meyerhoff
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - R J Edwards
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Hui Li
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Kartik Manne
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Rory Henderson
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Ye Zhou
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Bhavna Hora
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Megan Kopp
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Allen L Hsu
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, NIEHS, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | - Mario J Borgnia
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, NIEHS, NIH, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
| | | | - Matthew S Lee
- Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Naomi Bronkema
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA
| | - M Anthony Moody
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Pediatrics, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kevin Wiehe
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Todd Bradley
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - S Munir Alam
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | | | - Thomas Oguin
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Gregory D Sempowski
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Mattia Bonsignori
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - David C Montefiori
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Michael Seaman
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Sampa Santra
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - John Perfect
- Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | | | - Geoffrey M Lynn
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; Avidea Technologies, Inc., Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Richard Laga
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Garnett Kelsoe
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kevin O Saunders
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Daniela Fera
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 19081, USA
| | - Peter D Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Alberto Bartesaghi
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705, USA; Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - George M Shaw
- Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Priyamvada Acharya
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Surgery, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
| | - Barton F Haynes
- Duke Human Vaccine Institute, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA; Department of Immunology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
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30
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Dunér P, Mattisson IY, Fogelstrand P, Glise L, Ruiz S, Farina C, Borén J, Nilsson J, Bengtsson E. Antibodies against apoB100 peptide 210 inhibit atherosclerosis in apoE -/- mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9022. [PMID: 33907226 PMCID: PMC8079692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88430-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerotic plaques are characterized by an accumulation and subsequent oxidation of LDL, resulting in adaptive immune responses against formed or exposed neoepitopes of the LDL particle. Autoantibodies against native p210, the 3136–3155 amino acid sequence of the LDL protein apolipoprotein B-100 (apoB100) are common in humans and have been associated with less severe atherosclerosis and decreased risk for cardiovascular events in clinical studies. However, whether apoB100 native p210 autoantibodies play a functional role in atherosclerosis is not known. In the present study we immunized apoE-/- mice with p210-PADRE peptide to induce an antibody response against native p210. We also injected mice with murine monoclonal IgG against native p210. Control groups were immunized with PADRE peptide alone or with control murine monoclonal IgG. Immunization with p210-PADRE induced an IgG1 antibody response against p210 that was associated with reduced atherosclerotic plaque formation in the aorta and reduced MDA-LDL content in the lesions. Treatment with monoclonal p210 IgG produced a similar reduction in atherosclerosis as immunization with p210-PADRE. Our findings support an atheroprotective role of antibodies against the apoB100 native p210 and suggest that vaccines that induce the expression of native p210 IgG represent a potential therapeutic strategy for lowering cardiovascular risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pontus Dunér
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms street 35, 20502, Malmö, Sweden.
| | - Ingrid Yao Mattisson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms street 35, 20502, Malmö, Sweden.,Redoxis AB, Medicon Village, Lund, Sweden
| | - Per Fogelstrand
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Lars Glise
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | | | | | - Jan Borén
- Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Wallenberg Laboratory, Institute of Medicine, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden
| | - Jan Nilsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms street 35, 20502, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Eva Bengtsson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Research Centre, Lund University, Jan Waldenströms street 35, 20502, Malmö, Sweden
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31
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Votaw NL, Collier L, Curvino EJ, Wu Y, Fries CN, Ojeda MT, Collier JH. Randomized peptide assemblies for enhancing immune responses to nanomaterials. Biomaterials 2021; 273:120825. [PMID: 33901731 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2021.120825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Biomaterials capable of inducing immune responses with minimal associated inflammation are of interest in applications ranging from tissue repair to vaccines. Here we report the design of self-assembling randomized polypeptide nanomaterials inspired by glatiramoids, an immunomodulatory class of linear random copolymers. We hypothesized that peptide self-assemblies bearing similar randomized polypeptides would similarly raise responses skewed toward Type 2 immunity and TH2 T-cell responses, additionally strengthening responses to co-assembled peptide epitopes in the absence of adjuvant. We developed a method for synthesizing self-assembling peptides terminated with libraries of randomized polypeptides (termed KEYA) with good batch-to-batch reproducibility. These peptides formed regular nanofibers and raised strong antibody responses without adjuvants. KEYA modifications dramatically improved uptake of peptide nanofibers in vitro by antigen presenting cells, and served as strong B-cell and T-cell epitopes in vivo, enhancing immune responses against epitopes relevant to influenza and chronic inflammation while inducing a KEYA-specific Type 2/TH2/IL-4 phenotype. KEYA modifications also increased IL-4 production by T cells, extended the residence time of nanofibers, induced no measurable swelling in footpad injections, and decreased overall T cell expansion compared to unmodified nanofibers, further suggesting a TH2 T-cell response with minimal inflammation. Collectively, this work introduces a biomaterial capable of raising strong Type 2/TH2/IL-4 immune responses, with potential applications ranging from vaccination to tissue repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Votaw
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, United States
| | - Lauren Collier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, United States
| | - Elizabeth J Curvino
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, United States
| | - Yaoying Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, United States
| | - Chelsea N Fries
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, United States
| | - Madison T Ojeda
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, United States
| | - Joel H Collier
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27708, United States.
