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Brokāne A, Bajo-Santos C, Zayakin P, Belovs A, Jansons J, Lietuvietis V, Martens-Uzunova ES, Jenster GW, Linē A. Validation of potential RNA biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis and monitoring in plasma and urinary extracellular vesicles. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1279854. [PMID: 38099195 PMCID: PMC10720733 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1279854] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa), one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting men worldwide, presents significant challenges in terms of early detection, risk stratification, and active surveillance. In recent years, liquid biopsies have emerged as a promising non-invasive approach to complement or even replace traditional tissue biopsies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized membranous structures released by various cells into body fluids, have gained substantial attention as a source of cancer biomarkers due to their ability to encapsulate and transport a wide range of biological molecules, including RNA. In this study, we aimed to validate 15 potential RNA biomarkers, identified in a previous EV RNA sequencing study, using droplet digital PCR. Methods: The candidate biomarkers were tested in plasma and urinary EVs collected before and after radical prostatectomy from 30 PCa patients and their diagnostic potential was evaluated in a test cohort consisting of 20 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 20 PCa patients' plasma and urinary EVs. Next, the results were validated in an independent cohort of plasma EVs from 31 PCa and 31 BPH patients. Results: We found that the levels of NKX3-1 (p = 0.0008) in plasma EVs, and tRF-Phe-GAA-3b (p < 0.0001) tRF-Lys-CTT-5c (p < 0.0327), piR-28004 (p = 0.0081) and miR-375-3p (p < 0.0001) in urinary EVs significantly decreased after radical prostatectomy suggesting that the main tissue source of these RNAs is prostate and/or PCa. Two mRNA biomarkers-GLO1 and NKX3-1 showed promising diagnostic potential in distinguishing between PCa and BPH with AUC of 0.68 and 0.82, respectively, in the test cohort and AUC of 0.73 and 0.65, respectively, in the validation cohort, when tested in plasma EVs. Combining these markers in a biomarker model yielded AUC of 0.85 and 0.71 in the test and validation cohorts, respectively. Although the PSA levels in the blood could not distinguish PCa from BPH in our cohort, adding PSA to the mRNA biomarker model increased AUC from 0.71 to 0.76. Conclusion: This study identified two novel EV-enclosed RNA biomarkers-NKX3-1 and GLO1-for the detection of PCa, and highlights the complementary nature of GLO1, NKX3-1 and PSA as combined biomarkers in liquid biopsies of PCa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Brokāne
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Pawel Zayakin
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | | | | | | | | | - Guido W. Jenster
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Rotterdam, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Aija Linē
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
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2
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Česle EEL, Ta Rs K, Jansons J, Kalniņš G. Modulation of Hybrid GRM2-type Bacterial Microcompartment Shells through BMC-H Shell Protein Fusion and Incorporation of Non-native BMC-T Shell Proteins. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3275-3286. [PMID: 37937366 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00281] [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] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are organelle-like structures in bacteria that facilitate a wide range of enzymatic reactions. The microcompartment shell contains an encapsulated enzymatic core and, in contrast to phospholipid-based eukaryotic organelle membranes, has a pseudoicosahedral shape composed of BMC-H, BMC-T, and BMC-P proteins with conserved structures. This semipermeable microcompartment shell delineates the enzymatic core assemblies and the intermediates from the rest of the cell. It is also thought to function as a barrier against toxic intermediates as well as to increase the reaction rate. These properties of BMCs have made them intriguing candidates for biotechnological applications, for which it is important to explore the potential scope of the BMC shell modulation possibilities. In this work, we explore two BMC shell modulation mechanisms: first, confirming the incorporation of three trimeric BMC-T shell proteins and two truncated BMC-T shell proteins into Klebsiella pneumoniae GRM2-type BMC protein shells containing no representatives of this group, and second, producing BMC particles from double- and triple-fused hexameric BMC-H shell proteins. These results reveal the potential for "mix and match" synthetic BMC shell formation to ensure shell properties specifically suited to the encapsulated cargo and show for the first time the involvement of an essentially dimeric pseudohexameric shell protein in BMC shell formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Emi Lija Česle
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1 k-1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Ta Rs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1 k-1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
- University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, Riga 1004, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1 k-1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
| | - Gints Kalniņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1 k-1, Riga LV-1067, Latvia
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3
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Putralis R, Korotkaja K, Kaukulis M, Rudevica Z, Jansons J, Nilova O, Rucins M, Krasnova L, Domracheva I, Plotniece M, Pajuste K, Sobolev A, Rumnieks F, Bekere L, Zajakina A, Plotniece A, Duburs G. Styrylpyridinium Derivatives for Fluorescent Cell Imaging. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1245. [PMID: 37765053 PMCID: PMC10535741 DOI: 10.3390/ph16091245] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
A set of styrylpyridinium (SP) compounds was synthesised in order to study their spectroscopic and cell labelling properties. The compounds comprised different electron donating parts (julolidine, p-dimethylaminophenyl, p-methoxyphenyl, 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl), conjugated linkers (vinyl, divinyl), and an electron-withdrawing N-alkylpyridinium part. Geminal or bis-compounds incorporating two styrylpyridinium (bis-SP) moieties at the 1,3-trimethylene unit were synthesised. Compounds comprising a divinyl linker and powerful electron-donating julolidine donor parts possessed intensive fluorescence in the near-infrared region (maximum at ~760 nm). The compounds had rather high cytotoxicity towards the cancerous cell lines HT-1080 and MH-22A; at the same time, basal cytotoxicity towards the NIH3T3 fibroblast cell line ranged from toxic to harmful. SP compound 6e had IC50 values of 1.0 ± 0.03 µg/mL to the cell line HT-1080 and 0.4 µg/mL to MH-22A; however, the basal toxicity LD50 was 477 mg/kg (harmful). The compounds showed large Stokes' shifts, including 195 nm for 6a,b, 240 nm for 6e, and 325 and 352 nm for 6d and 6c, respectively. The highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) values were observed for 6a,b, which were 15.1 and 12.2%, respectively. The PLQY values for the SP derivatives 6d,e (those with a julolidinyl moiety) were 0.5 and 0.7%, respectively. Cell staining with compound 6e revealed a strong fluorescent signal localised in the cell cytoplasm, whereas the cell nuclei were not stained. SP compound 6e possessed self-assembling properties and formed liposomes with an average diameter of 118 nm. The obtained novel data on near-infrared fluorescent probes could be useful for the development of biocompatible dyes for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinis Putralis
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Riga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Ksenija Korotkaja
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (K.K.); (Z.R.); (J.J.); (O.N.); (F.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Martins Kaukulis
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Zhanna Rudevica
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (K.K.); (Z.R.); (J.J.); (O.N.); (F.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (K.K.); (Z.R.); (J.J.); (O.N.); (F.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Olga Nilova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (K.K.); (Z.R.); (J.J.); (O.N.); (F.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Martins Rucins
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Laura Krasnova
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Ilona Domracheva
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Mara Plotniece
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Riga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia;
- Faculty of Materials Science and Applied Chemistry, Riga Technical University, LV-1048 Riga, Latvia
| | - Karlis Pajuste
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Arkadij Sobolev
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Felikss Rumnieks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (K.K.); (Z.R.); (J.J.); (O.N.); (F.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Laura Bekere
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (K.K.); (Z.R.); (J.J.); (O.N.); (F.R.); (A.Z.)
| | - Aiva Plotniece
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Riga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Gunars Duburs
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (R.P.); (M.K.); (M.R.); (L.K.); (I.D.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (L.B.)
