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Prosper P, Rodríguez Puertas R, Guérin DMA, Branda MM. Computational method for designing vaccines applied to virus-like particles (VLPs) as epitope carriers. Vaccine 2024:S0264-410X(24)00584-X. [PMID: 38782665 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2024.05.025] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Nonenveloped virus-like particles (VLPs) are self-assembled oligomeric structures composed of one or more proteins that originate from diverse viruses. Because these VLPs have similar antigenicity to the parental virus, they are successfully used as vaccines against cognate virus infection. Furthermore, after foreign antigenic sequences are inserted in their protein components (chimVLPs), some VLPs are also amenable to producing vaccines against pathogens other than the virus it originates from (these VLPs are named platform or epitope carrier). Designing chimVLP vaccines is challenging because the immunogenic response must be oriented against a given antigen without altering stimulant properties inherent to the VLP. An important step in this process is choosing the location of the sequence modifications because this must be performed without compromising the assembly and stability of the original VLP. Currently, many immunogenic data and computational tools can help guide the design of chimVLPs, thus reducing experimental costs and work. In this study, we analyze the structure of a novel VLP that originate from an insect virus and describe the putative regions of its three structural proteins amenable to insertion. For this purpose, we employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to assess chimVLP stability by comparing mutated and wild-type (WT) VLP protein trajectories. We applied this procedure to design a chimVLP that can serve as a prophylactic vaccine against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The methodology described in this work is generally applicable for VLP-based vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascalita Prosper
- Instituto de Física Aplicada - INFAP, Universidad Nacional de San Luis/CONICET, Argentina, Av. Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, San Luis, Argentina
| | - Rafael Rodríguez Puertas
- Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Dept. Farmacología, Facultad de Medicina, B° Sarriena S/N, 48940 Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain; Neurodegenerative Diseases, BioCruces Bizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
| | - Diego M A Guérin
- Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU) and Instituto Biofisika (CSIC, UPV/EHU), B° Sarriena S/N, 48940 Leioa, Vizcaya, Spain
| | - María Marta Branda
- Instituto de Física Aplicada - INFAP, Universidad Nacional de San Luis/CONICET, Argentina, Av. Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700 San Luis, San Luis, Argentina.
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2
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Wubshet AK, Li GX, Li Q, Dai JF, Ding YZ, Zhou L, Qu M, Wang Y, Ma Z, Werid GM, Abera BH, Kebede AT, Sun Y, Yin X, Liu Y, Jie Z. Stability and integrity of self-assembled bovine parvovirus virus‑like particles (BPV‑VLPs) of VP2 and combination of VP1VP2 assisted by baculovirus-insect cell expression: a potential logistical platform for vaccine deployment. Virol J 2024; 21:87. [PMID: 38641833 PMCID: PMC11027344 DOI: 10.1186/s12985-024-02322-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bovine parvovirus (BPV) is an autonomous DNA virus with a smaller molecular size and subtle differences in its structural proteins, unlike other animal parvoviruses. More importantly, this virus has the potential to produce visible to silent economic catastrophes in the livestock business, despite receiving very little attention. Parvoviral virus-like particles (VLPs) as vaccines and as logistical platforms for vaccine deployment are well studied. However, no single experimental report on the role of VP1 in the assembly and stability of BPV-VLPs is available. Furthermore, the self-assembly, integrity and stability of the VLPs of recombinant BPV VP2 in comparison to VP1 VP2 Cap proteins using any expression method has not been studied previously. In this study, we experimentally evaluated the self-assembling ability with which BPV virus-like particles (VLPs) could be synthesized from a single structural protein (VP2) and by integrating both VP2 and VP1 amino acid sequences. METHODS In silico and experimental cloning methods were carried out. His-tagged and without-His-tag VP2 and V1VP2-encoding amino acid sequences were cloned and inserted into pFastbacdual, and insect cell-generated recombinant protein was evaluated by SDS‒PAGE and western blot. Period of infectivity and expression level were determined by IFA. The integrity and stability of the BPV VLPs were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The secondary structure of the BPV VLPs from both VP2 and V1VP2 was analyzed by circular dichroism. RESULTS Our findings show that VP2 alone was equally expressed and purified into detectable proteins, and the stability at different temperatures and pH values was not appreciably different between the two kinds of VLPs. Furthermore, BPV-VP2 VLPs were praised for their greater purity and integrity than BPV-VP1VP2 VLPs, as indicated by SDS‒PAGE. Therefore, our research demonstrates that the function of VP1 has no bearing on the stability or integrity of BPV-VLPs. CONCLUSIONS In summary, incredible physiochemically stable BPV VP2-derived VLPs have been found to be promising candidates for the development of multivalent vaccines and immunodiagnostic kits against enteric viruses and to carry heterogeneous epitopes for various economically important livestock diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashenafi Kiros Wubshet
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Department of Veterinary Basics and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Science, Mekelle University, 2084, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - Guo-Xiu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Jun-Fei Dai
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao-Zhong Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Luoyi Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongyuan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Gebremeskel Mamu Werid
- Davies Livestock Research Centre, School of Animal & Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy Campus, Roseworthy, SA, 5371, Australia
| | - Birhanu Hadush Abera
- Department of Veterinary Basics and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Science, Mekelle University, 2084, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - Asmelash Tassew Kebede
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Raya University, 92, Maychew, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - Yuefeng Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiangping Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongsheng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- College of Animal Science & Technology (CAST), Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology (HNUST), Qinhuangdao, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhang Jie
- State Key Laboratory of Veterinary Etiological Biology, National/OIE Foot and Mouth Disease Reference Laboratory, Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Lanzhou, 730046, People's Republic of China.
- College of Animal Science & Technology (CAST), Hebei Normal University of Science & Technology (HNUST), Qinhuangdao, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Ali A, Ganguillet S, Turgay Y, Keys TG, Causa E, Fradique R, Lutz-Bueno V, Chesnov S, Tan-Lin CW, Lentsch V, Kotar J, Cicuta P, Mezzenga R, Slack E, Radiom M. Surface Cross-Linking by Macromolecular Tethers Enhances Virus-like Particles' Resilience to Mucosal Stress Factors. ACS NANO 2024; 18:3382-3396. [PMID: 38237058 PMCID: PMC10832050 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c10339] [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: 10/21/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are emerging as nanoscaffolds in a variety of biomedical applications including delivery of vaccine antigens and cargo such as mRNA to mucosal surfaces. These soft, colloidal, and proteinaceous structures (capsids) are nevertheless susceptible to mucosal environmental stress factors. We cross-linked multiple capsid surface amino acid residues using homobifunctional polyethylene glycol tethers to improve the persistence and survival of the capsid to model mucosal stressors. Surface cross-linking enhanced the stability of VLPs assembled from Acinetobacter phage AP205 coat proteins in low pH (down to pH 4.0) and high protease concentration conditions (namely, in pig and mouse gastric fluids). Additionally, it increased the stiffness of VLPs under local mechanical indentation applied using an atomic force microscopy cantilever tip. Small angle X-ray scattering revealed an increase in capsid diameter after cross-linking and an increase in capsid shell thickness with the length of the PEG cross-linkers. Moreover, surface cross-linking had no effect on the VLPs' mucus translocation and accumulation on the epithelium of in vitro 3D human nasal epithelial tissues with mucociliary clearance. Finally, it did not compromise VLPs' function as vaccines in mouse subcutaneous vaccination models. Compared to PEGylation without cross-linking, the stiffness of surface cross-linked VLPs were higher for the same length of the PEG molecule, and also the lifetimes of surface cross-linked VLPs were longer in the gastric fluids. Surface cross-linking using macromolecular tethers, but not simple conjugation of these molecules, thus offers a viable means to enhance the resilience and survival of VLPs for mucosal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Ali
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Suwannee Ganguillet
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Yagmur Turgay
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Timothy G. Keys
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Erika Causa
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Ricardo Fradique
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Viviane Lutz-Bueno
- Paul
Scherrer Institute (PSI), Villigen 5232, Switzerland
- Laboratoire
Léon Brillouin, CEA-CNRS (UMR-12), CEA Saclay, Université
Paris-Saclay, Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex 91191, France
| | - Serge Chesnov
- Functional
Genomics Centre Zürich (FGCZ), University of Zürich/ETH
Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Chia-Wei Tan-Lin
- Functional
Genomics Centre Zürich (FGCZ), University of Zürich/ETH
Zürich, Zürich 8057, Switzerland
| | - Verena Lentsch
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Jurij Kotar
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Pietro Cicuta
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Emma Slack
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
| | - Milad Radiom
- Department
of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland
- Biological
and Soft Systems, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
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4
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Tumban E. Bacteriophage Virus-Like Particles: Platforms for Vaccine Design. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2738:411-423. [PMID: 37966612 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3549-0_24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) derived from bacteriophages have many applications in biomedical sciences, especially in the development of candidate vaccines against viral and bacterial infections. Bacteriophage VLPs can be manufactured cheaply and in large quantities in bacteria compared to eukaryotic expression systems. In addition to this, bacteriophage VLPs are excellent platforms for vaccine design for the following reason: Humans do not have preexisting antibodies against bacteriophage VLPs. Thus, antigens displayed on bacteriophage VLP platforms are expected to be highly immunogenic. As such, VLPs derived from MS2, PP7, Qβ, AP205, P22 bacteriophages, etc. have been used to develop candidate vaccines against human infectious and noninfectious agents. This mini-review summarizes data from some of the candidate bacteriophage-based VLP peptide vaccines that have been developed. The review also highlights some strategies used to develop the candidate bacteriophage-based VLP peptide vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ebenezer Tumban
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, Amarillo, TX, USA.