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32
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Zhuang S, Tang L, Dai Y, Feng X, Fang Y, Tang H, Jiang P, Wu X, Fang H, Chen H. Bioinformatic prediction of immunodominant regions in spike protein for early diagnosis of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). PeerJ 2021; 9:e11232. [PMID: 33889450 PMCID: PMC8038641 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.11232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background To contain the pandemics caused by SARS-CoV-2, early detection approaches with high accuracy and accessibility are critical. Generating an antigen-capture based detection system would be an ideal strategy complementing the current methods based on nucleic acids and antibody detection. The spike protein is found on the outside of virus particles and appropriate for antigen detection. Methods In this study, we utilized bioinformatics approaches to explore the immunodominant fragments on spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Results The S1 subunit of spike protein was identified with higher sequence specificity. Three immunodominant fragments, Spike56-94, Spike199-264, and Spike577-612, located at the S1 subunit were finally selected via bioinformatics analysis. The glycosylation sites and high-frequency mutation sites on spike protein were circumvented in the antigen design. All the identified fragments present qualified antigenicity, hydrophilicity, and surface accessibility. A recombinant antigen with a length of 194 amino acids (aa) consisting of the selected immunodominant fragments as well as a universal Th epitope was finally constructed. Conclusion The recombinant peptide encoded by the construct contains multiple immunodominant epitopes, which is expected to stimulate a strong immune response in mice and generate qualified antibodies for SARS-CoV-2 detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Zhuang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lingli Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yufeng Dai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaojing Feng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yiyuan Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haoneng Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ping Jiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiang Wu
- Department of Parasitology, Xiangya School of Basic Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hezhi Fang
- Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, College of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hongzhi Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Disease, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, and Department of Metabolism & Endocrinology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
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33
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Azuar A, Li Z, Shibu MA, Zhao L, Luo Y, Shalash AO, Khalil ZG, Capon RJ, Hussein WM, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Poly(hydrophobic amino acid)-Based Self-Adjuvanting Nanoparticles for Group A Streptococcus Vaccine Delivery. J Med Chem 2021; 64:2648-2658. [PMID: 33529034 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.0c01660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Peptide antigens have been widely used in the development of vaccines, especially for those against autoimmunity-inducing pathogens and cancers. However, peptide-based vaccines require adjuvant and/or a delivery system to stimulate desired immune responses. Here, we explored the potential of self-adjuvanting poly(hydrophobic amino acids) (pHAAs) to deliver peptide-based vaccine against Group A Streptococcus (GAS). We designed and synthesized self-assembled nanoparticles with a variety of conjugates bearing a peptide antigen (J8-PADRE) and polymerized hydrophobic amino acids to evaluate the effects of structural arrangement and pHAAs properties on a system's ability to induce humoral immune responses. Immunogenicity of the developed conjugates was also compared to commercially available human adjuvants. We found that a linear conjugate bearing J8-PADRE and 15 copies of leucine induced equally effective, or greater, immune responses than commercial adjuvants. Our fully defined, adjuvant-free, single molecule-based vaccine induced the production of antibodies capable of killing GAS bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armira Azuar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Zhuoqing Li
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Mohini A Shibu
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Lili Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Yacheng Luo
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ahmed O Shalash
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 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
| | - Waleed M Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, Woolloongabba, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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34
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Khatun F, Dai CC, Rivera-Hernandez T, Hussein WM, Khalil ZG, Capon RJ, Toth I, Stephenson RJ. Immunogenicity Assessment of Cell Wall Carbohydrates of Group A Streptococcus via Self-Adjuvanted Glyco-lipopeptides. ACS Infect Dis 2021; 7:390-405. [PMID: 33533246 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.0c00722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Identifying the immunogenic moieties and their precise structure of carbohydrates plays an important role for developing effective carbohydrate-based subunit vaccines. This study assessed the structure-immunogenicity relationship of carbohydrate moieties of a single repeating unit of group A carbohydrate (GAC) present on the cell wall of group A Streptococcus (GAS) using a rationally designed self-adjuvanted lipid-core peptide, instead of a carrier protein. Immunological evaluation of fully synthetic glyco-lipopeptides (particle size: 300-500 nm) revealed that construct consisting of higher rhamnose moieties (trirhamnosyl-lipopeptide) was able to induce enhanced immunogenic activity in mice, and GlcNAc moiety was not found to be an essential component of immunogenic GAC mimicked epitope. Trirhamnosyl-lipopeptide also showed 75-97% opsonic activity against four different clinical isolates of GAS and was comparable to a subunit peptide vaccine (J8-lipopeptide) which illustrated 65-96% opsonic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farjana Khatun
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Charles C. Dai
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Tania Rivera-Hernandez
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, 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
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Rachel J. Stephenson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
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35
