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Óskarsson Ý, Thors V, Vias RD, Lúðvíksson BR, Brynjólfsson SF, Gianchecchi E, Razzano I, Montomoli E, Gísli Jónsson Ó, Haraldsson Á. Adequate immune responses to vaccines after chemotherapy for leukaemia diagnosed in childhood. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:606-614. [PMID: 38140806 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
AIM The survival rate after treatment for childhood leukaemia has greatly improved, but could result in protracted immune deficiency. This study examined the immune status of children after chemotherapy and evaluated their responses to immunisation. METHODS Subjects who had completed their treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at The Children's Hospital Reykjavík, Iceland, during 2011-2020 had blood drawn and were then immunised for influenza in October 2021. Blood was drawn again 4 weeks later and their humoral and cellular responses were measured with a haemagglutination inhibition assay and lymphocyte stimulation test. Antibodies to other immunisations were also evaluated. RESULTS We studied 18 patients (10 male) who had completed their treatment at 3.7-20.3 years of age (mean 9.1), 11-84 months (mean 36.9) before enrolment. Conventional immunological evaluation did not reveal notable abnormalities. The responses to several childhood vaccinations, including the pneumococcal conjugate vaccination, were adequate in most patients. Humoral responses to the influenza vaccine confirmed adequate reactions in all but one patient. Considerable variations were observed in the lymphocyte stimulations tests. CONCLUSION Most patients reacted adequately to immunisation, especially against annual influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae, reiterating the usefulness of vaccinations. The most appropriate timing for vaccination after treatment still needs to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ýmir Óskarsson
- Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Valtýr Thors
- The Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Rafael Daníel Vias
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Björn Rúnar Lúðvíksson
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Immunology, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Siggeir Fannar Brynjólfsson
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Immunology, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | | | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Srl, Siena, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Ólafur Gísli Jónsson
- The Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
| | - Ásgeir Haraldsson
- The Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavík, Iceland
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavík, Iceland
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Cunliffe RF, Stirling DC, Razzano I, Murugaiah V, Montomoli E, Kim S, Wane M, Horton H, Caproni LJ, Tregoning JS. Optimizing a linear 'Doggybone' DNA vaccine for influenza virus through the incorporation of DNA targeting sequences and neuraminidase antigen. Discov Immunol 2024; 3:kyad030. [PMID: 38567290 PMCID: PMC10917164 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Influenza virus represents a challenge for traditional vaccine approaches due to its seasonal changes and potential for zoonotic transmission. Nucleic acid vaccines can overcome some of these challenges, especially through the inclusion of multiple antigens to increase the breadth of response. RNA vaccines were an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but for future outbreaks DNA vaccines may have some advantages in terms of stability and manufacturing cost that warrant continuing investigation to fully realize their potential. Here, we investigate influenza virus vaccines made using a closed linear DNA platform, Doggybone™ DNA (dbDNA), produced by a rapid and scalable cell-free method. Influenza vaccines have mostly focussed on Haemagglutinin (HA), but the inclusion of Neuraminidase (NA) may provide additional protection. Here, we explored the potential of including NA in a dbDNA vaccine, looking at DNA optimization, mechanism and breadth of protection. We showed that DNA targeting sequences (DTS) improved immune responses against HA but not NA. We explored whether NA vaccine-induced protection against influenza virus infection was cell-mediated, but depletion of CD8 and NK cells made no impact, suggesting it was antibody-mediated. This is reflected in the restriction of protection to homologous strains of influenza virus. Importantly, we saw that including both HA and NA in a single combined vaccine did not dampen the immune response to either one. Overall, we show that linear dbDNA can induce an immune response against NA, which may offer increased protection in instances of HA mismatch where NA remains more conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Cunliffe
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - David C Stirling
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Ilaria Razzano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- VisMederi srl, Siena, 53100, Italia
| | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi srl, Siena, 53100, Italia
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sungwon Kim
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd, Hampton, TW12 2ER, UK
| | - Madina Wane
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd, Hampton, TW12 2ER, UK
| | | | | | - John S Tregoning
