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Lee YS, Bang YJ, Yoo S, Park SI, Park HJ, Kwak HW, Bae SH, Park HJ, Kim JY, Youn SB, Roh G, Lee S, Kwon SP, Bang EK, Keum G, Nam JH, Hong SH. Analysis of the Immunostimulatory Effects of Cytokine-Expressing Internal Ribosome Entry Site-Based RNA Adjuvants and Their Applications. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:1408-1418. [PMID: 37711050 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiad392] [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: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing new adjuvants that can effectively induce humoral and cellular immune responses while broadening the immune response is of great value. In this study, we aimed to develop single-stranded RNA adjuvants expressing (1) granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor or (2) interleukin 18 based on the encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosome entry site; we also tested their efficacy in combination with ovalbumin or inactivated influenza vaccines. Notably, cytokine-expressing RNA adjuvants increased the expression of antigen-presenting cell activation markers in mice. Specifically, when combined with ovalbumin, RNA adjuvants expressing granulocyte monocyte colony-stimulating factor increased CD4+ T-cell responses, while those expressing interleukin 18 increased CD8+ T-cell responses. Cytokine-expressing RNA adjuvants further increased the frequency of polyclonal T cells with the influenza vaccine and reduced the clinical illness scores and weight loss of mice after viral challenge. Collectively, our results suggest that cytokine-expressing RNA adjuvants can be applied to protein-based or inactivated vaccines to increase their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Sun Lee
- Department of Biotechnology
- BK21 FOUR Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
| | - Yoo-Jin Bang
- Department of Biotechnology
- Central Research Institute, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong
| | - Soyeon Yoo
- Center for Brain Technology, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul
| | - Sang-In Park
- Central Research Institute, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong
| | - Hyo-Jung Park
- Department of Biotechnology
- BK21 FOUR Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
| | - Hye Won Kwak
- Central Research Institute, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong
| | - Seo-Hyeon Bae
- Department of Biotechnology
- BK21 FOUR Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
| | | | - Jae-Yong Kim
- Department of Biotechnology
- Central Research Institute, SML Biopharm, Gwangmyeong
| | - Sue-Bean Youn
- Department of Biotechnology
- BK21 FOUR Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
| | - Gahyun Roh
- Department of Biotechnology
- BK21 FOUR Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
| | - Seonghyun Lee
- Department of Biotechnology
- BK21 FOUR Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
| | - Sung Pil Kwon
- Center for Brain Technology, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul
| | - Eun-Kyoung Bang
- Center for Brain Technology, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul
| | - Gyochang Keum
- Center for Brain Technology, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul
| | - Jae-Hwan Nam
- BK21 FOUR Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
- Department of Medical and Biological Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon
| | - So-Hee Hong
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Fu C, Tong W, Yu L, Miao Y, Wei Q, Yu Z, Chen B, Wei M. When will the immune-stimulating antibody conjugates (ISACs) be transferred from bench to bedside? Pharmacol Res 2024; 203:107160. [PMID: 38547937 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2024.107160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Revised: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/30/2024]
Abstract
Immunostimulatory antibody conjugates (ISACs) as a promising new generation of targeted therapeutic antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), that not only activate innate immunity but also stimulate adaptive immunity, providing a dual therapeutic effect to eliminate tumor cells. However, several ISACs are still in the early stages of clinical development or have already failed. Therefore, it is crucial to design ISACs more effectively to overcome their limitations, including high toxicity, strong immunogenicity, long development time, and poor pharmacokinetics. This review aims to summarize the composition and function of ISACs, incorporating current design considerations and ongoing clinical trials. Additionally, the review delves into the current issues with ISACs and potential solutions, such as adjusting the drug-antibody ratio (DAR) to improve the bioavailability of ISACs. By leveraging the affinity and bioavailability-enhancing properties of bispecific antibodies, the utility between antibodies and immunostimulatory agents can be balanced. Commonly used immunostimulatory agents may induce systemic immune reactions, and BTK (Bruton's tyrosine kinase) inhibitors can regulate immunogenicity. Finally, the concept of grafting ADC's therapeutic principles is simple, but the combination of payload, linker, and targeted functional molecules is not a simple permutation and combination problem. The development of conjugate drugs faces more complex pharmacological and toxicological issues. Standing on the shoulders of ADC, the development and application scenarios of ISAC are endowed with broader space.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Fu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Weiwei Tong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Lifeng Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Yuxi Miao
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Qian Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China
| | - Zhaojin Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China.
| | - Bo Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Hospital of China Medical University, No. 155, Nanjing North Street, Shenyang 110122, PR China.
| | - Minjie Wei
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China; Liaoning Key Laboratory of Molecular Targeted Anti-tumor Drug Development and Evaluation, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, PR China.
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Parry PI, Lefringhausen A, Turni C, Neil CJ, Cosford R, Hudson NJ, Gillespie J. 'Spikeopathy': COVID-19 Spike Protein Is Pathogenic, from Both Virus and Vaccine mRNA. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2287. [PMID: 37626783 PMCID: PMC10452662 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused much illness, many deaths, and profound disruption to society. The production of 'safe and effective' vaccines was a key public health target. Sadly, unprecedented high rates of adverse events have overshadowed the benefits. This two-part narrative review presents evidence for the widespread harms of novel product COVID-19 mRNA and adenovectorDNA vaccines and is novel in attempting to provide a thorough overview of harms arising from the new technology in vaccines that relied on human cells producing a foreign antigen that has evidence of pathogenicity. This first paper explores peer-reviewed data counter to the 'safe and effective' narrative attached to these new technologies. Spike protein pathogenicity, termed 'spikeopathy', whether from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or produced by vaccine gene codes, akin to a 'synthetic virus', is increasingly understood in terms of molecular biology and pathophysiology. Pharmacokinetic transfection through body tissues distant from the injection site by lipid-nanoparticles or viral-vector carriers means that 'spikeopathy' can affect many organs. The inflammatory properties of the nanoparticles used to ferry mRNA; N1-methylpseudouridine employed to prolong synthetic mRNA function; the widespread biodistribution of the mRNA and DNA codes and translated spike proteins, and autoimmunity via human production of foreign proteins, contribute to harmful effects. This paper reviews autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, potential oncological effects, and autopsy evidence for spikeopathy. With many gene-based therapeutic technologies planned, a re-evaluation is necessary and timely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter I. Parry
- Children’s Health Research Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Astrid Lefringhausen
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Conny Turni
- Microbiology Research, QAAFI (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Christopher J. Neil
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Robyn Cosford
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Nicholas J. Hudson
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Julian Gillespie
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
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4
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Roso-Mares A, Andújar I, Díaz Corpas T, Sun BK. Non-coding RNAs as skin disease biomarkers, molecular signatures, and therapeutic targets. Hum Genet 2023:10.1007/s00439-023-02588-4. [PMID: 37580609 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-023-02588-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023]
Abstract
Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are emerging as biomarkers, molecular signatures, and therapeutic tools and targets for diseases. In this review, we focus specifically on skin diseases to highlight how two classes of ncRNAs-microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs-are being used to diagnose medical conditions of unclear etiology, improve our ability to guide treatment response, and predict disease prognosis. Furthermore, we explore how ncRNAs are being used as both as drug targets and associated therapies have unique benefits, risks, and challenges to development, but offer a distinctive promise for improving patient care and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Roso-Mares
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Andújar
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Tania Díaz Corpas
- Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Dermatology, Hospital Dr Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | - Bryan K Sun
- Department of Dermatology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA.
