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Siañez-Estrada LI, Rivera-Benítez JF, Rosas-Murrieta NH, Reyes-Leyva J, Santos-López G, Herrera-Camacho I. Immunoinformatics approach for predicting epitopes in HN and F proteins of Porcine rubulavirus. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239785. [PMID: 32976525 PMCID: PMC7518572 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Porcine rubulavirus (PRV), which belongs to the family Paramyxoviridae, causes blue eye disease in pigs, characterized by encephalitis and reproductive failure in newborn and adult pigs, respectively. There is no effective treatment against PRV and no information on the effectiveness of the available vaccines. Continuous outbreaks have occurred in Mexico since the early 1980s, which have caused serious economic losses to pig producers. Vaccination can be used to control this disease. Searching for effective antigen candidates against PRV, we first sequenced the PAC1 F protein, then we used various immunoinformatics tools to predict antigenic determinants of B-cells and T-cells against the two glycoproteins of the virus (HN and F proteins). Finally, we used AutoDock Vina to determine the binding energies. We obtained the F gene sequence of a PRV strain collected in the early 1990s in Mexico and compared its amino acid profile with previous and more recent strains, obtaining an identity similarity of 97.78 to 99.26%. For the F proteins, seven linear B-cell epitopes, six conformational B-cell epitopes and twenty-nine T-cell MHC class I epitopes were predicted. For the HN proteins, sixteen linear B-cell epitopes, seven conformational B-cell epitopes and thirty-four T-cell MHC class I epitopes were predicted. The ATRSETDYY and AAYTTTTCF epitopes of the HN protein might be important for neutralizing the viral infection. We determined the in silico binding energy between the predicted epitopes on the F and HN proteins and swine MHC-I molecules. The binding energy of these epitopes ranged from -5.8 to -7.8 kcal/mol. The present study aimed to assess the use of HN and F proteins as antigens, either as recombinant proteins or as a series of peptides that could activate different responses of the immune system. This may help identify relevant immunogens, saving time and costs in the development of new vaccines or diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis I. Siañez-Estrada
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Centro de Química, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
- Posgrado en Ciencias Químicas, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Virología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Metepec, México
| | - José F. Rivera-Benítez
- Centro Nacional de Investigación Disciplinaria en Salud Animal e Inocuidad, Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Forestales, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Nora H. Rosas-Murrieta
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Centro de Química, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
| | - Julio Reyes-Leyva
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Virología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Metepec, México
| | - Gerardo Santos-López
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Virología, Centro de Investigación Biomédica de Oriente, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), Metepec, México
| | - Irma Herrera-Camacho
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Centro de Química, Instituto de Ciencias, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, México
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Jahedian S, Sadat SM, Javadi GR, Bolhassani A. Production and Evaluation of the Properties of HIV-1-Nef-MPER-V3 Fusion Protein Harboring IMT-P8 Cell Penetrating Peptide. Curr HIV Res 2020; 18:315-323. [PMID: 32532193 DOI: 10.2174/1570162x18666200612151925] [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: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finding a safe and effective vaccine for HIV-1 infection is still a major concern. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to design and produce a recombinant Nef-MPER V3 protein fused with IMT-P8 using E. coli expression system to provide a potential HIV vaccine with high cellular penetrance. METHODS After synthesizing the DNA sequence of the fusion protein, the construct was inserted into the pET-28 expression vector. The recombinant protein expression was induced using 1 mM IPTG and the product was purified through affinity chromatography. Characterization of cellular delivery, toxicity and immunogenicity of the protein was carried out. RESULTS The recombinant protein was expressed and confirmed by the anti-Nef antibody through western blotting. Data analyses showed that the protein possessed no considerable toxicity effect and has improved the IMT-P8 penetration rate in comparison to a control sample. Moreover, the antigen immunogenicity of the protein induced specific humoral response in mice. CONCLUSION It was concluded that IMT-P8-Nef-MPER-V3 fusion protein has a high penetrance rate in mammalian cell line and low toxicity, thus it can be potentially considered as a vaccine against HIV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekoufa Jahedian
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Sadat
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood-borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Gholam Reza Javadi
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis, AIDS and Blood-borne Diseases, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Cervera L, Gòdia F, Tarrés-Freixas F, Aguilar-Gurrieri C, Carrillo J, Blanco J, Gutiérrez-Granados S. Production of HIV-1-based virus-like particles for vaccination: achievements and limits. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2019; 103:7367-7384. [DOI: 10.1007/s00253-019-10038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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The development of HIV vaccines targeting gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER): challenges and prospects. Protein Cell 2018; 9:596-615. [PMID: 29667004 PMCID: PMC6019655 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-018-0534-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
A human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) vaccine which is able to effectively prevent infection would be the most powerful method of extinguishing pandemic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Yet, achieving such vaccine remains great challenges. The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) is a highly conserved region of the envelope glycoprotein (Env) gp41 subunit near the viral envelope surface, and it plays a key role in membrane fusion. It is also the target of some reported broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Thus, MPER is deemed to be one of the most attractive vaccine targets. However, no one can induce these bNAbs by immunization with immunogens containing the MPER sequence(s). The few attempts at developing a vaccine have only resulted in the induction of neutralizing antibodies with quite low potency and limited breadth. Thus far, vaccine failure can be attributed to various characteristics of MPER, such as those involving structure and immunology; therefore, we will focus on these and review the recent progress in the field from the following perspectives: (1) MPER structure and its role in membrane fusion, (2) the epitopes and neutralization mechanisms of MPER-specific bNAbs, as well as the limitations in eliciting neutralizing antibodies, and (3) different strategies for MPER vaccine design and current harvests.
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5
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Ajamian L, Melnychuk L, Jean-Pierre P, Zaharatos GJ. DNA Vaccine-Encoded Flagellin Can Be Used as an Adjuvant Scaffold to Augment HIV-1 gp41 Membrane Proximal External Region Immunogenicity. Viruses 2018; 10:E100. [PMID: 29495537 PMCID: PMC5869493 DOI: 10.3390/v10030100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/23/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Flagellin's potential as a vaccine adjuvant has been increasingly explored over the last three decades. Monomeric flagellin proteins are the only known agonists of Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5). This interaction evokes a pro-inflammatory state that impacts upon both innate and adaptive immunity. While pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) like flagellin have been used as stand-alone adjuvants that are co-delivered with antigen, some investigators have demonstrated a distinct advantage to incorporating antigen epitopes within the structure of flagellin itself. This approach has been particularly effective in enhancing humoral immune responses. We sought to use flagellin as both scaffold and adjuvant for HIV gp41 with the aim of eliciting antibodies to the membrane proximal external region (MPER). Accordingly, we devised a straightforward step-wise approach to select flagellin-antigen fusion proteins for gene-based vaccine development. Using plasmid DNA vector-based expression in mammalian cells, we demonstrate robust expression of codon-optimized full length and hypervariable region-deleted constructs of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhi flagellin (FliC). An HIV gp41 derived sequence including the MPER (gp41607-683) was incorporated into various positions of these constructs and the expressed fusion proteins were screened for effective secretion, TLR5 agonist activity and adequate MPER antigenicity. We show that incorporation of gp41607-683 into a FliC-based scaffold significantly augments gp41607-683 immunogenicity in a TLR5 dependent manner and elicits modest MPER-specific humoral responses in a mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Ajamian
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Luca Melnychuk
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada.
| | - Patrick Jean-Pierre
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
| | - Gerasimos J Zaharatos
- Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine & Division of Medical Microbiology, Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, QC H3T 1E2, Canada.