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4
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Korotkaja K, Jansons J, Spunde K, Rudevica Z, Zajakina A. Establishment and Characterization of Free-Floating 3D Macrophage Programming Model in the Presence of Cancer Cell Spheroids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10763. [PMID: 37445941 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310763] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Reprogramming of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) is a promising strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Several studies have shown that cancer cells induce/support the formation of immunosuppressive TAMs phenotypes. However, the specific factors that orchestrate this immunosuppressive process are unknown or poorly studied. In vivo studies are expensive, complex, and ethically constrained. Therefore, 3D cell interaction models could become a unique framework for the identification of important TAMs programming factors. In this study, we have established and characterized a new in vitro 3D model for macrophage programming in the presence of cancer cell spheroids. First, it was demonstrated that the profile of cytokines, chemokines, and surface markers of 3D-cultured macrophages did not differ conceptually from monolayer-cultured M1 and M2-programmed macrophages. Second, the possibility of reprogramming macrophages in 3D conditions was investigated. In total, the dynamic changes in 6 surface markers, 11 cytokines, and 22 chemokines were analyzed upon macrophage programming (M1 and M2) and reprogramming (M1→M2 and M2→M1). According to the findings, the reprogramming resulted in a mixed macrophage phenotype that expressed both immunosuppressive and anti-cancer immunostimulatory features. Third, cancer cell spheroids were shown to stimulate the production of immunosuppressive M2 markers as well as pro-tumor cytokines and chemokines. In summary, the newly developed 3D model of cancer cell spheroid/macrophage co-culture under free-floating conditions can be used for studies on macrophage plasticity and for the development of targeted cancer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ksenija Korotkaja
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, k.1, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, k.1, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Karina Spunde
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, k.1, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Zhanna Rudevica
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, k.1, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Cancer Gene Therapy Group, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, k.1, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
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5
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Kyuregyan KK, Jansons J, Isaguliants M. Is There a Future for Traditional Immunogens When We Have mRNA? Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11041004. [PMID: 37110427 PMCID: PMC10145088 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11041004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic ends and we enter into a post-pandemic world, it is the time to reflect on the lessons learned [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen K Kyuregyan
- Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, 111123 Moscow, Russia
- Scientific and Educational Resource Center for High-Performance Methods of Genomic Analysis, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Maria Isaguliants
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
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6
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Dishlers A, Petrovskis I, Skrastina D, Zarina I, Lieknina I, Jansons J, Akopjana I, Zakova J, Ose V, Sominskaya I. PreS1 Containing HBc VLPs for the Development of a Combined Therapeutic/Prophylactic Hepatitis B Vaccine. Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040972. [PMID: 37110395 PMCID: PMC10142831 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040972] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The available HBV vaccines based on the HBV surface protein are manufactured in yeasts and demonstrate excellent prophylactic but no therapeutic activity and are thus ineffective against chronic HBV infection. Five different HBV core proteins (HBc)-full length and C-terminally truncated-were used for the insertion of the short, preS1,aa 20-47 and long, preS1phil, aa 12-60 + 89-119 fragments. Modified virus-like particles (VLPs) were compared for their biotechnological and immunological properties. The expression level of HBc-preS1 proteins was high for all investigated proteins, allowing us to obtain 10-20 mg of purified VLPs from a gram of biomass with the combination of gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography to reach approximately 90% purity of target proteins. The immunogenicity of chimeric VLPs was tested in BALB/c mice, showing a high anti-preS1 response and substantial T-cell proliferation after stimulation with HBc protein. Targeted incorporation of oligonucleotide ODN 1668 in modified HBc-preS1 VLPs was demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andris Dishlers
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ivars Petrovskis
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ieva Zarina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilva Lieknina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Inara Akopjana
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Jelena Zakova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Velta Ose
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Irina Sominskaya
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str. 1, 1067 Riga, Latvia
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7
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Bajo-Santos C, Brokāne A, Zayakin P, Endzeliņš E, Soboļevska K, Belovs A, Jansons J, Sperga M, Llorente A, Radoviča-Spalviņa I, Lietuvietis V, Linē A. Plasma and urinary extracellular vesicles as a source of RNA biomarkers for prostate cancer in liquid biopsies. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:980433. [PMID: 36818049 PMCID: PMC9935579 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.980433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a very attractive source of cancer- derived RNA biomarkers for the early detection, prognosis and monitoring of various cancers, including prostate cancer (PC). However, biofluids contain a mixture of EVs released from a variety of tissues and the fraction of total EVs that are derived from PC tissue is not known. Moreover, the optimal biofluid-plasma or urine-that is more suitable for the detection of EV- enclosed RNA biomarkers is not yet clear. Methodology: In the current study, we performed RNA sequencing analysis of plasma and urinary EVs collected before and after radical prostatectomy, and matched tumor and normal prostate tissues of 10 patients with prostate cancer. Results and Discussion: The most abundant RNA biotypes in EVs were miRNA, piRNA, tRNA, lncRNA, rRNA and mRNA. To identify putative cancer-derived RNA biomarkers, we searched for RNAs that were overexpressed in tumor as compared to normal tissues, present in the pre-operation EVs and decreased in the post-operation EVs in each RNA biotype. The levels of 63 mRNAs, 3 lncRNAs, 2 miRNAs and 1 piRNA were significantly increased in the tumors and decreased in the post-operation urinary EVs, thus suggesting that these RNAs mainly originate from PC tissue. No such RNA biomarkers were identified in plasma EVs. This suggests that the fraction of PC-derived EVs in urine is larger than in plasma and allows the detection and tracking of PC-derived RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Agnese Brokāne
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Pawel Zayakin
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Alicia Llorente
- Department Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway,Department for Mechanical, Electronics and Chemical Engineering, Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | - Aija Linē
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia,*Correspondence: Aija Linē,
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8
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Zrelovs N, Jansons J, Kazaka T, Kazaks A, Dislers A. Three Phages One Host: Isolation and Characterization of Pantoea agglomerans Phages from a Grasshopper Specimen. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24031820. [PMID: 36768143 PMCID: PMC9915841 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24031820] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The bacterial genus Pantoea comprises species found in a variety of different environmental sources. Pantoea spp. are often recovered from plant material and are capable of both benefitting the plants and acting like phytopathogens. Some species of Pantoea (including P. agglomerans) are considered opportunistic human pathogens capable of causing various infections in immunocompromised subjects. In this study, a strain of P. agglomerans (identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing) was isolated from a dead specimen of an unidentified Latvian grasshopper species. The retrieved strain of P. agglomerans was then used as a host for the potential retrieval of phages from the same source material. After rounds of plaque purification and propagation, three high-titer lysates corresponding to putatively distinct phages were acquired. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that one of the phages was a myophage with an unusual morphology, while the two others were typical podophages. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed for each of these isolated phages. Genome de novo assembly and subsequent functional annotation confirmed that three different strictly lytic phages were isolated. Elaborate genomic characterization of the acquired phages was performed to elucidate their place within the so-far-uncovered phage diversity.
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9
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Ogrina A, Balke I, Kalnciema I, Skrastina D, Jansons J, Bachmann MF, Zeltins A. Bacterial expression systems based on Tymovirus-like particles for the presentation of vaccine antigens. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1154990. [PMID: 37032851 PMCID: PMC10076540 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1154990] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are virus-derived artificial nanostructures that resemble a native virus-stimulating immune system through highly repetitive surface structures. Improved safety profiles, flexibility in vaccine construction, and the ease of VLP production and purification have highlighted VLPs as attractive candidates for universal vaccine platform generation, although exploration of different types of expression systems for their development is needed. Here, we demonstrate the construction of several simple Escherichia coli expression systems for the generation of eggplant mosaic virus (EMV) VLP-derived vaccines. We used different principles of antigen incorporation, including direct fusion of EMV coat protein (CP) with major cat allergen Feld1, coexpression of antigen containing and unmodified (mosaic) EMV CPs, and two coexpression variants of EMV VLPs and antigen using synthetic zipper pair 18/17 (SYNZIP 18/17), and coiled-coil forming peptides E and K (Ecoil/Kcoil). Recombinant Fel d 1 chemically coupled to EMV VLPs was included as control experiments. All EMV-Feld1 variants were expressed in E. coli, formed Tymovirus-like VLPs, and were used for immunological evaluation in healthy mice. The immunogenicity of these newly developed vaccine candidates demonstrated high titers of Feld1-specific Ab production; however, a comparably high immune response against carrier EMV was also observed. Antibody avidity tests revealed very specific Ab production (more than 50% specificity) for four out of the five vaccine candidates. Native Feld1 recognition and subclass-specific antibody tests suggested that the EMV-SZ18/17-Feld1 complex and chemically coupled EMV-Feld1 vaccines may possess characteristics for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anete Ogrina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ina Balke
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ieva Kalnciema
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Martin F. Bachmann