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5
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Touray BJ, Hanafy M, Phanse Y, Hildebrand R, Talaat AM. Protective RNA nanovaccines against Mycobacterium avium subspecies hominissuis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1188754. [PMID: 37359562 PMCID: PMC10286238 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1188754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The induction of an effective immune response is critical for the success of mRNA-based therapeutics. Here, we developed a nanoadjuvant system compromised of Quil-A and DOTAP (dioleoyl 3 trimethylammonium propane), hence named QTAP, for the efficient delivery of mRNA vaccine constructs into cells. Electron microscopy indicated that the complexation of mRNA with QTAP forms nanoparticles with an average size of 75 nm and which have ~90% encapsulation efficiency. The incorporation of pseudouridine-modified mRNA resulted in higher transfection efficiency and protein translation with low cytotoxicity than unmodified mRNA. When QTAP-mRNA or QTAP alone transfected macrophages, pro-inflammatory pathways (e.g., NLRP3, NF-kb, and MyD88) were upregulated, an indication of macrophage activation. In C57Bl/6 mice, QTAP nanovaccines encoding Ag85B and Hsp70 transcripts (QTAP-85B+H70) were able to elicit robust IgG antibody and IFN- ɣ, TNF-α, IL-2, and IL-17 cytokines responses. Following aerosol challenge with a clinical isolate of M. avium ss. hominissuis (M.ah), a significant reduction of mycobacterial counts was observed in lungs and spleens of only immunized animals at both 4- and 8-weeks post-challenge. As expected, reduced levels of M. ah were associated with diminished histological lesions and robust cell-mediated immunity. Interestingly, polyfunctional T-cells expressing IFN- ɣ, IL-2, and TNF- α were detected at 8 but not 4 weeks post-challenge. Overall, our analysis indicated that QTAP is a highly efficient transfection agent and could improve the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines against pulmonary M. ah, an infection of significant public health importance, especially to the elderly and to those who are immune compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bubacarr J.B. Touray
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Mostafa Hanafy
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | | | - Rachel Hildebrand
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
| | - Adel M. Talaat
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, United States
- Pan Genome Systems, Madison, WI, United States
- Vireo Vaccines International, LLC, Madison, Wisconsin, United States
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Yan J, Ou BS, Saouaf OM, Meany EL, Eckman N, Appel EA. A regimen compression strategy for commercial vaccines leveraging an injectable hydrogel depot technology for sustained vaccine exposure. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.23.534005. [PMID: 36993717 PMCID: PMC10055424 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.23.534005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Equitable global access to vaccines requires we overcome challenges associated with complex immunization schedules and their associated economic burdens that hinder delivery in under resourced environments. The rabies vaccine, for example, requires multiple immunizations for effective protection and each dose is cost prohibitive, and therefore inaccessibility disproportionately impacts low- and middle-income countries. In this work we developed an injectable hydrogel depot technology for sustained delivery of commercial inactivated rabies virus vaccines. In a mouse model, we showed that a single immunization of a hydrogel-based rabies vaccine elicited comparable antibody titers to a standard prime-boost bolus regimen of a commercial rabies vaccine, despite these hydrogel vaccines comprising only half of the total dose delivered in the bolus control. Moreover, these hydrogel-based vaccines elicited similar antigen-specific T-cell responses and neutralizing antibody responses compared to the bolus vaccine. Notably, we demonstrated that while addition of a potent clinical TLR4 agonist adjuvant to the gels slightly improved binding antibody responses, inclusion of this adjuvant to the inactivated virion vaccine was detrimental to neutralizing responses. Taken together, these results suggest that these hydrogels can enable an effective regimen compression and dosesparing strategy for improving global access to vaccines.
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Ma J, Wang S, Zhao C, Yan X, Ren Q, Dong Z, Qiu J, Liu Y, Shan Q, Xu M, Yan B, Liu S. Computer-Aided Discovery of Potent Broad-Spectrum Vaccine Adjuvants. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202301059. [PMID: 36815280 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202301059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Adjuvants stimulate the immune system to vigorously respond to a vaccine. While current adjuvants such as aluminum salts and oil-in-water emulsions have been used for decades, they do not generate broad and long-lasting responses in many vaccines. Consequently, more potent adjuvants are needed. Here, using computer-aided molecule design and machine learning, we discovered 2 new, broad-spectrum adjuvants that can boost vaccine responses. Our library containing 46 toll-like receptor (TLR)-targeting agonist ligands were assembled on Au nanoparticles. Comprehensive in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies showed both leads promoted dendritic cell activation via multiple TLRs and enhanced antigen presentation to T cells. When used together with tumor-specific antigens to immunize mice against B16-OVA melanoma and 4T1-PD1 breast cancer, both adjuvants unleashed strong immune responses that suppressed tumor growth and lung metastases. Our results show computer-aided design and screening can rapidly uncover potent adjuvants for tackling waning immunity in current vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Shenqing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bays, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Chuanfang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- School of Chemical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Xiliang Yan
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bays, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Quanzhong Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- Department of toxicology and sanitary chemistry, School of public health, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100069, P. R. China
| | - Zheng Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jiahuang Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yin Liu
- School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 330106, P. R. China
| | - Qing'e Shan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, P. R. China
| | - Ming Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Bing Yan
- Institute of Environmental Research at Greater Bays, Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Sijin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, P. R. China
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, Shandong 250117, P. R. China
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Liu MA. DNA and mRNA Vaccines for Chronic Viral Infections and Cancer: Rationale, Mechanisms, and Progress. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14235874. [PMID: 36497356 PMCID: PMC9740312 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14235874] [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: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Interest in the capabilities of nucleic acid vaccines, (DNA and mRNA vaccines) for both prophylactic and therapeutic uses have greatly increased following the successful deployment of two mRNA and, on a more limited scale, one DNA vaccine for COVID-19. In addition to targeting other pathogens for prophylactic vaccines, efforts are also being made towards using them for therapies for chronic infections and cancer. An examination of past and current successes for such therapies using other technologies with an emphasis on the immunological mechanisms will be provided followed by an assessment of the relevant characteristics of DNA and mRNA vaccines to predict their utility for therapies for chronic viral infections and cancer. Efforts and progress for these targets will be described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A. Liu
- ProTherImmune, 3656 Happy Valley Road, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA; ; Tel.: +1-925-299-2959
- Department of Medicine at Solna, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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Lutz J, Meister M, Habbeddine M, Fiedler K, Kowalczyk A, Heidenreich R. Local immunotherapy with the RNA-based immune stimulator CV8102 induces substantial anti-tumor responses and enhances checkpoint inhibitor activity. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2022; 72:1075-1087. [PMID: 36319717 PMCID: PMC10110722 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-022-03311-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AbstractImmunotherapy has revolutionized cancer treatment in recent years. Although currently approved checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs) yield remarkable anti-tumoral responses in several cancer types, a substantial proportion of patients do not benefit from such therapies. Local activation of innate immune signaling pathways is a promising approach to overcome the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, induce anti-tumor immunity, and improve the efficacy of CPI therapies. Here, we assessed the mode of action and efficacy of the RNA-based innate immune stimulator CV8102 for local immunotherapy in preclinical models. Intratumoral (i.t.) administration of CV8102 activated innate immune responses in the tumor microenvironment and draining lymph nodes, resulting in a dose-dependent anti-tumoral response. Combining i.t. CV8102 with systemic anti-programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) treatment further enhanced anti-tumoral responses, inducing tumor infiltration and activation of CD8+ T cells. The resulting memory response prevented tumor growth in rechallenged animals and impaired the growth of non-injected distal tumors. Therefore, i.t. CV8102 delivery is a promising approach for local cancer immunotherapy, especially in combination with CPIs. Clinical testing of CV8102 is ongoing (NCT03291002).