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5
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Martinez FG, Zielke RA, Fougeroux CE, Li L, Sander AF, Sikora AE. Development of a Tag/Catcher-mediated capsid virus-like particle vaccine presenting the conserved Neisseria gonorrhoeae SliC antigen that blocks human lysozyme. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0024523. [PMID: 37916806 PMCID: PMC10715030 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00245-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising nanotools for the development of subunit vaccines due to high immunogenicity and safety. Herein, we explored the versatile and effective Tag/Catcher-AP205 capsid VLP (cVLP) vaccine platform to address the urgent need for the development of an effective and safe vaccine against gonorrhea. The benefits of this clinically validated cVLP platform include its ability to facilitate unidirectional, high-density display of complex/full-length antigens through an effective split-protein Tag/Catcher conjugation system. To assess this modular approach for making cVLP vaccines, we used a conserved surface lipoprotein, SliC, that contributes to the Neisseria gonorrhoeae defense against human lysozyme, as a model antigen. This protein was genetically fused at the N- or C-terminus to the small peptide Tag enabling their conjugation to AP205 cVLP, displaying the complementary Catcher. We determined that SliC with the N-terminal SpyTag, N-SliC, retained lysozyme-blocking activity and could be displayed at high density on cVLPs without causing aggregation. In mice, the N-SliC-VLP vaccines, adjuvanted with AddaVax or CpG, induced significantly higher antibody titers compared to controls. In contrast, similar vaccine formulations containing monomeric SliC were non-immunogenic. Accordingly, sera from N-SliC-VLP-immunized mice also had significantly higher human complement-dependent serum bactericidal activity. Furthermore, the N-SliC-VLP vaccines administered subcutaneously with an intranasal boost elicited systemic and vaginal IgG and IgA, whereas subcutaneous delivery alone failed to induce vaginal IgA. The N-SliC-VLP with CpG (10 µg/dose) induced the most significant increase in total serum IgG and IgG3 titers, vaginal IgG and IgA, and bactericidal antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian G. Martinez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Ryszard A. Zielke
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | | | - Lixin Li
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - Adam F. Sander
- AdaptVac Aps, Hørsholm, Denmark
- Faculty of Health Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aleksandra E. Sikora
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
- Vaccine and Gene Therapy Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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6
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Wang Z, Wang X, Xu W, Li Y, Lai R, Qiu X, Chen X, Chen Z, Mi B, Wu M, Wang J. Translational Challenges and Prospective Solutions in the Implementation of Biomimetic Delivery Systems. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2623. [PMID: 38004601 PMCID: PMC10674763 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15112623] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomimetic delivery systems (BDSs), inspired by the intricate designs of biological systems, have emerged as a groundbreaking paradigm in nanomedicine, offering unparalleled advantages in therapeutic delivery. These systems, encompassing platforms such as liposomes, protein-based nanoparticles, extracellular vesicles, and polysaccharides, are lauded for their targeted delivery, minimized side effects, and enhanced therapeutic outcomes. However, the translation of BDSs from research settings to clinical applications is fraught with challenges, including reproducibility concerns, physiological stability, and rigorous efficacy and safety evaluations. Furthermore, the innovative nature of BDSs demands the reevaluation and evolution of existing regulatory and ethical frameworks. This review provides an overview of BDSs and delves into the multifaceted translational challenges and present emerging solutions, underscored by real-world case studies. Emphasizing the potential of BDSs to redefine healthcare, we advocate for sustained interdisciplinary collaboration and research. As our understanding of biological systems deepens, the future of BDSs in clinical translation appears promising, with a focus on personalized medicine and refined patient-specific delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhe Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China; (Z.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Xinpei Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
| | - Wanting Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
| | - Yongxiao Li
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
| | - Ruizhi Lai
- Department of Pathology, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518033, China; (Z.W.); (R.L.)
| | - Xiaohui Qiu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
| | - Xu Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
| | - Zhidong Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
| | - Bobin Mi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, China;
- Hubei Province Key Laboratory of Oral and Maxillofacial Development and Regeneration, Wuhan 430022, China
| | - Meiying Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
| | - Junqing Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China; (X.W.); (W.X.); (Y.L.); (X.Q.); (X.C.); (Z.C.)
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7
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Yao G, Min H, Yu X, Liu F, Cui L, Cao Y. A nanoparticle vaccine displaying the ookinete PSOP25 antigen elicits transmission-blocking antibody response against Plasmodium berghei. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:403. [PMID: 37932796 PMCID: PMC10626823 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-023-06020-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Safe and effective vaccines are crucial for the control and eventual elimination of malaria. Novel approaches to optimize and improve vaccine efficacy are urgently required. Nanoparticle-based delivery platforms are considered potent and powerful tools for vaccine development. METHODS In this study, we developed a transmission-blocking vaccine against malaria by conjugating the ookinete surface antigen PSOP25 to the Acinetobacter phage coat protein AP205, forming virus-like particles (VLPs) using the SpyTag/SpyCatcher adaptor system. The combination of AP205-2*SpyTag with PSOP25-SpyCatcher resulted in the formation of AP205-PSOP25 complexes (VLP-PSOP25). The antibody titers and avidity of serum from each immunization group were assessed by ELISA. Western blot and IFA were performed to confirm the specific reactivity of the elicit antisera to the native PSOP25 in Plasmodium berghei ookinetes. Both in vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to evaluate the transmission-blocking activity of VLP-PSOP25 vaccine. RESULTS Immunization of mice with VLP-PSOP25 could induced higher levels of high-affinity antibodies than the recombinant PSOP25 (rPSOP25) alone or mixtures of untagged AP205 and rPSOP25 but was comparable to rPSOP25 formulated with alum. Additionally, the VLP-PSOP25 vaccine enhanced Th1-type immune response with remarkably increased levels of IgG2a subclass. The antiserum generated by VLP-PSOP25 specifically recognizes the native PSOP25 antigen in P. berghei ookinetes. Importantly, antisera generated by inoculation with the VLP-PSOP25 could inhibit ookinete development in vitro and reduce the prevalence of infected mosquitoes or oocyst intensity in direct mosquito feeding assays. CONCLUSIONS Antisera elicited by immunization with the VLP-PSOP25 vaccine confer moderate transmission-reducing activity and transmission-blocking activity. Our results support the utilization of the AP205-SpyTag/SpyCatcher platform for next-generation TBVs development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixiang Yao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hui Min
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xinxin Yu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Liwang Cui
- Department of Internal Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, 3720 Spectrum Boulevard, Tampa, FL, USA.
| | - Yaming Cao
- Department of Immunology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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8
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Mellid-Carballal R, Gutierrez-Gutierrez S, Rivas C, Garcia-Fuentes M. Viral protein nanoparticles (Part 1): Pharmaceutical characteristics. Eur J Pharm Sci 2023; 187:106460. [PMID: 37156338 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2023.106460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Viral protein nanoparticles fill the gap between viruses and synthetic nanoparticles. Combining advantageous properties of both systems, they have revolutionized pharmaceutical research. Virus-like particles are characterized by a structure identical to viruses but lacking genetic material. Another type of viral protein nanoparticles, virosomes, are similar to liposomes but include viral spike proteins. Both systems are effective and safe vaccine candidates capable of overcoming the disadvantages of both traditional and subunit vaccines. Besides, their particulate structure, biocompatibility, and biodegradability make them good candidates as vectors for drug and gene delivery, and for diagnostic applications. In this review, we analyze viral protein nanoparticles from a pharmaceutical perspective and examine current research focused on their development process, from production to administration. Advances in synthesis, modification and formulation of viral protein nanoparticles are critical so that large-scale production of viral protein nanoparticle products becomes viable and affordable, which ultimately will increase their market penetration in the future. We will discuss their expression systems, modification strategies, formulation, biopharmaceutical properties, and biocompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rocio Mellid-Carballal
- CiMUS Research Center, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Sara Gutierrez-Gutierrez
- CiMUS Research Center, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Carmen Rivas
- CiMUS Research Center, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Departamento de Biología Molecular y Celular, Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB)-CSIC, Spain
| | - Marcos Garcia-Fuentes
- CiMUS Research Center, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain; Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
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9
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Park J, Pho T, Champion JA. Chemical and biological conjugation strategies for the development of multivalent protein vaccine nanoparticles. Biopolymers 2023; 114:e23563. [PMID: 37490564 PMCID: PMC10528127 DOI: 10.1002/bip.23563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Revised: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
The development of subunit vaccine platforms has been of considerable interest due to their good safety profile and ability to be adapted to new antigens, compared to other vaccine typess. Nevertheless, subunit vaccines often lack sufficient immunogenicity to fully protect against infectious diseases. A wide variety of subunit vaccines have been developed to enhance antigen immunogenicity by increasing antigen multivalency, as well as stability and delivery properties, via presentation of antigens on protein nanoparticles. Increasing multivalency can be an effective approach to provide a potent humoral immune response by more strongly engaging and clustering B cell receptors (BCRs) to induce activation, as well as increased uptake by antigen presenting cells and their subsequent T cell activation. Proper orientation of antigen on protein nanoparticles is also considered a crucial factor for enhanced BCR engagement and subsequent immune responses. Therefore, various strategies have been reported to decorate highly repetitive surfaces of protein nanoparticle scaffolds with multiple copies of antigens, arrange antigens in proper orientation, or combinations thereof. In this review, we describe different chemical bioconjugation methods, approaches for genetic fusion of recombinant antigens, biological affinity tags, and enzymatic conjugation methods to effectively present antigens on the surface of protein nanoparticle vaccine scaffolds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaeyoung Park
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA
| | - Thomas Pho
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA
- BioEngineering Program
| | - Julie A. Champion
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA, 30332-2000, USA
- BioEngineering Program
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10
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Loganathan K, Viswanathan B. Genome editing for phage design and uses for therapeutic applications. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2023; 201:203-224. [PMID: 37770172 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
The over usage of antibiotics leads to antibiotic abuse which in turn eventually raises resistance mechanisms among wide range of pathogens. Due to lack of experimental data of efficacy of phages as potential antimicrobial and therapeutic agent and also more specific and cumbersome isolation process against specific pathogens makes it not so feasible technology to be looked as an alternative therapy. But, recent developments in genome editing techniques enables programmed nuclease enzymes that has effectively improvised our methodology to make accurate changes in the genomes of prokaryote as well as eukaryote cells. It is already strengthening our ability to improvise genetic engineering to disease identification by facilitating the creation of more precise models to identify the root cause. The present chapter discusses on improvisation of phage therapy using recent genome editing tools and also shares data on the methods of usage of phages and their derivatives like proteins and enzymes such as lysins and depolymerases, as a potential therapeutic or prophylaxis agent. Methods involved in recombinant based techniques were also discussed in this chapter. Combination of traditional approach with modern tools has led to a potential development of phage-based therapeutics in near future.
