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Chang MJ, Ollivault-Shiflett M, Schuman R, Ngoc Nguyen S, Kaltashov IA, Bobst C, Rajagopal SP, Przedpelski A, Barbieri JT, Lees A. Genetically detoxified tetanus toxin as a vaccine and conjugate carrier protein. Vaccine 2022; 40:5103-5113. [PMID: 35871872 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Tetanus toxoid (TTxd), developed over 100 years ago, is a clinically effective, legacy vaccine against tetanus. Due to the extreme potency of native tetanus toxin, manufacturing and regulatory efforts often focus on TTxd production, standardization, and safety, rather than product modernization. Recently, a genetically detoxified, full-length tetanus toxin protein (8MTT) was reported as a tetanus vaccine alternative to TTxd (Przedpelski et al. mBio, 2020). Here we describe the production of 8MTT in Gor/MetTM E. coli, a strain engineered to have an oxidative cytoplasm, allowing for the expression of soluble, disulfide-bonded proteins. The strain was also designed to efficiently cleave N-terminal methionine, the obligatory start amino acid for E. coli expressed proteins. 8MTT was purified as a soluble protein from the cytoplasm in a two-column protocol to > 99 % purity, yielding 0.5 g of purified 8MTT/liter of fermentation broth with low endotoxin contamination, and antigenic purity of 3500 Lf/mg protein nitrogen. Mouse immunizations showed 8MTT to be an immunogenic vaccine and effective as a carrier protein for peptide and polysaccharide conjugates. These studies validate 8MTT as commercially viable and, unlike the heterogenous tetanus toxoid, a uniform carrier protein for conjugate vaccines. The development of a recombinant, genetically detoxified toxin produced in E. coli aligns the tetanus vaccine with modern manufacturing, regulatory, standardization, and safety requirements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Ju Chang
- Fina Biosolutions LLC, 9430 Key West Ave, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | | | - Richard Schuman
- Antibody and Immunoassay Consultants, 9430 Key West Ave, Suite 201, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
| | - Son Ngoc Nguyen
- University of Massachusetts, 240 Thatcher Way, Life Science Laboratories N369, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Igor A Kaltashov
- University of Massachusetts, 240 Thatcher Way, Life Science Laboratories N369, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Cedric Bobst
- University of Massachusetts, 240 Thatcher Way, Life Science Laboratories N369, Amherst, MA 01003, United States
| | - Shalini P Rajagopal
- National Institute for Biological Standards and Control, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, Blanche Lane, South Mimms, Potters Bar EN6 3QG, UK
| | - Amanda Przedpelski
- Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Microbiology and Immunology BSB-2830, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Joseph T Barbieri
- Medical College of Wisconsin, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd., Microbiology and Immunology BSB-2830, Milwaukee, WI 53226, United States
| | - Andrew Lees
- Fina Biosolutions LLC, 9430 Key West Ave, Suite 200, Rockville, MD 20850, United States
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Akkermans A, Chapsal JM, Coccia EM, Depraetere H, Dierick JF, Duangkhae P, Goel S, Halder M, Hendriksen C, Levis R, Pinyosukhee K, Pullirsch D, Sanyal G, Shi L, Sitrin R, Smith D, Stickings P, Terao E, Uhlrich S, Viviani L, Webster J. Animal testing for vaccines. Implementing replacement, reduction and refinement: challenges and priorities. Biologicals 2020; 68:92-107. [PMID: 33041187 PMCID: PMC7543787 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2020.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Transition to in vitro alternative methods from in vivo in vaccine release testing and characterization, the implementation of the consistency approach, and a drive towards international harmonization of regulatory requirements are most pressing needs in the field of vaccines. It is critical for global vaccine community to work together to secure effective progress towards animal welfare and to ensure that vaccines of ever higher quality can reach the populations in need in the shortest possible timeframe. Advancements in the field, case studies, and experiences from Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC) were the topics discussed by an international gathering of experts during a recent conference titled "Animal Testing for Vaccines - Implementing Replacement, Reduction and Refinement: Challenges and Priorities". This conference was organized by the International Alliance for Biological Standardization (IABS), and held in Bangkok, Thailand on December 3 and 4 2019. Participants comprised stakeholders from many parts of the world, including vaccine developers, manufacturers and regulators from Asia, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. In interactive workshops and vibrant panel discussions, the attendees worked together to identify the remaining barriers to validation, acceptance and implementation of alternative methods, and how harmonization could be promoted, especially for LMICs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnoud Akkermans
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), the Netherlands
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sunil Goel
- Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., India
| | - Marlies Halder
- European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Ispra, Italy
| | | | - Robin Levis
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA / CBER), USA
| | | | | | | | - Li Shi
- Shanghai Zerun Biotechnology Company, China
| | | | | | - Paul Stickings
- The National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC), United Kingdom
| | - Eriko Terao
- European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & Healthcare (EDQM), France
| | | | - Laura Viviani
- Independent Consultant, Humane Society International, Switzerland.
