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Pordanjani PM, Bolhassani A, Pouriayevali MH, Milani A, Rezaei F. Engineered dendritic cells-derived exosomes harboring HIV-1 Nef mut-Tat fusion protein and heat shock protein 70: A promising HIV-1 safe vaccine candidate. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 270:132236. [PMID: 38768924 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2024] [Revised: 05/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Antigen presenting cells (APCs)-derived exosomes are nano-vesicles that can induce antigen-specific T cell responses, and possess therapeutic effects in clinical settings. Moreover, dendritic cells (DCs)-based vaccines have been developed to combat human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection in preclinical and clinical trials. We investigated the immunostimulatory effects (B- and T-cells activities) of DCs- and exosomes-based vaccine constructs harboring HIV-1 Nefmut-Tat fusion protein as an antigen candidate and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as an adjuvant in mice. The modified DCs and engineered exosomes harboring Nefmut-Tat protein or Hsp70 were prepared using lentiviral vectors compared to electroporation, characterized and evaluated by in vitro and in vivo immunological tests. Our data indicated that the engineered exosomes induced high levels of total IgG, IgG2a, IFN-γ, TNF-α and Granzyme B. Moreover, co-injection of exosomes harboring Hsp70 could significantly increase the secretion of antibodies, cytokines and Granzyme B. The highest levels of IFN-γ and TNF-α were observed in exosomes harboring Nefmut-Tat combined with exosomes harboring Hsp70 (Exo-Nefmut-Tat + Exo-Hsp70) regimen after single-cycle replicable (SCR) HIV-1 exposure. Generally, Exo-Nefmut-Tat + Exo-Hsp70 regimen can be considered as a promising safe vaccine candidate due to high T-cells (Th1 and CTL) activity and its maintenance against SCR HIV-1 exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Hassan Pouriayevali
- Department of Arboviruses and Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers (National Reference Laboratory), Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Milani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran; Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Rezaei
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Rizarullah, Aditama R, Giri-Rachman EA, Hertadi R. Designing a Novel Multiepitope Vaccine from the Human Papilloma Virus E1 and E2 Proteins for Indonesia with Immunoinformatics and Molecular Dynamics Approaches. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:16547-16562. [PMID: 38617694 PMCID: PMC11007845 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c00425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
One of the deadliest malignant cancer in women globally is cervical cancer. Specifically, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer in Indonesia. The main infectious agent of cervical cancer is the human papilloma virus (HPV). Although licensed prophylactic vaccines are available, cervical cancer cases are on the rise. Therapy using multiepitope-based vaccines is a very promising therapy for cervical cancer. This study aimed to develop a multiepitope vaccine based on the E1 and E2 proteins of HPV 16, 18, 45, and 52 using in silico. In this study, we develop a novel multiepitope vaccine candidate using an immunoinformatic approach. We predicted the epitopes of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and helper T lymphocyte (HTL) and evaluated their immunogenic properties. Population coverage analysis of qualified epitopes was conducted to determine the successful use of the vaccine worldwide. The epitopes were constructed into a multiepitope vaccine by using AAY linkers between the CTL epitopes and GPGPG linkers between the HTL epitopes. The tertiary structure of the multiepitope vaccine was modeled with AlphaFold and was evaluated by Prosa-web. The results of vaccine construction were analyzed for B-cell epitope prediction, molecular docking with Toll like receptor-4 (TLR4), and molecular dynamics simulation. The results of epitope prediction obtained 4 CTL epitopes and 7 HTL epitopes that are eligible for construction of multiepitope vaccines. Prediction of the physicochemical properties of multiepitope vaccines obtained good results for recombinant protein production. The interaction showed that the interaction of the multiepitope vaccine-TLR4 complex is stable based on the binding free energy value -106.5 kcal/mol. The results of the immune response simulation show that multiepitope vaccine candidates could activate the adaptive and humoral immune systems and generate long-term B-cell memory. According to these results, the development of a multiepitope vaccine with a reverse vaccinology approach is a breakthrough to develop potential cervical cancer therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizarullah
- Biochemistry
and Biomolecular Engineering Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics
and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute
of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
- Department
of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Abulyatama
University, Jl. Blangbintang Lama, Aceh Besar 23372, Indonesia
| | - Reza Aditama
- Biochemistry
and Biomolecular Engineering Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics
and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute
of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Ernawati Arifin Giri-Rachman
- Genetics
and Molecular Biotechnology Research Division, School of Life Sciences
and Technology, Bandung Institute of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
| | - Rukman Hertadi
- Biochemistry
and Biomolecular Engineering Research Division, Faculty of Mathematics
and Natural Sciences, Bandung Institute
of Technology, Jl. Ganesa No. 10, Bandung 40132, Indonesia
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3
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Kumari S, Kessel A, Singhal D, Kaur G, Bern D, Lemay-St-Denis C, Singh J, Jain S. Computational identification of a multi-peptide vaccine candidate in E2 glycoprotein against diverse Hepatitis C virus genotypes. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023; 41:11044-11061. [PMID: 37194293 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2212777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is estimated to affect nearly 180 million people worldwide, culminating in ∼0.7 million yearly casualties. However, a safe vaccine against HCV is not yet available. This study endeavored to identify a multi-genotypic, multi-epitopic, safe, and globally competent HCV vaccine candidate. We employed a consensus epitope prediction strategy to identify multi-epitopic peptides in all known envelope glycoprotein (E2) sequences, belonging to diverse HCV genotypes. The obtained peptides were screened for toxicity, allergenicity, autoimmunity and antigenicity, resulting in two favorable peptides viz., P2 (VYCFTPSPVVVG) and P3 (YRLWHYPCTV). Evolutionary conservation analysis indicated that P2 and P3 are highly conserved, supporting their use as part of a designed multi-genotypic vaccine. Population coverage analysis revealed that P2 and P3 are likely to be presented by >89% Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) molecules from six geographical regions. Indeed, molecular docking predicted the physical binding of P2 and P3 to various representative HLAs. We designed a vaccine construct using these peptides and assessed its binding to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4) by molecular docking and simulation. Subsequent analysis by energy-based and machine learning tools predicted high binding affinity and pinpointed the key binding residues (i.e. hotspots) in P2 and P3. Also, a favorable immunogenic profile of the construct was predicted by immune simulations. We encourage the scientific community to validate our vaccine construct in vitro and in vivo.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Kumari
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Amit Kessel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Divya Singhal