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11
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Lampinen V, Gröhn S, Soppela S, Blazevic V, Hytönen VP, Hankaniemi MM. SpyTag/SpyCatcher display of influenza M2e peptide on norovirus-like particle provides stronger immunization than direct genetic fusion. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1216364. [PMID: 37424789 PMCID: PMC10323135 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1216364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Virus-like particles (VLPs) are similar in size and shape to their respective viruses, but free of viral genetic material. This makes VLP-based vaccines incapable of causing infection, but still effective in mounting immune responses. Noro-VLPs consist of 180 copies of the VP1 capsid protein. The particle tolerates C-terminal fusion partners, and VP1 fused with a C-terminal SpyTag self-assembles into a VLP with SpyTag protruding from its surface, enabling conjugation of antigens via SpyCatcher. Methods To compare SpyCatcher-mediated coupling and direct peptide fusion in experimental vaccination, we genetically fused the ectodomain of influenza matrix-2 protein (M2e) directly on the C-terminus of norovirus VP1 capsid protein. VLPs decorated with SpyCatcher-M2e and VLPs with direct M2 efusion were used to immunize mice. Results and discussion We found that direct genetic fusion of M2e on noro-VLP raised few M2e antibodies in the mouse model, presumably because the short linker positions the peptide between the protruding domains of noro-VLP, limiting its accessibility. On the other hand, adding aluminum hydroxide adjuvant to the previously described SpyCatcher-M2e-decorated noro-VLP vaccine gave a strong response against M2e. Surprisingly, simple SpyCatcher-fused M2e without VLP display also functioned as a potent immunogen, which suggests that the commonly used protein linker SpyCatcher-SpyTag may serve a second role as an activator of the immune system in vaccine preparations. Based on the measured anti-M2e antibodies and cellular responses, both SpyCatcher-M2e as well as M2e presented on the noro-VLP via SpyTag/Catcher show potential for the development of universal influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vili Lampinen
- Protein Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Stina Gröhn
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Saana Soppela
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesna Blazevic
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesa P. Hytönen
- Protein Dynamics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
- Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland
| | - Minna M. Hankaniemi
- Virology and Vaccine Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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12
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Radiom M, Keys T, Turgay Y, Ali A, Preet S, Chesnov S, Lutz-Bueno V, Slack E, Mezzenga R. Mechanical tuning of virus-like particles. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 634:963-971. [PMID: 36571858 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.12.090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
HYPOTHESIS Virus-like particles (VLPs) are promising scaffolds for developing mucosal vaccines. For their optimal performance, in addition to design parameters from an immunological perspective, biophysical properties may need to be considered. EXPERIMENTS We investigated the mechanical properties of VLPs scaffolded on the coat protein of Acinetobacter phage AP205 using atomic force microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. FINDINGS Investigations showed that AP205 VLP is a tough nanoshell of stiffness 93 ± 23 pN/nm and elastic modulus 0.11 GPa. However, its mechanical properties are modulated by attaching muco-inert polyethylene glycol to 46 ± 10 pN/nm and 0.05 GPa. Addition of antigenic peptides derived from SARS-CoV2 spike protein by genetic fusion increased the stiffness to 146 ± 54 pN/nm although the elastic modulus remained unchanged. These results, which are interpreted in terms of shell thickness and coat protein net charge variations, demonstrate that surface conjugation can induce appreciable changes in the biophysical properties of VLP-scaffolded vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Radiom
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland; Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Tim Keys
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yagmur Turgay
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Ali
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Swapan Preet
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Serge Chesnov
- University of Zürich/ETH Zürich, Functional Genomics Centre Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | | | - Emma Slack
- Laboratory of Food Immunology, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- Laboratory of Food and Soft Materials, Institute of Food, Nutrition and Health, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
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13
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Palma M. Aspects of Phage-Based Vaccines for Protein and Epitope Immunization. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:vaccines11020436. [PMID: 36851313 PMCID: PMC9967953 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Because vaccine development is a difficult process, this study reviews aspects of phages as vaccine delivery vehicles through a literature search. The results demonstrated that because phages have adjuvant properties and are safe for humans and animals, they are an excellent vaccine tool for protein and epitope immunization. The phage genome can easily be manipulated to display antigens or create DNA vaccines. Additionally, they are easy to produce on a large scale, which lowers their manufacturing costs. They are stable under various conditions, which can facilitate their transport and storage. However, no medicine regulatory agency has yet authorized phage-based vaccines despite the considerable preclinical data confirming their benefits. The skeptical perspective of phages should be overcome because humans encounter bacteriophages in their environment all the time without suffering adverse effects. The lack of clinical trials, endotoxin contamination, phage composition, and long-term negative effects are some obstacles preventing the development of phage vaccines. However, their prospects should be promising because phages are safe in clinical trials; they have been authorized as a food additive to avoid food contamination and approved for emergency use in phage therapy against difficult-to-treat antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, this encourages the use of phages in vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Palma
- Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education (IGDORE), 03181 Torrevieja, Spain;
- Creative Biolabs Inc., Shirley, NY 11967, USA
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14
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Kim SA, Lee Y, Ko Y, Kim S, Kim GB, Lee NK, Ahn W, Kim N, Nam GH, Lee EJ, Kim IS. Protein-based nanocages for vaccine development. J Control Release 2023; 353:767-791. [PMID: 36516900 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2022.12.022] [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: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Protein nanocages have attracted considerable attention in various fields of nanomedicine due to their intrinsic properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, high structural stability, and ease of modification of their surfaces and inner cavities. In vaccine development, these protein nanocages are suited for efficient targeting to and retention in the lymph nodes and can enhance immunogenicity through various mechanisms, including excellent uptake by antigen-presenting cells and crosslinking with multiple B cell receptors. This review highlights the superiority of protein nanocages as antigen delivery carriers based on their physiological and immunological properties such as biodistribution, immunogenicity, stability, and multifunctionality. With a focus on design, we discuss the utilization and efficacy of protein nanocages such as virus-like particles, caged proteins, and artificial caged proteins against cancer and infectious diseases such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition, we summarize available knowledge on the protein nanocages that are currently used in clinical trials and provide a general outlook on conventional distribution techniques and hurdles faced, particularly for therapeutic cancer vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong A Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeram Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeju Ko
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Seohyun Kim
- Department of Research and Development, SHIFTBIO INC., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi Beom Kim
- Department of Research and Development, SHIFTBIO INC., Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Na Kyeong Lee
- Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonkyung Ahn
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Nayeon Kim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Gi-Hoon Nam
- Department of Research and Development, SHIFTBIO INC., Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jung Lee
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
| | - In-San Kim
- KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Chemical & Biological Integrative Research Center, Biomedical Research Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Chemical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Virus-like particle vaccinology, from bench to bedside. Cell Mol Immunol 2022; 19:993-1011. [PMID: 35962190 PMCID: PMC9371956 DOI: 10.1038/s41423-022-00897-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) have become key tools in biology, medicine and even engineering. After their initial use to resolve viral structures at the atomic level, VLPs were rapidly harnessed to develop antiviral vaccines followed by their use as display platforms to generate any kind of vaccine. Most recently, VLPs have been employed as nanomachines to deliver pharmaceutically active products to specific sites and into specific cells in the body. Here, we focus on the use of VLPs for the development of vaccines with broad fields of indications ranging from classical vaccines against viruses to therapeutic vaccines against chronic inflammation, pain, allergy and cancer. In this review, we take a walk through time, starting with the latest developments in experimental preclinical VLP-based vaccines and ending with marketed vaccines, which earn billions of dollars every year, paving the way for the next wave of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccines already visible on the horizon.