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10
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Rabies Vaccine: Recent Update and Comprehensive Review of in vitro and in vivo Studies. Process Biochem 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.procbio.2022.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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11
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Nair S, Wu Y, Nguyen TM, Fink K, Luo D, Ruedl C. Intranasal Delivery of RIG-I Agonist Drives Pulmonary Myeloid Cell Activation in Mice. Front Immunol 2022; 13:910192. [PMID: 35784329 PMCID: PMC9241514 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.910192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Viral respiratory infections cause substantial health and economic burden. There is a pressing demand for efficacious vaccination strategies and, therefore, a need for a better understanding of the mechanisms of action of novel potential adjuvants. Here we investigated the effect of a synthetic RIG-I agonist, the dsRNA hairpin 3p10LA9, on the activation of pulmonary myeloid cells. Analysis of early innate immune responses revealed that a single intranasal 3p10LA9 dose induces a transient pulmonary interferon-stimulated gene (ISG) and pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine response, which leads to the maturation of three distinct dendritic cell subpopulations in the lungs. While lung resident dendritic cell decrease shortly after 3p10LA9 delivery, their numbers increase in the draining mediastinal lymph node, where they have migrated, maintaining their activated phenotype. At the same time, dsRNA hairpin-induced chemokines attract transiently infiltrating monocytes into the lungs, which causes a short temporary pulmonary inflammation. However, these monocytes are dispensable in controlling influenza infection since in CCR2 deficient mice, lacking these infiltrating cells, the virus load was similar to the wild type mice when infected with the influenza virus at a sublethal dose. In summary, our data suggest that intranasal delivery of dsRNA hairpins, used as a RIG-I targeting adjuvant, represents an attractive strategy to boost type I inteferon-mediated lung dendritic cell maturation, which supports viral reduction in the lungs during infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajith Nair
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yilun Wu
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Trinh Mai Nguyen
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Katja Fink
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dahai Luo
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christiane Ruedl
- School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- *Correspondence: Christiane Ruedl,
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Barbier AJ, Jiang AY, Zhang P, Wooster R, Anderson DG. The clinical progress of mRNA vaccines and immunotherapies. Nat Biotechnol 2022; 40:840-854. [PMID: 35534554 DOI: 10.1038/s41587-022-01294-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 220] [Impact Index Per Article: 110.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The emergency use authorizations (EUAs) of two mRNA-based severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV)-2 vaccines approximately 11 months after publication of the viral sequence highlights the transformative potential of this nucleic acid technology. Most clinical applications of mRNA to date have focused on vaccines for infectious disease and cancer for which low doses, low protein expression and local delivery can be effective because of the inherent immunostimulatory properties of some mRNA species and formulations. In addition, work on mRNA-encoded protein or cellular immunotherapies has also begun, for which minimal immune stimulation, high protein expression in target cells and tissues, and the need for repeated administration have led to additional manufacturing and formulation challenges for clinical translation. Building on this momentum, the past year has seen clinical progress with second-generation coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, Omicron-specific boosters and vaccines against seasonal influenza, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and cancer. Here we review the clinical progress of mRNA therapy as well as provide an overview and future outlook of the transformative technology behind these mRNA-based drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Allen Yujie Jiang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Peng Zhang
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecule Synthesis and Functionalization, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, P. R. China
| | | | - Daniel G Anderson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Harvard-Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Division of Health Science and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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Aly NI, Elnaker YF, Salama ZTS, Diab MS, Saber EA, Sotohy SA, Elfeil WK, Khodeir MH. Preparation and the assessed efficacy of oral baits for the vaccination of free-roaming dogs against rabies. Vet World 2022; 15:1383-1390. [PMID: 35765489 PMCID: PMC9210852 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.1383-1390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim: Rabies is considered a highly fatal zoonotic disease and many deaths in humans have been associated with dog bites. This study was designed to prepare an oral anti-rabies vaccine in the form of baits to eliminate the disease in free-roaming dogs and subsequently protect humans from dog bites. Materials and Methods: The Evelyn Rokintniki Abelseth (ERA) rabies virus strain was propagated in baby hamster kidney cell cultures and adjusted to the recommended dose for application. Four forms of oral baits were employed with the rabies vaccine, which was evaluated for safety, acceptability, and potency in different dog groups. Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and the serum neutralization test (SNT) were used to determine the protective rabies antibody titer in the sera of vaccinated dogs. Results: According to the results, a dose of 3 mL of the ERA strain, containing a viral titer of 107.6 TCID50/mL, induced a mean antibody titer of 25.6 by SNT, and the PI% was 75.7 by Block ELISA, providing a protective level of the rabies antibody in 100% of vaccinated dogs. All used baits were found to be safe, inducing no abnormal general post-vaccination signs (the signs are limited to mild fever, mild loss of appetite, and mild-to-moderate loss of energy for 24-36 h after vaccination). Conclusion: It was found that most of the accepted and highly potent bait types consisted of a mixture of wheat flour, vegetable oil, sodium alginate, corn starch, meat meal, cellulose gum, and water. This dog meal was covered with bran and edible wax to seal the bait cavity after inserting the vaccine sachet. This bait was able to induce a protective level of rabies antibodies in 100% of vaccinated dogs after receiving one bait/dog. Hence, such a bait could be recommended for use in the protection of free-roaming dogs and the elimination of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naglaa I. Aly
- Department of Pet Animal Vaccine Research Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Abassia, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Yasser F. Elnaker
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, El-Kharga, Egypt
| | - Zeinab T. S. Salama
- Department of Pet Animal Vaccine Research Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Abassia, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S. Diab
- Department of Animal Hygiene and Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, El-Kharga, Egypt
| | - Eman A. Saber
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, El-Kharga, Egypt
| | - Sotohy A. Sotohy
- Department of Animal, Poultry and Environmental Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Asyut, Egypt
| | - Wael K. Elfeil
- Department of Avian and Rabbit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Mohamed H. Khodeir
- Department of Pet Animal Vaccine Research Veterinary Serum and Vaccine Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture, Abassia, Cairo, Egypt
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Teixeira AR, Pérez-Cabezas B, Costa DM, Sá M, Golba S, Sefiane-Djemaoune H, Ribeiro J, Kaneko I, Iwanaga S, Yuda M, Tsuji M, Boscardin SB, Amino R, Cordeiro-da-Silva A, Tavares J. Immunization with CSP and a RIG-I Agonist is Effective in Inducing a Functional and Protective Humoral Response Against Plasmodium. Front Immunol 2022; 13:868305. [PMID: 35669785 PMCID: PMC9163323 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.868305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Malaria is a major public health concern, as a highly effective human vaccine remains elusive. The efficacy of a subunit vaccine targeting the most abundant protein of the sporozoite surface, the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) has been hindered by difficulties in generating an effective humoral response in both quantity and quality. Using the rodent Plasmodium yoelii model we report here that immunization with CSP adjuvanted with 5’ppp-dsRNA, a RIG-I agonist, confers early and long-lasting sterile protection in mice against stringent sporozoite and mosquito bite challenges. The immunization induced high levels of antibodies, which were functional in targeting and killing the sporozoites and were sustained over time through the accumulation of long-lived plasma cells in the bone marrow. Moreover, 5’ppp-dsRNA-adjuvanted immunization with the CSP of P. falciparum was also significantly protective against challenges using a transgenic PfCSP-expressing P. yoelii parasite. Conversely, using the TLR3 agonist poly(A:U) as adjuvant resulted in a formulation that despite inducing high antibody levels was unable to generate equally functional antibodies and was, consequently, less protective. In conclusion, we demonstrate that using 5’ppp-dsRNA as an adjuvant to vaccines targeting CSP induces effective anti-Plasmodium humoral immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Rafaela Teixeira
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Begoña Pérez-Cabezas
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - David M. Costa
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Mónica Sá
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sylvain Golba
- Center for Production and Infection of Anopheles, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | | | - Joana Ribeiro
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Izumi Kaneko
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
| | - Shiroh Iwanaga
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masao Yuda
- Department of Medical Zoology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie, Japan
| | - Moriya Tsuji
- Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Silvia Beatriz Boscardin
- Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii)-INCT, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rogerio Amino
- Unit of Malaria Infection and Immunity, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Anabela Cordeiro-da-Silva
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Parasite Disease Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Tavares
- Host-Parasite Interactions Group, Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Joana Tavares,
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15
