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Kaldis A, Uddin MS, Guluarte JO, Martin C, Alexander TW, Menassa R. Development of a plant-based oral vaccine candidate against the bovine respiratory pathogen Mannheimia haemolytica. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1251046. [PMID: 37790785 PMCID: PMC10542578 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1251046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) affects feedlot cattle across North America, resulting in economic losses due to animal treatment and reduced performance. In an effort to develop a vaccine candidate targeting a primary bacterial agent contributing to BRD, we produced a tripartite antigen consisting of segments of the virulence factor Leukotoxin A (LktA) and lipoprotein PlpE from Mannheimia haemolytica, fused to a cholera toxin mucosal adjuvant (CTB). This recombinant subunit vaccine candidate was expressed in the leaves of Nicotiana benthamiana plants, with accumulation tested in five subcellular compartments. The recombinant protein was found to accumulate highest in the endoplasmic reticulum, but targeting to the chloroplast was employed for scaling up production due the absence of post-translational modification while still producing feasible levels. Leaves were freeze dried, then orally administered to mice to determine its immunogenicity. Sera from mice immunized with leaf tissue expressing the recombinant antigen contained IgG antibodies, specifically recognizing both LktA and PlpE. These mice also had a mucosal immune response to the CTB+LktA+PlpE protein as measured by the presence of LktA- and PlpE-specific IgA antibodies in lung and fecal material. Moreover, the antigen remained stable at room temperature with limited deterioration for up to one year when stored as lyophilized plant material. This study demonstrated that a recombinant antigen expressed in plant tissue elicited both humoral and mucosal immune responses when fed to mice, and warrants evaluation in cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Kaldis
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
| | - Muhammed Salah Uddin
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Jose Ortiz Guluarte
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Coby Martin
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor W. Alexander
- Lethbridge Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Rima Menassa
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Sepotokele KM, O'Kennedy MM, Wandrag DBR, Abolnik C. Optimization of infectious bronchitis virus-like particle expression in Nicotiana benthamiana as potential poultry vaccines. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288970. [PMID: 37471377 PMCID: PMC10358894 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Infectious bronchitis (IB) is a highly contagious, acute respiratory disease in chickens, with a severe economic impact on poultry production globally. The rapid emergence of regional variants of this Gammacoronavirus warrants new vaccine approaches that are more humane and rapid to produce than the current embryonated chicken egg-based method used for IB variant vaccine propagation (chemically-inactivated whole viruses). The production of virus-like particles (VLPs) expressing the Spike (S) glycoprotein, the major antigen which induces neutralizing antibodies, has not been achieved in planta up until now. In this study, using the Agrobacterium-mediated Nicotiana benthamiana (tobacco plant) transient expression system, the highest levels of VLPs displaying a modified S protein of a QX-like IB variant were obtained when the native transmembrane (TM) domain and cytoplasmic tail were substituted with that of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) fusion glycoprotein, co-infiltrated with the NDV Matrix protein. In comparison, the native IB modified S co-infiltrated with IB virus membrane, envelope and nucleocapsid proteins, or substituted with the TM and CT of an H6-subtype influenza A virus hemagglutinin glycoprotein yielded lower VLP expression levels. Strong immunogenicity was confirmed in specific pathogen free chickens immunized intramuscularly with VLPs adjuvanted with Emulsigen®-P, where birds that received doses of 5 μg or 20 μg (S protein content) seroconverted after two weeks with mean hemaggluttination inhibition titres of 9.1 and 10 log2, respectively. Plant-produced IB VLP variant vaccines are safer, more rapid and cost effective to produce than VLPs produced in insect cell expression systems or the traditional egg-produced inactivated whole virus oil emulsion vaccines currently in use, with great potential for improved IB disease control in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamogelo M Sepotokele
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Martha M O'Kennedy
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
- Biosciences, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Daniel B R Wandrag
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Celia Abolnik
- Department of Production Animal Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
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3
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Margolin E, Schäfer G, Allen JD, Gers S, Woodward J, Sutherland AD, Blumenthal M, Meyers A, Shaw ML, Preiser W, Strasser R, Crispin M, Williamson AL, Rybicki EP, Chapman R. A plant-produced SARS-CoV-2 spike protein elicits heterologous immunity in hamsters. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1146234. [PMID: 36959936 PMCID: PMC10028082 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1146234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Molecular farming of vaccines has been heralded as a cheap, safe and scalable production platform. In reality, however, differences in the plant biosynthetic machinery, compared to mammalian cells, can complicate the production of viral glycoproteins. Remodelling the secretory pathway presents an opportunity to support key post-translational modifications, and to tailor aspects of glycosylation and glycosylation-directed folding. In this study, we applied an integrated host and glyco-engineering approach, NXS/T Generation™, to produce a SARS-CoV-2 prefusion spike trimer in Nicotiana benthamiana as a model antigen from an emerging virus. The size exclusion-purified protein exhibited a characteristic prefusion structure when viewed by transmission electron microscopy, and this was indistinguishable from the equivalent mammalian cell-produced antigen. The plant-produced protein was decorated with under-processed oligomannose N-glycans and exhibited a site occupancy that was comparable to the equivalent protein produced in mammalian cell culture. Complex-type glycans were almost entirely absent from the plant-derived material, which contrasted against the predominantly mature, complex glycans that were observed on the mammalian cell culture-derived protein. The plant-derived antigen elicited neutralizing antibodies against both the matched Wuhan and heterologous Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants in immunized hamsters, although titres were lower than those induced by the comparator mammalian antigen. Animals vaccinated with the plant-derived antigen exhibited reduced viral loads following challenge, as well as significant protection from SARS-CoV-2 disease as evidenced by reduced lung pathology, lower viral loads and protection from weight loss. Nonetheless, animals immunized with the mammalian cell-culture-derived protein were better protected in this challenge model suggesting that more faithfully reproducing the native glycoprotein structure and associated glycosylation of the antigen may be desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Georgia Schäfer
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joel D Allen
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jeremy Woodward
- Electron Microscope Unit, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andrew D Sutherland
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Melissa Blumenthal
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Observatory, Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ann Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Megan L Shaw
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wolfgang Preiser
- Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Campus, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Max Crispin
- School of Biological Sciences and Institute of Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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4
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Barbosa MJ, Janssen M, Südfeld C, D'Adamo S, Wijffels RH. Hypes, hopes, and the way forward for microalgal biotechnology. Trends Biotechnol 2023; 41:452-471. [PMID: 36707271 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
The urge for food security and sustainability has advanced the field of microalgal biotechnology. Microalgae are microorganisms able to grow using (sun)light, fertilizers, sugars, CO2, and seawater. They have high potential as a feedstock for food, feed, energy, and chemicals. Microalgae grow faster and have higher areal productivity than plant crops, without competing for agricultural land and with 100% efficiency uptake of fertilizers. In comparison with bacterial, fungal, and yeast single-cell protein production, based on hydrogen or sugar, microalgae show higher land-use efficiency. New insights are provided regarding the potential of microalgae replacing soy protein, fish oil, and palm oil and being used as cell factories in modern industrial biotechnology to produce designer feed, recombinant proteins, biopharmaceuticals, and vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria J Barbosa
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands.
| | - Marcel Janssen
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands
| | - Christian Südfeld
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah D'Adamo
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands
| | - Rene H Wijffels
- Bioprocess Engineering & AlgaePARC, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 16, Wageningen, 6700, AA, The Netherlands; Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Bodø, N-8049,Norway
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5
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Adams A, Hendrikse M, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. Optimal size of DNA encapsidated by plant produced human papillomavirus pseudovirions. Virology 2023; 580:88-97. [PMID: 36801669 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.02.003] [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: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are known to be the cause of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers as well as genital and common warts. HPV pseudovirions (PsVs) are synthetic viral particles that are made up of the L1 major and L2 minor HPV capsid proteins and up to 8 Kb of encapsidated pseudogenome dsDNA. HPV PsVs are used to test novel neutralising antibodies elicited by vaccines, for studying the virus life cycle, and potentially for the delivery of therapeutic DNA vaccines. HPV PsVs are typically produced in mammalian cells, however, it has recently been shown that Papillomavirus PsVs can be produced in plants, a potentially safer, cheaper and more easily scalable means of production. We analysed the encapsidation frequencies of pseudogenomes expressing EGFP, ranging in size from 4.8 Kb to 7.8 Kb, by plant-made HPV-35 L1/L2 particles. The smaller pseudogenomes were found to be packaged more efficiently into PsVs as higher concentrations of encapsidated DNA and higher levels of EGFP expression were obtained with the 4.8 Kb pseudogenome, compared to the larger 5.8-7.8 Kb pseudogenomes. Thus, smaller pseudogenomes, of 4.8 Kb, should be used for efficient plant production of HPV-35 PsVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Adams
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Megan Hendrikse
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa; Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Inga I Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa.
