1
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Cunliffe RF, Stirling DC, Razzano I, Murugaiah V, Montomoli E, Kim S, Wane M, Horton H, Caproni LJ, Tregoning JS. Optimizing a linear 'Doggybone' DNA vaccine for influenza virus through the incorporation of DNA targeting sequences and neuraminidase antigen. DISCOVERY IMMUNOLOGY 2024; 3:kyad030. [PMID: 38567290 PMCID: PMC10917164 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Influenza virus represents a challenge for traditional vaccine approaches due to its seasonal changes and potential for zoonotic transmission. Nucleic acid vaccines can overcome some of these challenges, especially through the inclusion of multiple antigens to increase the breadth of response. RNA vaccines were an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, but for future outbreaks DNA vaccines may have some advantages in terms of stability and manufacturing cost that warrant continuing investigation to fully realize their potential. Here, we investigate influenza virus vaccines made using a closed linear DNA platform, Doggybone™ DNA (dbDNA), produced by a rapid and scalable cell-free method. Influenza vaccines have mostly focussed on Haemagglutinin (HA), but the inclusion of Neuraminidase (NA) may provide additional protection. Here, we explored the potential of including NA in a dbDNA vaccine, looking at DNA optimization, mechanism and breadth of protection. We showed that DNA targeting sequences (DTS) improved immune responses against HA but not NA. We explored whether NA vaccine-induced protection against influenza virus infection was cell-mediated, but depletion of CD8 and NK cells made no impact, suggesting it was antibody-mediated. This is reflected in the restriction of protection to homologous strains of influenza virus. Importantly, we saw that including both HA and NA in a single combined vaccine did not dampen the immune response to either one. Overall, we show that linear dbDNA can induce an immune response against NA, which may offer increased protection in instances of HA mismatch where NA remains more conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert F Cunliffe
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - David C Stirling
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Ilaria Razzano
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
- VisMederi srl, Siena, 53100, Italia
| | | | - Emanuele Montomoli
- VisMederi srl, Siena, 53100, Italia
- Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Sungwon Kim
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd, Hampton, TW12 2ER, UK
| | - Madina Wane
- Touchlight Genetics Ltd, Hampton, TW12 2ER, UK
| | | | | | - John S Tregoning
- Department of Infectious Disease, Imperial College London, London W2 1PG, UK
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2
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Mann JFS, McKay PF, Klein K, Pankrac J, Tregoning JS, Shattock RJ. Blocking T cell egress with FTY720 extends DNA vaccine expression but reduces immunogenicity. Immunology 2021; 165:301-311. [PMID: 34775601 PMCID: PMC9426614 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Optimal immunogenicity from nucleic acid vaccines requires a balance of antigen expression that effectively engages the host immune system without generating a cellular response that rapidly destroys cells producing the antigen and thereby limiting vaccine antigen expression. We investigated the role of the cellular response on the expression and antigenicity of DNA vaccines using a plasmid DNA construct expressing luciferase. Repeated intramuscular administration led to diminished luciferase expression, suggesting a role for immune‐mediated clearance of expression. To investigate the role of cell trafficking, we used the sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator, FTY720 (Fingolimod), which traps lymphocytes within the lymphoid tissues. When lymphocyte trafficking was blocked with FTY720, DNA transgene expression was maintained at a constant level for a significantly extended time period. Both continuous and staggered administration of FTY720 prolonged transgene expression. However, blocking lymphocyte egress during primary transgene administration did not result in an increase of transgene expression during secondary administration. Interestingly, there was a disconnect between transgene expression and immunogenicity, as increasing expression by this approach did not enhance the overall immune response. Furthermore, when FTY720 was administered alongside a DNA vaccine expressing the HIV gp140 envelope antigen, there was a significant reduction in both antigen‐specific antibody and T‐cell responses. This indicates that the developing antigen‐specific cellular response clears DNA vaccine expression but requires access to the site of expression in order to develop an effective immune response. DNA vaccine transgene expression in tissue can be extended through the co‐administration of the sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator, FTY720. Despite extending vaccine transgene expression, the administration of FTY720 can reduce vaccine elicited antibody and T‐cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie F S Mann
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom.,Bristol Veterinary School, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU, United Kingdom
| | - Paul F McKay
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Katja Klein
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom.,School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TD, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua Pankrac
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A 5C1, Canada
| | - John S Tregoning
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J Shattock
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Imperial College London, St Mary's Campus, London, W2 1PG, United Kingdom
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3