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Gurpreet Kaur
- Department of Biotechnology, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala, Punjab, India
| | - David Bern
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Claudèle Lemay-St-Denis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- PROTEO, The Québec Network for Research on Protein, Function, Engineering and Applications, Québec, QC, Canada
- CGCC, Center in Green Chemistry and Catalysis, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Jasdeep Singh
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Sahil Jain
- University Institute of Biotechnology, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, India
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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4
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Lekshmy M, Dhanya CR, Smrithi JS, Sindhurani JA, Vandanamthadathil JJ, Veettil JT, Anila L, Lathakumari VS, Nayar AM, Madhavan M. Peptide Vaccines as Therapeutic and Prophylactic Agents for Female-Specific Cancers: The Current Landscape. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1054. [PMID: 37513965 PMCID: PMC10383774 DOI: 10.3390/ph16071054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Breast and gynecologic cancers are significant global threats to women's health and those living with the disease require lifelong physical, financial, and social support from their families, healthcare providers, and society as a whole. Cancer vaccines offer a promising means of inducing long-lasting immune response against the disease. Among various types of cancer vaccines available, peptide vaccines offer an effective strategy to elicit specific anti-tumor immune responses. Peptide vaccines have been developed based on tumor associated antigens (TAAs) and tumor specific neoantigens which can also be of viral origin. Molecular alterations in HER2 and non-HER2 genes are established to be involved in the pathogenesis of female-specific cancers and hence were exploited for the development of peptide vaccines against these diseases, most of which are in the latter stages of clinical trials. However, prophylactic vaccines for viral induced cancers, especially those against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection are well established. This review discusses therapeutic and prophylactic approaches for various types of female-specific cancers such as breast cancer and gynecologic cancers with special emphasis on peptide vaccines. We also present a pipeline for the design and evaluation of a multiepitope peptide vaccine that can be active against female-specific cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manju Lekshmy
- Department of Botany and Biotechnology, St. Xavier's College, Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram 695586, Kerala, India
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Leelamma Anila
- Department of Biochemistry, NSS College, Nilamel, Kollam 691535, Kerala, India
| | - Vishnu Sasidharan Lathakumari
- Department of Biochemistry and Industrial Microbiology, Sree Narayana College for Women, Kollam 691001, Kerala, India
| | - Adhira M Nayar
- Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram 695004, Kerala, India
| | - Maya Madhavan
- Department of Biochemistry, Government College for Women, Thiruvananthapuram 695014, Kerala, India
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5
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He M, Sun Y, Cheng Y, Wang J, Zhang M, Sun R, Hou X, Xu J, He H, Wang H, Yuan Z, Lan M, Zhao Y, Yang Y, Chen X, Gao F. Spatiotemporally controllable diphtherin transgene system and neoantigen immunotherapy. J Control Release 2023; 355:538-551. [PMID: 36063962 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.08.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
Individualized immunotherapy has attracted great attention due to its high specificity, effectiveness, and safety. We used an exogenous antigen to label tumor cells with MHC I molecules, which allowed neoantigen-specific T cells to recognize and kill tumor cells. A neoantigen vaccine alone cannot achieve complete tumor clearance due to a tumor immunosuppressive microenvironment. The LightOn system was developed to effectively eliminate tumor cells through the spatiotemporally controllable expression of diphtheria toxin A fragment, leading to antigen release in the tumor region. These antigens stimulated and enhanced immunological function and thus, recruited neoantigen-specific T cells to infiltrate tumor tissue. Using the nanoparticle delivery system, neoantigens produced higher delivery efficiency to lymph nodes and improved tumor targeting ability for tumor cell labelling. Good tumor inhibition and prolonged survival were achieved, while eliciting a strong immune response. The combination of a spatiotemporally controllable transgene system with tumor neoantigen labeling has great potential for tumor immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muye He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuji Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yi Cheng
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Miao Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xinyu Hou
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jiajun Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hai He
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hongtao Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zeting Yuan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Interventional Cancer Institute of Chinese Integrative Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Minbo Lan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuzheng Zhao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Research Unit of New Techniques for Live-cell Metabolic Imaging, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xianjun Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Feng Gao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Functional Materials Chemistry, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of New Drug Design, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Optogenetics and Synthetic Biology Interdisciplinary Research Center, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
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6
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Liposomal Formulations of a Polyleucine-Antigen Conjugate as Therapeutic Vaccines against Cervical Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020602. [PMID: 36839923 PMCID: PMC9965676 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papilloma virus (HPV) is responsible for all cases of cervical cancer. While prophylactic vaccines are available, the development of peptide-based vaccines as a therapeutic strategy is still under investigation. In comparison with the traditional and currently used treatment strategies of chemotherapy and surgery, vaccination against HPV is a promising therapeutic option with fewer side effects. A peptide derived from the HPV-16 E7 protein, called 8Qm, in combination with adjuvants showed promise as a therapeutic vaccine. Here, the ability of polymerized natural amino acids to act as a self-adjuvating delivery system as a therapeutic vaccine was investigated for the first time. Thus, 8Qm was conjugated to polyleucine by standard solid-phase peptide synthesis and self-assembled into nanoparticles or incorporated in liposomes. The liposome bearing the 8Qm conjugate significantly increased mice survival and decreased tumor growth after a single immunization. Further, these liposomes eradicated seven-day-old well-established tumors in mice. Dendritic cell (DC)-targeting moieties were introduced to further enhance vaccine efficacy, and the newly designed liposomal vaccine was tested in mice bearing 11-day-old tumors. Interestingly, these DCs-targeting moieties did not significantly improve vaccine efficacy, whereas the simple liposomal formulation of 8Qm-polyleucine conjugate was still effective in tumor eradication. In summary, a peptide-based anticancer vaccine was developed that stimulated strong cellular immune responses without the help of a classical adjuvant.
