1
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Abreu C, Grunberg K, Bonilla M, Crispo M, Pantano S, Jaeschke J, Comini MA, Bollati‐Fogolín M. Expression and functional characterization of chimeric recombinant bovine follicle-stimulating hormone produced in Leishmania tarentolae. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14444. [PMID: 38564168 PMCID: PMC10986757 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive techniques are routinely used in livestock species to increase and enhance productivity. Ovarian hyperstimulation is a process that currently relies on administering pituitary-derived follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) or equine chorionic gonadotropin in combination with other hormones to promote the maturation of multiple follicles and thereby achieve superovulation. The use of partially purified preparations of FSH extracted from natural sources is associated with suboptimal and variable results. Recombinant FSH (rFSH) has been produced in a variety of heterologous organisms. However, attaining a bioactive rFSH of high quality and at low cost for use in livestock remains challenging. Here we report the production and characterization of a single chain bovine rFSH consisting of the β- and α-subunit fused by a polypeptide linker (scbFSH) using Leishmania tarentolae as heterologous expression system. This unicellular eukaryote is non-pathogenic to mammals, can be grown in bioreactors using simple and inexpensive semisynthetic media at 26°C and does not require CO2 or bovine serum supplementation. Stable cell lines expressing scbFSH in an inducible fashion were generated and characterized for their productivity. Different culture conditions and purification procedures were evaluated, and the recombinant product was biochemically and biologically characterized, including bioassays in an animal model. The results demonstrate that L. tarentolae is a suitable host for producing a homogeneous, glycosylated and biologically active form of scbFSH with a reasonable yield.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Abreu
- Molecular, Cellular and Animal Technology ProgramInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Karin Grunberg
- Molecular, Cellular and Animal Technology ProgramInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Mariana Bonilla
- Laboratory Redox Biology of TrypanosomesInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Martina Crispo
- Molecular, Cellular and Animal Technology ProgramInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Laboratory Animal Biotechnology UnitInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Sergio Pantano
- Molecular, Cellular and Animal Technology ProgramInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Biomolecular Simulations GroupInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | | | - Marcelo A. Comini
- Molecular, Cellular and Animal Technology ProgramInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Laboratory Redox Biology of TrypanosomesInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
| | - Mariela Bollati‐Fogolín
- Molecular, Cellular and Animal Technology ProgramInstitut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
- Cell Biology Unit, Institut Pasteur de MontevideoMontevideoUruguay
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2
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Gremmel N, Keuling O, Eiden M, Groschup MH, Johne R, Becher P, Baechlein C. Hepatitis E virus neutralization by porcine serum antibodies. J Clin Microbiol 2023; 61:e0037323. [PMID: 37823649 PMCID: PMC10662371 DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00373-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The consumption of raw or undercooked meat products poses a serious risk for human hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections. In many high-income countries, domestic pigs and wild boars represent the main animal reservoirs for HEV and are usually identified by reverse transcription-PCR and antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In order to characterize the humoral immune response in more detail, a cell culture-based serum neutralization assay using a culture-adapted HEV strain was established here. Measurement of neutralizing antibodies was only possible after removing the viral quasi-envelope by detergent treatment. Serum samples of 343 wild boars from Northern Germany were first analyzed for anti-HEV IgG using an in-house ELISA, resulting in 19% positive samples. Subsequently, a subset of 41 representative samples was tested with the neutralization assay, and the results correlated well with those obtained by ELISA. Not only the human HEV strain 47832c but also two porcine HEV strains were shown to be neutralized by porcine serum antibodies. Neutralizing activity was also found in samples containing both HEV-specific antibodies and HEV RNA. Testing of serum samples derived from two experimentally infected domestic pigs showed a steep increase in neutralizing activity at 24 or 51 days post infection, dependent on the used infectious dose. The developed assay can be useful for characterization of the humoral immune response after HEV infection and for assessing the efficiency of HEV vaccine candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Gremmel
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oliver Keuling
- Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Martin Eiden
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Reimar Johne
- Department of Biological Safety, German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paul Becher
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Baechlein
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Virology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
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3
