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Pascha MN, Ballegeer M, Roelofs MC, Meuris L, Albulescu IC, van Kuppeveld FJM, Hurdiss DL, Bosch BJ, Zeev-Ben-Mordehai T, Saelens X, de Haan CAM. Nanoparticle display of neuraminidase elicits enhanced antibody responses and protection against influenza A virus challenge. NPJ Vaccines 2024; 9:97. [PMID: 38821988 PMCID: PMC11143307 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-024-00891-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Current Influenza virus vaccines primarily induce antibody responses against variable epitopes in hemagglutinin (HA), necessitating frequent updates. However, antibodies against neuraminidase (NA) can also confer protection against influenza, making NA an attractive target for the development of novel vaccines. In this study, we aimed to enhance the immunogenicity of recombinant NA antigens by presenting them multivalently on a nanoparticle carrier. Soluble tetrameric NA antigens of the N1 and N2 subtypes, confirmed to be correctly folded by cryo-electron microscopy structural analysis, were conjugated to Mi3 self-assembling protein nanoparticles using the SpyTag-SpyCatcher system. Immunization of mice with NA-Mi3 nanoparticles induced higher titers of NA-binding and -inhibiting antibodies and improved protection against a lethal challenge compared to unconjugated NA. Additionally, we explored the co-presentation of N1 and N2 antigens on the same Mi3 particles to create a mosaic vaccine candidate. These mosaic nanoparticles elicited antibody titers that were similar or superior to the homotypic nanoparticles and effectively protected against H1N1 and H3N2 challenge viruses. The NA-Mi3 nanoparticles represent a promising vaccine candidate that could complement HA-directed approaches for enhanced potency and broadened protection against influenza A virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- M N Pascha
- Section of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - M Ballegeer
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - M C Roelofs
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - L Meuris
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - I C Albulescu
- Section of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - F J M van Kuppeveld
- Section of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - D L Hurdiss
- Section of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - B J Bosch
- Section of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - T Zeev-Ben-Mordehai
- Structural Biochemistry, Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - X Saelens
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
- Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent University, 9052, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - C A M de Haan
- Section of Virology, Division of Infectious Diseases & Immunology, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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Kasten-Jolly J, Lawrence DA. Cellular and Molecular Immunity to Influenza Viruses and Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2024; 12:389. [PMID: 38675771 PMCID: PMC11154265 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12040389] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Immune responses to influenza (flu) antigens reflect memory of prior infections or vaccinations, which might influence immunity to new flu antigens. Memory of past antigens has been termed "original antigenic sin" or, more recently, "immune imprinting" and "seniority". We have researched a comparison between the immune response to live flu infections and inactivated flu vaccinations. A brief history of antibody generation theories is presented, culminating in new findings about the immune-network theory and suggesting that a network of clones exists between anti-idiotypic antibodies and T cell receptors. Findings regarding the 2009 pandemic flu strain and immune responses to it are presented, including memory B cells and conserved regions within the hemagglutinin protein. The importance of CD4+ memory T cells and cytotoxic CD8+ T cells responding to both infections and vaccinations are discussed and compared. Innate immune cells, like natural killer (NK) cells and macrophages, are discussed regarding their roles in adaptive immune responses. Antigen presentation via macroautophagy processes is described. New vaccines in development are mentioned along with the results of some clinical trials. The manuscript concludes with how repeated vaccinations are impacting the immune system and a sketch of what might be behind the imprinting phenomenon, including future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Kasten-Jolly
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12208, USA;
| | - David A. Lawrence
- Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12208, USA;
- Departments of Biomedical Science and Environmental Health Science, University at Albany School of Public Health, Rensselaer, NY 12144, USA
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Lederhofer J, Tsybovsky Y, Nguyen L, Raab JE, Creanga A, Stephens T, Gillespie RA, Syeda HZ, Fisher BE, Skertic M, Yap C, Schaub AJ, Rawi R, Kwong PD, Graham BS, McDermott AB, Andrews SF, King NP, Kanekiyo M. Protective human monoclonal antibodies target conserved sites of vulnerability on the underside of influenza virus neuraminidase. Immunity 2024; 57:574-586.e7. [PMID: 38430907 PMCID: PMC10962683 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Continuously evolving influenza viruses cause seasonal epidemics and pose global pandemic threats. Although viral neuraminidase (NA) is an effective drug and vaccine target, our understanding of the NA antigenic landscape still remains incomplete. Here, we describe NA-specific human antibodies that target the underside of the NA globular head domain, inhibit viral propagation of a wide range of human H3N2, swine-origin variant H3N2, and H2N2 viruses, and confer both pre- and post-exposure protection against lethal H3N2 infection in mice. Cryo-EM structures of two such antibodies in complex with NA reveal non-overlapping epitopes covering the underside of the NA head. These sites are highly conserved among N2 NAs yet inaccessible unless the NA head tilts or dissociates. Our findings help guide the development of effective countermeasures against ever-changing influenza viruses by identifying hidden conserved sites of vulnerability on the NA underside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lederhofer