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Mahmood MA, Naqvi RZ, Rahman SU, Amin I, Mansoor S. Plant Virus-Derived Vectors for Plant Genome Engineering. Viruses 2023; 15:v15020531. [PMID: 36851743 PMCID: PMC9958682 DOI: 10.3390/v15020531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in genome engineering (GE) tools based on sequence-specific programmable nucleases have revolutionized precise genome editing in plants. However, only the traditional approaches are used to deliver these GE reagents, which mostly rely on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation or particle bombardment. These techniques have been successfully used for the past decades for the genetic engineering of plants with some limitations relating to lengthy time-taking protocols and transgenes integration-related regulatory concerns. Nevertheless, in the era of climate change, we require certain faster protocols for developing climate-smart resilient crops through GE to deal with global food security. Therefore, some alternative approaches are needed to robustly deliver the GE reagents. In this case, the plant viral vectors could be an excellent option for the delivery of GE reagents because they are efficient, effective, and precise. Additionally, these are autonomously replicating and considered as natural specialists for transient delivery. In the present review, we have discussed the potential use of these plant viral vectors for the efficient delivery of GE reagents. We have further described the different plant viral vectors, such as DNA and RNA viruses, which have been used as efficient gene targeting systems in model plants, and in other important crops including potato, tomato, wheat, and rice. The achievements gained so far in the use of viral vectors as a carrier for GE reagent delivery are depicted along with the benefits and limitations of each viral vector. Moreover, recent advances have been explored in employing viral vectors for GE and adapting this technology for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Arslan Mahmood
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sialkot, Sialkot 51310, Pakistan
| | - Rubab Zahra Naqvi
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Saleem Ur Rahman
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Imran Amin
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Mansoor
- Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), College of Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), Jhang Road, Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
- International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi 74000, Pakistan
- Correspondence:
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7
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VanderBurgt JT, Harper O, Garnham CP, Kohalmi SE, Menassa R. Plant production of a virus-like particle-based vaccine candidate against porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2023; 14:1044675. [PMID: 36760639 PMCID: PMC9902946 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1044675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a disease leading to spontaneous abortions and stillbirths in sows and lowered life quality and expectancy in growing pigs. PRRS is prevalent worldwide and has significant economic impacts to swine industries around the globe. Co-expression of the two most abundant proteins in the viral envelope, the matrix protein (M) and glycosylated protein 5 (GP5), can produce a neutralizing immune response for the virus providing a potentially effective subunit vaccine against the disease, but these proteins are difficult to express. The goal of this research was to display antigenic portions of the M and GP5 proteins on the surface of tobacco mosaic virus-like particles. A modified tobacco mosaic virus coat protein (TMVc) was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves and targeted to three subcellular compartments along the secretory pathway to introduce glycosylation patterns important for M-GP5 epitope immunogenicity. We found that accumulation levels in the apoplast were similar to the ER and the vacuole. Because glycans present on plant apoplastic proteins are closest to those present on PRRSV proteins, a TMVc-M-GP5 fusion construct was targeted to the apoplast and accumulated at over 0.5 mg/g of plant fresh weight. TMVc virus-like particles self-assembled in plant cells and surface-displayed the M-GP5 epitope, as visualized by transmission electron microscopy and immunogold localization. These promising findings lay the foundation for immunogenicity and protective-immunity studies in animals to examine the efficacy of this vaccine candidate as a measure to control PRRS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan T. VanderBurgt
- Biology Department, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
| | - Ondre Harper
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
- Biochemistry Department, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Christopher P. Garnham
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
- Biochemistry Department, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - Rima Menassa
- Biology Department, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
- London Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London, ON, Canada
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The Plant Viruses and Molecular Farming: How Beneficial They Might Be for Human and Animal Health? Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021533. [PMID: 36675043 PMCID: PMC9863966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant viruses have traditionally been studied as pathogens in the context of understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of a particular disease affecting crops. In recent years, viruses have emerged as a new alternative for producing biological nanomaterials and chimeric vaccines. Plant viruses were also used to generate highly efficient expression vectors, revolutionizing plant molecular farming (PMF). Several biological products, including recombinant vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, diagnostic reagents, and other pharmaceutical products produced in plants, have passed their clinical trials and are in their market implementation stage. PMF offers opportunities for fast, adaptive, and low-cost technology to meet ever-growing and critical global health needs. In this review, we summarized the advancements in the virus-like particles-based (VLPs-based) nanotechnologies and the role they played in the production of advanced vaccines, drugs, diagnostic bio-nanomaterials, and other bioactive cargos. We also highlighted various applications and advantages plant-produced vaccines have and their relevance for treating human and animal illnesses. Furthermore, we summarized the plant-based biologics that have passed through clinical trials, the unique challenges they faced, and the challenges they will face to qualify, become available, and succeed on the market.
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9
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Production of Recombinant Biopharmaceuticals in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT BIOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/ijpb14010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
This review aimed to present Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as an alternative for heterologous protein production, especially for biopharmaceuticals, and its general characteristics when compared with other expression systems. The need to produce heterologous proteins for industrial interest, therapeutic ends, and diagnostic kits has led to the development of recombinant microalgal technology. This technology presents some interesting features, such as rapid growth and low transgene dispersion compared to plants, the ability to fold complex proteins compared to bacteria, and low production costs compared to other expression systems, such as yeast and mammalian cells. Overall, C. reinhardtii heterologous protein expression is coming of age with several research groups focused on developing an optimal producer strain.
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Margolin E, Allen JD, Verbeek M, Chapman R, Meyers A, van Diepen M, Ximba P, Motlou T, Moore PL, Woodward J, Strasser R, Crispin M, Williamson AL, Rybicki EP. Augmenting glycosylation-directed folding pathways enhances the fidelity of HIV Env immunogen production in plants. Biotechnol Bioeng 2022; 119:2919-2937. [PMID: 35781691 PMCID: PMC9544252 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Heterologous glycoprotein production relies on host glycosylation-dependent folding. When the biosynthetic machinery differs from the usual expression host, there is scope to remodel the assembly pathway to enhance glycoprotein production. Here we explore the integration of chaperone coexpression with glyco-engineering to improve the production of a model HIV-1 envelope antigen. Calreticulin was coexpressed to support protein folding together with Leishmania major STT3D oligosaccharyltransferase, to improve glycan occupancy, RNA interference to suppress the formation of truncated glycans, and Nicotiana benthamiana plants lacking α1,3-fucosyltransferase and β1,2-xylosyltransferase was used as an expression host to prevent plant-specific complex N-glycans forming. This approach reduced the formation of undesired aggregates, which predominated in the absence of glyco-engineering. The resulting antigen also exhibited increased glycan occupancy, albeit to a slightly lower level than the equivalent mammalian cell-produced protein. The antigen was decorated almost exclusively with oligomannose glycans, which were less processed compared with the mammalian protein. Immunized rabbits developed comparable immune responses to the plant-produced and mammalian cell-derived antigens, including the induction of autologous neutralizing antibodies when the proteins were used to boost DNA and modified vaccinia Ankara virus-vectored vaccines. This study demonstrates that engineering glycosylation-directed folding offers a promising route to enhance the production of complex viral glycoproteins in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Margolin
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Joel D Allen
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Matthew Verbeek
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ann Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Michiel van Diepen
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Phindile Ximba
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Thopisang Motlou
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Centre for HIV and STIs, Johannesburg, South Africa
- MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Penny L Moore
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases of the National Health Laboratory Service, Centre for HIV and STIs, Johannesburg, South Africa
- MRC Antibody Immunity Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Congella, Durban, South Africa
| | - Jeremy Woodward
- Department of Integrative Biomedical Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Max Crispin
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Department of Pathology, Division of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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11
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Khalid F, Tahir R, Ellahi M, Amir N, Rizvi SFA, Hasnain A. Emerging trends of edible vaccine therapy for combating human diseases especially
COVID
‐19: Pros, cons, and future challenges. Phytother Res 2022; 36:2746-2766. [PMID: 35499291 PMCID: PMC9347755 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The researchers are still doing efforts to develop an effective, reliable, and easily accessible vaccine candidate to protect against COVID‐19. As of the August 2020, nearly 30 conventional vaccines have been emerged in clinical trials, and more than 200 vaccines are in various development stages. Nowadays, plants are also considered as a potential source for the production of monoclonal antibodies, vaccines, drugs, immunomodulatory proteins, as well as used as bioreactors or factories for their bulk production. The scientific evidences enlighten that plants are the rich source of oral vaccines, which can be given either by eating the edible parts of plants and/or by oral administration of highly refined proteins. The use of plant‐based edible vaccines is an emerging trend as it possesses minimum or no side effects compared with synthetic vaccines. This review article gives insights into different types of vaccines, the use of edible vaccines, advantages of edible vaccines over conventional vaccines, and mechanism of action of edible vaccines. This review article also focuses on the applications of edible vaccines in wide‐range of human diseases especially against COVID‐19 with emphasis on future perspectives of the use of edible vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatima Khalid
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Reema Tahir
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Manahil Ellahi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Nilofer Amir
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
| | - Syed Faheem Askari Rizvi
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
- College of Chemistry and Chemical EngineeringLanzhou UniversityLanzhouP.R. China
| | - Ammarah Hasnain
- Institute of Molecular Biology and BiotechnologyThe University of LahoreLahorePakistan
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12
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Tusé D, Malm M, Tamminen K, Diessner A, Thieme F, Jarczowski F, Blazevic V, Klimyuk V. Safety and immunogenicity studies in animal models support clinical development of a bivalent norovirus-like particle vaccine produced in plants. Vaccine 2022; 40:977-987. [PMID: 35063285 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Noroviruses (NoV) are the leading cause of epidemic acute gastroenteritis in humans worldwide. A safe and effective vaccine that prevents NoV infection or minimizes NoV disease burden is needed, especially for children and the elderly who are particularly susceptible to NoV disease. A plant-based expression system (magnICON®) was used to manufacture two different virus-like particle (VLP) immunogens derived from human NoV genogroups I and II, genotype 4 (GI.4 and GII.4), which were subsequently blended 1:1 (w/w) into a bivalent vaccine composition (rNV-2v). Here, we report on the safety and immunogenicity of rNV-2v from one pilot and two GLP-compliant toxicity studies in New Zealand White rabbits administered the vaccine subcutaneously (SC) or intramuscularly (IM). Strong genogroup-specific immune responses were induced by vaccination without adjuvant at various doses (200 to 400 μg VLP/administration) and administration schedules (Days 1 and 7; or Days 1, 15 and 29). The results showed sporadic local irritation at the injection site, which resolved over time, and was non-adverse and consistent with expected reactogenicity. There were no signs of systemic toxicity related to vaccine administration relative to vehicle-treated controls with respect to clinical chemistry, haematology, organ weights, macroscopic examinations, or histopathology. In a 3-administration regimen (n + 1 the clinical regimen), the NOAEL for rNV-2v via the SC or IM route was initially determined to be 200 μg. An improved GI.4 VLP variant mixed 1:1 (w/w) with the wild-type GII.4 VLP was subsequently evaluated via the IM route at a higher dose in the same 3-administration model, and the NOAEL was raised to 300 µg. Serology performed in samples of both toxicity studies showed significant and substantial anti-VLP-specific antibody titers for rNV-2v vaccines administered via the IM or SC route, as well as relevant NoV blocking antibody responses. These results support initiation of clinical development of the plant-made NoV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Tusé
- DT/Consulting Group, 2695 13(th) Street, Sacramento, CA 95818, USA
| | - Maria Malm
- Vaccine Research Center, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Kirsi Tamminen
- Vaccine Research Center, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - André Diessner
- Icon Genetics GmbH, a Denka Company, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Frank Thieme
- Icon Genetics GmbH, a Denka Company, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle, Germany
| | | | - Vesna Blazevic
- Vaccine Research Center, University of Tampere, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland
| | - Victor Klimyuk
- Icon Genetics GmbH, a Denka Company, Weinbergweg 22, D-06120 Halle, Germany.