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
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Dapporto F, De Tommaso D, Marrocco C, Piu P, Semplici C, Fantoni G, Ferrigno I, Piccini G, Monti M, Vanni F, Razzano I, Manini I, Montomoli E, Manenti A. Validation of a double-color ELISpot assay of IFN-γ and IL-4 production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. J Immunol Methods 2024; 524:113588. [PMID: 38040193 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2023.113588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
The Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSpot (ELISpot) assay detects cytokines secreted during T cell-specific immune responses against pathogens. As this assay has acquired importance in the clinical setting, standard bioanalytical evaluation of this method is required. Here, we describe a formal bioanalytical validation of a double-color ELISpot assay for the evaluation of IFN-γ and IL-4 released by T helper 1 and T helper 2 cells, respectively. As recommended by international guidelines, the parameters assessed were: range and detection limits (limit of detection, LOD; upper and lower limit of quantification, ULOQ and LLOQ), Linearity, Relative Accuracy, Repeatability, Intermediate Precision, Specificity and Robustness. The results obtained in this validation study demonstrate that this assay meets the established acceptability criteria. ELISpot is therefore a reliable technique for measuring T cell-specific immune responses against various antigens of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Camilla Marrocco
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy
| | - Pietro Piu
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy
| | - Claudia Semplici
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy
| | - Giulia Fantoni
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy; Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Via Banchi di Sotto, 55, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Ilaria Ferrigno
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy
| | - Giulia Piccini
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy
| | - Martina Monti
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy
| | - Francesca Vanni
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Razzano
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy
| | - Ilaria Manini
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Banchi di Sotto, 55, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi S.r.l., Via Franco Ferrini, 53, 53035 Monteriggioni, Italy; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Via Banchi di Sotto, 55, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Kristinsdottir I, Haraldsson A, Brynjolfsson SF, Helgason T, Ludviksson BR, Gianchecchi E, Razzano I, Montomoli E, Thors V. Obesity in adolescents does not influence early immune responses to influenza vaccination. Infect Dis (Lond) 2023; 55:415-424. [PMID: 37021768 DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2023.2195491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity has been linked to reduced vaccine responses against tetanus, hepatitis B and influenza. Data on the influence of paediatric obesity on influenza vaccine response is still lacking and this study aims to fill the gap. METHODS A total of 30 children with obesity and 30 children with normal weight, aged 12-18 years, were recruited. Participants were vaccinated with a tetravalent influenza vaccine. Blood was collected prior to the vaccination and again four weeks later. The humoral response was assessed with haemagglutinin inhibition assay. The cellular response was assessed with T-cell stimulation assays measuring TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-2 and IL-13. RESULTS Of the 29/30 from the study group and 30/30 from the control group finished both visits. Seroconversion occurred for > 90% of participants in both groups for the A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Victoria strains, but the B/Yamagata strain had lower seroconversion rates (93% in the study group and 80% in the control group). 97-100% of participants from both groups had adequate serological responses following vaccination. Cellular responses were similar between the two groups post-vaccination. CONCLUSIONS Early humoral and cellular immune responses to influenza vaccinations are similar among adolescents with obesity and normal weight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Kristinsdottir
- Department of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Asgeir Haraldsson
- Department of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Siggeir Fannar Brynjolfsson
- Department of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Tryggvi Helgason
- Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Bjorn Runar Ludviksson
- Department of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Valtyr Thors
- Department of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
- Children's Hospital Iceland, Landspitali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland
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Mazzini L, Martinuzzi D, Hyseni I, Benincasa L, Molesti E, Casa E, Lapini G, Piu P, Trombetta CM, Marchi S, Razzano I, Manenti A, Montomoli E. Comparative analyses of SARS-CoV-2 binding (IgG, IgM, IgA) and neutralizing antibodies from human serum samples. J Immunol Methods 2020; 489:112937. [PMID: 33253698 PMCID: PMC7695554 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2020.112937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
