Role of Linker Length and Antigen Density in Nanoparticle Peptide Vaccine

Proteomimetic Polymers Trigger Potent Antigen-Specific T Cell Responses to Limit Tumor Growth

Elicitation of effective antitumor immunity following cancer vaccination requires the selective activation of distinct effector cell populations and pathways. Here we report a therapeutic approach for generating potent T cell responses using a modular vaccination platform technology capable of inducing directed immune activation, termed the Protein-like Polymer (PLP). PLPs demonstrate increased proteolytic resistance, high uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and enhanced payload-specific T cell responses. Key design parameters, namely payload linkage chemistry, degree of polymerization, and side chain composition, were varied to optimize vaccine formulations. Linking antigens to the polymer backbone using an intracellularly cleaved disulfide bond copolymerized with a diluent amount of oligo(ethylene glycol) (OEG) resulted in the highest payload-specific potentiation of antigen immunogenicity, enhancing dendritic cell (DC) activation and antigen-specific T cell responses. Vaccination with PLPs carrying either gp100, E7, or adpgk peptides significantly increased the survival of mice inoculated with B16F10, TC-1, or MC38 tumors, respectively, without the need for adjuvants. B16F10-bearing mice immunized with gp100-carrying PLPs showed increased antitumor CD8+ T cell immunity, suppressed tumor growth, and treatment synergy when paired with two distinct stimulator of interferon gene (STING) agonists. In a human papillomavirus-associated TC-1 model, combination therapy with PLP and 2'3'-cGAMP resulted in 40% of mice completely eliminating implanted tumors while also displaying curative protection from rechallenge, consistent with conferment of lasting immunological memory. Finally, PLPs can be stored long-term in a lyophilized state and are highly tunable, underscoring the unique properties of the platform for use as generalizable cancer vaccines.

Novel toxin-based mRNA vaccine against Clostridium perfringens using in silico approaches

Clostridium perfringens is a bacterium that causes gastrointestinal diseases in humans and animals. The several powerful toxins such as alpha toxin (CPA), beta toxin (CPB), enterotoxin (CPE), Epsilon toxin (ETX), and theta toxin, play a major role in its pathogenesis. Traditional vaccine development methods are time-consuming and costly. In silico approaches offer an alternative strategy for designing vaccines by analyzing biological data and predicting immunogenic peptides. In this study, computational tools were utilized to design a RNA vaccine targeting C. perfringens toxins. Toxin protein sequences were retrieved and their linear B-cell, MHCI, and MHCII binding epitopes were predicted. Allergenicity, toxigenicity, and IFN-γ induction were assessed to select non-allergenic, non-toxic, and IFN-γ-inducing epitopes. Molecular docking was performed to identify epitopes that fit within the binding cleft of MHC alleles. A final peptide vaccine construct was designed with selected epitopes separated by a linker sequence. The antigenicity and physicochemical properties of the vaccine were evaluated. Immune response simulation showed enhanced secondary and tertiary immune responses, increased levels of immunoglobulins, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, helper T lymphocytes, macrophage activity, and elevated levels IFN-γ and interleukin-2. Docking analysis was done to assess interactions between the vaccine structure and Toll-like receptors. Codon optimization was performed, and a final RNA vaccine construct was designed. The secondary structure of the RNA vaccine was predicted and validated. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of in silico approaches for designing an RNA vaccine against C. perfringens toxins, contributing to improved prevention and control of associated diseases.

Gene-encoded nanoparticle vaccine platforms for in vivo assembly of multimeric antigen to promote adaptive immunity

Nanoparticle vaccines are a diverse category of vaccines for the prophylaxis or treatment of various diseases. Several strategies have been employed for their optimization, especially to enhance vaccine immunogenicity and generate potent B-cell responses. Two major modalities utilized for particulate antigen vaccines include using nanoscale structures for antigen delivery and nanoparticles that are themselves vaccines due to antigen display or scaffolding-the latter of which we will define as "nanovaccines." Multimeric antigen display has a variety of immunological benefits compared to monomeric vaccines mediated through potentiating antigen-presenting cell presentation and enhancing antigen-specific B-cell responses through B-cell activation. The majority of nanovaccine assembly is done in vitro using cell lines. However, in vivo assembly of scaffolded vaccines potentiated using nucleic acids or viral vectors is a burgeoning modality of nanovaccine delivery. Several advantages to in vivo assembly exist, including lower costs of production, fewer production barriers, as well as more rapid development of novel vaccine candidates for emerging diseases such as SARS-CoV-2. This review will characterize the methods for de novo assembly of nanovaccines in the host using methods of gene delivery including nucleic acid and viral vectored vaccines. This article is categorized under: Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid-Based Structures Biology-Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus-Based Structures Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies.