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13
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Chung YH, Church D, Koellhoffer EC, Osota E, Shukla S, Rybicki EP, Pokorski JK, Steinmetz NF. Integrating plant molecular farming and materials research for next-generation vaccines. NATURE REVIEWS. MATERIALS 2021; 7:372-388. [PMID: 34900343 DOI: 10.1038/s41578-021-00399-395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Biologics - medications derived from a biological source - are increasingly used as pharmaceuticals, for example, as vaccines. Biologics are usually produced in bacterial, mammalian or insect cells. Alternatively, plant molecular farming, that is, the manufacture of biologics in plant cells, transgenic plants and algae, offers a cheaper and easily adaptable strategy for the production of biologics, in particular, in low-resource settings. In this Review, we discuss current vaccination challenges, such as cold chain requirements, and highlight how plant molecular farming in combination with advanced materials can be applied to address these challenges. The production of plant viruses and virus-based nanotechnologies in plants enables low-cost and regional fabrication of thermostable vaccines. We also highlight key new vaccine delivery technologies, including microneedle patches and material platforms for intranasal and oral delivery. Finally, we provide an outlook of future possibilities for plant molecular farming of next-generation vaccines and biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hun Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Derek Church
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Edward C Koellhoffer
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Elizabeth Osota
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Biomedical Science Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Sourabh Shukla
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jonathan K Pokorski
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Center for Nano-Immuno Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Center for Nano-Immuno Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
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14
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Chung YH, Church D, Koellhoffer EC, Osota E, Shukla S, Rybicki EP, Pokorski JK, Steinmetz NF. Integrating plant molecular farming and materials research for next-generation vaccines. NATURE REVIEWS. MATERIALS 2021; 7:372-388. [PMID: 34900343 PMCID: PMC8647509 DOI: 10.1038/s41578-021-00399-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Biologics - medications derived from a biological source - are increasingly used as pharmaceuticals, for example, as vaccines. Biologics are usually produced in bacterial, mammalian or insect cells. Alternatively, plant molecular farming, that is, the manufacture of biologics in plant cells, transgenic plants and algae, offers a cheaper and easily adaptable strategy for the production of biologics, in particular, in low-resource settings. In this Review, we discuss current vaccination challenges, such as cold chain requirements, and highlight how plant molecular farming in combination with advanced materials can be applied to address these challenges. The production of plant viruses and virus-based nanotechnologies in plants enables low-cost and regional fabrication of thermostable vaccines. We also highlight key new vaccine delivery technologies, including microneedle patches and material platforms for intranasal and oral delivery. Finally, we provide an outlook of future possibilities for plant molecular farming of next-generation vaccines and biologics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hun Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Derek Church
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Edward C. Koellhoffer
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Elizabeth Osota
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Biomedical Science Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Sourabh Shukla
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jonathan K. Pokorski
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Center for Nano-Immuno Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego Health, La Jolla, CA USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Center for Nano-Immuno Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
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15
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Stander J, Chabeda A, Rybicki EP, Meyers AE. A Plant-Produced Virus-Like Particle Displaying Envelope Protein Domain III Elicits an Immune Response Against West Nile Virus in Mice. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:738619. [PMID: 34589108 PMCID: PMC8475786 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.738619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally disseminated Flavivirus that is associated with encephalitis outbreaks in humans and horses. The continuous global outbreaks of West Nile disease in the bird, human, and horse populations, with no preventative measures for humans, pose a major public health threat. The development of a vaccine that contributes to the "One Health" Initiative could be the answer to prevent the spread of the virus and control human and animal disease. The current commercially available veterinary vaccines are generally costly and most require high levels of biosafety for their manufacture. Consequently, we explored making a particulate vaccine candidate made transiently in plants as a more cost-effective and safer means of production. A WNV virus-like particle-display-based vaccine candidate was generated by the use of the SpyTag/SpyCatcher (ST/SC) conjugation system. The WNV envelope protein domain III (EDIII), which contains WNV-specific epitopes, was fused to and displayed on AP205 phage virus-like particles (VLPs) following the production of both separately in Nicotiana benthamiana. Co-purification of AP205 and EDIII genetically fused to ST and SC, respectively, resulted in the conjugated VLPs displaying EDIII with an average coupling efficiency of 51%. Subcutaneous immunisation of mice with 5 μg of purified AP205: EDIII VLPs elicited a potent IgG response to WNV EDIII. This study presents the potential plants being used as biofactories for making significant pharmaceutical products for the "One Health" Initiative and could be used to address the need for their local production in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Stander
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Aleyo Chabeda
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Science, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ann E. Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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16
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Maharjan PM, Choe S. Plant-Based COVID-19 Vaccines: Current Status, Design, and Development Strategies of Candidate Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:992. [PMID: 34579229 PMCID: PMC8473425 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9090992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in its second year has led to massive global human and economic losses. The high transmission rate and the emergence of diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants demand rapid and effective approaches to preventing the spread, diagnosing on time, and treating affected people. Several COVID-19 vaccines are being developed using different production systems, including plants, which promises the production of cheap, safe, stable, and effective vaccines. The potential of a plant-based system for rapid production at a commercial scale and for a quick response to an infectious disease outbreak has been demonstrated by the marketing of carrot-cell-produced taliglucerase alfa (Elelyso) for Gaucher disease and tobacco-produced monoclonal antibodies (ZMapp) for the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Currently, two plant-based COVID-19 vaccine candidates, coronavirus virus-like particle (CoVLP) and Kentucky Bioprocessing (KBP)-201, are in clinical trials, and many more are in the preclinical stage. Interim phase 2 clinical trial results have revealed the high safety and efficacy of the CoVLP vaccine, with 10 times more neutralizing antibody responses compared to those present in a convalescent patient's plasma. The clinical trial of the CoVLP vaccine could be concluded by the end of 2021, and the vaccine could be available for public immunization thereafter. This review encapsulates the efforts made in plant-based COVID-19 vaccine development, the strategies and technologies implemented, and the progress accomplished in clinical trials and preclinical studies so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puna Maya Maharjan
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 123 Uiryodanji-gil, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28161, Korea;
| | - Sunghwa Choe
- G+FLAS Life Sciences, 38 Nakseongdae-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08790, Korea
- School of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Korea
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17
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Cid R, Bolívar J. Platforms for Production of Protein-Based Vaccines: From Classical to Next-Generation Strategies. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1072. [PMID: 34439738 PMCID: PMC8394948 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To date, vaccination has become one of the most effective strategies to control and reduce infectious diseases, preventing millions of deaths worldwide. The earliest vaccines were developed as live-attenuated or inactivated pathogens, and, although they still represent the most extended human vaccine types, they also face some issues, such as the potential to revert to a pathogenic form of live-attenuated formulations or the weaker immune response associated with inactivated vaccines. Advances in genetic engineering have enabled improvements in vaccine design and strategies, such as recombinant subunit vaccines, have emerged, expanding the number of diseases that can be prevented. Moreover, antigen display systems such as VLPs or those designed by nanotechnology have improved the efficacy of subunit vaccines. Platforms for the production of recombinant vaccines have also evolved from the first hosts, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, to insect or mammalian cells. Traditional bacterial and yeast systems have been improved by engineering and new systems based on plants or insect larvae have emerged as alternative, low-cost platforms. Vaccine development is still time-consuming and costly, and alternative systems that can offer cost-effective and faster processes are demanding to address infectious diseases that still do not have a treatment and to face possible future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Cid
- ADL Bionatur Solutions S.A., Av. del Desarrollo Tecnológico 11, 11591 Jerez de la Frontera, Spain
| | - Jorge Bolívar
- Department of Biomedicine, Biotechnology and Public Health-Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Campus Universitario de Puerto Real, University of Cadiz, 11510 Puerto Real, Spain
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18