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Molinos-Albert LM, Clotet B, Blanco J, Carrillo J. Immunologic Insights on the Membrane Proximal External Region: A Major Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 Vaccine Target. Front Immunol 2017; 8:1154. [PMID: 28970835 PMCID: PMC5609547 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 08/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) targeting conserved regions within the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein (Env) can be generated by the human immune system and their elicitation by vaccination will be a key point to protect against the wide range of viral diversity. The membrane proximal external region (MPER) is a highly conserved region within the Env gp41 subunit, plays a major role in membrane fusion and is targeted by naturally induced bNAbs. Therefore, the MPER is considered as an attractive vaccine target. However, despite many attempts to design MPER-based immunogens, further study is still needed to understand its structural complexity, its amphiphilic feature, and its limited accessibility by steric hindrance. These particular features compromise the development of MPER-specific neutralizing responses during natural infection and limit the number of bNAbs isolated against this region, as compared with other HIV-1 vulnerability sites, and represent additional hurdles for immunogen development. Nevertheless, the analysis of MPER humoral responses elicited during natural infection as well as the MPER bNAbs isolated to date highlight that the human immune system is capable of generating MPER protective antibodies. Here, we discuss the recent advances describing the immunologic and biochemical features that make the MPER a unique HIV-1 vulnerability site, the different strategies to generate MPER-neutralizing antibodies in immunization protocols and point the importance of extending our knowledge toward new MPER epitopes by the isolation of novel monoclonal antibodies. This will be crucial for the redesign of immunogens able to skip non-neutralizing MPER determinants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis M Molinos-Albert
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Bonaventura Clotet
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Julià Blanco
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jorge Carrillo
- IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
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Melnychuk L, Ajamian L, Jean-Pierre P, Liang J, Gheorghe R, Wainberg MA, Zaharatos GJ. Development of a DNA vaccine expressing a secreted HIV-1 gp41 ectodomain that includes the membrane-proximal external region. Vaccine 2017; 35:2736-2744. [PMID: 28392143 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2017.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2016] [Revised: 02/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A limited number of sites on the HIV-1 Envelope protein are vulnerable to broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). One of these sites, the membrane proximal external region (MPER), is located at the C-terminus of the gp41 ectodomain (gp41ecto). This highly conserved sequence is bound by several well-characterized bnAbs. Efforts to produce a gp41 immunogen are in part hampered by the MPER's hydrophobicity and propensity to induce aggregation. We sought to produce a DNA vaccine expressing a gp41ecto that is both secreted from mammalian cells and maintains binding by bnAbs to the MPER. Through in silico analysis, we predicted regions of gp41ecto that could induce aggregation and possibly hinder secretion. We generated deletion mutants of gp41ecto and tested their ability to be secreted by mammalian cells. Upon deletion of regions in either the fusion peptide (FP) or MPER, secretion of the gp41ecto increased. In an effort to both augment secretion and maintain binding by bnAbs, we developed constructs with the FP deletion and introduced point mutations in the MPER. Two constructs (gp41 ΔFP and gp41 ΔFP+I682E) maintained binding by gp41 MPER-specific bnAbs (4E10, Z13e1 and 10E8). These were evaluated as DNA vaccines in a mouse model. Both vaccines proved to be immunogenic and appeared to elicit some MPER-specific antibodies that bound gp41 ectodomain-derived proteins but not short peptides spanning the MPER. No neutralizing capacity was detected against a clade C virus containing a homologous MPER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Melnychuk
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Lara Ajamian
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | | | - Jiaming Liang
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Romina Gheorghe
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Mark A Wainberg
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Gerasimos J Zaharatos
- Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Jewish General Hospital, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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8
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An immunogen containing four tandem 10E8 epitope repeats with exposed key residues induces antibodies that neutralize HIV-1 and activates an ADCC reporter gene. Emerg Microbes Infect 2016; 5:e65. [PMID: 27329850 PMCID: PMC4932654 DOI: 10.1038/emi.2016.86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Revised: 06/05/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
After three decades of intensive research efforts, an effective vaccine against HIV-1 remains to be developed. Several broadly neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1, such as 10E8, recognize the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV-1 gp41 protein. Thus, the MPER is considered to be a very important target for vaccine design. However, the MPER segment has very weak immunogenicity and tends to insert its epitope residues into the cell membrane, thereby avoiding antibody binding. To address this complication in vaccine development, we herein designed a peptide, designated 10E8-4P, containing four copies of the 10E8 epitope as an immunogen. As predicted by structural simulation, 10E8-4P exhibits a well-arranged tandem helical conformation, with the key residues in the 10E8 epitope oriented at different angles, thus suggesting that some of these key residues may be exposed outside of the lipid membrane. Compared with a peptide containing a single 10E8 epitope (10E8-1P), 10E8-4P not only exhibited better antigenicity but also elicited neutralizing antibody response against HIV-1 pseudoviruses, whereas 10E8-1P could not induce detectable neutralizing antibody response. Importantly, antibodies elicited by 10E8-4P also possessed a strong ability to activate an antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) reporter gene, thus suggesting that they may have ADCC activity. Therefore, this strategy shows promise for further optimization and application in future HIV-1 vaccine design.
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9
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Banerjee S, Shi H, Habte HH, Qin Y, Cho MW. Modulating immunogenic properties of HIV-1 gp41 membrane-proximal external region by destabilizing six-helix bundle structure. Virology 2016; 490:17-26. [PMID: 26803471 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2016.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Revised: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
The C-terminal alpha-helix of gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER; (671)NWFDITNWLWYIK(683)) encompassing 4E10/10E8 epitopes is an attractive target for HIV-1 vaccine development. We previously reported that gp41-HR1-54Q, a trimeric protein comprised of the MPER in the context of a stable six-helix bundle (6HB), induced strong immune responses against the helix, but antibodies were directed primarily against the non-neutralizing face of the helix. To better target 4E10/10E8 epitopes, we generated four putative fusion intermediates by introducing double point mutations or deletions in the heptad repeat region 1 (HR1) that destabilize 6HB in varying degrees. One variant, HR1-∆10-54K, elicited antibodies in rabbits that targeted W672, I675 and L679, which are critical for 4E10/10E8 recognition. Overall, the results demonstrated that altering structural parameters of 6HB can influence immunogenic properties of the MPER and antibody targeting. Further exploration of this strategy could allow development of immunogens that could lead to induction of 4E10/10E8-like antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saikat Banerjee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States
| | - Heliang Shi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States
| | - Habtom H Habte
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States
| | - Yali Qin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States
| | - Michael W Cho
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine; and Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, United States.
