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Dashti F, Raisi A, Pourali G, Razavi ZS, Ravaei F, Sadri Nahand J, Kourkinejad-Gharaei F, Mirazimi SMA, Zamani J, Tarrahimofrad H, Hashemian SMR, Mirzaei H. A computational approach to design a multiepitope vaccine against H5N1 virus. Virol J 2024; 21:67. [PMID: 38509569 PMCID: PMC10953225 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02337-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Since 1997, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses, such as H5N1, have been recognized as a possible pandemic hazard to men and the poultry business. The rapid rate of mutation of H5N1 viruses makes the whole process of designing vaccines extremely challenging. Here, we used an in silico approach to design a multi-epitope vaccine against H5N1 influenza A virus using hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) antigens. B-cell epitopes, Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and Helper T lymphocyte (HTL) were predicted via IEDB, NetMHC-4 and NetMHCII-2.3 respectively. Two adjuvants consisting of Human β-defensin-3 (HβD-3) along with pan HLA DR-binding epitope (PADRE) have been chosen to induce more immune response. Linkers including KK, AAY, HEYGAEALERAG, GPGPGPG and double EAAAK were utilized to link epitopes and adjuvants. This construct encodes a protein having 350 amino acids and 38.46 kDa molecular weight. Antigenicity of ~ 1, the allergenicity of non-allergen, toxicity of negative and solubility of appropriate were confirmed through Vaxigen, AllerTOP, ToxDL and DeepSoluE, respectively. The 3D structure of H5N1 was refined and validated with a Z-Score of - 0.87 and an overall Ramachandran of 99.7%. Docking analysis showed H5N1 could interact with TLR7 (docking score of - 374.08 and by 4 hydrogen bonds) and TLR8 (docking score of - 414.39 and by 3 hydrogen bonds). Molecular dynamics simulations results showed RMSD and RMSF of 0.25 nm and 0.2 for H5N1-TLR7 as well as RMSD and RMSF of 0.45 nm and 0.4 for H5N1-TLR8 complexes, respectively. Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) confirmed stability and continuity of interaction between H5N1-TLR7 with the total binding energy of - 29.97 kJ/mol and H5N1-TLR8 with the total binding energy of - 23.9 kJ/mol. Investigating immune response simulation predicted evidence of the ability to stimulate T and B cells of the immunity system that shows the merits of this H5N1 vaccine proposed candidate for clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Dashti
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Arash Raisi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Ghazaleh Pourali
- Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Zahra Sadat Razavi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ravaei
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Javid Sadri Nahand
- Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Fatemeh Kourkinejad-Gharaei
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Emam Reza Hospital, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Seyed Mohammad Ali Mirazimi
- School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
- Student Research Committee, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Javad Zamani
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - Hossein Tarrahimofrad
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Seyed Mohammad Reza Hashemian
- Chronic Respiratory Diseases Research Center (CRDRC), National Research Institute of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (NRITLD), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Hamed Mirzaei
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Institute for Basic Sciences, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Islamic Republic of Iran.
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D'Oro U, O'Hagan DT. The scientific journey of a novel adjuvant (AS37) from bench to bedside. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:26. [PMID: 38332005 PMCID: PMC10853242 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00810-6] [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: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
A decade ago, we described a new approach to discover next generation adjuvants, identifying small-molecule immune potentiators (SMIPs) as Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 agonists. We also optimally formulated these drugs through adsorption to aluminum salts (alum), allowing them to be evaluated with a range of established and early-stage vaccines. Early proof-of-concept studies showed that a TLR7 agonist (TLR7a)-based SMIP, when adsorbed to alum, could perform as an effective adjuvant for a variety of different antigens, in both small and large animals. Studies in rodents demonstrated that the adjuvant enhanced immunogenicity of a recombinant protein-based vaccine against Staphylococcus aureus, and also showed potential to improve existing vaccines against pertussis or meningococcal infection. Extensive evaluations showed that the adjuvant was effective in non-human primates (NHPs), exploiting a mechanism of action that was consistent across the different animal models. The adjuvant formulation (named AS37) has now been advanced into clinical evaluation. A systems biology-based evaluation of the phase I clinical data with a meningococcal C conjugate vaccine showed that the AS37-adjuvanted formulation had an acceptable safety profile, was potent, and activated the expected immune pathways in humans, which was consistent with observations from the NHP studies. In the intervening decade, several alternative TLR7 agonists have also emerged and advanced into clinical development, such as the alum adsorbed TLR7/8 SMIP present in a widely distributed COVID-19 vaccine. This review summarizes the research and early development of the new adjuvant AS37, with an emphasis on the steps taken to allow its progression into clinical evaluations.
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Poston TB. Advances in vaccine development for Chlamydia trachomatis. Pathog Dis 2024; 82:ftae017. [PMID: 39043447 PMCID: PMC11338180 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftae017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally. Antibiotic treatment is highly effective, but infection is often asymptomatic resulting in most individuals going undetected and untreated. This untreated infection can ascend to the upper female genital tract to cause pelvic inflammatory disease, tubal factor infertility, and ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia screening and treatment programs have failed to control this epidemic and demonstrate the need for an efficacious vaccine to prevent transmission and disease. Animal models and human epidemiological data reveal that natural immunity can provide partial or short-lived sterilizing immunity. These data further demonstrate the importance of eliciting interferon gamma (IFNγ)-producing cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) T cells (Th1 and Th1/17 cells) that can likely synergize with antibody-mediated opsonophagocytosis to provide optimal protection. These studies have guided preclinical rational vaccine design for decades and the first Phase 1 clinical trials have recently been completed. Recent advances have led to improvements in vaccine platforms and clinically safe adjuvants that help provide a path forward. This review describes vaccine models, correlates of immunity, antigen and adjuvant selection, and future clinical testing for Chlamydia vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor B Poston
- Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
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Lee J, Neustrup MA, Slütter B, O'Mahony C, Bouwstra JA, van der Maaden K. Intradermal Vaccination with PLGA Nanoparticles via Dissolving Microneedles and Classical Injection Needles. Pharm Res 2024; 41:305-319. [PMID: 38332390 PMCID: PMC10879229 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-024-03665-7] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE A dissolving microneedle array (dMNA) is a vaccine delivery device with several advantages over conventional needles. By incorporating particulate adjuvants in the form of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) into the dMNA, the immune response against the antigen might be enhanced. This study aimed to prepare PLGA-NP-loaded dMNA and to compare T-cell responses induced by either intradermally injected aqueous-PLGA-NP formulation or PLGA-NP-loaded dMNA in mice. METHODS PLGA NPs were prepared with microfluidics, and their physicochemical characteristics with regard to encapsulation efficiencies of ovalbumin (OVA) and CpG oligonucleotide (CpG), zeta potentials, polydispersity indexes, and sizes were analysed. PLGA NPs incorporated dMNA was produced with three different dMNA formulations by using the centrifugation method, and the integrity of PLGA NPs in dMNAs was evaluated. The immunogenicity was evaluated in mice by comparing the T-cell responses induced by dMNA and aqueous formulations containing ovalbumin and CpG (OVA/CpG) with and without PLGA NP. RESULTS Prepared PLGA NPs had a size of around 100 nm. The dMNA formulations affected the particle integrity, and the dMNA with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) showed almost no aggregation of PLGA NPs. The PLGA:PVA weight ratio of 1:9 resulted in 100% of penetration efficiency and the fastest dissolution in ex-vivo human skin (< 30 min). The aqueous formulation with soluble OVA/CpG and the aqueous-PLGA-NP formulation with OVA/CpG induced the highest CD4 + T-cell responses in blood and spleen cells. CONCLUSIONS PLGA NPs incorporated dMNA was successfully fabricated and the aqueous formulation containing PLGA NPs induce superior CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jihui Lee
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Malene A Neustrup
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Bram Slütter
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Conor O'Mahony
- Tyndall National Institute, Lee Maltings, Prospect Row, Cork, Ireland
| | - Joke A Bouwstra
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Koen van der Maaden
- Division of Biotherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2333CC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
- Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300RC, Leiden, the Netherlands.
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Crofts KF, Page CL, Swedik SM, Holbrook BC, Meyers AK, Zhu X, Parsonage D, Westcott MM, Alexander-Miller MA. An Analysis of Linker-Dependent Effects on the APC Activation and In Vivo Immunogenicity of an R848-Conjugated Influenza Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1261. [PMID: 37515076 PMCID: PMC10383912 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071261] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Subunit or inactivated vaccines comprise the majority of vaccines used against viral and bacterial pathogens. However, compared to their live/attenuated counterparts, these vaccines often demonstrate reduced immunogenicity, requiring multiple boosters and or adjuvants to elicit protective immune responses. For this reason, studies of adjuvants and the mechanism through which they can improve inactivated vaccine responses are critical for the development of vaccines with increased efficacy. Studies have shown that the direct conjugation of adjuvant to antigen promotes vaccine immunogenicity, with the advantage of both the adjuvant and antigen targeting the same cell. Using this strategy of direct linkage, we developed an inactivated influenza A (IAV) vaccine that is directly conjugated with the Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist resiquimod (R848) through a heterobifunctional crosslinker. Previously, we showed that this vaccine resulted in improved protection and viral clearance in newborn nonhuman primates compared to a non-adjuvanted vaccine. We subsequently discovered that the choice of linker used to conjugate R848 to the virus alters the stimulatory activity of the vaccine, promoting increased maturation and proinflammatory cytokine production from DC differentiated in vitro. With this knowledge, we explored how the choice of crosslinker impacts the stimulatory activity of these vaccines. We found that the linker choice alters signaling through the NF-κB pathway in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs). Further, we extended our analyses to in vivo differentiated APC present in human peripheral blood, replicating the linker-dependent differences found in in vitro differentiated cells. Finally, we demonstrated in a mouse model that the choice of linker impacts the amount of IAV-specific IgG antibody produced in response to vaccination. These data enhance our understanding of conjugation approaches for improving vaccine immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kali F. Crofts
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Courtney L. Page
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Stephanie M. Swedik
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Beth C. Holbrook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Allison K. Meyers
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Xuewei Zhu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Derek Parsonage
- Department of Biochemistry, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA;
| | - Marlena M. Westcott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
| | - Martha A. Alexander-Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA; (K.F.C.); (C.L.P.); (S.M.S.); (B.C.H.); (A.K.M.); (X.Z.); (M.M.W.)
