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Sobczak JM, Krenger PS, Storni F, Mohsen MO, Balke I, Reseviča G, Heath MD, Carreno Velazquez TL, Kramer MF, Scott CJW, Skinner MA, Zeltiņš A, Kündig TM, Vogel M, Bachmann MF. The next generation virus-like particle platform for the treatment of peanut allergy. Allergy 2023. [PMID: 36883475 DOI: 10.1111/all.15704] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Allergy to peanut is one of the leading causes of anaphylactic reactions among food allergic patients. Immunization against peanut allergy with a safe and protective vaccine holds a promise to induce durable protection against anaphylaxis caused by exposure to peanut. A novel vaccine candidate (VLP Peanut), based on virus-like particles (VLPs), is described here for the treatment of peanut allergy. METHODS AND RESULTS VLP Peanut consist of two proteins: a capsid subunit derived from Cucumber mosaic virus engineered with a universal T cell epitope (CuMVTT ) and a CuMVTT subunit fused with peanut allergen Ara h 2 (CuMVTT -Ara h 2), forming mosaic VLPs. Immunizations with VLP Peanut in both naïve and peanut-sensitised mice resulted in a significant anti-Ara h 2 IgG response. Local and systemic protection induced by VLP Peanut were established in mouse models for peanut allergy following prophylactic, therapeutic and passive immunizations. Inhibition of FcγRIIb function resulted in a loss of protection, confirming the crucial role of the receptor in conferring cross protection against peanut allergens other than Ara h 2. CONCLUSION VLP Peanut can be delivered to peanut-sensitized mice without triggering allergic reactions, whilst remaining highly immunogenic and offering protection against all peanut allergens. In addition, vaccination ablates allergic symptoms upon allergen challenge. Moreover, the prophylactic immunization setting conferred the protection against subsequent peanut-induced anaphylaxis, showing the potential for preventive vaccination. This highlights the effectiveness of VLP Peanut as a prospective break-through immunotherapy vaccine candidate towards peanut allergy. VLP Peanut has now entered clinical development with the study PROTECT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan M Sobczak
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Pascal S Krenger
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Federico Storni
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of Visceral Surgery and Medicine, Inselspital, University Hospital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mona O Mohsen
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ina Balke
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Gunta Reseviča
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Andris Zeltiņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Thomas M Kündig
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Monique Vogel
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Martin F Bachmann
- Department of Immunology, University Clinic of Rheumatology and Immunology, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland.,Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.,Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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Heldner A, Alessandrini F, Russkamp D, Heine S, Schnautz B, Chaker A, Mwange J, Carreno Velazquez TL, Heath MD, Skinner MA, Kramer MF, Zissler UM, Schmidt‐Weber CB, Blank S. Immunological effects of adjuvanted low-dose allergoid allergen-specific immunotherapy in experimental murine house dust mite allergy. Allergy 2022; 77:907-919. [PMID: 34287971 DOI: 10.1111/all.15012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Native allergen extracts or chemically modified allergoids are routinely used to induce allergen tolerance in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), although mechanistic side-by-side studies are rare. It is paramount to balance optimal dose and allergenicity to achieve efficacy warranting safety. AIT safety and efficacy could be addressed by allergen dose reduction and/or use of allergoids and immunostimulatory adjuvants, respectively. In this study, immunological effects of experimental house dust mite (HDM) AIT were investigated applying high-dose HDM extract and low-dose HDM allergoids with and without the adjuvants microcrystalline tyrosine (MCT) and monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) in a murine model of HDM allergy. METHODS Cellular, humoral, and clinical effects of the different AIT strategies were assessed applying a new experimental AIT model of murine allergic asthma based on physiological, adjuvant-free intranasal sensitization followed by subcutaneous AIT. RESULTS While low-dose allergoid and high-dose extract AIT demonstrated comparable potency to suppress allergic airway inflammation and Th2-type cytokine secretion of lung-resident lymphocytes and draining lymph node cells, low-dose allergoid AIT was less effective in inducing a potentially protective IgG1 response. Combining low-dose allergoid AIT with MCT or MCT and dose-adjusted MPL promoted Th1-inducing mechanisms and robust B-cell activation counterbalancing the allergic Th2 immune response. CONCLUSION Low allergen doses induce cellular and humoral mechanisms counteracting Th2-driven inflammation by using allergoids and dose-adjusted adjuvants. In light of safety and efficacy improvement, future therapeutic approaches may use low-dose allergoid strategies to drive cellular tolerance and adjuvants to modulate humoral responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Heldner
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
| | - Francesca Alessandrini
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
| | - Dennis Russkamp
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
| | - Sonja Heine
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
| | - Benjamin Schnautz
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
| | - Adam Chaker
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
- Department of Otolaryngology, Klinikum rechts der Isar Faculty of Medicine Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | | | | | | | | | - Matthias F. Kramer
- Allergy Therapeutic PLC. Worthing UK
- Bencard Allergie GmbH Munich Germany
| | - Ulrich M. Zissler
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
| | - Carsten B. Schmidt‐Weber
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
| | - Simon Blank
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich, Faculty of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich German Research Center for Environmental Health Member of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Member of the Immunology and Inflammation Initiative of the Helmholtz AssociationMunich Germany
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Feindor M, Heath MD, Hewings SJ, Carreno Velazquez TL, Blank S, Grosch J, Jakob T, Schmid-Grendelmeier P, Klimek L, Golden DBK, Skinner MA, Kramer MF. Venom Immunotherapy: From Proteins to Product to Patient Protection. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:616. [PMID: 34564620 PMCID: PMC8470233 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we outline and reflect on the important differences between allergen-specific immunotherapy for inhalant allergies (i.e., aeroallergens) and venom-specific immunotherapy (VIT), with a special focus on Venomil® Bee and Wasp. Venomil® is provided as a freeze-dried extract and a diluent to prepare a solution for injection for the treatment of patients with IgE-mediated allergies to bee and/or wasp venom and for evaluating the degree of sensitivity in a skin test. While the materials that make up the product have not changed, the suppliers of raw materials have changed over the years. Here, we consolidate relevant historical safety and efficacy studies that used products from shared manufacture supply profiles, i.e., products from Bayer or Hollister-Stier. We also consider the characterization and standardization of venom marker allergens, providing insights into manufacturing controls that have produced stable and consistent quality profiles over many years. Quality differences between products and their impacts on treatment outcomes have been a current topic of discussion and further research. Finally, we review the considerations surrounding the choice of depot adjuvant most suitable to augmenting VIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Feindor
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd., Worthing BN14 8SA, UK; (M.F.); (M.D.H.); (S.J.H.); (T.L.C.V.); (M.A.S.)
