Differential antigenicity of recombinant polyepitope-antigens based on loop- and helix-forming B and T cell epitopes

Antibodies elicited by yeast glycoproteins recognize HIV-1 virions and potently neutralize virions with high mannose N-glycans

The glycan shield on the human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) envelope (Env) glycoprotein has drawn attention as a target for HIV-1 vaccine design given that an increasing number of potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) recognize epitopes entirely or partially comprised of high mannose type N-linked glycans. In an attempt to generate immunogens that target the glycan shield of HIV-1, we previously engineered a triple mutant (TM) strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae that results in exclusive presentation of high mannose type N-glycans, and identified five TM yeast glycoproteins that support strong binding of 2G12, a bNAb that targets a cluster of high mannose glycans on the gp120 subunit of Env. Here, we further analyzed the antigenicity and immunogenicity of these proteins in inducing anti-HIV responses. Our study demonstrated that the 2G12-reactive TM yeast glycoproteins efficiently bound to recently identified bNAbs including PGT125-130 and PGT135 that recognize high mannose glycan-dependent epitopes. Immunization of rabbits with a single TM yeast glycoprotein (Gp38 or Pst1), when conjugated to a promiscuous T-cell epitope peptide and coadministered with a Toll-like receptor 2 agonist, induced glycan-specific HIV-1 Env cross-reactive antibodies. The immune sera bound to both synthetic mannose oligosaccharides and gp120 proteins from a broad range of HIV-1 strains. The purified antibodies recognized and captured virions that contain both complex- and high mannose-type of N-glycans, and potently neutralized virions from different HIV-1 clades but only when the virions were enforced to retain high mannose N-glycans. This study provides insights into the elicitation of anti-carbohydrate, HIV-1 Env-cross reactive antibodies with a heterologous glycoprotein and may have applications in the design and administration of immunogens that target the viral glycan shield for development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

Immune responses of mice with different genetic backgrounds to improved multiepitope, multitarget malaria vaccine candidate antigen FALVAC-1A

FALVAC-1A is a second-generation multitarget, multiepitope synthetic candidate vaccine against Plasmodium falciparum, incorporating elements designed to yield a stable and immunogenic molecule. Characteristics of the immunogenicity of FALVAC-1A were evaluated in congenic (H-2(b), H-2(k), and H-2(d)) and outbred strains of mice. The influences of four adjuvants (aluminum phosphate, QS-21, Montanide ISA-720, and copolymer CRL-1005) on different aspects of the immune response were also assessed. FALVAC-1A generated strong antibody responses in all mouse strains. The highest mean enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) antibody concentrations against FALVAC-1A were observed in the outbred ICR mice, followed by B10.BR, B10.D2, and C57BL/6 mice, though this order varied for the different adjuvants, with no statistical differences between mouse strains. In all mouse strains, the highest anti-FALVAC-1A antibody titers in ELISAs were induced by FALVAC-1A in copolymer and ISA-720 formulations, followed by QS-21 and AlPO4. These antibodies were of all four subclasses, though immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) predominated, with the exception of FALVAC-1A with the QS-21 adjuvant, which induced predominantly IgG2c responses. Both sporozoites and blood stages of P. falciparum were recognized by anti-FALVAC-1A sera in the immunofluorescence assay. In addition to antibody, cellular immune responses were detected; these responses were studied by examining spleen cells producing gamma interferon and interleukin-4 in enzyme-linked immunospot assays. In summary, FALVAC-1A was found to be highly immunogenic and elicited functionally relevant antibodies that can recognize sporozoites and blood-stage parasites in diverse genetic backgrounds.

CTA1-M2e-DD: a novel mucosal adjuvant targeted influenza vaccine

At present few vaccine candidates exists against potentially pandemic influenza virus infections. We provide compelling evidence that a targeted fusion protein based on the CTA1-DD adjuvant and containing tandem repeats of the matrix protein 2 (M2e) ectodomain epitope, CTA1-3M2e-DD, confers strong protective immunity against a potentially lethal challenge infection with influenza virus in mice. The formulation was highly effective for mucosal immunizations and promoted high M2e-specific serum IgG and mucosal IgA antibody titers and an hitherto unknown anti-M2e CD4 T cell immunity. This novel CTA1-3M2e-DD fusion protein combines adjuvant and a conserved influenza A antigen in a promising candidate for a universal anti-influenza vaccine.

Development of an OspC-based tetravalent, recombinant, chimeric vaccinogen that elicits bactericidal antibody against diverse Lyme disease spirochete strains

Lyme disease is the most common arthropod-borne disease in North America and Europe. At present, there is no commercially available vaccine for use in humans. Outer surface protein C (OspC) has antigenic and expression characteristics that make it an attractive vaccine candidate; however, sequence heterogeneity has impeded its use as a vaccinogen. Sequence analyses have identified 21 well defined OspC phyletic groups or "types" (designated A-U). In this report we have mapped the linear epitopes presented by OspC types B, K, and D during human and murine infection and exploited these epitopes (along with the previously identified type A OspC linear epitopes) in the development of a recombinant, tetravalent, chimeric vaccinogen. The construct was found to be highly immunogenic in mice and the induced antibodies surface labeled in vitro cultivated spirochetes. Importantly, vaccination induced complement-dependent bactericidal antibodies against strains expressing each of the OspC types that were incorporated into the construct. These results suggest that an effective and broadly protective polyvalent OspC-based Lyme disease vaccine can be produced as a recombinant, chimeric protein.

Predefined spacers between epitopes on a recombinant epitope-peptide impacted epitope-specific antibody response

We have developed a widely applicable method to construct epitope-peptide gene for epitope-vaccine strategy recently. In this study, we wanted to know whether the predefined spacers between epitopes on a recombinant epitope-peptide impacted the production of epitope-specific antibodies. The neutralizing epitope ELDKWA on the C-domain of HIV-1 gp41 was defined by the monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2F5 with broad neutralizing activity. We constructed three recombinant ELDKWA-epitope-peptides with different spacers between epitopes. The recombinant epitope-peptide GST-K8, GST-S8 and GST-R8 were bearing eight copies of ELDKWA-epitope with amino acid spacer GS, GSGGGGS and RS, respectively. GST-K8 and GST-S8 could induce high titer of ELDKWA-epitope-specific antibodies, much better than GST-R8. Besides, both antibodies could recognize the recombinant soluble gp41 and the transfected CHO-WT cells that stably express HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein on the cell surfaces. These experimental results indicated that the spacer GSGGGGS and GS were feasible in constructing a recombinant epitope-vaccine.

Experimental vaccines against measles in a world of changing epidemiology

Vaccination with the current live attenuated measles vaccine is one of the most successful and cost-effective medical interventions. However, as a result of persisting maternal antibodies and immaturity of the infant immune system, this vaccine is poorly immunogenic in children <9 months old. Immunity against the live vaccine is less robust than natural immunity and protection less durable. There may also be some concern about (vaccine) virus spread during the final stage of an eventual measles eradication program. Opinions may differ with respect to the potential threat that some of these concerns may be to the World Health Organisation goal of measles elimination, but there is a consensus that the development of new measles vaccines cannot wait. Candidate vaccines are based on viral or bacterial vectors expressing recombinant viral proteins, naked DNA, immune stimulating complexes or synthetic peptides mimicking neutralising epitopes. While some of these candidate vaccines have proven their efficacy in monkey studies, aerosol formulated live attenuated measles vaccine are evaluated in clinical trials.