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Bolhassani A, Kardani K, Vahabpour R, Habibzadeh N, Aghasadeghi MR, Sadat SM, Agi E. Prime/boost immunization with HIV-1 MPER-V3 fusion construct enhances humoral and cellular immune responses. Immunol Lett 2015; 168:366-73. [PMID: 26518142 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2015] [Revised: 10/17/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Development of an effective vaccine against HIV-1 infection is a main concern in worldwide. A potent vaccine for HIV-1 requires the induction and maintenance of both humoral and cellular immunity. In this study, the levels of humoral and cellular immune responses were compared using MPER-V3 injection in three immunization strategies such as DNA/DNA, peptide/peptide, and DNA/peptide (prime-boost). MPG peptide and Montanide 720 were used as a DNA delivery system, and as a peptide adjuvant, respectively. Our results demonstrated that MPG forms stable non-covalent nanoparticles with plasmid DNA at N/P ratio of 10:1 (∼ 110-130 nm). The in vitro transfection efficiency of MPER-V3 DNA using MPG was comparable with lipofectamine and turbofect reagents as a common delivery system. In vivo prime-boost immunization using HIV-1 MPER-V3 could significantly enhance humoral and cellular immune responses as compared to control groups. The mixture of IgG1 and IgG2a was observed for each strategy, but IFN-γ production was significantly higher in prime-boost and peptide immunizations than that in DNA immunizations, inducing Th1 response. Moreover, our data showed that prime immunization with low dose of the nanoparticles (MPER-V3 DNA: MPG at ratio of 1:10) followed by MPER-V3 peptide drives T cell responses towards a Th1-type similar to high dose of the naked DNA prime/peptide boost immunization. Generally, the prime-boost strategy could improve both immune responses against MPER and especially V3 peptides suggesting its application as a promising HIV vaccine candidate in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Bolhassani
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Kimia Kardani
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Nourieh Habibzadeh
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Seyed Mehdi Sadat
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Elnaz Agi
- Department of Hepatitis and AIDS, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran
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Yu Y, Fu L, Shi Y, Guan S, Yang L, Gong X, Yin H, He X, Liu D, Kuai Z, Shan Y, Wang S, Kong W. Elicitation of HIV-1 neutralizing antibodies by presentation of 4E10 and 10E8 epitopes on Norovirus P particles. Immunol Lett 2015; 168:271-8. [PMID: 26455781 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Revised: 09/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Eliciting efficient broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAbs) is a major goal in vaccine development against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Conserved epitopes in the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 are a significant target. In this study, Norovirus P particles (NoV PPs) were used as carriers to display conformational 4E10 and 10E8 epitopes in different patterns with an appropriate linker. Immune responses to the recombinant NoV PPs were characterized in guinea pigs and Balb/c mice and could induce high levels of MPER-binding antibodies. Modest neutralizing activities could be detected in sera of guinea pigs but not of Balb/c mice. The 4E10 or 10E8 epitopes dispersed on three loops on the outermost surface of NoV PPs (4E10-loop123 PP or 10E8-loop123 PP) elicited higher neutralizing activities than the equivalent number of epitopes presented on loop 2 only (4E10-3loop2 PP or 10E8-3loop2 PP). The epitopes on different loops of the PP were well-exposed and likely formed an appropriate conformation to induce neutralizing antibodies. Although sera of immunized guinea pigs could neutralize several HIV envelope-pseudoviruses, a vaccine candidate for efficiently inducing HIV-1 BnAbs remains to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongjiao Yu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lu Fu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuhua Shi
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Shanshan Guan
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Lan Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xin Gong
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - He Yin
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoqiu He
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Dongni Liu
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Ziyu Kuai
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yaming Shan
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Song Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Institute of Theoretical Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Wei Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory for AIDS Vaccine, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Key Laboratory for Molecular Enzymology and Engineering, The Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China
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12
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Habte HH, Banerjee S, Shi H, Qin Y, Cho MW. Immunogenic properties of a trimeric gp41-based immunogen containing an exposed membrane-proximal external region. Virology 2015; 486:187-97. [PMID: 26454663 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2015.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2015] [Revised: 09/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 gp41 is an attractive target for vaccine development. Thus, better understanding of its immunogenic properties in various structural contexts is important. We previously described the crystal structure of a trimeric protein complex named gp41-HR1-54Q, which consists of the heptad repeat regions 1 and 2 and the MPER. The protein was efficiently recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies. Here, we describe its immunogenic properties in rabbits. The protein was highly immunogenic, especially the C-terminal end of the MPER containing 4E10 and 10E8 epitopes ((671)NWFDITNWLWYIK(683)). Although antibodies exhibited strong competition activity against 4E10 and 10E8, neutralizing activity was not detected. Detailed mapping analyses indicated that amino acid residues critical for recognition resided on faces of the alpha helix that are either opposite of or perpendicular to the epitopes recognized by 4E10 and 10E8. These results provide critical information for designing the next generation of MPER-based immunogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Habtom H Habte
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, 1600 S 16th Street, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA
| | - Saikat Banerjee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, 1600 S 16th Street, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA
| | - Heliang Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, 1600 S 16th Street, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA
| | - Yali Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, 1600 S 16th Street, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA
| | - Michael W Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Center for Advanced Host Defenses, Immunobiotics and Translational Comparative Medicine, Iowa State University, 1600 S 16th Street, Ames, IA 50011-1250, USA.
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Zang Y, Du D, Li N, Su W, Liu X, Zhang Y, Nie J, Wang Y, Kong W, Jiang C. Eliciting neutralizing antibodies against the membrane proximal external region of HIV-1 Env by chimeric live attenuated influenza A virus vaccines. Vaccine 2015; 33:3859-64. [PMID: 26126669 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2015.06.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Revised: 06/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/17/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Immunogens Modeling a Fusion-Intermediate Conformation of gp41 Elicit Antibodies to the Membrane Proximal External Region of the HIV Envelope Glycoprotein. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128562. [PMID: 26087072 PMCID: PMC4472232 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2015] [Accepted: 04/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the gp41 subunit of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein (Env) contains determinants for broadly neutralizing antibodies and has remained an important focus of vaccine design. However, creating an immunogen that elicits broadly neutralizing antibodies to this region has proven difficult in part due to the relative inaccessibility of the MPER in the native conformation of Env. Here, we describe the antigenicity and immunogenicity of a panel of oligomeric gp41 immunogens designed to model a fusion-intermediate conformation of Env in order to enhance MPER exposure in a relevant conformation. The immunogens contain segments of the gp41 N- and C-heptad repeats to mimic a trapped intermediate, followed by the MPER, with variations that include different N-heptad lengths, insertion of extra epitopes, and varying C-termini. These well-characterized immunogens were evaluated in two different immunization protocols involving gp41 and gp140 proteins, gp41 and gp160 DNA primes, and different immunization schedules and adjuvants. We found that the immunogens designed to reduce extension of helical structure into the MPER elicited the highest MPER antibody binding titers, but these antibodies lacked neutralizing activity. The gp41 protein immunogens also elicited higher MPER titers than the gp140 protein immunogen. In prime-boost studies, the best MPER responses were seen in the groups that received DNA priming with gp41 vectors followed by gp41 protein boosts. Finally, although titers to the entire protein immunogen were similar in the two immunization protocols, MPER-specific titers differed, suggesting that the immunization route, schedule, dose, or adjuvant may differentially influence MPER immunogenicity. These findings inform the design of future MPER immunogens and immunization protocols.
