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Yuan W, Wang Z, Zou Y, Zheng G. Design and Synthesis of Immunoadjuvant QS-21 Analogs and Their Biological Evaluation. Biomedicines 2024; 12:469. [PMID: 38398070 PMCID: PMC10887094 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12020469] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
A series of novel immunoadjuvant QS-21 analogs were synthesized, and their effects on the in vitro hemolysis of red blood cells were evaluated using QS-21 as a control and hemolytic properties as an index. Our results show that all the QS-21 analogs had lower hemolytic effects than QS-21, and their concentrations exhibited a certain quantitative effect relationship with the hemolysis rate. Notably, saponin compounds L1-L8 produced minimal hemolysis and showed lower hemolytic effects, warranting further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yuan
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (W.Y.); (Z.W.)
| | - Ziming Wang
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (W.Y.); (Z.W.)
| | - Yening Zou
- Sinovac Life Sciences Co., Ltd., Beijing 102601, China
| | - Guojun Zheng
- State Key Laboratories of Chemical Resources Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China; (W.Y.); (Z.W.)
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2
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Abucayon EG, Barrientos RC, Torres OB, Sweeney S, Whalen C, Matyas GR. A Liquid Chromatography High-Resolution Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method to Quantify QS-21 Adjuvant and Its Degradation Products in Liposomal Drug Formulations. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:21016-21025. [PMID: 37323401 PMCID: PMC10268291 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c01877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Identification and quantification of an active adjuvant and its degradation product/s in drug formulations are important to ensure drug product safety and efficacy. QS-21 is a potent adjuvant that is currently involved in several clinical vaccine trials and a constituent of licensed vaccines against malaria and shingles. In an aqueous milieu, QS-21 undergoes pH- and temperature-dependent hydrolytic degradation to form a QS-21 HP derivative that may occur during manufacturing and/or long-term storage. Intact QS-21 and deacylated QS-21 HP elicit different immune response profiles; thus, it is imperative to monitor QS-21 degradation in vaccine adjuvant formulation. To date, a suitable quantitative analytical method for QS-21 and its degradation product in drug formulations is not available in the literature. In view of this, a new liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and qualified to accurately quantify the active adjuvant QS-21 and its degradation product (QS-21 HP) in liposomal drug formulations. The method was qualified according to the FDA Guidance for Industry: Q2(R1). Study results showed that the described method presents good specificity for QS-21 and QS-21 HP detection in a liposomal matrix, good sensitivity characterized by the limit of detection (LOD)/limit of quantitation (LOQ) in the nanomolar range, linear regressions with correlation coefficients, R2 > 0.999, recoveries in the range of 80-120%, and precise detection and quantification with % relative standard deviation (RSD) < 6% for QS-21 and < 9% for the QS-21 HP impurity assay. The described method was successfully used to accurately evaluate in-process and product release samples of the Army Liposome Formulation containing QS-21 (ALFQ).
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Affiliation(s)
- Erwin G. Abucayon
- U.S.
Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed
Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
- Henry
M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, United States
| | - Rodell C. Barrientos
- U.S.
Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed
Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
- Henry
M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, United States
| | - Oscar B. Torres
- U.S.
Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed
Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
- Henry
M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, 6720A Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817, United States
| | - Scott Sweeney
- Avanti
Polar Lipids, Part of Croda International, 700 Industrial Park Drive, Alabaster, Alabama 35007, United States
| | - Connor Whalen
- U.S.
Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed
Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
- Oak
Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Gary R. Matyas
- U.S.
Military HIV Research Program, Walter Reed
Army Institute of Research, 503 Robert Grant Avenue, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, United States
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3
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Oh M, Um S, Jeong JH, Ko HJ, Kim SH. 3-Hydroxybutyrate-containing triterpenoid saponins from Brachyscome angustifolia and their immunogenic activity. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2023:113724. [PMID: 37236332 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2023.113724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Three unique hydroxybutyrate-containing triterpenoid saponins, angustiside A-C (1-3), were isolated from the shoots of Brachyscome angustifolia (Asteraceae). The extensive spectroscopic study showed that their aglycone is a previously undescribed one, 16-hydroxy olean-18-en-28-oic acid, named as angustic acid (1a), and 2 and 3 contain hydroxybutyrate moiety in their side chains. The absolute configuration of 1a was determined to be (3R,5R,9R,13S,16S) by X-ray crystallography. The immunity assay revealed that 2 and 3 containing both acyl chains and branched saccharides significantly enhanced the proliferation of OT-I CD8+ T cells and secretion of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), presenting their immunogenic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Oh
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, Incheon, 21983, South Korea; Research Group of Traditional Food, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, 55365, South Korea
| | - Soohyun Um
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, Incheon, 21983, South Korea
| | - Jae-Hyeon Jeong
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, South Korea
| | - Hyun-Jeong Ko
- Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology, College of Pharmacy, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, South Korea
| | - Seung Hyun Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Yonsei University, Incheon, 21983, South Korea.