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Bandi C, Mendoza-Roldan JA, Otranto D, Alvaro A, Louzada-Flores VN, Pajoro M, Varotto-Boccazzi I, Brilli M, Manenti A, Montomoli E, Zuccotti G, Epis S. Leishmania tarentolae: a vaccine platform to target dendritic cells and a surrogate pathogen for next generation vaccine research in leishmaniases and viral infections. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:35. [PMID: 36703216 PMCID: PMC9879565 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-05651-1] [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: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Parasites of the genus Leishmania are unusual unicellular microorganisms in that they are characterized by the capability to subvert in their favor the immune response of mammalian phagocytes, including dendritic cells. Thus, in overt leishmaniasis, dendritic cells and macrophages are converted into a niche for Leishmania spp. in which the parasite, rather than being inactivated and disassembled, survives and replicates. In addition, Leishmania parasites hitchhike onto phagocytic cells, exploiting them as a mode of transport to lymphoid tissues where other phagocytic cells are potentially amenable to parasite colonization. This propensity of Leishmania spp. to target dendritic cells has led some researchers to consider the possibility that the non-pathogenic, reptile-associated Leishmania tarentolae could be exploited as a vaccine platform and vehicle for the production of antigens from different viruses and for the delivery of the antigens to dendritic cells and lymph nodes. In addition, as L. tarentolae can also be regarded as a surrogate of pathogenic Leishmania parasites, this parasite of reptiles could possibly be developed into a vaccine against human and canine leishmaniases, exploiting its immunological cross-reactivity with other Leishmania species, or, after its engineering, for the expression of antigens from pathogenic species. In this article we review published studies on the use of L. tarentolae as a vaccine platform and vehicle, mainly in the areas of leishmaniases and viral infections. In addition, a short summary of available knowledge on the biology of L. tarentolae is presented, together with information on the use of this microorganism as a micro-factory to produce antigens suitable for the serodiagnosis of viral and parasitic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Bandi
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Domenico Otranto
- grid.7644.10000 0001 0120 3326Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Bari, Valenzano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Alvaro
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Pajoro
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Brilli
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- grid.511037.1VisMederi, Siena, Italy ,grid.9024.f0000 0004 1757 4641Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy ,Department of Pediatrics, Ospedale dei Bambini-Buzzi, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- grid.4708.b0000 0004 1757 2822Department of Biosciences, Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”–University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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4
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Zimna M, Brzuska G, Salát J, Svoboda P, Baranska K, Szewczyk B, Růžek D, Krol E. Functional characterization and immunogenicity of a novel vaccine candidate against tick-borne encephalitis virus based on Leishmania-derived virus-like particles. Antiviral Res 2023; 209:105511. [PMID: 36581050 DOI: 10.1016/j.antiviral.2022.105511] [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: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is a major cause of neurological infections in many regions of central, eastern and northern Europe and northern Asia. In approximately 15% of cases, TBEV infections lead to the development of severe encephalitis or meningitis. The main route of TBEV transmission is tick bites; however, ingestion of dairy products from infected animals (goats, cattle and sheep) is also a frequent cause of the disease. Therefore, vaccination of livestock in virus endemic regions could also contribute to the decrease in TBEV infection among humans. Although few vaccines against TBEV based on inactivated viruses are available for humans, due to high costs, vaccination is not mandatory in most of the affected countries. Moreover, there is still no vaccine for veterinary use. Here, we present a characterization and immunogenicity study of a new potential TBEV vaccine based on virus-like particles (VLPs) produced in Leishmania tarentolae cells. VLPs, which mimic native viral particles but do not contain genetic material, show good immunogenic potential. For the first time, we showed that the protozoan L. tarentolae expression system can be successfully used for the production of TBEV virus-like particles with highly efficient production. We confirmed that TBEV recombinant structural proteins (prM/M and E) from VLPs are highly recognized by neutralizing antibodies in in vitro analyses. Therefore, VLPs in combination with AddaVax adjuvant were used in immunization studies in a mouse model. VLPs proved to be highly immunogenic and induced the production of high levels of neutralizing antibodies. In a challenge experiment, immunization with VLPs provided full protection from lethal TBE in mice. Thus, we suggest that Leishmania-derived VLPs may be a good candidate for a safe alternative human vaccine with high efficiency of production. Moreover, this potential vaccine candidate may constitute a low-cost candidate for veterinary use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Zimna
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Gabriela Brzuska
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Jiří Salát
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ, 62100, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Svoboda
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ, 62100, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 735/5, CZ, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackeho Tr. 1946/1, 61242, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Klaudia Baranska
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Boguslaw Szewczyk
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307, Gdansk, Poland.
| | - Daniel Růžek
- Laboratory of Emerging Viral Infections, Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ, 62100, Brno, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ, 37005, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 735/5, CZ, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Ewelina Krol
- Department of Recombinant Vaccines, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdansk and Medical University of Gdansk, Abrahama 58, 80-307, Gdansk, Poland.