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Tarrahimofrad H, Rahimnahal S, Zamani J, Jahangirian E, Aminzadeh S. Designing a multi-epitope vaccine to provoke the robust immune response against influenza A H7N9. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24485. [PMID: 34966175 PMCID: PMC8716528 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03932-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A new strain of Influenza A Virus (IAV), so-called "H7N9 Avian Influenza", is the first strain of this virus in which a human is infected by transmitting the N9 of influenza virus. Although continuous human-to-human transmission has not been reported, the occurrence of various H7N9-associated epidemics and the lack of production of strong antibodies against H7N9 in humans warn of the potential for H7N9 to become a new pandemic. Therefore, the need for effective vaccination against H7N9 as a life-threatening viral pathogen has become a major concern. The current study reports the design of a multi-epitope vaccine against Hemagglutinin (HA) and Neuraminidase (NA) proteins of H7N9 Influenza A virus by prediction of Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), Helper T lymphocyte (HTL), IFN-γ and B-cell epitopes. Human β-defensin-3 (HβD-3) and pan HLA DR-binding epitope (PADRE) sequence were considered as adjuvant. EAAAK, AAY, GPGPG, HEYGAEALERAG, KK and RVRR linkers were used as a connector for epitopes. The final construct contained 777 amino acids that are expected to be a recombinant protein of about ~ 86.38 kDa with antigenic and non-allergenic properties after expression. Modeled protein analysis based on the tertiary structure validation, docking studies, and molecular dynamics simulations results like Root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), Gyration, Root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) and Molecular Mechanics Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) showed that this protein has a stable construct and capable of being in interaction with Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7), TLR8 and m826 antibody. Analysis of the obtained data the demonstrates that suggested vaccine has the potential to induce the immune response by stimulating T and Bcells, and may be utilizable for prevention purposes against Avian Influenza A (H7N9).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Tarrahimofrad
- Bioprocess Engineering Group, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Somayyeh Rahimnahal
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Ilam University, Ilam, Iran
| | - Javad Zamani
- Bioprocess Engineering Group, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Jahangirian
- Bioprocess Engineering Group, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeed Aminzadeh
- Bioprocess Engineering Group, Institute of Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran.
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Jahangirian E, Jamal GA, Nouroozi M, Mohammadpour A. A reverse vaccinology and immunoinformatics approach for designing a multiepitope vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Immunogenetics 2021; 73:459-477. [PMID: 34542663 PMCID: PMC8450176 DOI: 10.1007/s00251-021-01228-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Since 2019, the world was involved with SARS-CoV-2 and consequently, with the announcement by the World Health Organization that COVID-19 was a pandemic, scientific were an effort to obtain the best approach to combat this global dilemma. The best way to prevent the pandemic from spreading further is to use a vaccine against COVID-19. Here, we report the design of a recombinant multi-epitope vaccine against the four proteins spike or crown (S), membrane (M), nucleocapsid (N), and envelope (E) of SARS-CoV-2 using immunoinformatics tools. We evaluated the most antigenic epitopes that bind to HLA class 1 subtypes, along with HLA class 2, as well as B cell epitopes. Beta-defensin 3 and PADRE sequence were used as adjuvants in the structure of the vaccine. KK, GPGPG, and AAY linkers were used to fuse the selected epitopes. The nucleotide sequence was cloned into pET26b(+) vector using restriction enzymes XhoI and NdeI, and HisTag sequence was considered in the C-terminal of the construct. The results showed that the proposed candidate vaccine is a 70.87 kDa protein with high antigenicity and immunogenicity as well as non-allergenic and non-toxic. A total of 95% of the selected epitopes have conservancy with similar sequences. Molecular docking showed a strong binding between the vaccine structure and tool-like receptor (TLR) 7/8. The docking, molecular dynamics, and MM/PBSA analysis showed that the vaccine established a stable interaction with both structures of TLR7 and TLR8. Simulation of immune stimulation by this vaccine showed that it evokes immune responses related to humoral and cellular immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Jahangirian
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghadir A Jamal
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait City, Kuwait.
| | - MohammadReza Nouroozi
- Department of Animal Science and Food Technology, Agriculture Science and Natural Resources University Khouzestan, Ahwaz, Iran
| | - Alemeh Mohammadpour
- Department of Animal Biotechnology, National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NIGEB), Tehran, Iran
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Bhagchandani S, Johnson JA, Irvine DJ. Evolution of Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist therapeutics and their delivery approaches: From antiviral formulations to vaccine adjuvants. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 175:113803. [PMID: 34058283 PMCID: PMC9003539 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.05.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Imidazoquinoline derivatives (IMDs) and related compounds function as synthetic agonists of Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) and one is FDA approved for topical antiviral and skin cancer treatments. Nevertheless, these innate immune system-activating drugs have potentially much broader therapeutic utility; they have been pursued as antitumor immunomodulatory agents and more recently as candidate vaccine adjuvants for cancer and infectious disease. The broad expression profiles of TLR7/8, poor pharmacokinetic properties of IMDs, and toxicities associated with systemic administration, however, are formidable barriers to successful clinical translation. Herein, we review IMD formulations that have advanced to the clinic and discuss issues related to biodistribution and toxicity that have hampered the further development of these compounds. Recent strategies aimed at enhancing safety and efficacy, particularly through the use of bioconjugates and nanoparticle formulations that alter pharmacokinetics, biodistribution, and cellular targeting, are described. Finally, key aspects of the biology of TLR7 signaling, such as TLR7 tolerance, that may need to be considered in the development of new IMD therapeutics are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachin Bhagchandani
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jeremiah A Johnson
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- 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; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA; Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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Kardani K, Sadat SM, Kardani M, Bolhassani A. The next generation of HCV vaccines: a focus on novel adjuvant development. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:839-855. [PMID: 34114513 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1941895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Considerable efforts have been made to treat and prevent acute and chronic infections caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Current treatments are unable to protect people from reinfection. Hence, there is a need for development of both preventive and therapeutic HCV vaccines. Many vaccine candidates are in development to fight against HCV, but their efficacy has so far proven limited partly due to low immunogenicity. AREAS COVERED We explore development of novel and powerful adjuvants to achieve an effective HCV vaccine. The basis for developing strong adjuvants is to understand the innate immunity pathway, which subsequently stimulates humoral and cellular immune responses. We have also investigated immunogenicity of developed adjuvants that have been used in recent studies available in online databases such as PubMed, PMC, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, etc. EXPERT OPINION Adjuvants are used as a part of vaccine formulation to boost vaccine immunogenicity and antigen delivery. Several FDA-approved adjuvants are used in licensed human vaccines. Unfortunately, no adjuvant has yet been proven to boost HCV immune responses to the extent needed for an effective vaccine. One of the promising approaches for developing an effective adjuvant is the combination of various adjuvants to trigger several innate immune responses, leading to activation of adaptive immunity.[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Sadat
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mona Kardani
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Yan Y, Yao D, Li X. Immunological Mechanism and Clinical Application of PAMP Adjuvants. Recent Pat Anticancer Drug Discov 2021; 16:30-43. [PMID: 33563182 DOI: 10.2174/1574892816666210201114712] [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] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The host innate immune system can recognize Pathogen-Associated Molecular Patterns (PAMPs) through Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRRs), thereby initiating innate immune responses and subsequent adaptive immune responses. PAMPs can be developed as a vaccine adjuvant for modulating and optimizing antigen-specific immune responses, especially in combating viral infections and tumor therapy. Although several PAMP adjuvants have been successfully developed they are still lacking in general, and many of them are in the preclinical exploration stage. OBJECTIVE This review summarizes the research progress and development direction of PAMP adjuvants, focusing on their immune mechanisms and clinical applications. METHODS PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were screened for this information. We highlight the immune mechanisms and clinical applications of PAMP adjuvants. RESULTS Because of the differences in receptor positions, specific immune cells targets, and signaling pathways, the detailed molecular mechanism and pharmacokinetic properties of one agonist cannot be fully generalized to another agonist, and each PAMP should be studied separately. In addition, combination therapy and effective integration of different adjuvants can increase the additional efficacy of innate and adaptive immune responses. CONCLUSION The mechanisms by which PAMPs exert adjuvant functions are diverse. With continuous discovery in the future, constant adjustments should be made to build new understandings. At present, the goal of therapeutic vaccination is to induce T cells that can specifically recognize and eliminate tumor cells and establish long-term immune memory. Following immune checkpoint modulation therapy, cancer treatment vaccines may be an option worthy of clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yan
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
| | - Dan Yao
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong 266071, China
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Brentville VA, Metheringham RL, Daniels I, Atabani S, Symonds P, Cook KW, Vankemmelbeke M, Choudhury R, Vaghela P, Gijon M, Meiners G, Krebber WJ, Melief CJM, Durrant LG. Combination vaccine based on citrullinated vimentin and enolase peptides induces potent CD4-mediated anti-tumor responses. J Immunother Cancer 2021; 8:jitc-2020-000560. [PMID: 32561639 PMCID: PMC7304843 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2020-000560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stress-induced post-translational modifications occur during autophagy and can result in generation of new epitopes and immune recognition. One such modification is the conversion of arginine to citrulline by peptidylarginine deiminase enzymes. METHODS We used Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) transgenic mouse models to assess the immunogenicity of citrullinated peptide vaccine by cytokine Enzyme linked immunosorbant spot (ELISpot) assay. Vaccine efficacy was assessed in tumor therapy studies using HLA-matched B16 melanoma and ID8 ovarian models expressing either constitutive or interferon-gamma (IFNγ) inducible Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class II (MHC-II) as represented by most human tumors. To determine the importance of CD4 T cells in tumor therapy, we analyzed the immune cell infiltrate into murine tumors using flow cytometry and performed therapy studies in the presence of CD4 and CD8 T cell depletion. We assessed the T cell repertoire to citrullinated peptides in ovarian cancer patients and healthy donors using flow cytometry. RESULTS The combination of citrullinated vimentin and enolase peptides (Modi-1) stimulated strong CD4 T cell responses in mice. Responses resulted in a potent anti-tumor therapy against established tumors and generated immunological memory which protected against tumor rechallenge. Depletion of CD4, but not CD8 T cells, abrogated the primary anti-tumor response as well as the memory response to tumor rechallenge. This was further reinforced by successful tumor regression being associated with an increase in tumor-infiltrating CD4 T cells and a reduction in tumor-associated myeloid suppressor cells. The anti-tumor response also relied on direct CD4 T cell recognition as only tumors expressing MHC-II were rejected. A comparison of different Toll-like receptor (TLR)-stimulating adjuvants showed that Modi-1 induced strong Th1 responses when combined with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), TLR9/TLR4, TLR9, TLR3, TLR1/2 and TLR7 agonists. Direct linkage of the TLR1/2 agonist to the peptides allowed the vaccine dose to be reduced by 10-fold to 100-fold without loss of anti-tumor activity. Furthermore, a CD4 Th1 response to the citrullinated peptides was seen in ovarian cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS Modi-1 citrullinated peptide vaccine induces potent CD4-mediated anti-tumor responses in mouse models and a CD4 T cell repertoire is present in ovarian cancer patients to the citrullinated peptides suggesting that Modi-1 could be an effective vaccine for ovarian cancer patients.
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MESH Headings
- Adjuvants, Immunologic/administration & dosage
- Animals
- CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology
- CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes
- Cancer Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Cancer Vaccines/genetics
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Cell Line, Tumor
- Citrullination/immunology
- Female
- HLA Antigens/genetics
- HLA Antigens/immunology
- Humans
- Immunogenicity, Vaccine
- Interferon-gamma/immunology
- Lymphocyte Depletion
- Male
- Melanoma, Experimental/immunology
- Melanoma, Experimental/therapy
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/genetics
- Phosphopyruvate Hydratase/immunology
- Vaccines, Combined/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Combined/genetics
- Vaccines, Combined/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Vimentin/genetics
- Vimentin/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Daniels
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Suha Atabani
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - Peter Symonds
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Katherine W Cook
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | | | - Ruhul Choudhury
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | - Poonam Vaghela
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - Mohamed Gijon
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
| | | | | | - Cornelis J M Melief
- ISA Pharmaceuticals, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Lindy G Durrant
- Scancell Ltd, University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, Nottingham, UK
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, UK
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12
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Massena CJ, Lathrop SK, Davison CJ, Schoener R, Bazin HG, Evans JT, Burkhart DJ. A tractable covalent linker strategy for the production of immunogenic antigen-TLR7/8L bioconjugates. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:4698-4701. [PMID: 33977971 PMCID: PMC9118693 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc00795e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Despite the ease of production and improved safety profiles of recombinant vaccines, the inherently low immunogenicity of unadjuvanted proteins remains an impediment to their widespread adoption. The covalent tethering of TLR agonists to antigenic proteins offers a unique approach to co-deliver both constituents to the same cell-enhancing vaccine efficacy while minimizing reactogenicity. However, the paucity of simple and effective linker chemistries continues to hamper progress. Here, we present a modular, PEG-based linker system compatible with even extremely lipophilic and challenging TLR7/8 agonists. To advance the field and address previous obstacles, we offer the most straightforward and antigen-preserving linker system to date. These antigen-adjuvant conjugates enhance antigen-specific immune responses in mice, demonstrating the power of our approach within the context of modern vaccinology.