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Löffler MW, Gori S, Izzo F, Mayer-Mokler A, Ascierto P, Königsrainer A, Ma YT, Sangro B, Francque S, Vonghia L, Inno A, Avallone A, Ludwig J, Alcoba DD, Flohr C, Aslan K, Mendrzyk R, Schuster H, Borrelli M, Valmori D, Chaumette T, Heidenreich R, Gouttefangeas C, Forlani G, Tagliamonte M, Fusco C, Penta R, Iñarrairaegui M, Gnad-Vogt U, Reinhardt C, Weinschenk T, Accolla RS, Singh H, Rammensee HG, Buonaguro L. Phase I/II multicenter trial of a novel therapeutic cancer vaccine, HepaVac-101, for hepatocellular carcinoma. Clin Cancer Res 2022; 28:2555-2566. [PMID: 35421231 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-21-4424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Immunotherapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) shows considerable promise in improving clinical outcomes. HepaVac-101 represents a single-arm, first-in-man Phase I/II multicenter cancer vaccine trial for HCC (NCT03203005). It combines multi-peptide antigens (IMA970A) with the TLR7/8/RIG I agonist CV8102. IMA970A includes 5 HLA-A*24 and 7 HLA-A*02 as well as 4 HLA-DR restricted peptides selected after mass spectrometric identification in human HCC tissues or cell lines. CV8102 is an RNA-based immunostimulator inducing a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN 82 patients with very early to intermediate stage HCCs were enrolled and screened for suitable HLA haplotypes and 22 put on study treatment. This consisted in a single infusion of low-dose cyclophosphamide followed by 9 intradermal coadministrations of IMA970A and CV8102. Only patients with no disease relapse after standard of care treatments were vaccinated. Primary endpoints of HepaVac-101 clinical trial were safety, tolerability and antigen-specific T-cell responses. Secondary or exploratory endpoints included additional immunological parameters and survival endpoints. RESULTS The vaccination showed a good safety profile. Transient mild-to-moderate injection-site reactions were the most frequent IMA970A/CV8102-related side effects. Immune responses against {greater than or equal to}1 vaccinated HLA class I tumor-associated peptide (TAA) and {greater than or equal to}1 vaccinated HLA class II TAA were respectively induced in 37% and 53% of the vaccinees. CONCLUSION Immunotherapy may provide a great improvement in treatment options for HCC. HepaVac-101 is a first-in-man clinical vaccine trial with multiple novel HLA class I- and class II-restricted TAAs against HCC. The results are initial evidence for safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine. Further clinical evaluations are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania Gori
- IRCCS Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Italy
| | - Francesco Izzo
- Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Paolo Ascierto
- Istituto Nazionale Tumori IRCCS Fondazione G. Pascale, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Yuk Ting Ma
- University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bruno Sangro
- Clínica Universidad de Navarra and CIBEREHD, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | | | | | - Alessandro Inno
- IRCCS Ospedale Sacro Cuore Don Calabria, Negrar di Valpolicella, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Jörg Ludwig
- Immatics Biotechnologies (Germany), Tuebingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco Borrelli
- ISTITUTO NAZIONALE TUMORI IRCCS - Fondazione Pascale, napoli, napoli, Italy
| | - Danila Valmori
- Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, Nantes-Saint Herblain, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Roberta Penta
- AORN Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Luigi Buonaguro
- ISTITUTO NAZIONALE TUMORI IRCCS - Fondazione Pascale, NAPLES, Italy
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16
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Chen GL, Li XF, Dai XH, Li N, Cheng ML, Huang Z, Shen J, Ge YH, Shen ZW, Deng YQ, Yang SY, Zhao H, Zhang NN, Zhang YF, Wei L, Wu KQ, Zhu MF, Peng CG, Jiang Q, Cao SC, Li YH, Zhao DH, Wu XH, Ni L, Shen HH, Dong C, Ying B, Sheng GP, Qin CF, Gao HN, Li LJ. Safety and immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 ARCoV mRNA vaccine in Chinese adults: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1 trial. THE LANCET. MICROBE 2022; 3:e193-e202. [PMID: 35098177 PMCID: PMC8786321 DOI: 10.1016/s2666-5247(21)00280-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safe and effective vaccines are urgently needed to end the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. We aimed to assess the preliminary safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of an mRNA vaccine ARCoV, which encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor-binding domain (RBD). METHODS This single centre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation, phase 1 trial of ARCoV was conducted at Shulan (Hangzhou) hospital in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, China. Healthy adults aged 18-59 years negative for SARS-CoV-2 infection were enrolled and randomly assigned using block randomisation to receive an intramuscular injection of vaccine or placebo. Vaccine doses were 5 μg, 10 μg, 15 μg, 20 μg, and 25 μg. The first six participants in each block were sentinels and along with the remaining 18 participants, were randomly assigned to groups (5:1). In block 1 sentinels were given the lowest vaccine dose and after a 4-day observation with confirmed safety analyses, the remaining 18 participants in the same dose group proceeded and sentinels in block 2 were given their first administration on a two-dose schedule, 28 days apart. All participants, investigators, and staff doing laboratory analyses were masked to treatment allocation. Humoral responses were assessed by measuring anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD IgG using a standardised ELISA and neutralising antibodies using pseudovirus-based and live SARS-CoV-2 neutralisation assays. SARS-CoV-2 RBD-specific T-cell responses, including IFN-γ and IL-2 production, were assessed using an enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assay. The primary outcome for safety was incidence of adverse events or adverse reactions within 60 min, and at days 7, 14, and 28 after each vaccine dose. The secondary safety outcome was abnormal changes detected by laboratory tests at days 1, 4, 7, and 28 after each vaccine dose. For immunogenicity, the secondary outcome was humoral immune responses: titres of neutralising antibodies to live SARS-CoV-2, neutralising antibodies to pseudovirus, and RBD-specific IgG at baseline and 28 days after first vaccination and at days 7, 15, and 28 after second vaccination. The exploratory outcome was SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell responses at 7 days after the first vaccination and at days 7 and 15 after the second vaccination. This trial is registered with www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2000039212). FINDINGS Between Oct 30 and Dec 2, 2020, 230 individuals were screened and 120 eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive five-dose levels of ARCoV or a placebo (20 per group). All participants received the first vaccination and 118 received the second dose. No serious adverse events were reported within 56 days after vaccination and the majority of adverse events were mild or moderate. Fever was the most common systemic adverse reaction (one [5%] of 20 in the 5 μg group, 13 [65%] of 20 in the 10 μg group, 17 [85%] of 20 in the 15 μg group, 19 [95%] of 20 in the 20 μg group, 16 [100%] of 16 in the 25 μg group; p<0·0001). The incidence of grade 3 systemic adverse events were none (0%) of 20 in the 5 μg group, three (15%) of 20 in the 10 μg group, six (30%) of 20 in the 15 μg group, seven (35%) of 20 in the 20 μg group, five (31%) of 16 in the 25 μg group, and none (0%) of 20 in the placebo group (p=0·0013). As expected, the majority of fever resolved in the first 2 days after vaccination for all groups. The incidence of solicited systemic adverse events was similar after administration of ARCoV as a first or second vaccination. Humoral immune responses including anti-RBD IgG and neutralising antibodies increased significantly 7 days after the second dose and peaked between 14 and 28 days thereafter. Specific T-cell response peaked between 7 and 14 days after full vaccination. 15 μg induced the highest titre of neutralising antibodies, which was about twofold more than the antibody titre of convalescent patients with COVID-19. INTERPRETATION ARCoV was safe and well tolerated at all five doses. The acceptable safety profile, together with the induction of strong humoral and cellular immune responses, support further clinical testing of ARCoV at a large scale. FUNDING National Key Research and Development Project of China, Academy of Medical Sciences China, National Natural Science Foundation China, and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xiao-Feng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Nan Li
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Li Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jian Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases/National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases/Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Hua Ge
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Wei Shen
- Zhejiang Shuren University Shulan International Medical College, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yong-Qiang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Na-Na Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yi-Fei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wei
- Suzhou Abogen Biosciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Kai-Qi Wu
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | | | | | - Qi Jiang
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shou-Chun Cao
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Hua Li
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Dan-Hua Zhao
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Wu
- National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Ni
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Center for Human Disease Immuno-monitoring, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hua-Hao Shen
- Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease of Zhejiang Province, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chen Dong
- Institute for Immunology and School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- Center for Human Disease Immuno-monitoring, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Ying
- Suzhou Abogen Biosciences, Suzhou, China
| | | | - Cheng-Feng Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Research Unit of Discovery and Tracing of Natural Focus Diseases, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing China
| | - Hai-Nv Gao
- Shulan (Hangzhou) Hospital, Hangzhou, China
| | - Lan-Juan Li
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases/National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases/Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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17
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Yang JX, Tseng JC, Yu GY, Luo Y, Huang CYF, Hong YR, Chuang TH. Recent Advances in the Development of Toll-like Receptor Agonist-Based Vaccine Adjuvants for Infectious Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14020423. [PMID: 35214155 PMCID: PMC8878135 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14020423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are powerful tools for controlling microbial infections and preventing epidemic diseases. Efficient inactive, subunit, or viral-like particle vaccines usually rely on a safe and potent adjuvant to boost the immune response to the antigen. After a slow start, over the last decade there has been increased developments on adjuvants for human vaccines. The development of adjuvants has paralleled our increased understanding of the molecular mechanisms for the pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-mediated activation of immune responses. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of PRRs that recognize microbial pathogens to initiate a host’s response to infection. Activation of TLRs triggers potent and immediate innate immune responses, which leads to subsequent adaptive immune responses. Therefore, these TLRs are ideal targets for the development of effective adjuvants. To date, TLR agonists such as monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and CpG-1018 have been formulated in licensed vaccines for their adjuvant activity, and other TLR agonists are being developed for this purpose. The COVID-19 pandemic has also accelerated clinical research of vaccines containing TLR agonist-based adjuvants. In this paper, we reviewed the agonists for TLR activation and the molecular mechanisms associated with the adjuvants’ effects on TLR activation, emphasizing recent advances in the development of TLR agonist-based vaccine adjuvants for infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Xing Yang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; (J.-X.Y.); (J.-C.T.)
| | - Jen-Chih Tseng
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; (J.-X.Y.); (J.-C.T.)
| | - Guann-Yi Yu
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan;
| | - Yunping Luo
- Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China;
| | - Chi-Ying F. Huang
- Institute of Biopharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
| | - Yi-Ren Hong
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan;
| | - Tsung-Hsien Chuang
- Immunology Research Center, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli 35053, Taiwan; (J.-X.Y.); (J.-C.T.)
