1
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Avižinienė A, Dalgėdienė I, Armalytė J, Petraitytė-Burneikienė R. Immunogenicity of novel vB_EcoS_NBD2 bacteriophage-originated nanotubes as a carrier for peptide-based vaccines. Virus Res 2024; 345:199370. [PMID: 38614253 PMCID: PMC11059446 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Non-infectious virus-like nanoparticles mimic native virus structures and can be modified by inserting foreign protein fragments, making them immunogenic tools for antigen presentation. This study investigated, for the first time, the immunogenicity of long and flexible polytubes formed by yeast-expressed tail tube protein gp39 of bacteriophage vB_EcoS_NBD2 and evaluated their ability to elicit an immune response against the inserted protein fragments. Protein gp39-based polytubes induced humoral immune response in mice, even without the use of adjuvant. Bioinformatics analysis guided the selection of protein fragments from Acinetobacter baumannii for insertion into the C-terminus of gp39. Chimeric polytubes, displaying 28-amino acid long OmpA protein fragment, induced IgG response against OmpA protein fragment in immunized mice. These polytubes demonstrated their effectiveness both as antigen carrier and an adjuvant, when the OmpA fragments were either displayed on chimeric polytubes or used alongside with the unmodified polytubes. Our findings expand the potential applications of long and flexible polytubes, contributing to the development of novel antigen carriers with improved immunogenicity and antigen presentation capabilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliona Avižinienė
- Department of Eukaryote Gene Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Indrė Dalgėdienė
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Julija Armalytė
- Institute of Biosciences, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Petraitytė-Burneikienė
- Department of Eukaryote Gene Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, Vilnius, Lithuania
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2
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Williams LA, Neophytou A, Garmann RF, Chakrabarti D, Manoharan VN. Effect of coat-protein concentration on the self-assembly of bacteriophage MS2 capsids around RNA. NANOSCALE 2024; 16:3121-3132. [PMID: 38258446 DOI: 10.1039/d3nr03292b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Self-assembly is a vital part of the life cycle of certain icosahedral RNA viruses. Furthermore, the assembly process can be harnessed to make icosahedral virus-like particles (VLPs) from coat protein and RNA in vitro. Although much previous work has explored the effects of RNA-protein interactions on the assembly products, relatively little research has explored the effects of coat-protein concentration. We mix coat protein and RNA from bacteriophage MS2, and we use a combination of gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the assembly products. We show that with increasing coat-protein concentration, the products transition from well-formed MS2 VLPs to "monster" particles consisting of multiple partial capsids to RNA-protein condensates consisting of large networks of RNA and partially assembled capsids. We argue that the transition from well-formed to monster particles arises because the assembly follows a nucleation-and-growth pathway in which the nucleation rate depends sensitively on the coat-protein concentration, such that at high protein concentrations, multiple nuclei can form on each RNA strand. To understand the formation of the condensates, which occurs at even higher coat-protein concentrations, we use Monte Carlo simulations with coarse-grained models of capsomers and RNA. These simulations suggest that the formation of condensates occurs by the adsorption of protein to the RNA followed by the assembly of capsids. Multiple RNA molecules can become trapped when a capsid grows from capsomers attached to two different RNA molecules or when excess protein bridges together growing capsids on different RNA molecules. Our results provide insight into an important biophysical process and could inform design rules for making VLPs for various applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- LaNell A Williams
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
| | - Andreas Neophytou
- School of Chemistry, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Rees F Garmann
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
- Viral Information Institute, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182, USA
| | | | - Vinothan N Manoharan
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
- Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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3
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Wamhoff EC, Ronsard L, Feldman J, Knappe GA, Hauser BM, Romanov A, Case JB, Sanapala S, Lam EC, Denis KJS, Boucau J, Barczak AK, Balazs AB, Diamond MS, Schmidt AG, Lingwood D, Bathe M. Enhancing antibody responses by multivalent antigen display on thymus-independent DNA origami scaffolds. Nat Commun 2024; 15:795. [PMID: 38291019 PMCID: PMC10828404 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44869-0] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein-based virus-like particles (P-VLPs) are commonly used to spatially organize antigens and enhance humoral immunity through multivalent antigen display. However, P-VLPs are thymus-dependent antigens that are themselves immunogenic and can induce B cell responses that may neutralize the platform. Here, we investigate thymus-independent DNA origami as an alternative material for multivalent antigen display using the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, the primary target of neutralizing antibody responses. Sequential immunization of mice with DNA-based VLPs (DNA-VLPs) elicits protective neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in a manner that depends on the valency of the antigen displayed and on T cell help. Importantly, the immune sera do not contain boosted, class-switched antibodies against the DNA scaffold, in contrast to P-VLPs that elicit strong B cell memory against both the target antigen and the scaffold. Thus, DNA-VLPs enhance target antigen immunogenicity without generating scaffold-directed immunity and thereby offer an important alternative material for particulate vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike-Christian Wamhoff
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Larance Ronsard
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Jared Feldman
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Grant A Knappe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Blake M Hauser
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Anna Romanov
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - James Brett Case
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Shilpa Sanapala
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Evan C Lam
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Kerri J St Denis
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Julie Boucau
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Amy K Barczak
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Alejandro B Balazs
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Aaron G Schmidt
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
| | - Daniel Lingwood
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
| | - Mark Bathe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
- Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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4
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Peabody J, Core SB, Ronsard L, Lingwood D, Peabody DS, Chackerian B. An Approach for Antigen-Agnostic Identification of Virus-Like Particle-Displayed Epitopes that Engage Specific Antibody V Gene Regions. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2720:55-74. [PMID: 37775657 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3469-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Antibody complementarity determining regions (CDRs) participate in antigen recognition, but not all participate equally in antigen binding. Here we describe a technique for discovering strong, specific binding partners to defined motifs within the CDRs of chimeric, engineered antibodies using affinity selection and counter-selection of epitopes displayed on bacteriophage MS2-based virus-like particles (VLPs). As an example, we show how this technique can be used to identify families of VLPs that interact with antibodies displaying the CDRs encoded by the germline precursor of a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody against HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julianne Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Susan B Core
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Larance Ronsard
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel Lingwood
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David S Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Bryce Chackerian
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
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5
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Tumban E. Bacteriophage Virus-Like Particles: Platforms for Vaccine Design. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2738:411-423. [PMID: 37966612 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3549-0_24] [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] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from bacteriophages have many applications in biomedical sciences, especially in the development of candidate vaccines against viral and bacterial infections. Bacteriophage VLPs can be manufactured cheaply and in large quantities in bacteria compared to eukaryotic expression systems. In addition to this, bacteriophage VLPs are excellent platforms for vaccine design for the following reason: Humans do not have preexisting antibodies against bacteriophage VLPs. Thus, antigens displayed on bacteriophage VLP platforms are expected to be highly immunogenic. As such, VLPs derived from MS2, PP7, Qβ, AP205, P22 bacteriophages, etc. have been used to develop candidate vaccines against human infectious and noninfectious agents. This mini-review summarizes data from some of the candidate bacteriophage-based VLP peptide vaccines that have been developed. The review also highlights some strategies used to develop the candidate bacteriophage-based VLP peptide vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Tumban
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA.