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7
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Qi W, Qingfeng L, Jing Z, Maolin Z, Zhihui Z, Wangqi D, Shanli Z, Jun C, Pengfei J, Lifang Z. A novel multi-epitope vaccine of HPV16 E5E6E7 oncoprotein delivered by HBc VLPs induced efficient prophylactic and therapeutic antitumor immunity in tumor mice model. Vaccine 2022; 40:7693-7702. [PMID: 36376215 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.10.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Human papilloma virus type 16 (HPV16) is the most prevalent etiologic agent associated with cervical cancer, and its early proteins E5, E6 and E7 play important roles in cervical epithelium transformation to cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and even cervical cancer. Hence, these oncoproteins are ideal target antigens for developing immunotherapeutic vaccines against HPV-associated infection and cervical cancer. Currently, multi-epitope vaccines have been a promising strategy for immunotherapy for viral infection or cancers. In this study, the E5aa28-46, E6aa37-57 and E7aa26-57 peptides were selected and linked to form a novel multi-epitopes vaccine (E765m), which was inserted into the major immune dominant region (MIR) of hepatitis B virus core antigen (HBc) to construct a HBc-E765m chimeric virus-like particles (cVLPs). The immunogenicity and immunotherapeutic effect of the cVLPs vaccine was evaluated in immunized mice and a tumor-bearing mouse model. The results showed that HBc-E765m cVLPs elicited high E5-, E6- and E7- specific CTL and serum IgG antibody responses, and also relatively high levels of the cytokines IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-5. More importantly, the cVLPs vaccine significant suppressed tumor growth in mice bearing E5-TC-1 tumors. Our findings provide strong evidence that this novel HBc-E765m cVLPs vaccine could be a candidate vaccine for specific immunotherapy in HPV16-associated cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Qi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Li Qingfeng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhang Jing
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zheng Maolin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhang Zhihui
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Du Wangqi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhu Shanli
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Chen Jun
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiang Pengfei
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhang Lifang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China; Institute of Molecular Virology and Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical, University, 325035 Zhejiang, Wenzhou, China.
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8
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Sanami S, Rafieian-Kopaei M, Dehkordi KA, Pazoki-Toroudi H, Azadegan-Dehkordi F, Mobini GR, Alizadeh M, Nezhad MS, Ghasemi-Dehnoo M, Bagheri N. In silico design of a multi-epitope vaccine against HPV16/18. BMC Bioinformatics 2022; 23:311. [PMID: 35918631 PMCID: PMC9344258 DOI: 10.1186/s12859-022-04784-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting women and is caused by human Papillomavirus (HPV) infections that are sexually transmitted. There are currently commercially available prophylactic vaccines that have been shown to protect vaccinated individuals against HPV infections, however, these vaccines have no therapeutic effects for those who are previously infected with the virus. The current study's aim was to use immunoinformatics to develop a multi-epitope vaccine with therapeutic potential against cervical cancer. RESULTS In this study, T-cell epitopes from E5 and E7 proteins of HPV16/18 were predicted. These epitopes were evaluated and chosen based on their antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity, and induction of IFN-γ production (only in helper T lymphocytes). Then, the selected epitopes were sequentially linked by appropriate linkers. In addition, a C-terminal fragment of Mycobacterium tuberculosis heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was used as an adjuvant for the vaccine construct. The physicochemical parameters of the vaccine construct were acceptable. Furthermore, the vaccine was soluble, highly antigenic, and non-allergenic. The vaccine's 3D model was predicted, and the structural improvement after refinement was confirmed using the Ramachandran plot and ProSA-web. The vaccine's B-cell epitopes were predicted. Molecular docking analysis showed that the vaccine's refined 3D model had a strong interaction with the Toll-like receptor 4. The structural stability of the vaccine construct was confirmed by molecular dynamics simulation. Codon adaptation was performed in order to achieve efficient vaccine expression in Escherichia coli strain K12 (E. coli). Subsequently, in silico cloning of the multi-epitope vaccine was conducted into pET-28a ( +) expression vector. CONCLUSIONS According to the results of bioinformatics analyses, the multi-epitope vaccine is structurally stable, as well as a non-allergic and non-toxic antigen. However, in vitro and in vivo studies are needed to validate the vaccine's efficacy and safety. If satisfactory results are obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies, the vaccine designed in this study may be effective as a therapeutic vaccine against cervical cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Sanami
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Korosh Ashrafi Dehkordi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Hamidreza Pazoki-Toroudi
- Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Azadegan-Dehkordi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Gholam-Reza Mobini
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Morteza Alizadeh
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Muhammad Sadeqi Nezhad
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Science, Young Researchers and Elites Club, Gorgan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Gorgān, Iran
| | - Maryam Ghasemi-Dehnoo
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Nader Bagheri
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
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9
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Development of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and Evaluation of Its Immune Responses in Mice and Piglets. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147899. [PMID: 35887246 PMCID: PMC9318870 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (Mhp), the primary pathogen causing Mycoplasma pneumonia of swine (MPS), brings massive economic losses worldwide. Genomic variability and post-translational protein modification can enhance the immune evasion of Mhp, which makes MPS prone to recurrent outbreaks on farms, even with vaccination or other treatments. The reverse vaccinology pipeline has been developed as an attractive potential method for vaccine development due to its high efficiency and applicability. In this study, a multi-epitope vaccine for Mhp was developed, and its immune responses were evaluated in mice and piglets. Genomic core proteins of Mhp were retrieved through pan-genome analysis, and four immunodominant antigens were screened by host homologous protein removal, membrane protein screening, and virulence factor identification. One immunodominant antigen, AAV27984.1 (membrane nuclease), was expressed by E. coli and named rMhp597. For epitope prioritization, 35 B-cell-derived epitopes were identified from the four immunodominant antigens, and 10 MHC-I and 6 MHC-II binding epitopes were further identified. The MHC-I/II binding epitopes were merged and combined to produce recombinant proteins MhpMEV and MhpMEVC6His, which were used for animal immunization and structural analysis, respectively. Immunization of mice and piglets demonstrated that MhpMEV could induce humoral and cellular immune responses. The mouse serum antibodies could detect all 11 synthetic epitopes, and the piglet antiserum suppressed the nuclease activity of rMhp597. Moreover, piglet serum antibodies could also detect cultured Mhp strain 168. In summary, this study provides immunoassay results for a multi-epitope vaccine derived from the reverse vaccinology pipeline, and offers an alternative vaccine for MPS.