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Affiliation(s)
- C J Massena
- Dept. of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
| | - S K Lathrop
- Dept. of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
| | - C J Davison
- Dept. of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
| | - R Schoener
- Dept. of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
| | - H G Bazin
- Dept. of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
| | - J T Evans
- Dept. of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
| | - D J Burkhart
- Dept. of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Montana, 32 Campus Dr, Missoula, MT 59812, USA.
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13
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Jangra S, De Vrieze J, Choi A, Rathnasinghe R, Laghlali G, Uvyn A, Van Herck S, Nuhn L, Deswarte K, Zhong Z, Sanders NN, Lienenklaus S, David SA, Strohmeier S, Amanat F, Krammer F, Hammad H, Lambrecht BN, Coughlan L, García‐Sastre A, De Geest BG, Schotsaert M. Sterilizing Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Mice by a Single-Shot and Lipid Amphiphile Imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 Agonist-Adjuvanted Recombinant Spike Protein Vaccine*. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:9467-9473. [PMID: 33464672 PMCID: PMC8014308 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202015362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The search for vaccines that protect from severe morbidity and mortality because of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a race against the clock and the virus. Here we describe an amphiphilic imidazoquinoline (IMDQ-PEG-CHOL) TLR7/8 adjuvant, consisting of an imidazoquinoline conjugated to the chain end of a cholesterol-poly(ethylene glycol) macromolecular amphiphile. It is water-soluble and exhibits massive translocation to lymph nodes upon local administration through binding to albumin, affording localized innate immune activation and reduction in systemic inflammation. The adjuvanticity of IMDQ-PEG-CHOL was validated in a licensed vaccine setting (quadrivalent influenza vaccine) and an experimental trimeric recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein vaccine, showing robust IgG2a and IgG1 antibody titers in mice that could neutralize viral infection in vitro and in vivo in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Jangra
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | | | - Angela Choi
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Raveen Rathnasinghe
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Gabriel Laghlali
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Annemiek Uvyn
- Department of PharmaceuticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Lutz Nuhn
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer ResearchAckermannweg 1055128MainzGermany
| | - Kim Deswarte
- Department of Internal Medicine and PediatricsGhent University and VIB Center for Inflammation ResearchZwijnaardeBelgium
| | - Zifu Zhong
- Department of PharmaceuticsGhent UniversityGhentBelgium
| | | | - Stefan Lienenklaus
- Institute for Laboratory Animal ScienceInstitute of ImmunologyHannover Medical SchoolHannoverGermany
| | | | - Shirin Strohmeier
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Fatima Amanat
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Hamida Hammad
- Department of Internal Medicine and PediatricsGhent University and VIB Center for Inflammation ResearchZwijnaardeBelgium
| | - Bart N. Lambrecht
- Department of Internal Medicine and PediatricsGhent University and VIB Center for Inflammation ResearchZwijnaardeBelgium
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineErasmus Medical CenterRotterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Lynda Coughlan
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | - Adolfo García‐Sastre
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogen InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- The Tisch Cancer InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
| | | | - Michael Schotsaert
- Department of MicrobiologyIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogen InstituteIcahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNYUSA
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14
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Abstract
Adjuvants are vaccine components that enhance the magnitude, breadth and durability of the immune response. Following its introduction in the 1920s, alum remained the only adjuvant licensed for human use for the next 70 years. Since the 1990s, a further five adjuvants have been included in licensed vaccines, but the molecular mechanisms by which these adjuvants work remain only partially understood. However, a revolution in our understanding of the activation of the innate immune system through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) is improving the mechanistic understanding of adjuvants, and recent conceptual advances highlight the notion that tissue damage, different forms of cell death, and metabolic and nutrient sensors can all modulate the innate immune system to activate adaptive immunity. Furthermore, recent advances in the use of systems biology to probe the molecular networks driving immune response to vaccines ('systems vaccinology') are revealing mechanistic insights and providing a new paradigm for the vaccine discovery and development process. Here, we review the 'known knowns' and 'known unknowns' of adjuvants, discuss these emerging concepts and highlight how our expanding knowledge about innate immunity and systems vaccinology are revitalizing the science and development of novel adjuvants for use in vaccines against COVID-19 and future pandemics.
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15
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Paston SJ, Brentville VA, Symonds P, Durrant LG. Cancer Vaccines, Adjuvants, and Delivery Systems. Front Immunol 2021; 12:627932. [PMID: 33859638 PMCID: PMC8042385 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.627932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination was first pioneered in the 18th century by Edward Jenner and eventually led to the development of the smallpox vaccine and subsequently the eradication of smallpox. The impact of vaccination to prevent infectious diseases has been outstanding with many infections being prevented and a significant decrease in mortality worldwide. Cancer vaccines aim to clear active disease instead of aiming to prevent disease, the only exception being the recently approved vaccine that prevents cancers caused by the Human Papillomavirus. The development of therapeutic cancer vaccines has been disappointing with many early cancer vaccines that showed promise in preclinical models often failing to translate into efficacy in the clinic. In this review we provide an overview of the current vaccine platforms, adjuvants and delivery systems that are currently being investigated or have been approved. With the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors, we also review the potential of these to be used with cancer vaccines to improve efficacy and help to overcome the immune suppressive tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter Symonds
- Biodiscovery Institute, Scancell Limited, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Lindy G. Durrant
- Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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16
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Sterilizing Immunity against SARS‐CoV‐2 Infection in Mice by a Single‐Shot and Lipid Amphiphile Imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 Agonist‐Adjuvanted Recombinant Spike Protein Vaccine**. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.202015362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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17
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Tambunlertchai S, Geary SM, Salem AK. Skin Penetration Enhancement Strategies Used in the Development of Melanoma Topical Treatments. AAPS JOURNAL 2021; 23:19. [PMID: 33404992 DOI: 10.1208/s12248-020-00544-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Malignant melanoma is an aggressive form of skin cancer for which there is currently no reliable therapy and is considered one of the leading health issues in the USA. At present, surgery is the most effective and acceptable treatment; however, surgical excision can be impractical in certain circumstances. Topical skin delivery of drugs using topical formulations is a potential alternative approach which can have many advantages aside from being a non-invasive delivery route. Nevertheless, the presence of the stratum corneum (SC) limits the penetration of drugs through the skin, lowering their treatment efficacy and raising concerns among physicians and patients as to their effectiveness. Currently, research groups are trying to circumvent the SC barrier by using skin penetration enhancement (SPE) strategies. The SPE strategies investigated include chemical skin penetration enhancers (CPEs), physical skin penetration enhancers (PPEs), nanocarrier systems, and a combination of SPE strategies (cream). Of these, PPEs and cream are the most advanced approaches in terms of preclinical and clinical studies, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Supreeda Tambunlertchai
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
| | - Sean M Geary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA
| | - Aliasger K Salem
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA.
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18
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Jangra S, De Vrieze J, Choi A, Rathnasinghe R, Laghlali G, Uvyn A, Van Herck S, Nuhn L, Deswarte K, Zhong Z, Sanders N, Lienenklaus S, David S, Strohmeier S, Amanat F, Krammer F, Hammad H, Lambrecht BN, Coughlan L, García-Sastre A, De Geest BG, Schotsaert M. Sterilizing Immunity against SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Mice by a Single-Shot and Modified Imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 Agonist-Adjuvanted Recombinant Spike Protein Vaccine. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2020:2020.10.23.344085. [PMID: 33106810 PMCID: PMC7587831 DOI: 10.1101/2020.10.23.344085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The search for vaccines that protect from severe morbidity and mortality as a result of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a race against the clock and the virus. Several vaccine candidates are currently being tested in the clinic. Inactivated virus and recombinant protein vaccines can be safe options but may require adjuvants to induce robust immune responses efficiently. In this work we describe the use of a novel amphiphilic imidazoquinoline (IMDQ-PEG-CHOL) TLR7/8 adjuvant, consisting of an imidazoquinoline conjugated to the chain end of a cholesterol-poly(ethylene glycol) macromolecular amphiphile). This amphiphile is water soluble and exhibits massive translocation to lymph nodes upon local administration, likely through binding to albumin. IMDQ-PEG-CHOL is used to induce a protective immune response against SARS-CoV-2 after single vaccination with trimeric recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the BALB/c mouse model. Inclusion of amphiphilic IMDQ-PEG-CHOL in the SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccine formulation resulted in enhanced immune cell recruitment and activation in the draining lymph node. IMDQ-PEG-CHOL has a better safety profile compared to native soluble IMDQ as the former induces a more localized immune response upon local injection, preventing systemic inflammation. Moreover, IMDQ-PEG-CHOL adjuvanted vaccine induced enhanced ELISA and in vitro microneutralization titers, and a more balanced IgG2a/IgG1 response. To correlate vaccine responses with control of virus replication in vivo, vaccinated mice were challenged with SARS-CoV-2 virus after being sensitized by intranasal adenovirus-mediated expression of the human angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene. Animals vaccinated with trimeric recombinant spike protein vaccine without adjuvant had lung virus titers comparable to non-vaccinated control mice, whereas animals vaccinated with IMDQ-PEG-CHOL-adjuvanted vaccine controlled viral replication and infectious viruses could not be recovered from their lungs at day 4 post infection. In order to test whether IMDQ-PEG-CHOL could also be used to adjuvant vaccines currently licensed for use in humans, proof of concept was also provided by using the same IMDQ-PEG-CHOL to adjuvant human quadrivalent inactivated influenza virus split vaccine, which resulted in enhanced hemagglutination inhibition titers and a more balanced IgG2a/IgG1 antibody response. Enhanced influenza vaccine responses correlated with better virus control when mice were given a lethal influenza virus challenge. Our results underscore the potential use of IMDQ-PEG-CHOL as an adjuvant to achieve protection after single immunization with recombinant protein and inactivated virus vaccines against respiratory viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Jangra
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - Jana De Vrieze
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Angela Choi
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Raveen Rathnasinghe
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriel Laghlali
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - Annemiek Uvyn
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Simon Van Herck
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lutz Nuhn
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kim Deswarte
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, VIB Center for inflammation research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Zifu Zhong
- Laboratory for Gene Therapy, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Niek Sanders
- Laboratory for Gene Therapy, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Stefan Lienenklaus
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Science, Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Shirin Strohmeier
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fatima Amanat
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - Hamida Hammad
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, VIB Center for inflammation research, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart N. Lambrecht
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, VIB Center for inflammation research, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lynda Coughlan
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
| | - Adolfo García-Sastre
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- The Tisch Cancer Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Michael Schotsaert
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York, NY, USA
- Global Health and Emerging Pathogens Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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19
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Hu Y, Tang L, Zhu Z, Meng H, Chen T, Zhao S, Jin Z, Wang Z, Jin G. A novel TLR7 agonist as adjuvant to stimulate high quality HBsAg-specific immune responses in an HBV mouse model. J Transl Med 2020; 18:112. [PMID: 32131853 PMCID: PMC7055022 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02275-2] [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: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The global burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in terms of morbidity and mortality is immense. Novel treatments that can induce a protective immune response are urgently needed to effectively control the HBV epidemic and eventually eradicate chronic HBV infection. Methods We designed and evaluated an HBV therapeutic vaccine consisting of a novel Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonist T7-EA, an Alum adjuvant and a recombinant HBsAg protein. We used RNA-seq, ELISA and hTLR7/8 reporting assays to characterize T7-EA in vitro and real-time PCR to evaluate the tissue-retention characteristics in vivo. To evaluate the adjuvant potential, we administrated T7-EA intraperitoneally in a formulation with an Alum adjuvant and HBsAg in normal and HBV mice, then, we evaluated the HBsAg-specific immune responses by ELISA and Elispot assays. Results T7-EA acted as an hTLR7-specific agonist and induced a similar gene expression pattern as an unmodified TLR7 ligand when Raw 264.7 cells were exposed to T7-EA; however, T7-EA was more potent than the unmodified TLR7 ligand. In vivo studies showed that T7-EA had tissue-retaining activity with stimulating local cytokine and chemokine expression for up to 7 days. T7-EA could induce Th1-type immune responses, as evidenced by an increased HBsAg-specific IgG2a titer and a T-cell response in normal mice compared to mice received traditional Alum-adjuvant HBV vaccine. Importantly, T7-EA could break immune tolerance and induce persistent HBsAg-specific antibody and T-cell responses in an HBV mouse model. Conclusions T7-EA might be a candidate adjuvant in a prophylactic and therapeutic HBV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunlong Hu