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6
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Dang M, Wu LJ, Zhang SR, Zhu JR, Hu YZ, Yang CX, Zhang XY. MS2 Virus-like Particles as a Versatile Peptide Presentation Platform: Insights into the Deterministic Abilities for Accommodating Heterologous Peptide Lengths. ACS Synth Biol 2023; 12:3704-3715. [PMID: 37946498 PMCID: PMC10729756 DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.3c00503] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures with the potential to present heterologous peptides at high density, thereby triggering heightened immunogenicity. RNA bacteriophage MS2 VLPs are a compelling delivery platform among them. However, a notable hurdle arises from the immune response toward MS2 coat protein, swiftly eliminating subsequent vaccinations via the same vector. Although larger inserts effectively mask carrier epitopes, current research predominantly focuses on displaying short conserved peptides (<30 aa). A systematic evaluation regarding the deterministic ability of MS2 VLPs as a platform for presenting heterologous peptides remains a gap. In light of this, we employed the "single-chain dimer" paradigm to scrutinize the tolerance of MS2 VLPs for peptide/protein insertions. The results unveiled functional MS2 VLP assembly solely for inserts smaller than 91 aa. Particularly noteworthy is the largest insertion achieved on the MS2 VLPs to date: the RNA helicase A (RHA) dsRNA-binding domains (dsRBD1). Attempts to introduce additional linkers or empty coat subunits fail to augment the expression level or assembly of the MS2 VLPs displaying dsRBD1, affirming 91 aa as the upper threshold for exogenous protein presentation. By illuminating the precise confines of MS2 VLPs in accommodating distinct peptide lengths, our study informs the selection of appropriate peptide and protein dimensions. This revelation not only underscores the scope of MS2 VLPs but also establishes a pivotal reference point, facilitating the strategic manipulation of MS2 VLPs to design next-generation epitope/antibody-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Dang
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
- Department
of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 10 Keng Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore
| | - Long J. Wu
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
| | - Si R. Zhang
- Xi’an
Middle School of Shaanxi Province, Fengcheng Wulu 69, Weiyang, Xi’an 710006, China
- Department
of Genetics, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94304, United States
- HSS,
Stanford University, Palo Alto, California 94305, United States
| | - Jian R. Zhu
- School of
Pharmacy, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
| | - Yu Z. Hu
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
| | - Chen X. Yang
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
| | - Xiao Y. Zhang
- Qinba
State Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Ecological Environment,
College of Biological Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Technology, Hanzhong, Shaanxi 723000, China
- Centre
of Molecular & Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
- Department
of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
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7
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Keshavarz-Joud P, Zhao L, Bobe D, Hernandez C, Kopylov M, Yen LY, Djeddar N, Thompson B, Connors C, Gibson G, Bryksin A, Finn M. Exploring the Landscape of the PP7 Virus-like Particle for Peptide Display. ACS NANO 2023; 17:18470-18480. [PMID: 37669408 PMCID: PMC10540251 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembling virus-like particles (VLPs) can tolerate a wide degree of genetic and chemical manipulation to their capsid protein to display a foreign molecule polyvalently. We previously reported the successful incorporation of foreign peptide sequences in the junction loop and onto the C-terminus of PP7 dimer VLPs, as these regions are accessible for surface display on assembled capsids. Here, we report the implementation of a library-based approach to test the assembly tolerance of PP7 dimer capsid proteins to insertions or terminal extensions of randomized 15-mer peptide sequences. By performing two iterative rounds of assembly-based selection, we evaluated the degree of favorability of all 20 amino acids at each of the 15 randomized positions. Deep sequencing analysis revealed a distinct preference for the inclusion of hydrophilic peptides and negatively charged amino acids (Asp and Glu) and the exclusion of positively charged peptides and bulky and hydrophobic amino acid residues (Trp, Phe, Tyr, and Cys). Within the libraries tested here, we identified 4000 to 22,000 unique 15-mer peptide sequences that can successfully be displayed on the surface of the PP7 dimer capsid. Overall, the use of small initial libraries consisting of no more than a few million members yielded a significantly larger number of unique and assembly-competent VLP sequences than have been previously characterized for this class of nucleoprotein particle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Keshavarz-Joud
- School
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Liangjun Zhao
- School
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Daija Bobe
- New
York Structural Biology Center, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Carolina Hernandez
- New
York Structural Biology Center, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Mykhailo Kopylov
- New
York Structural Biology Center, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Laura Y. Yen
- New
York Structural Biology Center, New York, New York 10027, United States
| | - Naima Djeddar
- Parker
H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Brianna Thompson
- School
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Caleb Connors
- School
of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Greg Gibson
- School
of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - Anton Bryksin
- Parker
H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
| | - M.G. Finn
- School
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
- School
of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute
of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30306, United States
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8
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Wamhoff EC, Ronsard L, Feldman J, Knappe GA, Hauser BM, Romanov A, Lam E, Denis KS, Boucau J, Barczak AK, Balazs AB, Schmidt A, Lingwood D, Bathe M. Enhancing antibody responses by multivalent antigen display on thymus-independent DNA origami scaffolds. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2022.08.16.504128. [PMID: 36032975 PMCID: PMC9413718 DOI: 10.1101/2022.08.16.504128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Multivalent antigen display is a well-established principle to enhance humoral immunity. Protein-based virus-like particles (VLPs) are commonly used to spatially organize antigens. However, protein-based VLPs are limited in their ability to control valency on fixed scaffold geometries and are thymus-dependent antigens that elicit neutralizing B cell memory themselves, which can distract immune responses. Here, we investigated DNA origami as an alternative material for multivalent antigen display in vivo, applied to the receptor binding domain (RBD) of SARS-CoV2 that is the primary antigenic target of neutralizing antibody responses. Icosahedral DNA-VLPs elicited neutralizing antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in a valency-dependent manner following sequential immunization in mice, quantified by pseudo- and live-virus neutralization assays. Further, induction of B cell memory against the RBD required T cell help, but the immune sera did not contain boosted, class-switched antibodies against the DNA scaffold. This contrasted with protein-based VLP display of the RBD that elicited B cell memory against both the target antigen and the scaffold. Thus, DNA-based VLPs enhance target antigen immunogenicity without generating off-target, scaffold-directed immune memory, thereby offering a potentially important alternative material for particulate vaccine design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eike-Christian Wamhoff
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Larance Ronsard
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Jared Feldman
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Grant A. Knappe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Blake M. Hauser
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Anna Romanov
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Evan Lam
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Kerri St. Denis
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Julie Boucau
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Amy K Barczak
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Alejandro B. Balazs
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Aaron Schmidt
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
- Department of Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Daniel Lingwood
- Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
| | - Mark Bathe
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States
- Harvard Medical School Initiative for RNA Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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9
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Frey SJ, Carreño JM, Bielak D, Arsiwala A, Altomare CG, Varner C, Rosen-Cheriyan T, Bajic G, Krammer F, Kane RS. Nanovaccines Displaying the Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin in an Inverted Orientation Elicit an Enhanced Stalk-Directed Antibody Response. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202729. [PMID: 36689343 PMCID: PMC10386890 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Despite the availability of licensed vaccines, influenza causes considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Current influenza vaccines elicit an immune response that primarily targets the head domain of the viral glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA). Influenza viruses, however, readily evade this response by acquiring mutations in the head domain. While vaccines that target the more conserved HA stalk may circumvent this problem, low levels of antistalk antibodies are elicited by vaccination, possibly due to the poor accessibility of the stalk domain to B cell receptors. In this work, it is demonstrated that nanoparticles presenting HA in an inverted orientation generate tenfold higher antistalk antibody titers after a prime immunization and fivefold higher antistalk titers after a boost than nanoparticles displaying HA in its regular orientation. Moreover, nanoparticles presenting HA in an inverted orientation elicit a broader antistalk response that reduces mouse weight loss and improves survival after challenge to a greater extent than nanoparticles displaying HA in a regular orientation. Refocusing the antibody response toward conserved epitopes by controlling antigen orientation may enable the design of broadly protective nanovaccines targeting influenza viruses and other pathogens with pandemic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Frey
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Juan Manuel Carreño
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dominika Bielak
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ammar Arsiwala
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Clara G Altomare
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Chad Varner
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Tania Rosen-Cheriyan
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Goran Bajic
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Vaccine Research and Pandemic Preparedness (C-VaRPP), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ravi S Kane
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
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10
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Meng L, Teng Z, Yang S, Wang N, Guan Y, Chen X, Liu Y. Biomimetic nanoparticles for DC vaccination: a versatile approach to boost cancer immunotherapy. NANOSCALE 2023; 15:6432-6455. [PMID: 36916703 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr07071e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Cancer immunotherapy, which harnesses the immune system to fight cancer, has begun to make a breakthrough in clinical applications. Dendritic cells (DCs) are the bridge linking innate and adaptive immunity and the trigger of tumor immune response. Considering the cumbersome process and poor efficacy of classic DC vaccines, there has been interest in transferring the field of in vitro-generated DC vaccines to nanovaccines. Conventional nanoparticles have insufficient targeting ability and are easily cleared by the reticuloendothelial system. Biological components have evolved very specific functions, which are difficult to fully reproduce with synthetic materials, making people interested in using the further understanding of biological systems to prepare nanoparticles with new and enhanced functions. Biomimetic nanoparticles are semi-biological or nature-derived delivery systems comprising one or more natural materials, which have a long circulation time in vivo and excellent performance of targeting DCs, and can mimic the antigen-presenting behavior of DCs. In this review, we introduce the classification, design, preparation, and challenges of different biomimetic nanoparticles, and discuss their application in activating DCs in vivo and stimulating T cell antitumor immunity. Incorporating biomimetic nanoparticles into cancer immunotherapy has shown outstanding advantages in precisely coaxing the immune system against cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyang Meng
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China.
| | - Zhuang Teng
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China.
| | - Shuang Yang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China.
| | - Na Wang
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China.
| | - YingHua Guan
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China.
| | - Xiguang Chen
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China.
- Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266000, P.R. China
| | - Ya Liu
- College of Marine Life Science, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266003, P.R. China.