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4
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Gamboa Marin OJ, Heis F, Gauthier C. Synthesis of immunostimulatory saponins: A sweet challenge for carbohydrate chemists. Carbohydr Res 2023; 530:108851. [PMID: 37257206 DOI: 10.1016/j.carres.2023.108851] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Saponins are a large family of natural glycosides showing a wide range of biological activities. Current research efforts on saponins as vaccine adjuvants have been mainly focused on the development of synthetic analogs. By mimicking the immunomodulatory saponins from Quillaja saponaria (QS), less complex and readily accessible analogs have been synthesized to improve the industrial applicability and efficacy of saponins as vaccine adjuvants. Through the exploration of several structural modifications on the skeleton of QS saponins, including changes in the sugar and aglycone compositions as well as in the nature and configuration of the glycosidic bonds, structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies developed by Pr. Gin in the early 2010s were taken as a starting point for the development of a new generation of immunomodulatory candidates. In this review, the recent synthetic strategies and SAR studies of mono- and bidesmosidic QS saponins are discussed. Original concepts of vaccination including self-adjuvanticity and the development of saponin-based glycoconjugates are described. The synthesis and semi-synthesis of saponin alternatives to QS, such as Momordica saponin and onjisaponin derivatives, are also discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Javier Gamboa Marin
- Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) INRS-UQAC, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval and Chicoutimi, Canada
| | - Floriane Heis
- Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) INRS-UQAC, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval and Chicoutimi, Canada
| | - Charles Gauthier
- Unité mixte de recherche (UMR) INRS-UQAC, Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS), Laval and Chicoutimi, Canada.
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Pifferi C, Aguinagalde L, Ruiz-de-Angulo A, Sacristán N, Baschirotto PT, Poveda A, Jiménez-Barbero J, Anguita J, Fernández-Tejada A. Development of synthetic, self-adjuvanting, and self-assembling anticancer vaccines based on a minimal saponin adjuvant and the tumor-associated MUC1 antigen. Chem Sci 2023; 14:3501-3513. [PMID: 37006677 PMCID: PMC10055764 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc05639a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The overexpression of aberrantly glycosylated tumor-associated mucin-1 (TA-MUC1) in human cancers makes it a major target for the development of anticancer vaccines derived from synthetic MUC1-(glyco)peptide antigens. However, glycopeptide-based subunit vaccines are weakly immunogenic, requiring adjuvants and/or additional immunopotentiating approaches to generate optimal immune responses. Among these strategies, unimolecular self-adjuvanting vaccine constructs that do not need coadministration of adjuvants or conjugation to carrier proteins emerge as a promising but still underexploited approach. Herein, we report the design, synthesis, immune-evaluation in mice, and NMR studies of new, self-adjuvanting and self-assembling vaccines based on our QS-21-derived minimal adjuvant platform covalently linked to TA-MUC1-(glyco)peptide antigens and a peptide helper T-cell epitope. We have developed a modular, chemoselective strategy that harnesses two distal attachment points on the saponin adjuvant to conjugate the respective components in unprotected form and high yields via orthogonal ligations. In mice, only tri-component candidates but not unconjugated or di-component combinations induced significant TA-MUC1-specific IgG antibodies able to recognize the TA-MUC1 on cancer cells. NMR studies revealed the formation of self-assembled aggregates, in which the more hydrophilic TA-MUC1 moiety gets exposed to the solvent, favoring B-cell recognition. While dilution of the di-component saponin-(Tn)MUC1 constructs resulted in partial aggregate disruption, this was not observed for the more stably-organized tri-component candidates. This higher structural stability in solution correlates with their increased immunogenicity and suggests a longer half-life of the construct in physiological media, which together with the enhanced antigen multivalent presentation enabled by the particulate self-assembly, points to this self-adjuvanting tri-component vaccine as a promising synthetic candidate for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Pifferi
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) Biscay Technology Park, Building 801A 48160 Derio Spain
| | - Leire Aguinagalde
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) Biscay Technology Park, Building 801A 48160 Derio Spain
| | - Ane Ruiz-de-Angulo
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) Biscay Technology Park, Building 801A 48160 Derio Spain
| | - Nagore Sacristán
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) Biscay Technology Park, Building 801A 48160 Derio Spain
| | - Priscila Tonon Baschirotto
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) Biscay Technology Park, Building 801A 48160 Derio Spain
| | - Ana Poveda
- Chemical Glycobiology Laboratory, CIC BioGUNE, BRTA Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- Chemical Glycobiology Laboratory, CIC BioGUNE, BRTA Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science Maria Diaz de Haro 13 48009 Bilbao Spain