- The Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,National Engineering LAB of Synthetic Biology of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Regional Immunity and Diseases, Department of Pathogen Biology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Li Tang
- The Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,National Engineering LAB of Synthetic Biology of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education and Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhengyu Zhu
- Shenzhen Kang Tai Biological Products CO., Ltd, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - He Meng
- Department of Stomatology, Shenzhen University General Hospital & Shenzhen University Clinical Medical Academy, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tingting Chen
- The Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,National Engineering LAB of Synthetic Biology of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Sheng Zhao
- The Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,National Engineering LAB of Synthetic Biology of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhenchao Jin
- The Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,National Engineering LAB of Synthetic Biology of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zhulin Wang
- The Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.,National Engineering LAB of Synthetic Biology of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Guangyi Jin
- The Cancer Research Center, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China. .,National Engineering LAB of Synthetic Biology of Medicine, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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20
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Macedo AB, Novis CL, Bosque A. Targeting Cellular and Tissue HIV Reservoirs With Toll-Like Receptor Agonists. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2450. [PMID: 31681325 PMCID: PMC6804373 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The elimination of both cellular and tissue latent reservoirs is a challenge toward a successful HIV cure. "Shock and Kill" are among the therapeutic strategies that have been more extensively studied to target these reservoirs. These strategies are aimed toward the reactivation of the latent reservoir using a latency-reversal agent (LRA) with the subsequent killing of the reactivated cell either by the cytotoxic arm of the immune system, including NK and CD8 T cells, or by viral cytopathic mechanisms. Numerous LRAs are currently being investigated in vitro, ex vivo as well as in vivo for their ability to reactivate and reduce latent reservoirs. Among those, several toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have been shown to reactivate latent HIV. In humans, there are 10 TLRs that recognize different pathogen-associated molecular patterns. TLRs are present in several cell types, including CD4 T cells, the cell compartment that harbors the majority of the latent reservoir. Besides their ability to reactivate latent HIV, TLR agonists also increase immune activation and promote an antiviral response. These combined properties make TLR agonists unique among the different LRAs characterized to date. Additionally, some of these agonists have shown promise toward finding an HIV cure in animal models. When in combination with broadly neutralizing antibodies, TLR-7 agonists have shown to impact the SIV latent reservoir and delay viral rebound. Moreover, there are FDA-approved TLR agonists that are currently being investigated for cancer therapy and other diseases. All these has prompted clinical trials using TLR agonists either alone or in combination toward HIV eradication approaches. In this review, we provide an extensive characterization of the state-of-the-art of the use of TLR agonists toward HIV eradication strategies and the mechanism behind how TLR agonists target both cellular and tissue HIV reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda B. Macedo
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Camille L. Novis
- Department of Pathology, Division of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Alberto Bosque
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Tropical Medicine, George Washington University, Washington, DC, United States
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21
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Evans JT, Bess LS, Mwakwari SC, Livesay MT, Li Y, Cybulski V, Johnson DA, Bazin HG. Synthetic Toll-like Receptors 7 and 8 Agonists: Structure-Activity Relationship in the Oxoadenine Series. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:15665-15677. [PMID: 31572869 PMCID: PMC6761749 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 (TLR7/8) are broadly expressed on antigen-presenting cells, making TLR7/8 agonists likely candidates for the development of new vaccine adjuvants. We previously reported the synthesis of a new series of 8-oxoadenines substituted at the 9-position with a 4-piperidinylalkyl moiety and demonstrated that TLR7/8 selectivity and potency could be modulated by varying the length of the alkyl linker. In the present study, we broadened our initial structure-activity relationship study to further evaluate the effects of N-heterocycle ring size, chirality, and substitution on TLR7/8 potency, receptor selectivity, and cytokine (IFNα and TNFα) induction from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). TLR7/8 activity correlated primarily to linker length and to a lesser extent to ring size, while ring chirality had little effect on TLR7/8 potency or selectivity. Substitution of the heterocyclic ring with an aminoalkyl or hydroxyalkyl group for subsequent conjugation to phospholipids or antigens was well tolerated with the retention of both TLR7/8 activity and cytokine induction from human PBMCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay T. Evans
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
- Division of Biological Sciences and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59802, United States
| | - Laura S. Bess
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
- Division of Biological Sciences and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59802, United States
| | - Sandra C. Mwakwari
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
| | - Mark T. Livesay
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
- Division of Biological Sciences and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59802, United States
| | - Yufeng Li
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
| | - Van Cybulski
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
- Division of Biological Sciences and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59802, United States
| | - David A. Johnson
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
| | - Hélène G. Bazin
- GSK
Vaccines, 553 Old Corvallis
Road, Hamilton, Montana 59840, United States
- Division of Biological Sciences and Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical
Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59802, United States
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22
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Gential GPP, Hogervorst TP, Tondini E, van de Graaff MJ, Overkleeft HS, Codée JDC, van der Marel GA, Ossendorp F, Filippov DV. Peptides conjugated to 2-alkoxy-8-oxo-adenine as potential synthetic vaccines triggering TLR7. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2019; 29:1340-1344. [PMID: 30952595 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2019.03.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Covalent linking of immunogenic oligopeptides with synthetic Toll-like receptor ligands is a useful approach to develop self-adjuvanting vaccines. In particular, small-molecule based agonists of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) that are derived from 8-oxo-adenine core are potentially promising because these chemically robust TLR7 ligands can be connected to peptide T-cell epitopes via straightforward solid-phase peptide synthesis. In this contribution we present the synthesis of a Boc-protected 9-benzyl-2-alkoxy-8-oxo-adenine building block and its application in the online solid phase synthesis of three peptide conjugates that differ in the position of the TLR7 ligand within the peptide. The conjugates are able to induce dendritic cell maturation and T cell proliferation while the position of the ligand impacts T cell proliferation potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffroy P P Gential
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and The Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Tim P Hogervorst
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and The Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Elena Tondini
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Michel J van de Graaff
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and The Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Herman S Overkleeft
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and The Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen D C Codée
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and The Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gijsbert A van der Marel
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and The Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ferry Ossendorp
- Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, P.O. Box 9600, 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Dmitri V Filippov
- Leiden Institute of Chemistry and The Institute for Chemical Immunology, Leiden University, Einsteinweg 55, 2333 CC Leiden, The Netherlands.
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23
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Lynn GM, Chytil P, Francica JR, Lagová A, Kueberuwa G, Ishizuka AS, Zaidi N, Ramirez-Valdez RA, Blobel NJ, Baharom F, Leal J, Wang AQ, Gerner MY, Etrych T, Ulbrich K, Seymour LW, Seder RA, Laga R. Impact of Polymer-TLR-7/8 Agonist (Adjuvant) Morphology on the Potency and Mechanism of CD8 T Cell Induction. Biomacromolecules 2019; 20:854-870. [PMID: 30608149 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b01473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Small molecule Toll-like receptor-7 and -8 agonists (TLR-7/8a) can be used as vaccine adjuvants to induce CD8 T cell immunity but require formulations that prevent systemic toxicity and focus adjuvant activity in lymphoid tissues. Here, we covalently attached TLR-7/8a to polymers of varying composition, chain architecture and hydrodynamic behavior (∼300 nm submicrometer particles, ∼10 nm micelles and ∼4 nm flexible random coils) and evaluated how these parameters of polymer-TLR-7/8a conjugates impact adjuvant activity in vivo. Attachment of TLR-7/8a to any of the polymer compositions resulted in a nearly 10-fold reduction in systemic cytokines (toxicity). Moreover, both lymph node cytokine production and the magnitude of CD8 T cells induced against protein antigen increased with increasing polymer-TLR-7/8a hydrodynamic radius, with the submicrometer particle inducing the highest magnitude responses. Notably, CD8 T cell responses induced by polymer-TLR-7/8a were dependent on CCR2+ monocytes and IL-12, whereas responses by a small molecule TLR-7/8a that unexpectedly persisted in vaccine-site draining lymph nodes (T1/2 = 15 h) had less dependence on monocytes and IL-12 but required Type I IFNs. This study shows how modular properties of synthetic adjuvants can be chemically programmed to alter immunity in vivo through distinct immunological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey M Lynn
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Petr Chytil
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences , Heyrovského nám. 2 , 162 06 Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Joseph R Francica
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Anna Lagová
- Department of Oncology , University of Oxford , Old Road Campus Research Building , Oxford OX3 7DQ , United Kingdom
| | - Gray Kueberuwa
- Department of Oncology , University of Oxford , Old Road Campus Research Building , Oxford OX3 7DQ , United Kingdom
| | - Andrew S Ishizuka
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Neeha Zaidi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Ramiro A Ramirez-Valdez
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Nicolas J Blobel
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Faezzah Baharom
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Joseph Leal
- Department of Immunology , University of Washington , South Lake Union E-411, 750 Republican Street , Seattle , Washington 98109 , United States
| | - Amy Q Wang
- Therapeutics for Rare and Neglected Diseases, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences , 9800 Medical Center Drive , Rockville , Maryland 20850 , United States
| | - Michael Y Gerner
- Department of Immunology , University of Washington , South Lake Union E-411, 750 Republican Street , Seattle , Washington 98109 , United States
| | - Tomáš Etrych
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences , Heyrovského nám. 2 , 162 06 Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Karel Ulbrich
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences , Heyrovského nám. 2 , 162 06 Prague 6 , Czech Republic
| | - Leonard W Seymour
- Department of Oncology , University of Oxford , Old Road Campus Research Building , Oxford OX3 7DQ , United Kingdom
| | - Robert A Seder
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , National Institutes of Health, 40 Convent Drive , Bethesda , Maryland 20892 , United States
| | - Richard Laga
- Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Czech Academy of Sciences , Heyrovského nám. 2 , 162 06 Prague 6 , Czech Republic
- Department of Oncology , University of Oxford , Old Road Campus Research Building , Oxford OX3 7DQ , United Kingdom
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24
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Westcott MM, Clemens EA, Holbrook BC, King SB, Alexander-Miller MA. The choice of linker for conjugating R848 to inactivated influenza virus determines the stimulatory capacity for innate immune cells. Vaccine 2018; 36:1174-1182. [PMID: 29398273 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Inactivated influenza vaccines are not approved for use in infants less than 6 months of age due to poor immunogenicity in that population. While the live attenuated influenza vaccine has the potential to be more immunogenic, it is not an option for infants and other vulnerable populations, including the elderly and immunocompromised individuals due to safety concerns. In an effort to improve the immunogenicity of the inactivated vaccine for use in vulnerable populations, we have used an approach of chemically crosslinking the Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist R848 directly to virus particles. We have reported previously that an R848-conjugated, inactivated vaccine is more effective at inducing adaptive immune responses and protecting against lung pathology in influenza challenged neonatal African green monkeys than is the unmodified counterpart. In the current study, we describe a second generation vaccine that utilizes an amide-sulfhydryl crosslinker with different spacer chemistry and length to couple R848 to virions. The new vaccine has significantly enhanced immunostimulatory activity for murine macrophages and importantly for monocyte derived human dendritic cells. Demonstration of the significant differences in stimulatory activity afforded by modest changes in linker impacts our fundamental view of the design of TLR agonist-antigen vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlena M Westcott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biotech Place, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 575 N. Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
| | - Elene A Clemens
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biotech Place, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 575 N. Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
| | - Beth C Holbrook
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biotech Place, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 575 N. Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
| | - S Bruce King
- Department of Chemistry, Wake Downtown, Wake Forest University, 455 Vine Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
| | - Martha A Alexander-Miller
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Biotech Place, Wake Forest School of Medicine, 575 N. Patterson Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA.