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11
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Yuan B, Liu Y, Lv M, Sui Y, Hou S, Yang T, Belhadj Z, Zhou Y, Chang N, Ren Y, Sun C. Virus-like particle-based nanocarriers as an emerging platform for drug delivery. J Drug Target 2023; 31:433-455. [PMID: 36940208 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2193358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
New nanocarrier technologies are emerging, and they have great potential for improving drug delivery, targeting efficiency, and bioavailability. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are natural nanoparticles from animal and plant viruses and bacteriophages. Hence, VLPs present several great advantages, such as morphological uniformity, biocompatibility, reduced toxicity, and easy functionalisation. VLPs can deliver many active ingredients to the target tissue and have great potential as a nanocarrier to overcome the limitations associated with other nanoparticles. This review will focus primarily on the construction and applications of VLPs, particularly as a novel nanocarrier to deliver active ingredients. Herein, the main methods for the construction, purification, and characterisation of VLPs, as well as various VLP-based materials used in delivery systems are summarised. The biological distribution of VLPs in drug delivery, phagocyte-mediated clearance, and toxicity are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, No.100, Kexue Avenue, Zhengzhou 450001, China
| | - Meilin Lv
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Yilei Sui
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Shenghua Hou
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Tinghui Yang
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Zakia Belhadj
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmaceutics and New Drug Delivery Systems, State Key Laboratory of Natural and Biomimetic Drugs, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Yulong Zhou
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Naidan Chang
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China
| | - Yachao Ren
- Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing 163319, China.,School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Tianjin University of Technology, tianjin, 300000, China
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12
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Palma M. Aspects of Phage-Based Vaccines for Protein and Epitope Immunization. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020436. [PMID: 36851313 PMCID: PMC9967953 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Because vaccine development is a difficult process, this study reviews aspects of phages as vaccine delivery vehicles through a literature search. The results demonstrated that because phages have adjuvant properties and are safe for humans and animals, they are an excellent vaccine tool for protein and epitope immunization. The phage genome can easily be manipulated to display antigens or create DNA vaccines. Additionally, they are easy to produce on a large scale, which lowers their manufacturing costs. They are stable under various conditions, which can facilitate their transport and storage. However, no medicine regulatory agency has yet authorized phage-based vaccines despite the considerable preclinical data confirming their benefits. The skeptical perspective of phages should be overcome because humans encounter bacteriophages in their environment all the time without suffering adverse effects. The lack of clinical trials, endotoxin contamination, phage composition, and long-term negative effects are some obstacles preventing the development of phage vaccines. However, their prospects should be promising because phages are safe in clinical trials; they have been authorized as a food additive to avoid food contamination and approved for emergency use in phage therapy against difficult-to-treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, this encourages the use of phages in vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palma
- Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education (IGDORE), 03181 Torrevieja, Spain;
- Creative Biolabs Inc., Shirley, NY 11967, USA
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13
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Fowler A, Ye C, Clarke EC, Pascale JM, Peabody DS, Bradfute SB, Frietze KM, Chackerian B. A method for mapping the linear epitopes targeted by the natural antibody response to Zika virus infection using a VLP platform technology. Virology 2023; 579:101-110. [PMID: 36623351 PMCID: PMC9904412 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2023.01.001] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV), a mosquito-borne pathogen, is associated with neurological complications in adults and congenital abnormalities in newborns. There are no vaccines or treatments for ZIKV infection. Understanding the specificity of natural antibody responses to ZIKV could help inform vaccine efforts. Here, we used a technology called Deep Sequence-Coupled Biopanning to map the targets of the human antibody responses to ZIKV infection. A bacteriophage virus-like particle (VLP) library displaying overlapping linear peptides derived from the ZIKV polyprotein was generated. The library was panned using IgG from 23 ZIKV-infected patients from Panama and deep sequencing identified common targets of anti-ZIKV antibodies within the ZIKV envelope glycoprotein. These included epitopes within the fusion loop within domain II and four epitopes within domain III. Additionally, we showed that VLPs displaying selected epitopes elicited antibodies that bound to native ZIKV envelope protein but failed to prevent infection in a mouse challenge model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Fowler
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
| | - Chunyan Ye
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Elizabeth C Clarke
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | | | - David S Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Steven B Bradfute
- Center for Global Health, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Kathryn M Frietze
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Bryce Chackerian
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA.
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14
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Kim SA, Lee Y, Ko Y, Kim S, Kim GB, Lee NK, Ahn W, Kim N, Nam GH, Lee EJ, Kim IS. Protein-based nanocages for vaccine development. J Control Release 2023; 353:767-791. [PMID: 36516900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Protein nanocages have attracted considerable attention in various fields of nanomedicine due to their intrinsic properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, high structural stability, and ease of modification of their surfaces and inner cavities. In vaccine development, these protein nanocages are suited for efficient targeting to and retention in the lymph nodes and can enhance immunogenicity through various mechanisms, including excellent uptake by antigen-presenting cells and crosslinking with multiple B cell receptors. This review highlights the superiority of protein nanocages as antigen delivery carriers based on their physiological and immunological properties such as biodistribution, immunogenicity, stability, and multifunctionality. With a focus on design, we discuss the utilization and efficacy of protein nanocages such as virus-like particles, caged proteins, and artificial caged proteins against cancer and infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, we summarize available knowledge on the protein nanocages that are currently used in clinical trials and provide a general outlook on conventional distribution techniques and hurdles faced, particularly for therapeutic cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong A Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeram Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeju Ko
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seohyun Kim
- Department of Research and Development, SHIFTBIO INC., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Beom Kim
- Department of Research and Development, SHIFTBIO INC., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Kyeong Lee
- Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonkyung Ahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayeon Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Hoon Nam
- Department of Research and Development, SHIFTBIO INC., Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
| | - In-San Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Halfmann PJ, Frey SJ, Loeffler K, Kuroda M, Maemura T, Armbrust T, Yang JE, Hou YJ, Baric R, Wright ER, Kawaoka Y, Kane RS. Multivalent S2-based vaccines provide broad protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and pangolin coronaviruses. EBioMedicine 2022; 86:104341. [PMID: 36375316 PMCID: PMC9651965 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most approved COVID-19 vaccines generate a neutralizing antibody response that primarily targets the highly variable receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. SARS-CoV-2 "variants of concern" have acquired mutations in this domain allowing them to evade vaccine-induced humoral immunity. Recent approaches to improve the breadth of protection beyond SARS-CoV-2 have required the use of mixtures of RBD antigens from different sarbecoviruses. It may therefore be beneficial to develop a vaccine in which the protective immune response targets a more conserved region of the S protein. METHODS Here we have developed a vaccine based on the conserved S2 subunit of the S protein and optimized the adjuvant and immunization regimen in Syrian hamsters and BALB/c mice. We have characterized the efficacy of the vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants and other coronaviruses. FINDINGS Immunization with S2-based constructs elicited a broadly cross-reactive IgG antibody response that recognized the spike proteins of not only SARS-CoV-2 variants, but also SARS-CoV-1, and the four endemic human coronaviruses. Importantly, immunization reduced virus titers in respiratory tissues in vaccinated animals challenged with SARS-CoV-2 variants B.1.351 (beta), B.1.617.2 (delta), and BA.1 (omicron) as well as a pangolin coronavirus. INTERPRETATION These results suggest that S2-based constructs can elicit a broadly cross-reactive antibody response resulting in limited virus replication, thus providing a framework for designing vaccines that elicit broad protection against coronaviruses. FUNDING NIH, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Garry Betty/ V Foundation Chair Fund, and NSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter J Halfmann
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Steven J Frey
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Kathryn Loeffler
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Tadashi Maemura
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Tammy Armbrust
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA
| | - Jie E Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Cryo-EM Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Yixuan J Hou
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Ralph Baric
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Cryo-EM Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA; Midwest Center for Cryo-Electron Tomography, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53711, USA; Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan.
| | - Ravi S Kane
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA; Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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16
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Wijesundara YH, Herbert FC, Kumari S, Howlett T, Koirala S, Trashi O, Trashi I, Al-Kharji NM, Gassensmith JJ. Rip it, stitch it, click it: A Chemist's guide to VLP manipulation. Virology 2022; 577:105-123. [PMID: 36343470 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.10.008] [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: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Viruses are some of nature's most ubiquitous self-assembled molecular containers. Evolutionary pressures have created some incredibly robust, thermally, and enzymatically resistant carriers to transport delicate genetic information safely. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are human-engineered non-infectious systems that inherit the parent virus' ability to self-assemble under controlled conditions while being non-infectious. VLPs and plant-based viral nanoparticles are becoming increasingly popular in medicine as their self-assembly properties are exploitable for applications ranging from diagnostic tools to targeted drug delivery. Understanding the basic structure and principles underlying the assembly of higher-order structures has allowed researchers to disassemble (rip it), reassemble (stitch it), and functionalize (click it) these systems on demand. This review focuses on the current toolbox of strategies developed to manipulate these systems by ripping, stitching, and clicking to create new technologies in the biomedical space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalini H Wijesundara
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Fabian C Herbert
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Sneha Kumari
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Thomas Howlett
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Shailendra Koirala
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Orikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Ikeda Trashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Noora M Al-Kharji
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA
| | - Jeremiah J Gassensmith
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell Rd. Richardson, TX, 75080, USA.
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17
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Martins SA, Santos J, Silva RDM, Rosa C, Cabo Verde S, Correia JDG, Melo R. How promising are HIV-1-based virus-like particles for medical applications. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:997875. [PMID: 36275021 PMCID: PMC9585283 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.997875] [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: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
New approaches aimed at identifying patient-specific drug targets and addressing unmet clinical needs in the framework of precision medicine are a strong motivation for researchers worldwide. As scientists learn more about proteins that drive known diseases, they are better able to design promising therapeutic approaches to target those proteins. The field of nanotechnology has been extensively explored in the past years, and nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as promising systems for target-specific delivery of drugs. Virus-like particles (VLPs) arise as auspicious NPs due to their intrinsic properties. The lack of viral genetic material and the inability to replicate, together with tropism conservation and antigenicity characteristic of the native virus prompted extensive interest in their use as vaccines or as delivery systems for therapeutic and/or imaging agents. Owing to its simplicity and non-complex structure, one of the viruses currently under study for the construction of VLPs is the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Typically, HIV-1-based VLPs are used for antibody discovery, vaccines, diagnostic reagent development and protein-based assays. This review will be centered on the use of HIV-1-based VLPs and their potential biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia A. Martins
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana Santos
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rúben D. M. Silva
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cátia Rosa
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sandra Cabo Verde
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - João D. G. Correia
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Departamento de Engenharia e Ciências Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- *Correspondence: João D. G. Correia, ; Rita Melo,
| | - Rita Melo
- Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- *Correspondence: João D. G. Correia, ; Rita Melo,
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18
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Single-particle studies of the effects of RNA-protein interactions on the self-assembly of RNA virus particles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2206292119. [PMID: 36122222 PMCID: PMC9522328 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206292119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the pathways by which simple RNA viruses self-assemble from their coat proteins and RNA is of practical and fundamental interest. Although RNA-protein interactions are thought to play a critical role in the assembly, our understanding of their effects is limited because the assembly process is difficult to observe directly. We address this problem by using interferometric scattering microscopy, a sensitive optical technique with high dynamic range, to follow the in vitro assembly kinetics of more than 500 individual particles of brome mosaic virus (BMV)-for which RNA-protein interactions can be controlled by varying the ionic strength of the buffer. We find that when RNA-protein interactions are weak, BMV assembles by a nucleation-and-growth pathway in which a small cluster of RNA-bound proteins must exceed a critical size before additional proteins can bind. As the strength of RNA-protein interactions increases, the nucleation time becomes shorter and more narrowly distributed, but the time to grow a capsid after nucleation is largely unaffected. These results suggest that the nucleation rate is controlled by RNA-protein interactions, while the growth process is driven less by RNA-protein interactions and more by protein-protein interactions and intraprotein forces. The nucleated pathway observed with the plant virus BMV is strikingly similar to that previously observed with bacteriophage MS2, a phylogenetically distinct virus with a different host kingdom. These results raise the possibility that nucleated assembly pathways might be common to other RNA viruses.