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5
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Mendoza‐Roldan JA, Votýpka J, Bandi C, Epis S, Modrý D, Tichá L, Volf P, Otranto D. Leishmania tarentolae: A new frontier in the epidemiology and control of the leishmaniases. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e1326-e1337. [PMID: 35839512 PMCID: PMC9804434 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14660] [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: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Leishmaniasis (or the leishmaniases), classified as a neglected tropical parasitic disease, is found in parts of the tropics, subtropics and southern Europe. Leishmania parasites are transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies and million cases of human infection occur annually. Leishmania tarentolae has been historically considered a non-pathogenic protozoan of reptiles, which has been studied mainly for its potential biotechnological applications. However, some strains of L. tarentolae appear to be transiently infective to mammals. In areas where leishmaniasis is endemic, recent molecular diagnostics and serological positivity to L. tarentolae in humans and dogs have spurred interest in the interactions between these mammalian hosts, reptiles and Leishmania infantum, the main aetiologic agent of human and canine leishmaniasis. In this review, we discuss the systematics and biology of L. tarentolae in the insect vectors and the vertebrate hosts and address questions about evolution of reptilian leishmaniae. Furthermore, we discuss the possible usefulness of L. tarentolae for new vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Votýpka
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic,Biology Centre, Institute of ParasitologyCzech Academy of SciencesČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”University of MilanMilanItaly
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences and Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”University of MilanMilanItaly
| | - David Modrý
- Biology Centre, Institute of ParasitologyCzech Academy of SciencesČeské BudějoviceCzech Republic,Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of ScienceMasaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic,Department of Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural ResourcesCzech University of Life SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Lucie Tichá
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Domenico Otranto
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of BariValenzanoItaly,Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary ScienceBu‐Ali Sina UniversityHamedanIran
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6
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Varotto-Boccazzi I, Manenti A, Dapporto F, Gourlay LJ, Bisaglia B, Gabrieli P, Forneris F, Faravelli S, Bollati V, Rubolini D, Zuccotti G, Montomoli E, Epis S, Bandi C. Epidemic Preparedness- Leishmania tarentolae as an Easy-to-Handle Tool to Produce Antigens for Viral Diagnosis: Application to COVID-19. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:736530. [PMID: 34966362 PMCID: PMC8710741 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.736530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
To detect and prevent emerging epidemics, discovery platforms are urgently needed, for the rapid development of diagnostic assays. Molecular diagnostic tests for COVID-19 were developed shortly after the isolation of SARS-CoV-2. However, serological tests based on antiviral antibody detection, revealing previous exposure to the virus, required longer testing phases, due to the need to obtain correctly folded and glycosylated antigens. The delay between the identification of a new virus and the development of reliable serodiagnostic tools limits our readiness to tackle future epidemics. We suggest that the protozoan Leishmania tarentolae can be used as an easy-to-handle microfactory for the rapid production of viral antigens to face emerging epidemics. We engineered L. tarentolae to express the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) and we recorded the ability of the purified RBD antigen to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in human sera, with a sensitivity and reproducibility comparable to that of a reference antigen produced in human cells. This is the first application of an antigen produced in L. tarentolae for the serodiagnosis of a Coronaviridae infection. On the basis of our results, we propose L. tarentolae as an effective system for viral antigen production, even in countries that lack high-technology cell factories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Varotto-Boccazzi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Paolo Gabrieli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Forneris
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Silvia Faravelli
- The Armenise-Harvard Laboratory of Structural Biology, Department of Biology and Biotechnology “L. Spallanzani”, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Valentina Bollati