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16
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Abstract
This review discusses peptide epitopes used as antigens in the development of vaccines in clinical trials as well as future vaccine candidates. It covers peptides used in potential immunotherapies for infectious diseases including SARS-CoV-2, influenza, hepatitis B and C, HIV, malaria, and others. In addition, peptides for cancer vaccines that target examples of overexpressed proteins are summarized, including human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2), mucin 1 (MUC1), folate receptor, and others. The uses of peptides to target cancers caused by infective agents, for example, cervical cancer caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), are also discussed. This review also provides an overview of model peptide epitopes used to stimulate non-specific immune responses, and of self-adjuvanting peptides, as well as the influence of other adjuvants on peptide formulations. As highlighted in this review, several peptide immunotherapies are in advanced clinical trials as vaccines, and there is great potential for future therapies due the specificity of the response that can be achieved using peptide epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian W Hamley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading RG6 6AD, U.K
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17
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Sa-nguanmoo N, Namdee K, Khongkow M, Ruktanonchai U, Zhao Y, Liang XJ. Review: Development of SARS-CoV-2 immuno-enhanced COVID-19 vaccines with nano-platform. NANO RESEARCH 2022; 15:2196-2225. [PMID: 34659650 PMCID: PMC8501370 DOI: 10.1007/s12274-021-3832-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vaccine development approaches consist of viral vector vaccines, DNA vaccine, RNA vaccine, live attenuated virus, and recombinant proteins, which elicit a specific immune response. The use of nanoparticles displaying antigen is one of the alternative approaches to conventional vaccines. This is due to the fact that nano-based vaccines are stable, able to target, form images, and offer an opportunity to enhance the immune responses. The diameters of ultrafine nanoparticles are in the range of 1-100 nm. The application of nanotechnology on vaccine design provides precise fabrication of nanomaterials with desirable properties and ability to eliminate undesirable features. To be successful, nanomaterials must be uptaken into the cell, especially into the target and able to modulate cellular functions at the subcellular levels. The advantages of nano-based vaccines are the ability to protect a cargo such as RNA, DNA, protein, or synthesis substance and have enhanced stability in a broad range of pH, ambient temperatures, and humidity for long-term storage. Moreover, nano-based vaccines can be engineered to overcome biological barriers such as nonspecific distribution in order to elicit functions in antigen presenting cells. In this review, we will summarize on the developing COVID-19 vaccine strategies and how the nanotechnology can enhance antigen presentation and strong immunogenicity using advanced technology in nanocarrier to deliver antigens. The discussion about their safe, effective, and affordable vaccines to immunize against COVID-19 will be highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nawamin Sa-nguanmoo
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Katawut Namdee
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, 12120 Thailand
| | - Mattaka Khongkow
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, 12120 Thailand
| | - Uracha Ruktanonchai
- National Nanotechnology Center (NANOTEC), National Science and Technology Development Agency, Pathum Thani, 12120 Thailand
| | - YongXiang Zhao
- National Center for International Research of Biotargeting Theranostics, Guangxi Key Laboratory of Biotargeting Theranostics, Collaborative Innovation Center for Targeting Tumour Theranostics and Therapy, Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021 China
| | - Xing-Jie Liang
- CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
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18
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Minimal Dosage of Porcine Circovirus Type 2d Based Virus-like Particles to Induce Stable Protective Immunity against Infection. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10121644. [PMID: 34959599 PMCID: PMC8706284 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, porcine circovirus type 2d (PCV2d) has achieved a dominant position worldwide. Various PCV2d capsid-based vaccines have been used to alleviate concerns regarding the emergence of the variant. This study aimed to determine the dosage of recombinant PCV2d capsid protein to induce protective efficacy against experimental challenge with a virulent PCV2d strain. Conventional 3-week-old pigs were intramuscularly inoculated with different doses of the protein (60, 20, 10 and 2 µg). Four weeks after vaccination, all pigs were challenged with pathogenic PCV2d (SNU140003), which was isolated from a farm severely experiencing PCV2-associated disease in Korea. Vaccination with greater than 10 µg of the capsid protein caused a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in PCV2d viremia, lymphoid lesions and lymphoid PCV2 antigen levels in vaccinated challenged pigs compared to unvaccinated challenged pigs. The vaccination also resulted in significantly higher (p < 0.05) titers of neutralizing antibodies against PCV2d. However, the pigs vaccinated with 2 µg had significantly lower neutralizing antibody titers than the other vaccinated groups. They showed a similar level of challenged PCV2d in serum and lymphoid lesion score compared to unvaccinated challenged pigs. The difference in efficacy among the vaccinated groups indicates that there may be a baseline dosage to induce sufficient neutralizing antibodies to prevent viral replication in pigs. In conclusion, at least 10 µg dosage of capsid protein is essential for stable protective efficacy against PCV2d in a pig model.
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19
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Heinimäki S, Lampinen V, Tamminen K, Hankaniemi MM, Malm M, Hytönen VP, Blazevic V. Antigenicity and immunogenicity of HA2 and M2e influenza virus antigens conjugated to norovirus-like, VP1 capsid-based particles by the SpyTag/SpyCatcher technology. Virology 2021; 566:89-97. [PMID: 34894525 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2021.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) modified through different molecular technologies are employed as delivery vehicles or platforms for heterologous antigen display. We have recently created a norovirus (NoV) VLP platform, where two influenza antigens, the extracellular domain of matrix protein M2 (M2e) or the stem domain of the major envelope glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA2) are displayed on the surface of the NoV VLPs by SpyTag/SpyCatcher conjugation. To demonstrate the feasibility of the platform to deliver foreign antigens, this study examined potential interference of the conjugation with induction of antibodies against conjugated M2e peptide, HA2, and NoV VLP carrier. High antibody response was induced by HA2 but not M2e decorated VLPs. Furthermore, HA2-elicited antibodies did not neutralize the homologous influenza virus in vitro. Conjugated NoV VLPs retained intact receptor binding capacity and self-immunogenicity. The results demonstrate that NoV VLPs could be simultaneously used as a platform to deliver foreign antigens and a NoV vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvi Heinimäki
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
| | - Vili Lampinen
- Protein Dynamics Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Kirsi Tamminen
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Minna M Hankaniemi
- Protein Dynamics Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Maria Malm
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesa P Hytönen
- Protein Dynamics Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland; Fimlab Laboratories, Tampere, Finland
| | - Vesna Blazevic
- Vaccine Development and Immunology/Vaccine Research Center, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
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20
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Escolano A, Gristick HB, Gautam R, DeLaitsch AT, Abernathy ME, Yang Z, Wang H, Hoffmann MAG, Nishimura Y, Wang Z, Koranda N, Kakutani LM, Gao H, Gnanapragasam PNP, Raina H, Gazumyan A, Cipolla M, Oliveira TY, Ramos V, Irvine DJ, Silva M, West AP, Keeffe JR, Barnes CO, Seaman MS, Nussenzweig MC, Martin MA, Bjorkman PJ. Sequential immunization of macaques elicits heterologous neutralizing antibodies targeting the V3-glycan patch of HIV-1 Env. Sci Transl Med 2021; 13:eabk1533. [PMID: 34818054 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abk1533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
[Figure: see text].
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Escolano
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Harry B Gristick
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Rajeev Gautam
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Andrew T DeLaitsch
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Morgan E Abernathy
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Zhi Yang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Haoqing Wang
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Magnus A G Hoffmann
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Yoshiaki Nishimura
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zijun Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Nicholas Koranda
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Leesa M Kakutani
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Han Gao
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | | | - Henna Raina
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ana Gazumyan
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Melissa Cipolla
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Thiago Y Oliveira
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Victor Ramos
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Darrell J Irvine
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Murillo Silva
- David H. Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Anthony P West
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Jennifer R Keeffe
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Christopher O Barnes
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
| | - Michael S Seaman
- Center for Virology and Vaccine Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michel C Nussenzweig
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Malcolm A Martin
- Laboratory of Molecular Microbiology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Pamela J Bjorkman
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA
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21
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Porat-Dahlerbruch G, Goldbourt A, Polenova T. Virus Structures and Dynamics by Magic-Angle Spinning NMR. Annu Rev Virol 2021; 8:219-237. [PMID: 34586870 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-virology-011921-064653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Techniques for atomic-resolution structural biology have evolved during the past several decades. Breakthroughs in instrumentation, sample preparation, and data analysis that occurred in the past decade have enabled characterization of viruses with an unprecedented level of detail. Here we review the recent advances in magic-angle spinning (MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy for structural analysis of viruses and viral assemblies. MAS NMR is a powerful method that yields information on 3D structures and dynamics in a broad range of experimental conditions. After a brief introduction, we discuss recent structural and functional studies of several viruses investigated with atomic resolution at various levels of structural organization, from individual domains of a membrane protein reconstituted into lipid bilayers to virus-like particles and intact viruses. We present examples of the unique information revealed by MAS NMR about drug binding, conduction mechanisms, interactions with cellular host factors, and DNA packaging in biologically relevant environments that are inaccessible by other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gal Porat-Dahlerbruch
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA;
| | - Amir Goldbourt
- School of Chemistry, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Tatyana Polenova
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA; .,Pittsburgh Center for HIV Protein Interactions, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA
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22
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Peabody DS, Peabody J, Bradfute SB, Chackerian B. RNA Phage VLP-Based Vaccine Platforms. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:764. [PMID: 34451861 PMCID: PMC8401894 DOI: 10.3390/ph14080764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles from a variety of RNA bacteriophages have turned out to be useful platforms for delivery of vaccine antigens in a highly immunogenic format. Here we update the current state of development of RNA phage VLPs as platforms for presentation of diverse antigens by genetic, enzymatic, and chemical display methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.P.); (B.C.)
| | - Julianne Peabody
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.P.); (B.C.)
| | - Steven B. Bradfute
- Center for Global Health, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 505, USA;
| | - Bryce Chackerian
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA; (J.P.); (B.C.)
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23
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Nguyen B, Tolia NH. Protein-based antigen presentation platforms for nanoparticle vaccines. NPJ Vaccines 2021; 6:70. [PMID: 33986287 PMCID: PMC8119681 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-021-00330-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern vaccine design has sought a minimalization approach, moving to the isolation of antigens from pathogens that invoke a strong neutralizing immune response. This approach has created safer vaccines but may limit vaccine efficacy due to poor immunogenicity. To combat global diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, and AIDS there is a clear urgency for more effective next-generation vaccines. One approach to improve the immunogenicity of vaccines is the use of nanoparticle platforms that present a repetitive array of antigen on its surface. This technology has been shown to improve antigen presenting cell uptake, lymph node trafficking, and B-cell activation through increased avidity and particle size. With a focus on design, we summarize natural platforms, methods of antigen attachment, and advancements in generating self-assembly that have led to new engineered platforms. We further examine critical parameters that will direct the usage and development of more effective platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Nguyen
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Niraj H Tolia
- Laboratory of Malaria Immunology and Vaccinology, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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AP205 VLPs Based on Dimerized Capsid Proteins Accommodate RBM Domain of SARS-CoV-2 and Serve as an Attractive Vaccine Candidate. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9040403. [PMID: 33921677 PMCID: PMC8073683 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9040403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
COVID-19 is a novel disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 which has conquered the world rapidly resulting in a pandemic that massively impacts our health, social activities, and economy. It is likely that vaccination is the only way to form “herd immunity” and restore the world to normal. Here we developed a vaccine candidate for COVID-19 based on the virus-like particle AP205 displaying the spike receptor binding motif (RBM), which is the major target of neutralizing antibodies in convalescent patients. To this end, we genetically fused the RBM domain of SARS-CoV-2 to the C terminus of AP205 of dimerized capsid proteins. The fused VLPs were expressed in E. coli, which resulted in insoluble aggregates. These aggregates were denatured in 8 M urea followed by refolding, which reconstituted VLP formation as confirmed by electron microscopy analysis. Importantly, immunized mice were able to generate high levels of IgG antibodies recognizing eukaryotically expressed receptor binding domain (RBD) as well as spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, induced antibodies were able to neutralize SARS-CoV-2/ABS/NL20. Additionally, this vaccine candidate has the potential to be produced at large scale for immunization programs.