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Shin YJ, König-Beihammer J, Vavra U, Schwestka J, Kienzl NF, Klausberger M, Laurent E, Grünwald-Gruber C, Vierlinger K, Hofner M, Margolin E, Weinhäusel A, Stöger E, Mach L, Strasser R. N-Glycosylation of the SARS-CoV-2 Receptor Binding Domain Is Important for Functional Expression in Plants. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:689104. [PMID: 34211491 PMCID: PMC8239413 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.689104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Nicotiana benthamiana is used worldwide as production host for recombinant proteins. Many recombinant proteins such as monoclonal antibodies, growth factors or viral antigens require posttranslational modifications like glycosylation for their function. Here, we transiently expressed different variants of the glycosylated receptor binding domain (RBD) from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in N. benthamiana. We characterized the impact of variations in RBD-length and posttranslational modifications on protein expression, yield and functionality. We found that a truncated RBD variant (RBD-215) consisting of amino acids Arg319-Leu533 can be efficiently expressed as a secreted soluble protein. Purified RBD-215 was mainly present as a monomer and showed binding to the conformation-dependent antibody CR3022, the cellular receptor angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and to antibodies present in convalescent sera. Expression of RBD-215 in glycoengineered ΔXT/FT plants resulted in the generation of complex N-glycans on both N-glycosylation sites. While site-directed mutagenesis showed that the N-glycans are important for proper RBD folding, differences in N-glycan processing had no effect on protein expression and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun-Ji Shin
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia König-Beihammer
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ulrike Vavra
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jennifer Schwestka
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Nikolaus F. Kienzl
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Miriam Klausberger
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Elisabeth Laurent
- Department of Biotechnology, Core Facility Biomolecular and Cellular Analysis, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Clemens Grünwald-Gruber
- Department of Chemistry, Core Facility Mass Spectrometry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Klemens Vierlinger
- Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuela Hofner
- Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical Virology, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Andreas Weinhäusel
- Competence Unit Molecular Diagnostics, Center for Health and Bioresources, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Vienna, Austria
| | - Eva Stöger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas Mach
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Richard Strasser
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, Institute of Plant Biotechnology and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Chin-Fatt A, Saberianfar R, Menassa R. A Rationally Designed Bovine IgA Fc Scaffold Enhances in planta Accumulation of a V HH-Fc Fusion Without Compromising Binding to Enterohemorrhagic E. coli. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2021; 12:651262. [PMID: 33936135 PMCID: PMC8079772 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2021.651262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
We previously isolated a single domain antibody (VHH) that binds Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) with the end-goal being the enteromucosal passive immunization of cattle herds. To improve the yield of a chimeric fusion of the VHH with an IgA Fc, we employed two rational design strategies, supercharging and introducing de novo disulfide bonds, on the bovine IgA Fc component of the chimera. After mutagenizing the Fc, we screened for accumulation levels after transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. We identified and characterized five supercharging and one disulfide mutant, termed '(5 + 1)Fc', that improve accumulation in comparison to the native Fc. Combining all these mutations is associated with a 32-fold increase of accumulation for the Fc alone, from 23.9 mg/kg fresh weight (FW) to 599.5 mg/kg FW, as well as a twenty-fold increase when fused to a VHH that binds EHEC, from 12.5 mg/kg FW tissue to 236.2 mg/kg FW. Co-expression of native or mutated VHH-Fc with bovine joining chain (JC) and bovine secretory component (SC) followed by co-immunoprecipitation suggests that the stabilizing mutations do not interfere with the capacity of VHH-Fc to assemble with JC and FC into a secretory IgA. Both the native and the mutated VHH-Fc similarly neutralized the ability of four of the seven most prevalent EHEC strains (O157:H7, O26:H11, O111:Hnm, O145:Hnm, O45:H2, O121:H19 and O103:H2), to adhere to HEp-2 cells as visualized by immunofluorescence microscopy and quantified by fluorometry. These results collectively suggest that supercharging and disulfide bond tethering on a Fc chain can effectively improve accumulation of a VHH-Fc fusion without impacting VHH functionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Chin-Fatt
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Reza Saberianfar
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, ON, Canada
| | - Rima Menassa
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, London Research and Development Centre, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Ramos-Vega A, Monreal-Escalante E, Dumonteil E, Bañuelos-Hernández B, Angulo C. Plant-made vaccines against parasites: bioinspired perspectives to fight against Chagas disease. Expert Rev Vaccines 2021; 20:1373-1388. [PMID: 33612044 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2021.1893170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Three decades of evidence have demonstrated that plants are an affordable platform for biopharmaceutical production and delivery. For instance, several plant-made recombinant proteins have been approved for commercialization under good manufacturing practice (GMP). Thus far, plant-based vaccine prototypes have been evaluated at pre- and clinical levels. Particularly, plant-made vaccines against parasitic diseases, such as malaria, cysticercosis, and toxoplasmosis have been successfully produced and orally delivered with promising outcomes in terms of immunogenicity and protection. The experience on several approaches and technical strategies over 30 years accounts for their potential low-cost, high scalability, and easy administration.Areas covered: This platform is an open technology to fight against Chagas disease, one of the most important neglected tropical diseases worldwide.Expert opinion: This review provides a perspective for the potential use of plants as a production platform and delivery system of Trypanosoma cruzi recombinant antigens, analyzing the advantages and limitations with respect to plant-made vaccines produced for other parasitic diseases. Plant-made vaccines are envisioned to fight against Chagas disease and other neglected tropical diseases in those countries suffering endemic prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abel Ramos-Vega
- Grupo de Inmunología & Vacunología. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.c.s. C.p., México
| | - Elizabeth Monreal-Escalante
- Grupo de Inmunología & Vacunología. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.c.s. C.p., México.,CONACYT- Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.c.s. C.p, México
| | - Eric Dumonteil
- Department of Tropical Medicine, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and Vector-Borne and Infectious Disease Research Center, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Bernardo Bañuelos-Hernández
- Facultad de Agronomía Y Veterinaria, Universidad de La Salle Bajio, Avenida Universidad 602, Lomas del Campestre, León Guanajuato, México
| | - Carlos Angulo
- Grupo de Inmunología & Vacunología. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas del Noroeste, S.C. (CIBNOR), Instituto Politécnico Nacional 195, Playa Palo de Santa Rita Sur, La Paz, B.c.s. C.p., México
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21
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Transient Gene Expression: an Approach for Recombinant Vaccine Production. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021. [DOI: 10.52547/jommid.9.1.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
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22
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Iqbal Z, Sattar MN, Khurshid M. Cotton Leaf Curl Multan Betasatellite as a Tool to Study the Localization of Geminiviruses in Plants. Mol Biol 2021. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893321010076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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23
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Varanda CMR, Félix MDR, Campos MD, Patanita M, Materatski P. Plant Viruses: From Targets to Tools for CRISPR. Viruses 2021; 13:141. [PMID: 33478128 PMCID: PMC7835971 DOI: 10.3390/v13010141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Plant viruses cause devastating diseases in many agriculture systems, being a serious threat for the provision of adequate nourishment to a continuous growing population. At the present, there are no chemical products that directly target the viruses, and their control rely mainly on preventive sanitary measures to reduce viral infections that, although important, have proved to be far from enough. The current most effective and sustainable solution is the use of virus-resistant varieties, but which require too much work and time to obtain. In the recent years, the versatile gene editing technology known as CRISPR/Cas has simplified the engineering of crops and has successfully been used for the development of viral resistant plants. CRISPR stands for 'clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats' and CRISPR-associated (Cas) proteins, and is based on a natural adaptive immune system that most archaeal and some bacterial species present to defend themselves against invading bacteriophages. Plant viral resistance using CRISPR/Cas technology can been achieved either through manipulation of plant genome (plant-mediated resistance), by mutating host factors required for viral infection; or through manipulation of virus genome (virus-mediated resistance), for which CRISPR/Cas systems must specifically target and cleave viral DNA or RNA. Viruses present an efficient machinery and comprehensive genome structure and, in a different, beneficial perspective, they have been used as biotechnological tools in several areas such as medicine, materials industry, and agriculture with several purposes. Due to all this potential, it is not surprising that viruses have also been used as vectors for CRISPR technology; namely, to deliver CRISPR components into plants, a crucial step for the success of CRISPR technology. Here we discuss the basic principles of CRISPR/Cas technology, with a special focus on the advances of CRISPR/Cas to engineer plant resistance against DNA and RNA viruses. We also describe several strategies for the delivery of these systems into plant cells, focusing on the advantages and disadvantages of the use of plant viruses as vectors. We conclude by discussing some of the constrains faced by the application of CRISPR/Cas technology in agriculture and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla M. R. Varanda
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (M.D.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Maria do Rosário Félix
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & Departamento de Fitotecnia, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal;
| | - Maria Doroteia Campos
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (M.D.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Mariana Patanita
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (M.D.C.); (M.P.)
| | - Patrick Materatski
- MED—Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal; (M.D.C.); (M.P.)