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Krebs SJ, McBurney SP, Kovarik DN, Waddell CD, Jaworski JP, Sutton WF, Gomes MM, Trovato M, Waagmeester G, Barnett SJ, DeBerardinis P, Haigwood NL. Multimeric scaffolds displaying the HIV-1 envelope MPER induce MPER-specific antibodies and cross-neutralizing antibodies when co-immunized with gp160 DNA. PLoS One 2014; 9:e113463. [PMID: 25514675 PMCID: PMC4267727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0113463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 10/27/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing a vaccine that overcomes the diversity of HIV-1 is likely to require a strategy that directs antibody (Ab) responses toward conserved regions of the viral Envelope (Env). However, the generation of neutralizing Abs (NAbs) targeting these regions through vaccination has proven to be difficult. One conserved region of particular interest is the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of Env located within the gp41 ectodomain. In order to direct the immune response to this region, the MPER and gp41 ectodomain were expressed separately as N-terminal fusions to the E2 protein of Geobacillus stearothermophilus. The E2 protein acts as a scaffold by self-assembling into 60-mer particles, displaying up to 60 copies of the fused target on the surface. Rabbits were immunized with E2 particles displaying MPER and/or the gp41 ectodomain in conjunction with DNA encoding full-length gp160. Only vaccines including E2 particles displaying MPER elicited MPER-specific Ab responses. NAbs were elicited after two immunizations that largely targeted the V3 loop. To overcome V3 immunodominance in the DNA component, E2 particles displaying MPER were used in conjunction with gp160 DNA lacking hypervariable regions V2, V3, or combined V1V2V3. All rabbits had HIV binding Ab responses and NAbs following the second vaccination. Using HIV-2/HIV-1 MPER chimeric viruses as targets, NAbs were detected in 12/16 rabbits after three immunizations. Low levels of NAbs specific for Tier 1 and 2 viruses were observed in all groups. This study provides evidence that co-immunizing E2 particles displaying MPER and gp160 DNA can focus Ab responses toward conserved regions of Env.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelly J. Krebs
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
| | - Sean P. McBurney
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
| | - Dina N. Kovarik
- Viral Vaccines Program, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Chelsea D. Waddell
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
| | - J. Pablo Jaworski
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
| | - William F. Sutton
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
| | - Michelle M. Gomes
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
| | - Maria Trovato
- Institute of Protein Biochemistry, C.N.R., Naples, Italy
| | - Garret Waagmeester
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
| | - Susan J. Barnett
- Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics, Emeryville, CA, United States of America
| | | | - Nancy L. Haigwood
- Division of Pathobiology and Immunology, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Beaverton, OR, United States of America
- Viral Vaccines Program, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Lorenz IC, Nguyen HT, Kemelman M, Lindsay RW, Yuan M, Wright KJ, Arendt H, Back JW, DeStefano J, Hoffenberg S, Morrow G, Jurgens CK, Phogat SK, Zamb TJ, Parks CL. The stem of vesicular stomatitis virus G can be replaced with the HIV-1 Env membrane-proximal external region without loss of G function or membrane-proximal external region antigenic properties. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014; 30:1130-44. [PMID: 24597516 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2013.0206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The structure of the HIV-1 envelope membrane-proximal external region (MPER) is influenced by its association with the lipid bilayer on the surface of virus particles and infected cells. To develop a replicating vaccine vector displaying MPER sequences in association with membrane, Env epitopes recognized by the broadly neutralizing antibodies 2F5, 4E10, or both were grafted into the membrane-proximal stem region of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) glycoprotein (G). VSV encoding functional G-MPER chimeras based on G from the Indiana or New Jersey serotype propagated efficiently, although grafting of both epitopes (G-2F5-4E10) modestly reduced replication and resulted in the acquisition of one to two adaptive mutations in the grafted MPER sequence. Monoclonal antibodies 2F5 and 4E10 efficiently neutralized VSV G-MPER vectors and bound to virus particles in solution, indicating that the epitopes were accessible in the preattachment form of the G-MPER chimeras. Overall, our results showed that the HIV Env MPER could functionally substitute for the VSV G-stem region implying that both perform similar functions even though they are from unrelated viruses. Furthermore, we found that the MPER sequence grafts induced low but detectable MPER-specific antibody responses in rabbits vaccinated with live VSV, although additional vector and immunogen modifications or use of a heterologous prime-boost vaccination regimen will be required to increase the magnitude of the immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivo C. Lorenz
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Hanh T. Nguyen
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
- Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, School of Graduate Studies, The State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Marina Kemelman
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Ross W. Lindsay
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Maoli Yuan
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Kevin J. Wright
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Heather Arendt
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | | | - Joanne DeStefano
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Simon Hoffenberg
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Gavin Morrow
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Christy K. Jurgens
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Sanjay K. Phogat
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Timothy J. Zamb
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
| | - Christopher L. Parks
- The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, AIDS Vaccine Design and Development Laboratory, Brooklyn, New York
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Lai RPJ, Hock M, Radzimanowski J, Tonks P, Hulsik DL, Effantin G, Seilly DJ, Dreja H, Kliche A, Wagner R, Barnett SW, Tumba N, Morris L, LaBranche CC, Montefiori DC, Seaman MS, Heeney JL, Weissenhorn W. A fusion intermediate gp41 immunogen elicits neutralizing antibodies to HIV-1. J Biol Chem 2014; 289:29912-26. [PMID: 25160627 PMCID: PMC4208001 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.569566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the human immunodeficiency virus, type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein subunit gp41 is targeted by potent broadly neutralizing antibodies 2F5, 4E10, and 10E8. These antibodies recognize linear epitopes and have been suggested to target the fusion intermediate conformation of gp41 that bridges viral and cellular membranes. Anti-MPER antibodies exert different degrees of membrane interaction, which is considered to be the limiting factor for the generation of such antibodies by immunization. Here we characterize a fusion intermediate conformation of gp41 (gp41(int)-Cys) and show that it folds into an elongated ∼ 12-nm-long extended structure based on small angle x-ray scattering data. Gp41(int)-Cys was covalently linked to liposomes via its C-terminal cysteine and used as immunogen. The gp41(int)-Cys proteoliposomes were administered alone or in prime-boost regimen with trimeric envelope gp140(CA018) in guinea pigs and elicited high anti-gp41 IgG titers. The sera interacted with a peptide spanning the MPER region, demonstrated competition with broadly neutralizing antibodies 2F5 and 4E10, and exerted modest lipid binding, indicating the presence of MPER-specific antibodies. Although the neutralization potency generated solely by gp140(CA018) was higher than that induced by gp41(int)-Cys, the majority of animals immunized with gp41(int)-Cys proteoliposomes induced modest breadth and potency in neutralizing tier 1 pseudoviruses and replication-competent simian/human immunodeficiency viruses in the TZM-bl assay as well as responses against tier 2 HIV-1 in the A3R5 neutralization assay. Our data thus demonstrate that liposomal gp41 MPER formulation can induce neutralization activity, and the strategy serves to improve breadth and potency of such antibodies by improved vaccination protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel P J Lai
- From the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - Miriam Hock
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), F-38000 Grenoble, France, CNRS, UVHCI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Jens Radzimanowski
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), F-38000 Grenoble, France, CNRS, UVHCI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Paul Tonks
- From the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - David Lutje Hulsik
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), F-38000 Grenoble, France, CNRS, UVHCI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - Gregory Effantin
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), F-38000 Grenoble, France, CNRS, UVHCI, F-38000 Grenoble, France
| | - David J Seilly
- From the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - Hanna Dreja
- From the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, United Kingdom
| | - Alexander Kliche
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Wagner
- Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053 Regensburg, Germany
| | - Susan W Barnett
- Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
| | - Nancy Tumba
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham 2131, South Africa
| | - Lynn Morris
- National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Centre for HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections, 1 Modderfontein Road, Sandringham 2131, South Africa
| | - Celia C LaBranche
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, and
| | - David C Montefiori
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, and
| | - Michael S Seaman
- Division of Viral Pathogenesis, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Jonathan L Heeney
- From the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, United Kingdom,
| | - Winfried Weissenhorn
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), F-38000 Grenoble, France, CNRS, UVHCI, F-38000 Grenoble, France,
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18
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Benen TD, Tonks P, Kliche A, Kapzan R, Heeney JL, Wagner R. Development and immunological assessment of VLP-based immunogens exposing the membrane-proximal region of the HIV-1 gp41 protein. J Biomed Sci 2014; 21:79. [PMID: 25160824 PMCID: PMC4256929 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-014-0079-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2014] [Accepted: 08/11/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 gp41 is particularly conserved and target for the potent broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (bnMAbs) 2F5, 4E10 and 10E8. Epitope focusing and stabilization present promising strategies to enhance the quality of immune responses to specific epitopes. Results The aim of this work was to design and evaluate novel immunogens based on the gp41 MPER with the potential to elicit cross-clade neutralizing antibodies. For that purpose, gp41 was truncated N-terminally in order to dispose immunodominant, non-neutralizing sites and enhance the exposure of conserved regions. To stabilize a trimeric conformation, heterologous GCN4 and HA2 zipper domains were fused based on an in silico “best-fit” model to the protein’s amino terminus. Cell surface exposure of resulting proteins and their selective binding to bnMAbs 2F5 and 4E10 could be shown by cytometric analyses. Incorporation into VLPs and preservation of antigenic structures were verified by electron microscopy, and the oligomeric state was successfully stabilized by zipper domains. These gp41 immunogens were evaluated for antigenicity in an immunization study in rabbits primed with homologous DNA expression plasmids and boosted with virus-like particle (VLP) proteins. Low titers of anti-MPER antibodies were measured by IgG ELISA, and low neutralizing activity could be detected against a clade C and B viral isolate in sera. Conclusions Thus, although neutralizing titers were very moderate, induction of cross-clade neutralizing antibodies seems possible following immunization with MPER-focusing immunogens. However, further refinement of MPER presentation and immunogenicity is clearly needed to induce substantial neutralization responses to these epitopes. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-014-0079-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Ralf Wagner
- Molecular Microbiology and Gene Therapy Unit, Institute of Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, University of Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, Regensburg, 93053, Germany.