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Lam Nguyen
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Julie E Raab
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Adrian Creanga
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Tyler Stephens
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Rebecca A Gillespie
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Hubza Z Syeda
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Brian E Fisher
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Michelle Skertic
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Christina Yap
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrew J Schaub
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Reda Rawi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Peter D Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Barney S Graham
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Adrian B McDermott
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sarah F Andrews
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Neil P King
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Institute for Protein Design, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Masaru Kanekiyo
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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Wu NC, Ellebedy AH. Targeting neuraminidase: the next frontier for broadly protective influenza vaccines. Trends Immunol 2024; 45:11-19. [PMID: 38103991 PMCID: PMC10841738 DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2023.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Current seasonal influenza vaccines, which mainly target hemagglutinin (HA), require annual updates due to the continuous antigenic drift of the influenza virus. Developing an influenza vaccine with increased breadth of protection will have significant public health benefits. The recent discovery of broadly protective antibodies to neuraminidase (NA) has provided important insights into developing a universal influenza vaccine, either by improving seasonal influenza vaccines or designing novel immunogens. However, further in-depth molecular characterizations of NA antibody responses are warranted to fully leverage broadly protective NA antibodies for influenza vaccine designs. Overall, we posit that focusing on NA for influenza vaccine development is synergistic with existing efforts targeting HA, and may represent a cost-effective approach to generating a broadly protective influenza vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas C Wu
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Center for Biophysics and Quantitative Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA; Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA.
| | - Ali H Ellebedy
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; The Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 63110, USA.
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Zhang X, Ross TM. Anti-neuraminidase immunity in the combat against influenza. Expert Rev Vaccines 2024; 23:474-484. [PMID: 38632930 PMCID: PMC11157429 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2024.2343689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Anti-neuraminidase (NA) immunity correlates with the protection against influenza virus infection in both human and animal models. The aim of this review is to better understand the mechanism of anti-NA immunity, and also to evaluate the approaches on developing NA-based influenza vaccines or enhancing immune responses against NA for current influenza vaccines. AREAS COVERED In this review, the structure of influenza neuraminidase, the contribution of anti-NA immunity to protection, as well as the efforts and challenges of targeting the immune responses to NA were discussed. We also listed some of the newly discovered anti-NA monoclonal antibodies and discussed their contribution in therapeutic as well as the antigen design of a broadly protective NA vaccine. EXPERT OPINION Targeting the immune response to both HA and NA may be critical for achieving the optimal protection since there are different mechanisms of HA and NA elicited protective immunity. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that target the conserved protective lateral face or catalytic sites are effective therapeutics. The epitope discovery using monoclonal antibodies may benefit NA-based vaccine elicited broadly reactive antibody responses. Therefore, the potential for a vaccine that elicits cross-reactive antibodies against neuraminidase is a high priority for next-generation influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojian Zhang
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Ted M. Ross
- Center for Vaccines and Immunology, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Department of Infectious Diseases, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
- Florida Research and Innovation Center, Cleveland Clinic, Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA
- Department of Infection Biology, Lehner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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Ippolito GC. Illuminating the dark side of neuraminidase in influenza immunity. Immunity 2023; 56:2463-2465. [PMID: 37967527 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The influenza neuraminidase has historically been understudied compared to its surface protein counterpart, hemagglutinin. In two recent Immunity papers, Hansen et al. and Lei et al. bolster resurging interest in neuraminidase-targeting antibodies and their implications for therapy and "universal" vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory C Ippolito
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
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