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24
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Yang GL, Feng D, Liu YT, Lv SM, Zheng MM, Tan AJ. Research Progress of a Potential Bioreactor: Duckweed. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11010093. [PMID: 33450858 PMCID: PMC7828363 DOI: 10.3390/biom11010093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 01/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, plant bioreactors have flourished into an exciting area of synthetic biology because of their product safety, inexpensive production cost, and easy scale-up. Duckweed is the smallest and fastest-growing aquatic plant, and has advantages including simple processing and the ability to grow high biomass in smaller areas. Therefore, duckweed could be used as a new potential bioreactor for biological products such as vaccines, antibodies, pharmaceutical proteins, and industrial enzymes. Duckweed has made a breakthrough in biosynthesis as a chassis plant and is being utilized for the production of plenty of biological products or bio-derivatives with multiple uses and high values. This review summarizes the latest progress on genetic background, genetic transformation system, and bioreactor development of duckweed, and provides insights for further exploration and application of duckweed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gui-Li Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (G.-L.Y.); (D.F.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-M.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Conservation and Germplasm Innovation of Mountain Plant Resources, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Dan Feng
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (G.-L.Y.); (D.F.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-M.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Conservation and Germplasm Innovation of Mountain Plant Resources, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yu-Ting Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (G.-L.Y.); (D.F.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-M.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Conservation and Germplasm Innovation of Mountain Plant Resources, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Shi-Ming Lv
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China;
| | - Meng-Meng Zheng
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (G.-L.Y.); (D.F.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-M.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Conservation and Germplasm Innovation of Mountain Plant Resources, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Ai-Juan Tan
- College of Life Sciences, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; (G.-L.Y.); (D.F.); (Y.-T.L.); (M.-M.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Conservation and Germplasm Innovation of Mountain Plant Resources, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-1376-513-6919
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25
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Park SH, Ji KY, Kim HM, Ma SH, Park SY, Do JH, Oh DB, Kang HS, Shim JS, Joung YH. Optimization of the human colorectal carcinoma antigen GA733-2 production in tobacco plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY REPORTS 2021; 15:55-67. [PMID: 33520002 PMCID: PMC7825390 DOI: 10.1007/s11816-020-00657-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The colorectal carcinoma-associated protein GA733-2 is one of the representative candidate protein for the development of plant-derived colorectal cancer vaccine. Despite of its significant importance for colorectal vaccine development, low efficiency of GA733-2 production limits its wide applications. To improve productivity of GA733-2 in plants, we here tested multiple factors that affect expression of recombinant GA733-2 (rGA733-2) and rGA733 fused to fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain (rGA733-Fc) protein. The rGA733-2 and rGA733-Fc proteins were highly expressed when the pBINPLUS vector system was used for transient expression in tobacco plants. In addition, the length of interval between rGA733-2 and left border of T-DNA affected the expression of rGA733 protein. Transient expression analysis using various combinations of Agrobacterium tumefaciens strains (C58C1, LBA4404, and GV3101) and tobacco species (Nicotiana tabacum cv. Xanthi nc and Nicotiana benthamiana) revealed that higher accumulation of rGA733-2 and rGA733-Fc proteins were obtained by combination of A. tumefaciens LBA4404 and Nicotiana benthamiana. Transgenic plants generated by introduction of the rGA733-2 and rGA733-Fc expression cassettes also significantly accumulated corresponding recombinant proteins. Bioactivity and stability of the plant-derived rGA733 and rGA733-Fc were evaluated by further in vitro assay, western blot and N-glycosylation analysis. Collectively, we here suggest the optimal condition for efficient production of functional rGA733-2 protein in tobacco system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Se Hee Park
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
| | - Kon-Young Ji
- Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon, 34054 Korea
| | - Hyun Min Kim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
| | - Sang Hoon Ma
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
| | - Seo Young Park
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
| | - Ju Hui Do
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
| | - Doo-Byoung Oh
- Synthetic Biology and Bioengineering Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon, 34141 Korea
- Department of Biosystems and Bioengineering, University of Science and Technology (UST), Daejeon, 34113 Korea
| | - Hyung Sik Kang
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
| | - Jae Sung Shim
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
| | - Young Hee Joung
- School of Biological Sciences and Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, 61186 Korea
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26
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Margolin E, Oh YJ, Verbeek M, Naude J, Ponndorf D, Meshcheriakova YA, Peyret H, van Diepen MT, Chapman R, Meyers AE, Lomonossoff GP, Matoba N, Williamson A, Rybicki EP. Co-expression of human calreticulin significantly improves the production of HIV gp140 and other viral glycoproteins in plants. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2020; 18:2109-2117. [PMID: 32096288 PMCID: PMC7540014 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plant molecular farming (PMF) is rapidly gaining traction as a viable alternative to the currently accepted paradigm of producing biologics. While the platform is potentially cheaper and more scalable than conventional manufacturing systems, expression yields and appropriate post-translational modifications along the plant secretory pathway remain a challenge for certain proteins. Viral fusion glycoproteins in particular are often expressed at low yields in plants and, in some cases, may not be appropriately processed. Recently, however, transiently or stably engineering the host plant has shown promise as a strategy for producing heterologous proteins with more complex maturation requirements. In this study we investigated the co-expression of a suite of human chaperones to improve the production of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 soluble gp140 vaccine candidate in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The co-expression of calreticulin (CRT) resulted in a dramatic increase in Env expression and ameliorated the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response - as evidenced by lower transcript abundance of representative stress-responsive genes. The co-expression of CRT similarly improved accumulation of glycoproteins from Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV), suggesting that the endogenous chaperone machinery may impose a bottleneck for their production. We subsequently successfully combined the co-expression of human CRT with the transient expression of human furin, to enable the production of an appropriately cleaved HIV gp140 antigen. These transient plant host engineering strategies are a promising approach for the production of high yields of appropriately processed and cleaved viral glycoproteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in AfricaUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Youngjun J. Oh
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity of Louisville School of MedicineLouisvilleKYUSA
| | - Matthew Verbeek
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Jason Naude
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Daniel Ponndorf
- Department of Biological ChemistryJohn Innes CentreNorwichUK
| | | | - Hadrien Peyret
- Department of Biological ChemistryJohn Innes CentreNorwichUK
| | - Michiel T. van Diepen
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Ann E. Meyers
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | - Nobuyuki Matoba
- Department of Pharmacology and ToxicologyUniversity of Louisville School of MedicineLouisvilleKYUSA
| | - Anna‐Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Infectious Disease Research in AfricaUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Faculty of Health SciencesInstitute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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27
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Progress in the Production of Virus-Like Particles for Vaccination against Hepatitis E Virus. Viruses 2020; 12:v12080826. [PMID: 32751441 PMCID: PMC7472025 DOI: 10.3390/v12080826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV), a pathogen that causes acute viral hepatitis, is a small icosahedral, quasi-enveloped, positive ssRNA virus. Its genome has three open reading frames (ORFs), with ORF1 and ORF3 encoding for nonstructural and regulatory proteins, respectively, while ORF2 is translated into the structural, capsid protein. ORF2 is most widely used for vaccine development in viral hepatitis. Hepatitis E virus-like particles (VLPs) are potential vaccine candidates against HEV infection. VLPs are composed of capsid subunits mimicking the natural configuration of the native virus but lack the genetic material needed for replication. As a result, VLPs are unable to replicate and cause disease, constituting safe vaccine platforms. Currently, the recombinant VLP-based vaccine Hecolin® against HEV is only licensed in China. Herein, systematic information about the expression of various HEV ORF2 sequences and their ability to form VLPs in different systems is provided.