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25
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Hyman P, Trubl G, Abedon ST. Virus-Like Particle: Evolving Meanings in Different Disciplines. PHAGE (NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y.) 2021; 2:11-15. [PMID: 36148434 PMCID: PMC9041479 DOI: 10.1089/phage.2020.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particle (VLP) is a term that has been in use for about 80 years. Usually, VLP has meant a particle that is like a virus, generally by appearance, but without either proven or actual virus functionality. Initially VLP referred to particles seen in electron microscope images of tissues. More recently, VLP has come to mean other things to other researchers. A key divergence has been use of VLP in association with vaccine and biotechnology applications versus use of VLP in enumeration of viruses in environmental samples. To these viral ecologists, a VLP is a particle that is virus sized, has nucleic acid, and could be a functional virus. But to vaccine developers and biotechnology researchers a VLP instead is a viral structure that intentionally lacks a viral genome. In this study, we look at the history of use of VLP, following changes in meaning as the technology to study VLPs changed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Hyman
- Department of Biology and Toxicology, Ashland University, Ashland, Ohio, USA
| | - Gareth Trubl
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA
| | - Stephen T. Abedon
- Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State University, Mansfield, Ohio, USA
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Tan FH, Kong JC, Ng JF, Alitheen NB, Wong CL, Yong CY, Lee KW. Recombinant turnip yellow mosaic virus coat protein as a potential nanocarrier. J Appl Microbiol 2021; 131:2072-2080. [PMID: 33629458 DOI: 10.1111/jam.15048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AIMS To display a short peptide (GSRSHHHHHH) at the C-terminal end of turnip yellow mosaic virus coat protein (TYMVc) and to study its assembly into virus-like particles (TYMVcHis6 VLPs). METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, recombinant TYMVcHis6 expressed in Escherichia coli self-assembled into VLPs of approximately 30-32 nm. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis of protein fractions from the immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) showed that TYMVcHis6 VLPs interacted strongly with nickel ligands in IMAC column, suggesting that the fusion peptide is protruding out from the surface of VLPs. These VLPs are highly stable over a wide pH range from 3·0 to 11·0 at different temperatures. At pH 11·0, specifically, the VLPs remained intact up to 75°C. Additionally, the disassembly and reassembly of TYMVcHis6 VLPs were studied in vitro. Dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed that TYMVcHis6 VLPs were dissociated by 7 mol l-1 urea and 2 mol l-1 guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl) without impairing their reassembly property. CONCLUSIONS A 10-residue peptide was successfully displayed on the surface of TYMVcHis6 VLPs. This chimera demonstrated high stability under extreme thermal conditions with varying pH and was able to dissociate and reassociate into VLPs by chemical denaturants. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY This is the first C-terminally modified TYMVc produced in E. coli. The C-terminal tail which is exposed on the surface can be exploited as a useful site to display multiple copies of functional ligands. The ability of the chimeric VLPs to self-assemble after undergo chemical denaturation indicates its potential role to serve as a nanocarrier for use in targeted drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- F H Tan
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - J C Kong
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - J F Ng
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - N B Alitheen
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - C L Wong
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - C Y Yong
- Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - K W Lee
- School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Taylor's University, Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
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Identification of the mimotopes within the major capsid protein L1 of human papillomavirus types 18 and 45, using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 174:587-595. [PMID: 33493568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.01.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 12/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Persistent infection with high-risk mucosal human papillomavirus (HPV) types has much association with the development of cervical cancer. The major capsid protein L1 has been confirmed to be a major candidate antigen for the development of vaccines. Here, the HPV18 L1 protein was successfully expressed and purified, then nine anti-HPV18 L1 monoclonal antibodies were prepared. Four neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (NmAbs) were identified by using hemagglutination inhibition assay and pseudovirus based neutralization assay. The results of Dot-ELISA, Western blot and indirect immunofluorescence assay showed that the neutralizing antibodies could cross-react with HPV16/18/45/31/33/58/35/39 L1. The mimotopes on HPV18/45 L1 proteins were identified and analyzed by using both phage display and Bioinformatics tool. The B cell epitopes 43-54 aa and 116-126 aa of HPV18 L1 protein, the B cell epitope 381-389 aa of HPV45 L1 protein, and the mimotopes epitope of HPV45 L1 protein were identified by peptide-ELISA and competitive ELISA. The results of PyMOL and Pepitope server analysis indicated that epitopes recognized by NmAbs 7F4, 5A6, 3G11, and 2F5 are located on the surface of L1 VLPs. The results of this study enriched the library of HPV neutralizing antibodies, revealed the mechanism of antibody neutralization, might open new perspectives on the antibody-antigen reaction and have important implications for the development of novel HPV vaccines.
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Modular vaccine platform based on the norovirus-like particle. J Nanobiotechnology 2021; 19:25. [PMID: 33468139 PMCID: PMC7815183 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-021-00772-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines have recently emerged as a safe and effective alternative to conventional vaccine technologies. The strong immunogenic effects of VLPs can be harnessed for making vaccines against any pathogen by decorating VLPs with antigens from the pathogen. Producing the antigenic pathogen fragments and the VLP platform separately makes vaccine development rapid and convenient. Here we decorated the norovirus-like particle with two conserved influenza antigens and tested for the immunogenicity of the vaccine candidates in BALB/c mice. RESULTS SpyTagged noro-VLP was expressed with high efficiency in insect cells and purified using industrially scalable methods. Like the native noro-VLP, SpyTagged noro-VLP is stable for months when refrigerated in a physiological buffer. The conserved influenza antigens were produced separately as SpyCatcher fusions in E. coli before covalent conjugation on the surface of noro-VLP. The noro-VLP had a high adjuvant effect, inducing high titers of antibody production against the antigens presented on its surface. CONCLUSIONS The modular noro-VLP vaccine platform presented here offers a rapid, convenient and safe method to present various soluble protein antigens to the immune system for vaccination and antibody production purposes.
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29
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Recent developments in vaccines strategies against human viral pathogens. RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY 2021. [PMCID: PMC7564847 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821406-0.00001-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Recently, several viruses have emerged or reemerged from obscurity to become serious global health threats, raising alarm regarding their sustained epidemic transmission. One of the main public health concerns of these emerging viruses is their sustained circulation among populations of immunologically naïve, susceptible hosts. With every new viral emergence or reemergence, comes the call for rapid vaccine development and the induction of protective immunity through vaccination can be a powerful tool to prevent this concern by conferring protection to the population at risk. Vaccines are considered a critical component of disease prevention against emerging viral infections because, in many cases, other medical options are limited or nonexistent. While the classic approaches to vaccine development are still amenable to emerging viruses, the advent of latest technologies in molecular techniques has profoundly influenced our understanding of virus biology, and immune responses and vaccination methods based on replicating, attenuated, and nonreplicating virus vector approaches have become useful vaccine platforms. Together with a growing understanding in the biology of newly emerging virus diseases, a range of new vaccine strategies, vaccines against new and reemerging viruses may become a possibility.
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Ninyio NN, Ho KL, Omar AR, Tan WS, Iqbal M, Mariatulqabtiah AR. Virus-like Particle Vaccines: A Prospective Panacea Against an Avian Influenza Panzootic. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E694. [PMID: 33227887 PMCID: PMC7712863 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8040694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Epizootics of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have resulted in the deaths of millions of birds leading to huge financial losses to the poultry industry worldwide. The roles of migratory wild birds in the harbouring, mutation, and transmission of avian influenza viruses (AIVs), and the lack of broad-spectrum prophylactic vaccines present imminent threats of a global panzootic. To prevent this, control measures that include effective AIV surveillance programmes, treatment regimens, and universal vaccines are being developed and analysed for their effectiveness. We reviewed the epidemiology of AIVs with regards to past avian influenza (AI) outbreaks in birds. The AIV surveillance programmes in wild and domestic birds, as well as their roles in AI control were also evaluated. We discussed the limitations of the currently used AI vaccines, which necessitated the development of a universal vaccine. We evaluated the current development of AI vaccines based upon virus-like particles (VLPs), particularly those displaying the matrix-2 ectodomain (M2e) peptide. Finally, we highlighted the prospects of these VLP vaccines as universal vaccines with the potential of preventing an AI panzootic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel Nyakaat Ninyio
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (N.N.N.); (W.S.T.)
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Kaduna State University, Kaduna 800241, Nigeria
| | - Kok Lian Ho
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Abdul Rahman Omar
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Biomolecules, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
- Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
| | - Wen Siang Tan
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia; (N.N.N.); (W.S.T.)