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10
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Freitas ED, Bataglioli RA, Oshodi J, Beppu MM. Antimicrobial peptides and their potential application in antiviral coating agents. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2022; 217:112693. [PMID: 35853393 PMCID: PMC9262651 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2022.112693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus pandemic has evidenced the importance of creating bioactive materials to mitigate viral infections, especially in healthcare settings and public places. Advances in antiviral coatings have led to materials with impressive antiviral performance; however, their application may face health and environmental challenges. Bio-inspired antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are suitable building blocks for antimicrobial coatings due to their versatile design, scalability, and environmentally friendly features. This review presents the advances and opportunities on the AMPs to create virucidal coatings. The review first describes the fundamental characteristics of peptide structure and synthesis, highlighting the recent findings on AMPs and the role of peptide structure (α-helix, β-sheet, random, and cyclic peptides) on the virucidal mechanism. The following section presents the advances in AMPs coating on medical devices with a detailed description of the materials coated and the targeted pathogens. The use of peptides in vaccine formulations is also reported, emphasizing the molecular interaction of peptides with different viruses and the current clinical stage of each formulation. The role of several materials (metallic particles, inorganic materials, and synthetic polymers) in the design of antiviral coatings is also presented, discussing the advantages and the drawbacks of each material. The final section offers future directions and opportunities for using AMPs on antiviral coatings to prevent viral outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuelle D Freitas
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Rogério A Bataglioli
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Josephine Oshodi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Marisa M Beppu
- School of Chemical Engineering, Department of Materials and Bioprocess Engineering, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-852, Brazil.
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11
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Designing of multi-epitope chimeric vaccine using immunoinformatic platform by targeting oncogenic strain HPV 16 and 18 against cervical cancer. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9521. [PMID: 35681036 PMCID: PMC9184633 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13442-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the most common gynaecological cancer and reaches an alarming stage. HPVs are considered the main causative agents for cervical cancer and other sexually transmitted infections across the globe. Currently, three prophylactic vaccines are available against HPV infections with no therapeutic values. Due to a lack of effective therapeutic and prophylactic measures, the HPV infection is spreading in an uncontrolled manner. Next-generation of vaccine is needed to have both prophylactic and therapeutic values against HPV. Here first time we have designed a multi-epitope chimeric vaccine using the most oncogenic strain HPV 16 and HPV 18 through an immunoinformatic approach. In this study, we have used the L1, E5, E6 and E7 oncoproteins from both HPV 16 and HPV 18 strains for epitope prediction. Our recombinant chimeric vaccine construct consists, selected helper and cytotoxic T cell epitopes. Our computational analysis suggests that this chimeric construct is highly stable, non-toxic and also capable of inducing both cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. Furthermore, in silico cloning of the multi-epitope chimeric vaccine construct was done and the stabilization of the vaccine construct is validated with molecular dynamics simulation studies. Finally, our results indicated that our construct could be used for an effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine against HPV.