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25
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Gadd AJR, Castelletto V, Kabova E, Shankland K, Perrie Y, Hamley I, Cobb AJA, Greco F, Edwards AD. High potency of lipid conjugated TLR7 agonist requires nanoparticulate or liposomal formulation. Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 123:268-276. [PMID: 30048801 PMCID: PMC6137072 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2018.07.048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Conjugation of small molecule agonists of Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) to proteins, lipids, or polymers is known to modulate potency, and the physical form or formulation of these conjugates is likely to have a major effect on their immunostimulatory activity. Here, we studied the effect of formulation on potency of a 1,2‑di‑(9Z‑octadecenoyl)‑sn‑glycero‑3‑phosphoethanolamine (DOPE) conjugated TLR7 agonist (DOPE-TLR7a) alongside assessing physical form using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Nanosight Particle Tracking (NTA) analysis and Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS). A very high potency of DOPE-TLR7a conjugate (EC50 around 9 nM) was observed either when prepared by direct dilution from DMSO or when formulated into 400-700 nm large multilamella liposomes containing dimethyldioctadecylammonium bromide salt (DDA) and DOPE. When prepared by dissolution in DMSO followed by dilution in aqueous culture medium, 93 ± 5 nm nanoparticles were formed. Without dilution from solution in DMSO, no nanoparticles were observed and no immunostimulatory activity could be detected without this formulation step. SAXS analysis of the conjugate after DMSO dissolution/water dilution revealed a lamellar order with a layer spacing of 68.7 Å, which correlates with arrangement in groups of 3 bilayers. The addition of another immunostimulatory glycolipid, trehalose‑6,6‑dibehenate (TDB), to DOPE:DDA liposomes gave no further increase in immunostimulatory activity beyond that provided by incorporating DOPE-TLR7a. Given the importance of nanoparticle or liposomal formulation for activity, we conclude that the major mechanism for increased potency when TLR7 agonists are conjugated to macromolecules is through alteration of physical form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J R Gadd
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Castelletto
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom
| | - Elena Kabova
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom
| | - Kenneth Shankland
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom
| | - Yvonne Perrie
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Hamley
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander J A Cobb
- Department of Chemistry, 7 Trinity Street, King's College London, London SE1 1DB, United Kingdom
| | - F Greco
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander D Edwards
- School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, United Kingdom.
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26
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Temizoz B, Kuroda E, Ishii KJ. Combination and inducible adjuvants targeting nucleic acid sensors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2018; 41:104-113. [PMID: 29870915 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2018.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Innate immune sensing of nucleic acids derived from invading pathogens or tumor cells via pattern recognition receptors is crucial for mounting protective immune responses against infectious disease and cancer. Recently, discovery of tremendous amounts of nucleic acid sensors as well as identification of natural and synthetic ligands for these receptors revealed the potential of adjuvants targeting nucleic acid sensing pathways for designing efficacious vaccines. Especially, current data indicated that unique adjuvants targeting TLR9 and stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent cytosolic nucleic acid sensing pathways along with the combinations of already existing adjuvants are promising candidates for this purpose. Here, we review current vaccine adjuvants targeting nucleic acid sensors and their modes of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Temizoz
- Laboratory of Vaccine Science, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (iFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Laboratory of Adjuvant Innovation, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research (CVAR), National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Etsushi Kuroda
- Laboratory of Vaccine Science, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (iFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Laboratory of Adjuvant Innovation, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research (CVAR), National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NBIOHN), Osaka, Japan
| | - Ken J Ishii
- Laboratory of Vaccine Science, WPI Immunology Frontier Research Center (iFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan; Laboratory of Adjuvant Innovation, Center for Vaccine and Adjuvant Research (CVAR), National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition (NBIOHN), Osaka, Japan.
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27
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Bazin HG, Bess LS, Livesay MT. Synthesis and Applications of Imidazoquinolines: A Review. ORG PREP PROCED INT 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/00304948.2018.1433427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Hélène G. Bazin
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive #1552, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Laura S. Bess
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive #1552, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Mark T. Livesay
- Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Science, University of Montana, 32 Campus Drive #1552, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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28
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Kilgore AM, Welsh S, Cheney EE, Chitrakar A, Blain TJ, Kedl BJ, Hunter CA, Pennock ND, Kedl RM. IL-27p28 Production by XCR1 + Dendritic Cells and Monocytes Effectively Predicts Adjuvant-Elicited CD8 + T Cell Responses. Immunohorizons 2018; 2:1-11. [PMID: 29354801 PMCID: PMC5771264 DOI: 10.4049/immunohorizons.1700054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well accepted that the innate response is a necessary prerequisite to the formation of the adaptive response. This is true for T cell responses against infections or adjuvanted subunit vaccination. However, specific innate parameters with predictive value for the magnitude of an adjuvant-elicited T cell response have yet to be identified. We previously reported how T cell responses induced by subunit vaccination were dependent on the cytokine IL-27. These findings were unexpected, given that T cell responses to an infection typically increase in the absence of IL-27. Using a novel IL-27p28-eGFP reporter mouse, we now show that the degree to which an adjuvant induces IL-27p28 production from dendritic cells and monocytes directly predicts the magnitude of the T cell response elicited. To our knowledge, these data are the first to identify a concrete innate correlate of vaccine-elicited cellular immunity, and they have significant practical and mechanistic implications for subunit vaccine biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Augustus M Kilgore
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80045
| | - Seth Welsh
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80045
| | - Elizabeth E Cheney
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80045
| | - Alisha Chitrakar
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80045
| | - Trevor J Blain
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80045
| | - Benjamin J Kedl
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80045
| | - Chris A Hunter
- Department of Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Nathan D Pennock
- Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239
| | - Ross M Kedl
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Denver at Anschutz Medical Campus, Denver, CO 80045
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29
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Reginald K, Chan Y, Plebanski M, Poh CL. Development of Peptide Vaccines in Dengue. Curr Pharm Des 2018; 24:1157-1173. [PMID: 28914200 PMCID: PMC6040172 DOI: 10.2174/1381612823666170913163904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Revised: 08/30/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dengue is one of the most important arboviral infections worldwide, infecting up to 390 million people and causing 25,000 deaths annually. Although a licensed dengue vaccine is available, it is not efficacious against dengue serotypes that infect people living in South East Asia, where dengue is an endemic disease. Hence, there is an urgent need to develop an efficient dengue vaccine for this region. Data from different clinical trials indicate that a successful dengue vaccine must elicit both neutralizing antibodies and cell mediated immunity. This can be achieved by designing a multi-epitope peptide vaccine comprising B, CD8+ and CD4+ T cell epitopes. As recognition of T cell epitopes are restricted by human leukocyte antigens (HLA), T cell epitopes which are able to recognize several major HLAs will be preferentially included in the vaccine design. While peptide vaccines are safe, biocompatible and cost-effective, it is poorly immunogenic. Strategies to improve its immunogenicity by the use of long peptides, adjuvants and nanoparticle delivery mechanisms are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Chit Laa Poh
- Address correspondence to this author at the Research Centre for Biomedical Sciences, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, 5 Jalan University, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia; Tel: +60-3-7491 8622 ext. 7338; E-mail:
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30
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Retrovirus-Based Virus-Like Particle Immunogenicity and Its Modulation by Toll-Like Receptor Activation. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01230-17. [PMID: 28794025 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01230-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Retrovirus-derived virus-like particles (VLPs) are particularly interesting vaccine platforms, as they trigger efficient humoral and cellular immune responses and can be used to display heterologous antigens. In this study, we characterized the intrinsic immunogenicity of VLPs and investigated their possible adjuvantization by incorporation of Toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands. We designed a noncoding single-stranded RNA (ncRNA) that could be encapsidated by VLPs and induce TLR7/8 signaling. We found that VLPs efficiently induce in vitro dendritic cell activation, which can be improved by ncRNA encapsidation (ncRNAVLPs). Transcriptome studies of dendritic cells harvested from the spleens of immunized mice identified antigen presentation and immune activation as the main gene expression signatures induced by VLPs, while TLR signaling and Th1 signatures characterize ncRNAVLPs. In vivo and compared with standard VLPs, ncRNAVLPs promoted Th1 responses and improved CD8+ T cell proliferation in a MyD88-dependent manner. In an HIV vaccine mouse model, HIV-pseudotyped ncRNAVLPs elicited stronger antigen-specific cellular and humoral responses than VLPs. Altogether, our findings provide molecular evidence for a strong vaccine potential of retrovirus-derived VLPs that can be further improved by harnessing TLR-mediated immune activation.IMPORTANCE We previously reported that DNA vaccines encoding antigens displayed in/on retroviral VLPs are more efficient than standard DNA vaccines at inducing cellular and humoral immune responses. We aimed to decipher the mechanisms and investigated the VLPs' immunogenicity independently of DNA vaccination. We show that VLPs have the ability to activate antigen-presenting cells directly, thus confirming their intrinsic immunostimulatory properties and their potential to be used as an antigenic platform. Notably, this immunogenicity can be further improved and/or oriented by the incorporation into VLPs of ncRNA, which provides further TLR-mediated activation and Th1-type CD4+ and CD8+ T cell response orientation. Our results highlight the versatility of retrovirus-derived VLP design and the value of using ncRNA as an intrinsic vaccine adjuvant.