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Lofano G, Mallett CP, Bertholet S, O’Hagan DT. Technological approaches to streamline vaccination schedules, progressing towards single-dose vaccines. NPJ Vaccines 2020; 5:88. [PMID: 33024579 PMCID: PMC7501859 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-020-00238-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Accepted: 08/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccines represent the most successful medical intervention in history, with billions of lives saved. Although multiple doses of the same vaccine are typically required to reach an adequate level of protection, it would be advantageous to develop vaccines that induce protective immunity with fewer doses, ideally just one. Single-dose vaccines would be ideal to maximize vaccination coverage, help stakeholders to greatly reduce the costs associated with vaccination, and improve patient convenience. Here we describe past attempts to develop potent single dose vaccines and explore the reasons they failed. Then, we review key immunological mechanisms of the vaccine-specific immune responses, and how innovative technologies and approaches are guiding the preclinical and clinical development of potent single-dose vaccines. By modulating the spatio-temporal delivery of the vaccine components, by providing the appropriate stimuli to the innate immunity, and by designing better antigens, the new technologies and approaches leverage our current knowledge of the immune system and may synergize to enable the rational design of next-generation vaccination strategies. This review provides a rational perspective on the possible development of future single-dose vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Lofano
- GSK, Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Corey P. Mallett
- GSK, Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Sylvie Bertholet
- GSK, Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
| | - Derek T. O’Hagan
- GSK, Slaoui Center for Vaccines Research, Rockville, MD 20850 USA
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4
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Das S, Patel B. Marine resources and animals in modern biotechnology. Anim Biotechnol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-811710-1.00027-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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5
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Du Y, Qi Y, Jin Z, Tian J. Noninvasive imaging in cancer immunotherapy: The way to precision medicine. Cancer Lett 2019; 466:13-22. [DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 07/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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6
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Youn H, Hong KJ. Non-invasive molecular imaging of immune cell dynamics for vaccine research. Clin Exp Vaccine Res 2019; 8:89-93. [PMID: 31406689 PMCID: PMC6689497 DOI: 10.7774/cevr.2019.8.2.89] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to develop a successful vaccine against deadly diseases with a wide range of antigenic diversity, an in-depth knowledge of the molecules and signaling mechanisms between the vaccine candidates and immune cells is required. Therefore, monitoring vaccine components, such as antigen or adjuvants, and immune cell dynamics at the vaccination site or draining lymph nodes can provide important information to understand more about the vaccine response. This review briefly introduces and describes various non-invasive molecular imaging methods for visualizing immune cell dynamics after vaccination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyewon Youn
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cancer Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.,Cancer Imaging Center, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea
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7
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Guerrero S, Inostroza-Riquelme M, Contreras-Orellana P, Diaz-Garcia V, Lara P, Vivanco-Palma A, Cárdenas A, Miranda V, Robert P, Leyton L, Kogan MJ, Quest AFG, Oyarzun-Ampuero F. Curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion: a new safe and effective formulation to prevent tumor reincidence and metastasis. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:22612-22622. [PMID: 30484463 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr06173d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Curcumin is widely considered beneficial to human health, but insolubility and instability greatly hamper reproducible exploitation of the advantageous traits. Here we report on the development, characterization and evaluation of a curcumin-loaded nanoemulsion (CUR-NEM) that is highly effective in preventing post-surgery tumor reincidence and metastasis. The method of fabrication utilized safe excipients and generated particles of 200 nm (PDI ≤ 0.2) with negative zeta potential (-30 mV) and a high yield of curcumin (95%), which can be converted by lyophilization to a dry powder. In vitro assays showed that CUR-NEM is safe in non-cancerous human cells (HEK-293T) and preferentially cytotoxic in gastric (AGS), colon (HT29-ATCC, HT29-US), breast (MDA-MB-231) and melanoma (B16F10) cells. In addition, in melanoma cells the nanoformulation increases intracellular curcumin accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, while preventing cell-migration and invasion. In vivo studies in C57BL/6 mice demonstrated that a single dose, applied topically to the wounded area after surgical excision of primary tumors formed upon subcutaneous injection of syngeneic B16F10 cells, was sufficient to completely prevent reincident tumor growth and spontaneous lung metastasis, while in untreated animals 70% reincidence and metastasis were observed. In vivo experiments also showed that the fluorescence signal due to curcumin was maintained at least 15 days after topical application of CUR-NEM, while when administered in DMSO the curcumin signal disappeared within 4 days. Importantly, the administration of a dose 22 times larger than that applied topically to animals after tumor surgery did not alter biochemical parameters. Due to the safety and efficacy of the formulation, we envisage it as ideal for topical application in cancer patients following surgery, to prevent tumor reincidence and metastasis. In addition, other routes of administration/protocols could also be proposed to treat/prevent malignant tumors in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simón Guerrero