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Molinos-Albert LM, Carrillo J, Curriu M, Rodriguez de la Concepción ML, Marfil S, García E, Clotet B, Blanco J. Anti-MPER antibodies with heterogeneous neutralization capacity are detectable in most untreated HIV-1 infected individuals. Retrovirology 2014; 11:44. [PMID: 24909946 PMCID: PMC4067070 DOI: 10.1186/1742-4690-11-44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The MPER region of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein gp41 is targeted by broadly neutralizing antibodies. However, the localization of this epitope in a hydrophobic environment seems to hamper the elicitation of these antibodies in HIV infected individuals. We have quantified and characterized anti-MPER antibodies by ELISA and by flow cytometry using a collection of mini gp41-derived proteins expressed on the surface of 293T cells. Longitudinal plasma samples from 35 HIV-1 infected individuals were assayed for MPER recognition and MPER-dependent neutralizing capacity using HIV-2 viruses engrafted with HIV-1 MPER sequences. Results Miniproteins devoid of the cysteine loop of gp41 exposed the MPER on 293T cell membrane. Anti-MPER antibodies were identified in most individuals and were stable when analyzed in longitudinal samples. The magnitude of the responses was strongly correlated with the global response to the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, suggesting no specific limitation for anti-MPER antibodies. Peptide mapping showed poor recognition of the C-terminal MPER moiety and a wide presence of antibodies against the 2F5 epitope. However, antibody titers failed to correlate with 2F5-blocking activity and, more importantly, with the specific neutralization of HIV-2 chimeric viruses bearing the HIV-1 MPER sequence; suggesting a strong functional heterogeneity in anti-MPER humoral responses. Conclusions Anti-MPER antibodies can be detected in the vast majority of HIV-1 infected individuals and are generated in the context of the global anti-Env response. However, the neutralizing capacity is heterogeneous suggesting that eliciting neutralizing anti-MPER antibodies by immunization might require refinement of immunogens to skip nonneutralizing responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Julià Blanco
- IrsiCaixa-HIVACAT, Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, UAB, Badalona, 08916 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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Strasz N, Morozov VA, Kreutzberger J, Keller M, Eschricht M, Denner J. Immunization with hybrid proteins containing the membrane proximal external region of HIV-1. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2014; 30:498-508. [PMID: 24392780 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2013.0191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The transmembrane envelope (TM) protein gp41 of HIV-1 is an attractive target when designing a vaccine to induce neutralizing antibodies. A few broadly neutralizing antibodies (2F5, 4E10, and 10E8) that target conserved epitopes in the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of gp41 have been isolated from infected individuals. However, attempts to induce such antibodies by immunizations with gp41 and Env derivatives containing the MPER were successful only to some extent. In contrast, immunizations with the ectodomain of the TM protein p15E of different gamma retroviruses resulted in the induction of neutralizing antibodies. These sera recognized epitopes located in the MPER and in the fusion peptide proximal region (FPPR) of p15E. Based on these results, both regions of p15E were substituted with the corresponding sequences derived from gp41 of HIV-1. Thus, four different hybrid antigens were produced. One of the inserted sequences contained the epitopes of 2F5 and 4E10 in the MPER; the other corresponded to the FPPR. Vaccination of rats, guinea pigs, and a goat induced binding antibodies directed against the FPPR of gp41 and the 2F5 epitope (ELDKWA) located in the MPER. Despite the exact recognition of the 2F5 epitope, no or very weak neutralization of HIV-1NL4-3 by the immune sera was demonstrated. Nonetheless, using the strategy of hybrid proteins, antibodies targeting the desired epitope were successfully induced.
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Mohan T, Verma P, Rao D. Comparative mucosal immunogenicity of HIV gp41 membrane-proximal external region (MPER) containing single and multiple repeats of ELDKWA sequence with defensin peptides. Immunobiology 2014; 219:292-301. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2013.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2013] [Revised: 11/05/2013] [Accepted: 11/10/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Yi G, Lapelosa M, Bradley R, Mariano TM, Dietz DE, Hughes S, Wrin T, Petropoulos C, Gallicchio E, Levy RM, Arnold E, Arnold GF. Chimeric rhinoviruses displaying MPER epitopes elicit anti-HIV neutralizing responses. PLoS One 2013; 8:e72205. [PMID: 24039745 PMCID: PMC3765159 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2013] [Accepted: 07/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of an effective AIDS vaccine has been a formidable task, but remains a critical necessity. The well conserved membrane-proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV-1 gp41 glycoprotein is one of the crucial targets for AIDS vaccine development, as it has the necessary attribute of being able to elicit antibodies capable of neutralizing diverse isolates of HIV. Methodology/Principle Findings Guided by X-ray crystallography, molecular modeling, combinatorial chemistry, and powerful selection techniques, we designed and produced six combinatorial libraries of chimeric human rhinoviruses (HRV) displaying the MPER epitopes corresponding to mAbs 2F5, 4E10, and/or Z13e1, connected to an immunogenic surface loop of HRV via linkers of varying lengths and sequences. Not all libraries led to viable chimeric viruses with the desired sequences, but the combinatorial approach allowed us to examine large numbers of MPER-displaying chimeras. Among the chimeras were five that elicited antibodies capable of significantly neutralizing HIV-1 pseudoviruses from at least three subtypes, in one case leading to neutralization of 10 pseudoviruses from all six subtypes tested. Conclusions Optimization of these chimeras or closely related chimeras could conceivably lead to useful components of an effective AIDS vaccine. While the MPER of HIV may not be immunodominant in natural infection by HIV-1, its presence in a vaccine cocktail could provide critical breadth of protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohua Yi
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Mauro Lapelosa
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Rachel Bradley
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Thomas M. Mariano
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Denise Elsasser Dietz
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Scott Hughes
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Terri Wrin
- Monogram Biosciences, South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Chris Petropoulos
- Monogram Biosciences, South San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Emilio Gallicchio
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Ronald M. Levy
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Eddy Arnold
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GA); (EA)
| | - Gail Ferstandig Arnold
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- Center for Advanced Biotechnology and Medicine, Piscataway, New Jersey, United States of America
- * E-mail: (GA); (EA)
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Zhang L, Miao L, Gong X, Zhang H, Yang L, Shi Y, Kong W, Jiang C, Shan Y. Multiple antigen peptide mimetics containing gp41 membrane-proximal external region elicit broad neutralizing antibodies against human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in guinea pigs. J Pept Sci 2013; 19:491-8. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.2526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Revised: 05/12/2013] [Accepted: 05/13/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lishuang Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Liang Miao
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Xin Gong
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Huayan Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Lan Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Yuhua Shi
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Wei Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Chunlai Jiang
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
| | - Yaming Shan
- National Engineering Laboratory of AIDS Vaccine, College of Life Science; Jilin University; Changchun China
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Aghasadeghi MR, Zabihollahi R, Sadat SM, Esfahani AF, Ashtiani SH, Namazi R, Kashanizadeh N, Azadmanesh K. Production and evaluation of immunologic characteristics of mzNL4-3, a non-infectious HIV-1 clone with a large deletion in the pol-Sequence. Mol Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893313020027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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25