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Biomolecules, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
| | - Munir Iqbal
- The Pirbright Institute, Woking GU24 0NF, UK;
| | - Abdul Razak Mariatulqabtiah
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Biomolecules, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia;
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400, Malaysia
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Mahmood MS, Bin-T-Abid D, Irshad S, Batool H. Analysis of Putative Epitope Candidates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Against Pakistani Human Leukocyte Antigen Background: An Immunoinformatic Study for the Development of Future Vaccine. Int J Pept Res Ther 2020; 27:597-614. [PMID: 32922244 PMCID: PMC7472948 DOI: 10.1007/s10989-020-10111-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB), a chronic disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is a global health issue across the world. Pakistan ranks fifth among the countries, which are facing, a significantly great number of mortalities and morbidities due to TB. Unfortunately, all previously reported treatments are not successful for the eradication of TB. Here in this study, we report an emerging treatment option for this disease. We have applied immunoinformatics to predict highly conserved B and T-cell epitopes from Mtb, showing significant binding affinities to the frequent HLA alleles in the Pakistani population. A total of ten highly referenced and experimentally validated epitopes were selected from the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB), followed by their conservancy analysis using weblogos. The consensus sequences and variants derived from these sequences were examined, for their binding affinities, with prevalent HLA alleles of Pakistan. Moreover, the antigenic and allergenic natures of these peptides were also evaluated via Vaxijen and AllerTOP, respectively. Consequently, all potentially allergenic and non-antigenic, peptide fragments, were excluded from the analysis. Among all putative epitopes, three CD8 + T-cell epitopes were selected, as ideal vaccine candidates and, population coverage analysis revealed that the combination of these three peptides was covering, 67.28% Pakistani Asian and 57.15% mixed Pakistani populations. Likewise, eleven linear and six conformational or discontinuous B-cell epitopes were also marked as potential vaccine candidates based on their prediction score, non-allergenic nature, and antigenic properties. These epitopes, however, need the final validation via wet-lab studies. After their approval, these epitopes would be effective candidates for the future designing of epitope-based vaccines against Mtb infections in Pakistan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malik Siddique Mahmood
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, P. O box No. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Duaa Bin-T-Abid
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, P. O box No. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Saba Irshad
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of the Punjab, P. O box No. 54590, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Hina Batool
- Department of Life Science, School of Science, University of Management Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
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Pan J, Cui Z. Self-Assembled Nanoparticles: Exciting Platforms for Vaccination. Biotechnol J 2020; 15:e2000087. [PMID: 33411412 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202000087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Vaccination is successfully advanced to control several fatal diseases and improve human life expectancy. However, additional innovations are required in this field because there are no effective vaccines to prevent some infectious diseases. The shift from the attenuated or inactivated pathogens to safer but less immunogenic protein or peptide antigens has led to a search for effective antigen delivery carriers that can function as both antigen vehicles and intrinsic adjuvants. Among these carriers, self-assembled nanoparticles (SANPs) have shown great potential to be the best representative. For the nanoscale and multiple presentation of antigens, with accurate control over size, geometry, and functionality, these nanoparticles are assembled spontaneously and mimic pathogens, resulting in enhanced antigen presentation and increased cellular and humoral immunity responses. In addition, they may be applied through needle-free routes due to their adhesive ability, which gives them a great future in vaccination applications. This review provides an overview of various SANPs and their applications in prophylactic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingdi Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zongqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Center for Biosafety Mega-Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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Liekniņa I, Černova D, Rūmnieks J, Tārs K. Novel ssRNA phage VLP platform for displaying foreign epitopes by genetic fusion. Vaccine 2020; 38:6019-6026. [PMID: 32713683 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Revised: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLPs) can be used as efficient carriers of various antigens and therefore serve as attractive tools in vaccine development. Although VLPs of different viruses can be used, VLPs of ssRNA phages have convincing advantages due to their unique properties, including efficient protein production in bacterial and yeast expression systems, low production cost and easy and fast purification. Currently, the range of ssRNA phage VLPs is limited. In particular, this is true for VLPs that tolerate insertions at the N- and C-termini of the coat protein. It is therefore necessary to find new alternatives within the known ssRNA phage VLP range. From previous studies, we found approximately 80 new VLPs forming ssRNA phage coat proteins. In the current study, we attached a model peptide to the N- and C-termini of coat proteins. As a model peptide, we used a triple repeat of 23 N-terminal residues of the ectodomain of the influenza M2 protein, used previously in the development of the flu vaccine. Examining 43 novel phage coat proteins for the ability to form chimeric VLPs, we found ten new promising candidates for further vaccine design, five of which were tolerant to insertions at both the N- and C-termini. Furthermore, we demonstrate that most of the chimeric VLPs have good antigenic properties as judged from their reactivity with anti-M2 antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilva Liekniņa
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Darja Černova
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Jānis Rūmnieks
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia
| | - Kaspars Tārs
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Center, Ratsupites 1 k-1, LV1067 Riga, Latvia.
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Gorzelnik KV, Zhang J. Cryo-EM reveals infection steps of single-stranded RNA bacteriophages. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2020; 160:79-86. [PMID: 32841651 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2020.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Single-stranded RNA bacteriophages (ssRNA phages) are small spherical RNA viruses that infect bacteria with retractile pili. The single positive-sense genomic RNA of ssRNA phages, which is protected by a capsid shell, is delivered into the host via the retraction of the host pili. Structures involved in ssRNA phage infection cycle are essential for understanding the underlying mechanisms that can be used to engineer them for therapeutic applications. This review summarizes the recent breakthroughs in high-resolution structural studies of two ssRNA phages, MS2 and Qβ, and their interaction with the host, E. coli, by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). These studies revealed new cryo-EM structures, which provide insights into how MS2 and Qβ package the RNA, lyse E. coli, and adsorb to the receptor F-pili, responsible for conjugation. Methodologies described here can be expanded to study other ssRNA phages that target pathogenic bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karl Victor Gorzelnik
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Junjie Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Center for Phage Technology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
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35
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Gurunathan S, Qasim M, Choi Y, Do JT, Park C, Hong K, Kim JH, Song H. Antiviral Potential of Nanoparticles-Can Nanoparticles Fight Against Coronaviruses? NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2020; 10:E1645. [PMID: 32825737 PMCID: PMC7557932 DOI: 10.3390/nano10091645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Infectious diseases account for more than 20% of global mortality and viruses are responsible for about one-third of these deaths. Highly infectious viral diseases such as severe acute respiratory (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are emerging more frequently and their worldwide spread poses a serious threat to human health and the global economy. The current COVID-19 pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of 27 July 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 16 million people and led to the death of more than 652,434 individuals as on 27 July 2020 while also causing significant economic losses. To date, there are no vaccines or specific antiviral drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19. Hence, it is necessary to accelerate the development of antiviral drugs and vaccines to help mitigate this pandemic. Non-Conventional antiviral agents must also be considered and exploited. In this regard, nanoparticles can be used as antiviral agents for the treatment of various viral infections. The use of nanoparticles provides an interesting opportunity for the development of novel antiviral therapies with a low probability of developing drug resistance compared to conventional chemical-based antiviral therapies. In this review, we first discuss viral mechanisms of entry into host cells and then we detail the major and important types of nanomaterials that could be used as antiviral agents. These nanomaterials include silver, gold, quantum dots, organic nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers and polymers. Further, we consider antiviral mechanisms, the effects of nanoparticles on coronaviruses and therapeutic approaches of nanoparticles. Finally, we provide our perspective on the future of nanoparticles in the fight against viral infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangiliyandi Gurunathan
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.G.); (Y.C.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.); (K.H.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Muhammad Qasim
- Center of Bioengineering and Nanomedicine, Department of Food Science, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand;
| | - Youngsok Choi
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.G.); (Y.C.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.); (K.H.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Jeong Tae Do
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.G.); (Y.C.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.); (K.H.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Chankyu Park
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.G.); (Y.C.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.); (K.H.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Kwonho Hong
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.G.); (Y.C.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.); (K.H.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Jin-Hoi Kim
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.G.); (Y.C.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.); (K.H.); (J.-H.K.)
| | - Hyuk Song
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (S.G.); (Y.C.); (J.T.D.); (C.P.); (K.H.); (J.-H.K.)
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Mohammadi M, Dehghani P, Mohseninia A, Roozbehani M, Hemphill A, Hesamizadeh K. Incorporation of the Tat cell-penetrating peptide into nanofibers improves the respective antitumor immune response. J Cell Physiol 2020; 236:1401-1417. [PMID: 32686113 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
A major challenge for the development of anticancer vaccines is the induction of a safe and effective immune response, particularly mediated by CD8+ T lymphocytes, in an adjuvant-free manner. In this respect, we present a simple strategy to improve the specific CD8+ T cell responses using KFE8 nanofibers bearing a Class I (Kb)-restricted peptide epitope (called E. nanofibers) without the use of adjuvant. We demonstrate that incorporation of Tat, a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) of the HIV transactivator protein, into E. nanofibers remarkably enhanced tumor-specific CD8+ T cell responses. E. nanofibers containing 12.5% Tat peptide (E.Tat12.5 nanofiber) increased antigen cross-presentation by bone marrow-derived dendritic cells as compared with E. nanofibers, or E. nanofibers containing 25 or 50% the Tat peptide. Uptake of KFE8.Tat12.5 nanofibers by dendritic cells (DCs) was significantly increased compared with KFE8 nanofiber lacking Tat. Peritoneal and lymph node DCs of mice immunized with E.Tat12.5 nanofibers exhibited increased presentation of the H2kb-epitope (reminiscent for cross-presentation) compared with DCs obtained from E. nanofiber vaccinated mice. Tetrameric and intracellular cytokine staining revealed that vaccination with E.Tat12.5 triggered a robust and specific CD8+ T lymphocyte response, which was more pronounced than in mice vaccinated with E. nanofibers alone. Furthermore, E.Tat12.5 nanofibers were more potent than E. nanofiber to induce antitumor immune response and tumor-infiltrating IFN-γ CD8 T lymphocyte. In terms of cancer vaccine development, we propose that harnessing the nanofiber-based vaccine platform with incorporated Tat peptide could present a simple and promising strategy to induce highly effective antitumor immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Mohammadi
- Biotechnology Department, The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Parva Dehghani
- Biotechnology Department, The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Atefeh Mohseninia
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Mona Roozbehani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Andrew Hemphill
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Pthobiology, Institute of Parasitology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Khashayar Hesamizadeh
- Department of Virology, Middle East Liver Diseases (MELD) Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Vaccination with VLPs Presenting a Linear Neutralizing Domain of S. aureus Hla Elicits Protective Immunity. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12070450. [PMID: 32664481 PMCID: PMC7404987 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12070450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The pore-forming cytotoxin α-hemolysin, or Hla, is a critical Staphylococcus aureus virulence factor that promotes infection by causing tissue damage, excessive inflammation, and lysis of both innate and adaptive immune cells, among other cellular targets. In this study, we asked whether a virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine targeting Hla could attenuate S. aureus Hla-mediated pathogenesis. VLPs are versatile vaccine platforms that can be used to display target antigens in a multivalent array, typically resulting in the induction of high titer, long-lasting antibody responses. In the present study, we describe the first VLP-based vaccines that target Hla. Vaccination with either of two VLPs displaying a 21 amino-acid linear neutralizing domain (LND) of Hla protected both male and female mice from subcutaneous Hla challenge, evident by reduction in lesion size and neutrophil influx to the site of intoxication. Antibodies elicited by VLP-LND vaccination bound both the LND peptide and the native toxin, effectively neutralizing Hla and preventing toxin-mediated lysis of target cells. We anticipate these novel and promising vaccines being part of a multi-component S. aureus vaccine to reduce severity of S. aureus infection.