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31
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Chen P, Liu X, Sun Y, Zhou P, Wang Y, Zhang Y. Dendritic cell targeted vaccines: Recent progresses and challenges. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 12:612-22. [PMID: 26513200 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1105415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are known to be a set of morphology, structure and function of heterogeneous professional antigen presenting cells (APCs), as well as the strongest functional antigen presenting cells, which can absorb, process and present antigens. As the key regulators of innate and adaptive immune responses, DCs are at the center of the immune system and capable of interacting with both B cells and T cells, thereby manipulating the humoral and cellular immune responses. DCs provide an essential link between the innate and adaptive immunity, and the strong immune activation function of DCs and their properties of natural adjuvants, make them a valuable target for antigen delivery. Targeting antigens to DC-specific endocytic receptors in combination with the relevant antibodies or ligands along with immunostimulatory adjuvants has been recently recognized as a promising strategy for designing an effective vaccine that elicits a strong and durable T cell response against intracellular pathogens and cancer. This opinion article provides a brief summary of the rationales, superiorities and challenges of existing DC-targeting approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Chen
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China
| | - Xinsheng Liu
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China
| | - Yuefeng Sun
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China
| | - Peng Zhou
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China
| | - Yonglu Wang
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China
| | - Yongguang Zhang
- a State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, OIE/National Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Animal Virology of Ministry of Agriculture, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Lanzhou , China
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32
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Xu Z, Moyle PM. Bioconjugation Approaches to Producing Subunit Vaccines Composed of Protein or Peptide Antigens and Covalently Attached Toll-Like Receptor Ligands. Bioconjug Chem 2017; 29:572-586. [PMID: 28891637 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.7b00478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Traditional vaccines derived from attenuated or inactivated pathogens are effective at inducing antibody-based protective immune responses but tend to be highly reactogenic, causing notable adverse effects. Vaccines with superior safety profiles can be produced by subunit approaches, utilizing molecularly defined antigens (e.g., proteins and polysaccharides). These antigens, however, often elicit poor immunological responses, necessitating the use of adjuvants. Immunostimulatory adjuvants have the capacity to activate antigen presenting cells directly through specific receptors (e.g., Toll-like receptors (TLRs)), resulting in enhanced presentation of antigens as well as the secretion of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines. Consequently, innate immune responses are amplified and adaptive immunity is generated. Recently, site-specific conjugation of such immunostimulatory adjuvants (e.g., TLR ligands) onto defined antigens has shown superior efficacy over unconjugated mixtures, suggesting that the development of chemically characterized immunostimulatory adjuvants and optimized approaches for their conjugation with antigens may provide a better opportunity for the development of potent, novel vaccines. This review briefly summarizes various TLR agonists utilized as immunostimulatory adjuvants and focuses on the development of techniques (e.g., recombinant, synthetic, and semisynthetic) for generating adjuvant-antigen fusion vaccines incorporating peptide or protein antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghui Xu
- School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Woolloongabba 4102 , Queensland , Australia
| | - Peter Michael Moyle
- School of Pharmacy , The University of Queensland , Woolloongabba 4102 , Queensland , Australia
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33
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Bullock TN. TNF-receptor superfamily agonists as molecular adjuvants for cancer vaccines. Curr Opin Immunol 2017; 47:70-77. [PMID: 28750279 PMCID: PMC5626616 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 07/03/2017] [Accepted: 07/05/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Cancer vaccines have offered unrequited hope as a mechanism for rapidly and potently eliciting a patient's immune system to counter tumors. Initial results from preclinical mouse models have not translated to substantial benefit to patients, suggesting that either the targets or the vaccination approach were inadequate. Recent innovations in antigen identification have spiked renewed interest vaccination technologies. This has coincided with a detailed molecular understanding of the coordinated steps in postactivation support of T cell proliferation, differentiation and survival, leading to the development of novel targets and combinations that are substantially more effective than first and second generation cancer vaccines in preclinical models. Within this cluster of developments, the TNF-receptor superfamily members have emerged as attractive candidates for clinical implementation. Here we review recent developments in the mechanisms of action of TNFRSF agonists, and how their activity is potentiated by integration co-targeting pattern recognition receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy Nj Bullock
- Department of Pathology and Human Immune Therapy Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA.
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34
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O'Hagan DT, Friedland LR, Hanon E, Didierlaurent AM. Towards an evidence based approach for the development of adjuvanted vaccines. Curr Opin Immunol 2017; 47:93-102. [PMID: 28755542 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
In the last two decades, several vaccines formulated with a new generation of adjuvants have been licensed or approved to target diseases such as influenza, hepatitis B, cervical cancer, and malaria. These new generation adjuvants appear to work by delivering a localized activation signal to the innate immune system, which in turn promotes antigen-specific adaptive immunity. Advances in understanding of the innate immune system together with high-throughput discovery of synthetic immune potentiators are now expanding the portfolio of new generation adjuvants available for evaluation. Meanwhile, omics and systems biology are providing molecular benchmarks or signatures to assess vaccine safety and effectiveness. This accumulating knowledge and experience raises the prospect that the future selection of the right antigen/adjuvant combination can be more evidence based and can speed up the clinical development program for new adjuvanted vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek T O'Hagan
- GSK Vaccines, 14200 Shady Grove Road, Rockville, MD, USA. derek.t.o'
| | | | - Emmanuel Hanon
- GSK Vaccines, Rue de l'Institut 89, 1330 Rixensart, Belgium
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35
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Dowling DJ, van Haren SD, Scheid A, Bergelson I, Kim D, Mancuso CJ, Foppen W, Ozonoff A, Fresh L, Theriot TB, Lackner AA, Fichorova RN, Smirnov D, Vasilakos JP, Beaurline JM, Tomai MA, Midkiff CC, Alvarez X, Blanchard JL, Gilbert MH, Aye PP, Levy O. TLR7/8 adjuvant overcomes newborn hyporesponsiveness to pneumococcal conjugate vaccine at birth. JCI Insight 2017; 2:e91020. [PMID: 28352660 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.91020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection is the most common cause of mortality in early life, and immunization is the most promising biomedical intervention to reduce this burden. However, newborns fail to respond optimally to most vaccines. Adjuvantation is a key approach to enhancing vaccine immunogenicity, but responses of human newborn leukocytes to most candidate adjuvants, including most TLR agonists, are functionally distinct. Herein, we demonstrate that 3M-052 is a locally acting lipidated imidazoquinoline TLR7/8 agonist adjuvant in mice, which, when properly formulated, can induce robust Th1 cytokine production by human newborn leukocytes in vitro, both alone and in synergy with the alum-adjuvanted pneumococcal conjugate vaccine 13 (PCV13). When admixed with PCV13 and administered i.m. on the first day of life to rhesus macaques, 3M-052 dramatically enhanced generation of Th1 CRM-197-specific neonatal CD4+ cells, activation of newborn and infant Streptococcus pneumoniae polysaccharide-specific (PnPS-specific) B cells as well as serotype-specific antibody titers, and opsonophagocytic killing. Remarkably, a single dose at birth of PCV13 plus 0.1 mg/kg 3M-052 induced PnPS-specific IgG responses that were approximately 10-100 times greater than a single birth dose of PCV13 alone, rapidly exceeding the serologic correlate of protection, as early as 28 days of life. This potent immunization strategy, potentially effective with one birth dose, could represent a new paradigm in early life vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- David J Dowling
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Simon D van Haren
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Precision Vaccines Program, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Annette Scheid
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Precision Vaccines Program, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Division of Newborn Medicine, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ilana Bergelson
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Dhohyung Kim
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Christy J Mancuso
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Willemina Foppen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Al Ozonoff
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Precision Vaccines Program, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Patient Safety and Quality Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lynn Fresh
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Terese B Theriot
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Andrew A Lackner
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Raina N Fichorova
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mark A Tomai
- 3M Drug Delivery Systems, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
| | - Cecily C Midkiff
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Xavier Alvarez
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - James L Blanchard
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Margaret H Gilbert
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Pyone Pyone Aye
- Tulane National Primate Research Center (TNPRC), Covington, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ofer Levy
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Precision Vaccines Program, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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36
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Biotechnology approaches to produce potent, self-adjuvanting antigen-adjuvant fusion protein subunit vaccines. Biotechnol Adv 2017; 35:375-389. [PMID: 28288861 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2017.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2017] [Revised: 03/08/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Traditional vaccination approaches (e.g. live attenuated or killed microorganisms) are among the most effective means to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. These approaches, nevertheless, have failed to yield successful vaccines against many important pathogens. To overcome this problem, methods have been developed to identify microbial components, against which protective immune responses can be elicited. Subunit antigens identified by these approaches enable the production of defined vaccines, with improved safety profiles. However, they are generally poorly immunogenic, necessitating their administration with potent immunostimulatory adjuvants. Since few safe and effective adjuvants are currently used in vaccines approved for human use, with those available displaying poor potency, or an inability to stimulate the types of immune responses required for vaccines against specific diseases (e.g. cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTLs) to treat cancers), the development of new vaccines will be aided by the availability of characterized platforms of new adjuvants, improving our capacity to rationally select adjuvants for different applications. One such approach, involves the addition of microbial components (pathogen-associated molecular patterns; PAMPs), that can stimulate strong immune responses, into subunit vaccine formulations. The conjugation of PAMPs to subunit antigens provides a means to greatly increase vaccine potency, by targeting immunostimulation and antigen to the same antigen presenting cell. Thus, methods that enable the efficient, and inexpensive production of antigen-adjuvant fusions represent an exciting mean to improve immunity towards subunit antigens. Herein we review four protein-based adjuvants (flagellin, bacterial lipoproteins, the extra domain A of fibronectin (EDA), and heat shock proteins (Hsps)), which can be genetically fused to antigens to enable recombinant production of antigen-adjuvant fusion proteins, with a focus on their mechanisms of action, structural or sequence requirements for activity, sequence modifications to enhance their activity or simplify production, adverse effects, and examples of vaccines in preclinical or human clinical trials.