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Se Thoe E, Fauzi A, Tang YQ, Chamyuang S, Chia AYY. A review on advances of treatment modalities for Alzheimer's disease. Life Sci 2021; 276:119129. [PMID: 33515559 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease which is mainly characterized by progressive impairment in cognition, emotion, language and memory in older population. Considering the impact of AD, formulations of pharmaceutical drugs and cholinesterase inhibitors have been widely propagated, receiving endorsement by FDA as a form of AD treatment. However, these medications were gradually discovered to be ineffective in removing the root of AD pathogenesis but merely targeting the symptoms so as to improve a patient's cognitive outcome. Hence, a search for better disease-modifying alternatives is put into motion. Having a clear understanding of the neuroprotective mechanisms and diverse properties undertaken by specific genes, antibodies and nanoparticles is central towards designing novel therapeutic agents. In this review, we provide a brief introduction on the background of Alzheimer's disease, the biology of blood-brain barrier, along with the potentials and drawbacks associated with current therapeutic treatment avenues pertaining to gene therapy, immunotherapy and nanotherapy for better diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewen Se Thoe
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ayesha Fauzi
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yin Quan Tang
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sunita Chamyuang
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chaing Rai 57100, Thailand; Microbial Products and Innovation Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chaing Rai 57100, Thailand
| | - Adeline Yoke Yin Chia
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
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Pourseif MM, Parvizpour S, Jafari B, Dehghani J, Naghili B, Omidi Y. A domain-based vaccine construct against SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19 pandemic: development of self-amplifying mRNA and peptide vaccines. BIOIMPACTS : BI 2020; 11:65-84. [PMID: 33469510 PMCID: PMC7803919 DOI: 10.34172/bi.2021.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is undoubtedly the most challenging pandemic in the current century with more than 293,241 deaths worldwide since its emergence in late 2019 (updated May 13, 2020). COVID-19 is caused by a novel emerged coronavirus named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Today, the world needs crucially to develop a prophylactic vaccine scheme for such emerged and emerging infectious pathogens. Methods: In this study, we have targeted spike (S) glycoprotein, as an important surface antigen to identify its B- and T-cell immunodominant regions. We have conducted a multi-method B-cell epitope (BCE) prediction approach using different predictor algorithms to discover the most potential BCEs. Besides, we sought among a pool of MHC class I and II-associated peptide binders provided by the IEDB server through the strict cut-off values. To design a broad-coverage vaccine, we carried out a population coverage analysis for a set of candidate T-cell epitopes and based on the HLA allele frequency in the top most-affected countries by COVID-19 (update 02 April 2020). Results: The final determined B- and T-cell epitopes were mapped on the S glycoprotein sequence, and three potential hub regions covering the largest number of overlapping epitopes were identified for the vaccine designing (I531-N711; T717-C877; and V883-E973). Here, we have designed two domain-based constructs to be produced and delivered through the recombinant protein- and gene-based approaches, including (i) an adjuvanted domain-based protein vaccine construct (DPVC), and (ii) a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine (SAMV) construct. The safety, stability, and immunogenicity of the DPVC were validated using the integrated sequential (i.e. allergenicity, autoimmunity, and physicochemical features) and structural (i.e. molecular docking between the vaccine and human Toll-like receptors (TLRs) 4 and 5) analysis. The stability of the docked complexes was evaluated using the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Conclusion: These rigorous in silico validations supported the potential of the DPVC and SAMV to promote both innate and specific immune responses in preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mostafa Pourseif
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sepideh Parvizpour
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Jafari
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Jaber Dehghani
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behrouz Naghili
- Research Center for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Florida, USA
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Ayyagari VS, T C V, K AP, Srirama K. Design of a multi-epitope-based vaccine targeting M-protein of SARS-CoV2: an immunoinformatics approach. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:2963-2977. [PMID: 33252008 PMCID: PMC7754933 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1850357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
In the present study, one of the targets present on the envelopes of coronaviruses, membrane glycoprotein (M) was chosen for the design of a multi-epitope vaccine by Immunoinformatics approach. The B-cell and T-cell epitopes used for the construction of vaccine were antigenic, nonallergic and nontoxic. An adjuvant, β-defensin and PADRE sequence were included at the N-terminal end of the vaccine. All the epitopes were joined by linkers for decreasing the junctional immunogenicity. Various physicochemical parameters of the vaccine were evaluated. Secondary and tertiary structures were predicted for the vaccine construct. The tertiary structure was further refined, and various parameters related to the refinement of the protein structure were validated by using different tools. Humoral immunity induced by B-cells relies upon the identification of antigenic determinants on the surface of the vaccine construct. In this regard, the vaccine construct was found to consist of several B-cell epitopes in its three-dimensional conformation. Molecular docking of the vaccine was carried out with TLR-3 receptor to study their binding and its strength. Further, protein-protein interactions in the docked complex were visualized using LigPlot+. Population coverage analysis had shown that the multi-epitope vaccine covers 94.06% of the global population. The vaccine construct was successfully cloned in silico into pET-28a (+). Immune simulation studies showed the induction of primary, secondary and tertiary immune responses marked by the increased levels of antibodies, INF-γ, IL-2, TGF-β, B- cells, CD4+ and CD8+ cells. Finally, the vaccine construct was able to elicit immune response as desired.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijaya Sai Ayyagari
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research, Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Venkateswarulu T C
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research, Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Abraham Peele K
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research, Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Krupanidhi Srirama
- Department of Biotechnology, Vignan's Foundation for Science, Technology & Research, Vadlamudi, Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, India