The Role of Mucoadhesion and Mucopenetration in the Immune Response Induced by Polymer-Based Mucosal Adjuvants

Mucus is a viscoelastic gel that acts as a protective barrier for epithelial surfaces. The mucosal vehicles and adjuvants need to pass through the mucus layer to make drugs and vaccine delivery by mucosal routes possible. The mucoadhesion of polymer particle adjuvants significantly increases the contact time between vaccine formulations and the mucosa; then, the particles can penetrate the mucus layer and epithelium to reach mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues. This review presents the key findings that have aided in understanding mucoadhesion and mucopenetration while exploring the influence of physicochemical characteristics on mucus-polymer interactions. We describe polymer-based particles designed with mucoadhesive or mucopenetrating properties and discuss the impact of mucoadhesive polymers on local and systemic immune responses after mucosal immunization. In future research, more attention paid to the design and development of mucosal adjuvants could lead to more effective vaccines.

In silico formulation of a next-generation multiepitope vaccine for use as a prophylactic candidate against Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever

BACKGROUND

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a widespread disease transmitted to humans and livestock animals through the bite of infected ticks or close contact with infected persons' blood, organs, or other bodily fluids. The virus is responsible for severe viral hemorrhagic fever outbreaks, with a case fatality rate of up to 40%. Despite having the highest fatality rate of the virus, a suitable treatment option or vaccination has not been developed yet. Therefore, this study aimed to formulate a multiepitope vaccine against CCHF through computational vaccine design approaches.

METHODS

The glycoprotein, nucleoprotein, and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of CCHF were utilized to determine immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes. Subsequently, an integrative computational vaccinology approach was used to formulate a multi-epitopes vaccine candidate against the virus.

RESULTS

After rigorous assessment, a multiepitope vaccine was constructed, which was antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergenic with desired physicochemical properties. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the vaccine-receptor complex show strong stability of the vaccine candidates to the targeted immune receptor. Additionally, the immune simulation of the vaccine candidates found that the vaccine could trigger real-life-like immune responses upon administration to humans.

CONCLUSIONS

Finally, we concluded that the formulated multiepitope vaccine candidates would provide excellent prophylactic properties against CCHF.

How clathrin-coated pits control nanoparticle avidity for cells

The paramount relevance of clathrin-coated pits (CCPs) to receptor-mediated endocytosis of nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and viruses has made them the focus of many studies; however, the role of CCP geometry in the ligand-receptor interactions between multivalent nanoparticles and cells has not been investigated. We hypothesized the general dependence of nanoparticle binding energy on local membrane curvature to be expandable to the specific case of ligand-functionalized nanoparticles binding cell membranes, in the sense that membrane structures whose curvature matches that of the particle (e.g., CCPs) signficantly contribute to binding avidity. We investigated this hypothesis with nanoparticles that bind multivalently to angiotensin II receptor type 1, which is subject to clathrin-mediated endocytosis. When we used cholesterol extraction to prevent the action of CCPs, we found a 67 to 100-fold loss in avidity. We created a theoretical model that predicts this decrease based on the loss of ligand-receptor interactions when CCPs, which perfectly match nanoparticle geometry, are absent. Our findings shed new light on how cells "see" nanoparticles. The presence or absence of CPPs is so influential on how cells interact with nanoparticles that the number of particles required to be visible to cells changes by two orders of magnitude depending on CCP presence.