- Department of Organic Chemistry II, Faculty of Science & Technology, University of the Basque Country 48940 Leioa Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica En Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5 28029 Madrid Spain
| | - Juan Anguita
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science Maria Diaz de Haro 13 48009 Bilbao Spain
- Inflammation and Macrophage Plasticity Laboratory, CIC BioGUNE, BRTA Spain
| | - Alberto Fernández-Tejada
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC BioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA) Biscay Technology Park, Building 801A 48160 Derio Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science Maria Diaz de Haro 13 48009 Bilbao Spain
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6
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Fuentes R, Aguinagalde L, Pifferi C, Plata A, Sacristán N, Castellana D, Anguita J, Fernández-Tejada A. Novel Oxime-Derivatized Synthetic Triterpene Glycosides as Potent Saponin Vaccine Adjuvants. Front Immunol 2022; 13:865507. [PMID: 35603193 PMCID: PMC9121768 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.865507] [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: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine adjuvants are key for optimal vaccine efficacy, increasing the immunogenicity of the antigen and potentiating the immune response. Saponin adjuvants such as the carbohydrate-based QS-21 natural product are among the most promising candidates in vaccine formulations, but suffer from inherent drawbacks that have hampered their use and approval as stand-alone adjuvants. Despite the recent development of synthetic derivatives with improved properties, their full potential has not yet been reached, allowing the prospect of discovering further optimized saponin variants with higher potency. Herein, we have designed, chemically synthesized, and immunologically evaluated novel oxime-derivatized saponin adjuvants with targeted structural modifications at key triterpene functionalities. The resulting analogues have revealed important findings into saponin structure-activity relationships, including adjuvant mechanistic insights, and have shown superior adjuvant activity in terms of significantly increased antibody response augmentation compared to our previous saponin leads. These newly identified saponin oximes emerge as highly promising synthetic adjuvants for further preclinical development towards potential next generation immunotherapeutics for future vaccine applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Fuentes
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
| | - Leire Aguinagalde
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
| | - Carlo Pifferi
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
| | - Adrián Plata
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
| | - Nagore Sacristán
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
| | - Donatello Castellana
- Research and Development, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
| | - Juan Anguita
- Inflammation and Macrophage Plasticity Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Alberto Fernández-Tejada
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Basque Research and Technology Alliance BRTA, Derio, Spain
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
- *Correspondence: Alberto Fernández-Tejada,
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7
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Tsibranska S, Ivanova A, Tcholakova S, Denkov N. Structure and Undulations of Escin Adsorption Layer at Water Surface Studied by Molecular Dynamics. Molecules 2021; 26:6856. [PMID: 34833947 PMCID: PMC8618613 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26226856] [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: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The saponin escin, extracted from horse chestnut seeds, forms adsorption layers with high viscoelasticity and low gas permeability. Upon deformation, escin adsorption layers often feature surface wrinkles with characteristic wavelength. In previous studies, we investigated the origin of this behavior and found that the substantial surface elasticity of escin layers may be related to a specific combination of short-, medium-, and long-range attractive forces, leading to tight molecular packing in the layers. In the current study, we performed atomistic molecular dynamics simulations of 441 escin molecules in a dense adsorption layer with an area per molecule of 0.49 nm2. We found that the surfactant molecules are less submerged in water and adopt a more upright position when compared to the characteristics determined in our previous simulations with much smaller molecular models. The number of neighbouring molecules and their local orientation, however, remain similar in the different-size models. To maintain their preferred mutual orientation, the escin molecules segregate into well-ordered domains and spontaneously form wrinkled layers. The same specific interactions (H-bonds, dipole-dipole attraction, and intermediate strong attraction) define the complex internal structure and the undulations of the layers. The analysis of the layer properties reveals a characteristic wrinkle wavelength related to the surface lateral dimensions, in qualitative agreement with the phenomenological description of thin elastic sheets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya Tsibranska
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.T.); (S.T.); (N.D.)
| | - Anela Ivanova
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Slavka Tcholakova
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.T.); (S.T.); (N.D.)
| | - Nikolai Denkov
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Sofia, 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (S.T.); (S.T.); (N.D.)