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28
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Fazeli L, Golkar P, Mirakhorli N, Jalali SAH, Mohammadinezhad R. Transient expression of the full-length glycoprotein from infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) leaves via agroinfiltration. Biotechnol Appl Biochem 2020; 68:648-658. [PMID: 32578912 DOI: 10.1002/bab.1975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Accepted: 06/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The glycoprotein of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV), the causative agent of acute disease in salmonids, is the only structural protein of the virus that can induce protective immunity in the fish host. Here, the reliability of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plant for the production of this viral protein was examined by the transient expression method. Using the syringe agroinfiltration method, leaves of bean plants were transformed with the expression construct encoding the full-length of IHNV glycoprotein (IHNV-G) gene. Furthermore, the transformation efficacy of two infiltration buffers including PBS-A (PBS+acetosyringone) and MMS-A (MES buffer + MgSO4 + sucrose + acetosyringone) was compared. The analysis of mRNA and dot-blot assay confirmed the transcription and translation of IHNV-G protein in bean leaves. Moreover, Western blotting verified the production of intact, full-length (∼57 kDa) IHNV-G protein in the agroinfiltrated plants. Of note, the production level of IHNV-G using MMS-A agroinfiltration buffer was approximately five times higher compared to PBS-A buffer (0.48 vs. 0.1% of total soluble protein), indicating the effect of infiltration buffer on the transient transformation efficiency. The recombinant protein was purified at the final yield of 0.35 μg/g of fresh leaf tissue, using nickel affinity chromatography. The present work is the first report describing the feasibility of the plant expression platform for the production of IHNV-G protein, which can be served as an oral vaccine against IHNV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Fazeli
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Pooran Golkar
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.,Research Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Neda Mirakhorli
- Department of Plant Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Seyed Amir Hossein Jalali
- Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran.,Research Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Rezvan Mohammadinezhad
- Research Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
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29
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Jahn R, Müller O, Nöst S, Bozorgmehr K. Public-private knowledge transfer and access to medicines: a systematic review and qualitative study of perceptions and roles of scientists involved in HPV vaccine research. Global Health 2020; 16:22. [PMID: 32138789 PMCID: PMC7059709 DOI: 10.1186/s12992-020-00552-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Public research organizations and their interactions with industry partners play a crucial role for public health and access to medicines. The development and commercialization of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines illustrate how licensing practices of public research organizations can contribute to high prices of the resulting product and affect accessibility to vulnerable populations. Efforts by the international community to improve access to medicines have recognised this issue and promote the public health-sensitive management of research conducted by public research organizations. This paper explores: how medical knowledge is exchanged between public and private actors; what role inventor scientists play in this process; and how they view the implementation of public health-sensitive knowledge exchange strategies. Methods We conducted a systematic qualitative literature review on medical knowledge exchange and qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of public sector scientists working on HPV vaccines. We explored the strategies by which knowledge is exchanged across institutional boundaries, how these strategies are negotiated, and the views of scientists regarding public health-sensitive knowledge exchange. Results We included 13 studies in the systematic review and conducted seven semi-structured interviews with high-ranking scientists. The main avenues of public-private medical knowledge exchange were publications, formal transfer of patented knowledge, problem-specific exchanges such as service agreements, informal exchanges and collaborative research. Scientists played a crucial role in these processes but appeared to be sceptical of public health-sensitive knowledge exchange strategies, as these were believed to deter corporate interest in the development of new medicines and thus risk the translation of the scientists’ research. Conclusion Medical scientists at public research institutions play a key role in the exchange of knowledge they generate and are concerned about the accessibility of medicines resulting from their research. Their scepticism towards implementing public health-sensitive knowledge management strategies appears to be based on a biased understanding of the costs and risks involved in drug development and a perceived lack of alternatives to private engagement. Scientists could be encouraged to exchange knowledge in a public health-sensitive manner through not-for-profit drug development mechanisms, education on industry engagement, and stronger institutional and legal backing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosa Jahn
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Olaf Müller
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Stefan Nöst
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Kayvan Bozorgmehr
- Department of General Practice and Health Services Research, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Population Medicine and Health Services Research, School of Public Health, Bielefeld University, P.o. Box 10 01 31, D- 33501, Bielefeld, Germany
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30
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Rybicki EP. Plant molecular farming of virus‐like nanoparticles as vaccines and reagents. WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-NANOMEDICINE AND NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 12:e1587. [DOI: 10.1002/wnan.1587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular & Cell Biology University of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
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31
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Gunter CJ, Regnard GL, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. Immunogenicity of plant-produced porcine circovirus-like particles in mice. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2019; 17:1751-1759. [PMID: 30791210 PMCID: PMC6686138 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.13097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2) is the main causative agent associated with a group of diseases collectively known as porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCAD). There is a significant economic strain on the global swine industry due to PCAD and the production of commercial PCV-2 vaccines is expensive. Plant expression systems are increasingly regarded as a viable technology to produce recombinant proteins for use as pharmaceutical agents and vaccines. However, successful production and purification of PCV-2 capsid protein (CP) from plants is an essential first step towards the goal of a plant-produced PCV-2 vaccine candidate. In this study, the PCV-2 CP was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana plants via agroinfiltration and PCV-2 CP was successfully purified using sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. The CP self-assembled into virus-like particles (VLPs) resembling native virions and up to 6.5 mg of VLPs could be purified from 1 kg of leaf wet weight. Mice immunized with the plant-produced PCV-2 VLPs elicited specific antibody responses to PCV-2 CP. This is the first report describing the expression of PCV-2 CP in plants, the confirmation of its assembly into VLPs and the demonstration of their use to elicit a strong immune response in a mammalian model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius J. Gunter
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Guy L. Regnard
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of Pathology and Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Inga I. Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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32
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Criscuolo E, Caputo V, Diotti RA, Sautto GA, Kirchenbaum GA, Clementi N. Alternative Methods of Vaccine Delivery: An Overview of Edible and Intradermal Vaccines. J Immunol Res 2019; 2019:8303648. [PMID: 30949518 PMCID: PMC6425294 DOI: 10.1155/2019/8303648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 02/08/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are recognized worldwide as one of the most important tools for combating infectious diseases. Despite the tremendous value conferred by currently available vaccines toward public health, the implementation of additional vaccine platforms is also of key importance. In fact, currently available vaccines possess shortcomings, such as inefficient triggering of a cell-mediated immune response and the lack of protective mucosal immunity. In this regard, recent work has been focused on vaccine delivery systems, as an alternative to injectable vaccines, to increase antigen stability and improve overall immunogenicity. In particular, novel strategies based on edible or intradermal vaccine formulations have been demonstrated to trigger both a systemic and mucosal immune response. These novel vaccination delivery systems offer several advantages over the injectable preparations including self-administration, reduced cost, stability, and elimination of a cold chain. In this review, the latest findings and accomplishments regarding edible and intradermal vaccines are described in the context of the system used for immunogen expression, their molecular features and capacity to induce a protective systemic and mucosal response.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Criscuolo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, “Vita-Salute San Raffaele” University, Milan, Italy
| | - V. Caputo
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, “Vita-Salute San Raffaele” University, Milan, Italy
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l., Turin, Italy
| | - R. A. Diotti
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, “Vita-Salute San Raffaele” University, Milan, Italy
- Pomona Ricerca S.r.l., Turin, Italy
| | - G. A. Sautto
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | | | - N. Clementi
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, “Vita-Salute San Raffaele” University, Milan, Italy
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33
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Mbewana S, Meyers AE, Weber B, Mareledwane V, Ferreira ML, Majiwa PAO, Rybicki EP. Expression of Rift Valley fever virus N-protein in Nicotiana benthamiana for use as a diagnostic antigen. BMC Biotechnol 2018; 18:77. [PMID: 30537953 PMCID: PMC6290525 DOI: 10.1186/s12896-018-0489-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), the causative agent of Rift Valley fever, is an enveloped single-stranded negative-sense RNA virus in the genus Phlebovirus, family Bunyaviridae. The virus is spread by infected mosquitoes and affects ruminants and humans, causing abortion storms in pregnant ruminants, high neonatal mortality in animals, and morbidity and occasional fatalities in humans. The disease is endemic in parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, but is described as emerging due to the wide range of mosquitoes that could spread the disease into non-endemic regions. There are different tests for determining whether animals are infected with or have been exposed to RVFV. The most common serological test is antibody ELISA, which detects host immunoglobulins M or G produced specifically in response to infection with RVFV. The presence of antibodies to RVFV nucleocapsid protein (N-protein) is among the best indicators of RVFV exposure in animals. This work describes an investigation of the feasibility of producing a recombinant N-protein in Nicotiana benthamiana and using it in an ELISA. RESULTS The human-codon optimised RVFV N-protein was successfully expressed in N. benthamiana via Agrobacterium-mediated infiltration of leaves. The recombinant protein was detected as monomers and dimers with maximum protein yields calculated to be 500-558 mg/kg of fresh plant leaves. The identity of the protein was confirmed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) resulting in 87.35% coverage, with 264 unique peptides. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the protein forms ring structures of ~ 10 nm in diameter. Preliminary data revealed that the protein could successfully differentiate between sera of RVFV-infected sheep and from sera of those not infected with the virus. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge this is the first study demonstrating the successful production of RVFV N-protein as a diagnostic reagent by Agrobacterium-mediated transient heterologous expression in N. benthamiana. Preliminary testing of the antigen showed its ability to distinguish RVFV-positive animal sera from RVFV negative animal sera when used in an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cost-effective, scalable and simple production method has great potential for use in developing countries where rapid diagnosis of RVFV is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandiswa Mbewana
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, 6503200115084, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Ann E. Meyers
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, 6503200115084, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
| | - Brandon Weber
- Structural Biology Research Unit, University of Cape Town, P Bag X3, Rondebosch, 7700 South Africa
| | - Vuyokazi Mareledwane
- ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, 100 Old Southpan Road, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
| | - Maryke L. Ferreira
- ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, 100 Old Southpan Road, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
| | - Phelix A. O. Majiwa
- ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, 100 Old Southpan Road, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, 6503200115084, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700 South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Anzio Road, Observatory, Cape Town, 7925 South Africa