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12
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Khairkhah N, Bolhassani A, Najafipour R. Current and future direction in treatment of HPV-related cervical disease. J Mol Med (Berl) 2022; 100:829-845. [PMID: 35478255 PMCID: PMC9045016 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-022-02199-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the world. About 70% of cervical cancers are caused by the most oncogenic HPV genotypes of 16 and 18. Since available prophylactic vaccines do not induce immunity in those with established HPV infections, the development of therapeutic HPV vaccines using E6 and E7 oncogenes, or both as the target antigens remains essential. Also, knocking out the E6 and E7 oncogenes in host genome by genome-editing CRISPR/Cas system can result in tumor growth suppression. These methods have shown promising results in both preclinical and clinical trials and can be used for controlling the progression of HPV-related cervical diseases. This comprehensive review will detail the current treatment of HPV-related cervical precancerous and cancerous diseases. We also reviewed the future direction of treatment including different kinds of therapeutic methods and vaccines, genome-editing CRISPR/Cas system being studied in clinical trials. Although the progress in the development of therapeutic HPV vaccine has been slow, encouraging results from recent trials showed vaccine-induced regression in high-grade CIN lesions. CRISPR/Cas genome-editing system is also a promising strategy for HPV cancer therapy. However, its safety and specificity need to be optimized before it is used in clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Khairkhah
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran.,Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Najafipour
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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13
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Zhang J, Fan J, Skwarczynski M, Stephenson RJ, Toth I, Hussein WM. Peptide-Based Nanovaccines in the Treatment of Cervical Cancer: A Review of Recent Advances. Int J Nanomedicine 2022; 17:869-900. [PMID: 35241913 PMCID: PMC8887913 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s269986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs), such as HPV-16 and HPV-18, can induce cervical cancer in humans. The disease carries high morbidity and mortality among females worldwide. Inoculation with prophylactic HPV vaccines, such as Gardasil® or Cervarix®, is the predominant method of preventing cervical cancer in females 6 to 26 years of age. However, despite the availability of commercial prophylactic HPV vaccines, no therapeutic HPV vaccines to eliminate existing HPV infections have been approved. Peptide-based vaccines, which form one of the most potent vaccine platforms, have been broadly investigated to overcome this shortcoming. Peptide-based vaccines are especially effective in inducing cellular immune responses and eradicating tumor cells when combined with nanoscale adjuvant particles and delivery systems. This review summarizes progress in the development of peptide-based nanovaccines against HPV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Jingyi Fan
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Rachel J Stephenson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
- Institute for Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Waleed M Hussein
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
- Correspondence: Waleed M Hussein, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia, Tel +61 7 3365 2782, Email
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14
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Tang J, Li M, Zhao C, Shen D, Liu L, Zhang X, Wei L. Therapeutic DNA Vaccines against HPV-Related Malignancies: Promising Leads from Clinical Trials. Viruses 2022; 14:v14020239. [PMID: 35215833 PMCID: PMC8874761 DOI: 10.3390/v14020239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2014 and 2021, two nucleic-acid vaccine candidates named MAV E2 and VGX-3100 completed phase III clinical trials in Mexico and U.S., respectively, for patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-related, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL). These well-tolerated but still unlicensed vaccines encode distinct HPV antigens (E2 versus E6+E7) to elicit cell-mediated immune responses; their clinical efficacy, as measured by HSIL regression or cure, was modest when compared with placebo or surgery (conization), but both proved highly effective in clearing HPV infection, which should help further optimize strategies for enhancing vaccine immunogenicity, toward an ultimate goal of preventing malignancies in millions of patients who are living with persistent, oncogenic HPV infection but are not expected to benefit from current, prophylactic vaccines. The major roadblocks to a highly efficacious and practical product remain challenging and can be classified into five categories: (i) getting the vaccines into the right cells for efficient expression and presentation of HPV antigens (fusion proteins or epitopes); (ii) having adequate coverage of oncogenic HPV types, beyond the current focus on HPV-16 and -18; (iii) directing immune protection to various epithelial niches, especially anogenital mucosa and upper aerodigestive tract where HPV-transformed cells wreak havoc; (iv) establishing the time window and vaccination regimen, including dosage, interval and even combination therapy, for achieving maximum efficacy; and (v) validating therapeutic efficacy in patients with poor prognosis because of advanced, recurrent or non-resectable malignancies. Overall, the room for improvements is still large enough that continuing efforts for research and development will very likely extend into the next decade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianming Tang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
- Correspondence: or
| | - Mingzhu Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chao Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Danhua Shen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Lei Liu
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xiujun Zhang
- Aeonvital Biomedical Research Institute, Beijing 102208, China; (L.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Lihui Wei
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing 100033, China; (M.L.); (C.Z.); (D.S.); (L.W.)
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15
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Kayyal M, Bolhassani A, Noormohammadi Z, Sadeghizadeh M. Immunological responses and anti-tumor effects of HPV16/18 L1-L2-E7 multiepitope fusion construct along with curcumin and nanocurcumin in C57BL/6 mouse model. Life Sci 2021; 285:119945. [PMID: 34516991 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Human papillomavirus (HPV) L1, L2 and E7 proteins were used as target antigens for development of preventive and therapeutic vaccines. Moreover, linkage of antigens to heat shock proteins (HSPs) could enhance the potency of vaccines. Curcumin and nanocurcumin compounds were suggested as the chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic agents against cancer. In this study, two multiepitope DNA and peptide-based vaccine constructs (L1-L2-E7 and HSP70-L1-L2-E7) were used along with curcumin and nanocurcumin to evaluate immune responses, and protective/therapeutic effects in tumor mouse model. MAIN METHODS At first, the multiepitope L1-L2-E7 and HSP70-L1-L2-E7 fusion genes were subcloned in eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression vectors. The recombinant multiepitope peptides were generated in E. coli strain. Then, the cytotoxic effects of curcumin and nanocurcumin were evaluated on HEK-293 T non-cancerous and C3 cancerous cells. Finally, mice vaccination was performed using different regimens. Curcumin and nanocurcumin compounds were administered alone or along with different vaccine constructs. KEY FINDINGS Our data indicated that the use of nanocurcumin along with the multiepitope HSP70-L1-L2-E7 vaccine construct could completely protect mice against HPV-related C3 tumor cells, and eradicate tumors in a therapeutic test. Furthermore, nanocurcumin showed higher protection than curcumin alone. Generally, curcumin and nanocurcumin compounds could reduce tumor growth synergistically with the multiepitope vaccine constructs, but they did not influence the immune responses in different regimens. SIGNIFICANCE These data demonstrated that the designed multiepitope vaccine constructs along with curcumin and nanocurcumin can be used as a promising method for HPV vaccine development.