- Department of Life Sciences, National Central University, Taoyuan City 32001, Taiwan
- Program in Environmental and Occupational Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-37-246166 (ext. 37611)
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18
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Pandey M, Ojha D, Bansal S, Rode AB, Chawla G. From bench side to clinic: Potential and challenges of RNA vaccines and therapeutics in infectious diseases. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 81:101003. [PMID: 34332771 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2021.101003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The functional and structural versatility of Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) makes them ideal candidates for overcoming the limitations imposed by small molecule-based drugs. Hence, RNA-based biopharmaceuticals such as messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), microRNA mimics, anti-miRNA oligonucleotides (AMOs), aptamers, riboswitches, and CRISPR-Cas9 are emerging as vital tools for the treatment and prophylaxis of many infectious diseases. Some of the major challenges to overcome in the area of RNA-based therapeutics have been the instability of single-stranded RNAs, delivery to the diseased cell, and immunogenicity. However, recent advancements in the delivery systems of in vitro transcribed mRNA and chemical modifications for protection against nucleases and reducing the toxicity of RNA have facilitated the entry of several exogenous RNAs into clinical trials. In this review, we provide an overview of RNA-based vaccines and therapeutics, their production, delivery, current advancements, and future translational potential in treating infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manish Pandey
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Divya Ojha
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Sakshi Bansal
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India
| | - Ambadas B Rode
- Laboratory of Synthetic Biology, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India.
| | - Geetanjali Chawla
- RNA Biology Laboratory, Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad, 121001, India.
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19
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Pilkington EH, Suys EJA, Trevaskis NL, Wheatley AK, Zukancic D, Algarni A, Al-Wassiti H, Davis TP, Pouton CW, Kent SJ, Truong NP. From influenza to COVID-19: Lipid nanoparticle mRNA vaccines at the frontiers of infectious diseases. Acta Biomater 2021; 131:16-40. [PMID: 34153512 PMCID: PMC8272596 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination represents the best line of defense against infectious diseases and is crucial in curtailing pandemic spread of emerging pathogens to which a population has limited immunity. In recent years, mRNA vaccines have been proposed as the new frontier in vaccination, owing to their facile and rapid development while providing a safer alternative to traditional vaccine technologies such as live or attenuated viruses. Recent breakthroughs in mRNA vaccination have been through formulation with lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), which provide both protection and enhanced delivery of mRNA vaccines in vivo. In this review, current paradigms and state-of-the-art in mRNA-LNP vaccine development are explored through first highlighting advantages posed by mRNA vaccines, establishing LNPs as a biocompatible delivery system, and finally exploring the use of mRNA-LNP vaccines in vivo against infectious disease towards translation to the clinic. Furthermore, we highlight the progress of mRNA-LNP vaccine candidates against COVID-19 currently in clinical trials, with the current status and approval timelines, before discussing their future outlook and challenges that need to be overcome towards establishing mRNA-LNPs as next-generation vaccines. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: With the recent success of mRNA vaccines developed by Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer against COVID-19, mRNA technology and lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have never received more attention. This manuscript timely reviews the most advanced mRNA-LNP vaccines that have just been approved for emergency use and are in clinical trials, with a focus on the remarkable development of several COVID-19 vaccines, faster than any other vaccine in history. We aim to give a comprehensive introduction of mRNA and LNP technology to the field of biomaterials science and increase accessibility to readers with a new interest in mRNA-LNP vaccines. We also highlight current limitations and future outlook of the mRNA vaccine technology that need further efforts of biomaterials scientists to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily H Pilkington
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Estelle J A Suys
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Natalie L Trevaskis
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Adam K Wheatley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Danijela Zukancic
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Azizah Algarni
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Hareth Al-Wassiti
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Thomas P Davis
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, University of Queensland, Australia; ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Australia
| | - Colin W Pouton
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Stephen J Kent
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia
| | - Nghia P Truong
- Department of Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
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20
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Sahin U, Muik A, Vogler I, Derhovanessian E, Kranz LM, Vormehr M, Quandt J, Bidmon N, Ulges A, Baum A, Pascal KE, Maurus D, Brachtendorf S, Lörks V, Sikorski J, Koch P, Hilker R, Becker D, Eller AK, Grützner J, Tonigold M, Boesler C, Rosenbaum C, Heesen L, Kühnle MC, Poran A, Dong JZ, Luxemburger U, Kemmer-Brück A, Langer D, Bexon M, Bolte S, Palanche T, Schultz A, Baumann S, Mahiny AJ, Boros G, Reinholz J, Szabó GT, Karikó K, Shi PY, Fontes-Garfias C, Perez JL, Cutler M, Cooper D, Kyratsous CA, Dormitzer PR, Jansen KU, Türeci Ö. BNT162b2 vaccine induces neutralizing antibodies and poly-specific T cells in humans. Nature 2021; 595:572-577. [PMID: 34044428 DOI: 10.1101/2020.12.09.20245175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BNT162b2, a nucleoside-modified mRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles that encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S) stabilized in its prefusion conformation, has demonstrated 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-191. Here we extend a previous phase-I/II trial report2 by presenting data on the immune response induced by BNT162b2 prime-boost vaccination from an additional phase-I/II trial in healthy adults (18-55 years old). BNT162b2 elicited strong antibody responses: at one week after the boost, SARS-CoV-2 serum geometric mean 50% neutralizing titres were up to 3.3-fold above those observed in samples from individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. Sera elicited by BNT162b2 neutralized 22 pseudoviruses bearing the S of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Most participants had a strong response of IFNγ+ or IL-2+ CD8+ and CD4+ T helper type 1 cells, which was detectable throughout the full observation period of nine weeks following the boost. Using peptide-MHC multimer technology, we identified several BNT162b2-induced epitopes that were presented by frequent MHC alleles and conserved in mutant strains. One week after the boost, epitope-specific CD8+ T cells of the early-differentiated effector-memory phenotype comprised 0.02-2.92% of total circulating CD8+ T cells and were detectable (0.01-0.28%) eight weeks later. In summary, BNT162b2 elicits an adaptive humoral and poly-specific cellular immune response against epitopes that are conserved in a broad range of variants, at well-tolerated doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech, Mainz, Germany.
- TRON gGmbH - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alina Baum
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Bexon
- Bexon Clinical Consulting LLC, Upper Montclair, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Armin Schultz
- CRS Clinical Research Services Mannheim GmbH, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pei-Yong Shi
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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21
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Kumar M, Kumari N, Thakur N, Bhatia SK, Saratale GD, Ghodake G, Mistry BM, Alavilli H, Kishor DS, Du X, Chung SM. A Comprehensive Overview on the Production of Vaccines in Plant-Based Expression Systems and the Scope of Plant Biotechnology to Combat against SARS-CoV-2 Virus Pandemics. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 10:1213. [PMID: 34203729 PMCID: PMC8232254 DOI: 10.3390/plants10061213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Many pathogenic viral pandemics have caused threats to global health; the COVID-19 pandemic is the latest. Its transmission is growing exponentially all around the globe, putting constraints on the health system worldwide. A novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), causes this pandemic. Many candidate vaccines are available at this time for COVID-19, and there is a massive international race underway to procure as many vaccines as possible for each country. However, due to heavy global demand, there are strains in global vaccine production. The use of a plant biotechnology-based expression system for vaccine production also represents one part of this international effort, which is to develop plant-based heterologous expression systems, virus-like particles (VLPs)-vaccines, antiviral drugs, and a rapid supply of antigen-antibodies for detecting kits and plant origin bioactive compounds that boost the immunity and provide tolerance to fight against the virus infection. This review will look at the plant biotechnology platform that can provide the best fight against this global pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu Kumar
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea; (M.K.); (D.S.K.); (X.D.)
| | - Nisha Kumari
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul 03080, Korea;
| | - Nishant Thakur
- Department of Hospital Pathology, Yeouido St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 10, 63-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07345, Korea;
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Korea;
| | - Ganesh Dattatraya Saratale
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea; (G.D.S.); (B.M.M.)
| | - Gajanan Ghodake
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea;
| | - Bhupendra M. Mistry
- Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea; (G.D.S.); (B.M.M.)
| | - Hemasundar Alavilli
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea;
| | - D. S. Kishor
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea; (M.K.); (D.S.K.); (X.D.)
| | - Xueshi Du
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea; (M.K.); (D.S.K.); (X.D.)
| | - Sang-Min Chung
- Department of Life Science, College of Life Science and Biotechnology, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Korea; (M.K.); (D.S.K.); (X.D.)