- Laboratory of Cellular Communication, Program of Cell and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBM), Faculty of Medicine, University of Chile, Av. Independencia 1027, Santiago 8380453, Chile
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8
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Airway T cells protect against RSV infection in the absence of antibody. Mucosal Immunol 2018; 11:249-256. [PMID: 28537249 DOI: 10.1038/mi.2017.46] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Tissue resident memory T (Trm) cells act as sentinels and early responders to infection. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-specific Trm cells have been detected in the lungs after human RSV infection, but whether they have a protective role is unknown. To dissect the protective function of Trm cells, BALB/c mice were infected with RSV; infected mice developed antigen-specific CD8+ Trm cells (CD103+/CD69+) in the lungs and airways. Intranasally transferring cells from the airways of previously infected animals to naïve animals reduced weight loss on infection in the recipient mice. Transfer of airway CD8 cells led to reduced disease and viral load and increased interferon-γ in the airways of recipient mice, while CD4 transfer reduced tumor necrosis factor-α in the airways. Because DNA vaccines induce a systemic T-cell response, we compared vaccination with infection for the effect of memory CD8 cells generated in different compartments. Intramuscular DNA immunization induced RSV-specific CD8 T cells, but they were immunopathogenic and not protective. Notably, there was a marked difference in the induction of Trm cells; infection but not immunization induced antigen-specific Trm cells in a range of tissues. These findings demonstrate a protective role for airway CD8 against RSV and support the need for vaccines to induce antigen-specific airway cells.
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9
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Vogel AB, Lambert L, Kinnear E, Busse D, Erbar S, Reuter KC, Wicke L, Perkovic M, Beissert T, Haas H, Reece ST, Sahin U, Tregoning JS. Self-Amplifying RNA Vaccines Give Equivalent Protection against Influenza to mRNA Vaccines but at Much Lower Doses. Mol Ther 2017; 26:446-455. [PMID: 29275847 PMCID: PMC5835025 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2017.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
New vaccine platforms are needed to address the time gap between pathogen emergence and vaccine licensure. RNA-based vaccines are an attractive candidate for this role: they are safe, are produced cell free, and can be rapidly generated in response to pathogen emergence. Two RNA vaccine platforms are available: synthetic mRNA molecules encoding only the antigen of interest and self-amplifying RNA (sa-RNA). sa-RNA is virally derived and encodes both the antigen of interest and proteins enabling RNA vaccine replication. Both platforms have been shown to induce an immune response, but it is not clear which approach is optimal. In the current studies, we compared synthetic mRNA and sa-RNA expressing influenza virus hemagglutinin. Both platforms were protective, but equivalent levels of protection were achieved using 1.25 μg sa-RNA compared to 80 μg mRNA (64-fold less material). Having determined that sa-RNA was more effective than mRNA, we tested hemagglutinin from three strains of influenza H1N1, H3N2 (X31), and B (Massachusetts) as sa-RNA vaccines, and all protected against challenge infection. When sa-RNA was combined in a trivalent formulation, it protected against sequential H1N1 and H3N2 challenges. From this we conclude that sa-RNA is a promising platform for vaccines against viral diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annette B Vogel
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany.
| | - Laura Lambert
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Ekaterina Kinnear
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London W2 1PG, UK
| | - David Busse
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London W2 1PG, UK
| | - Stephanie Erbar
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Lena Wicke
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | | | - Tim Beissert
- TRON GmbH, Freiligrathstraße 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Heinrich Haas
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Stephen T Reece
- BioNTech RNA Pharmaceuticals GmbH, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - Ugur Sahin
- BioNTech AG, An der Goldgrube 12, 55131 Mainz, Germany
| | - John S Tregoning
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London W2 1PG, UK.
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10
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Wang H, Ding Y, Su S, Meng D, Mujeeb A, Wu Y, Nie G. Assembly of hepatitis E vaccine by 'in situ' growth of gold clusters as nano-adjuvants: an efficient way to enhance the immune responses of vaccination. NANOSCALE HORIZONS 2016; 1:394-398. [PMID: 32260629 DOI: 10.1039/c6nh00087h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Vaccine-based immunotherapy plays an integral role in the development of present and future clinical therapies. Despite the success, there is still a great need to improve the efficiency and safety of vaccines. Nanoparticles have been widely used for improving the efficacy of vaccines by encapsulating the vaccines or using nanoparticles as immune adjuvants. However, the methods for the preparation of nanoparticles are complex with a relatively low encapsulation efficiency of protein vaccine inside the nanocarriers and/or undefined physiochemical properties. Here, we report a new method of preparation of a vaccine by the "in situ" growth of gold clusters in the hepatitis E vaccine (HEVA). The gold cluster grafted HEVA (HEVA/Au) can be easily obtained and there is no loss of HEVA during the preparation process. More importantly, the "in situ" prepared HEVA/Au can not only enhance its immune responses in vivo, but also reduce the potential toxicity of HEVA. Furthermore, the intrinsic fluorescence of gold clusters enables the HEVA to be traceable, which may open a way to track the dynamic behavior of vaccines and further help to optimize an individual therapeutic regimen for immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST), Beiyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China.