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Diego Rubolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Water Research Institute—National Research Council of Italy, IRSA−CNR, Brugherio, Italy
| | - Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science “L. Sacco”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi Research, Siena, Italy
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Sara Epis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudio Bandi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Pediatric CRC “Romeo ed Enrica Invernizzi”, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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7
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Fischer K, Diederich S, Smith G, Reiche S, Pinho dos Reis V, Stroh E, Groschup MH, Weingartl HM, Balkema-Buschmann A. Indirect ELISA based on Hendra and Nipah virus proteins for the detection of henipavirus specific antibodies in pigs. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0194385. [PMID: 29708971 PMCID: PMC5927399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Hendra virus (HeV) and Nipah virus (NiV) belong to the genus Henipavirus in the family Paramyxoviridae. Henipavirus infections were first reported in the 1990’s causing severe and often fatal outbreaks in domestic animals and humans in Southeast Asia and Australia. NiV infections were observed in humans in Bangladesh, India and in the first outbreak in Malaysia, where pigs were also infected. HeV infections occurred in horses in the North-Eastern regions of Australia, with singular transmission events to humans. Bats of the genus Pteropus have been identified as the reservoir hosts for henipaviruses. Molecular and serological indications for the presence of henipa-like viruses in African fruit bats, pigs and humans have been published recently. In our study, truncated forms of HeV and NiV attachment (G) proteins as well as the full-length NiV nucleocapsid (N) protein were expressed using different expression systems. Based on these recombinant proteins, Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) were developed for the detection of HeV or NiV specific antibodies in porcine serum samples. We used the NiV N ELISA for initial serum screening considering the general reactivity against henipaviruses. The G protein based ELISAs enabled the differentiation between HeV and NiV infections, since as expected, the sera displayed higher reactivity with the respective homologous antigens. In the future, these assays will present valuable tools for serosurveillance of swine and possibly other livestock or wildlife species in affected areas. Such studies will help assessing the potential risk for human and animal health worldwide by elucidating the distribution of henipaviruses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sandra Diederich
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Greg Smith
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Sven Reiche
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Department of Experimental Animal Facilities and Biorisk Management, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Vinicius Pinho dos Reis
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Eileen Stroh
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H. Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Hana M. Weingartl
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency, National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
- * E-mail:
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8
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Mazalovska M, Varadinov N, Koynarski T, Minkov I, Teoharov P, Lomonossoff GP, Zahmanova G. Detection of Serum Antibodies to Hepatitis E Virus Based on HEV Genotype 3 ORF2 Capsid Protein Expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana. Ann Lab Med 2017; 37:313-319. [PMID: 28445010 PMCID: PMC5409023 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2017.37.4.313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2016] [Revised: 12/08/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes epidemics in developing countries and is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route. There have been recent reports on the zoonotic spread of the virus, and several animal species, primarily pigs, have been recognized as reservoirs of HEV. Because of its possible spread, there is an urgent need of a method for the cost-effective production of HEV proteins that can be used as diagnostic antigens for the serological detection of anti-HEV antibodies. METHODS The HEV open reading frame (ORF)2 protein was purified from plant tissue by using immobilized metal-anion chromatography (IMAC). The recombinant protein was used to develop an in-house ELISA for testing anti-HEV antibodies in both human and swine sera. Thirty-six serum samples collected from patients with serologically proven HEV infection with commercial kits were tested for anti-HEV IgG antibodies by using the plant-expressed protein. Forty-five serum samples collected from apparently healthy pigs in Bulgarian farms were also tested. RESULTS We confirmed the transient expression and purification of a truncated version of the HEV genotype 3 capsid protein in Nicotiana benthamiana and its usefulness as a diagnostic antigen. ELISA showed the presence of anti-HEV IgG antibodies in 29 of the 36 human samples. The in-house ELISA showed anti-HEV IgG antibodies in 34 of the 45 pigs. CONCLUSIONS We describe a method for the production of HEV ORF2 protein in N. benthamiana and the usefulness of this protein for the serological detection of anti-HEV antibodies in both humans and swine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Mazalovska