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Devarapalli P, Kumari P, Soni S, Mishra V, Yadav S. Patent intelligence of RNA viruses: Implications for combating emerging and re-emerging RNA virus based infectious diseases. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 219:1208-1215. [PMID: 36058387 PMCID: PMC9434957 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.08.169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The recent outbreak of one of the RNA viruses (2019-nCoV) has affected most of the population and the fatalities reported may label it as a modern-day scourge. Active research on RNA virus infections and vaccine development had more commercial impact which leads to an increase in patent filings. Patents are a goldmine of information whose mining yields crucial technological inputs for further research. In this research article, we have investigated both the patent applications and granted patents, to identify the technological trends and their impact on 2019-nCoV infection using biotechnology-related keywords such as genes, proteins, nucleic acid etc. related to the RNA virus infection. In our research, patent analysis was majorly focused on prospecting for patent data related to the RNA virus infections. Our patent analysis specifically identified spike protein (S protein) and nucleocapsid proteins (N proteins) as the most actively researched macromolecules for vaccine and/or drug development for diagnosis and treatment of RNA virus based infectious diseases. The outcomes of this patent intelligence study will be useful for the researchers who are actively working in the area of vaccine or drug development for RNA virus-based infections including 2019-nCoV and other emerging and re-emerging viral infections in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratap Devarapalli
- University of Tasmania, Centre for Law and Genetics, Faculty of Law, Hobart, Australia
| | - Pragati Kumari
- S-02, Scientist Hostel, Chauras campus, Srinagar Garhwal, Uttarakhand 246174, India
| | - Seema Soni
- Queensland University of Technology, Faculty of Law, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Saurabh Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, H.N.B. Garhwal University (A Central University), Srinagar (Garhwal) 246174, Uttarakhand, India.
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20
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Epitope-Based Vaccines against the Chlamydia trachomatis Major Outer Membrane Protein Variable Domain 4 Elicit Protection in Mice. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10060875. [PMID: 35746483 PMCID: PMC9227494 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10060875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common bacterial sexual transmitted pathogen, yet a vaccine is not currently available. Here, we used the immunogenic bacteriophage MS2 virus-like particle (VLP) technology to engineer vaccines against the Ct major outer membrane protein variable domain 4 (MOMP-VD4), which contains a conserved neutralizing epitope (TTLNPTIAG). A previously described monoclonal antibody to the MOMP-VD4 (E4 mAb) is capable of neutralizing all urogenital Ct serovars and binds this core epitope, as well as several non-contiguous amino acids. This suggests that this core epitope may require conformational context in order to elicit neutralizing antibodies to Ct. In order to identify immunogens that could elicit neutralizing antibodies to the TTLNPTIAG epitope, we used two approaches. First, we used affinity selection with a bacteriophage MS2-VLP library displaying random peptides in a constrained, surface-exposed loop to identify potential E4 mAb mimotopes. After four rounds of affinity selection, we identified a VLP-displayed peptide (HMVGSTKWTN) that could bind to the E4 mAb and elicited serum IgG that bound weakly to Ct elementary bodies by ELISA. Second, two versions of the core conserved TTLNPTIAG epitope (TTLNPTIAG and TTLNPTIAGA) were recombinantly expressed on the coat protein of the MS2 VLP in a constrained, surface-exposed loop. Mouse immune sera IgG bound to Ct elementary bodies by ELISA. Immunization with these MS2 VLPs provided protection from vaginal Chlamydia infection in a murine challenge model. These data suggest that short peptide epitopes targeting the MOMP-VD4 could be appropriate for Ct vaccine design when displayed on an immunogenic bacteriophage VLP vaccine platform.
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21
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Biela AP, Naskalska A, Fatehi F, Twarock R, Heddle JG. Programmable polymorphism of a virus-like particle. COMMUNICATIONS MATERIALS 2022; 3:7. [PMID: 35284827 PMCID: PMC7612486 DOI: 10.1038/s43246-022-00229-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) have significant potential as artificial vaccines and drug delivery systems. The ability to control their size has wide ranging utility but achieving such controlled polymorphism using a single protein subunit is challenging as it requires altering VLP geometry. Here we achieve size control of MS2 bacteriophage VLPs via insertion of amino acid sequences in an external loop to shift morphology to significantly larger forms. The resulting VLP size and geometry is controlled by altering the length and type of the insert. Cryo electron microscopy structures of the new VLPs, in combination with a kinetic model of their assembly, show that the abundance of wild type (T = 3), T = 4, D3 and D5 symmetrical VLPs can be biased in this way. We propose a mechanism whereby the insert leads to a change in the dynamic behavior of the capsid protein dimer, affecting the interconversion between the symmetric and asymmetric conformers and thus determining VLP size and morphology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur P. Biela
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-392 Krakow, Poland
| | - Antonina Naskalska
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-392 Krakow, Poland
| | - Farzad Fatehi
- Departments of Mathematics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
- York Cross-Disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, York YO10 5GE, UK
| | - Reidun Twarock
- Departments of Mathematics, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
- York Cross-Disciplinary Centre for Systems Analysis, University of York, York YO10 5GE, UK
- Department of Biology, University of York, York YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Jonathan G. Heddle
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 7A, 30-392 Krakow, Poland
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22
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Ronsard L, Yousif AS, Peabody J, Okonkwo V, Devant P, Mogus AT, Barnes RM, Rohrer D, Lonberg N, Peabody D, Chackerian B, Lingwood D. Engineering an Antibody V Gene-Selective Vaccine. Front Immunol 2021; 12:730471. [PMID: 34566992 PMCID: PMC8459710 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.730471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The ligand-binding surface of the B cell receptor (BCR) is formed by encoded and non-encoded antigen complementarity determining regions (CDRs). Genetically reproducible or ‘public’ antibodies can arise when the encoded CDRs play deterministic roles in antigen recognition, notably within human broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV and influenza virus. We sought to exploit this by engineering virus-like-particle (VLP) vaccines that harbor multivalent affinity against gene-encoded moieties of the BCR antigen binding site. As proof of concept, we deployed a library of RNA bacteriophage VLPs displaying random peptides to identify a multivalent antigen that selectively triggered germline BCRs using the human VH gene IGVH1-2*02. This VLP selectively primed IGHV1-2*02 BCRs that were present within a highly diversified germline antibody repertoire within humanized mice. Our approach thus provides methodology to generate antigens that engage specific BCR configurations of interest, in the absence of structure-based information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larance Ronsard
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Ashraf S Yousif
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Julianne Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Vintus Okonkwo
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Pascal Devant
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Alemu Tekewe Mogus
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | | | - Daniel Rohrer
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Redwood City, CA, United States
| | - Nils Lonberg
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Redwood City, CA, United States
| | - David Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Bryce Chackerian
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM, United States
| | - Daniel Lingwood
- The Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, United States
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23
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Peabody DS, Peabody J, Bradfute SB, Chackerian B. RNA Phage VLP-Based Vaccine Platforms. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:764. [PMID: 34451861 PMCID: PMC8401894 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles from a variety of RNA bacteriophages have turned out to be useful platforms for delivery of vaccine antigens in a highly immunogenic format. Here we update the current state of development of RNA phage VLPs as platforms for presentation of diverse antigens by genetic, enzymatic, and chemical display methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.P.); (B.C.)
| | - Julianne Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.P.); (B.C.)
| | - Steven B. Bradfute
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 505, USA;
| | - Bryce Chackerian
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.P.); (B.C.)