A newly identified coronavirus, named SARS-CoV-2, emerged in December 2019 in Hubei Province, China, and quickly spread throughout the world; so far, it has caused more than 49.7 million cases of disease and 1,2 million deaths. The diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is currently based on the detection of viral RNA in nasopharyngeal swabs by means of molecular-based assays, such as real-time RT-PCR. Furthermore, serological assays detecting different classes of antibodies constitute an excellent surveillance strategy for gathering information on the humoral immune response to infection and the spread of the virus through the population. In addition, it can contribute to evaluate the immunogenicity of novel future vaccines and medicines for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 disease. The aim of this study was to determine SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in human serum samples by means of different commercial and in-house ELISA kits, in order to evaluate and compare their results first with one another and then with those yielded by functional assays using wild-type virus. It is important to identify the level of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies in order to predict human population immunity, possible cross-reactivity with other coronaviruses and to identify potentially infectious subjects. In addition, in a small sub-group of samples, a subtyping IgG ELISA has been performed. Our findings showed a notable statistical correlation between the neutralization titers and the IgG, IgM and IgA ELISA responses against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein. Thus confirming that antibodies against this portion of the virus spike protein are highly neutralizing and that the ELISA Receptor-Binding Domain-based assay can be used as a valid surrogate for the neutralization assay in laboratories that do not have biosecurity level-3 facilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Serena Marchi
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | | | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi S.r.l., Siena, Italy; VisMederi Research S.r.l., Siena, Italy; Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Manenti A, Maciola AK, Trombetta CM, Kistner O, Casa E, Hyseni I, Razzano I, Torelli A, Montomoli E. Influenza Anti-Stalk Antibodies: Development of a New Method for the Evaluation of the Immune Responses to Universal Vaccine. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8010043. [PMID: 31991681 PMCID: PMC7158664 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8010043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing interest in universal influenza vaccines and novel administration routes has led to the development of alternative serological assays that are able to detect antibodies against conserved epitopes. We present a competitive ELISA method that is able to accurately determine the ratio of serum immunoglobulin G directed against the different domains of the hemagglutinin, the head and the stalk. Human serum samples were treated with two variants of the hemagglutinin protein from the A/California/7/2009 influenza virus. The signals detected were assigned to different groups of antibodies and presented as a ratio between head and stalk domains. A subset of selected sera was also tested by hemagglutination inhibition, single radial hemolysis, microneutralization, and enzyme-linked lectin assays. Pre-vaccination samples from adults showed a quite high presence of anti-stalk antibodies, and the results were substantially in line with those of the classical serological assays. By contrast, pre-vaccination samples from children did not present anti-stalk antibodies, and the majority of the anti-hemagglutinin antibodies that were detected after vaccination were directed against the head domain. The presented approach, when supported by further assays, can be used to assess the presence of specific anti-stalk antibodies and the potential boost of broadly protective antibodies, especially in the case of novel universal influenza vaccine approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Manenti
- VisMederi Research s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.); (A.K.M.); (E.C.); (I.H.); (I.R.); (E.M.)
- VisMederi s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | | | - Claudia Maria Trombetta
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0577232100
| | | | - Elisa Casa
- VisMederi Research s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.); (A.K.M.); (E.C.); (I.H.); (I.R.); (E.M.)
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Inesa Hyseni
- VisMederi Research s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.); (A.K.M.); (E.C.); (I.H.); (I.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Ilaria Razzano
- VisMederi Research s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.); (A.K.M.); (E.C.); (I.H.); (I.R.); (E.M.)
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Torelli
- VisMederi Research s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.); (A.K.M.); (E.C.); (I.H.); (I.R.); (E.M.)
- VisMederi s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy;
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Research s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy; (A.M.); (A.K.M.); (E.C.); (I.H.); (I.R.); (E.M.)
- VisMederi s.r.l., 53100 Siena, Italy;
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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