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Nikola Varadinov
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetoslav Koynarski
- Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Ivan Minkov
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Pavel Teoharov
- National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - George P Lomonossoff
- Department of Biological Chemistry, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK
| | - Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv "Paisii Hilendarski", Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
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9
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Pirdel L, Farajnia S. A Non-pathogenic RecombinantLeishmaniaExpressing Lipophosphoglycan 3 Against Experimental Infection withLeishmania infantum. Scand J Immunol 2017; 86:15-22. [DOI: 10.1111/sji.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L. Pirdel
- Department of Medical Sciences; Ardabil Branch; Islamic Azad University; Ardabil Iran
| | - S. Farajnia
- Drug Applied Research Center; Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; Tabriz Iran
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10
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Legastelois I, Buffin S, Peubez I, Mignon C, Sodoyer R, Werle B. Non-conventional expression systems for the production of vaccine proteins and immunotherapeutic molecules. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2016; 13:947-961. [PMID: 27905833 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2016.1260795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing demand for recombinant vaccine antigens or immunotherapeutic molecules calls into question the universality of current protein expression systems. Vaccine production can require relatively low amounts of expressed materials, but represents an extremely diverse category consisting of different target antigens with marked structural differences. In contrast, monoclonal antibodies, by definition share key molecular characteristics and require a production system capable of very large outputs, which drives the quest for highly efficient and cost-effective systems. In discussing expression systems, the primary assumption is that a universal production platform for vaccines and immunotherapeutics will unlikely exist. This review provides an overview of the evolution of traditional expression systems, including mammalian cells, yeast and E.coli, but also alternative systems such as other bacteria than E. coli, transgenic animals, insect cells, plants and microalgae, Tetrahymena thermophila, Leishmania tarentolae, filamentous fungi, cell free systems, and the incorporation of non-natural amino acids.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sophie Buffin
- a Research and Development, Sanofi Pasteur , Marcy L'Etoile , France
| | - Isabelle Peubez
- a Research and Development, Sanofi Pasteur , Marcy L'Etoile , France
| | | | - Régis Sodoyer
- b Technology Research Institute Bioaster , Lyon , France
| | - Bettina Werle
- b Technology Research Institute Bioaster , Lyon , France
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Immunogenicity and functional characterization of Leishmania-derived hepatitis C virus envelope glycoprotein complex. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30627. [PMID: 27481352 PMCID: PMC4969751 DOI: 10.1038/srep30627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 are the main inducers of a cross-neutralizing antibody response which plays an important role in the early phase of viral infection. Correctly folded and immunologically active E1E2 complex can be expressed in mammalian cells, though the production process might still prove restrictive, even if the immunological response of a vaccine candidate is positive. Here, we report a characterization and immunogenicity study of a full-length (fE1E2) and soluble version of the E1E2 complex (tE1E2) from genotype 1a, successfully expressed in the cells of Leishmania tarentolae. In a functional study, we confirmed the binding of both Leishmania-derived E1E2 complexes to the CD-81 receptor and the presence of the major epitopes participating in a neutralizing antibody response. Both complexes were proved to be highly immunogenic in mice and elicited neutralizing antibody response. Moreover, cross-reactivity of the mouse sera was detected for all tested HCV genotypes with the highest signal intensity observed for genotypes 1a, 1b, 5 and 6. Since the development of a prophylactic vaccine against HCV is still needed to control the global infection, our Leishmania-derived E1E2 glycoproteins could be considered a potential cost-effective vaccine candidate.