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22
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Li J, Hui A, Zhang X, Yang Y, Tang R, Ye H, Ji R, Lin M, Zhu Z, Türeci Ö, Lagkadinou E, Jia S, Pan H, Peng F, Ma Z, Wu Z, Guo X, Shi Y, Muik A, Şahin U, Zhu L, Zhu F. Safety and immunogenicity of the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b1 mRNA vaccine in younger and older Chinese adults: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind phase 1 study. Nat Med 2021; 27:1062-1070. [PMID: 33888900 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-021-01330-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
An effective vaccine is needed to end the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Here, we assess the preliminary safety, tolerability and immunogenicity data from an ongoing single-center (in Jiangsu province, China), parallel-group, double-blind phase 1 trial of the vaccine candidate BNT162b1 in 144 healthy SARS-CoV-2-naive Chinese participants. These participants are randomized 1:1:1 to receive prime and boost vaccinations of 10 µg or 30 µg BNT162b1 or placebo, given 21 d apart, with equal allocation of younger (aged 18-55 years) and older adults (aged 65-85 years) to each treatment group (ChiCTR2000034825). BNT162b1 encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD) and is one of several messenger RNA-based vaccine candidates under clinical investigation. Local reactions and systemic events were generally dose dependent, transient and mild to moderate. Fever was the only grade 3 adverse event. BNT162b1 induced robust interferon-γ T cell responses to a peptide pool including the RBD in both younger and older Chinese adults, and geometric mean neutralizing titers reached 2.1-fold (for younger participants) and 1.3-fold (for the older participants) that of a panel of COVID-19 convalescent human sera obtained at least 14 d after positive SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction test. In summary, BNT162b1 has an acceptable safety profile and produces high levels of humoral and T cell responses in an Asian population.
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MESH Headings
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology
- Antibodies, Neutralizing/therapeutic use
- Antibodies, Viral/genetics
- Antibodies, Viral/immunology
- BNT162 Vaccine
- COVID-19/immunology
- COVID-19/prevention & control
- COVID-19/virology
- COVID-19 Vaccines/administration & dosage
- COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects
- China/epidemiology
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Pandemics
- RNA, Messenger/genetics
- RNA, Messenger/immunology
- SARS-CoV-2/drug effects
- SARS-CoV-2/pathogenicity
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics
- Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology
- Vaccines, Synthetic/administration & dosage
- Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics
- Vaccines, Synthetic/immunology
- Young Adult
- mRNA Vaccines
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | | | - Xiang Zhang
- Taizhou City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taizhou, China
| | | | - Rong Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Huayue Ye
- Taizhou Vaccine Clinical Research Center, Taizhou, China
- Department of Pharmacy, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | | | - Mei Lin
- Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Zhongkui Zhu
- Taizhou City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taizhou, China
| | | | | | - Siyue Jia
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongxing Pan
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Fuzhong Peng
- Taizhou Vaccine Clinical Research Center, Taizhou, China
- Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, China
| | - Zhilong Ma
- Taizhou City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Taizhou, China
| | | | - Xiling Guo
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunfeng Shi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | | | | | - Li Zhu
- Taizhou People's Hospital, Taizhou, China.
| | - Fengcai Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Enteric Pathogenic Microbiology, Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China.
- Center for Global Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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23
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Johnson MB, Chandler M, Afonin KA. Nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) as molecular tools to direct desirable and avoid undesirable immunological effects. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2021; 173:427-438. [PMID: 33857556 PMCID: PMC8178219 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2021.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid nanoparticles (NANPs) represent a highly versatile molecular platform for the targeted delivery of various therapeutics. However, despite their promise, further clinical translation of this innovative technology can be hindered by immunological off-target effects. All human cells are equipped with an arsenal of receptors that recognize molecular patterns specific to foreign nucleic acids and understanding the rules that guide this recognition offer the key rationale for the development of therapeutic NANPs with tunable immune stimulation. Numerous recent studies have provided increasing evidence that in addition to NANPs' physicochemical properties and therapeutic effects, their interactions with cells of the immune system can be regulated through multiple independently programmable architectural parameters. The results further suggest that defined immunomodulation by NANPs can either support their immunoquiescent delivery or be used for conditional stimulation of beneficial immunological responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Brittany Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Morgan Chandler
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
| | - Kirill A Afonin
- Nanoscale Science Program, Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA.
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24
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Sahin U, Muik A, Vogler I, Derhovanessian E, Kranz LM, Vormehr M, Quandt J, Bidmon N, Ulges A, Baum A, Pascal KE, Maurus D, Brachtendorf S, Lörks V, Sikorski J, Koch P, Hilker R, Becker D, Eller AK, Grützner J, Tonigold M, Boesler C, Rosenbaum C, Heesen L, Kühnle MC, Poran A, Dong JZ, Luxemburger U, Kemmer-Brück A, Langer D, Bexon M, Bolte S, Palanche T, Schultz A, Baumann S, Mahiny AJ, Boros G, Reinholz J, Szabó GT, Karikó K, Shi PY, Fontes-Garfias C, Perez JL, Cutler M, Cooper D, Kyratsous CA, Dormitzer PR, Jansen KU, Türeci Ö. BNT162b2 vaccine induces neutralizing antibodies and poly-specific T cells in humans. Nature 2021; 595:572-577. [PMID: 34044428 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03653-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 456] [Impact Index Per Article: 152.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BNT162b2, a nucleoside-modified mRNA formulated in lipid nanoparticles that encodes the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S) stabilized in its prefusion conformation, has demonstrated 95% efficacy in preventing COVID-191. Here we extend a previous phase-I/II trial report2 by presenting data on the immune response induced by BNT162b2 prime-boost vaccination from an additional phase-I/II trial in healthy adults (18-55 years old). BNT162b2 elicited strong antibody responses: at one week after the boost, SARS-CoV-2 serum geometric mean 50% neutralizing titres were up to 3.3-fold above those observed in samples from individuals who had recovered from COVID-19. Sera elicited by BNT162b2 neutralized 22 pseudoviruses bearing the S of different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Most participants had a strong response of IFNγ+ or IL-2+ CD8+ and CD4+ T helper type 1 cells, which was detectable throughout the full observation period of nine weeks following the boost. Using peptide-MHC multimer technology, we identified several BNT162b2-induced epitopes that were presented by frequent MHC alleles and conserved in mutant strains. One week after the boost, epitope-specific CD8+ T cells of the early-differentiated effector-memory phenotype comprised 0.02-2.92% of total circulating CD8+ T cells and were detectable (0.01-0.28%) eight weeks later. In summary, BNT162b2 elicits an adaptive humoral and poly-specific cellular immune response against epitopes that are conserved in a broad range of variants, at well-tolerated doses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech, Mainz, Germany. .,TRON gGmbH - Translational Oncology at the University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alina Baum
- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Martin Bexon
- Bexon Clinical Consulting LLC, Upper Montclair, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - Armin Schultz
- CRS Clinical Research Services Mannheim GmbH, Mannheim, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pei-Yong Shi
- University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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25
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Ulmer JB, Liu MA. Path to Success and Future Impact of Nucleic Acid Vaccines: DNA and mRNA. MOLECULAR FRONTIERS JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1142/s2529732521400022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The rapid development of mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 has both astonished the world and raised concerns about their safety, perhaps because many people do not realize the decades’ long efforts for nucleic acid vaccines, both mRNA and DNA vaccines, including the licensure of several veterinary DNA vaccines. This manuscript traces the milestones for nucleic acid vaccine research and development (R&D), with a focus on the immune and safety issues they both raised and answered. The characteristics of the two entities are compared, demonstrating the similarities and differences between them, the advantages and disadvantages, which might lead toward using one or the other technology for different indications. In addition, as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has once again highlighted the importance of One Health, that is, the interactions between animal and human pathogens, focus will also be given to how DNA vaccine utilization and studies both in large domestic animals and in wildlife pave the way for more integrated approaches for vaccines to respond quickly to, and prevent, the global impacts of emerging diseases.