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Jain N, Shankar U, Majee P, Kumar A. Scrutinizing the SARS-CoV-2 protein information for designing an effective vaccine encompassing both the T-cell and B-cell epitopes. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2020; 87:104648. [PMID: 33264668 PMCID: PMC7700730 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Novel SARS coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic condition worldwide. It has been declared as a public health emergency of international concern by WHO in a very short span of time. The community transmission of this highly infectious virus has severely affected various parts of China, Italy, Spain, India, and USA, among others. The prophylactic solution against SARS-CoV-2 infection is challenging due to the high mutation rate of its RNA genome. Herein, we exploited a next-generation vaccinology approach to construct a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 that is predicted to have high antigenicity, safety, and efficacy to combat this deadly infectious agent. The whole proteome was scrutinized for the screening of highly conserved, antigenic, non-allergen, and non-toxic epitopes having high population coverage that can elicit both humoral and cellular mediated immune response against COVID-19 infection. These epitopes along with four different adjuvants, were utilized to construct a multi-epitope-vaccine candidate that can generate strong immunological memory response having high efficacy in humans. Various physiochemical analyses revealed the formation of a stable vaccine product having a high propensity to form a protective solution against the detrimental SARS-CoV-2 strain with high efficacy. The vaccine candidate interacted with immunological receptor TLR3 with a high affinity depicting the generation of innate immunity. Further, the codon optimization and in silico expression show the plausibility of the high expression and easy purification of the vaccine product. Thus, this present study provides an initial platform for the rapid generation of an efficacious protective vaccine for combating COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Jain
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Uma Shankar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Prativa Majee
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Discipline of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore 453552, India.
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Dai Y, Chen H, Zhuang S, Feng X, Fang Y, Tang H, Dai R, Tang L, Liu J, Ma T, Zhong G. Immunodominant regions prediction of nucleocapsid protein for SARS-CoV-2 early diagnosis: a bioinformatics and immunoinformatics study. Pathog Glob Health 2020; 114:463-470. [PMID: 33198594 PMCID: PMC7678408 DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2020.1838190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2 is sweeping the world and posing serious health problems. Rapid and accurate detection along with timely isolation is the key to control the epidemic. Nucleic acid test and antibody-detection have been applied in the diagnosis of COVID-19, while both have their limitations. Comparatively, direct detection of viral antigens in clinical specimens is highly valuable for the early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. The nucleocapsid (N) protein is one of the predominantly expressed proteins with high immunogenicity during the early stages of infection. Here, we applied multiple bioinformatics servers to forecast the potential immunodominant regions derived from the N protein of SARS-CoV-2. Since the high homology of N protein between SARS-CoV-2 and SARS-CoV, we attempted to leverage existing SARS-CoV immunological studies to develop SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic antibodies. Finally, N229-269, N349-399, and N405-419 were predicted to be the potential immunodominant regions, which contain both predicted linear B-cell epitopes and murine MHC class II binding epitopes. These three regions exhibited good surface accessibility and hydrophilicity. All were forecasted to be non-allergen and non-toxic. The final construct was built based on the bioinformatics analysis, which could help to develop an antigen-capture system for the early diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Dai
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hongzhi Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, and Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Siqi Zhuang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaojing Feng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Yiyuan Fang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Haoneng Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ruchun Dai
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Metabolic Bone Diseases, Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Lingli Tang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Jun Liu
- Department of Radiology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University , Changsha, Hunan, 410011, China
| | - Tianmin Ma
- Asian International Collaboration, Waitemata District Health Board, New Zealand, Level 1 , Auckland, 15 Shea Terrace, 0622, New Zealand
| | - Guangming Zhong
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio , San Antonio,TX, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, 78229, USA
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Tsai TH, Chang CY, Wang FI. A Highly Conserved Epitope (RNNQIPQDF) of Porcine teschovirus Induced a Group-Specific Antiserum: A Bioinformatics-Predicted Model with Pan-PTV Potential. Viruses 2020; 12:v12111225. [PMID: 33138189 PMCID: PMC7693897 DOI: 10.3390/v12111225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine teschovirus (PTV) is an OIE-listed pathogen with 13 known PTV serotypes. Heterologous PTV serotypes frequently co-circulate and co-infect with another swine pathogen, causing various symptoms in all age groups, thus highlighting the need for a pan-PTV diagnostic tool. Here, a recombinant protein composed of a highly conserved “RNNQIPQDF” epitope on the GH loop of VP1, predicted in silico, and a tandem repeat of this epitope carrying the pan DR (PADRE) and Toxin B epitopes was constructed to serve as a PTV detection tool. This recombinant GST-PADRE-(RNNQIPQDF)n-Toxin B protein was used as an immunogen, which effectively raised non-neutralizing or undetectable neutralizing antibodies against PTV in mice. The raised antiserum was reactive against all the PTV serotypes (PTV–1–7) tested, but not against members of the closely related genera Sapelovirus and Cardiovirus, and the unrelated virus controls. This potential pan-PTV diagnostic reagent may be used to differentiate naturally infected animals from vaccinated animals that have antibodies against a subunit vaccine that does not contain this epitope or to screen for PTV before further subtyping. To our knowledge, this is the first report that utilized in silico PTV epitope prediction to find a reagent broadly reactive to various PTV serotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tung-Hsuan Tsai
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
| | - Chia-Yi Chang
- OIE Reference Expert for CSF, Animal Health Research Institute, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan, No. 376, Chung Cheng Road, Tansui, New Taipei City 25158, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.C.); (F.-I.W.); Fax: +886-2-2366-1475 (F.-I.W.)