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37
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Volckmar J, Gereke M, Ebensen T, Riese P, Philipsen L, Lienenklaus S, Wohlleber D, Klopfleisch R, Stegemann-Koniszewski S, Müller AJ, Gruber AD, Knolle P, Guzman CA, Bruder D. Targeted antigen delivery to dendritic cells elicits robust antiviral T cell-mediated immunity in the liver. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43985. [PMID: 28266658 PMCID: PMC5339819 DOI: 10.1038/srep43985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatotropic viruses such as hepatitis C virus cause life-threatening chronic liver infections in millions of people worldwide. Targeted in vivo antigen-delivery to cross-presenting dendritic cells (DCs) has proven to be extraordinarily efficient in stimulating antigen-specific T cell responses. To determine whether this approach would as well be suitable to induce local antiviral effector T cells in the liver we compared different vaccine formulations based on either the targeting of DEC-205 or TLR2/6 on cross-presenting DCs or formulations not involving in vivo DC targeting. As read-outs we used in vivo hepatotropic adenovirus challenge, histology and automated multidimensional fluorescence microscopy (MELC). We show that targeted in vivo antigen delivery to cross-presenting DCs is highly effective in inducing antiviral CTLs capable of eliminating virus-infected hepatocytes, while control vaccine formulation not involving DC targeting failed to induce immunity against hepatotropic virus. Moreover, we observed distinct patterns of CD8+ T cell interaction with virus-infected and apoptotic hepatocytes in the two DC-targeting groups suggesting that the different vaccine formulations may stimulate distinct types of effector functions. Our findings represent an important step toward the future development of vaccines against hepatotropic viruses and the treatment of patients with hepatic virus infection after liver transplantation to avoid reinfection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Volckmar
- Immune Regulation Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany &Infection Immunology Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marcus Gereke
- Immune Regulation Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany &Infection Immunology Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Ebensen
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Peggy Riese
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lars Philipsen
- Intravital Microscopy in Infection and Immunity, Institute for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Lienenklaus
- Department of Molecular Immunology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dirk Wohlleber
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Technische Universität München, Germany
| | - Robert Klopfleisch
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sabine Stegemann-Koniszewski
- Immune Regulation Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany &Infection Immunology Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Andreas J Müller
- Intravital Microscopy in Infection and Immunity, Institute for Molecular and Clinical Immunology, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Achim D Gruber
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Free University Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Percy Knolle
- Institute of Molecular Immunology, Technische Universität München, Germany.,Institute of Molecular Medicine and Experimental Immunology, Universität Bonn, Germany
| | - Carlos A Guzman
- Department of Vaccinology and Applied Microbiology, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Dunja Bruder
- Immune Regulation Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany &Infection Immunology Group, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Infection Control and Prevention, Medical Faculty of the Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
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38
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Fox CB, Orr MT, Van Hoeven N, Parker SC, Mikasa TJT, Phan T, Beebe EA, Nana GI, Joshi SW, Tomai MA, Elvecrog J, Fouts TR, Reed SG. Adsorption of a synthetic TLR7/8 ligand to aluminum oxyhydroxide for enhanced vaccine adjuvant activity: A formulation approach. J Control Release 2016; 244:98-107. [PMID: 27847326 PMCID: PMC5176129 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
For nearly a century, aluminum salts have been the most widely used vaccine adjuvant formulation, and have thus established a history of safety and efficacy. Nevertheless, for extremely challenging disease targets such as tuberculosis or HIV, the adjuvant activity of aluminum salts may not be potent enough to achieve protective efficacy. Adsorption of TLR ligands to aluminum salts facilitates enhanced adjuvant activity, such as in the human papilloma virus vaccine Cervarix®. However, some TLR ligands such as TLR7/8 agonist imidazoquinolines do not efficiently adsorb to aluminum salts. The present report describes a formulation approach to solving this challenge by developing a lipid-based nanosuspension of a synthetic TLR7/8 ligand (3M-052) that facilitates adsorption to aluminum oxyhydroxide via the structural properties of the helper lipid employed. In immunized mice, the aluminum oxyhydroxide-adsorbed formulation of 3M-052 enhanced antibody and TH1-type cellular immune responses to vaccine antigens for tuberculosis and HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher B Fox
- IDRI, 1616 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; Dept of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA.
| | - Mark T Orr
- IDRI, 1616 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; Dept of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | | | | | | | - Tony Phan
- IDRI, 1616 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98102, USA
| | | | | | | | - Mark A Tomai
- 3M Drug Delivery Systems, 3M Center, 275-3E-10, St. Paul, MN 55144, USA
| | - James Elvecrog
- 3M Drug Delivery Systems, 3M Center, 275-3E-10, St. Paul, MN 55144, USA
| | | | - Steven G Reed
- IDRI, 1616 Eastlake Ave, Seattle, WA 98102, USA; Dept of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
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39
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The adjuvant effect of TLR7 agonist conjugated to a meningococcal serogroup C glycoconjugate vaccine. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2016; 107:110-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpb.2016.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/03/2016] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
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40
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Schüller S, Wisgrill L, Sadeghi K, Gindl E, Helmer H, Husslein P, Berger A, Spittler A, Förster-Waldl E. The TLR-specific adjuvants R-848 and CpG-B endorse the immunological reaction of neonatal antigen-presenting cells. Pediatr Res 2016; 80:311-8. [PMID: 27057737 DOI: 10.1038/pr.2016.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preterm neonates display an impaired vaccine response. Neonatal antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are less effective to induce an adaptive immune response and to promote the development of immunological memory. Efficient adjuvantal toll-like receptor (TLR)-triggering may overcome the neonatal immunological impairment. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the immunostimulatory action of R-848 and CpG-B on neonatal APCs. METHODS Surface marker and cytokine secretion of APCs were evaluated after incubation of cord blood and peripheral blood mononuclear cells with the indicated adjuvants and were analyzed using flow cytometry. RESULTS TLR-specific stimulation resulted in a significant induction of costimulatory molecules on neonatal APCs. Stimulation with R-848 resulted in significant higher secretion of TNFα, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12/IL-23p40, IL-12p70, and IFN-γ. Interestingly, CpG-B resulted in significant higher secretion of TNFα and IL-6. CONCLUSION In summary, the incubation of TLR-agonists induced activation and maturation of neonatal APCs. These data show that modern TLR-specific adjuvants achieve a direct effect and potent upregulation of activation and maturation markers and cytokines in preterm neonates. We thus conclude that agents triggering TLRs might possibly overcome neonatal lack of vaccine responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Schüller
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Paediatric Intensive Care & Neuropaediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Wisgrill
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Paediatric Intensive Care & Neuropaediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kambis Sadeghi
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Paediatric Intensive Care & Neuropaediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Erich Gindl
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Paediatric Intensive Care & Neuropaediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hanns Helmer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter Husslein
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Angelika Berger
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Paediatric Intensive Care & Neuropaediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Spittler
- Department of Surgery, Research Labs & Core Facility Flow Cytometry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Förster-Waldl
- Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Neonatology, Paediatric Intensive Care & Neuropaediatrics, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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41
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Akinbobuyi B, Wang L, Upchurch KC, Byrd MR, Chang CA, Quintana JM, Petersen RE, Seifert ZJ, Boquin JR, Oh S, Kane RR. Synthesis and immunostimulatory activity of substituted TLR7 agonists. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:4246-9. [PMID: 27476423 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.07.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Fifteen new substituted adenines were synthesized as potential TLR7 agonists. These compounds, along with 9 previously reported compounds, were analyzed for TLR7 activity and for the selective stimulation of B cell proliferation. Several functionalized derivatives exhibit significant activity, suggesting their potential for use as vaccine adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babatope Akinbobuyi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, Baylor Research Institute, 3434 Live Oak Street, Dallas, TX 75204, USA
| | - Katherine C Upchurch
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97224, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, Baylor Research Institute, 3434 Live Oak Street, Dallas, TX 75204, USA
| | - Matthew R Byrd
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Charles A Chang
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97224, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Jeremy M Quintana
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Rachel E Petersen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - Zacharie J Seifert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, TX 76798, USA
| | - José R Boquin
- Department of Chemistry, Augustana College, 639 38th Street, Rock Island, IL 61201, USA
| | - SangKon Oh
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97224, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, Baylor Research Institute, 3434 Live Oak Street, Dallas, TX 75204, USA
| | - Robert R Kane
- Institute of Biomedical Studies, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97224, Waco, TX 76798, USA; Baylor Institute for Immunology Research, Baylor Research Institute, 3434 Live Oak Street, Dallas, TX 75204, USA; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97348, Waco, TX 76798, USA.
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42
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Liu R, Wang J, Yang Y, Khan I, Zhu N. Rabies virus lipopeptide conjugated to a TLR7 agonist improves the magnitude and quality of the Th1-biased humoral immune response in mice. Virology 2016; 497:102-110. [PMID: 27449478 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we conjugated the rabies-derived lipopeptide CE536 to a TLR7 agonist, imiquimod, and evaluated its adjuvanticity. The synthetic construct (Lipo-I) targeted to TLR7, induced dendritic cell phenotypic maturation and production of both type I interferon and pro-inflammatory cytokines more efficiently than unconjugated TLR7 ligands or lipopeptide alone. The immunostimulatory effects of the conjugate were apparently the result of IκBα degradation and sustained p38 and JNK phosphorylation. The analysis of IgG isotypes and T cell differentiation showed that IgG2a dominant Th1-biased humoral and CD8(+) IFN-γ T cell responses were induced by Lipo-I. Lipo-I could facilitate the rabies vaccine to induce the production of an earlier and more vigorous rabies virus neutralizing antibody. In the post-exposure test, the Lipo-I adjuvanted vaccine provided a 73.3% survival rate, while the traditional vaccine bestowed only a 26.7% survival. Therefore, Lipo-I is a promising adjuvant for the development of more effective rabies vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Liu
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China.
| | - Jingbo Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Inamullah Khan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Naishuo Zhu
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200438, China
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Wu TYH. Strategies for designing synthetic immune agonists. Immunology 2016; 148:315-25. [PMID: 27213842 DOI: 10.1111/imm.12622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 05/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Enhancing the immune system is a validated strategy to combat infectious disease, cancer and allergy. Nevertheless, the development of immune adjuvants has been hampered by safety concerns. Agents that can stimulate the immune system often bear structural similarities with pathogen-associated molecular patterns found in bacteria or viruses and are recognized by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Activation of these PRRs results in the immediate release of inflammatory cytokines, up-regulation of co-stimulatory molecules, and recruitment of innate immune cells. The distribution and duration of these early inflammatory events are crucial in the development of antigen-specific adaptive immunity in the forms of antibody and/or T cells capable of searching for and destroying the infectious pathogens or cancer cells. However, systemic activation of these PRRs is often poorly tolerated. Hence, different strategies have been employed to modify or deliver immune agonists in an attempt to control the early innate receptor activation through temporal or spatial restriction. These approaches include physicochemical manipulation, covalent conjugation, formulation and conditional activation/deactivation. This review will describe recent examples of discovery and optimization of synthetic immune agonists towards clinical application.