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26
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McWhirter SM, Jefferies CA. Nucleic Acid Sensors as Therapeutic Targets for Human Disease. Immunity 2021; 53:78-97. [PMID: 32668230 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2020.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Innate immune sensors that detect nucleic acids are attractive targets for therapeutic intervention because of their diverse roles in many disease processes. In detecting RNA and DNA from either self or non-self, nucleic acid sensors mediate the pathogenesis of many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Despite promising pre-clinical data and investigational use in the clinic, relatively few drugs targeting nucleic acid sensors are approved for therapeutic use. Nevertheless, there is growing appreciation for the untapped potential of nucleic acid sensors as therapeutic targets, driven by the need for better therapies for cancer, infectious diseases, and autoimmune disorders. This review highlights the diverse mechanisms by which nucleic acid sensors are activated and exert their biological effects in the context of various disease settings. We discuss current therapeutic strategies utilizing agonists and antagonists targeting nucleic acid sensors to treat infectious disease, cancer, and autoimmune and inflammatory disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Caroline A Jefferies
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA
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27
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Tse SW, McKinney K, Walker W, Nguyen M, Iacovelli J, Small C, Hopson K, Zaks T, Huang E. mRNA-encoded, constitutively active STING V155M is a potent genetic adjuvant of antigen-specific CD8 + T cell response. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2227-2238. [PMID: 33677092 PMCID: PMC8261085 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
mRNA vaccines induce potent immune responses in preclinical models and clinical studies. Adjuvants are used to stimulate specific components of the immune system to increase immunogenicity of vaccines. We utilized a constitutively active mutation (V155M) of the stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING), which had been described in a patient with STING-associated vasculopathy with onset in infancy (SAVI), to act as a genetic adjuvant for use with our lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA vaccines. mRNA-encoded constitutively active STINGV155M was most effective at maximizing CD8+ T cell responses at an antigen/adjuvant mass ratio of 5:1. STINGV155M appears to enhance development of antigen-specific T cells by activating type I IFN responses via the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and IFN-stimulated response element (ISRE) pathways. mRNA-encoded STINGV155M increased the efficacy of mRNA vaccines encoding the E6 and E7 oncoproteins of human papillomavirus (HPV), leading to reduced HPV+ TC-1 tumor growth and prolonged survival in vaccinated mice. This proof-of-concept study demonstrated the utility of an mRNA-encoded genetic adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze-Wah Tse
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kristine McKinney
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - William Walker
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Mychael Nguyen
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jared Iacovelli
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Clayton Small
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Kristen Hopson
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Tal Zaks
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Eric Huang
- New Venture Labs, Moderna, Inc., 200 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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28
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Thompson D, Delorme CM, White RF, Honer WG. Elevated clozapine levels and toxic effects after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2021; 46:E210-E211. [PMID: 33667055 PMCID: PMC8061735 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.210027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Deborah Thompson
- From Fraser Health Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Langley/Mission, BC, Canada (Thompson, Delorme); Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, and BC Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada (White, Honer); and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Honer)
| | - Clay M Delorme
- From Fraser Health Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Langley/Mission, BC, Canada (Thompson, Delorme); Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, and BC Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada (White, Honer); and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Honer)
| | - Randall F White
- From Fraser Health Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Langley/Mission, BC, Canada (Thompson, Delorme); Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, and BC Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada (White, Honer); and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Honer)
| | - William G Honer
- From Fraser Health Mental Health and Substance Use Services, Langley/Mission, BC, Canada (Thompson, Delorme); Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, and BC Psychosis Program, Vancouver, BC, Canada (White, Honer); and BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada (Honer)
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29
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Damakoudi V, Feldner T, Dilji E, Belkin A, Richert C. Hybridization Networks of mRNA and Branched RNA Hybrids. Chembiochem 2021; 22:924-930. [PMID: 33105062 PMCID: PMC7984269 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is emerging as an attractive biopolymer for therapy and vaccination. To become suitable for vaccination, mRNA is usually converted to a biomaterial, using cationic peptides, polymers or lipids. An alternative form of converting mRNA into a material is demonstrated that uses branched oligoribonucleotide hybrids with the ability to hybridize with one or more regions of the mRNA sequence. Two such hybrids with hexamer arms and adamantane tetraol as branching element were prepared by solution-phase synthesis. When a rabies mRNA was treated with the branched hybrids at 1 M NaCl concentration, biomaterials formed that contained both of the nucleic acids. These results show that branched oligoribonucleotides are an alternative to the often toxic reagents commonly used to formulate mRNA for medical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tobias Feldner
- Institute of Organic ChemistryUniversity of Stuttgart70569StuttgartGermany
| | - Edina Dilji
- Institute of Organic ChemistryUniversity of Stuttgart70569StuttgartGermany
| | - Andrey Belkin
- Institute of Organic ChemistryUniversity of Stuttgart70569StuttgartGermany
| | - Clemens Richert
- Institute of Organic ChemistryUniversity of Stuttgart70569StuttgartGermany
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30
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Touhidinia M, Sefid F, Bidakhavidi M. Design of a Multi-epitope Vaccine Against Acinetobacter baumannii Using Immunoinformatics Approach. Int J Pept Res Ther 2021; 27:2417-2437. [PMID: 34483787 PMCID: PMC8397861 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-021-10262-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most successful pathogens causing nosocomial infections and has significantly multidrug-resistant. So far, there are no certain treatments to protect against infection with A. baumannii, therefore an effective A. baumannii vaccine needed. The purpose of this study was to predict antigenic epitopes of CarO protein for designing the A. baumannii vaccine using immunoinformatics analysis. CarO protein is one of the most important factors in the resistance against the antibiotic Carbapenem. In this study, T and B-cell epitopes of CarO protein were predicted and screened based on the antigenicity, toxicity, allergenicity features. The epitopes were linked by suitable linkers. Four different adjuvants were attached to the vaccine constructs which among them, vaccine construct 3 was chosen to predict the secondary and the 3D structure of the vaccine. The refinement process was performed to improve the quality of the 3D model structure; the validation process is performed using the Ramachandran plot and ProSA z-score. The designed vaccine's binding affinity to six various HLA molecules and TLR 2 and TLR4 were evaluated by molecular docking. Finally, in silico gene cloning was performed in the pET28a (+) vector. The findings suggest that the vaccine may be a promising vaccine to prevent A. baumannii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Touhidinia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Sefid
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran
- Department of Biology, Science and Art University, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Bidakhavidi
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
- Department of Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Research, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Yazd, Iran
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31
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COVID-19 vaccine BNT162b1 elicits human antibody and TH1 T cell responses. Nature 2020; 586:594-599. [DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2814-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1082] [Impact Index Per Article: 270.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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Gurnani P, Blakney AK, Terracciano R, Petch JE, Blok AJ, Bouton CR, McKay PF, Shattock RJ, Alexander C. The In Vitro, Ex Vivo, and In Vivo Effect of Polymer Hydrophobicity on Charge-Reversible Vectors for Self-Amplifying RNA. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:3242-3253. [PMID: 32644777 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.0c00698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
RNA technology has the potential to revolutionize vaccination. However, the lack of clear structure-property relationships in relevant biological models mean there is no clear consensus on the chemical motifs necessary to improve RNA delivery. In this work, we describe the synthesis of a series of copolymers based on the self-hydrolyzing charge-reversible polycation poly(dimethylaminoethyl acrylate) (pDMAEA), varying the lipophilicity of the additional co-monomers. All copolymers formed stable polyplexes, showing efficient complexation with model nucleic acids from nitrogen/phosphate (N/P) ratios of N/P = 5, with more hydrophobic complexes exhibiting slower charge reversal and disassembly compared to hydrophilic analogues. The more hydrophobic copolymers outperformed hydrophilic versions, homopolymer controls and the reference standard polymer (polyethylenimine), in transfection assays on 2D cell monolayers, albeit with significantly higher toxicities. Similarly, hydrophobic derivatives displayed up to a 4-fold higher efficacy in terms of the numbers of cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP+) cells in ex vivo human skin (10%) compared to free RNA (2%), attributed to transfection enrichment in epithelial cells. In contrast, in a mouse model, we observed the reverse trend in terms of RNA transfection, with no observable protein production in more hydrophobic analogues, whereas hydrophilic copolymers induced the highest transfection in vivo. Overall, our results suggest an important relationship between the vector lipophilicity and RNA transfection in vaccine settings, with polymer biocompatibility potentially a key parameter in effective in vivo protein production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Gurnani
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kindom
| | - Anna K Blakney
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, United Kindom
| | - Roberto Terracciano
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kindom.,Drug Delivery Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, University of Napoli Federico II, Via Domenico Montesano 49, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Joshua E Petch
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kindom
| | - Andrew J Blok
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kindom
| | - Clément R Bouton
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, United Kindom
| | - Paul F McKay
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, United Kindom
| | - Robin J Shattock
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, School of Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, London W2 1NY, United Kindom
| | - Cameron Alexander
- Division of Molecular Therapeutics and Formulation, School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, United Kindom
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Recent and Emerging Therapies for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Head and Neck. Curr Treat Options Oncol 2020; 21:37. [PMID: 32328817 DOI: 10.1007/s11864-020-00739-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OPINION STATEMENT Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the head and neck is typically managed with Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) for cosmetic reasons. MMS also improves oncologic outcomes for high-risk tumors. Patients with certain high-risk subsets of the disease also benefit from adjuvant radiation therapy. The PD-1 inhibitor, cemiplimab, was recently approved for treatment of locally advanced and metastatic cSCC unamenable to curative surgery or radiation therapy after the drug demonstrated encouraging, durable response rates. Cemiplimab and other systemic immunotherapies are now being evaluated in clinical trials in the neoadjuvant and adjuvant settings as well. Localized immunotherapies are also being studied, including oncolytic viruses such as talimogene laherparepvec, a modified herpes simplex virus previously approved for the treatment of advanced cutaneous melanoma. Most importantly, multidisciplinary care is crucial in optimizing outcomes for patients with high-risk cSCC of the head and neck.