| | - Fun-In Wang
- School of Veterinary Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 10617, Taiwan;
- Correspondence: (C.-Y.C.); (F.-I.W.); Fax: +886-2-2366-1475 (F.-I.W.)
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Almazán C, Šimo L, Fourniol L, Rakotobe S, Borneres J, Cote M, Peltier S, Mayé J, Versillé N, Richardson J, Bonnet SI. Multiple Antigenic Peptide-Based Vaccines Targeting Ixodes ricinus Neuropeptides Induce a Specific Antibody Response but Do Not Impact Tick Infestation. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9110900. [PMID: 33126686 PMCID: PMC7693490 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9110900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic peptide vaccines were designed to target the neuropeptides innervating Ixodes ricinus salivary glands and hindgut and they were tested for their capacity to afford protective immunity against nymphs or larvae and Anaplasma phagocytophilum-infected nymph infestation, in mice and sheep, respectively. In both models, the assembly of SIFamide (SIFa) or myoinhibitory peptide (MIP) neuropeptides into multiple antigenic peptide constructs (MAPs) elicited a robust IgG antibody response following immunization. Nevertheless, no observable detrimental impact on nymphs was evidenced in mice, and, unfortunately, the number of engorged nymphs on sheep was insufficient for firm conclusions to be drawn, including for bacterial transmission. Regarding larvae, while vaccination of the sheep did not globally diminish tick feeding success or development, analyses of animals at the individual level revealed a negative correlation between anti-SIFa and MIP antibody levels and larva-to-nymph molting success for both antigens. Our results provide a proof of principle and precedent for the use of MAPs for the induction of immunity against tick peptide molecules. Although the present study did not provide the expected level of protection, it inaugurates a new strategy for protection against ticks based on the immunological targeting of key components of their nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Consuelo Almazán
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Ladislav Šimo
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Lisa Fourniol
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Sabine Rakotobe
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Jérémie Borneres
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Martine Cote
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
| | - Sandy Peltier
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Jennifer Mayé
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Nicolas Versillé
- SEPPIC Paris La Défense, 92250 La Garenne Colombes, France; (J.B.); (S.P.); (J.M.); (N.V.)
| | - Jennifer Richardson
- UMR Virologie 1161, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Sarah I. Bonnet
- UMR BIPAR 0956, INRAE, National Veterinary School of Alfort, ANSES, Paris-Est University, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; (C.A.); (L.Š.); (L.F.); (S.R.); (M.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Ma Y, Tang K, Zhang Y, Zhang C, Cheng L, Zhang F, Zhuang R, Jin B, Zhang Y. Protective CD8 + T-cell response against Hantaan virus infection induced by immunization with designed linear multi-epitope peptides in HLA-A2.1/K b transgenic mice. Virol J 2020; 17:146. [PMID: 33028368 PMCID: PMC7538842 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-020-01421-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background An effective vaccine that prevents disease caused by hantaviruses is a global public health priority, but up to now, no vaccine has been approved for worldwide use. Therefore, novel vaccines with high prophylaxis efficacy are urgently needed. Methods Herein, we designed and synthesized Hantaan virus (HTNV) linear multi-epitope peptide consisting of HLA-A*02-restricted HTNV cytotoxic T cell (CTL) epitope and pan HLA-DR-binding epitope (PADRE), and evaluated the immunogenicity, as well as effectiveness, of multi-epitope peptides in HLA-A2.1/Kb transgenic mice with interferon (IFN)-γ enzyme-linked immunospot assay, cytotoxic mediator detection, proliferation assay and HTNV-challenge test. Results The results showed that a much higher frequency of specific IFN-γ-secreting CTLs, high levels of granzyme B production, and a strong proliferation capacity of specific CTLs were observed in splenocytes of mice immunized with multi-epitope peptide than in those of a single CTL epitope. Moreover, pre-immunization of multi-epitope peptide could reduce the levels of HTNV RNA loads in the liver, spleen and kidneys of mice, indicating that specific CTL responses induced by multi-epitope peptide could reduce HTNV RNA loads in vivo. Conclusions This study may provide an important foundation for the development of novel peptide vaccines for HTNV prophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Ma
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
| | - Kang Tang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yusi Zhang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Chunmei Zhang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Linfeng Cheng
- Department of Microbiology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Fanglin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ran Zhuang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Boquan Jin