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24
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Castro A, Carreño JM, Duehr J, Krammer F, Kane RS. Refocusing the Immune Response to Selected Epitopes on a Zika Virus Protein Antigen by Nanopatterning. Adv Healthc Mater 2021; 10:e2002140. [PMID: 33929789 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202002140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Infections with Zika virus (ZIKV) are linked to the development of severe central nervous system disorders, but the need for a ZIKV vaccine remains unmet. Although the design of vaccines that elicit antibodies targeting domain III (DIII) of the ZIKV envelope (E) protein as an antigen is an attractive strategy, poorly neutralizing or cross-reactive antibodies that target the E protein may lead to antibody-dependent enhancement of disease. It is therefore decided to use the previously reported nanopatterning technique, which combines the site-specific incorporation of non-canonical amino acids with site-specific functionalization of the protein with polyethylene glycol (PEG), to shield selected epitopes on DIII. Two different nanopatterned DIII variants are designed and characterized and demonstrate that epitope shielding with PEG completely inhibits the binding of epitope-specific antibodies in vitro. Furthermore, immunization with multivalent nanopatterned DIII antigens results in the refocusing of the antibody response toward the exposed epitopes on the protein surface and away from potentially enhancing epitopes. This ability to redirect the antibody response toward targeted regions of the DIII protein should be useful for the design of effective and safe ZIKV vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Castro
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA 30332 USA
| | - Juan Manuel Carreño
- Department of Microbiology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY 10029 USA
| | - James Duehr
- Department of Microbiology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY 10029 USA
| | - Florian Krammer
- Department of Microbiology Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai New York NY 10029 USA
| | - Ravi S. Kane
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta GA 30332 USA
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25
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Zhang B, Yin S, Wang Y, Su Z, Bi J. Cost-effective purification process development for chimeric hepatitis B core (HBc) virus-like particles assisted by molecular dynamic simulation. Eng Life Sci 2021; 21:438-452. [PMID: 34140854 PMCID: PMC8182290 DOI: 10.1002/elsc.202000104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Inserting foreign epitopes to hepatitis B core (HBc) virus-like particles (VLPs) could influence the molecular conformation and therefore vary the purification process. In this study, a cost-effective purification process was developed for two chimeric HBc VLPs displaying Epstein-Barr nuclear antigens 1 (EBNA1), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) core. Both chimeric VLPs were expressed in soluble form with high production yields in Escherichia coli. Molecular dynamic (MD) simulation was employed to predict the stability of chimeric VLPs. HCV core-HBc was found to be less stable in water environment compared with EBNA1-HBc, indicating its higher hydrophobicity. Assisting with MD simulation, ammonium sulfate precipitation was optimized to remove host cell proteins with high target protein recovery yields. Moreover, 99% DNA impurities were removed using POROS 50 HQ chromatography. In characterization measurement, we found that inserting HCV core epitope would reduce the ratio of α-helix of HCV core-HBc. This could be another reason on the top of its higher hydrophobicity predicted by MD simulation, causing its less stability. Tertiary structure, transmission electron microscopy, and immunogenicity results indicate that two chimeric VLPs maintained correct VLP structure ensuring its bioactivity after being processed by the developed cost-effective purification approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyang Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Shuang Yin
- School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
| | - Yingli Wang
- School of Chinese Medicine and Food EngineeringShanxi University of Traditional Chinese MedicineJinzhongShanxi ProvinceP. R. China
| | - Zhiguo Su
- State Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process EngineeringChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingP. R. China
| | - Jingxiu Bi
- School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Faculty of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical SciencesUniversity of AdelaideAdelaideSAAustralia
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26
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Chiba S, Frey SJ, Halfmann PJ, Kuroda M, Maemura T, Yang JE, Wright ER, Kawaoka Y, Kane RS. Multivalent nanoparticle-based vaccines protect hamsters against SARS-CoV-2 after a single immunization. Commun Biol 2021; 4:597. [PMID: 34011948 PMCID: PMC8134492 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02128-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to wreak havoc as worldwide SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalization, and death rates climb unabated. Effective vaccines remain the most promising approach to counter SARS-CoV-2. Yet, while promising results are emerging from COVID-19 vaccine trials, the need for multiple doses and the challenges associated with the widespread distribution and administration of vaccines remain concerns. Here, we engineered the coat protein of the MS2 bacteriophage and generated nanoparticles displaying multiple copies of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. The use of these nanoparticles as vaccines generated high neutralizing antibody titers and protected Syrian hamsters from a challenge with SARS-CoV-2 after a single immunization with no infectious virus detected in the lungs. This nanoparticle-based vaccine platform thus provides protection after a single immunization and may be broadly applicable for protecting against SARS-CoV-2 and future pathogens with pandemic potential. Chiba et al. describe the use of MS2 bacteriophage coat proteins to develop nanocarriers that display the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins multivalently for vaccine applications. The vaccine elicited high neutralizing antibody titers and protected Syrian hamsters from virus infection after a single immunization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiho Chiba
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Steven J Frey
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Peter J Halfmann
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Tadashi Maemura
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jie E Yang
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Cryo-EM Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Elizabeth R Wright
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA.,Cryo-EM Research Center, Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Influenza Research Institute, Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA. .,Division of Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Ravi S Kane
- School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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27
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Perciani CT, Liu LY, Wood L, MacParland SA. Enhancing Immunity with Nanomedicine: Employing Nanoparticles to Harness the Immune System. ACS NANO 2021; 15:7-20. [PMID: 33346646 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c08913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The failure of immune responses to vaccines and dysfunctional immune responses to viral infection, tumor development, or neoantigens lead to chronic viral infection, tumor progression, or incomplete immune protection after vaccination. Thus, strategies to boost host immunity are a topic of intense research and development. Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) possess immunological properties and can be modified to promote improved local immune responses. Nanoparticle-based approaches have been employed to enhance vaccine efficacy and host immune responses to viral and tumor antigens, with impressive results. In this Perspective, we present an overview of studies, such as the one reported by Alam et al. in this issue of ACS Nano, in which virus-like particles have been employed to enhance immunity. We review the cellular cornerstones of effective immunity and discuss how NPs can harness these interactions to overcome the current obstacles in vaccinology and oncology. We also discuss the barriers to effective NP-mediated immune priming including (1) NP delivery to the site of interest, (2) the quality of response elicited, and (3) the potential of the response to overcome immune escape. Through this Perspective, we aim to highlight the value of nanomedicine not only in delivering therapies but also in coordinating the enhancement of host immune responses. We provide a forward-looking outlook for future NP-based approaches and how they could be tailored to promote this outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catia T Perciani
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Lewis Y Liu
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 6271, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Lawrence Wood
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 6271, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Sonya A MacParland
- Ajmera Family Transplant Centre, Toronto General Research Institute, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 2C4, Canada
- Department of Immunology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 6271, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Building, Room 6271, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8, Canada
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28
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cDNA-Derived RNA Phage Assembly Reveals Critical Residues in the Maturation Protein of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa Leviphage PP7. J Virol 2021; 95:JVI.01643-20. [PMID: 33177196 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01643-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PP7 is a leviphage, with a single-stranded RNA genome, that infects Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. A reverse genetic system for PP7 was previously created by using reverse-transcribed cDNA (PP7O) from a virion-derived RNA genome. Here, we have found that the PP7O cDNA contained 20 nucleotide differences from the PP7 genome sequence deposited in the database. We created another reverse genetic system exploiting chemically synthesized cDNA (PP7S) based on the database sequence. Unlike PP7O, which yielded infectious PP7 virions, PP7S-derived particles were incapable of plaque formation on PAO1 cells, which was restored in the PAO1 cells expressing the maturation protein (MP) from PP7O Using this reverse genetic system, we revealed two amino acid residues involved in the known roles of MP (i.e., adsorption and genome replication), fortuitously providing a lesson that the viral RNA genome sequencing needs functional verification, possibly by a reverse genetic system.IMPORTANCE The biological significance of RNA phages has been largely ignored, ironically, because few studies have focused on RNA phages. As an initial attempt to properly represent RNA phages in the phageome, we previously created, by using reverse-transcribed cDNA, a reverse genetic system for the small RNA phage PP7, which infects the opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa We report another system by using chemically synthesized cDNA based on the database genome that has 20 nucleotide differences from the previous cDNA. Investigation of those cDNA-derived phage virions revealed that two amino acids of the maturation protein are crucial for the normal phage lifecycle at different steps. Our study provides insight into the molecular basis for the RNA phage lifecycle and a lesson that the RNA genome sequencing needs to be carefully validated by cDNA-based phage assembly systems.
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29
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Mogus AT, Liu L, Jia M, Ajayi DT, Xu K, Kong R, Huang J, Yu J, Kwong PD, Mascola JR, Ho DD, Tsuji M, Chackerian B. Virus-Like Particle Based Vaccines Elicit Neutralizing Antibodies against the HIV-1 Fusion Peptide. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:vaccines8040765. [PMID: 33333740 PMCID: PMC7765226 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) isolated from HIV-infected individuals delineate vulnerable sites on the HIV envelope glycoprotein that are potential vaccine targets. A linear epitope within the N-terminal region of the HIV-1 fusion peptide (FP8) is the primary target of VRC34.01, a bnAb that neutralizes ~50% of primary HIV isolates. FP8 has attracted attention as a potential HIV vaccine target because it is a simple linear epitope. Here, platform technologies based on RNA bacteriophage virus-like particles (VLPs) were used to develop multivalent vaccines targeting the FP8 epitope. Both recombinant MS2 VLPs displaying the FP8 peptide and Qβ VLPs displaying chemically conjugated FP8 peptide induced high titers of FP8-specific antibodies in mice. Moreover, a heterologous prime-boost-boost regimen employing the two FP8-VLP vaccines and native envelope trimer was the most effective approach for eliciting HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies. Given the potent immunogenicity of VLP-based vaccines, this vaccination strategy-inspired by bnAb-guided epitope mapping, VLP bioengineering, and prime-boost immunization approaches-may be a useful strategy for eliciting bnAb responses against HIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alemu Tekewe Mogus
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (A.T.M.); (D.T.A.)
| | - Lihong Liu
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (L.L.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (J.Y.); (D.D.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Manxue Jia
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (L.L.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (J.Y.); (D.D.H.)
| | - Diane T. Ajayi
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (A.T.M.); (D.T.A.)
| | - Kai Xu
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.X.); (R.K.); (P.D.K.); (J.R.M.)
| | - Rui Kong
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.X.); (R.K.); (P.D.K.); (J.R.M.)
| | - Jing Huang
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (L.L.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (J.Y.); (D.D.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jian Yu
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (L.L.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (J.Y.); (D.D.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.X.); (R.K.); (P.D.K.); (J.R.M.)
| | - John R. Mascola
- Vaccine Research Center, NIAID, NIH, 40 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (K.X.); (R.K.); (P.D.K.); (J.R.M.)
| | - David D. Ho
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (L.L.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (J.Y.); (D.D.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Moriya Tsuji
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, New York, NY 10016, USA; (L.L.); (M.J.); (J.H.); (J.Y.); (D.D.H.)
- Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Correspondence: (M.T.); (B.C.); Tel.: +1-212-304-6165 (M.T.); +1-505-272-0269 (B.C.)
| | - Bryce Chackerian
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (A.T.M.); (D.T.A.)
- Correspondence: (M.T.); (B.C.); Tel.: +1-212-304-6165 (M.T.); +1-505-272-0269 (B.C.)
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30
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Špakova A, Dalgėdienė I, Insodaitė R, Sasnauskienė A, Žvirblienė A, Petraitytė-Burneikienė R. vB_EcoS_NBD2 bacteriophage-originated polytubes as a carrier for the presentation of foreign sequences. Virus Res 2020; 290:198194. [PMID: 33058966 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Virus-based nanoparticles constitute a promising platform for the creation of efficient vaccines and nanomaterials. Previously we demonstrated, that the recombinant tail tube protein gp39 of vB_EcoS_NBD2 bacteriophage self-assembles into extremely long (from 0.1 to >3.95 μm), flexible, and stable polytubes when produced in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. To develop a tubular platform for multivalent display of foreign antigens, yeast-derived recombinant tail tube protein gp39 was chosen as a scaffold. The carboxy-terminal fusions of gp39 with various antigens up to 238 amino acids in length resulted in different synthesis efficiency and self-assembly capacity. Recombinant gp39 fused with green fluorescent protein (eGFP) comprising 238 amino acid residues was capable to self-assemble into short fluorescent polytubes with retained eGFP functional activity. By demonstrating the display of active foreign antigens on the exterior surface of polytubes, these structures may provide a promising tool for diverse applications in nanotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aliona Špakova
- Department of Eukaryote Gene Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Indrė Dalgėdienė
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Rasa Insodaitė
- Department of Eukaryote Gene Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Aušra Sasnauskienė
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Aurelija Žvirblienė
- Department of Immunology and Cell Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Rasa Petraitytė-Burneikienė
- Department of Eukaryote Gene Engineering, Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Saulėtekio av. 7, LT-10257 Vilnius, Lithuania.
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31
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Robinson SA, Hartman EC, Ikwuagwu BC, Francis MB, Tullman-Ercek D. Engineering a Virus-like Particle to Display Peptide Insertions Using an Apparent Fitness Landscape. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:4194-4204. [PMID: 32880435 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Peptide insertions in the primary sequence of proteins expand functionality by introducing new binding sequences, chemical handles, or membrane disrupting motifs. With these properties, proteins can be engineered as scaffolds for vaccines or targeted drug delivery vehicles. Virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising platforms for these applications since they are genetically simple, mimic viral structure for cell uptake, and can deliver multiple copies of a therapeutic agent to a given cell. Peptide insertions in the coat protein of VLPs can increase VLP uptake in cells by increasing cell binding, but it is difficult to predict how an insertion affects monomer folding and higher order assembly. To this end, we have engineered the MS2 VLP using a high-throughput technique, called Systematic Mutagenesis and Assembled Particle Selection (SyMAPS). In this work, we applied SyMAPS to investigate a highly mutable loop in the MS2 coat protein to display 9,261 non-native tripeptide insertions. This library generates a discrete map of three amino acid insertions permitted at this location, validates the FG loop as a valuable position for peptide insertion, and illuminates how properties such as charge, flexibility, and hydrogen bonding can interact to preserve or disrupt capsid assembly. Taken together, the results highlight the potential to engineer VLPs in a systematic manner, paving the way to exploring the applications of peptide insertions in biomedically relevant settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie A Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
| | - Emily C Hartman
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
| | - Bon C Ikwuagwu
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
| | - Matthew B Francis
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States.,Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
| | - Danielle Tullman-Ercek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
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32
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Liekniņa I, Černova D, Rūmnieks J, Tārs K. Novel ssRNA phage VLP platform for displaying foreign epitopes by genetic fusion. Vaccine 2020; 38:6019-6026. [PMID: 32713683 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) can be used as efficient carriers of various antigens and therefore serve as attractive tools in vaccine development. Although VLPs of different viruses can be used, VLPs of ssRNA phages have convincing advantages due to their unique properties, including efficient protein production in bacterial and yeast expression systems, low production cost and easy and fast purification. Currently, the range of ssRNA phage VLPs is limited. In particular, this is true for VLPs that tolerate insertions at the N- and C-termini of the coat protein. It is therefore necessary to find new alternatives within the known ssRNA phage VLP range. From previous studies, we found approximately 80 new VLPs forming ssRNA phage coat proteins. In the current study, we attached a model peptide to the N- and C-termini of coat proteins. As a model peptide, we used a triple repeat of 23 N-terminal residues of the ectodomain of the influenza M2 protein, used previously in the development of the flu vaccine. Examining 43 novel phage coat proteins for the ability to form chimeric VLPs, we found ten new promising candidates for further vaccine design, five of which were tolerant to insertions at both the N- and C-termini. Furthermore, we demonstrate that most of the chimeric VLPs have good antigenic properties as judged from their reactivity with anti-M2 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilva Liekniņa
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Darja Černova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Jānis Rūmnieks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia.
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Irvine DJ, Aung A, Silva M. Controlling timing and location in vaccines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2020; 158:91-115. [PMID: 32598970 PMCID: PMC7318960 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2020.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Vaccines are one of the most powerful technologies supporting public health. The adaptive immune response induced by immunization arises following appropriate activation and differentiation of T and B cells in lymph nodes. Among many parameters impacting the resulting immune response, the presence of antigen and inflammatory cues for an appropriate temporal duration within the lymph nodes, and further within appropriate subcompartments of the lymph nodes– the right timing and location– play a critical role in shaping cellular and humoral immunity. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of how vaccine kinetics and biodistribution impact adaptive immunity, and the underlying immunological mechanisms that govern these responses. We discuss emerging approaches to engineer these properties for future vaccines, with a focus on subunit vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darrell J Irvine
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Ragon Institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA.
| | - Aereas Aung
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Murillo Silva
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA; Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA
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Virus-Like Particles as an Immunogenic Platform for Cancer Vaccines. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050488. [PMID: 32349216 PMCID: PMC7291217 DOI: 10.3390/v12050488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLP) spontaneously assemble from viral structural proteins. They are naturally biocompatible and non-infectious. VLP can serve as a platform for many potential vaccine epitopes, display them in a dense repeating array, and elicit antibodies against non-immunogenic substances, including tumor-associated self-antigens. Genetic or chemical conjugation facilitates the multivalent display of a homologous or heterologous epitope. Most VLP range in diameter from 25 to 100 nm and, in most cases, drain freely into the lymphatic vessels and induce antibodies with high titers and affinity without the need for additional adjuvants. VLP administration can be performed using different strategies, regimens, and doses to improve the immunogenicity of the antigen they expose on their surface. This article summarizes the features of VLP and presents them as a relevant platform technology to address not only infectious diseases but also chronic diseases and cancer.
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Saylor K, Gillam F, Lohneis T, Zhang C. Designs of Antigen Structure and Composition for Improved Protein-Based Vaccine Efficacy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:283. [PMID: 32153587 PMCID: PMC7050619 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Today, vaccinologists have come to understand that the hallmark of any protective immune response is the antigen. However, it is not the whole antigen that dictates the immune response, but rather the various parts comprising the whole that are capable of influencing immunogenicity. Protein-based antigens hold particular importance within this structural approach to understanding immunity because, though different molecules can serve as antigens, only proteins are capable of inducing both cellular and humoral immunity. This fact, coupled with the versatility and customizability of proteins when considering vaccine design applications, makes protein-based vaccines (PBVs) one of today's most promising technologies for artificially inducing immunity. In this review, we follow the development of PBV technologies through time and discuss the antigen-specific receptors that are most critical to any immune response: pattern recognition receptors, B cell receptors, and T cell receptors. Knowledge of these receptors and their ligands has become exceptionally valuable in the field of vaccinology, where today it is possible to make drastic modifications to PBV structure, from primary to quaternary, in order to promote recognition of target epitopes, potentiate vaccine immunogenicity, and prevent antigen-associated complications. Additionally, these modifications have made it possible to control immune responses by modulating stability and targeting PBV to key immune cells. Consequently, careful consideration should be given to protein structure when designing PBVs in the future in order to potentiate PBV efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle Saylor
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
| | - Frank Gillam
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- Locus Biosciences, Morrisville, NC, United States
| | - Taylor Lohneis
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
- BioPharmaceutical Technology Department, GlaxoSmithKline, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Chenming Zhang
- Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, United States
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Aves KL, Goksøyr L, Sander AF. Advantages and Prospects of Tag/Catcher Mediated Antigen Display on Capsid-Like Particle-Based Vaccines. Viruses 2020; 12:v12020185. [PMID: 32041299 PMCID: PMC7077247 DOI: 10.3390/v12020185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid-like particles (CLPs) are multimeric, repetitive assemblies of recombinant viral capsid proteins, which are highly immunogenic due to their structural similarity to wild-type viruses. CLPs can be used as molecular scaffolds to enable the presentation of soluble vaccine antigens in a similar structural format, which can significantly increase the immunogenicity of the antigen. CLP-based antigen display can be obtained by various genetic and modular conjugation methods. However, these vary in their versatility as well as efficiency in achieving an immunogenic antigen display. Here, we make a comparative review of the major CLP-based antigen display technologies. The Tag/Catcher-AP205 platform is highlighted as a particularly versatile and efficient technology that offers new qualitative and practical advantages in designing modular CLP vaccines. Finally, we discuss how split-protein Tag/Catcher conjugation systems can help to further propagate and enhance modular CLP vaccine designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara-Lee Aves
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.-L.A.); (L.G.)
| | - Louise Goksøyr
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.-L.A.); (L.G.)