The influence of component structural arrangement on peptide vaccine immunogenicity

Peptide-based subunit vaccines utilise minimal immunogenic components (i.e. peptides) to generate highly specific immune responses, without triggering adverse reactions. However, strong adjuvants and/or effective delivery systems must be incorporated into such vaccines, as peptide antigens cannot induce substantial immune responses on their own. Unfortunately, many adjuvants are too weak or too toxic to be used in combination with peptide antigens. These shortcomings have been addressed by the conjugation of peptide antigens with lipidic/ hydrophobic adjuvanting moieties. The conjugates have shown promising safety profiles and improved immunogenicity without the help of traditional adjuvants and have been efficient in inducing desired immune responses following various routes of administration, including subcutaneous, oral and intranasal. However, not only conjugation per se, but also component arrangement influences vaccine efficacy. This review highlights the importance of influence of the vaccine chemical structure modification on the immune responses generated. It discusses a variety of factors that affect the immunogenicity of peptide conjugates, including: i) self-adjuvanting moiety length and number; ii) the orientation of epitopes and self-adjuvanting moieties in the conjugate; iii) the presence of spacers between conjugated components; iv) multiepitopic arrangement; and v) the effect of chirality on vaccine efficacy.

PEG Spacer Length Substantially Affects Antibody-Based Nanocarrier Targeting of Dendritic Cell Subsets

Successful cell targeting depends on the controlled positioning of cell-type-specific antibodies on the nanocarrier’s (NC) surface. Uncontrolled antibody immobilization results in unintended cell uptake due to Fc-mediated cell interaction. Consequently, precise immobilization of the Fc region towards the nanocarrier surface is needed with the Fab regions staying freely accessible for antigen binding. Moreover, the antibody needs to be a certain distance from the nanocarrier surface, influencing the targeting performance after formation of the biomolecular corona. This can be achieved by using PEG linker molecules. Here we demonstrate cell type-specific targeting for dendritic cells (DC) as cellular key regulators of immune responses. However, to date, dendritic cell targeting experiments using different linker lengths still need to be conducted. Consequently, we focused on the surface modification of nanocarriers with different molecular weight PEG linkers (0.65, 2, and 5 kDa), and their ability to reduce undesired cell uptake, while achieving efficient DC targeting via covalently immobilized antibodies (stealth targeting). Our findings demonstrate that the PEG linker length significantly affects active dendritic cell targeting from cell lines (DC2.4) to primary cells (BMDCs, splenocytic conventional DCs type 1 (cDC1)). While antibody-functionalized nanocarriers with a shorter PEG length (0.65 kDa) showed the best targeting in DC2.4, a longer PEG length (5 kDa) was required to specifically accumulate in BMDCs and splenocytic cDC1. Our study highlights that these crucial aspects must be considered when targeting dendritic cell subsets, which are of great importance in the fields of cancer immunotherapy and vaccine development.

Spatially Controlled Activation of Toll-like Receptor 9 with DNA-Based Nanomaterials

First evidence of geometrical patterns and defined distances of biomolecules as fundamental parameters to regulate receptor binding and cell signaling have emerged recently. Here, we demonstrate the importance of controlled nanospacing of immunostimulatory agents for the activation of immune cells by exploiting DNA-based nanomaterials and pre-existing crystallography data. We created DNA origami nanoparticles that present CpG-motifs in rationally designed spatial patterns to activate Toll-like Receptor 9 in RAW 264.7 macrophages. We demonstrated that stronger immune activation is achieved when active molecules are positioned at the distance of 7 nm, matching the active dimer structure of the receptor. Moreover, we show how the introduction of linkers between particle and ligand can influence the spatial tolerance of binding. These findings are fundamental for a fine-tuned manipulation of the immune system, considering the importance of spatially controlled presentation of therapeutics to increase efficacy and specificity of immune-modulating nanomaterials where multivalent binding is involved.

Mechanisms of cellular and humoral immunity through the lens of VLP-based vaccines

INTRODUCTION

Vaccination can be effective defense against many infectious agents and the corresponding diseases. Discoveries elucidating the mechanisms of the immune system have given hopes to developing vaccines against diseases recalcitrant to current treatment/prevention strategies. One such finding is the ability of immunogenic biological nanoparticles to powerfully boost the immunogenicity of poorer antigens conjugated to them with virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines as a key example. VLPs take advantage of the well-defined molecular structures associated with sub-unit vaccines and the immunostimulatory nature of conjugate vaccines.