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Niimi T. Leishmania tarentolae for the Production of Multi-subunit Complexes. ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROTEIN COMPLEX PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION 2016; 896:155-65. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-27216-0_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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13
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Fischer K, dos Reis VP, Finke S, Sauerhering L, Stroh E, Karger A, Maisner A, Groschup MH, Diederich S, Balkema-Buschmann A. Expression, characterisation and antigenicity of a truncated Hendra virus attachment protein expressed in the protozoan host Leishmania tarentolae. J Virol Methods 2015; 228:48-54. [PMID: 26585033 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2015.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2015] [Revised: 11/05/2015] [Accepted: 11/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Hendra virus (HeV) is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus within the genus Henipavirus that has caused severe morbidity and mortality in humans and horses in Australia since 1994. HeV infection of host cells is mediated by the membrane bound attachment (G) and fusion (F) glycoproteins, that are essential for receptor binding and fusion of viral and cellular membranes. The eukaryotic unicellular parasite Leishmania tarentolae has recently been established as a powerful tool to express recombinant proteins with mammalian-like glycosylation patterns, but only few viral proteins have been expressed in this system so far. Here, we describe the purification of a truncated, Strep-tag labelled and soluble version of the HeV attachment protein (sHeV G) expressed in stably transfected L. tarentolae cells. After Strep-tag purification the identity of sHeV G was confirmed by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. The functional binding of sHeV G to the HeV cell entry receptor ephrin-B2 was confirmed in several binding assays. Generated polyclonal rabbit antiserum against sHeV G reacted with both HeV and Nipah virus (NiV) G proteins in immunofluorescence assay and efficiently neutralised NiV infection, thus further supporting the preserved antigenicity of the purified protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerstin Fischer
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Vinicius Pinho dos Reis
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Stefan Finke
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Lucie Sauerhering
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Eileen Stroh
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Axel Karger
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Molecular Virology and Cell Biology, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Andrea Maisner
- Institute of Virology, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Sandra Diederich
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Anne Balkema-Buschmann
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
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Pezzoni G, Caminiti A, Stercoli L, Grazioli S, Galletti G, Santi A, Tamba M, Brocchi E. Comparison of three in-house ELISAs for the detection of hepatitis E virus infection in pigs under field conditions. J Virol Methods 2014; 207:95-103. [PMID: 25010789 DOI: 10.1016/j.jviromet.2014.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2014] [Revised: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a RNA non-enveloped virus that comprises four genotypes. The genome of HEV is organized into three Open Reading Frames (ORFs), and the ORF2 is responsible for encoding capsid proteins. HEV can infect a wide range of hosts, and pigs are considered the main reservoir. HEV infection is considered a zoonosis and it is responsible for acute hepatitis in humans, especially in developing countries. The development of a blocking ELISA would be of high value for screening purpose, because there is no need of species specific reagents. The present study was conducted to assess three in-house ELISAs for the detection of HEV infection in 779 sera collected from breeding and fattening farms under field conditions. Two assays were indirect ELISAs, while the third was a blocking ELISA. Two different recombinant antigens were generated from specific sequences of the HEV-ORF2, and a Latent Class approach in a Bayesian framework was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of each ELISA. Because the three ELISAs cannot be thought of as independent, all possible dependence structures were modelled starting from the general case of conditional independence to the most complex situation of three mutually dependent assays. Results showed that none of the three ELISAs was significantly superior to the others in terms of sensitivity (posterior median value ranging from 89% to 94%, all 95% posterior credible intervals (95%PCI) overlapped). In terms of specificity, one of the indirect ELISAs was superior to blocking ELISA (posterior median indirect ELISA: 99%, 95%PCI: 98-100%; blocking ELISA: 90%; 95%PCI: 86-94%). However, this difference could be due to the potential wider spectrum of antibodies that blocking ELISA can actually detect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Pezzoni
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Antonino Caminiti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Lidia Stercoli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Santina Grazioli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Giorgio Galletti
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Annalisa Santi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Marco Tamba
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
| | - Emiliana Brocchi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Lombardia e dell'Emilia-Romagna, Via Bianchi 9, 25124 Brescia, Italy.
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Cuozzo JW, Soutter HH. Overview of Recent Progress in Protein-Expression Technologies for Small-Molecule Screening. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 19:1000-13. [PMID: 24525871 DOI: 10.1177/1087057114520975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Production of novel soluble and membrane-localized protein targets for functional and affinity-based screening has often been limited by the inability of traditional protein-expression systems to generate recombinant proteins that have properties similar to those of their endogenous counterparts. Such targets have often been labeled as challenging. Although biological validation of these challenging targets for specific disease areas may be strong, discovery of small-molecule modulators can be greatly delayed or completely halted due to target-expression issues. In this article, the limitations of traditional protein-expression systems will be discussed along with new systems designed to overcome these challenges. Recent work in this field has focused on two major areas for both soluble and membrane targets: construct-design strategies to improve expression levels and new hosts that can carry out the posttranslational modifications necessary for proper target folding and function. Another area of active research has been on the reconstitution of solubilized membrane targets for both structural analysis and screening. Finally, the potential impact of these new systems on the output of small-molecule screening campaigns will be discussed.
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