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MESH Headings
- Animals
- Antineoplastic Agents/administration & dosage
- Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology
- Cancer Vaccines/genetics
- Cancer Vaccines/immunology
- Capsid Proteins/administration & dosage
- Capsid Proteins/genetics
- Capsid Proteins/immunology
- Cloning, Molecular
- Curcumin/administration & dosage
- Curcumin/pharmacology
- Cytokines/metabolism
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/administration & dosage
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Escherichia coli
- Female
- Genetic Vectors
- HEK293 Cells
- HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/administration & dosage
- HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/genetics
- HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins/immunology
- Humans
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Neoplasms, Experimental/immunology
- Neoplasms, Experimental/therapy
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/administration & dosage
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/genetics
- Oncogene Proteins, Viral/immunology
- Papillomavirus E7 Proteins/administration & dosage
- Papillomavirus E7 Proteins/genetics
- Papillomavirus E7 Proteins/immunology
- Papillomavirus Vaccines/administration & dosage
- Papillomavirus Vaccines/genetics
- Papillomavirus Vaccines/immunology
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosage
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/genetics
- Recombinant Fusion Proteins/immunology
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/immunology
- Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/therapy
- Vaccines, Subunit/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Subunit/genetics
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Mice
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Affiliation(s)
- Matin Kayyal
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Noormohammadi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Sadeghizadeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Gargan S, Stevenson NJ. Unravelling the Immunomodulatory Effects of Viral Ion Channels, towards the Treatment of Disease. Viruses 2021; 13:2165. [PMID: 34834972 PMCID: PMC8618147 DOI: 10.3390/v13112165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for the research community to develop a better understanding of viruses, in particular their modes of infection and replicative lifecycles, to aid in the development of novel vaccines and much needed anti-viral therapeutics. Several viruses express proteins capable of forming pores in host cellular membranes, termed "Viroporins". They are a family of small hydrophobic proteins, with at least one amphipathic domain, which characteristically form oligomeric structures with central hydrophilic domains. Consequently, they can facilitate the transport of ions through the hydrophilic core. Viroporins localise to host membranes such as the endoplasmic reticulum and regulate ion homeostasis creating a favourable environment for viral infection. Viroporins also contribute to viral immune evasion via several mechanisms. Given that viroporins are often essential for virion assembly and egress, and as their structural features tend to be evolutionarily conserved, they are attractive targets for anti-viral therapeutics. This review discusses the current knowledge of several viroporins, namely Influenza A virus (IAV) M2, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-1 Viral protein U (Vpu), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) p7, Human Papillomavirus (HPV)-16 E5, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (SARS-CoV) Open Reading Frame (ORF)3a and Polyomavirus agnoprotein. We highlight the intricate but broad immunomodulatory effects of these viroporins and discuss the current antiviral therapies that target them; continually highlighting the need for future investigations to focus on novel therapeutics in the treatment of existing and future emergent viruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siobhan Gargan
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - Nigel J. Stevenson
- Viral Immunology Group, School of Biochemistry and Immunology, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, D02 R590 Dublin, Ireland;
- Viral Immunology Group, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Medical University of Bahrain, Manama 15503, Bahrain
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17
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Gupta B, Kumar A, Sridevi P. A Comprehensive in Silico Analysis for Identification of Immunotherapeutic Epitopes of HPV-18. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021; 27:2717-2726. [PMID: 34566544 PMCID: PMC8451162 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10285-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains the major cause of cervical cancer, globally. High risk HPV (Hr-HPV) 16 and 18 together account for more than 70% of cervical cancer cases, whereas the hr-HPV-18 is the second most prevalent hr-HPV type, causing about 5.2% of all cancers worldwide. Considering the high prevalence and mortality rate, cervical cancer remains a noteworthy health problem among women. As of now, no registered immunotherapies are available after the HPV infection. Thus, developing an immunotherapeutic candidate against hr-HPV would be of major clinical benefit. Nowadays, the T-and B-cell peptide based targeted vaccines have been considered as the best candidate for vaccine development against viral infections. In this study, both prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine candidates against hr-HPV-18 were predicted. To achieve this, the prediction of T-and B-cell epitopes of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) were accomplished, that can be used for HPV immunotherapy. For MHC-I, a maximum number (20) of potent peptides were found, against HLA-B*51:01 (L1 = 9, L2 = 6, E2 = 4, and E4 = 1) having percentile value < 1 and, immunogenicity scores higher than 0.5, followed by HLA-A*11:01 (L1 = 8, E2 = 7 L2 = 2, and E6 = 1, E7 = 1); 19 epitopes. For MHC-II, the highest number of peptides found, against the HLA-DRB1*04:01 (L2 = 10, E5 = 7, and E4 = 4), HLA-DRB1*04:05 (E5 = 7, E2 = 5, E4 = 5, and L1 = 4) HLA-DPA1*01:03/DPB1*04:01 (E7 = 7, E6 = 5, L2 = 5, and E2 = 2), HLA-DRB5*01:01(E6 = 6, L1 = 6, and L2 = 6); peptides 21, 21, 19 and 18 respectively. For B-cell, total 94, 16 amino acid long B-cell epitopes were predicted. In conclusion, these predicted epitopes can be valuable candidates for in vitro or in vivo therapeutic vaccine studies against hr-HPV-18 associated cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bharti Gupta
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, 484887 Madhya Pradesh India
| | - Anoop Kumar
- National Institute of Biologicals, Noida, India
| | - Parikipandla Sridevi