- Bencard Allergie GmBH, 80804 Munich, Germany
| | - Matthew D. Heath
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd., Worthing BN14 8SA, UK; (M.F.); (M.D.H.); (S.J.H.); (T.L.C.V.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Simon J. Hewings
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd., Worthing BN14 8SA, UK; (M.F.); (M.D.H.); (S.J.H.); (T.L.C.V.); (M.A.S.)
| | | | - Simon Blank
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), School of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich, 85764 Munich, Germany; (S.B.); (J.G.)
| | - Johannes Grosch
- Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), School of Medicine and Helmholtz Center Munich, Technical University of Munich, 85764 Munich, Germany; (S.B.); (J.G.)
| | - Thilo Jakob
- Experimental Dermatology and Allergy Research Group, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, University Medical Center Giessen and Marburg, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, 35390 Giessen, Germany;
| | | | - Ludger Klimek
- Center for Rhinology and Allergology, 65183 Wiesbaden, Germany;
| | | | - Murray A. Skinner
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd., Worthing BN14 8SA, UK; (M.F.); (M.D.H.); (S.J.H.); (T.L.C.V.); (M.A.S.)
| | - Matthias F. Kramer
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd., Worthing BN14 8SA, UK; (M.F.); (M.D.H.); (S.J.H.); (T.L.C.V.); (M.A.S.)
- Bencard Allergie GmBH, 80804 Munich, Germany
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Heath MD, Mohsen MO, de Kam PJ, Carreno Velazquez TL, Hewings SJ, Kramer MF, Kündig TM, Bachmann MF, Skinner MA. Shaping Modern Vaccines: Adjuvant Systems Using MicroCrystalline Tyrosine (MCT ®). Front Immunol 2020; 11:594911. [PMID: 33324411 PMCID: PMC7721672 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.594911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of adjuvants or adjuvant systems, used in vaccines, exploit evolutionary relationships associated with how the immune system may initially respond to a foreign antigen or pathogen, thus mimicking natural exposure. This is particularly relevant during the non-specific innate stage of the immune response; as such, the quality of this response may dictate specific adaptive responses and conferred memory/protection to that specific antigen or pathogen. Therefore, adjuvants may optimise this response in the most appropriate way for a specific disease. The most commonly used traditional adjuvants are aluminium salts; however, a biodegradable adjuvant, MCT®, was developed for application in the niche area of allergy immunotherapy (AIT), also in combination with a TLR-4 adjuvant-Monophosphoryl Lipid A (MPL®)-producing the first adjuvant system approach for AIT in the clinic. In the last decade, the use and effectiveness of MCT® across a variety of disease models in the preclinical setting highlight it as a promising platform for adjuvant systems, to help overcome the challenges of modern vaccines. A consequence of bringing together, for the first time, a unified view of MCT® mode-of-action from multiple experiments and adjuvant systems will help facilitate future rational design of vaccines while shaping their success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D. Heath
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd, Worthing, United Kingdom
- Bencard Adjuvant Systems [a Division of Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd], Worthing, United Kingdom
| | - Mona O. Mohsen
- Interim Translational Research Institute “iTRI”, National Center for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR), Doha, Qatar
- Department of BioMedical Research, Immunology RIA, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | | | | | - Simon J. Hewings
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd, Worthing, United Kingdom
- Bencard Adjuvant Systems [a Division of Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd], Worthing, United Kingdom
| | - Matthias F. Kramer
- Bencard Adjuvant Systems [a Division of Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd], Worthing, United Kingdom
- Bencard Allergie (GmbH), München, Germany
| | | | - Martin F. Bachmann
- Department of BioMedical Research, Immunology RIA, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Murray A. Skinner
- Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd, Worthing, United Kingdom
- Bencard Adjuvant Systems [a Division of Allergy Therapeutics (UK) Ltd], Worthing, United Kingdom
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