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Department of Immunology, The Fourth Military Medical University, 169 Changle West Road, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Xu Z, Chokkalingam N, Tello-Ruiz E, Walker S, Kulp DW, Weiner DB. Incorporation of a Novel CD4+ Helper Epitope Identified from Aquifex aeolicus Enhances Humoral Responses Induced by DNA and Protein Vaccinations. iScience 2020; 23:101399. [PMID: 32763137 PMCID: PMC7409978 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4+ T cells play an important role in the maturation of the antibody responses. Conjugation of identified CD4+ T cell helper epitope to the target antigen has been developed as a strategy to enhance vaccine-induced humoral immunity. In this work, we reported the identification of a novel HLA-IAb helper epitope LS-3 from Aquifex aeolicus. In silico analysis predicted this epitope to have high binding affinity to common human HLA alleles and have complementary binding coverage to the established PADRE epitope. Introduction of HLA-IAb knockout mutations to the LS-3 epitope significantly attenuated humoral responses induced by a vaccine containing this epitope. Finally, engineered fusion of the epitope to a model antigen, influenza hemagglutinin, significantly improved both binding and hemagglutination inhibition antibody responses in mice receiving DNA or protein vaccines. In summary, LS-3 and additional identified CD4+ helper epitopes may be further explored to improve vaccine responses in translational studies. Identification of a novel CD4+ helper epitope, LS-3, from Aquifex aeolicus In silico analysis predicts high binding affinity of LS-3 to human HLA-DR alleles Fusing LS-3 to antigen enhances humoral response by vaccinations
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Xu
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Neethu Chokkalingam
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Edgar Tello-Ruiz
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Susanne Walker
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daniel W Kulp
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
| | - David B Weiner
- The Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Combination of three adjuvants enhances the immunogenicity of a recombinant protein containing the CTL epitopes of non-structural proteins of hepatitis C virus. Virus Res 2020; 284:197984. [PMID: 32325116 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.197984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause chronic infection and evade the immune response. The generation and maintenance of an effective T-cell response is important for immune-mediated control of HCV infection. The purpose of this study was to obtain recombinant mosaic proteins containing the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes of HCV fused with different adjuvants and analyse their immunogenicity. A recombinant polyepitope protein comprising HLA-A2-restricted CTL epitopes of the NS3, NS4ab and NS5a proteins of HCV was designed. Adjuvant compounds, the T-helper (Th) epitope PADRE, lipopeptide from Neisseria meningiditis and interleukin 2 (IL-2) were included in the fusion proteins. Three proteins differing in their adjuvant content were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified. The purified proteins formed nanosized particles. The proteins were characterized by their ability to cause proliferation of spleen cells, induce expression of cytokine genes and production of interferon gamma by T lymphocytes of immunized mice. The obtained recombinant vaccine proteins effectively stimulate dendritic cells, which in turn specifically activate Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes. Adjuvant components act additively to enhance the stimulation of dendritic cells and polarize them in the direction of Th1 lymphocyte activation. Analysis of spleen cell proliferation, expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and production of interferon gamma by lymphocytes of immunized mice after specific stimulation in vitro revealed that recombinant protein comprising CTL epitopes of HCV, Th epitope PADRE, lipoprotein and IL-2 induced the highest response of T-lymphocytes.
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Faruck MO, Zhao L, Hussein WM, Khalil ZG, Capon RJ, Skwarczynski M, Toth I. Polyacrylate-Peptide Antigen Conjugate as a Single-Dose Oral Vaccine against Group A Streptococcus. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E23. [PMID: 31941060 PMCID: PMC7157655 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Group A Streptococcus (GAS)-associated rheumatic heart disease is a leading cause of death caused by GAS infection. While antibiotics can treat the infection in most cases, growing antibiotic resistance, late medical intervention, and recurrent infection are major obstacles to the effective treatment of GAS-associated diseases. As GAS infection typically originates from the bacterial colonization of mucosal tissue in the throat, an oral vaccine that can generate both systemic and mucosal immune responses would solve problems associated with traditional medical interventions. Moreover, orally delivered vaccines are more easily administered and less expensive for mass immunization. In this study, the B-cell epitope J8, derived from GAS M protein, and universal T-helper Pan HLA-DR-binding epitope peptide (PADRE), were conjugated to poly (methyl acrylate) (PMA) to form a self-assembled nanoparticle vaccine candidate (PMA-P-J8). Strong systemic and mucosal immune responses were induced upon single oral immunization of mice with the conjugate. The antibodies generated were opsonic against GAS clinical isolates as measured after boost immunization. Thus, we developed a simple conjugate as an effective, adjuvant-free oral peptide-based vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Omer Faruck
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.O.F.); (L.Z.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Lili Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.O.F.); (L.Z.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.O.F.); (L.Z.); (W.M.H.)