| | - Jim Webster
- World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), New Zealand
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Michiels TJM, Schöneich C, Hamzink MRJ, Meiring HD, Kersten GFA, Jiskoot W, Metz B. Novel Formaldehyde-Induced Modifications of Lysine Residue Pairs in Peptides and Proteins: Identification and Relevance to Vaccine Development. Mol Pharm 2020; 17:4375-4385. [PMID: 33017153 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.0c00851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Formaldehyde-inactivated toxoid vaccines have been in use for almost a century. Despite formaldehyde's deceptively simple structure, its reactions with proteins are complex. Treatment of immunogenic proteins with aqueous formaldehyde results in heterogenous mixtures due to a variety of adducts and cross-links. In this study, we aimed to further elucidate the reaction products of formaldehyde reaction with proteins and report unique modifications in formaldehyde-treated cytochrome c and corresponding synthetic peptides. Synthetic peptides (Ac-GDVEKGAK and Ac-GDVEKGKK) were treated with isotopically labeled formaldehyde (13CH2O or CD2O) followed by purification of the two main reaction products. This allowed for their structural elucidation by (2D)-nuclear magnetic resonance and nanoscale liquid chromatography-coupled mass spectrometry analysis. We observed modifications resulting from (i) formaldehyde-induced deamination and formation of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and methylation on two adjacent lysine residues and (ii) formaldehyde-induced methylation and formylation of two adjacent lysine residues. These products react further to form intramolecular cross-links between the two lysine residues. At higher peptide concentrations, these two main reaction products were also found to subsequently cross-link to lysine residues in other peptides, forming dimers and trimers. The accurate identification and quantification of formaldehyde-induced modifications improves our knowledge of formaldehyde-inactivated vaccine products, potentially aiding the development and registration of new vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J M Michiels
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Schöneich
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66047, United States
| | - Martin R J Hamzink
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo D Meiring
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Gideon F A Kersten
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Jiskoot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard Metz
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
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Michiels TJM, Meiring HD, Jiskoot W, Kersten GFA, Metz B. Formaldehyde treatment of proteins enhances proteolytic degradation by the endo-lysosomal protease cathepsin S. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11535. [PMID: 32665578 PMCID: PMC7360561 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68248-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Enzymatic degradation of protein antigens by endo-lysosomal proteases in antigen-presenting cells is crucial for achieving cellular immunity. Structural changes caused by vaccine production process steps, such as formaldehyde inactivation, could affect the sensitivity of the antigen to lysosomal proteases. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the formaldehyde detoxification process on the enzymatic proteolysis of antigens by studying model proteins. Bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin A and cytochrome c were treated with various concentrations of isotopically labelled formaldehyde and glycine, and subjected to proteolytic digestion by cathepsin S, an important endo-lysosomal endoprotease. Degradation products were analysed by mass spectrometry and size exclusion chromatography. The most abundant modification sites were identified by their characteristic MS doublets. Unexpectedly, all studied proteins showed faster proteolytic degradation upon treatment with higher formaldehyde concentrations. This effect was observed both in the absence and presence of glycine, an often-used excipient during inactivation to prevent intermolecular crosslinking. Overall, subjecting proteins to formaldehyde or formaldehyde/glycine treatment results in changes in proteolysis rates, leading to an enhanced degradation speed. This accelerated degradation could have consequences for the immunogenicity and the efficacy of vaccine products containing formaldehyde-inactivated antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas J M Michiels
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Hugo D Meiring
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Wim Jiskoot
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gideon F A Kersten
- Division of BioTherapeutics, Leiden Academic Centre for Drug Research (LACDR), Leiden University, 2333 CC, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Bernard Metz
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology, 3721 MA, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
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