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Fuentes R, Aguinagalde L, Sacristán N, Fernández-Tejada A. Design, synthesis, and initial immunological evaluation of glycoconjugates based on saponin adjuvants and the Tn antigen. Chem Commun (Camb) 2021; 57:11382-11385. [PMID: 34647563 PMCID: PMC8552335 DOI: 10.1039/d1cc04459a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We report the first synthesis and immunological evaluation of a new glycoconjugate design based on streamlined saponin adjuvants and the Tn carbohydrate antigen. While the novel synthetic constructs induced moderate antibody responses in mice, the versatile chemical platform is amenable to further structure-activity optimizations for the development of self-adjuvanting glycoconjugate cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Fuentes
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain.
| | - Leire Aguinagalde
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain.
| | - Nagore Sacristán
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain.
| | - Alberto Fernández-Tejada
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), 48160 Derio, Spain.
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Euskadi Plaza 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
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Jing J, Zhang R, Wang Y, Tang S, Yang H, Du L, Lin B, Shao L, Zhang F, Xue P. Less polar ginsenosides have better protective effects on mice infected by Listeria monocytogenes. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 213:112065. [PMID: 33636464 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes widely exists in the natural environment and does great harm, which can cause worldwide public safety problem. Infection with L. monocytogenes can cause rapid death of Kupffer cell (KCs) in liver tissue and liver damage. American ginseng saponins is a natural compound in plants, which has great potential in inhibiting L. monocytogenes infection. Therefore, American ginseng stem-leaf saponins (AGS) and American ginseng heat-transformed saponins (HTS) were used as raw materials to study their bacteriostatic experiments in vivo and in vitro. In this experiment, female Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, negative group, AGS group, HTS group (10 mg/kg/day in an equal volume via gastric administration) and penicillin group, each group containing six mice. Profiles AGS and HTS components were evaluated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The bacteriostatic effect of AGS and HTS on L. monocytogenes was evaluated by inhibition zone test, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The bacteriostatic effect of AGS and HTS pretreatment on mice infected with L. monocytogenes were studies by animal experimental. The results showed that the content of polar saponins in AGS was 0.81 ± 0.003 mg/mg, less polar saponins was 0.08 ± 0.02 mg/mg, the content of polar saponins in HTS was 0.10 ± 0.01 mg/mg, less polar saponins was 0.76 ± 0.02 mg/mg. The in vitro bacteriostatic diameter of HTS (16.6 ± 0.8 mm) is large than that of AGS (10.2 ± 1.2 mm). AGS and HTS pretreatment could reduce the colony numbers in the livers of mice infected with Listeria monocytogenes. The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the livers of mice in the pretreatment group were significantly lower than those in the negative group. There were obvious leukoplakia, calcification and other liver damage on the liver surface in the negative control group, and obvious inflammatory cell infiltration in HE sections. AGS and HTS pretreatment can reduce liver injury caused by L. monocytogenes and protect the liver. Compared with AGS, HTS has higher content of less polar saponins and better bacteriostatic effect in vitro. The count of bacterial in liver tissue of HTS group was significantly lower, the survival rate was significantly higher than that of AGS group. Less polar saponins had better bacteriostatic effect. Collectively, less polar saponins pretreatment has a protective effect on mice infected with L. monocytogenes, to which alleviated liver damage, improved anti-inflammatory ability and immunity of the body, protected liver may contribute.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinjin Jing
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruoyu Zhang
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunhai Wang
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaojian Tang
- School of Pharmacy, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Hanchao Yang
- Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Lidong Du
- Clinical Medical Colleges, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Bingjie Lin
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Lijun Shao
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengxiang Zhang
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Xue
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang 261053, People's Republic of China.