- AdaptVac Aps, Agern Alle 1, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Adam F. Sander
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.-L.A.); (L.G.)
- AdaptVac Aps, Agern Alle 1, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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Abstract
ssRNA phages belonging to the family Leviviridae are among the tiniest viruses, infecting various Gram-negative bacteria by adsorption to their pilus structures. Due to their simplicity, they have been intensively studied as models for understanding various problems in molecular biology and virology. Several of the studied ssRNA characteristics, such as coat protein–RNA interactions and the ability to readily form virus-like particles in recombinant expression systems, have fueled many practical applications such as RNA labeling and tracking systems and vaccine development. In this chapter, we review the life cycle, structure and applications of these small yet fascinating viruses.
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Yadav R, Zhai L, Tumban E. Virus-like Particle-Based L2 Vaccines against HPVs: Where Are We Today? Viruses 2019; 12:v12010018. [PMID: 31877975 PMCID: PMC7019592 DOI: 10.3390/v12010018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2019] [Revised: 12/15/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. Ninety percent of infected individuals clear the infection within two years; however, in the remaining 10% of infected individuals, the infection(s) persists and ultimately leads to cancers (anogenital cancers and head and neck cancers) and genital warts. Fortunately, three prophylactic vaccines have been approved to protect against HPV infections. The most recent HPV vaccine, Gardasil-9 (a nonavalent vaccine), protects against seven HPV types associated with ~90% of cervical cancer and against two HPV types associated with ~90% genital warts with little cross-protection against non-vaccine HPV types. The current vaccines are based on virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the major capsid protein, L1. The L1 protein is not conserved among HPV types. The minor capsid protein, L2, on the other hand, is highly conserved among HPV types and has been an alternative target antigen, for over two decades, to develop a broadly protective HPV vaccine. The L2 protein, unlike the L1, cannot form VLPs and as such, it is less immunogenic. This review summarizes current studies aimed at developing HPV L2 vaccines by multivalently displaying L2 peptides on VLPs derived from bacteriophages and eukaryotic viruses. Recent data show that a monovalent HPV L1 VLP as well as bivalent MS2 VLPs displaying HPV L2 peptides (representing amino acids 17–36 and/or consensus amino acids 69–86) elicit robust broadly protective antibodies against diverse HPV types (6/11/16/18/26/31/33/34/35/39/43/44/45/51/52/53/56/58/59/66/68/73) associated with cancers and genital warts. Thus, VLP-based L2 vaccines look promising and may be favorable, in the near future, over current L1-based HPV vaccines and should be explored further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi Yadav
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; (R.Y.); (L.Z.)
| | - Lukai Zhai
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; (R.Y.); (L.Z.)
- Current address: Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Ebenezer Tumban
- Department of Biological Sciences, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 49931, USA; (R.Y.); (L.Z.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-906-487-2256; Fax: +1-906-487-3167
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A Stable Pep2-proapoptotic Peptide Inducing Apoptosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Cells by Down-Regulating EZH2. Cell Mol Bioeng 2019; 13:165-177. [PMID: 32175029 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-019-00605-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Proapoptotic peptide, (KLAKLAK)2, exhibits strong anti-tumor effect with the help of cell-penetrating peptides such as Pep2, targeting TLR2 with high expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). However, the applications are limited due to the peptide's instability and high cost of synthesis. Recombinant PP7 bacteriophage-like particles (VLPs) can protect the peptides from degradation by proteases, based on their ability to display foreign peptides. Methods Here, we evaluated the feasibility of PP7 VLPs carrying Pep2 and (KLAKLAK)2 (2PP7-Pep2-KLAK VLPs) expressed in E. coli. We further investigated the characteristics including size, toxicity, thermal stability, penetrating ability, anti-tumor activity, and potential anti-tumor mechanism of 2PP7-Pep2-KLAK VLPs. Results 2PP7-Pep2-KLAK VLPs was expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) successfully with high yield and thermal stability. They penetrated the AML cells THP-1 rapidly after 30 min of incubation. Moreover, 2PP7-Pep2-KLAK VLPs were non-replicative, non-infectious, and non-toxic against normal cells, but inhibited the proliferation of THP-1 cells by inducing cell apoptosis after 24 h of exposure. This effect extends through 120 h of exposure, indicating their anti-proliferation effect was superior to that of synthetic peptides. In addition to the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, the anti-tumor activity of 2PP7-Pep2-KLAK VLPs was also correlated with down-regulation of expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) and trimethylation of histone H3K27. Conclusions We identified the feasibility to prepare the stable, active Pep2-KLAK peptide by using PP7 bacteriophage as the vehicle. We revealed this peptide was an inhibitor of EZH2. 2PP7-Pep2-KLAK VLPs may have significant clinical implications in the treatment of MLL-AF9 AML as an epigenetic modulator.
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Liekniņa I, Kalniņš G, Akopjana I, Bogans J, Šišovs M, Jansons J, Rūmnieks J, Tārs K. Production and characterization of novel ssRNA bacteriophage virus-like particles from metagenomic sequencing data. J Nanobiotechnology 2019; 17:61. [PMID: 31084612 PMCID: PMC6513524 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0497-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Protein shells assembled from viral coat proteins are an attractive platform for development of new vaccines and other tools such as targeted bioimaging and drug delivery agents. Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from the single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) bacteriophage coat proteins (CPs) have been important and successful contenders in the area due to their simplicity and robustness. However, only a few different VLP types are available that put certain limitations on continued developments and expanded adaptation of ssRNA phage VLP technology. Metagenomic studies have been a rich source for discovering novel viral sequences, and in recent years have unraveled numerous ssRNA phage genomes significantly different from those known before. Here, we describe the use of ssRNA CP sequences found in metagenomic data to experimentally produce and characterize novel VLPs. Results Approximately 150 ssRNA phage CP sequences were sourced from metagenomic sequence data and grouped into 14 different clusters based on CP sequence similarity analysis. 110 CP-encoding sequences were obtained by gene synthesis and expressed in bacteria which in 80 cases resulted in VLP assembly. Production and purification of the VLPs was straightforward and compatible with established protocols, with the only exception that a considerable proportion of the CPs had to be produced at a lower temperature to ensure VLP assembly. The VLP morphology was similar to that of the previously studied phages, although a few deviations such as elongated or smaller particles were noted in certain cases. In addition, stabilizing inter-subunit disulfide bonds were detected in six VLPs and several possible candidate RNA structures in the phage genomes were identified that might bind to the coat protein and ensure specific RNA packaging. Conclusions Compared to the few types of ssRNA phage VLPs that were used before, several dozens of new particles representing ten distinct similarity groups are now available with a notable potential for biotechnological applications. It is believed that the novel VLPs described in this paper will provide the groundwork for future development of new vaccines and other applications based on ssRNA bacteriophage VLPs. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12951-019-0497-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilva Liekniņa
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Gints Kalniņš
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Ināra Akopjana
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Jānis Bogans
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Mihails Šišovs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Jānis Rūmnieks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Rātsupītes 1, Riga, LV1067, Latvia.
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Sokullu E, Soleymani Abyaneh H, Gauthier MA. Plant/Bacterial Virus-Based Drug Discovery, Drug Delivery, and Therapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:E211. [PMID: 31058814 PMCID: PMC6572107 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11050211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Viruses have recently emerged as promising nanomaterials for biotechnological applications. One of the most important applications of viruses is phage display, which has already been employed to identify a broad range of potential therapeutic peptides and antibodies, as well as other biotechnologically relevant polypeptides (including protease inhibitors, minimizing proteins, and cell/organ targeting peptides). Additionally, their high stability, easily modifiable surface, and enormous diversity in shape and size, distinguish viruses from synthetic nanocarriers used for drug delivery. Indeed, several plant and bacterial viruses (e.g., phages) have been investigated and applied as drug carriers. The ability to remove the genetic material within the capsids of some plant viruses and phages produces empty viral-like particles that are replication-deficient and can be loaded with therapeutic agents. This review summarizes the current applications of plant viruses and phages in drug discovery and as drug delivery systems and includes a discussion of the present status of virus-based materials in clinical research, alongside the observed challenges and opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esen Sokullu
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), EMT Research Center, Varennes, QC J3X 1S2, Canada.
| | - Hoda Soleymani Abyaneh
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), EMT Research Center, Varennes, QC J3X 1S2, Canada.
| | - Marc A Gauthier
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), EMT Research Center, Varennes, QC J3X 1S2, Canada.
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Tao P, Zhu J, Mahalingam M, Batra H, Rao VB. Bacteriophage T4 nanoparticles for vaccine delivery against infectious diseases. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2019; 145:57-72. [PMID: 29981801 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Revised: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Subunit vaccines containing one or more target antigens from pathogenic organisms represent safer alternatives to whole pathogen vaccines. However, the antigens by themselves are not sufficiently immunogenic and require additives known as adjuvants to enhance immunogenicity and protective efficacy. Assembly of the antigens into virus-like nanoparticles (VLPs) is a better approach as it allows presentation of the epitopes in a more native context. The repetitive, symmetrical, and high density display of antigens on the VLPs mimic pathogen-associated molecular patterns seen on bacteria and viruses. The antigens, thus, might be better presented to stimulate host's innate as well as adaptive immune systems thereby eliciting both humoral and cellular immune responses. Bacteriophages such as phage T4 provide excellent platforms to generate the nanoparticle vaccines. The T4 capsid containing two non-essential outer proteins Soc and Hoc allow high density array of antigen epitopes in the form of peptides, domains, full-length proteins, or even multi-subunit complexes. Co-delivery of DNAs, targeting molecules, and/or molecular adjuvants provides additional advantages. Recent studies demonstrate that the phage T4 VLPs are highly immunogenic, do not need an adjuvant, and provide complete protection against bacterial and viral pathogens. Thus, phage T4 could potentially be developed as a "universal" VLP platform to design future multivalent vaccines against complex and emerging pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pan Tao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA; College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei 430070, China.
| | - Jingen Zhu
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Marthandan Mahalingam
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Himanshu Batra
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA
| | - Venigalla B Rao
- Department of Biology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA.