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Andris Zeltins
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
- *Correspondence: Andris Zeltins,
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10
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Petkov S, Kilpeläinen A, Bayurova E, Latanova A, Mezale D, Fridrihsone I, Starodubova E, Jansons J, Dudorova A, Gordeychuk I, Wahren B, Isaguliants M. HIV-1 Protease as DNA Immunogen against Drug Resistance in HIV-1 Infection: DNA Immunization with Drug Resistant HIV-1 Protease Protects Mice from Challenge with Protease-Expressing Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 15:cancers15010238. [PMID: 36612231 PMCID: PMC9818955 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15010238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA immunization with HIV-1 protease (PR) is advanced for immunotherapy of HIV-1 infection to reduce the number of infected cells producing drug-resistant virus. A consensus PR of the HIV-1 FSU_A strain was designed, expression-optimized, inactivated (D25N), and supplemented with drug resistance (DR) mutations M46I, I54V, and V82A common for FSU_A. PR variants with D25N/M46I/I54V (PR_Ai2mut) and with D25N/M46I/I54V/V82A (PR_Ai3mut) were cloned into the DNA vaccine vector pVAX1, and PR_Ai3mut, into a lentiviral vector for the transduction of murine mammary adenocarcinoma cells expressing luciferase 4T1luc2. BALB/c mice were DNA-immunized by intradermal injections of PR_Ai, PR_Ai2mut, PR_Ai3mut, vector pVAX1, or PBS with electroporation. All PR variants induced specific CD8+ T-cell responses revealed after splenocyte stimulation with PR-derived peptides. Splenocytes of mice DNA-immunized with PR_Ai and PR_Ai2mut were not activated by peptides carrying V82A, whereas splenocytes of PR_Ai3mut-immunized mice recognized both peptides with and without V82A mutation. Mutations M46I and I54V were immunologically silent. In the challenge study, DNA immunization with PR_Ai3mut protected mice from the outgrowth of subcutaneously implanted adenocarcinoma 4T1luc2 cells expressing PR_Ai3mut; a tumor was formed only in 1/10 implantation sites and no metastases were detected. Immunizations with other PR variants were not protective; all mice formed tumors and multiple metastasis in the lungs, liver, and spleen. CD8+ cells of PR_Ai3mut DNA-immunized mice exhibited strong IFN-γ/IL-2 responses against PR peptides, while the splenocytes of mice in other groups were nonresponsive. Thus, immunization with a DNA plasmid encoding inactive HIV-1 protease with DR mutations suppressed the growth and metastatic activity of tumor cells expressing PR identical to the one encoded by the immunogen. This demonstrates the capacity of T-cell response induced by DNA immunization to recognize single DR mutations, and supports the concept of the development of immunotherapies against drug resistance in HIV-1 infection. It also suggests that HIV-1-infected patients developing drug resistance may have a reduced natural immune response against DR HIV-1 mutations causing an immune escape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Athina Kilpeläinen
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Latanova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dzeina Mezale
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilse Fridrihsone
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Elizaveta Starodubova
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Latvian Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Alesja Dudorova
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Paul Stradins University Hospital, LV-1002 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Britta Wahren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Isaguliants
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
- Correspondence:
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11
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Sadovska L, Zayakin P, Bajo-Santos C, Endzeliņš E, Auders J, Keiša L, Jansons J, Lietuvietis V, Linē A. Effects of urinary extracellular vesicles from prostate cancer patients on the transcriptomes of cancer-associated and normal fibroblasts. BMC Cancer 2022; 22:1055. [PMID: 36224527 PMCID: PMC9555094 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-022-10107-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence suggests that cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) alter the phenotype and functions of fibroblasts and trigger the reprogramming of normal fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). Here, we for the first time studied the effects of urinary EVs from PC patients and healthy males on the transcriptional landscape of prostate CAFs and normal foreskin fibroblasts. METHODS Patient-derived prostate fibroblast primary cultures PCF-54 and PCF-55 were established from two specimens of PC tissues. EVs were isolated from urine samples of 3 patients with PC and 2 healthy males and used for the treatment of prostate fibroblast primary cultures and normal foreskin fibroblasts. The EV-treated fibroblasts were subjected to RNA sequencing analysis. RESULTS RNA sequencing analysis showed that the fibroblast cultures differed significantly in their response to urinary EVs. The transcriptional response of foreskin fibroblasts to the urinary EVs isolated from PC patients and healthy controls was very similar and mostly related to the normal functions of fibroblasts. On the contrary, PCF-54 cells responded very differently - EVs from PC patients elicited transcriptional changes related to the regulation of the cell division and chromosome segregation, whereas EVs from healthy males affected mitochondrial respiration. In PCF-55 cells, EVs from both, PC-patients and controls induced the expression of a number of chemokines such as CCL2, CCL13, CXCL1, CXCL8, whereas pathways related to regulation of apoptotic signaling and production of cell adhesion molecules were triggered specifically by EVs from PC patients. CONCLUSION This study demonstrates that urinary EVs from PC patients and healthy controls elicit distinct transcriptional responses in prostate CAFs and supports the idea that EVs contribute to the generation of functional heterogeneity of CAFs. Moreover, this study suggests that the changes in the gene expression pattern in EV recipient cells might serve as a novel type of functional cancer biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilite Sadovska
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Pawel Zayakin
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Cristina Bajo-Santos
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Edgars Endzeliņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jānis Auders
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Raina blvd. 19, 1586, LV, Riga, Latvia
| | - Laura Keiša
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia, Raina blvd. 19, 1586, LV, Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Riga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema Str 16, LV-1007, Riga, Latvia
| | | | - Aija Linē
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites Str 1, k-1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia.
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12
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Spunde K, Vigante B, Dubova UN, Sipola A, Timofejeva I, Zajakina A, Jansons J, Plotniece A, Pajuste K, Sobolev A, Muhamadejev R, Jaudzems K, Duburs G, Kozlovska T. Design and Synthesis of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Capsid Assembly Modulators and Evaluation of Their Activity in Mammalian Cell Model. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15070773. [PMID: 35890072 PMCID: PMC9317397 DOI: 10.3390/ph15070773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid assembly modulators (CAMs) have emerged as a promising class of antiviral agents. We studied the effects of twenty-one newly designed and synthesized CAMs including heteroaryldihydropyrimidine compounds (HAPs), their analogs and standard compounds on hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid assembly. Cytoplasmic expression of the HBV core (HBc) gene driven by the exogenously delivered recombinant alphavirus RNA replicon was used for high level production of the full-length HBc protein in mammalian cells. HBV capsid assembly was assessed by native agarose gel immunoblot analysis, electron microscopy and inhibition of virion secretion in HepG2.2.15 HBV producing cell line. Induced fit docking simulation was applied for modelling the structural relationships of the synthesized compounds and HBc. The most efficient were the HAP class compounds—dihydropyrimidine 5-carboxylic acid n-alkoxyalkyl esters, which induced the formation of incorrectly assembled capsid products and their accumulation within the cells. HBc product accumulation in the cells was not detected with the reference HAP compound Bay 41-4109, suggesting different modes of action. A significant antiviral effect and substantially reduced toxicity were revealed for two of the synthesized compounds. Two new HAP compounds revealed a significant antiviral effect and a favorable toxicity profile that allows these compounds to be considered promising leads and drug candidates for the treatment of HBV infection. The established alphavirus based HBc expression approach allows for the specific selection of capsid assembly modulators directly in the natural cell environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Spunde
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (B.V.)
| | - Brigita Vigante
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
- Correspondence: (K.S.); (B.V.)
| | - Unda Nelda Dubova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Anda Sipola
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Irena Timofejeva
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
| | - Aiva Plotniece
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Karlis Pajuste
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Arkadij Sobolev
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Ruslan Muhamadejev
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Gunars Duburs
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia; (A.S.); (A.P.); (K.P.); (A.S.); (R.M.); (K.J.); (G.D.)
| | - Tatjana Kozlovska
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (U.N.D.); (I.T.); (A.Z.); (J.J.); (T.K.)
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13
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Ogrina A, Skrastina D, Balke I, Kalnciema I, Jansons J, Bachmann MF, Zeltins A. Comparison of Bacterial Expression Systems Based on Potato Virus Y-like Particles for Vaccine Generation. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10040485. [PMID: 35455234 PMCID: PMC9030781 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10040485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-based virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines have been studied for years, demonstrating their potential as antigen-presenting platforms. In this paper, we describe the development of, and compare between, simple Escherichia coli-based antigen display platforms for the generation of potato virus Y (PVY) VLP-derived vaccines, thus allowing the production of vaccines from a single bacterial cell culture. We constructed four systems with the major cat allergen Fel d 1; namely, direct fusion with plant virus PVY coat protein (CP), mosaic PVY VLPs, and two coexpression variants of conjugates (SpyTag/SpyCatcher) allowing coexpression and conjugation directly in E. coli cells. For control experiments, we included PVY VLPs chemically coupled with Fel d 1. All constructed PVY-Fel d 1 variants were well expressed and soluble, formed PVY-like filamentous particles, and were recognized by monoclonal Fel d 1 antibodies. Our results indicate that all vaccine variants induced high titers of anti-Fel d 1 antibodies in murine models. Mice that were immunized with the chemically coupled Fel d 1 antigen exhibited the highest antibody titers and antibody-antigen interaction specificity, as detected by binding avidity and recognition of native Fel d 1. IgG1 subclass antibodies were found to be the dominant IgG class against PVY-Fel d 1. PVY CP-derived VLPs represent an efficient platform for the comparison of various antigen presentation systems to help evaluate different vaccine designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anete Ogrina
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.O.); (D.S.); (I.B.); (I.K.); (J.J.)