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Schijns V, Majhen D, van der Ley P, Thakur A, Summerfield A, Berisio R, Nativi C, Fernández-Tejada A, Alvarez-Dominguez C, Gizurarson S, Zamyatina A, Molinaro A, Rosano C, Jakopin Ž, Gursel I, McClean S. Rational Vaccine Design in Times of Emerging Diseases: The Critical Choices of Immunological Correlates of Protection, Vaccine Antigen and Immunomodulation. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:501. [PMID: 33917629 PMCID: PMC8067490 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13040501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2021] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are the most effective medical intervention due to their continual success in preventing infections and improving mortality worldwide. Early vaccines were developed empirically however, rational design of vaccines can allow us to optimise their efficacy, by tailoring the immune response. Establishing the immune correlates of protection greatly informs the rational design of vaccines. This facilitates the selection of the best vaccine antigens and the most appropriate vaccine adjuvant to generate optimal memory immune T cell and B cell responses. This review outlines the range of vaccine types that are currently authorised and those under development. We outline the optimal immunological correlates of protection that can be targeted. Finally we review approaches to rational antigen selection and rational vaccine adjuvant design. Harnessing current knowledge on protective immune responses in combination with critical vaccine components is imperative to the prevention of future life-threatening diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virgil Schijns
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology (Intravacc), Utrecht Science Park, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands;
- Epitopoietic Research Corporation (ERC), 5374 RE Schaijk, The Netherlands
| | - Dragomira Majhen
- Laboratory for Cell Biology and Signalling, Division of Molecular Biology, Ruđer Bošković Instiute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Peter van der Ley
- Intravacc, Institute for Translational Vaccinology (Intravacc), Utrecht Science Park, 3721 MA Bilthoven, The Netherlands;
| | - Aneesh Thakur
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Artur Summerfield
- Institute of Virology and Immunology, 3147 Mittelhausern, Switzerland;
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pathobiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3001 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Rita Berisio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council, I-80134 Naples, Italy;
| | - Cristina Nativi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy;
| | - Alberto Fernández-Tejada
- Chemical Immunology Laboratory, Center for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), Biscay Science and Technology Park, 48160 Derio-Bilbao, Spain;
- Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
| | - Carmen Alvarez-Dominguez
- Facultativo en plantilla (Research Faculty), Instituto de Investigación Marqués de Valdecilla (IDIVAL), 39011 Santander, Spain;
| | - Sveinbjörn Gizurarson
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland;
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Alla Zamyatina
- Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1190 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Antonio Molinaro
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Napoli Federico II, Complesso Universitario Monte Santangelo, I-80126 Napoli, Italy;
- Department of Chemistry, School of Science, Osaka University, 1-1 Osaka University Machikaneyama, Toyonaka, Osaka 560-0043, Japan
| | - Camillo Rosano
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Unit, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino, 16132 Genova-1, Italy;
| | - Žiga Jakopin
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubiljana, Slovenia;
| | - Ihsan Gursel
- Molecular Biology and Genetics Department, Science Faculty, Bilkent University, Bilkent, 06800 Ankara, Turkey;
| | - Siobhán McClean
- School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences, University College Dublin, Belfield, D04 V1W8 Dublin, Ireland
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11
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Fuentes R, Ruiz‐de‐Angulo A, Sacristán N, Navo CD, Jiménez‐Osés G, Anguita J, Fernández‐Tejada A. Replacing the Rhamnose-Xylose Moiety of QS-21 with Simpler Terminal Disaccharide Units Attenuates Adjuvant Activity in Truncated Saponin Variants. Chemistry 2021; 27:4731-4737. [PMID: 33236801 PMCID: PMC7986102 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202004705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Adjuvants are key immunostimulatory components in vaccine formulations, which improve the immune response to the co-administered antigen. The saponin natural product QS-21 is one of the most promising immunoadjuvants in the development of vaccines against cancer and infectious diseases but suffers from limitations that have hampered its widespread human use. Previous structure-activity relationship studies have identified simplified saponin variants with truncated carbohydrate chains, but have not focused on the influence of the linear oligosaccharide domain of QS-21 in adjuvant activity. Herein, an expeditious 15-step synthesis of new linear trisaccharide variants of simplified QS-21-derived adjuvants is reported, in which the complex terminal xylose-rhamnose moiety has been replaced with commercially available, simpler lactose and cellobiose disaccharides in a β-anomeric configuration. In vivo immunological evaluation of the synthetic saponins showed attenuated antibody responses, highlighting the negative impact of such carbohydrate modifications on adjuvant activity, which could be associated with higher saponin conformational flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Fuentes
- Chemical Immunology LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE)Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)Biscay Science and Technology Park, Building 801A48160DerioSpain
| | - Ane Ruiz‐de‐Angulo
- Chemical Immunology LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE)Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)Biscay Science and Technology Park, Building 801A48160DerioSpain
| | - Nagore Sacristán