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Inflammasomes as Targets for Adjuvants. Pathogens 2020; 9:pathogens9040252. [PMID: 32235526 PMCID: PMC7238254 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens9040252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammasomes are an essential part of the innate immune system. They are necessary for the development of a healthy immune response against infectious diseases. Inflammasome activation leads to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-18, which stimulate the adaptive immune system. Inflammasomes activators can be used as adjuvants to provide and maintain the strength of the immune response. This review is focused on the mechanisms of action and the effects of adjuvants on inflammasomes. The therapeutic and prophylaxis significance of inflammasomes in infectious diseases is also discussed.
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Patinote C, Karroum NB, Moarbess G, Cirnat N, Kassab I, Bonnet PA, Deleuze-Masquéfa C. Agonist and antagonist ligands of toll-like receptors 7 and 8: Ingenious tools for therapeutic purposes. Eur J Med Chem 2020; 193:112238. [PMID: 32203790 PMCID: PMC7173040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2020.112238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The discovery of the TLRs family and more precisely its functions opened a variety of gates to modulate immunological host responses. TLRs 7/8 are located in the endosomal compartment and activate a specific signaling pathway in a MyD88-dependant manner. According to their involvement into various autoimmune, inflammatory and malignant diseases, researchers have designed diverse TLRs 7/8 ligands able to boost or block the inherent signal transduction. These modulators are often small synthetic compounds and most act as agonists and to a much lesser extent as antagonists. Some of them have reached preclinical and clinical trials, and only one has been approved by the FDA and EMA, imiquimod. The key to the success of these modulators probably lies in their combination with other therapies as recently demonstrated. We gather in this review more than 360 scientific publications, reviews and patents, relating the extensive work carried out by researchers on the design of TLRs 7/8 modulators, which are classified firstly by their biological activities (agonist or antagonist) and then by their chemical structures, which total syntheses are not discussed here. This review also reports about 90 clinical cases, thereby showing the biological interest of these modulators in multiple pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Patinote
- IBMM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France.
| | - Nour Bou Karroum
- IBMM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France; Tumorigenèse et Pharmacologie Antitumorale, Lebanese University, EDST, BP 90656, Fanar Jdeideh, Lebanon
| | - Georges Moarbess
- Tumorigenèse et Pharmacologie Antitumorale, Lebanese University, EDST, BP 90656, Fanar Jdeideh, Lebanon
| | - Natalina Cirnat
- IBMM, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, ENSCM, Montpellier, France
| | - Issam Kassab
- Tumorigenèse et Pharmacologie Antitumorale, Lebanese University, EDST, BP 90656, Fanar Jdeideh, Lebanon
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Jahanafrooz Z, Baradaran B, Mosafer J, Hashemzaei M, Rezaei T, Mokhtarzadeh A, Hamblin MR. Comparison of DNA and mRNA vaccines against cancer. Drug Discov Today 2020; 25:552-560. [PMID: 31843577 PMCID: PMC7080609 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2019.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 11/23/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Nucleic acid vaccines (NAVs) have recently been tested as a cancer therapy. DNA and mRNA vaccines deliver genetic information encoding tumor antigens (TAs) to the host, which then produces immune responses against cancer cells that express the TAs. Although NAVs are easy, safe, and simple to manufacture, they have not so far been considered viable alternatives to peptide vaccines. Choosing the right TAs, insufficient immunogenicity, and the immunosuppressive nature of cancer are some challenges to this approach. In this review, we discuss approaches that been used to improve the efficiency of anticancer NAVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Jahanafrooz
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behzad Baradaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jafar Mosafer
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran
| | - Mahmoud Hashemzaei
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Zabol University of Medical Sciences, Zabol, Iran
| | - Tayebeh Rezaei
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
| | - Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Michael R Hamblin
- Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Dermatology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa.
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37
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Vanpouille-Box C, Hoffmann JA, Galluzzi L. Pharmacological modulation of nucleic acid sensors - therapeutic potential and persisting obstacles. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2019; 18:845-867. [PMID: 31554927 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Nucleic acid sensors, primarily TLR and RLR family members, as well as cGAS-STING signalling, play a critical role in the preservation of cellular and organismal homeostasis. Accordingly, deregulated nucleic acid sensing contributes to the origin of a diverse range of disorders, including infectious diseases, as well as cardiovascular, autoimmune and neoplastic conditions. Accumulating evidence indicates that normalizing aberrant nucleic acid sensing can mediate robust therapeutic effects. However, targeting nucleic acid sensors with pharmacological agents, such as STING agonists, presents multiple obstacles, including drug-, target-, disease- and host-related issues. Here, we discuss preclinical and clinical data supporting the potential of this therapeutic paradigm and highlight key limitations and possible strategies to overcome them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claire Vanpouille-Box
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA.,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jules A Hoffmann
- University of Strasbourg Institute for Advanced Studies, Strasbourg, France.,CNRS UPR 9022, Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Strasbourg, France.,Sino-French Hoffmann Institute, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lorenzo Galluzzi
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA. .,Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA. .,Department of Dermatology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. .,Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
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38
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Park HJ, Ko HL, Won DH, Hwang DB, Shin YS, Kwak HW, Kim HJ, Yun JW, Nam JH. Comprehensive Analysis of the Safety Profile of a Single-Stranded RNA Nano-Structure Adjuvant. Pharmaceutics 2019; 11:pharmaceutics11090464. [PMID: 31500241 PMCID: PMC6781302 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics11090464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Adjuvants enhance the efficacy of vaccines by stimulating immune response-related gene expression and pathways. Although some adjuvants have been approved for commercial use in human vaccines (e.g., Alum, MF59, and AS03), they might elicit adverse side effects, such as autoimmune diseases. Recently, we developed a novel single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) nano-structure adjuvant, which can stimulate both Th1 and Th2 responses. In this study, we evaluated the safety and toxicological profiles of this ssRNA nano-structure adjuvant in vitro and in vivo. Mice were intramuscularly immunized with the ssRNA nano-structure adjuvant three times, once every 2 weeks. The results indicate no significant differences in hematological and serum biochemistry parameters between the ssRNA-treated groups and the control group. From a histopathological perspective, no evidence of tissue damage was found in any group. The levels of IgE and anti-nuclear antibodies, which are markers of autoimmune disease, were not different between the ssRNA-treated groups and the control group. The findings of this study suggest that the ssRNA nano-structure can be used as a safe adjuvant to increase vaccine efficacies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyeong-Jun Park
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Hae Li Ko
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Dong-Hoon Won
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Da-Bin Hwang
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Yoo-Sub Shin
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Hye-Won Kwak
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Hye-Jung Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Jun-Won Yun
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
| | - Jae-Hwan Nam
- Department of Biotechnology, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon 14662, Korea.
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39
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Liu MA. A Comparison of Plasmid DNA and mRNA as Vaccine Technologies. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:E37. [PMID: 31022829 PMCID: PMC6631684 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7020037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 231] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 04/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides a comparison of the theoretical issues and experimental findings for plasmid DNA and mRNA vaccine technologies. While both have been under development since the 1990s, in recent years, significant excitement has turned to mRNA despite the licensure of several veterinary DNA vaccines. Both have required efforts to increase their potency either via manipulating the plasmid DNA and the mRNA directly or through the addition of adjuvants or immunomodulators as well as delivery systems and formulations. The greater inherent inflammatory nature of the mRNA vaccines is discussed for both its potential immunological utility for vaccines and for the potential toxicity. The status of the clinical trials of mRNA vaccines is described along with a comparison to DNA vaccines, specifically the immunogenicity of both licensed veterinary DNA vaccines and select DNA vaccine candidates in human clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret A Liu
- ProTherImmune, 3656 Happy Valley Road, Lafayette, CA 94549, USA.
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