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.O.); (D.S.); (I.B.); (I.K.); (J.J.)
| | - Ina Balke
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.O.); (D.S.); (I.B.); (I.K.); (J.J.)
| | - Ieva Kalnciema
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.O.); (D.S.); (I.B.); (I.K.); (J.J.)
| | - Juris Jansons
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.O.); (D.S.); (I.B.); (I.K.); (J.J.)
| | - Martin F. Bachmann
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, 3008 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Andris Zeltins
- Plant Virology Laboratory, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.O.); (D.S.); (I.B.); (I.K.); (J.J.)
- Correspondence:
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14
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Brune KD, Liekniņa I, Sutov G, Morris AR, Jovicevic D, Kalniņš G, Kazāks A, Kluga R, Kastaljana S, Zajakina A, Jansons J, Skrastiņa D, Spunde K, Cohen AA, Bjorkman PJ, Morris HR, Suna E, Tārs K. N-Terminal Modification of Gly-His-Tagged Proteins with Azidogluconolactone. Chembiochem 2021; 22:3199-3207. [PMID: 34520613 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202100381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [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: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Site-specific protein modifications are vital for biopharmaceutical drug development. Gluconoylation is a non-enzymatic, post-translational modification of N-terminal HisTags. We report high-yield, site-selective in vitro α-aminoacylation of peptides, glycoproteins, antibodies, and virus-like particles (VLPs) with azidogluconolactone at pH 7.5 in 1 h. Conjugates slowly hydrolyse, but diol-masking with borate esters inhibits reversibility. In an example, we multimerise azidogluconoylated SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) onto VLPs via click-chemistry, to give a COVID-19 vaccine. Compared to yeast antigen, HEK-derived RBD was immunologically superior, likely due to observed differences in glycosylation. We show the benefits of ordered over randomly oriented multimeric antigen display, by demonstrating single-shot seroconversion and best virus-neutralizing antibodies. Azidogluconoylation is simple, fast and robust chemistry, and should accelerate research and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl D Brune
- Genie Biotech Ltd., Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviour, JE2 7LA, United Kingdom.,Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Ilva Liekniņa
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Grigorij Sutov
- Genie Biotech Ltd., Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviour, JE2 7LA, United Kingdom.,Lab Group LT, UAB, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Alexander R Morris
- Genie Biotech Ltd., Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviour, JE2 7LA, United Kingdom.,Lab Group LT, UAB, Vilnius, Lithuania.,BioPharmaSpec Ltd., Suite 3.1, Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviour, JE2 7LA, UK
| | - Dejana Jovicevic
- Genie Biotech Ltd., Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviour, JE2 7LA, United Kingdom
| | - Gints Kalniņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Andris Kazāks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Rihards Kluga
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia.,University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, 1004, Riga, Latvia
| | - Sabine Kastaljana
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia.,University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, 1004, Riga, Latvia
| | - Anna Zajakina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Skrastiņa
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Karīna Spunde
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia
| | - Alexander A Cohen
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Howard R Morris
- BioPharmaSpec Ltd., Suite 3.1, Lido Medical Centre, St. Saviour, JE2 7LA, UK.,Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Edgars Suna
- Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, 1006, Riga, Latvia.,University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, 1004, Riga, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, 1067, Riga, Latvia.,University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, 1004, Riga, Latvia
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15
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Isaguliants M, Krotova O, Petkov S, Jansons J, Bayurova E, Mezale D, Fridrihsone I, Kilpelainen A, Podschwadt P, Agapkina Y, Smirnova O, Kostic L, Saleem M, Latyshev O, Eliseeva O, Malkova A, Gorodnicheva T, Wahren B, Gordeychuk I, Starodubova E, Latanova A. Cellular Immune Response Induced by DNA Immunization of Mice with Drug Resistant Integrases of HIV-1 Clade A Offers Partial Protection against Growth and Metastatic Activity of Integrase-Expressing Adenocarcinoma Cells. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1219. [PMID: 34199989 PMCID: PMC8226624 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9061219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic DNA-vaccination against drug-resistant HIV-1 may hinder emergence and spread of drug-resistant HIV-1, allowing for longer successful antiretroviral treatment (ART) up-to relief of ART. We designed DNA-vaccines against drug-resistant HIV-1 based on consensus clade A integrase (IN) resistant to raltegravir: IN_in_r1 (L74M/E92Q/V151I/N155H/G163R) or IN_in_r2 (E138K/G140S/Q148K) carrying D64V abrogating IN activity. INs, overexpressed in mammalian cells from synthetic genes, were assessed for stability, route of proteolytic degradation, and ability to induce oxidative stress. Both were found safe in immunotoxicity tests in mice, with no inherent carcinogenicity: their expression did not enhance tumorigenic or metastatic potential of adenocarcinoma 4T1 cells. DNA-immunization of mice with INs induced potent multicytokine T-cell response mainly against aa 209-239, and moderate IgG response cross-recognizing diverse IN variants. DNA-immunization with IN_in_r1 protected 60% of mice from challenge with 4Tlluc2 cells expressing non-mutated IN, while DNA-immunization with IN_in_r2 protected only 20% of mice, although tumor cells expressed IN matching the immunogen. Tumor size inversely correlated with IN-specific IFN-γ/IL-2 T-cell response. IN-expressing tumors displayed compromised metastatic activity restricted to lungs with reduced metastases size. Protective potential of IN immunogens relied on their immunogenicity for CD8+ T-cells, dependent on proteasomal processing and low level of oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Isaguliants
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.P.); (A.K.); (P.P.); (L.K.); (M.S.); (B.W.)
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (D.M.); (I.F.)
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olga Krotova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.P.); (A.K.); (P.P.); (L.K.); (M.S.); (B.W.)
| | - Juris Jansons
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (D.M.); (I.F.)
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dzeina Mezale
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (D.M.); (I.F.)
| | - Ilze Fridrihsone
- Department of Research, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (D.M.); (I.F.)
| | - Athina Kilpelainen
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.P.); (A.K.); (P.P.); (L.K.); (M.S.); (B.W.)
| | - Philip Podschwadt
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.P.); (A.K.); (P.P.); (L.K.); (M.S.); (B.W.)
| | - Yulia Agapkina
- Department of Chemistry and Belozersky Institute of Physicochemical Biology, Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Olga Smirnova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Linda Kostic
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.P.); (A.K.); (P.P.); (L.K.); (M.S.); (B.W.)
| | - Mina Saleem
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.P.); (A.K.); (P.P.); (L.K.); (M.S.); (B.W.)
| | - Oleg Latyshev
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
| | - Olesja Eliseeva
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
| | - Anastasia Malkova
- Institute of Medical Biological Research and Technologies, 143090 Krasnoznamensk, Russia;
| | | | - Britta Wahren
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden; (S.P.); (A.K.); (P.P.); (L.K.); (M.S.); (B.W.)
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, 108819 Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 127994 Moscow, Russia
| | - Elizaveta Starodubova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Latanova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia; (O.K.); (E.B.); (O.S.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (I.G.)
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia;
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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Palkova K, Jansons J, Grasis J. COVID-19: IMPACT ON HUMAN RIGHTS FROM THE HEALTHCARE PERSPECTIVE IN THE CASE OF PATIENTS TRIAGE. Wiad Lek 2021; 74:1894-1899. [PMID: 34537739] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim: To analyse human right issues in health care during the SARS CoV-2 pandemic from the perspective of patients' and medical practitioner's rights. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: Multidisciplinary research will be conducted as part of national as well as international health care policy documents, international human right instruments, including case law decisions, and also major scientific articles on human rights from the healthcare perspective will be analysed. The comparative, Research synthesis method and systemic analyses will be made during the research. RESULTS Results: The study confirmed that human right issues in the context of health care in case of Patient triage become relevant and transformed. The situation of COVID-19 has created new precedents for human rights, with a particular impact on the rights of doctors and patients. CONCLUSION Conclusions: Human rights from the healthcare perspective become the topical issue during the COVID 19 pandemic. The legal practice in human rights had several transformations and it provides new challenges from patients as well as medical practitioners' rights. Important problem, from the ethical -legal perspective is the Patient's triage. The situation on patients triage or ranking shows importance and possibility of each member state to act fast, taking into consideration fast changing situation in medical health system. Sorting patients whose lives are at risk according to certain criteria for assessing their lives is not acceptable. In order to reduce events of violations of human rights during COVID 19 in healthcare, the emphasis should be placed for explanation of decisions made in state level.