AREAS COVERED

In this review, we will discuss how advances in understanding the immune system can inform VLP-based vaccine design and how VLP-based vaccines have uncovered underlying mechanisms in the immune system.

EXPERT OPINION

As our understanding of mechanisms underlying the immune system increases, that knowledge should inform our vaccine design. Testing of proof-of-concept vaccines in the lab should seek to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of immune responses. The integration of these approaches will allow for VLP-based vaccines to live up to their promise as a powerful plug-and-play platform for next generation vaccine development.

Virus-Like Particles: Revolutionary Platforms for Developing Vaccines Against Emerging Infectious Diseases

Virus-like particles (VLPs) are nanostructures that possess diverse applications in therapeutics, immunization, and diagnostics. With the recent advancements in biomedical engineering technologies, commercially available VLP-based vaccines are being extensively used to combat infectious diseases, whereas many more are in different stages of development in clinical studies. Because of their desired characteristics in terms of efficacy, safety, and diversity, VLP-based approaches might become more recurrent in the years to come. However, some production and fabrication challenges must be addressed before VLP-based approaches can be widely used in therapeutics. This review offers insight into the recent VLP-based vaccines development, with an emphasis on their characteristics, expression systems, and potential applicability as ideal candidates to combat emerging virulent pathogens. Finally, the potential of VLP-based vaccine as viable and efficient immunizing agents to induce immunity against virulent infectious agents, including, SARS-CoV-2 and protein nanoparticle-based vaccines has been elaborated. Thus, VLP vaccines may serve as an effective alternative to conventional vaccine strategies in combating emerging infectious diseases.

Quantifying and controlling bond multivalency for advanced nanoparticle targeting to cells

Nanoparticles have drawn intense interest as delivery agents for diagnosing and treating various cancers. Much of the early success was driven by passive targeting mechanisms such as the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, but this has failed to lead to the expected clinical successes. Active targeting involves binding interactions between the nanoparticle and cancer cells, which promotes tumor cell-specific accumulation and internalization. Furthermore, nanoparticles are large enough to facilitate multiple bond formation, which can improve adhesive properties substantially in comparison to the single bond case. While multivalent binding is universally believed to be an attribute of nanoparticles, it is a complex process that is still poorly understood and difficult to control. In this review, we will first discuss experimental studies that have elucidated roles for parameters such as nanoparticle size and shape, targeting ligand and target receptor densities, and monovalent binding kinetics on multivalent nanoparticle adhesion efficiency and cellular internalization. Although such experimental studies are very insightful, information is limited and confounded by numerous differences across experimental systems. Thus, we focus the second part of the review on theoretical aspects of binding, including kinetics, biomechanics, and transport physics. Finally, we discuss various computational and simulation studies of nanoparticle adhesion, including advanced treatments that compare directly to experimental results. Future work will ideally continue to combine experimental data and advanced computational studies to extend our knowledge of multivalent adhesion, as well as design the most powerful nanoparticle-based agents to treat cancer.

Embracing nanomaterials' interactions with the innate immune system

Immunotherapy has firmly established itself as a compelling avenue for treating disease. Although many clinically approved immunotherapeutics engage the adaptive immune system, therapeutically targeting the innate immune system remains much less explored. Nanomedicine offers a compelling opportunity for innate immune system engagement, as many nanomaterials inherently interact with myeloid cells (e.g., monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and dendritic cells) or can be functionalized to target their cell-surface receptors. Here, we provide a perspective on exploiting nanomaterials for innate immune system regulation. We focus on specific nanomaterial design parameters, including size, form, rigidity, charge, and surface decoration. Furthermore, we examine the potential of high-throughput screening and machine learning, while also providing recommendations for advancing the field. This article is categorized under: Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease.