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Girard MP, Picot V, Longuet C, Nabel GJ. Report of the Cent Gardes HIV Vaccine Conference: The B-cell Response to HIV. Part 1: Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies Fondation Mérieux Conference Center, Veyrier du Lac, France, 5-7 November 2012. Vaccine 2013; 31:2979-83. [PMID: 23499518 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2013.02.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2013] [Accepted: 02/27/2013] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The Cent Gardes Conference on HIV Vaccines took place on November 5-7, 2012 at the Fondation Mérieux Conference Center, Annecy, France. The aim of the meeting was to review the B cell response to human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection and immunization, from broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) to non-neutralizing antibodies (n-nAbs). The production of cross-reactive bnAbs is one of the greatest challenges in HIV-1 vaccine development. In natural HIV infection, bnAbs are observed in only a minority of infected individuals and take a few years to develop. This report presents a comprehensive review of how these Abs arise, the possible role of viral evolution, and the activation and maturation requirements of B cell lines that lead to their production. Passive immunization with bnAbs provides efficient, cross-clade protection against simian/human immunodeficiency chimeric virus (SHIV) challenges in nonhuman primates. Despite many efforts to design immunogens that elicit them by active immunization, no immunogen other than HIV itself has yet been able to elicit a bnAb response. For this reason, innovative approaches are under investigation, including their production in the body through a gene delivery approach, vector immunoprophylaxis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc P Girard
- French National Academy of Medicine, 16 rue Bonaparte, 75006 Paris, France.
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26
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Lutje Hulsik D, Liu YY, Strokappe NM, Battella S, El Khattabi M, McCoy LE, Sabin C, Hinz A, Hock M, Macheboeuf P, Bonvin AMJJ, Langedijk JPM, Davis D, Forsman Quigley A, Aasa-Chapman MMI, Seaman MS, Ramos A, Poignard P, Favier A, Simorre JP, Weiss RA, Verrips CT, Weissenhorn W, Rutten L. A gp41 MPER-specific llama VHH requires a hydrophobic CDR3 for neutralization but not for antigen recognition. PLoS Pathog 2013; 9:e1003202. [PMID: 23505368 PMCID: PMC3591319 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2012] [Accepted: 01/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the HIV-1 glycoprotein gp41 is targeted by the broadly neutralizing antibodies 2F5 and 4E10. To date, no immunization regimen in animals or humans has produced HIV-1 neutralizing MPER-specific antibodies. We immunized llamas with gp41-MPER proteoliposomes and selected a MPER-specific single chain antibody (VHH), 2H10, whose epitope overlaps with that of mAb 2F5. Bi-2H10, a bivalent form of 2H10, which displayed an approximately 20-fold increased affinity compared to the monovalent 2H10, neutralized various sensitive and resistant HIV-1 strains, as well as SHIV strains in TZM-bl cells. X-ray and NMR analyses combined with mutagenesis and modeling revealed that 2H10 recognizes its gp41 epitope in a helical conformation. Notably, tryptophan 100 at the tip of the long CDR3 is not required for gp41 interaction but essential for neutralization. Thus bi-2H10 is an anti-MPER antibody generated by immunization that requires hydrophobic CDR3 determinants in addition to epitope recognition for neutralization similar to the mode of neutralization employed by mAbs 2F5 and 4E10.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Lutje Hulsik
- Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), UMI 3265, Université Joseph Fourier-EMBL-CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Ying-ying Liu
- Biomolecular Imaging (BMI), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Nika M. Strokappe
- Biomolecular Imaging (BMI), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Simone Battella
- Biomolecular Imaging (BMI), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Mohamed El Khattabi
- Biomolecular Imaging (BMI), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Laura E. McCoy
- MRC/UCL Centre for Medical Molecular Virology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Sabin
- Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), UMI 3265, Université Joseph Fourier-EMBL-CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Andreas Hinz
- Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), UMI 3265, Université Joseph Fourier-EMBL-CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Miriam Hock
- Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), UMI 3265, Université Joseph Fourier-EMBL-CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Pauline Macheboeuf
- Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), UMI 3265, Université Joseph Fourier-EMBL-CNRS, Grenoble, France
| | - Alexandre M. J. J. Bonvin
- Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | | | - David Davis
- Department of Virology, Biomedical Primate Research Centre (BPRC), Rijswijk, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Forsman Quigley
- MRC/UCL Centre for Medical Molecular Virology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marlén M. I. Aasa-Chapman
- MRC/UCL Centre for Medical Molecular Virology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michael S. Seaman
- Division of Viral Pathogenesis, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Alejandra Ramos
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Pascal Poignard
- Department of Immunology and Microbial Science, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Neutralizing Antibody Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, United States of America
- International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Adrien Favier
- CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale-Jean-Pierre Ebel, Grenoble Cedex, France
- CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale-Jean-Pierre Ebel, Grenoble Cedex, France
- UJF-Grenoble-1, Institut de Biologie Structurale-Jean-Pierre Ebel, Grenoble Cedex, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Simorre
- CNRS, Institut de Biologie Structurale-Jean-Pierre Ebel, Grenoble Cedex, France
- CEA, Institut de Biologie Structurale-Jean-Pierre Ebel, Grenoble Cedex, France
- UJF-Grenoble-1, Institut de Biologie Structurale-Jean-Pierre Ebel, Grenoble Cedex, France
| | - Robin A. Weiss
- MRC/UCL Centre for Medical Molecular Virology, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - C. Theo Verrips
- Biomolecular Imaging (BMI), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- QVQ BV, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Winfried Weissenhorn
- Unit of Virus Host Cell Interactions (UVHCI), UMI 3265, Université Joseph Fourier-EMBL-CNRS, Grenoble, France
- * E-mail: (WW); (LR)
| | - Lucy Rutten
- Biomolecular Imaging (BMI), Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
- * E-mail: (WW); (LR)
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27
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Huarte N, Araujo A, Arranz R, Lorizate M, Quendler H, Kunert R, Valpuesta JM, Nieva JL. Recognition of membrane-bound fusion-peptide/MPER complexes by the HIV-1 neutralizing 2F5 antibody: implications for anti-2F5 immunogenicity. PLoS One 2012; 7:e52740. [PMID: 23285173 PMCID: PMC3528738 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the fusogenic HIV-1 glycoprotein-41 harbors the epitope sequence recognized by 2F5, a broadly neutralizing antibody isolated from an infected individual. Structural mimicry of the conserved MPER 2F5 epitope constitutes a pursued goal in the field of anti-HIV vaccine development. It has been proposed that 2F5 epitope folding into its native state is attained in the vicinity of the membrane interface and might involve interactions with other viral structures. Here we present results indicating that oligomeric complexes established between MPER and the conserved amino-terminal fusion peptide (FP) can partition into lipid vesicles and be specifically bound by the 2F5 antibody at their surfaces. Cryo-transmission electron microscopy of liposomes doped with MPER:FP peptide mixtures provided the structural grounds for complex recognition by antibody at lipid bilayer surfaces. Supporting the immunogenicity of the membrane-bound complex, these MPER:FP peptide-vesicle formulations could trigger cross-reactive anti-MPER antibodies in rabbits. Thus, our observations suggest that contacts with N-terminal regions of gp41 may stabilize the 2F5 epitope as a membrane-surface antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Huarte
- Biophysics Unit (CSIC-UPV/EHU) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Aitziber Araujo
- Biophysics Unit (CSIC-UPV/EHU) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Rocio Arranz
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Maier Lorizate
- Biophysics Unit (CSIC-UPV/EHU) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
| | - Heribert Quendler
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Kunert
- Institute of Applied Microbiology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - José M. Valpuesta
- Department of Macromolecular Structures, National Center for Biotechnology (CNB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - José L. Nieva
