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Merwaiss F, Lozano‐Sanchez E, Zulaica J, Rusu L, Vazquez‐Vilar M, Orzáez D, Rodrigo G, Geller R, Daròs J. Plant virus-derived nanoparticles decorated with genetically encoded SARS-CoV-2 nanobodies display enhanced neutralizing activity. PLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL 2024; 22:876-891. [PMID: 37966715 PMCID: PMC10955499 DOI: 10.1111/pbi.14230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) are a new class of virus-based formulations that can be used as building blocks to implement a variety of functions of potential interest in biotechnology and nanomedicine. Viral coat proteins (CP) that exhibit self-assembly properties are particularly appropriate for displaying antigens and antibodies, by generating multivalent VNPs with therapeutic and diagnostic potential. Here, we developed genetically encoded multivalent VNPs derived from two filamentous plant viruses, potato virus X (PVX) and tobacco etch virus (TEV), which were efficiently and inexpensively produced in the biofactory Nicotiana benthamiana plant. PVX and TEV-derived VNPs were decorated with two different nanobodies recognizing two different regions of the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein. The addition of different picornavirus 2A ribosomal skipping peptides between the nanobody and the CP allowed for modulating the degree of VNP decoration. Nanobody-decorated VNPs purified from N. benthamiana tissues successfully recognized the RBD antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and showed efficient neutralization activity against pseudoviruses carrying the Spike protein. Interestingly, multivalent PVX and TEV-derived VNPs exhibited a neutralizing activity approximately one order of magnitude higher than the corresponding nanobody in a dimeric format. These properties, combined with the ability to produce VNP cocktails in the same N. benthamiana plant based on synergistic infection of the parent PVX and TEV, make these green nanomaterials an attractive alternative to standard antibodies for multiple applications in diagnosis and therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Merwaiss
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de PlantasConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Enrique Lozano‐Sanchez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de PlantasConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - João Zulaica
- Institute for Integrative Systems BiologyConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat de ValènciaPaternaSpain
| | - Luciana Rusu
- Institute for Integrative Systems BiologyConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat de ValènciaPaternaSpain
| | - Marta Vazquez‐Vilar
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de PlantasConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Diego Orzáez
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de PlantasConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
| | - Guillermo Rodrigo
- Institute for Integrative Systems BiologyConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat de ValènciaPaternaSpain
| | - Ron Geller
- Institute for Integrative Systems BiologyConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat de ValènciaPaternaSpain
| | - José‐Antonio Daròs
- Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de PlantasConsejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas – Universitat Politècnica de ValènciaValenciaSpain
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2
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Wang Z, Zhang B, Ou L, Qiu Q, Wang L, Bylund T, Kong WP, Shi W, Tsybovsky Y, Wu L, Zhou Q, Chaudhary R, Choe M, Dickey TH, El Anbari M, Olia AS, Rawi R, Teng IT, Wang D, Wang S, Tolia NH, Zhou T, Kwong PD. Extraordinary Titer and Broad Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Neutralization Induced by Stabilized RBD Nanoparticles from Strain BA.5. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 12:37. [PMID: 38250850 PMCID: PMC10821209 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines12010037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike is a primary target of neutralizing antibodies and a key component of licensed vaccines. Substantial mutations in RBD, however, enable current variants to escape immunogenicity generated by vaccination with the ancestral (WA1) strain. Here, we produce and assess self-assembling nanoparticles displaying RBDs from WA1 and BA.5 strains by using the SpyTag:SpyCatcher system for coupling. We observed both WA1- and BA.5-RBD nanoparticles to degrade substantially after a few days at 37 °C. Incorporation of nine RBD-stabilizing mutations, however, increased yield ~five-fold and stability such that more than 50% of either the WA1- or BA.5-RBD nanoparticle was retained after one week at 37 °C. Murine immunizations revealed that the stabilized RBD-nanoparticles induced ~100-fold higher autologous neutralization titers than the prefusion-stabilized (S2P) spike at a 2 μg dose. Even at a 25-fold lower dose where S2P-induced neutralization titers were below the detection limit, the stabilized BA.5-RBD nanoparticle induced homologous titers of 12,795 ID50 and heterologous titers against WA1 of 1767 ID50. Assessment against a panel of β-coronavirus variants revealed both the stabilized BA.5-RBD nanoparticle and the stabilized WA1-BA.5-(mosaic)-RBD nanoparticle to elicit much higher neutralization breadth than the stabilized WA1-RBD nanoparticle. The extraordinary titer and high neutralization breadth elicited by stabilized RBD nanoparticles from strain BA.5 make them strong candidates for next-generation COVID-19 vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhantong Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Baoshan Zhang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Li Ou
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Qi Qiu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Lingshu Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Tatsiana Bylund
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Wing-Pui Kong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Wei Shi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Yaroslav Tsybovsky
- Vaccine Research Center Electron Microscopy Unit, Cancer Research Technology Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 20701, USA
| | - Lingyuan Wu
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Qiong Zhou
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Ridhi Chaudhary
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Misook Choe
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Thayne H. Dickey
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (T.H.D.)