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science, Indira Gandhi National Tribal University, Amarkantak, 484887 Madhya Pradesh India
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18
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Kayyal M, Bolhassani A, Noormohammadi Z, Sadeghizadeh M. In Silico Design and Immunological Studies of Two Novel Multiepitope DNA-Based Vaccine Candidates Against High-Risk Human Papillomaviruses. Mol Biotechnol 2021; 63:1192-1222. [PMID: 34308516 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPV)-16 and 18 are the most prevalent types associated with cervical cancer. HPV L1 and L2 capsid proteins and E7 oncoprotein play crucial roles in HPV-related diseases. Hence, these proteins were proposed as target antigens for preventive and therapeutic vaccines. In this study, two multiepitope DNA-based HPV vaccine candidates were designed using in silico analysis including the immunogenic and conserved epitopes of HPV16/18 L1, L2 and E7 proteins (the L1-L2-E7 fusion DNA), and of heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) linked to the L1-L2-E7 DNA construct (the HSP70-L1-L2-E7 fusion DNA). Next, the expression of the L1-L2-E7 and HSP70-L1-L2-E7 multiepitope DNA constructs was evaluated in a mammalian cell line. Finally, immunological responses and antitumor effects of the DNA constructs were investigated in C57BL/6 mice. Our data indicated high expression rates of the designed multiepitope L1-L2-E7 DNA (~ 56.16%) and HSP70-L1-L2-E7 DNA (~ 80.45%) constructs in vitro. The linkage of HSP70 epitopes to the L1-L2-E7 DNA construct significantly increased the gene expression. Moreover, the HSP70-L1-L2-E7 DNA construct could significantly increase immune responses toward Th1 response and CTL activity, and induce stronger antitumor effects in mouse model. Thus, the designed HSP70-L1-L2-E7 DNA construct represents promising results for development of HPV DNA vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matin Kayyal
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Zahra Noormohammadi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Sadeghizadeh
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Sanami S, Azadegan-Dehkordi F, Rafieian-Kopaei M, Salehi M, Ghasemi-Dehnoo M, Mahooti M, Alizadeh M, Bagheri N. Design of a multi-epitope vaccine against cervical cancer using immunoinformatics approaches. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12397. [PMID: 34117331 PMCID: PMC8196015 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91997-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Cervical cancer, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), is the fourth most common type of cancer among women worldwide. While HPV prophylactic vaccines are available, they have no therapeutic effects and do not clear up existing infections. This study aims to design a therapeutic vaccine against cervical cancer using reverse vaccinology. In this study, the E6 and E7 oncoproteins from HPV16 were chosen as the target antigens for epitope prediction. Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and helper T lymphocytes (HTL) epitopes were predicted, and the best epitopes were selected based on antigenicity, allergenicity, and toxicity. The final vaccine construct was composed of the selected epitopes, along with the appropriate adjuvant and linkers. The multi-epitope vaccine was evaluated in terms of physicochemical properties, antigenicity, and allergenicity. The tertiary structure of the vaccine construct was predicted. Furthermore, several analyses were also carried out, including molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, and in silico cloning of the vaccine construct. The results showed that the final proposed vaccine could be considered an effective therapeutic vaccine for HPV; however, in vitro and in vivo experiments are required to validate the efficacy of this vaccine candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Sanami
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Azadegan-Dehkordi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Rafieian-Kopaei
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Majid Salehi
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Maryam Ghasemi-Dehnoo
- Medical Plants Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Mehran Mahooti
- Department of Biotechnology, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | - Morteza Alizadeh
- Department of Tissue Engineering, School of Medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
| | - Nader Bagheri
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
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In silico design and in vitro expression of novel multiepitope DNA constructs based on HIV-1 proteins and Hsp70 T-cell epitopes. Biotechnol Lett 2021; 43:1513-1550. [PMID: 33987776 PMCID: PMC8118377 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives Epitope-driven vaccines carrying highly conserved and immunodominant epitopes have emerged as promising approaches to overcome human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Methods Two multiepitope DNA constructs encoding T cell epitopes from HIV-1 Gag, Pol, Env, Nef and Rev proteins alone and/or linked to the immunogenic epitopes derived from heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) as an immunostimulatory agent were designed. In silico analyses were applied including MHC-I and MHC-II binding, MHC-I immunogenicity and antigen processing, population coverage, conservancy, allergenicity, toxicity and hemotoxicity. The peptide-MHC-I/MHC-II molecular docking and cytokine production analyses were carried out for predicted epitopes. The selected highly immunogenic T-cell epitopes were then used to design two multiepitope fusion constructs. Next, prediction of the physicochemical and structural properties, B cell epitopes, and constructs-toll-like receptors (TLRs) molecular docking were performed for each construct. Finally, the eukaryotic expression plasmids harboring totally 12 cytotoxic T Lymphocyte (CTL) and 10 helper T lymphocytes (HTL) epitopes from HIV-1 proteins (i.e., pEGFP-N1-gag-pol-env-nef-rev), and linked to 2 CTL and 2 HTL epitopes from Hsp70 (i.e., pEGFP-N1-hsp70-gag-pol-env-nef-rev) were generated and transfected into HEK-293 T cells for evaluating the percentage of multiepitope peptides expression using flow cytometry and western blotting. Results The designed DNA constructs could be successfully expressed in mammalian cells. The expression rates of Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev-GFP and Hsp70-Gag-Pol-Env-Nef-Rev-GFP were about 56–60% as the bands of ~ 63 and ~ 72 kDa confirmed in western blotting, respectively. Conclusion The combined in silico/in vitro methods indicated two multiepitope constructs can be produced and used as probable effective immunogens for HIV-1 vaccine development. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10529-021-03143-9.