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Sheludko YV, Gerasymenko IM, Warzecha H. Transient Expression of Human Cytochrome P450s 2D6 and 3A4 in Nicotiana benthamiana Provides a Possibility for Rapid Substrate Testing and Production of Novel Compounds. Biotechnol J 2018; 13:e1700696. [PMID: 29637719 DOI: 10.1002/biot.201700696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Employment of transient expression of foreign genes for bioconversion of pharmaceutically valuable low-molecular-weight compounds, including plant secondary metabolites, is an enticing trend still scantily explored in plant biotechnology. In the present work, an efficient protocol for rapid assessment of synthetic and plant-derived metabolites as potential substrates for human P450s (CYP2D6 and CYP3A4) via Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in Nicotiana benthamiana is put forth. Animal P450s with broad substrate specificity are promising candidates for transformation of diverse metabolites. The efficiency of P450s in heterologous surroundings is not always satisfactory and depends on the availability of an associated electron-transfer enzyme. Plants represent an attractive assortment of prospective hosts for foreign P450s expression. The optimal composition of genetic blocks providing the highest transient expression efficiency is designed, an effective substrate administration scheme is validated, and biological activity of the investigated P450s against loratadine and several indole alkaloids with different molecular scaffold structures is tested. A novel indole alkaloid, 11-hydroxycorynanthine, is isolated from N. benthamiana plants transiently expressing CYP2D6 and supplemented with corynanthine, and its structure was elucidated. The proposed technique might be of value in realization of combinatorial biosynthesis concept comprising the junction of heterologous enzymes and substrates in different metabolic surroundings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy V Sheludko
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, 64287, Germany
- Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 03143, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Iryna M Gerasymenko
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, 64287, Germany
- Institute of Cell Biology and Genetic Engineering, National Academy of Science of Ukraine, 03143, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Heribert Warzecha
- Plant Biotechnology and Metabolic Engineering, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Darmstadt, 64287, Germany
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MacDonald J. History and Promise of Plant-Made Vaccines for Animals. PROSPECTS OF PLANT-BASED VACCINES IN VETERINARY MEDICINE 2018. [PMCID: PMC7122757 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-90137-4_1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Margolin E, Chapman R, Williamson A, Rybicki EP, Meyers AE. Production of complex viral glycoproteins in plants as vaccine immunogens. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 16:1531-1545. [PMID: 29890031 PMCID: PMC6097131 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Plant molecular farming offers a cost-effective and scalable approach to the expression of recombinant proteins which has been proposed as an alternative to conventional production platforms for developing countries. In recent years, numerous proofs of concept have established that plants can produce biologically active recombinant proteins and immunologically relevant vaccine antigens that are comparable to those made in conventional expression systems. Driving many of these advances is the remarkable plasticity of the plant proteome which enables extensive engineering of the host cell, as well as the development of improved expression vectors facilitating higher levels of protein production. To date, the only plant-derived viral glycoprotein to be tested in humans is the influenza haemagglutinin which expresses at ~50 mg/kg. However, many other viral glycoproteins that have potential as vaccine immunogens only accumulate at low levels in planta. A critical consideration for the production of many of these proteins in heterologous expression systems is the complexity of post-translational modifications, such as control of folding, glycosylation and disulphide bridging, which is required to reproduce the native glycoprotein structure. In this review, we will address potential shortcomings of plant expression systems and discuss strategies to optimally exploit the technology for the production of immunologically relevant and structurally authentic glycoproteins for use as vaccine immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Margolin
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Ros Chapman
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Anna‐Lise Williamson
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Division of Medical VirologyDepartment of PathologyFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineFaculty of Health SciencesUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Ann E. Meyers
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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Yanez RJR, Lamprecht R, Granadillo M, Torrens I, Arcalís E, Stöger E, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. LALF 32-51 -E7, a HPV-16 therapeutic vaccine candidate, forms protein body-like structures when expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2018; 16:628-637. [PMID: 28733985 PMCID: PMC5787834 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.12802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 07/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/17/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) cause cervical cancer, and while there are good prophylactic vaccines on the market, these are ineffective against established infections, creating a clear need for therapeutic vaccines. The HPV E7 protein is one of the essential oncoproteins for the onset and maintenance of malignancy and is therefore an ideal therapeutic vaccine target. We fused the HPV-16 E7 protein to the Limulus polyphemus antilipopolysaccharide factor (LALF32-51 ), a small hydrophobic peptide that can penetrate cell membranes and that has immunomodulatory properties. LALF32-51 -E7 was transiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana, and we previously determined that it accumulated better when targeted to chloroplasts compared to being localized in the cytoplasm. Subsequently, we aimed to prove whether LALF32-51 -E7 was indeed associated with the chloroplasts by determining its subcellular localization. The LALF32-51 -E7 gene was fused to one encoding enhanced GFP to generate a LG fusion protein, and localization was determined by confocal laser scanning microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The fluorescence observed from chloroplast-targeted LG was distinctively different from that of the cytoplasmic LG. Small spherical structures resembling protein bodies (PBs) were seen that clearly localized with the chloroplasts. Larger but less abundant PB-like structures were also seen for the cytoplasmic LG. PB-like structure formation was confirmed for both LG and LALF32-51 -E7 by TEM. LALF32-51 -E7 was indeed targeted to the chloroplasts by the chloroplast transit peptide used in this study, and it formed aggregated PB-like structures. This study could open a new avenue for the use of LALF32-51 as a PB-inducing peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana J. R. Yanez
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Renate Lamprecht
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | | | - Isis Torrens
- Center for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyHavanaCuba
| | - Elsa Arcalís
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Eva Stöger
- Department of Applied Genetics and Cell BiologyUniversity of Natural Resources and Life SciencesViennaAustria
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular MedicineUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Inga I. Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research UnitDepartment of Molecular and Cell BiologyUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
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Ataie Kachoie E, Behjatnia SAA, Kharazmi S. Expression of Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) coat protein genes in plants using cotton leaf curl Multan betasatellite-based vector. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190403. [PMID: 29304063 PMCID: PMC5755781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
It has already been demonstrated that a betasatellite associated with cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMB) can be used as a plant and animal gene delivery vector to plants. To examine the ability of CLCuMB as a tool to transfer coat protein genes of HIV-1 to plants, two recombinant CLCuMB constructs in which the CLCuMB βC1 ORF was replaced with two HIV-1 genes fractions including a 696 bp DNA fragment related to the HIV-1 p24 gene and a 1501 bp DNA fragment related to the HIV-1 gag gene were constructed. Gag is the HIV-1 coat protein gene and p24 is a component of the particle capsid. Gag and p24 are used for vaccine production. Recombinant constructs were inoculated to Nicotiana glutinosa and N. benthamiana plants in the presence of an Iranian isolate of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV-[Ab]) as a helper virus. PCR analysis of inoculated plants indicated that p24 gene was successfully replicated in inoculated plants, but the gag gene was not. Real-time PCR and ELISA analysis of N. glutinosa and N. benthamiana plants containing the replicative forms of recombinant construct of CLCuMB/p24 indicated that p24 was expressed in these plants. This CLCuMB-based expression system offers the possibility of mass production of recombinant HIV-1 p24 protein in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sara Kharazmi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Yanez RJR, Lamprecht R, Granadillo M, Weber B, Torrens I, Rybicki EP, Hitzeroth II. Expression optimization of a cell membrane-penetrating human papillomavirus type 16 therapeutic vaccine candidate in Nicotiana benthamiana. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0183177. [PMID: 28800364 PMCID: PMC5553638 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0183177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
High-risk human papillomaviruses (hr-HPVs) cause cervical cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. A HPV-16 candidate therapeutic vaccine, LALF32-51-E7, was developed by fusing a modified E7 protein to a bacterial cell-penetrating peptide (LALF): this elicited both tumour protection and regression in pre-clinical immunization studies. In the current study, we investigated the potential for producing LALF32-51-E7 in a plant expression system by evaluating the effect of subcellular localization and usage of different expression vectors and gene silencing suppressors. The highest expression levels of LALF32-51-E7 were obtained by using a self-replicating plant expression vector and chloroplast targeting, which increased its accumulation by 27-fold compared to cytoplasmic localization. The production and extraction of LALF32-51-E7 was scaled-up and purification optimized by affinity chromatography. If further developed, this platform could potentially allow for the production of a more affordable therapeutic vaccine for HPV-16. This would be extremely relevant in the context of developing countries, where cervical cancer and other HPV-related malignancies are most prevalent, and where the population have limited or no access to preventative vaccines due to their typical high costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romana J. R. Yanez
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Renate Lamprecht
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Milaid Granadillo
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cubanacan, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Brandon Weber
- Structural Biology Research Unit, Division of Medical Biochemistry, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Isis Torrens
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Cubanacan, Playa, Havana, Cuba
| | - Edward P. Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Observatory, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Inga I. Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa
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Seed Metabolome Analysis of a Transgenic Rice Line Expressing Cholera Toxin B-subunit. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5196. [PMID: 28701756 PMCID: PMC5507873 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04701-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Plant-based human vaccines have been actively developed in recent years, and rice (Oryza sativa L.) is one of the best candidate crops for their production and delivery. By expressing a modified cholera toxin B (CTB) subunit, we previously developed MucoRice-CTB, a rice-based vaccine against cholera, which is caused by infection of the intestine with the bacteria Vibrio cholerae. MucoRice-CTB lines have been extensively characterized by whole-genome sequencing and proteome analyses to evaluate the mutation profiles and proteome status, respectively. Here, we report non-targeted metabolomic profiling of the MucoRice-CTB transgenic rice line 51A (MR-CTB51A), MucoRice-RNAi (MR-RNAi), and their non-transgenic parent line by using gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The levels of several amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and secondary metabolites were significantly increased in MR-CTB51A compared with the non-transgenic parent line. These metabolomics results complement essential information obtained by genome sequencing and proteomics approaches, thereby contributing to comprehensive understanding of the properties of MucoRice-CTB as a plant-based vaccine.
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Disease Prevention: An Opportunity to Expand Edible Plant-Based Vaccines? Vaccines (Basel) 2017; 5:vaccines5020014. [PMID: 28556800 PMCID: PMC5492011 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines5020014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 05/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The lethality of infectious diseases has decreased due to the implementation of crucial sanitary procedures such as vaccination. However, the resurgence of pathogenic diseases in different parts of the world has revealed the importance of identifying novel, rapid, and concrete solutions for control and prevention. Edible vaccines pose an interesting alternative that could overcome some of the constraints of traditional vaccines. The term “edible vaccine” refers to the use of edible parts of a plant that has been genetically modified to produce specific components of a particular pathogen to generate protection against a disease. The aim of this review is to present and critically examine “edible vaccines” as an option for global immunization against pathogenic diseases and their outbreaks and to discuss the necessary steps for their production and control and the list of plants that may already be used as edible vaccines. Additionally, this review discusses the required standards and ethical regulations as well as the advantages and disadvantages associated with this powerful biotechnology tool.