- Chemical Immunology LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE)Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)Biscay Science and Technology Park, Building 801A48160DerioSpain
| | - Claudio Daniel Navo
- Computational Chemistry LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE)Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)Biscay Science and Technology Park, Building 801A48160DerioSpain
| | - Gonzalo Jiménez‐Osés
- Computational Chemistry LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE)Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)Biscay Science and Technology Park, Building 801A48160DerioSpain
| | - Juan Anguita
- Inflammation and Macrophage Plasticity LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE)Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)Biscay Science and Technology Park, Building 801A48160DerioSpain
- IkerbasqueBasque Foundation for SciencePlaza Euskadi 548009BilbaoSpain
| | - Alberto Fernández‐Tejada
- Chemical Immunology LaboratoryCenter for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE)Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA)Biscay Science and Technology Park, Building 801A48160DerioSpain
- IkerbasqueBasque Foundation for SciencePlaza Euskadi 548009BilbaoSpain
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12
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Natural and synthetic carbohydrate-based vaccine adjuvants and their mechanisms of action. Nat Rev Chem 2021; 5:197-216. [PMID: 37117529 PMCID: PMC7829660 DOI: 10.1038/s41570-020-00244-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Modern subunit vaccines based on homogeneous antigens offer more precise targeting and improved safety compared with traditional whole-pathogen vaccines. However, they are also less immunogenic and require an adjuvant to increase the immunogenicity of the antigen and potentiate the immune response. Unfortunately, few adjuvants have sufficient potency and low enough toxicity for clinical use, highlighting the urgent need for new, potent and safe adjuvants. Notably, a number of natural and synthetic carbohydrate structures have been used as adjuvants in clinical trials, and two have recently been approved in human vaccines. However, naturally derived carbohydrate adjuvants are heterogeneous, difficult to obtain and, in some cases, unstable. In addition, their molecular mechanisms of action are generally not fully understood, partly owing to the lack of tools to elucidate their immune-potentiating effects, thus hampering the rational development of optimized adjuvants. To address these challenges, modification of the natural product structure using synthetic chemistry emerges as an attractive approach to develop well-defined, improved carbohydrate-containing adjuvants and chemical probes for mechanistic investigation. This Review describes selected examples of natural and synthetic carbohydrate-based adjuvants and their application in synthetic self-adjuvanting vaccines, while also discussing current understanding of their molecular mechanisms of action.
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13
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Juang YP, Liang PH. Biological and Pharmacological Effects of Synthetic Saponins. Molecules 2020; 25:E4974. [PMID: 33121124 PMCID: PMC7663351 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25214974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Saponins are amphiphilic molecules consisting of carbohydrate and either triterpenoid or steroid aglycone moieties and are noted for their multiple biological activities-Fungicidal, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects have all been observed. Saponins from natural sources have long been used in herbal and traditional medicines; however, the isolation of complexed saponins from nature is difficult and laborious, due to the scarce amount and structure heterogeneity. Chemical synthesis is considered a powerful tool to expand the structural diversity of saponin, leading to the discovery of promising compounds. This review focuses on recent developments in the structure optimization and biological evaluation of synthetic triterpenoid and steroid saponin derivatives. By summarizing the structure-activity relationship (SAR) results, we hope to provide the direction for future development of saponin-based bioactive compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pi-Hui Liang
- School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 100, Taiwan;
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14
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Bashiri S, Koirala P, Toth I, Skwarczynski M. Carbohydrate Immune Adjuvants in Subunit Vaccines. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E965. [PMID: 33066594 PMCID: PMC7602499 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12100965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Modern subunit vaccines are composed of antigens and a delivery system and/or adjuvant (immune stimulator) that triggers the desired immune responses. Adjuvants mimic pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are typically associated with infections. Carbohydrates displayed on the surface of pathogens are often recognized as PAMPs by receptors on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Consequently, carbohydrates and their analogues have been used as adjuvants and delivery systems to promote antigen transport to APCs. Carbohydrates are biocompatible, usually nontoxic, biodegradable, and some are mucoadhesive. As such, carbohydrates and their derivatives have been intensively explored for the development of new adjuvants. This review assesses the immunological functions of carbohydrate ligands and their ability to enhance systemic and mucosal immune responses against co-administered antigens. The role of carbohydrate-based adjuvants/delivery systems in the development of subunit vaccines is discussed in detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahra Bashiri
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; (S.B.); (P.K.)
| | - Prashamsa Koirala
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; (S.B.); (P.K.)
| | - Istvan Toth
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; (S.B.); (P.K.)
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Mariusz Skwarczynski
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; (S.B.); (P.K.)
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