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Yenkoidiok-Douti L, Canepa GE, Barletta ABF, Barillas-Mury C. In vivo Characterization of Plasmodium berghei P47 (Pbs47) as a Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine Target. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:1496. [PMID: 32719666 PMCID: PMC7348136 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.01496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 06/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
An effective vaccine to reduce malaria transmission is central to control and ultimately achieve disease eradication. Recently, we demonstrated that antibodies targeting the Plasmodium falciparum surface protein P47 (Pfs47) reduce parasite transmission to Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Here, Plasmodium berghei (Pb) was used as a model to assess the in vivo efficacy of a P47-targeted transmission blocking vaccine (Pbs47). Mice were immunized following a prime/boost regimen and infected with P. berghei. The effect of immunization on infectivity to mosquitoes was evaluated by direct feeding on P. berghei-infected mice. The key region in Pbs47 where antibody binding confers protection was mapped, and the immunogenicity of this protective antigen was enhanced by conjugation to a virus-like particle. Passive immunization with 100 and 50 μg/mL of anti-Pbs47 IgG reduced oocyst density by 77 and 67%, respectively. Furthermore, affinity purified Pbs47-specific IgG significantly reduced oocyst density by 88 and 77%, respectively at doses as low as 10 and 1 μg/mL. These studies suggest that P47 is a promising transmission blocking target and show that antibodies to the same specific region in Pfs47 and Pbs47 confer protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lampouguin Yenkoidiok-Douti
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
| | - Gaspar E. Canepa
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Ana Beatriz F. Barletta
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Carolina Barillas-Mury
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
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Virus-Like Particles as an Immunogenic Platform for Cancer Vaccines. Viruses 2020; 12:v12050488. [PMID: 32349216 PMCID: PMC7291217 DOI: 10.3390/v12050488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Virus-like particles (VLP) spontaneously assemble from viral structural proteins. They are naturally biocompatible and non-infectious. VLP can serve as a platform for many potential vaccine epitopes, display them in a dense repeating array, and elicit antibodies against non-immunogenic substances, including tumor-associated self-antigens. Genetic or chemical conjugation facilitates the multivalent display of a homologous or heterologous epitope. Most VLP range in diameter from 25 to 100 nm and, in most cases, drain freely into the lymphatic vessels and induce antibodies with high titers and affinity without the need for additional adjuvants. VLP administration can be performed using different strategies, regimens, and doses to improve the immunogenicity of the antigen they expose on their surface. This article summarizes the features of VLP and presents them as a relevant platform technology to address not only infectious diseases but also chronic diseases and cancer.
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40
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Hua Z, Hou B. The role of B cell antigen presentation in the initiation of CD4+ T cell response. Immunol Rev 2020; 296:24-35. [PMID: 32304104 DOI: 10.1111/imr.12859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
B cells have been known for their ability to present antigens to T cells for almost 40 years. However, the precise roles of B cell antigen presentation in various immune responses are not completely understood. The term "professional" antigen-presenting cells (APCs) was proposed to distinguish APCs that are required for initiating the immune responses from those use antigen presentation to enhance their own effector functions. Unlike dendritic cells, which are defined as professional APCs for their well-established functions in activating naive T cells, B cells have been shown in the past to mostly present antigens to activated CD4+ T cells mainly to seek help from T helper cells. However, recent evidence suggested that B cells can act as professional APCs under infectious conditions or conditions mimicking viral infections. B cell antigen receptors (BCRs) and the innate receptor Toll-like receptors are activated synergistically in response to pathogens or virus-like particles, under which conditions B cells are not only potent but also the predominant APCs to turn naive CD4+ T cells into T follicular helper cells. The discovery of B cells as professional APCs to initiate CD4+ T cell response provides a new insight for both autoimmune diseases and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolin Hua
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Baidong Hou
- Key Laboratory of Infection and Immunity, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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41
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Aves KL, Goksøyr L, Sander AF. Advantages and Prospects of Tag/Catcher Mediated Antigen Display on Capsid-Like Particle-Based Vaccines. Viruses 2020; 12:v12020185. [PMID: 32041299 PMCID: PMC7077247 DOI: 10.3390/v12020185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2019] [Revised: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Capsid-like particles (CLPs) are multimeric, repetitive assemblies of recombinant viral capsid proteins, which are highly immunogenic due to their structural similarity to wild-type viruses. CLPs can be used as molecular scaffolds to enable the presentation of soluble vaccine antigens in a similar structural format, which can significantly increase the immunogenicity of the antigen. CLP-based antigen display can be obtained by various genetic and modular conjugation methods. However, these vary in their versatility as well as efficiency in achieving an immunogenic antigen display. Here, we make a comparative review of the major CLP-based antigen display technologies. The Tag/Catcher-AP205 platform is highlighted as a particularly versatile and efficient technology that offers new qualitative and practical advantages in designing modular CLP vaccines. Finally, we discuss how split-protein Tag/Catcher conjugation systems can help to further propagate and enhance modular CLP vaccine designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kara-Lee Aves
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.-L.A.); (L.G.)
| | - Louise Goksøyr
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.-L.A.); (L.G.)
- AdaptVac Aps, Agern Alle 1, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
| | - Adam F. Sander
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute for Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; (K.-L.A.); (L.G.)
- AdaptVac Aps, Agern Alle 1, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
- Correspondence:
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42
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Kalnins G, Cesle EE, Jansons J, Liepins J, Filimonenko A, Tars K. Encapsulation mechanisms and structural studies of GRM2 bacterial microcompartment particles. Nat Commun 2020; 11:388. [PMID: 31959751 PMCID: PMC6971018 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-14205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) are prokaryotic organelles consisting of a protein shell and an encapsulated enzymatic core. BMCs are involved in several biochemical processes, such as choline, glycerol and ethanolamine degradation and carbon fixation. Since non-native enzymes can also be encapsulated in BMCs, an improved understanding of BMC shell assembly and encapsulation processes could be useful for synthetic biology applications. Here we report the isolation and recombinant expression of BMC structural genes from the Klebsiella pneumoniae GRM2 locus, the investigation of mechanisms behind encapsulation of the core enzymes, and the characterization of shell particles by cryo-EM. We conclude that the enzymatic core is encapsulated in a hierarchical manner and that the CutC choline lyase may play a secondary role as an adaptor protein. We also present a cryo-EM structure of a pT = 4 quasi-symmetric icosahedral shell particle at 3.3 Å resolution, and demonstrate variability among the minor shell forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gints Kalnins
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia.
| | - Eva-Emilija Cesle
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia
| | - Juris Jansons
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia
| | - Janis Liepins
- Institute of Microbiology and Biotechnology, University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, Riga, 1004, Latvia
| | - Anatolij Filimonenko
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kaspars Tars
- Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, Ratsupites 1, Riga, 1067, Latvia
- University of Latvia, Jelgavas 1, Riga, 1004, Latvia
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Abstract
ssRNA phages belonging to the family Leviviridae are among the tiniest viruses, infecting various Gram-negative bacteria by adsorption to their pilus structures. Due to their simplicity, they have been intensively studied as models for understanding various problems in molecular biology and virology. Several of the studied ssRNA characteristics, such as coat protein–RNA interactions and the ability to readily form virus-like particles in recombinant expression systems, have fueled many practical applications such as RNA labeling and tracking systems and vaccine development. In this chapter, we review the life cycle, structure and applications of these small yet fascinating viruses.