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Helwan 11795, Egypt
| | - 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.)
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.O.F.); (L.Z.); (W.M.H.)
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia; (M.O.F.); (L.Z.); (W.M.H.)
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia; (Z.G.K.); (R.J.C.)
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD 4102, Australia
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Mettu R, Chen CY, Wu CY. Synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccines: challenges and opportunities. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:9. [PMID: 31900143 PMCID: PMC6941340 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-019-0591-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycoconjugate vaccines based on bacterial capsular polysaccharides (CPS) have been extremely successful in preventing bacterial infections. The glycan antigens for the preparation of CPS based glycoconjugate vaccines are mainly obtained from bacterial fermentation, the quality and length of glycans are always inconsistent. Such kind of situation make the CMC of glycoconjugate vaccines are difficult to well control. Thanks to the advantage of synthetic methods for carbohydrates syntheses. The well controlled glycan antigens are more easily to obtain, and them are conjugated to carrier protein to from the so-call homogeneous fully synthetic glycoconjugate vaccines. Several fully glycoconjugate vaccines are in different phases of clinical trial for bacteria or cancers. The review will introduce the recent development of fully synthetic glycoconjugate vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Mettu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, No. 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nangang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chiang-Yun Chen
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, No. 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nangang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.,Chemical Biology and Molecular Biophysics, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, No. 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nangang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Yi Wu
- Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, No. 128 Academia Road, Section 2, Nangang District, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan.
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Azuar A, Zhao L, Hei TT, Nevagi RJ, Bartlett S, Hussein WM, Khalil ZG, Capon RJ, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Cholic Acid-based Delivery System for Vaccine Candidates against Group A Streptococcus. ACS Med Chem Lett 2019; 10:1253-1259. [PMID: 31531193 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.9b00239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 07/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide-based subunit vaccines require an immunostimulant (adjuvant) and/or delivery system to protect the antigenic peptide from degradation and induce the desired immunity. Currently available adjuvants are either too toxic for human use (experimental adjuvants) or they are limited for use in particular vaccines or licensed countries (commercial adjuvants). Therefore, there is an immediate need for novel adjuvants that are both safe and effective. Herein, we assessed the ability of cholic acid (a major bile acid) as a nontoxic, biodegradable, human-derived, potent vaccine delivery system. An antigenic peptide derived from Group A Streptococcus was conjugated to hydrophobic cholic acid via solid phase peptide synthesis to produce lipopeptide that self-assembled into rod-like nanoparticles under aqueous conditions. Following intranasal immunization in mice, this lipopeptide was capable of inducing the production of opsonic epitope-specific antibodies on its own and in liposomal formulation. The cholic acid-based conjugate induced significantly stronger humoral immune responses than cholera toxin-based adjuvant. Thus, we demonstrated, for the first time, capability of the human-derived lipid to act as a built-in immunoadjuvant for vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Armira Azuar
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Lili Zhao
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Tsui Ting Hei
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Reshma J. Nevagi
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Stacey Bartlett
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Waleed M. Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt
| | - Zeinab G. Khalil
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Robert J. Capon
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, 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 for 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
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Zeigler DF, Gage E, Roque R, Clegg CH. Epitope targeting with self-assembled peptide vaccines. NPJ Vaccines 2019; 4:30. [PMID: 31341647 PMCID: PMC6642127 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-019-0125-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanoparticle-based delivery systems are being used to simplify and accelerate new vaccine development. Previously, we described the solid-phase synthesis of a 61-amino acid conjugate vaccine carrier comprising a α-helical domain followed by two universal T cell epitopes. Circular dichroism, analytical centrifugation, and dynamic light scattering indicate that this carrier forms coiled-coil nanoparticles. Here we expand the potential of this carrier by appending B cell epitopes to its amino acid sequence, thereby eliminating the need for traditional conjugation reactions. Peptides containing Tau or amyloid-β epitopes at either terminus assemble into ~20 nm particles and induce antibody responses in outbred mice. Vaccine function was verified in three experiments. The first targeted gonadotropin-releasing hormone, a 10-amino acid neuropeptide that regulates sexual development. Induction of peak antibody titers in male mice stimulated a dramatic loss in fertility and marked testis degeneration. The second experiment generated antibodies to an epitope on the murine IgE heavy chain analogous to human IgE sequence recognized by omalizumab, the first monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of allergic asthma. Like omalizumab, the anti-IgE antibodies in immunized mice reduced the concentrations of circulating free IgE and prevented IgE-induced anaphylaxis. Finally, a peptide containing