| | - Mohammed El Anbari
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Adam S. Olia
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Reda Rawi
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - I-Ting Teng
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Danyi Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Shuishu Wang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Niraj H. Tolia
- Host-Pathogen Interactions and Structural Vaccinology Section, Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (T.H.D.)
| | - Tongqing Zhou
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA; (Z.W.); (Q.Q.); (T.B.); (L.W.); (M.C.); (D.W.); (S.W.)
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Chung YH, Ortega-Rivera OA, Volckaert BA, Jung E, Zhao Z, Steinmetz NF. Viral nanoparticle vaccines against S100A9 reduce lung tumor seeding and metastasis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2221859120. [PMID: 37844250 PMCID: PMC10614828 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2221859120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Metastatic cancer accounts for 90% of all cancer-related deaths and continues to be one of the toughest challenges in cancer treatment. A growing body of data indicates that S100A9, a major regulator of inflammation, plays a central role in cancer progression and metastasis, particularly in the lungs, where S100A9 forms a premetastatic niche. Thus, we developed a vaccine against S100A9 derived from plant viruses and virus-like particles. Using multiple tumor mouse models, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the S100A9 vaccine candidates in preventing tumor seeding within the lungs and outgrowth of metastatic disease. The elicited antibodies showed high specificity toward S100A9 without cross-reactivity toward S100A8, another member of the S100A family. When tested in metastatic mouse models of breast cancer and melanoma, the vaccines significantly reduced lung tumor nodules after intravenous challenge or postsurgical removal of the primary tumor. Mechanistically, the vaccines reduce the levels of S100A9 within the lungs and sera, thereby increasing the expression of immunostimulatory cytokines with antitumor function [(interleukin) IL-12 and interferonγ] while reducing levels of immunosuppressive cytokines (IL-10 and transforming growth factorβ). This also correlated with decreased myeloid-derived suppressor cell populations within the lungs. This work has wide-ranging impact, as S100A9 is overexpressed in multiple cancers and linked with poor prognosis in cancer patients. The data presented lay the foundation for the development of therapies and vaccines targeting S100A9 to prevent metastasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hun Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
| | | | | | - Eunkyeong Jung
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
| | - Zhongchao Zhao
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
- Center for Engineering in Cancer, University of California, San Diego, CA92093
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Zhao Z, Ortega-Rivera OA, Chung YH, Simms A, Steinmetz NF. A co-formulated vaccine of irradiated cancer cells and cowpea mosaic virus improves ovarian cancer rejection. J Mater Chem B 2023. [PMID: 36861401 DOI: 10.1039/d2tb02355e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer deaths amongst women, and most patients are diagnosed with late-stage and disseminated diseases. Surgical debulking and chemotherapy remove most of the tumor burden and provide a short period of remission; however, most patients experience cancer relapse and eventually succumb to the disease. Therefore, there is an urgent need for the development of vaccines to prime anti-tumor immunity and prevent its recurrence. Here we developed vaccine formulations composed of a mixture of irradiated cancer cells (ICCs, providing the antigen) and cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) adjuvants. More specifically we compared the efficacy of co-formulated vs. mixtures of ICCs and CPMV. Specifically, we compared co-formulations where the ICCs and CPMV are bonded through natural CPMV-cell interactions or chemical coupling vs. mixtures of PEGylated CPMV and ICCs, where PEGylation of CPMV prevents ICC interactions. Flow cytometry and confocal imaging provided insights into the composition of the vaccines and their efficacy was tested using a mouse model of disseminated ovarian cancer. 67% of the mice receiving the co-formulated CPMV-ICCs survived the initial tumor challenge, and 60% of the surviving mice rejected tumors in a re-challenge experiment. In stark contrast, simple mixtures of the ICCs and (PEGylated) CPMV adjuvants were ineffective. Overall, this study highlights the importance of the co-delivery of cancer antigens and adjuvants in ovarian cancer vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongchao Zhao