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44
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Marini A, Zhou Y, Li Y, Taylor IJ, Leneghan DB, Jin J, Zaric M, Mekhaiel D, Long CA, Miura K, Biswas S. A Universal Plug-and-Display Vaccine Carrier Based on HBsAg VLP to Maximize Effective Antibody Response. Front Immunol 2019; 10:2931. [PMID: 31921185 PMCID: PMC6921968 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of effective malaria vaccines requires delivery platforms to enhance the immunogenicity and efficacy of the target antigens. This is particularly challenging for transmission-blocking malaria vaccines (TBVs), and specifically for those based on the Pfs25 antigen, that need to elicit very high antibody titers to stop the parasite development in the mosquito host and its transmission. Presenting antigens to the immune system on virus-like particles (VLPs) is an efficient way to improve the quantity and quality of the immune response generated. Here we introduce for the first time a new VLP vaccine platform, based on the well-established hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) fused to the SpyCatcher protein, so that the antigen of interest, linked to the SpyTag peptide, can be easily displayed on it (Plug-and-Display technology). As little as 10% of the SpyCatcher::HBsAg VLPs decorated with Pfs25::SpyTag (molar ratio) induces a higher antibody response and transmission-reducing activity in mice compared to the soluble protein, with 50 and 90% of the VLP coupled to the antigen further enhancing the response. Importantly, using this carrier that is a vaccine antigen itself could be beneficial, as we show that anti-HBsAg IgG antibodies are induced without interfering with the Pfs25-specific immune response generated. Furthermore, pre-existing anti-HBsAg immunity does not affect the antigen-specific response to Pfs25::SpyTag-SpyCatcher::HBsAg, suggesting that these VLPs can have a broad use as a vaccine platform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Marini
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yu Zhou
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Yuanyuan Li
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Iona J. Taylor
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Darren B. Leneghan
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Jing Jin
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Marija Zaric
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Mekhaiel
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Carole A. Long
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Kazutoyo Miura
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States
| | - Sumi Biswas
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Assembly of pigeon circovirus-like particles using baculovirus expression system. Microb Pathog 2019; 139:103905. [PMID: 31790792 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Pigeon circovirus (PiCV) is able to infect racing and meat pigeons of all ages and is a key factor that triggers young pigeon disease syndrome (YPDS). PiCV vaccine research has been impeded because PiCV cannot be grown or propagated in cell cultures. Virus-like particles (VLPs), which can be generated by a wide range of expression systems, have been shown to have outstanding immunogenicity and constitute promising vaccines against a wide range of pathogens. Cap protein, which contains neutralizing antibody epitopes, is the only capsid protein of PiCV. In this study, the baculovirus expression system was utilized to express the PiCV Cap protein, which was self-assembled into VLPs with a spherical morphology and diameters of 15-18 nm. Specific antibodies against the Cap protein were induced after BALB/c mice immunized intramuscularly (i.m.) with VLPs combined with adjuvant. Based on these findings, PiCV VLPs may be a promising candidate vaccine against PiCV.
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46
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Cytoplasmic glycoengineering enables biosynthesis of nanoscale glycoprotein assemblies. Nat Commun 2019; 10:5403. [PMID: 31776333 PMCID: PMC6881330 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13283-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Glycosylation of proteins profoundly impacts their physical and biological properties. Yet our ability to engineer novel glycoprotein structures remains limited. Established bacterial glycoengineering platforms require secretion of the acceptor protein to the periplasmic space and preassembly of the oligosaccharide substrate as a lipid-linked precursor, limiting access to protein and glycan substrates respectively. Here, we circumvent these bottlenecks by developing a facile glycoengineering platform that operates in the bacterial cytoplasm. The Glycoli platform leverages a recently discovered site-specific polypeptide glycosyltransferase together with variable glycosyltransferase modules to synthesize defined glycans, of bacterial or mammalian origin, directly onto recombinant proteins in the E. coli cytoplasm. We exploit the cytoplasmic localization of this glycoengineering platform to generate a variety of multivalent glycostructures, including self-assembling nanomaterials bearing hundreds of copies of the glycan epitope. This work establishes cytoplasmic glycoengineering as a powerful platform for producing glycoprotein structures with diverse future biomedical applications. Established bacterial glycoengineering platforms limit access to protein and glycan substrates. Here the authors design a cytoplasmic protein glycosylation system, Glycoli, to generate a variety of multivalent glycostructures.
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47
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Yenkoidiok-Douti L, Williams AE, Canepa GE, Molina-Cruz A, Barillas-Mury C. Engineering a Virus-Like Particle as an Antigenic Platform for a Pfs47-Targeted Malaria Transmission-Blocking Vaccine. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16833. [PMID: 31727945 PMCID: PMC6856133 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53208-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 10/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently characterized Pfs47, a protein expressed on the surface of sexual stages and ookinetes of Plasmodium falciparum, as a malaria transmission-blocking vaccine (TBV) target. Mice immunization induced antibodies that conferred strong transmission-reducing activity (TRA) at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. Here, we sought to optimize the Pfs47 vaccine to elicit higher titers of high-affinity antibodies, capable of inducing strong TRA at a lower concentration. We report the development and evaluation of a Pfs47-based virus-like particle (VLP) vaccine generated by conjugating our 58 amino acid Pfs47 antigen to Acinetobacter phage AP205-VLP using the SpyCatcher:SpyTag adaptor system. AP205-Pfs47 complexes (VLP-P47) formed particles of ~22 nm diameter that reacted with polyclonal anti-Pfs47 antibodies, indicating that the antigen was accessible on the surface of the particle. Mice immunized with VLP-P47 followed by a boost with Pfs47 monomer induced significantly higher antibody titers, with higher binding affinity to Pfs47, than mice that received two immunizations with either VLP-P47 (VLP-P47/VLP-P47) or the Pfs47 monomer (P47/P47). Purified IgG from VLP-P47/P47 mice had strong TRA (83-98%) at concentrations as low as 5 μg/mL. These results indicate that conjugating the Pfs47 antigen to AP205-VLP significantly enhanced antigenicity and confirm the potential of Pfs47 as a TBV candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lampouguin Yenkoidiok-Douti
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA.,Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Adeline E Williams
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA.,Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Gaspar E Canepa
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Alvaro Molina-Cruz
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, NIAID/NIH, Rockville, MD, USA
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Kardani K, Hashemi A, Bolhassani A. Comparison of HIV-1 Vif and Vpu accessory proteins for delivery of polyepitope constructs harboring Nef, Gp160 and P24 using various cell penetrating peptides. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223844. [PMID: 31671105 PMCID: PMC6822742 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
To develop an effective therapeutic vaccine against HIV-1, prediction of the most conserved epitopes derived from major proteins using bioinformatics tools is an alternative achievement. The epitope-driven vaccines against variable pathogens represented successful results. Hence, to overcome this hyper-variable virus, we designed the highly conserved and immunodominant peptide epitopes. Two servers were used to predict peptide-MHC-I binding affinity including NetMHCpan4.0 and Syfpeithi servers. The NetMHCIIpan3.2 server was utilized for MHC-II binding affinity. Then, we determined immunogenicity scores and allergenicity by the IEDB immunogenicity predictor and Algpred, respectively. Next, for estimation of toxicity and population coverage, ToxinPred server and IEDB population coverage tool were applied. After that, the MHC-peptide binding was investigated by GalexyPepDock peptide-protein flexible docking server. Finally, two different DNA and peptide constructs containing Nef-Vif-Gp160-P24 and Nef-Vpu-Gp160-P24 were prepared and complexed with four various cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) for delivery into mammalian cells (MPG and HR9 CPPs for DNA delivery, and CyLoP-1 and LDP-NLS CPPs for protein delivery). Our results indicated that the designed DNA and peptide constructs could form non-covalent stable nanoparticles at certain ratios as observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Zetasizer. The flow cytometry results obtained from in vitro transfection of the nanoparticles into HEK-293T cell lines showed that the percentage of GFP expressing cells was about 38.38 ± 1.34%, 25.36% ± 0.30, 54.95% ± 0.84, and 25.11% ± 0.36 for MPG/pEGFP-nef-vif-gp160-p24, MPG/pEGFP-nef-vpu-gp160-p24, HR9/pEGFP-nef-vif-gp160-p24 and HR9/pEGFP-nef-vpu-gp160-p24, respectively. Thus, these data showed that the DNA construct harboring nef-vif-gp160-p24 multi-epitope gene had higher efficiency than the DNA construct harboring nef-vpu-gp160-p24 multi-epitope gene to penetrate into the cells. Moreover, delivery of the recombinant Nef-Vif-Gp160-P24 and Nef-Vpu-Gp160-P24 polyepitope peptides in HEK-293T cells was confirmed as a single band about 32 kDa using western blot analysis. Although, both DNA and peptide constructs could be successfully transported by a variety of CPPs into the cells, but the difference between them in transfection rate will influence the levels of immune responses for development of therapeutic vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimia Kardani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atieh Hashemi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Zhao N, Jiang Y, Ming S, Liu S, Zhao X, Wang F. Monoclonal Antibody Preparation and Epitope Identification for Brucella melitensis Elongation Factor Tu. Front Microbiol 2019; 10:1878. [PMID: 31474961 PMCID: PMC6705223 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2019.01878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Elongation factor thermo-unstable (EF-Tu), an abundant multifunctional protein, is pivotal during protein synthesis and is an important antigen. Few studies have addressed the role of this protein in Brucella species, and the epitopes of this protein have not been reported. Here, we describe a monoclonal antibody (McAb), BD6, for EF-Tu in Brucella melitensis. Using western blotting involving a series of partially overlapping recombinant EF-Tu truncation peptides, a novel linear B-cell epitope, 110QTREHIL116 (EF), was identified. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis revealed that residues Q110, T111, R112, I115, and L116 were core residues involved in recognition. Sequence alignment suggested that the epitope peptide was conserved among bacterial species but differed by one amino acid residue (I115) from the host sequence. The epitope peptide was recognized by sera from B. melitensis-infected mice, and while recombinant epitope peptide induced a strong humoral immune response, the corresponding mouse peptide, QTREHLL, did not. These results suggested that I115 may be the key residue for the host immune system to distinguish between bacterial and self epitope EF sequences. Indirect immunofluorescence and western blotting assays showed that epitope peptide could be used in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, human embryonic kidney cell (HEK-293), and chicken fibroblast cell (DF1) expression systems and immunoprecipitation assay. Together, our results suggested that the McAb BD6 is a useful tool for further investigation of the potential functions of the EF-Tu protein in pathogen-host interactions, and that the epitope tag may be useful for application as a novel affinity tag to identify other bacterial pathogens, especially convenient for the identification of intracellular bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningning Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Shuzhen Ming
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Sidang Liu
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Xiaomin Zhao
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Fangkun Wang
- Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Biotechnology and Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China.,Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Animal Disease Control and Prevention, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
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50
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Recent advances in the engineering and application of streptavidin-like molecules. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:7355-7365. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10036-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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