- Biophysics Unit (CSIC-UPV/EHU) and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Bilbao, Spain
- * E-mail:
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28
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Naim HY. Applications and challenges of multivalent recombinant vaccines. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2012; 9:457-61. [PMID: 23249651 DOI: 10.4161/hv.23220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The exceptional discoveries of antigen/gene delivery systems have allowed the development of novel prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine candidates. The vaccine candidates employ various antigen-delivery systems, particularly recombinant viral vectors. Recombinant viral vectors are experimental vaccines similar to DNA vaccines, but they use attenuated viruses or bacterium as a carrier "vector" to introduce microbial DNA to cells of the body. They closely mimic a natural infection and therefore can efficiently stimulate the immune system. Although such recombinant vectors may face extensive preclinical testing and will possibly have to meet stringent regulatory requirements, some of these vectors (e.g. measles virus vectors) may benefit from the profound industrial and clinical experience of the parent vaccine. Most notably, novel vaccines based on live attenuated viruses combine the induction of broad, strong and persistent immune responses with acceptable safety profiles. We assess certain technologies in light of their use against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Y Naim
- Institute of Molecular Biology; University of Zürich-Irchel; Zürich, Switzerland; Current affiliation: Consultant; Life Sciences and Vaccines; Bern, Switzerland
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29
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Rational design of membrane proximal external region lipopeptides containing chemical modifications for HIV-1 vaccination. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2012; 20:39-45. [PMID: 23114698 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00615-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The inability to generate broadly neutralizing antibody (bnAb) responses to the membrane proximal external region (MPER) of HIV-1 gp41 using current vaccine strategies has hampered efforts to prevent the spread of HIV. To address this challenge, we investigated a novel hypothesis to help improve the anti-MPER antibody response. Guided by structural insights and the unique lipid reactivity of anti-MPER bnAbs, we considered whether amino acid side chain modifications that emulate hydrophilic phospholipid head groups could contribute to the generation of 2F5-like or 4E10-like neutralizing anti-MPER antibodies. To test this hypothesis, we generated a series of chemically modified MPER immunogens through derivatization of amino acid side chains with phosphate or nitrate groups. We evaluated the binding affinity of the chemically modified peptides to their cognate monoclonal antibodies, 2F5 and 4E10, using surface plasmon resonance. The modifications had little effect on binding to the antibodies and did not influence epitope secondary structure when presented in liposomes. We selected five of the chemically modified sequences to immunize rabbits and found that an immunogen containing both the 2F5 and 4E10 epitopes and a phosphorylated threonine at T676 elicited the highest anti-peptide IgG titers, although the high antipeptide titers did not confer higher neutralizing activity. These data indicate that side chain modifications adjacent to known neutralizing antibody epitopes are capable of eliciting antibody responses to the MPER but that these chemically modified gp41 epitopes do not induce neutralizing antibodies.
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30
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Mader A, Kunert R. Evaluation of the potency of the anti-idiotypic antibody Ab2/3H6 mimicking gp41 as an HIV-1 vaccine in a rabbit prime/boost study. PLoS One 2012; 7:e39063. [PMID: 22720027 PMCID: PMC3376109 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0039063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2011] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The HIV-1 envelope protein harbors several conserved epitopes that are recognized by broadly neutralizing antibodies. One of these neutralizing sites, the MPER region of gp41, is targeted by one of the most potent and broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody, 2F5. Different vaccination strategies and a lot of efforts have been undertaken to induce MPER neutralizing antibodies but little success has been achieved so far. We tried to consider the alternative anti-idiotypic vaccination approach for induction of 2F5-like antibodies. The previously developed and characterized anti-idiotypic antibody Ab2/3H6 was expressed as antibody fragment fusion protein with C-terminally attached immune-modulators and used for immunization of rabbits to induce antibodies specific for HIV-1. Only those rabbits immunized with immunogens fused with the immune-modulators developed HIV-1 specific antibodies. Anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies were affinity purified using a two-step affinity purification protocol which revealed that only little amount of the total rabbit IgG fraction contained HIV-1 specific antibodies. The characterization of the induced anti-anti-idiotypic antibodies showed specificity for the linear epitope of 2F5 GGGELDKWASL and the HIV-1 envelope protein gp140. Despite specificity for the linear epitope and the truncated HIV-1 envelope protein these antibodies were not able to exhibit virus neutralization activities. These results suggest that Ab2/3H6 alone might not be suitable as a vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Mader
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT - BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Vienna), Vienna, Austria
| | - Renate Kunert
- Department of Biotechnology, VIBT - BOKU – University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (Vienna), Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
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31
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Zabihollahi R, Sadat SM, Vahabpour R, Salehi M, Azadmanesh K, Siadat SD, Azizi Saraji AR, Pouriavali MH, Momen SB, Aghasadeghi MR. Introducing a frameshift mutation to the Pol sequence of HIV-1 provirus and evaluation of the immunogenic characteristics of the mutated virions (RINNL4-3). Mol Biol 2012. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893312030107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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32
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Kamdem Toukam D, Tenbusch M, Stang A, Temchura V, Storcksdieck genannt Bonsmann M, Grewe B, Koch S, Meyerhans A, Nchinda G, Kaptue L, Überla K. Targeting antibody responses to the membrane proximal external region of the envelope glycoprotein of human immunodeficiency virus. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38068. [PMID: 22666448 PMCID: PMC3364164 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/30/2012] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Although human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV-1) infection induces strong antibody responses to the viral envelope glycoprotein (Env) only a few of these antibodies possess the capacity to neutralize a broad range of strains. The induction of such antibodies represents an important goal in the development of a preventive vaccine against the infection. Among the broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies discovered so far, three (2F5, Z13 and 4E10) target the short and hidden membrane proximal external region (MPER) of the gp41 transmembrane protein. Antibody responses to MPER are rarely observed in HIV-infected individuals or after immunization with Env immunogens. To initiate antibody responses to MPER in its membrane-embedded native conformation, we generated expression plasmids encoding the membrane-anchored ectodomain of gp41 with N-terminal deletions of various sizes. Following transfection of these plasmids, the MPER domains are displayed on the cell surface and incorporated into HIV virus like particles (VLP). Transfected cells displaying MPER mutants bound as efficiently to both 2F5 and 4E10 as cells transfected with a plasmid encoding full-length Env. Mice immunized with VLPs containing the MPER mutants produced MPER-specific antibodies, the levels of which could be increased by the trimerization of the displayed proteins as well as by a DNA prime-VLP boost immunization strategy. Although 2F5 competed for binding to MPER with antibodies in sera of some of the immunized mice, neutralizing activity could not be detected. Whether this is due to inefficient binding of the induced antibodies to MPER in the context of wild type Env or whether the overall MPER-specific antibody response induced by the MPER display mutants is too low to reveal neutralizing activity, remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthias Tenbusch
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Alexander Stang
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Vladimir Temchura
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | - Bastian Grewe