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Cortez A, Li Y, Miller AT, Zhang X, Yue K, Maginnis J, Hampton J, Hall DS, Shapiro M, Nayak B, D'Oro U, Li C, Skibinski D, Mbow ML, Singh M, O'Hagan DT, Cooke MP, Valiante NM, Wu TYH. Incorporation of Phosphonate into Benzonaphthyridine Toll-like Receptor 7 Agonists for Adsorption to Aluminum Hydroxide. J Med Chem 2016; 59:5868-78. [PMID: 27270029 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.6b00489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Small molecule Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists have been used as vaccine adjuvants by enhancing innate immune activation to afford better adaptive response. Localized TLR7 agonists without systemic exposure can afford good adjuvanticity, suggesting peripheral innate activation (non-antigen-specific) is not required for immune priming. To enhance colocalization of antigen and adjuvant, benzonaphthyridine (BZN) TLR7 agonists are chemically modified with phosphonates to allow adsorption onto aluminum hydroxide (alum), a formulation commonly used in vaccines for antigen stabilization and injection site deposition. The adsorption process is facilitated by enhancing aqueous solubility of BZN analogs to avoid physical mixture of two insoluble particulates. These BZN-phosphonates are highly adsorbed onto alum, which significantly reduced systemic exposure and increased local retention post injection. This report demonstrates a novel approach in vaccine adjuvant design using phosphonate modification to afford adsorption of small molecule immune potentiator (SMIP) onto alum, thereby enhancing co-delivery with antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Cortez
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Yongkai Li
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Andrew T Miller
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Xiaoyue Zhang
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Kathy Yue
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Jillian Maginnis
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Janice Hampton
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - De Shon Hall
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Michael Shapiro
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Bishnu Nayak
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Ugo D'Oro
- GSK Vaccines , Via Florentina, 1, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Chun Li
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | | | - M Lamine Mbow
- GSK Vaccines , 45 Sydney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Manmohan Singh
- GSK Vaccines , 45 Sydney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Derek T O'Hagan
- GSK Vaccines , 45 Sydney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael P Cooke
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
| | - Nicholas M Valiante
- GSK Vaccines , 45 Sydney Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Tom Y-H Wu
- Genomics Institute of Novartis Research Foundation , 10675 John Jay Hopkins Drive, San Diego, California 92121, United States
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Tukhvatulin AI, Dzharullaeva AS, Tukhvatulina NM, Shcheblyakov DV, Shmarov MM, Dolzhikova IV, Stanhope-Baker P, Naroditsky BS, Gudkov AV, Logunov DY, Gintsburg AL. Powerful Complex Immunoadjuvant Based on Synergistic Effect of Combined TLR4 and NOD2 Activation Significantly Enhances Magnitude of Humoral and Cellular Adaptive Immune Responses. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155650. [PMID: 27187797 PMCID: PMC4871337 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Binding of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) by pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) activates innate immune responses and contributes to development of adaptive immunity. Simultaneous stimulation of different types of PRRs can have synergistic immunostimulatory effects resulting in enhanced production of molecules that mediate innate immunity such as inflammatory cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, etc. Here, we evaluated the impact of combined stimulation of PRRs from different families on adaptive immunity by generating alum-based vaccine formulations with ovalbumin as a model antigen and the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist MPLA and the Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2) agonist MDP adsorbed individually or together on the alum-ovalbumin particles. Multiple in vitro and in vivo readouts of immune system activation all showed that while individual PRR agonists increased the immunogenicity of vaccines compared to alum alone, the combination of both PRR agonists was significantly more effective. Combined stimulation of TLR4 and NOD2 results in a stronger and broader transcriptional response in THP-1 cells compared to individual PRR stimulation. Immunostimulatory composition containing both PRR agonists (MPLA and MDP) in the context of the alum-based ovalbumin vaccine also enhanced uptake of vaccine particles by bone marrow derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and promoted maturation (up-regulation of expression of CD80, CD86, MHCII) and activation (production of cytokines) of BMDCs. Finally, immunization of mice with vaccine particles containing both PRR agonists resulted in enhanced cellular immunity as indicated by increased proliferation and activation (IFN-γ production) of splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells following in vitro restimulation with ovalbumin and enhanced humoral immunity as indicated by higher titers of ovalbumin-specific IgG antibodies. These results indicate that combined stimulation of TLR4 and NOD2 receptors dramatically enhances activation of both the humoral and cellular branches of adaptive immunity and suggests that inclusion of agonists of these receptors in standard alum-based adjuvants could be used to improve the effectiveness of vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir I. Tukhvatulin
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alina S. Dzharullaeva
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Natalia M. Tukhvatulina
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitry V. Shcheblyakov
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Maxim M. Shmarov
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Inna V. Dolzhikova
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Boris S. Naroditsky
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
| | - Andrei V. Gudkov
- Cleveland BioLabs, Inc., Buffalo, New York, United States of America
- Department of Cell Stress Biology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton str., 14263 Buffalo, New York, United States of America
| | - Denis Y. Logunov
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexander L. Gintsburg
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Gamaleya str.18, 123098 Moscow, Russia
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Liu Q, Jia J, Yang T, Fan Q, Wang L, Ma G. Pathogen-Mimicking Polymeric Nanoparticles based on Dopamine Polymerization as Vaccines Adjuvants Induce Robust Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:1744-1757. [PMID: 26849717 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201503662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 12/28/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Aiming to enhance the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines, a novel antigen delivery and adjuvant system based on dopamine polymerization on the surface of poly(D,L-lactic-glycolic-acid) nanoparticles (NPs) with multiple mechanisms of immunity enhancement is developed. The mussel-inspired biomimetic polydopamine (pD) not only serves as a coating to NPs but also functionalizes NP surfaces. The method is facile and mild including simple incubation of the preformed NPs in the weak alkaline dopamine solution, and incorporation of hepatitis B surface antigen and TLR9 agonist unmethylated cytosine-guanine (CpG) motif with the pD surface. The as-constructed NPs possess pathogen-mimicking manners owing to their size, shape, and surface molecular immune-activating properties given by CpG. The biocompatibility and biosafety of these pathogen-mimicking NPs are confirmed using bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. Pathogen-mimicking NPs hold great potential as vaccine delivery and adjuvant system due to their ability to: 1) enhance cytokine secretion and immune cell recruitment at the injection site; 2) significantly activate and maturate dendritic cells; 3) induce stronger humoral and cellular immune responses in vivo. Furthermore, this simple and versatile dopamine polymerization method can be applicable to endow NPs with characteristics to mimic pathogen structure and function, and manipulate NPs for the generation of efficacious vaccine adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, PLA Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Production and Formulation Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jilei Jia
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, PLA Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Production and Formulation Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Tingyuan Yang
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, PLA Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Production and Formulation Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Qingze Fan
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, PLA Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Production and Formulation Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Lianyan Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, PLA Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Production and Formulation Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
| | - Guanghui Ma
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, PLA Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Production and Formulation Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, P. R. China
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), Tianjin, 300072, P. R. China
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Zhou Q, Zhang Y, Du J, Li Y, Zhou Y, Fu Q, Zhang J, Wang X, Zhan L. Different-Sized Gold Nanoparticle Activator/Antigen Increases Dendritic Cells Accumulation in Liver-Draining Lymph Nodes and CD8+ T Cell Responses. ACS NANO 2016; 10:2678-92. [PMID: 26771692 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b07716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The lack of efficient antigen and activator delivery systems, as well as the restricted migration of dendritic cells (DCs) to secondary lymph organs, dramatically limits DC-based adoptive immunotherapy. We selected two spherical gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based vehicles of optimal size for activator and antigen delivery. Their combination (termed the NanoAu-Cocktail) was associated with the dual targeting of CpG oligonucleotides (CpG-ODNs) and an OVA peptide (OVAp) to DC subcellular compartments, inducing enhanced antigen cross-presentation, upregulated expression of costimulatory molecules and elevated secretion of T helper1 cytokines. We demonstrated that the intravenously transfused NanoAu-Cocktail pulsed DCs showed dramatically improved in vivo homing ability to lymphoid tissues and were settled in T cell area. Especially, by tissue-distribution analysis, we found that more than 60% of lymphoid tissues-homing DCs accumulated in liver-draining lymph nodes (LLNs). The improved homing ability of NanoAu-Cocktail pulsed DCs was associated with the high expression of chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) and rearrangement of the cytoskeletons. In addition, by antigen-specific tetramers detection, NanoAu-Cocktail pulsed DCs were proved able to elicit strong antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses, which provided enhanced protection from viral invasions. This study highlights the importance of codelivering antigen/adjuvant using different sized gold nanoparticles to improve DC homing and therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yulong Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Juan Du
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Li
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Yong Zhou
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Qiuxia Fu
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Jingang Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
| | - Linsheng Zhan
- Beijing Institute of Transfusion Medicine , Beijing Key Laboratory of Blood Safety and Supply Technologies, TaiPing Road 27, 100039 Beijing, P. R. China
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Stein P, Radsak MP. The skin as an orchestrator of influenza immunity. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2016; 16:139-140. [PMID: 26559481 DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(15)00413-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Stein
- University Medical Center Mainz, Mainz 55131, Germany
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49
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Swaminathan G, Thoryk EA, Cox KS, Meschino S, Dubey SA, Vora KA, Celano R, Gindy M, Casimiro DR, Bett AJ. A novel lipid nanoparticle adjuvant significantly enhances B cell and T cell responses to sub-unit vaccine antigens. Vaccine 2015; 34:110-9. [PMID: 26555351 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.10.132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2015] [Revised: 10/01/2015] [Accepted: 10/30/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Sub-unit vaccines are primarily designed to include antigens required to elicit protective immune responses and to be safer than whole-inactivated or live-attenuated vaccines. But their purity and inability to self-adjuvant often result in weaker immunogenicity. Emerging evidence suggests that bio-engineered nanoparticles can be used as immunomodulatory adjuvants. Therefore, in this study we explored the potential of novel Merck-proprietary lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations to enhance immune responses to sub-unit viral antigens. Immunization of BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice revealed that LNPs alone or in combination with a synthetic TLR9 agonist, immune-modulatory oligonucleotides, IMO-2125 (IMO), significantly enhanced immune responses to hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) and ovalbumin (OVA). LNPs enhanced total B-cell responses to both antigens tested, to levels comparable to known vaccine adjuvants including aluminum based adjuvant, IMO alone and a TLR4 agonist, 3-O-deactytaled monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL). Investigation of the quality of B-cell responses demonstrated that the combination of LNP with IMO agonist elicited a stronger Th1-type response (based on the IgG2a:IgG1 ratio) than levels achieved with IMO alone. Furthermore, the LNP adjuvant significantly enhanced antigen specific cell-mediated immune responses. In ELISPOT assays, depletion of specific subsets of T cells revealed that the LNPs elicited potent antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+)T cell responses. Intracellular FACS analyses revealed that LNP and LNP+IMO formulated antigens led to higher frequency of antigen-specific IFNγ(+)TNFα(+)IL-2(+), multi-functional CD8(+)T cell responses, than unadjuvanted vaccine or vaccine with IMO only. Overall, our results demonstrate that lipid nanoparticles can serve as future sub-unit vaccine adjuvants to boost both B-cell and T-cell responses in vivo, and that addition of IMO can be used to manipulate the quality of immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gokul Swaminathan
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Thoryk
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Kara S Cox
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Steven Meschino
- Medical Affairs, Merck Global Human Health, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., North Wales, PA, United States
| | - Sheri A Dubey
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Kalpit A Vora
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Robert Celano
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Marian Gindy
- Pharmaceutical Sciences, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Danilo R Casimiro
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States
| | - Andrew J Bett
- Infectious Diseases and Vaccine Research, Merck Research Laboratories, Merck & Co. Inc., Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., West Point, PA, United States.
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50
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New TLR7 agonists with improved humoral and cellular immune responses. Immunol Lett 2015; 168:89-97. [PMID: 26381186 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2015] [Revised: 08/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) agonists are of interest as vaccine adjuvants and cancer therapeutics. Therefore, development of new TLR7 agonists that can efficiently promote host immune responses without evoking side effects is of great importance. Here, we describe two new compounds, J4 and F4, which elicit intracellular signaling exclusively via TLR7. Interestingly, both J4 and F4 induced less cytokine secretion (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p40, TNFα, and IL-12p70) from myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and monocytes than CL075 and R848; however, they all generated similar levels of phenotype maturation of antigen presenting cells (APCs), including plasmacytoid DCs. We further found that J4- and F4-induced APC activation was largely dependent on the activation of NF-κB and p38. Lastly, J4 and F4 could efficiently promote B cell proliferation and plasmablast differentiation as well as antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell responses in human in vitro. Therefore, these new TLR7 agonists could be employed to facilitate the development of new therapeutics and vaccine adjuvants against cancers and microbial infections.
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