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Oscar A Ortega-Rivera
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Young Hun Chung
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Andrea Simms
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA. .,Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.,Center for Engineering in Cancer, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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5
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Plant Extracts and SARS-CoV-2: Research and Applications. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020386. [PMID: 36836744 PMCID: PMC9965937 DOI: 10.3390/life13020386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The recent pandemic of COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has brought upon the world an unprecedented challenge. During its acute dissemination, a rush for vaccines started, making the scientific community come together and contribute to the development of efficient therapeutic agents and vaccines. Natural products have been used as sources of individual molecules and extracts capable of inhibiting/neutralizing several microorganisms, including viruses. Natural extracts have shown effective results against the coronavirus family, when first tested in the outbreak of SARS-CoV-1, back in 2002. In this review, the relationship between natural extracts and SARS-CoV is discussed, while also providing insight into misinformation regarding the use of plants as possible therapeutic agents. Studies with plant extracts on coronaviruses are presented, as well as the main inhibition assays and trends for the future regarding the yet unknown long-lasting effects post-infection with SARS-CoV-2.
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Chung YH, Volckaert BA, Steinmetz NF. Development of a Modular NTA:His Tag Viral Vaccine for Co-delivery of Antigen and Adjuvant. Bioconjug Chem 2023; 34:269-278. [PMID: 36608270 PMCID: PMC10545220 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted the need for vaccines that are effective, but quickly produced. Of note, vaccines with plug-and-play capabilities that co-deliver antigen and adjuvant to the same cell have shown remarkable success. Our approach of utilizing a nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) histidine (His)-tag chemistry with viral adjuvants incorporates both of these characteristics: plug-and-play and co-delivery. We specifically utilize the cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) and the virus-like particles from bacteriophage Qβ as adjuvants and bind the model antigen ovalbumin (OVA). Successful binding of the antigen to the adjuvant/carrier was verified by SDS-PAGE, western blot, and ELISA. Immunization in C57BL/6J mice demonstrates that with Qβ - but not CPMV - there is an improved antibody response against the target antigen using the Qβ-NiNTA:His-OVA versus a simple admixture of antigen and adjuvant. Antibody isotyping also shows that formulation of the vaccines can alter T helper biases; while the Qβ-NiNTA:His-OVA particle produces a balanced Th1/Th2 bias the admixture was strongly Th2. In a mouse model of B16F10-OVA, we further demonstrate improved survival and slower tumor growth in the vaccine groups compared to controls. The NiNTA:His chemistry demonstrates potential for rapid development of future generation vaccines enabling plug-and-play capabilities with effectiveness boosted by co-delivery to the same cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Hun Chung
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Britney A Volckaert
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Nicole F Steinmetz
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