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stefanie Koch
- Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Sulzbach, Germany
| | - Andreas Meyerhans
- ICREA Infection Biology Laboratory, Department of Experimental and Health Sciences, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Godwin Nchinda
- Laboratory of Immunology, The Chantal Biya International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Yaounde, Cameroon
| | - Lazare Kaptue
- Institut Supérieur des Sciences de la Santé, Université des Montagnes, Banganté, Cameroon
| | - Klaus Überla
- Department of Molecular and Medical Virology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Hessell AJ, Haigwood NL. Neutralizing antibodies and control of HIV: moves and countermoves. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2012; 9:64-72. [PMID: 22203469 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-011-0105-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
It is now evident that powerful antibodies directed to conserved regions of HIV-1 envelope protein develop during chronic infection in some individuals and that these antibodies can neutralize a broad array of diverse isolates in vitro, so termed broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). A great deal of effort is directed internationally at understanding the ontogeny of NAbs during infection as well as in designing and testing immunogens that can elicit bNAbs in animal models and in humans. Given the parrying tactics of Env, multiple approaches, along with high-resolution structural studies, will be needed to reach a degree of understanding sufficient to design an effective vaccine. We discuss and note here some of the most important recent advances in our knowledge of how neutralizing antibodies develop in vivo, the recent discovery of extremely powerful neutralizing monoclonal antibodies isolated from natural infection, enhanced methodologies that have accelerated discoveries on both fronts, and the progress made in eliciting potent NAbs with limited breadth by vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann J Hessell
- Pathobiology and Immunology Division, Oregon National Primate Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
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34
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Neutralizing epitopes in the membrane-proximal external region of HIV-1 gp41 are influenced by the transmembrane domain and the plasma membrane. J Virol 2012; 86:2930-41. [PMID: 22238313 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.06349-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Failure to elicit broadly neutralizing (bNt) antibodies (Abs) against the membrane-proximal external region of HIV-1 gp41 (MPER) reflects the difficulty of mimicking its neutralization-competent structure (NCS). Here, we analyzed MPER antigenicity in the context of the plasma membrane and identified a role for the gp41 transmembrane domain (TM) in exposing the epitopes of three bNt monoclonal Abs (MAbs) (2F5, 4E10, and Z13e1). We transiently expressed DNA constructs encoding gp41 ectodomain fragments fused to either the TM of the platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) or the gp41 TM and cytoplasmic tail domain (CT). Constructs encoding the MPER tethered to the gp41 TM followed by a 27-residue CT fragment (MPER-TM1) produced optimal MAb binding. Critical binding residues for the three Nt MAbs were identified using a panel of 24 MPER-TM1 mutants bearing single amino acid substitutions in the MPER; many were previously shown to affect MAb-mediated viral neutralization. Moreover, non-Nt mutants of MAbs 2F5 and 4E10 exhibited a reduction in binding to MPER-TM1 and yet maintained binding to synthetic MPER peptides, indicating that MPER-TM1 better approximates the MPER NCS than peptides. Replacement of the gp41 TM and CT of MPER-TM1 with the PDGFR TM reduced binding by MAb 4E10, but not 2F5, indicating that the gp41 TM plays a pivotal role in orienting the 4E10 epitope, and more globally, in affecting MPER exposure.
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35
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Dennison SM, Sutherland LL, Jaeger FH, Anasti KM, Parks R, Stewart S, Bowman C, Xia SM, Zhang R, Shen X, Scearce RM, Ofek G, Yang Y, Kwong PD, Santra S, Liao HX, Tomaras G, Letvin NL, Chen B, Alam SM, Haynes BF. Induction of antibodies in rhesus macaques that recognize a fusion-intermediate conformation of HIV-1 gp41. PLoS One 2011; 6:e27824. [PMID: 22140469 PMCID: PMC3227606 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0027824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 10/26/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A component to the problem of inducing broad neutralizing HIV-1 gp41 membrane proximal external region (MPER) antibodies is the need to focus the antibody response to the transiently exposed MPER pre-hairpin intermediate neutralization epitope. Here we describe a HIV-1 envelope (Env) gp140 oligomer prime followed by MPER peptide-liposomes boost strategy for eliciting serum antibody responses in rhesus macaques that bind to a gp41 fusion intermediate protein. This Env-liposome immunization strategy induced antibodies to the 2F5 neutralizing epitope ⁶⁶⁴DKW residues, and these antibodies preferentially bound to a gp41 fusion intermediate construct as well as to MPER scaffolds stabilized in the 2F5-bound conformation. However, no serum lipid binding activity was observed nor was serum neutralizing activity for HIV-1 pseudoviruses present. Nonetheless, the Env-liposome prime-boost immunization strategy induced antibodies that recognized a gp41 fusion intermediate protein and was successful in focusing the antibody response to the desired epitope.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Moses Dennison
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Laura L. Sutherland
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Frederick H. Jaeger
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Kara M. Anasti
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert Parks
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Shelley Stewart
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Cindy Bowman
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Shi-Mao Xia
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Ruijun Zhang
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Xiaoying Shen
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Richard M. Scearce
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gilad Ofek
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yongping Yang
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Peter D. Kwong
- Vaccine Research Center, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sampa Santra
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hua-Xin Liao
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Georgia Tomaras
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Norman L. Letvin
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Bing Chen
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - S. Munir Alam
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SMA); (BFH)
| | - Barton F. Haynes
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail: (SMA); (BFH)
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Cross-reactive HIV-1-neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies identified from a patient with 2F5-like antibodies. J Virol 2011; 85:11401-8. [PMID: 21880764 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.05312-11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The genes encoding broadly HIV-1-neutralizing human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) are highly divergent from their germ line counterparts. We have hypothesized that such high levels of somatic hypermutation could pose a challenge for elicitation of the broadly neutralizing (bn) Abs and that identification of less somatically mutated bn Abs may help in the design of effective vaccine immunogens. In a quest for such bn Abs, phage- and yeast-displayed antibody libraries, constructed using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from a patient with bn serum containing Abs targeting the epitope of the bn MAb 2F5, were panned against peptides containing the 2F5 epitope and against the HIV-1 gp140(JR-FL). Two MAbs (m66 and m66.6) were identified; the more mutated variant (m66.6) exhibited higher HIV-1-neutralizing activity than m66, although it was weaker than 2F5 in a TZM-bl cell assay. Binding of both MAbs to gp41 alanine substitution mutant peptides required the DKW(664-666) core of the 2F5 epitope and two additional upstream residues (L(660,663)). The MAbs have long (21-residue) heavy-chain third complementarity-determining regions (CDR-H3s), and m66.6 (but not m66) exhibited polyspecific reactivity to self- and non-self-antigens. Both m66 and m66.6 are significantly less divergent from their germ line Ab counterparts than 2F5--they have a total of 11 and 18 amino acid changes, respectively, from the closest VH and Vκ germ line gene products compared to 25 for 2F5. These new MAbs could help explore the complex maturation pathways involved in broad neutralization and its relationship with auto- and polyreactivity and may aid design of vaccine immunogens and development of therapeutics against HIV-1 infection.
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