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Jansons J, Bayurova E, Skrastina D, Kurlanda A, Fridrihsone I, Kostyushev D, Kostyusheva A, Artyuhov A, Dashinimaev E, Avdoshina D, Kondrashova A, Valuev-Elliston V, Latyshev O, Eliseeva O, Petkov S, Abakumov M, Hippe L, Kholodnyuk I, Starodubova E, Gorodnicheva T, Ivanov A, Gordeychuk I, Isaguliants M. Expression of the Reverse Transcriptase Domain of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Induces Lytic Cellular Response in DNA-Immunized Mice and Limits Tumorigenic and Metastatic Potential of Murine Adenocarcinoma 4T1 Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020318. [PMID: 32570805 PMCID: PMC7350266 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) is a classic tumor-associated antigen overexpressed in majority of tumors. Several TERT-based cancer vaccines are currently in clinical trials, but immune correlates of their antitumor activity remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized fine specificity and lytic potential of immune response against rat TERT in mice. BALB/c mice were primed with plasmids encoding expression-optimized hemagglutinin-tagged or nontagged TERT or empty vector and boosted with same DNA mixed with plasmid encoding firefly luciferase (Luc DNA). Injections were followed by electroporation. Photon emission from booster sites was assessed by in vivo bioluminescent imaging. Two weeks post boost, mice were sacrificed and assessed for IFN-γ, interleukin-2 (IL-2), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production by T-cells upon their stimulation with TERT peptides and for anti-TERT antibodies. All TERT DNA-immunized mice developed cellular and antibody response against epitopes at the N-terminus and reverse transcriptase domain (rtTERT) of TERT. Photon emission from mice boosted with TERT/TERT-HA+Luc DNA was 100 times lower than from vector+Luc DNA-boosted controls. Bioluminescence loss correlated with percent of IFN-γ/IL-2/TNF-α producing CD8+ and CD4+ T-cells specific to rtTERT, indicating immune clearance of TERT/Luc-coexpressing cells. We made murine adenocarcinoma 4T1luc2 cells to express rtTERT by lentiviral transduction. Expression of rtTERT significantly reduced the capacity of 4T1luc2 to form tumors and metastasize in mice, while not affecting in vitro growth. Mice which rejected the tumors developed T-cell response against rtTERT and low/no response to the autoepitope of TERT. This advances rtTERT as key component of TERT-based therapeutic vaccines against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juris Jansons
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Ekaterina Bayurova
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia;
| | - Alisa Kurlanda
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Ilze Fridrihsone
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Dmitry Kostyushev
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Anastasia Kostyusheva
- National Medical Research Center of Tuberculosis and Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Health, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.K.); (A.K.)
| | - Alexander Artyuhov
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia; (A.A.); (E.D.)
| | - Erdem Dashinimaev
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia; (A.A.); (E.D.)
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Darya Avdoshina
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Alla Kondrashova
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
| | - Vladimir Valuev-Elliston
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | - Oleg Latyshev
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
| | - Olesja Eliseeva
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
| | - Stefan Petkov
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Maxim Abakumov
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Laboratory of Biomedical Nanomaterials, National University of Science and Technology MISIS, Moscow 127994, Russia
- Department of Medical Nanobiotechnologies, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Laura Hippe
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Irina Kholodnyuk
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
| | - Elizaveta Starodubova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | | | - Alexander Ivanov
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (V.V.-E.); (E.S.)
| | - Ilya Gordeychuk
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
- Institute for Translational Medicine and Biotechnology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 127994, Russia
| | - Maria Isaguliants
- Department of Research, and Department of Pathology, Pathology, Rīga Stradiņš University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia; (J.J.); (A.K.); (I.F.); (L.H.); (I.K.)
- N.F. Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow 127994, Russia; (E.B.); (O.L.); (O.E.); (M.A.); (A.I.); (I.G.)
- Chumakov Federal Scientific Center for Research and Development of Immune-and-Biological Products of Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow 127994, Russia; (D.A.); (A.K.)
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden;
- Correspondence:
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18
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Kirsteina A, Akopjana I, Bogans J, Lieknina I, Jansons J, Skrastina D, Kazaka T, Tars K, Isakova-Sivak I, Mezhenskaya D, Kotomina T, Matyushenko V, Rudenko L, Kazaks A. Construction and Immunogenicity of a Novel Multivalent Vaccine Prototype Based on Conserved Influenza Virus Antigens. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8020197. [PMID: 32344753 PMCID: PMC7349063 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8020197] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Influenza, an acute, highly contagious respiratory disease, remains a significant threat to public health. More effective vaccination strategies aimed at inducing broad cross-protection not only against seasonal influenza variants, but also zoonotic and emerging pandemic influenza strains are urgently needed. A number of conserved protein targets to elicit such cross-protective immunity have been under investigation, with long alpha-helix (LAH) from hemagglutinin stalk and ectodomain of matrix protein 2 ion channel (M2e) being the most studied ones. Recently, we have reported the three-dimensional structure and some practical applications of LAH expressed in Escherichia coli system (referred to as tri-stalk protein). In the present study, we investigated the immunogenicity and efficacy of a panel of broadly protective influenza vaccine prototypes based on both influenza tri-stalk and triple M2e (3M2e) antigens integrated into phage AP205 virus-like particles (VLPs). While VLPs containing the 3M2e alone induced protection against standard homologous and heterologous virus challenge in mice, only the combination of both conserved influenza antigens into a single VLP fully protected mice from a high-dose homologous H1N1 influenza infection. We propose that a combination of genetic fusion and chemical coupling techniques to expose two different foreign influenza antigens on a single particle is a perspective approach for generation of a broadly-effective vaccine candidate that could protect against the constantly emerging influenza virus strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kirsteina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Inara Akopjana
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Janis Bogans
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Ilva Lieknina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Tatjana Kazaka
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Kaspars Tars
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
| | - Irina Isakova-Sivak
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (I.I.-S.); (D.M.); (T.K.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Daria Mezhenskaya
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (I.I.-S.); (D.M.); (T.K.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Tatiana Kotomina
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (I.I.-S.); (D.M.); (T.K.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Victoria Matyushenko
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (I.I.-S.); (D.M.); (T.K.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Larisa Rudenko
- Department of Virology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Saint Petersburg 197376, Russia; (I.I.-S.); (D.M.); (T.K.); (V.M.); (L.R.)
| | - Andris Kazaks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia; (A.K.); (I.A.); (J.B.); (I.L.); (J.J.); (D.S.); (T.K.); (K.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Kalnins G, Cesle EE, Jansons J, Liepins J, Filimonenko A, Tars K. Encapsulation mechanisms and structural studies of GRM2 bacterial microcompartment particles. Nat Commun 2020; 11:388. [PMID: 31959751 PMCID: PMC6971018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are prokaryotic organelles consisting of a protein shell and an encapsulated enzymatic core. BMCs are involved in several biochemical processes, such as choline, glycerol and ethanolamine degradation and carbon fixation. Since non-native enzymes can also be encapsulated in BMCs, an improved understanding of BMC shell assembly and encapsulation processes could be useful for synthetic biology applications. Here we report the isolation and recombinant expression of BMC structural genes from the Klebsiella pneumoniae GRM2 locus, the investigation of mechanisms behind encapsulation of the core enzymes, and the characterization of shell particles by cryo-EM. We conclude that the enzymatic core is encapsulated in a hierarchical manner and that the CutC choline lyase may play a secondary role as an adaptor protein. We also present a cryo-EM structure of a pT = 4 quasi-symmetric icosahedral shell particle at 3.3 Å resolution, and demonstrate variability among the minor shell forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gints Kalnins
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia.