Biodegradable macromers for implant bulk and surface engineering

Macromers, polymeric molecules with at least two functional groups for cross-polymerization, are interesting materials to tailor mechanical, biochemical and degradative bulk and surface properties of implants for tissue regeneration. In this review we focus on macromers with at least one biodegradable building block. Manifold design options, such as choice of polymeric block(s), optional core molecule and reactive groups, as well as cross-co-polymerization with suitable anchor or linker molecules, allow the adaptation of macromer-based biomaterials towards specific application requirements in both hard and soft tissue regeneration. Implants can be manufactured from macromers using additive manufacturing as well as molding and templating approaches. This review summarizes and discusses the overall concept of biodegradable macromers and recent approaches for macromer processing into implants as well as techniques for surface modification directed towards bone regeneration. These aspects are reviewed including a focus on the authors' contributions to the field through research within the collaborative research project Transregio 67.

Impact of REDV peptide density and its linker structure on the capture, movement, and adhesion of flowing endothelial progenitor cells in microfluidic devices

Ligand-immobilization to stents and vascular grafts is expected to promote endothelialization by capturing flowing endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs). However, the optimized ligand density and linker structure have not been fully elucidated. Here, we report that flowing EPCs were selectively captured by the REDV peptide conjugated with a short linker. The microchannel surface was modified with the REDV peptide via Gly-Gly-Gly (G3), (Gly-Gly-Gly)₃ (G9), and diethylene glycol (diEG) linkers, and the moving velocity and captured ratio were evaluated. On the unmodified microchannels, the moving velocity of the cells exhibited a unimodal distribution similar to the liquid flow. The velocity of the endothelial cells and EPCs on the peptide-immobilized surface indicated a bimodal distribution, and approximately 20 to 30% of cells moved slower than the liquid flow, suggesting that the cells were captured and rolled on the surface. When the immobilized ligand density was lower than 1 molecule/nm², selective cell capture was observed only in REDV with G3 and diEG linkers, but not in G9 linkers. An in silico study revealed that the G9 linker tends to form a bent structure, and the REDV peptide is oriented to the substrate side. These results indicated that REDV captured the flowing EPC in a sequence-specific manner, and that the short linker was more adequate.

A Versatile Macromer-Based Glycosaminoglycan (sHA3) Decorated Biomaterial for Pro-Osteogenic Scavenging of Wnt Antagonists

High serum levels of Wnt antagonists are known to be involved in delayed bone defect healing. Pharmaceutically active implant materials that can modulate the micromilieu of bone defects with regard to Wnt antagonists are therefore considered promising to support defect regeneration. In this study, we show the versatility of a macromer based biomaterial platform to systematically optimize covalent surface decoration with high-sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sHA3) for efficient scavenging of Wnt antagonist sclerostin. Film surfaces representing scaffold implants were cross-copolymerized from three-armed biodegradable macromers and glycidylmethacrylate and covalently decorated with various polyetheramine linkers. The impact of linker properties (size, branching) and density on sHA3 functionalization efficiency and scavenging capacities for sclerostin was tested. The copolymerized 2D system allowed for finding an optimal, cytocompatible formulation for sHA3 functionalization. On these optimized sHA3 decorated films, we showed efficient scavenging of Wnt antagonists DKK1 and sclerostin, whereas Wnt agonist Wnt3a remained in the medium of differentiating SaOS-2 and hMSC. Consequently, qualitative and quantitative analysis of hydroxyapatite staining as a measure for osteogenic differentiation revealed superior mineralization on sHA3 materials. In conclusion, we showed how our versatile material platform enables us to efficiently scavenge and inactivate Wnt antagonists from the osteogenic micromilieu. We consider this a promising approach to reduce the negative effects of Wnt antagonists in regeneration of bone defects via sHA3 decorated macromer based macroporous implants.

Cross-presentation of exogenous antigens on MHC I molecules

In order to get recognized by CD8 T cells, most cells present peptides from endogenously expressed self or foreign proteins on MHC class I molecules. However, specialized antigen-presenting cells, such as DCs and macrophages, can present exogenous antigen on MHC-I in a process called cross-presentation. This pathway plays key roles in antimicrobial and antitumor immunity, and also immune tolerance. Recent advances have broadened our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cross-presentation. Here, we review some of these recent advances, including the distinct pathways that result in the cross-priming of CD8 T cells and the source of the class I molecules presenting exogenous peptides.