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Hartman EC, Lobba MJ, Favor AH, Robinson SA, Francis MB, Tullman-Ercek D. Experimental Evaluation of Coevolution in a Self-Assembling Particle. Biochemistry 2018; 58:1527-1538. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Emily C. Hartman
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
| | - Marco J. Lobba
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
| | - Andrew H. Favor
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
| | - Stephanie A. Robinson
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
| | - Matthew B. Francis
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratories, Berkeley, California 94720-1460, United States
| | - Danielle Tullman-Ercek
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Technological Institute E136, Evanston, Illinois 60208-3120, United States
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Mishra S, Manish M. Studies on computational grafting of malarial epitopes in serum albumin. Comput Biol Med 2018; 102:126-131. [PMID: 30268977 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2018.09.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 09/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antigens (or their epitopes)-carrier protein combinations are extensively utilized for vaccine development strategies. Chemical conjugation methods are cumbersome with limited conjugation sites. Computational protein modelling methods can evaluate every position of a carrier protein for conjugation via epitope grafting in a reasonable time frame as compared to wet experimental techniques. Graftibility of positions can be estimated by the presence of native atomic contacts in resulting chimeric antigen. METHODOLOGY Five epitopes were selected, and computational grafting at each position was performed in three templates of serum albumin. Protein modelling algorithms such as segment matching and satisfaction of spatial restraints were employed for computational grafting. Contact-based protein discriminatory function was used to evaluate the chimeric proteins having native atomic contacts. RESULTS On the evaluation of approximately 1 million distinct protein modelling simulations, region around the 450th position of serum albumin was observed to be suitable for epitope grafting. CONCLUSION Computational protein modelling tools may be used to design a chimeric antigen. The approach may overcome the limitations associated with chemical conjugation and furthermore harness the potential of custom gene synthesis/recombinant protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Smriti Mishra
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India.
| | - Manish Manish
- School of Computational and Integrative Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, 110067, India; ICMR-National Institute of Malaria Research, Dwarka, Sector-8, New Delhi, 110077, India.
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Novel miR-122 delivery system based on MS2 virus like particle surface displaying cell-penetrating peptide TAT for hepatocellular carcinoma. Oncotarget 2018; 7:59402-59416. [PMID: 27449085 PMCID: PMC5312320 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Current treatments for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have shown inadequate. MicroRNA-122 (miR-122) mediated RNA interference brings new prospects. A safe, efficient miRNA delivery system is an indispensable assurance. Previously, we developed an MS2 bacteriophage virus-like particle (VLP)-based microRNA delivery system crosslinked with the HIV TAT peptide, which served as an effective inhibitor in the treatments of systemic lupus erythematosus and osteoporosis. However, defects, such as low crosslinking efficiency, high cost, and potential toxicity of the crosslinking agent, needed to be confronted. Therefore, TAT peptide was designed to display on the surface of MS2 VLPs, instead of being chemically crosslinked, using the platform of phage surface display. The results reflected that MS2 VLPs displaying TAT could effectively penetrate the cytomembrane and deliver miR-122. Additionally, its inhibitory effects on HCC were significant in Hep3B, HepG2, and Huh7 cells and Hep3B related animal models. Thus, we have established a novel miR-122 delivery system based on MS2 VLPs surface displaying TAT peptide, which could effectively perform the function of penetrating cytomembrane and the inhibition of HCC.
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Choi B, Kim H, Choi H, Kang S. Protein Cage Nanoparticles as Delivery Nanoplatforms. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2018; 1064:27-43. [DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0445-3_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Abstract
Bacteriophages of the Leviviridae family are small viruses with short single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) genomes. Protein-RNA interactions play a key role throughout the phage life cycle, and all of the conserved phage proteins - the maturation protein, the coat protein and the replicase - are able to recognize specific structures in the RNA genome. The phage-coded replicase subunit associates with several host proteins to form a catalytically active complex. Recognition of the genomic RNA by the replicase complex is achieved in a remarkably complex manner that exploits the RNA-binding properties of host proteins and the particular three-dimensional structure of the phage genome. The coat protein recognizes a hairpin structure at the beginning of the replicase gene. The binding interaction serves to regulate the expression of the replicase gene and can be remarkably different in various ssRNA phages. The maturation protein is a minor structural component of the virion that binds to the genome, mediates attachment to the host and guides the genome into the cell. The maturation protein has two distinct RNA-binding surfaces that are in contact with different regions of the genome. The maturation and coat proteins also work together to ensure the encapsidation of the phage genome in new virus particles. In this chapter, the different ssRNA phage protein-RNA interactions, as well as some of their practical applications, are discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Biomedical Research and Study Center, Riga, Latvia.
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48
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Bolli E, O'Rourke JP, Conti L, Lanzardo S, Rolih V, Christen JM, Barutello G, Forni M, Pericle F, Cavallo F. A Virus-Like-Particle immunotherapy targeting Epitope-Specific anti-xCT expressed on cancer stem cell inhibits the progression of metastatic cancer in vivo. Oncoimmunology 2017; 7:e1408746. [PMID: 29399412 PMCID: PMC5790338 DOI: 10.1080/2162402x.2017.1408746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggressive forms of breast cancer, such as Her2+ and triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), are enriched in breast cancer stem cells (BCSC) and have limited therapeutic options. BCSC represent a key cellular reservoir for relapse, metastatic progression and therapeutic resistance. Their ability to resist common cytotoxic therapies relies on different mechanisms, including improved detoxification. The cystine-glutamate antiporter protein xCT (SLC7A11) regulates cystine intake, conversion to cysteine and subsequent glutathione synthesis, protecting cells against oxidative and chemical insults. Our previous work showed that xCT is highly expressed in tumorspheres derived from breast cancer cell lines and downregulation of xCT altered BCSC function in vitro and inhibited pulmonary metastases in vivo. We further strengthened these observations by developing a virus-like-particle (VLP; AX09-0M6) immunotherapy targeting the xCT protein. AX09-0M6 elicited a strong antibody response against xCT including high levels of IgG2a antibody. IgG isolated from AX09-0M6 treated mice bound to tumorspheres, inhibited xCT function as assessed by reactive oxygen species generation and decreased BCSC growth and self-renewal. To assess if AX09-0M6 impacts BCSC in vivo seeding, Her2+ TUBO-derived tumorspheres were injected into the tail vein of AX09-0M6 or control treated female BALB/c mice. AX09-0M6 significantly inhibited formation of pulmonary nodules. To evaluate its ability to impact metastases, AX09-0M6 was administered to mice with established subcutaneous 4T1 tumors. AX09-0M6 administration significantly hampered tumor growth and development of pulmonary metastases. These data show that a VLP-based immunization approach inhibits xCT activity, impacts BCSC biology and significantly reduces metastatic progression in preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Bolli
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Laura Conti
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Stefania Lanzardo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Valeria Rolih
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppina Barutello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | - Marco Forni
- EuroClone S.p.A Research Laboratory, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
| | | | - Federica Cavallo
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology Center, University of Torino, Torino, Italy
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49
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Venuti A, Pastori C, Lopalco L. The Role of Natural Antibodies to CC Chemokine Receptor 5 in HIV Infection. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1358. [PMID: 29163468 PMCID: PMC5670346 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is responsible for immune and inflammatory responses by mediation of chemotactic activity in leukocytes, although it is expressed on different cell types. It has been shown to act as co-receptor for the human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV-1, HIV-2, and SIV). Natural reactive antibodies (Abs) recognizing first loop (ECL1) of CCR5 have been detected in several pools of immunoglobulins from healthy donors and from several cohorts of either HIV-exposed but uninfected subjects (ESN) or HIV-infected individuals who control disease progression (LTNP) as well. The reason of development of anti-CCR5 Abs in the absence of autoimmune disease is still unknown; however, the presence of these Abs specific for CCR5 or for other immune receptors and mediators probably is related to homeostasis maintenance. The majority of anti-CCR5 Abs is directed to HIV binding site (N-terminus and ECL2) of the receptor. Conversely, it is well known that ECL1 of CCR5 does not bind HIV; thus, the anti-CCR5 Abs directed to ECL1 elicit a long-lasting internalization of CCR5 but not interfere with HIV binding directly; these Abs block HIV infection in either epithelial cells or CD4+ T lymphocytes and the mechanism differs from those ones described for all other CCR5-specific ligands. The Ab-mediated CCR5 internalization allows the formation of a stable signalosome by interaction of CCR5, β-arrestin2 and ERK1 proteins. The signalosome degradation and the subsequent de novo proteins synthesis determine the CCR5 reappearance on the cell membrane with a very long-lasting kinetics (8 days). The use of monoclonal Abs to CCR5 with particular characteristics and mode of action may represent a novel mode to fight viral infection in either vaccinal or therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Assunta Venuti
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, DIBIT - San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Pastori
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, DIBIT - San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lucia Lopalco
- Division of Immunology, Transplantation and Infectious Diseases, DIBIT - San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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González-Gamboa I, Manrique P, Sánchez F, Ponz F. Plant-made potyvirus-like particles used for log-increasing antibody sensing capacity. J Biotechnol 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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