| | - Eva-Emilija Cesle
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia
| | - Janis Liepins
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, Riga, 1004, Latvia
| | - Anatolij Filimonenko
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kaspars Tars
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia
- University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, Riga, 1004, Latvia
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20
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Liekniņa I, Kalniņš G, Akopjana I, Bogans J, Šišovs M, Jansons J, Rūmnieks J, Tārs K. Production and characterization of novel ssRNA bacteriophage virus-like particles from metagenomic sequencing data. J Nanobiotechnology 2019; 17:61. [PMID: 31084612 PMCID: PMC6513524 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0497-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Protein shells assembled from viral coat proteins are an attractive platform for development of new vaccines and other tools such as targeted bioimaging and drug delivery agents. Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) bacteriophage coat proteins (CPs) have been important and successful contenders in the area due to their simplicity and robustness. However, only a few different VLP types are available that put certain limitations on continued developments and expanded adaptation of ssRNA phage VLP technology. Metagenomic studies have been a rich source for discovering novel viral sequences, and in recent years have unraveled numerous ssRNA phage genomes significantly different from those known before. Here, we describe the use of ssRNA CP sequences found in metagenomic data to experimentally produce and characterize novel VLPs. Results Approximately 150 ssRNA phage CP sequences were sourced from metagenomic sequence data and grouped into 14 different clusters based on CP sequence similarity analysis. 110 CP-encoding sequences were obtained by gene synthesis and expressed in bacteria which in 80 cases resulted in VLP assembly. Production and purification of the VLPs was straightforward and compatible with established protocols, with the only exception that a considerable proportion of the CPs had to be produced at a lower temperature to ensure VLP assembly. The VLP morphology was similar to that of the previously studied phages, although a few deviations such as elongated or smaller particles were noted in certain cases. In addition, stabilizing inter-subunit disulfide bonds were detected in six VLPs and several possible candidate RNA structures in the phage genomes were identified that might bind to the coat protein and ensure specific RNA packaging. Conclusions Compared to the few types of ssRNA phage VLPs that were used before, several dozens of new particles representing ten distinct similarity groups are now available with a notable potential for biotechnological applications. It is believed that the novel VLPs described in this paper will provide the groundwork for future development of new vaccines and other applications based on ssRNA bacteriophage VLPs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12951-019-0497-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilva Liekniņa
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Gints Kalniņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Ināra Akopjana
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Jānis Bogans
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Mihails Šišovs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Jānis Rūmnieks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia.
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21
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Jansons J, Sominskaya I, Petrakova N, Starodubova ES, Smirnova OA, Alekseeva E, Bruvere R, Eliseeva O, Skrastina D, Kashuba E, Mihailova M, Kochetkov SN, Ivanov AV, Isaguliants MG. The Immunogenicity in Mice of HCV Core Delivered as DNA Is Modulated by Its Capacity to Induce Oxidative Stress and Oxidative Stress Response. Cells 2019; 8:cells8030208. [PMID: 30823485 PMCID: PMC6468923 DOI: 10.3390/cells8030208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
HCV core is an attractive HCV vaccine target, however, clinical or preclinical trials of core-based vaccines showed little success. We aimed to delineate what restricts its immunogenicity and improve immunogenic performance in mice. We designed plasmids encoding full-length HCV 1b core and its variants truncated after amino acids (aa) 60, 98, 152, 173, or up to aa 36 using virus-derived or synthetic polynucleotides (core191/60/98/152/173/36_191v or core152s DNA, respectively). We assessed their level of expression, route of degradation, ability to trigger the production of reactive oxygen species/ROS, and to activate the components of the Nrf2/ARE antioxidant defense pathway heme oxygenase 1/HO-1 and NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase/Nqo-1. All core variants with the intact N-terminus induced production of ROS, and up-regulated expression of HO-1 and Nqo-1. The capacity of core variants to induce ROS and up-regulate HO-1 and Nqo-1 expression predetermined their immunogenicity in DNA-immunized BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. The most immunogenic was core 152s, expressed at a modest level and inducing moderate oxidative stress and oxidative stress response. Thus, immunogenicity of HCV core is shaped by its ability to induce ROS and oxidative stress response. These considerations are important in understanding the mechanisms of viral suppression of cellular immune response and in HCV vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juris Jansons
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia.
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Irina Sominskaya
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Natalia Petrakova
- N.F. Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Elizaveta S Starodubova
- N.F. Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia.
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Olga A Smirnova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Ekaterina Alekseeva
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Ruta Bruvere
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Olesja Eliseeva
- N.F. Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Elena Kashuba
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
- RE Kavetsky Institite of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 03022 Kyiv, Ukraine.
| | - Marija Mihailova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia.
| | - Sergey N Kochetkov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander V Ivanov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Maria G Isaguliants
- Department of Pathology, Riga Stradins University, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia.
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, SE-171 77 Stockholm, Sweden.
- N.F. Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 123098 Moscow, Russia.
- MP Chumakov Center for Research and Development of Immune and Biological Preparations of RAS, 108819 Moscow, Russia.
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Smirnova OA, Ivanova ON, Mukhtarov FS, Tunitskaya VL, Jansons J, Isaguliants MG, Kochetkov SN, Ivanov AV. Analysis of the Domains of Hepatitis C Virus Core and NS5A Proteins that Activate the Nrf2/ARE Cascade. Acta Naturae 2016. [DOI: 10.32607/20758251-2016-8-3-123-127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) triggers a chronic disease that is often accompanied by a spectrum of liver pathologies and metabolic alterations. The oxidative stress that occurs in the infected cells is considered as one of the mechanisms of HCV pathogenesis. It is induced by the viral core and NS5A proteins. It is already known that both of these proteins activate the antioxidant defense system controlled by the Nrf2 transcription factor. Here, we show that this activation is mediated by domain 1 of the NS5A protein and two fragments of the core protein. In both cases, this activation is achieved through two mechanisms. One of them is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein kinase C, whereas the other is triggered through ROS-independent activation of casein kinase 2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. In the case of the HCV core, the ROS-dependent mechanism was assigned to the 37-191 a.a. fragment, while the ROS-independent mechanism was assigned to the 1-36 а.a. fragment. Such assignment of the mechanisms to different domains is the first evidence of their independence. In addition, our data revealed that intracellular localization of HCV proteins has no impact on the regulation of the antioxidant defense system.
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Smirnova OA, Ivanova ON, Mukhtarov FS, Tunitskaya VL, Jansons J, Isaguliants MG, Kochetkov SN, Ivanov AV. Analysis of the Domains of Hepatitis C Virus Core and NS5A Proteins that Activate the Nrf2/ARE Cascade. Acta Naturae 2016; 8:123-127. [PMID: 27795852 PMCID: PMC5081703] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The hepatitis C virus (HCV) triggers a chronic disease that is often accompanied by a spectrum of liver pathologies and metabolic alterations. The oxidative stress that occurs in the infected cells is considered as one of the mechanisms of HCV pathogenesis. It is induced by the viral core and NS5A proteins. It is already known that both of these proteins activate the antioxidant defense system controlled by the Nrf2 transcription factor. Here, we show that this activation is mediated by domain 1 of the NS5A protein and two fragments of the core protein. In both cases, this activation is achieved through two mechanisms. One of them is mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and protein kinase C, whereas the other is triggered through ROS-independent activation of casein kinase 2 and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. In the case of the HCV core, the ROS-dependent mechanism was assigned to the 37-191 a.a. fragment, while the ROS-independent mechanism was assigned to the 1-36 a.a. fragment. Such assignment of the mechanisms to different domains is the first evidence of their independence. In addition, our data revealed that intracellular localization of HCV proteins has no impact on the regulation of the antioxidant defense system.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. A. Smirnova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str., 32, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - O. N. Ivanova
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str., 32, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - F. Sh. Mukhtarov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str., 32, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - V. L. Tunitskaya
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str., 32, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - J. Jansons
- Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema Street, 16, LV-1007, Riga, Latvia
| | - M. G. Isaguliants
- Riga Stradins University, Dzirciema Street, 16, LV-1007, Riga, Latvia
- N. F. Gamaleya Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Gamaleya str., 18, Moscow, 123098, Russia
| | - S. N. Kochetkov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str., 32, Moscow, 119991, Russia
| | - A. V. Ivanov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov str., 32, Moscow, 119991, Russia