- Center for Engineering in Cancer, Institute for Engineering in Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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Ortega-Rivera OA, Shin MD, Moreno-Gonzalez MA, Pokorski JK, Steinmetz NF. A single-dose Qβ VLP vaccine against S100A9 protein reduces atherosclerosis in a preclinical model. ADVANCED THERAPEUTICS 2022; 5:2200092. [PMID: 36570039 PMCID: PMC9783282 DOI: 10.1002/adtp.202200092] [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: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The standard therapy for cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the administration of statins to reduce plasma cholesterol levels, but this requires lifelong treatment. We developed a CVD vaccine candidate that targets the pro-inflammatory mediator calprotectin by eliciting antibodies against the S100A9 protein. The vaccine, based on bacteriophage Qβ virus-like particles (VLPs) displaying S100A9 peptide epitopes, was formulated as a slow-release PLGA:VLP implant by hot-melt extrusion. The single-dose implant elicited S100A9-specific antibody titers comparable to a three-dose injection schedule with soluble VLPs. In an animal model of CVD (ApoE-/- mice fed on a high-fat diet), the implant reduced serum levels of calprotectin, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP-1, resulting in less severe aortic lesions. This novel implant was therefore able to attenuate atherosclerosis over a sustained period and offers a novel and promising strategy to replace the repetitive administration of statins for the treatment of CVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar A. Ortega-Rivera
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
| | - Matthew D. Shin
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
| | - Miguel A. Moreno-Gonzalez
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
| | - Jonathan K. Pokorski
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department of NanoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Center for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Institute for Materials Discovery and Design, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Department of Radiology, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
- Moores Cancer Center, University of California-San Diego, La Jolla CA 92039, USA
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8
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Almendárez-Rodriguez C, Solis-Andrade KI, Govea-Alonso DO, Comas-Garcia M, Rosales-Mendoza S. Production and characterization of chimeric SARS-CoV-2 antigens based on the capsid protein of cowpea chlorotic mottle virus. Int J Biol Macromol 2022; 213:1007-1017. [PMID: 35690161 PMCID: PMC9174154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for new vaccine platforms to rapidly develop solutions against emerging pathogens. In particular, some plant viruses offer several advantages for developing subunit vaccines, such as high expression rates in E. coli, high immunogenicity and safety, and absence of pre-immunity that could interfere with the vaccine's efficacy. Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV) is a model system that has been extensively characterized, with key advantages for its use as an epitope carrier. In the present study, three relevant epitopes from the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein were genetically inserted into the CCMV CP and expressed in E. coli cultures, resulting in the CCMV1, CCMV2, and CCMV3 chimeras. The recombinant CP mutants were purified from the formed inclusion bodies and refolded, and their immunogenicity as a subunit vaccine was assessed in BALB/c mice. The three mutants are immunogenic as they induce high IgG antibody titers that recognize the recombinant full-length S protein. This study supports the application of CCMV CP as an attractive carrier for the clinical evaluation of vaccine candidates against SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, it suggests that VLPs assembled from these chimeric proteins could result in antigens with better immunogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Almendárez-Rodriguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP 78210, Mexico; Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Karla I Solis-Andrade
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Dania O Govea-Alonso
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico
| | - Mauricio Comas-Garcia
- Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico; Sección de Microscopía de Alta Resolución, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico; Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Parque Chapultepec 1570, 78210 San Luis, S.L.P., San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
| | - Sergio Rosales-Mendoza
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Dr. Manuel Nava 6, SLP 78210, Mexico; Sección de Biotecnología, Centro de Investigación en Ciencias de la Salud y Biomedicina, Universidad Autónoma de San Luis Potosí, Av. Sierra Leona 550, Lomas 2ª. Sección, San Luis Potosí 78210, Mexico.