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11
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Lambert L, Kinnear E, McDonald JU, Grodeland G, Bogen B, Stubsrud E, Lindeberg MM, Fredriksen AB, Tregoning JS. DNA Vaccines Encoding Antigen Targeted to MHC Class II Induce Influenza-Specific CD8(+) T Cell Responses, Enabling Faster Resolution of Influenza Disease. Front Immunol 2016; 7:321. [PMID: 27602032 PMCID: PMC4993793 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2016.00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Current influenza vaccines are effective but imperfect, failing to cover against emerging strains of virus and requiring seasonal administration to protect against new strains. A key step to improving influenza vaccines is to improve our understanding of vaccine-induced protection. While it is clear that antibodies play a protective role, vaccine-induced CD8+ T cells can improve protection. To further explore the role of CD8+ T cells, we used a DNA vaccine that encodes antigen dimerized to an immune cell targeting module. Immunizing CB6F1 mice with the DNA vaccine in a heterologous prime-boost regime with the seasonal protein vaccine improved the resolution of influenza disease compared with protein alone. This improved disease resolution was dependent on CD8+ T cells. However, DNA vaccine regimes that induced CD8+ T cells alone were not protective and did not boost the protection provided by protein. The MHC-targeting module used was an anti-I-Ed single chain antibody specific to the BALB/c strain of mice. To test the role of MHC targeting, we compared the response between BALB/c, C57BL/6 mice, and an F1 cross of the two strains (CB6F1). BALB/c mice were protected, C57BL/6 were not, and the F1 had an intermediate phenotype; showing that the targeting of antigen is important in the response. Based on these findings, and in agreement with other studies using different vaccines, we conclude that, in addition to antibody, inducing a protective CD8 response is important in future influenza vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lambert
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Ekaterina Kinnear
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Jacqueline U McDonald
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London , London , UK
| | - Gunnveig Grodeland
- K. G. Jebsen Centre for Influenza Vaccine Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway
| | - Bjarne Bogen
- K. G. Jebsen Centre for Influenza Vaccine Research, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway; Centre for Immune Regulation, Institute for Immunology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - John S Tregoning
- Mucosal Infection and Immunity Group, Section of Virology, Department of Medicine, St. Mary's Campus, Imperial College London , London , UK
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12
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Mann JFS, Tregoning JS, Aldon Y, Shattock RJ, McKay PF. CD71 targeting boosts immunogenicity of sublingually delivered influenza haemagglutinin antigen and protects against viral challenge in mice. J Control Release 2016; 232:75-82. [PMID: 27094605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2016] [Revised: 04/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The delivery of vaccines to the sublingual mucosa is an attractive prospect due to the ease and acceptability of such an approach. However, novel adjuvant and delivery approaches are required to optimally vaccinate at this site. We have previously shown that conjugation of protein antigen to the iron transport molecule, transferrin, can significantly enhance mucosal immune responses. We tested whether conjugating influenza haemagglutinin to transferrin could improve the immune response to sublingually delivered antigen. Transferrin conjugated haemagglutinin induced a significant antibody and T cell response in both naïve animals and previously immunized animals. The immune response generated was able to protect mice against influenza virus challenge. Sublingually administered antigen dispersed more widely through the gastro-intestinal tract than intranasally delivered antigen and transferrin conjugation had a more marked effect on sublingually delivered antigen than intranasal immunisation. From these studies we conclude that transferrin conjugation of antigen is effective at boosting immune responses to sublingually delivered antigen and may be an attractive approach for influenza vaccines, particularly when mass campaigns are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie F S Mann
- Imperial College London, Mucosal Infection and Immunity, Section of Virology, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - John S Tregoning
- Imperial College London, Mucosal Infection and Immunity, Section of Virology, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Yoann Aldon
- Imperial College London, Mucosal Infection and Immunity, Section of Virology, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Robin J Shattock
- Imperial College London, Mucosal Infection and Immunity, Section of Virology, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom
| | - Paul F McKay
- Imperial College London, Mucosal Infection and Immunity, Section of Virology, St Mary's Campus, London W2 1PG, United Kingdom.
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