the highly conserved Helix A epitope within the influenza hemagglutinin stem domain induced antibodies that successfully protected mice against a lethal H1N1 challenge. These results establish the utility of a new vaccine platform for eliciting prophylactic and therapeutic antibodies to linear and helical B cell epitopes. Synthetic nanoparticles have the potential to be a simple, efficacious, and customizable platform for vaccine delivery. Christopher H. Clegg and colleagues include B cell epitopes on a self-assembling α-helical peptide nanoparticle carrier in order to elicit robust antibody generation. This novel vaccine platform is validated in vivo to produce physiologically-relevant antibodies in three different settings: an antibody-mediated ‘castration’ approach (anti-gonadotropin-releasing hormone), depletion of IgE (by generation of anti-IgE), and finally production of antibodies to a conserved H1N1 influenza epitope that mediates a protective effect in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F Zeigler
- 1TRIA Bioscience Corp, Suite 260, 1616 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102 USA
| | - Emily Gage
- 1TRIA Bioscience Corp, Suite 260, 1616 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102 USA
| | - Richard Roque
- 1TRIA Bioscience Corp, Suite 260, 1616 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102 USA.,2Present Address: MedImmune, One MedImmune Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 USA
| | - Christopher H Clegg
- 1TRIA Bioscience Corp, Suite 260, 1616 Eastlake Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102 USA
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Activation of immune responses against the basement membrane component collagen type IV does not affect the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE-deficient mice. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5964. [PMID: 30979943 PMCID: PMC6461614 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42375-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the arterial extracellular matrix results in malondialdehyde (MDA)-modifications of surrounding matrix proteins. We have recently demonstrated an association between high levels of autoantibodies against MDA-modified collagen type IV and risk for development of myocardial infarction. Collagen type IV is an important component of the endothelial basement membrane and influences smooth muscle cell function. We hypothesized that immune responses against collagen type IV could contribute to vascular injury affecting the development of atherosclerosis. To investigate this possibility, we induced an antibody-response against collagen type IV in apolipoprotein E (Apo E)-deficient mice. Female ApoE−/− mice on C57BL/6 background were immunized with α1α2 type IV collagen chain peptides linked to the immune-enhancer PADRE, PADRE alone or PBS at 12 weeks of age with three subsequent booster injections before the mice were killed at 23 weeks of age. Immunization of PADRE alone induced autoantibodies against PADRE, increased IL-4 secretion from splenocytes and reduced SMC content in the subvalvular plaques. Immunization with peptides of α1α2 type IV collagen chains induced a strong IgG1antibody response against collagen type IV peptides without affecting the distribution of T cell populations, plasma cytokine or lipid levels. There were no differences in atherosclerotic plaque development between collagen α1α2(IV)-PADRE immunized mice and control mice. Our findings demonstrate that the presence of antibodies against the basement membrane component collagen type IV does not affect atherosclerosis development in ApoE−/− mice. This suggests that the association between autoantibodies against collagen type IV and risk for myocardial infarction found in humans does not reflect a pathogenic role of these autoantibodies.
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Solanki V, Tiwari M, Tiwari V. Prioritization of potential vaccine targets using comparative proteomics and designing of the chimeric multi-epitope vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sci Rep 2019; 9:5240. [PMID: 30918289 PMCID: PMC6437148 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41496-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the worldwide health problems involved in elevated mortality and morbidity. Therefore, it is important to find a therapeutic for this pathogen. In the present study, we have designed a chimeric vaccine against P. aeruginosa with the help of comparative proteomics and reverse vaccinology approaches. Using comparative subtractive proteomic analysis of 1,191 proteomes of P. aeruginosa, a total of twenty unique non-redundant proteomes were selected. In these proteomes, fifteen outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of P. aeruginosa were selected based on the basis of hydrophilicity, non-secretory nature, low transmembrane helix (<1), essentiality, virulence, pathway association, antigenic, and protein-protein network analysis. Reverse vaccinology approach was used to identify antigenic and immunogenic MHC class I, MHC class II and B cell epitopes present in the selected OMPs that can enhance T cell and B cell mediated immunogenicity. The selected epitopes were shortlisted based on their allergenicity, toxicity potentials, solubility, and hydrophilicity analysis. Immunogenic peptides were used to design a multi-epitope vaccine construct. Immune-modulating adjuvants and PADRE (Pan HLA-DR epitopes) sequence were added with epitopes sequence to enhance the immunogenicity. All the epitopes, adjuvants and PADRE sequence were joined by linkers. The designed vaccine constructs (VT1, VT2, VT3, and VT4) were analyzed by their physiochemical properties using different tools. Selected chimeric vaccine constructs (VT1, VT3, and VT4) were further shortlisted by their docking score with different HLA alleles. The final selected VT4 construct was docked with TLR4/MD2 complex and confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation studies. The final vaccine VT-4 construct was in-silico cloned in pET28a. Therefore, the designed construct VT4 may be studied to control the interaction of P. aeruginosa with host and infection caused by P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vandana Solanki
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, 305817, India
| | - Monalisa Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, 305817, India
| | - Vishvanath Tiwari
- Department of Biochemistry, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, 305817, India.
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