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Kuznetsova T, Tallo T, Brjalin V, Reshetnjak I, Salupere R, Priimagi L, Katargina O, Smirnova M, Jansons J, Tefanova V. Amino Acid Polymorphisms Within the Entire HCV NS5A Region in Estonian Chronic HCV 1b Patients With Different Treatment Response. Hepat Mon 2013; 13:e14481. [PMID: 24358043 PMCID: PMC3867023 DOI: 10.5812/hepatmon.14481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2013] [Revised: 09/29/2013] [Accepted: 11/01/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A substantial proportion of hepatitis C virus (HCV)-1b infected patients do not response to pegylated interferon-α plus ribavirin (PegIFNα/RBV) combination therapy that was partially associated with mutations in the non-structural 5A (NS5A) protein. OBJECTIVES Analysis of NS5A polymorphisms in HCV genotype 1b pre-treatment serum samples from Estonian patients and their effect on the treatment response. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-nine complete NS5A sequences obtained from patients with chronic HCV-1b infection who had received combined therapy with PegIFNα-2a/RBV were analyzed and compared with the prototype strain HCV-J. Twelve patients achieved a sustained virological response (SVR), 15 were non-SVR and 2 patients stopped treatment because of side effects. RESULTS No significant difference in total number of amino acid mutations was observed between isolates from SVR and non-SVR patients in any known regions of the NS5A protein. However, specific amino acid substitutions at positions 1989 and 2283 correlated significantly with SVR, mutations at positions 1979, 2107, 2171 and 2382 were associated with non-response to treatment and amino acid substitution at position 2319 was observed in relapsers. At phylogenetic analysis, NS5A nucleotide sequences have been subdivided into four groups characterized by the different treatment response. Twenty-four novel nucleotide polymorphisms and 11 novel amino acid polymorphisms were identified based on the phylogenetic tree topology. CONCLUSIONS Specific amino acid substitutions correlating with the treatment response were found. Polymorphisms revealed by phylogenetic analysis may define the signature patterns for treatment susceptible and treatment resistant strains prevalent in Estonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Kuznetsova
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tatjana Tallo
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
- Department of Diagnostics and Vaccine, Unit for Molecular Typing, Swedish Institute for Communicable Disease Control, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Vadim Brjalin
- Department of Internal Medicine, West-Tallinn Central Hospital, Tallinn, Estonia
- Corresponding Author: Vadim Brjalin, Department of Internal Medicine, West-Tallinn Central Hospital, Paldiski Road 68, 10617, Tallinn, Estonia. Tel: +372-6511472, Fax: +372-6511472, E-mail:
| | - Irina Reshetnjak
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Riina Salupere
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ljudmilla Priimagi
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Olga Katargina
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Maria Smirnova
- Department of Hemorrhagic Fevers and Pilot Projects, Federal State Budgetary Institution “Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and Viral Encephalitides” of RAMS, Moscow, Russia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Valentina Tefanova
- Department of Virology, National Institute for Health Development, Tallinn, Estonia
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Sominskaya I, Skrastina D, Petrovskis I, Dishlers A, Berza I, Mihailova M, Jansons J, Akopjana I, Stahovska I, Dreilina D, Ose V, Pumpens P. A VLP library of C-terminally truncated Hepatitis B core proteins: correlation of RNA encapsidation with a Th1/Th2 switch in the immune responses of mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75938. [PMID: 24086668 PMCID: PMC3781094 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 08/22/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
An efficient pBR327- and Ptrp-based E. coli expression system was used to generate a large-scale library of virus like particles (VLP) formed by recombinant hepatitis B virus (HBV) core (HBc) protein derivatives. To construct the library, the gene of HBc protein of the genotype D/subtype ayw2 virus was gradually truncated from the 3`-end and twenty-two HBc variants (with truncation up to 139 aa) were expressed at high levels. The proteins were purified by salt precipitation and gel filtration. Background RNA binding was observed for VLPs formed by HBc1-149, which lacked all C-terminal Arg blocks, and the addition of three Arg residues (HBc1-152) only slightly increased RNA binding. The presence of two Arg blocks (proteins HBc1-162 and HBc1-163) resulted in approximately half of the typical level of RNA binding, and the presence of three blocks (protein HBc1-171) led to approximately 85% of the typical level of binding. Only a small increase in the level of RNA binding was found for the HBc1-175 VLPs, which contained all four Arg blocks but lacked the last 8 aa of the full-length HBc protein. VLPs containing high levels of RNA had higher antigenicity according to an ELISA with anti-HBc mAbs than the VLPs formed by HBc variants without C-terminal Arg blocks and lacking RNA. The results indicate that the VLPs were stabilised by nucleic acids. The immunogenicity in BALB/c mice was comparable for VLPs formed by different HBc proteins, but a clear switch from a Th1 response to a Th2 response occurred after the loss of encapsidated RNA. We did not observe significant differences in lymphocyte proliferation in vitro for the tested VLP variants; however, the loss of RNA encapsidation correlated with a decreased level of IFN-γ induction, which is a measure of the potential CTL activity of immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Sominskaya
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Dace Skrastina
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ivars Petrovskis
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Andris Dishlers
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Ieva Berza
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Maria Mihailova
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Inara Akopjana
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Irina Stahovska
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Dzidra Dreilina
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Velta Ose
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
| | - Paul Pumpens
- Protein Engineering Department, Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Riga, Latvia
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Sominskaya I, Alekseeva E, Skrastina D, Mokhonov V, Starodubova E, Jansons J, Levi M, Prilipov A, Kozlovska T, Smirnov V, Pumpens P, Isaguliants MG. Signal sequences modulate the immunogenic performance of human hepatitis C virus E2 gene. Mol Immunol 2006; 43:1941-52. [PMID: 16442623 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2005.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2005] [Accepted: 11/30/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Envelope protein E2 of human hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an attractive component of a prototype HCV vaccine. Delivered by DNA immunogens, E2 evokes specific immune response of Th1-type, failing to induce either considerable antibody production, or T-helper cell proliferation. We aimed at modulating the immunogenic performance of E2 gene by changing the mode of protein expression in eukaryotic cells. Plasmids were constructed encoding full-length E2 and nonstructural protein 1 (p7) fused to either 13 or 38 C-terminal amino acids (aa) of HCV E1 that contain second hydrophobic segment of E1 stop-transfer signal, or a complete E1 stop-transfer signal with duplicated second hydrophobic segment. Injected into BALB/c mice, E2/p7 genes induced potent antibody and T-helper cell response targeted against hypervariable region 1, aa 472-586 of E2, and a novel epitope at aa 774-796 of p7. Profile of cytokines secreted by proliferating mouse splenocytes stimulated in vitro with E2- and p7-derived peptides, indicated mixed Th1/Th2 type of immune response. Thus, the full-length E2 and p7 genes supplied in one cassette were both immunogenic. E2/p7 containing a complete E1 stop-transfer signal with prolonged membrane spanning domain was superior to the shorter E2/p7 version in terms of both antibody and cellular immunogenicity. Optimal performance of HCV E2 could thus be achieved without the aid of external/heterologous signals by easing, through modification of the E2 signal sequence, the release of E2 from the rough ER while retaining full-length E2 and p7 sequences. This finding may help to improve the Th2 performance of HCV envelope genes as prototype vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Sominskaya
- Biomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia, LV-1067 Riga, Latvia
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Picht T, Jansons J, van Baalen A, Harder A, Pietilae TA. Infant with unusually large choroid plexus papilloma undergoing emergency surgery. Case report with special emphasis on the surgical strategy. Pediatr Neurosurg 2006; 42:116-21. [PMID: 16465083 DOI: 10.1159/000090467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2005] [Accepted: 08/08/2005] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Choroid plexus papillomas are one of the most common tumors of the nervous system in infants. The most frequent early symptoms, megalocephalia and vomiting, caused by elevated intracranial pressure often lead to a diagnosis only at a critical clinical stage. This study describes a case of a 3-month-old infant with a choroid plexus papilloma measuring 7 x 8 x 6 cm originating in the right lateral ventricle. The infant underwent emergency surgery in an acutely deteriorated state, i.e., acute herniation symptoms with fixed and dilated pupils. Despite of the size of the tumor, the proximity to eloquent cortex, and clinically deteriorated state, the infant recovered completely.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Picht
- Department of Neurosurgery, Charité, Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Berlin, Germany.
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Sominskaya I, Mihailova M, Jansons J, Emelyanova V, Folkmane I, Smagris E, Dumpis U, Rozentals R, Pumpens P. Hepatitis B and C Virus Variants in Long-Term Immunosuppressed Renal Transplant Patients in Latvia. Intervirology 2005; 48:192-200. [PMID: 15812194 DOI: 10.1159/000081748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2004] [Accepted: 09/10/2004] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of genome variants of hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses among 38 long-term (2-15 years) immunosuppressed patients after renal transplantation and 10 patients undergoing dialysis was investigated. Twelve patients had only HBV infection, 9 had only HCV infection and 14 were co-infected. Regions corresponding to the HBV X/EnII/BCP, preC/C, preS/S and to the HCV core were sequenced for molecular characterization of the HBV and HCV genomes. Fifty-seven percent of HBV DNA isolates belonged to genotype D and 42% to genotype A, whereas 77% of HCV RNA isolates belonged to genotype 1b and only 17% to genotype 3a. One sample (6%) was of genotype 2c. Detailed analysis of the above-mentioned HBV genome regions revealed the presence of nucleotide point mutations, which, in some cases, resulted in amino acid substitutions. The clinical significance of such mutations is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Sominskaya
- Biomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.