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Nkanga C, Ortega-Rivera OA, Shin MD, Moreno-Gonzalez MA, Steinmetz NF. Injectable Slow-Release Hydrogel Formulation of a Plant Virus-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Candidate. Biomacromolecules 2022; 23:1812-1825. [PMID: 35344365 PMCID: PMC9003890 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c00112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) is a potent immunogenic adjuvant and epitope display platform for the development of vaccines against cancers and infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019. However, the proteinaceous CPMV nanoparticles are rapidly degraded in vivo. Multiple doses are therefore required to ensure long-lasting immunity, which is not ideal for global mass vaccination campaigns. Therefore, we formulated CPMV nanoparticles in injectable hydrogels to achieve slow particle release and prolonged immunostimulation. Liquid formulations were prepared from chitosan and glycerophosphate (GP) before homogenization with CPMV particles at room temperature. The formulations containing high-molecular-weight chitosan and 0-4.5 mg mL-1 CPMV gelled rapidly at 37 °C (5-8 min) and slowly released cyanine 5-CPMV particles in vitro and in vivo. Importantly, when a hydrogel containing CPMV displaying severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein epitope 826 (amino acid 809-826) was administered to mice as a single subcutaneous injection, it elicited an antibody response that was sustained over 20 weeks, with an associated shift from Th1 to Th2 bias. Antibody titers were improved at later time points (weeks 16 and 20) comparing the hydrogel versus soluble vaccine candidates; furthermore, the soluble vaccine candidates retained Th1 bias. We conclude that CPMV nanoparticles can be formulated effectively in chitosan/GP hydrogels and are released as intact particles for several months with conserved immunotherapeutic efficacy. The injectable hydrogel containing epitope-labeled CPMV offers a promising single-dose vaccine platform for the prevention of future pandemics as well as a strategy to develop long-lasting plant virus-based nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian
Isalomboto Nkanga
- Department
of NanoEngineering, University of California
San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Oscar A. Ortega-Rivera
- Department
of NanoEngineering, University of California
San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Center
for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of
California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Matthew D. Shin
- Department
of NanoEngineering, University of California
San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Center
for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of
California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Miguel A. Moreno-Gonzalez
- Department
of NanoEngineering, University of California
San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Center
for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of
California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
| | - Nicole F. Steinmetz
- Department
of NanoEngineering, University of California
San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Department
of Bioengineering, University of California
San Diego, 9500 Gilman
Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Department
of Radiology, University of California San
Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Center
for Nano-ImmunoEngineering, University of
California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Moores
Cancer Center, University of California
San Diego, 9500 Gilman
Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
- Institute
for Materials Discovery and Design, University
of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla, California 92039, United States
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Martí M, Merwaiss F, Butković A, Daròs JA. Production of Potyvirus-Derived Nanoparticles Decorated with a Nanobody in Biofactory Plants. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:877363. [PMID: 35433643 PMCID: PMC9008781 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.877363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral nanoparticles (VNPs) have recently attracted attention for their use as building blocks for novel materials to support a range of functions of potential interest in nanotechnology and medicine. Viral capsids are ideal for presenting small epitopes by inserting them at an appropriate site on the selected coat protein (CP). VNPs presenting antibodies on their surfaces are considered highly promising tools for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Due to their size, nanobodies are an interesting alternative to classic antibodies for surface presentation. Nanobodies are the variable domains of heavy-chain (VHH) antibodies from animals belonging to the family Camelidae, which have several properties that make them attractive therapeutic molecules, such as their small size, simple structure, and high affinity and specificity. In this work, we have produced genetically encoded VNPs derived from two different potyviruses—the largest group of RNA viruses that infect plants—decorated with nanobodies. We have created a VNP derived from zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV) decorated with a nanobody against the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) plants. As reported for other viruses, the expression of ZYMV-derived VNPs decorated with this nanobody was only made possible by including a picornavirus 2A splicing peptide between the fused proteins, which resulted in a mixed population of unmodified and decorated CPs. We have also produced tobacco etch virus (TEV)-derived VNPs in Nicotiana benthamiana plants decorated with the same nanobody against GFP. Strikingly, in this case, VNPs could be assembled by direct fusion of the nanobody to the viral CP with no 2A splicing involved, likely resulting in fully decorated VNPs. For both expression systems, correct assembly and purification of the recombinant VNPs was confirmed by transmission electron microscope; the functionality of the CP-fused nanobody was assessed by western blot and binding assays. In sum, here we report the production of genetically encoded plant-derived VNPs decorated with a nanobody. This system may be an attractive alternative for the sustainable production in plants of nanobody-containing nanomaterials for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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