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Giritch A, Klimyuk V, Gleba Y. 125 years of virology and ascent of biotechnologies based on viral expressio. CYTOL GENET+ 2017. [DOI: 10.3103/s0095452717020037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Zaidi SSEA, Mansoor S. Viral Vectors for Plant Genome Engineering. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2017; 8:539. [PMID: 28443125 PMCID: PMC5386974 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in genome engineering (GE) has made it possible to precisely alter DNA sequences in plant cells, providing specifically engineered plants with traits of interest. Gene targeting efficiency depends on the delivery-method of both sequence-specific nucleases and repair templates, to plant cells. Typically, this is achieved using Agrobacterium mediated transformation or particle bombardment, both of which transform only a subset of cells in treated tissues. The alternate in planta approaches, stably integrating nuclease-encoding cassettes and repair templates into the plant genome, are time consuming, expensive and require extra regulations. More efficient GE reagents delivery methods are clearly needed if GE is to become routine, especially in economically important crops that are difficult to transform. Recently, autonomously replicating virus-based vectors have been demonstrated as efficient means of delivering GE reagents in plants. Both DNA viruses (Bean yellow dwarf virus, Wheat dwarf virus and Cabbage leaf curl virus) and RNA virus (Tobacco rattle virus) have demonstrated efficient gene targeting frequencies in model plants (Nicotiana benthamiana) and crops (potato, tomato, rice, and wheat). Here we discuss the recent advances using viral vectors for plant genome engineering, the current limitations and future directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Shan-e-Ali Zaidi
- Molecular Virology and Gene Silencing Laboratory, Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic EngineeringFaisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Mansoor
- Molecular Virology and Gene Silencing Laboratory, Agricultural Biotechnology Division, National Institute for Biotechnology and Genetic EngineeringFaisalabad, Pakistan
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Pang EL, Loh HS. Towards development of a universal dengue vaccine – How close are we? ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2017; 10:220-228. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2016] [Revised: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Kharazmi S, Ataie Kachoie E, Behjatnia SAA. Cotton Leaf Curl Multan Betasatellite DNA as a Tool to Deliver and Express the Human B-Cell Lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) Gene in Plants. Mol Biotechnol 2016; 58:362-72. [PMID: 27041273 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-016-9935-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The betasatellite DNA associated with Cotton leaf curl Multan virus (CLCuMB) contains a single complementary-sense ORF, βC1, which is a pathogenicity determinant. CLCuMB was able to replicate in plants in the presence of diverse helper geminiviruses, including Tomato leaf curl virus-Australia (TLCV-Au), Iranian isolate of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV-[Ab]), and Beet curly top virus (BCTV-Svr), and can be used as a plant gene delivery vector. To test the hypothesis that CLCuMB has the potential to act as an animal gene delivery vector, a specific insertion construct was produced by the introduction of a human B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) cDNA into a mutant DNA of CLCuMB in which the βC1 was deleted (β∆C1). The recombinant βΔC1-Bcl-2 construct was successfully replicated in tomato and tobacco plants in the presence of TLCV-Au, BCTV-Svr and TYLCV-[Ab]. Real-time PCR and Western blot analyses of plants containing the replicative forms of recombinant βΔC1-Bcl-2 DNA showed that Bcl-2 gene was expressed in an acceptable level in these plants, indicating that β∆C1 can be used as a tool to deliver and express animal genes in plants. This CLCuMB-based system, having its own promoter activity, offers the possibility of production of animal recombinant proteins in plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Kharazmi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
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Joung YH, Park SH, Moon KB, Jeon JH, Cho HS, Kim HS. The Last Ten Years of Advancements in Plant-Derived Recombinant Vaccines against Hepatitis B. Int J Mol Sci 2016; 17:E1715. [PMID: 27754367 PMCID: PMC5085746 DOI: 10.3390/ijms17101715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 09/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Disease prevention through vaccination is considered to be the greatest contribution to public health over the past century. Every year more than 100 million children are vaccinated with the standard World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended vaccines including hepatitis B (HepB). HepB is the most serious type of liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), however, it can be prevented by currently available recombinant vaccine, which has an excellent record of safety and effectiveness. To date, recombinant vaccines are produced in many systems of bacteria, yeast, insect, and mammalian and plant cells. Among these platforms, the use of plant cells has received considerable attention in terms of intrinsic safety, scalability, and appropriate modification of target proteins. Research groups worldwide have attempted to develop more efficacious plant-derived vaccines for over 30 diseases, most frequently HepB and influenza. More inspiring, approximately 12 plant-made antigens have already been tested in clinical trials, with successful outcomes. In this study, the latest information from the last 10 years on plant-derived antigens, especially hepatitis B surface antigen, approaches are reviewed and breakthroughs regarding the weak points are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hee Joung
- School of Biological Sciences & Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
| | - Se Hee Park
- School of Biological Sciences & Technology, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
| | - Ki-Beom Moon
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Jae-Heung Jeon
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Hye-Sun Cho
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
| | - Hyun-Soon Kim
- Molecular Biofarming Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience & Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea.
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Production and immunogenicity of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae ApxIIA protein in transgenic rice callus. Protein Expr Purif 2016; 132:116-123. [PMID: 27215671 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a major etiological agent that is responsible for swine pleuropneumonia, a highly contagious respiratory infection that causes severe economic losses in the swine production industry. ApxIIA is one of the virulence factors in A. pleuropneumoniae and has been considered as a candidate for developing a vaccine against the bacterial infection. A gene encoding an ApxIIA fragment (amino acids 439-801) was modified based on a plant-optimized codon and constructed into a plant expression vector under the control of a promoter and the 3' UTR of the rice amylase 3D gene. The plant expression vector was introduced into rice embryogenic callus (Oryza sativa L. cv. Dongjin) via particle bombardment-mediated transformation. The integration and transcription of the ApxIIA439-801 gene were confirmed by using genomic DNA PCR amplification and Northern blot analysis, respectively. The synthesis of ApxIIA439-801 antigen protein in transgenic rice callus was confirmed by western blot analysis. The concentration of antigen protein in lyophilized samples of transgenic rice callus was 250 μg/g. Immunizing mice with protein extracts from transgenic plants intranasally elicited secretory IgA. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using a transgenic plant to elicit immune responses against A. pleuropneumoniae.
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Lamprecht RL, Kennedy P, Huddy SM, Bethke S, Hendrikse M, Hitzeroth II, Rybicki EP. Production of Human papillomavirus pseudovirions in plants and their use in pseudovirion-based neutralisation assays in mammalian cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20431. [PMID: 26853456 PMCID: PMC4745065 DOI: 10.1038/srep20431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPV) cause cervical cancer and have recently also been implicated in mouth, laryngeal and anogenital cancers. There are three commercially available prophylactic vaccines that show good efficacy; however, efforts to develop second-generation vaccines that are more affordable, stable and elicit a wider spectrum of cross-neutralising immunity are still ongoing. Testing antisera elicited by current and candidate HPV vaccines for neutralizing antibodies is done using a HPV pseudovirion (PsV)-based neutralisation assay (PBNA). PsVs are produced by transfection of mammalian cell cultures with plasmids expressing L1 and L2 capsid proteins, and a reporter gene plasmid, a highly expensive process. We investigated making HPV-16 PsVs in plants, in order to develop a cheaper alternative. The secreted embryonic alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) reporter gene and promoter were cloned into a geminivirus-derived plant expression vector, in order to produce circular dsDNA replicons. This was co-introduced into Nicotiana benthamiana plants with vectors expressing L1 and L2 via agroinfiltration, and presumptive PsVs were purified. The PsVs contained DNA, and could be successfully used for PBNA with anti-HPV antibodies. This is the first demonstration of the production of mammalian pseudovirions in plants, and the first demonstration of the potential of plants to make DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renate L Lamprecht
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Paul Kennedy
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Suzanne M Huddy
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Susanne Bethke
- Pharmaceutical Product Development, Fraunhofer IME, Aachen, 52074, Germany
| | - Megan Hendrikse
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Inga I Hitzeroth
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
| | - Edward P Rybicki
- Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
- Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701, South Africa
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Waheed MT, Sameeullah M, Khan FA, Syed T, Ilahi M, Gottschamel J, Lössl AG. Need of cost-effective vaccines in developing countries: What plant biotechnology can offer? SPRINGERPLUS 2016; 5:65. [PMID: 26839758 PMCID: PMC4722051 DOI: 10.1186/s40064-016-1713-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
To treat current infectious diseases, different therapies are used that include drugs or vaccines or both. Currently, the world is facing an increasing problem of drug resistance from many pathogenic microorganisms. In majority of cases, when vaccines are used, formulations consist of live attenuated microorganisms. This poses an additional risk of infection in immunocompromised patients and people suffering from malnutrition in developing countries. Therefore, there is need to improve drug therapy as well as to develop next generation vaccines, in particular against infectious diseases with highest mortality rates. For patients in developing countries, costs related to treatments are one of the major hurdles to reduce the disease burden. In many cases, use of prophylactic vaccines can help to control the incidence of infectious diseases. In the present review, we describe some infectious diseases with high impact on health of people in low and middle income countries. We discuss the prospects of plants as alternative platform for the development of next-generation subunit vaccines that can be a cost-effective source for mass immunization of people in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Tahir Waheed
- />Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320 Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sameeullah
- />Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Abant Izzet Baysal University, Golkoy Campus, 14280 Bolu, Turkey
| | - Faheem Ahmed Khan
- />Molecular Biotechnology Laboratory for Triticeae Crops, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Tahira Syed
- />Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320 Pakistan
| | - Manzoor Ilahi
- />Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320 Pakistan
| | | | - Andreas Günter Lössl
- />Department of Applied Plant Sciences and Plant Biotechnology, University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Konrad Lorenz Straße 24, 3430 Tulln an der Donau, Austria
- />AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Donau-City-Straße 1, 1220 Vienna, Austria
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Molecular pharming - VLPs made in plants. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2016; 37:201-206. [PMID: 26773389 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2015.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Plant-based expression offers a safe, inexpensive and potentially limitless way to produce therapeutics in a quick and flexible manner. Plants require only simple inorganic nutrients, water, carbon dioxide and sunlight for efficient growth. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are convincing look-alikes of viruses but without carrying infectious genomic material. However, they can still elicit a very potent immune response which makes them ideal vaccine candidates. In this review the different methods of plant expression are described together with the most recent developments in the field of transiently-expressed plant-made VLPs.
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