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Dumpis U, Kovalova Z, Jansons J, Cupane L, Sominskaya I, Michailova M, Karayiannis P, Gardovska D, Viazov S, Ross S, Roggendorf M, Pumpens P. An outbreak of HBV and HCV infection in a paediatric oncology ward: epidemiological investigations and prevention of further spread. J Med Virol 2003; 69:331-8. [PMID: 12526042 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.10293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Hospital-acquired hepatitis B (HBV) and C virus (HCV) infections continue to occur despite increased awareness of this problem among the medical community. One hundred six patients were infected in a haematology oncology ward for children, over the time period 1996 to 2000. Serum samples from 45 such patients and 3 from infected medical personnel were used for nucleic acid amplification. HBV core, as well as HCV core and hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) nucleotide sequences, were analysed by phylogenetic tree analysis, in order to characterise the epidemiological pattern of viral transmission on the ward. Samples from 32 patients were positive for HBV-DNA or HCV-RNA by PCR. Ten patients were positive for both markers. Seventeen out of twenty-three HCV core gene sequences were found to be evolutionarily related and clustered separately from other local sequences in the phylogenetic tree, indicating nosocomial transmission. This was confirmed by analysis of HVR1 gene sequences. One nurse and one physician from the ward were HCV RNA positive, but their HCV sequences were not related evolutionarily to those of the patient cluster. Fifteen out of nineteen HBV core gene sequences were also clustered together and were positioned separately in the relevant tree. Epidemiological investigation excluded a common source infection and indicated that spread of infection was most likely due to inappropriate infection control measures on the ward. No obvious risk factors for transmission were identified during the retrospective survey in patients with related sequences, except use of multidose vials for saline and poor staff compliance with routine hand hygiene procedures. The preventive measures that were introduced reduced the incidence of infection significantly. No new cases of HBV infection and only three anti-HCV seroconversions occurred over a period of 19 months. The introduction and maintenance of strict prevention measures over a 2 year period, combined with HBV vaccination, reduced significantly the incidence of new HCV and HBV infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uga Dumpis
- Biomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia.
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Pumpens P, Razanskas R, Pushko P, Renhof R, Gusars I, Skrastina D, Ose V, Borisova G, Sominskaya I, Petrovskis I, Jansons J, Sasnauskas K. Evaluation of HBs, HBc, and frCP virus-like particles for expression of human papillomavirus 16 E7 oncoprotein epitopes. Intervirology 2002; 45:24-32. [PMID: 11937768 DOI: 10.1159/000050084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In an attempt to develop virus-like particles (VLPs) as experimental vaccine against human papilloma virus (HPV)-induced tumours, the HPV16 E7 oncoprotein epitopes spanning amino acid (aa) residues 35-98 were expressed on three proteins capable of VLP formation: hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface (HBs) and core (HBc) antigens, and RNA phage fr coats (frCP). METHODS The profile of immunoglobulin isotypes induced in Balb/C mice after immunization with purified chimeric proteins was studied. RESULTS The HBs*-E7(35-54) protein expressing E7 residues 35-54 between residues 139 and 142 of the HBs carrier formed HBs-like particles in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The HBc Delta-E7(35-98), but not the frCP-E7(35-98), ensured VLP formation in Escherichia coli. In Balb/C mice, the HBs*-E7(35-54) VLPs predominantly induced an anti-E7 antibody, but not anti-HBs carrier response, whereas the HBc Delta-E7(35-98) VLPs induced a lower anti-E7 compared to anti-HBc carrier response. The frCP-E7(35-98) protein elicited equally high antibody responses to both E7 and frCP carrier. Analysis of the immunoglobulin G isotype profile of the antibodies induced by the E7-carrying chimeras showed that the HBs and frCP derivatives were capable of eliciting the Th1 and Th2 subsets of T helper cells, whereas the HBc-derived chimeras elicited only the Th2 subset. CONCLUSIONS The HBs and HBc, but not frCP carriers support an efficient outcome for VLPs carrying the HPV16 E7 epitopes. All chimeric proteins may be regarded as potential vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Pumpens
- Biomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia, Riga, Latvia, Lithuania.
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Sominskaya I, Paulij W, Jansons J, Sobotta D, Dreilina D, Sunnen C, Meisel H, Gerlich WH, Pumpens P. Fine-mapping of the B-cell epitope domain at the N-terminus of the preS2 region of the hepatitis B surface antigen. J Immunol Methods 2002; 260:251-61. [PMID: 11792393 DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1759(01)00551-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we report the exact localization and substitutional characterization of a B-cell epitope domain at the N-terminus of the preS2 region of the hepatitis B surface antigen. A set of deletion variants containing preS2 sequences of different length was generated on the basis of frCP as a carrier. It was found after Western blot analysis that three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) (2-11B1, 3-11C2, HB.OT10) recognized the linear preS2 sequence within the amino acid (aa) stretch 3-WNSTTFHQTLQDP-13. The importance of each aa residue of the epitope was proved by comparison of antibody binding to alanine-substituted peptides in both free-peptide and Pepscan variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Sominskaya
- Biomedical Research and Study Centre, University of Latvia, Ratsupites Str. 1, LV-1067, Riga, Latvia.
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Barfels T, Fitting HJ, Gulans A, Jansons J, Springis M, Stolz H, Tale I, Veispals A. Luminescence and electron transport properties of GaN and AlN layers. RADIAT MEAS 2001. [DOI: 10.1016/s1350-4487(01)00088-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Sobotta D, Sominskaya I, Jansons J, Meisel H, Schmitt S, Heermann KH, Kaluza G, Pumpens P, Gerlich WH. Mapping of immunodominant B-cell epitopes and the human serum albumin-binding site in natural hepatitis B virus surface antigen of defined genosubtype. J Gen Virol 2000; 81:369-78. [PMID: 10644835 DOI: 10.1099/0022-1317-81-2-369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Twelve MAbs were generated by immunization of BALB/c mice with plasma-derived hepatitis B virus surface spherical antigen particles subtype ayw2 (HBsAg/ayw2 genotype D). Their epitopes were mapped by analysis of reactivity with plasma-derived HBsAg/ayw2 and HBsAg/adw2 (genotype A) in enzyme immunoassays and blots. Mapping was supported by nested sets of truncated preS2 proteins and preS2 peptides. Five antibodies were S domain-specific, seven were preS2-specific and 11 had a preference for genotype D. According to our data, group I of the three known epitope groups of preS2 has to be divided into IA and IB. Three preS2-specific MAbs forming the new group IA reacted with genotype D residues 3-15 which have not yet been described as an epitope region. IA antibodies strongly inhibited the binding of polymerized human serum albumin. Two antibodies (group II) reacted with the glycosylated N-terminal region of preS2 in plasma-derived HBsAg, but not with a preparation from transfected murine cells. One group III antibody was subtype-specific and reacted with the highly variable preS2 sequence 38-48. Only one antibody (group IB) mapped to the region (old group I) which was believed to be immunodominant and genotype-independent. Geno(sub)type-specific epitopes of preS2 are obviously the immunodominant components of natural HBsAg in BALB/c mice, but these epitopes may be masked by serum albumins in humans. The data may explain why it is difficult to detect anti-preS2 antibodies in human recipients of preS2-containing vaccines, in spite of the preS2 immunodominance in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Sobotta
- Institute of Medical Virology, Clinics of the Justus-Liebig-University, Frankfurter Str. 107, D-35392 Giessen, Germany
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Pietilä TA, Stendel R, Jansons J, Schilling A, Koch HC, Brock M. The value of intraoperative angiography for surgical treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations in eloquent brain areas. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 1998; 140:1161-5. [PMID: 9870062 DOI: 10.1007/s007010050231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) allows intraoperative assessment of outcome of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM). This study reports on 21 patients with AVMs in eloquent areas of the brain extirpated between July 1995 to March 1998. Extirpation was always followed by intraoperative DSA. Intraoperative angiography disclosed an occult residual nidus in 4 cases (19%). Complete extirpation of the AVM was achieved in all cases. Following surgery the neurological condition improved in 15 cases (71%), remained unchanged in 5 (24%), and worsened in 1. There were no secondary postoperative haemorrhages, nor complications related to the angiography. These results indicate that intraoperative DSA should be considered in the course of surgical treatment of cerebral AVMs in eloquent areas of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Pietilä
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center Benjamin Franklin, Free University of Berlin, Germany
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Abstract
A direct ultracentrifugation technique was used in the preparation of skin lesion specimens for examination by electron microscopy. The concentration factor of centrifuged specimens was estimated to be in excess of 1,000-fold compared to conventional adsorption techniques. This resulted in an increase of over 300% in the detection rate of herpesviruses and poxviruses from skin lesion specimens.
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