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Khairkhah N, Aghasadeghi MR, Namvar A, Bolhassani A. Design of novel multiepitope constructs-based peptide vaccine against the structural S, N and M proteins of human COVID-19 using immunoinformatics analysis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240577. [PMID: 33057358 PMCID: PMC7561160 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The causative agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) reported by the Chinese Center for Disease Control (China CDC) has been identified as a novel Betacoronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). A computational approach was adopted to identify multiepitope vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2 based on S, N and M proteins being able to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses. In this study, the sequence of the virus was obtained from NCBI database and analyzed with in silico tools such as NetMHCpan, IEDB, BepiPred, NetCTL, Tap transport/proteasomal cleavage, Pa3P, GalexyPepDock, I-TASSER, Ellipro and ClusPro. To identify the most immunodominant regions, after analysis of population coverage and epitope conservancy, we proposed three different constructs based on linear B-cell, CTL and HTL epitopes. The 3D structure of constructs was assessed to find discontinuous B-cell epitopes. Among CTL predicted epitopes, S257-265, S603-611 and S360-368, and among HTL predicted epitopes, N167-181, S313-330 and S1110-1126 had better MHC binding rank. We found one putative CTL epitope, S360-368 related to receptor-binding domain (RBD) region for S protein. The predicted epitopes were non-allergen and showed a high quality of proteasomal cleavage and Tap transport efficiency and 100% conservancy within four different clades of SARS-CoV-2. For CTL and HTL epitopes, the highest population coverage of the world's population was calculated for S27-37 with 86.27% and for S196-231, S303-323, S313-330, S1009-1030 and N328-349 with 90.33%, respectively. We identified overall 10 discontinuous B-cell epitopes for three multiepitope constructs. All three constructs showed strong interactions with TLRs 2, 3 and 4 supporting the hypothesis of SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility to TLRs 2, 3 and 4 like other Coronaviridae families. These data demonstrated that the novel designed multiepitope constructs can contribute to develop SARS-CoV-2 peptide vaccine candidates. The in vivo studies are underway using several vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niloofar Khairkhah
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood-borne diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ali Namvar
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood-borne diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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HPV16-E7 Protein T Cell Epitope Prediction and Global Therapeutic Peptide Vaccine Design Based on Human Leukocyte Antigen Frequency: An In-Silico Study. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020; 27:365-378. [PMID: 32837456 PMCID: PMC7320846 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10089-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Cervical cancer is the second most common leading cause of women's death due to cancer worldwide, about 528,000 patients’ cases and 266,000 deaths per year, related to human papillomavirus (HPV). Peptide-based vaccines being safe, stable, and easy to produce have demonstrated great potential to develop therapeutic HPV vaccine. In this study, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I, class II T cell epitopes of HPV16-E7 were predicted. Therefore, we designed a plan to find the most effective peptides to prompt appropriate immune responses. For this purpose, retrieving protein sequences, conserved region identification, phylogenic tree construction, T cell epitope prediction, epitope-predicted population coverage calculation, and molecular docking were performed consecutively and most effective immune response prompting peptides were selected. Based on different tools index, six CD8+ T cells and six CD4+ epitopes were chosen. This combination of 12 epitopes created a putative global vaccine with a 95.06% population coverage. These identified peptides can be employed further for peptide analysis and can be used as a peptide or poly-epitope candidates for therapeutic vaccine studies to treat HPV-associated cancers.
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Panahi HA, Bolhassani A, Javadi G, Noormohammadi Z, Agi E. Development of multiepitope therapeutic vaccines against the most prevalent high-risk human papillomaviruses. Immunotherapy 2020; 12:459-479. [DOI: 10.2217/imt-2019-0196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: Our goal was the development of DNA- or peptide-based multiepitope vaccines targeting HPV E7, E6 and E5 oncoproteins in tumor mouse model. Materials & methods: After designing the multiepitope E7, E6 and E5 constructs from four types of high risk HPVs (16, 18, 31 & 45) using bioinformatics tools, mice vaccination was performed by different homologous and heterologous modalities in a prophylactic setting. Then, anti-tumor effects of the best prophylactic strategies were studied in a therapeutic setting. Results: In both prophylactic and therapeutic experiments, groups receiving homologous E7+E6+E5 polypeptide, and heterologous E7+E6+E5 DNA prime/polypeptide boost were successful in complete rejection of tumors. Conclusion: The designed multiepitope constructs can be considered as promising candidates to develop effective therapeutic HPV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidar Ali Panahi
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis & AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Javadi
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Noormohammadi
- Department of Biology, School of Basic Sciences, Science & Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Agi
- Iranian Comprehensive Hemophilia Care Center, Tehran, Iran
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Smalley Rumfield C, Roller N, Pellom ST, Schlom J, Jochems C. Therapeutic Vaccines for HPV-Associated Malignancies. Immunotargets Ther 2020; 9:167-200. [PMID: 33117742 PMCID: PMC7549137 DOI: 10.2147/itt.s273327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related malignancies are responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer in women, and over 50% of all cases of head and neck carcinoma. Worldwide, HPV-positive malignancies account for 4.5% of the global cancer burden, or over 600,000 cases per year. HPV infection is a pressing public health issue, as more than 80% of all individuals have been exposed to HPV by age 50, representing an important target for vaccine development to reduce the incidence of cancer and the economic cost of HPV-related health issues. The approval of Gardasil® as a prophylactic vaccine for high-risk HPV 16 and 18 and low-risk HPV6 and 11 for people aged 11-26 in 2006, and of Cervarix® in 2009, revolutionized the field and has since reduced HPV infection in young populations. Unfortunately, prophylactic vaccination does not induce immunity in those with established HPV infections or HPV-induced neoplasms, and there are currently no therapeutic HPV vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. This comprehensive review will detail the progress made in the development of therapeutic vaccines against high-risk HPV types, and potential combinations with other immunotherapeutic agents for more efficient and rational designs of combination treatments for HPV-associated malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Smalley Rumfield
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Nicholas Roller
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Samuel Troy Pellom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Jeffrey Schlom
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Correspondence: Jeffrey Schlom Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, 10 Center Drive, Room 8B09, Bethesda, MD20892, USATel +1 240-858-3463Fax +1 240-541-4558 Email
| | - Caroline Jochems
- Laboratory of Tumor Immunology and Biology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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