1
|
Marques PH, Tiwari S, Felice AG, Jaiswal AK, Aburjaile FF, Azevedo V, Silva-Vergara ML, Ferreira-Paim K, Soares SDC, Fonseca FM. Design of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against Histoplasma capsulatum through Immunoinformatics Approaches. J Fungi (Basel) 2024; 10:43. [PMID: 38248954 PMCID: PMC10817582 DOI: 10.3390/jof10010043] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Histoplasmosis is a widespread systemic disease caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, prevalent in the Americas. Despite its significant morbidity and mortality rates, no vaccines are currently available. Previously, five vaccine targets and specific epitopes for H. capsulatum were identified. Immunoinformatics has emerged as a novel approach for determining the main immunogenic components of antigens through in silico methods. Therefore, we predicted the main helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes and B-cell epitopes for these targets to create a potential multi-epitope vaccine known as HistoVAC-TSFM. A total of 38 epitopes were found: 23 common to CTL and B-cell responses, 11 linked to HTL and B cells, and 4 previously validated epitopes associated with the B subunit of cholera toxin, a potent adjuvant. In silico evaluations confirmed the stability, non-toxicity, non-allergenicity, and non-homology of these vaccines with the host. Notably, the vaccine exhibited the potential to trigger both innate and adaptive immune responses, likely involving the TLR4 pathway, as supported by 3D modeling and molecular docking. The designed HistoVAC-TSFM appears promising against Histoplasma, with the ability to induce important cytokines, such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL17, and IL6. Future studies could be carried out to test the vaccine's efficacy in in vivo models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Henrique Marques
- Postgraduate Interunits Program in Bioinformatics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (P.H.M.); (A.K.J.)
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil;
| | - Sandeep Tiwari
- Institute of Biology, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil;
- Institute of Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador 40170-115, Brazil
| | - Andrei Giacchetto Felice
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (A.G.F.); (S.d.C.S.)
| | - Arun Kumar Jaiswal
- Postgraduate Interunits Program in Bioinformatics, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil; (P.H.M.); (A.K.J.)
| | - Flávia Figueira Aburjaile
- Department of Preventive Veterinary, Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil;
| | - Vasco Azevedo
- Department of Genetics, Ecology and Evolution, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil;
| | - Mario León Silva-Vergara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38025-440, Brazil;
| | - Kennio Ferreira-Paim
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (A.G.F.); (S.d.C.S.)
| | - Siomar de Castro Soares
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of Triangulo Mineiro, Uberaba 38015-050, Brazil; (A.G.F.); (S.d.C.S.)
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chechi JL, da Costa FAC, Figueiredo JM, de Souza CM, Valdez AF, Zamith-Miranda D, Camara AC, Taborda CP, Nosanchuk JD. Vaccine development for pathogenic fungi: current status and future directions. Expert Rev Vaccines 2023; 22:1136-1153. [PMID: 37936254 DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2023.2279570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fungal infections are caused by a broad range of pathogenic fungi that are found worldwide with different geographic distributions, incidences, and mortality rates. Considering that there are relatively few approved medications available for combating fungal diseases and no vaccine formulation commercially available, multiple groups are searching for new antifungal drugs, examining drugs for repurposing and developing antifungal vaccines, in order to control deaths, sequels, and the spread of these complex infections. AREAS COVERED This review provides a summary of advances in fungal vaccine studies and the different approaches under development, such as subunit vaccines, whole organism vaccines, and DNA vaccines, as well as studies that optimize the use of adjuvants. We conducted a literature search of the PubMed with terms: fungal vaccines and genus of fungal pathogens (Cryptococcus spp. Candida spp. Coccidioides spp. Aspergillus spp. Sporothrix spp. Histoplasma spp. Paracoccidioides spp. Pneumocystis spp. and the Mucorales order), a total of 177 articles were collected from database. EXPERT OPINION Problems regarding the immune response development in an immunocompromised organism, the similarity between fungal and mammalian cells, and the lack of attention by health organizations to fungal infections are closely related to the fact that, at present, there are no fungal vaccines available for clinical use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jéssica L Chechi
- Laboratório de Fungos Dimórficos Patogênicos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe A C da Costa
- Laboratório de Fungos Dimórficos Patogênicos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica (LIM-53), Departamento de Dermatologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
| | - Julia M Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Fungos Dimórficos Patogênicos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
| | - Cássia M de Souza
- Laboratório de Fisiologia e Biologia Molecular de Fungos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Londrina, Brazil
- Instituto Carlos Chagas, Fundação Oswaldo, Cruz (Fiocruz), Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Alessandro F Valdez
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Daniel Zamith-Miranda
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| | - Aline C Camara
- Laboratório de Fungos Dimórficos Patogênicos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica (LIM-53), Departamento de Dermatologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos P Taborda
- Laboratório de Fungos Dimórficos Patogênicos, Departamento de Microbiologia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
- Laboratório de Micologia Médica (LIM-53), Departamento de Dermatologia, Instituto de Medicina Tropical, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, SP, Brazil
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kischkel B, Boniche-Alfaro C, Menezes IDG, Rossi SA, Angeli CB, de Almeida SR, Palmisano G, Lopes-Bezerra L, Nosanchuk JD, Taborda CP. Immunoproteomic and Immunopeptidomic Analyses of Histoplasma capsulatum Reveal Promiscuous and Conserved Epitopes Among Fungi With Vaccine Potential. Front Immunol 2021; 12:764501. [PMID: 34880863 PMCID: PMC8645968 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.764501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
As there are more than 6 million human deaths due to mycoses each year, there is an urgent need to develop fungal vaccines. Moreover, given the similarities among pathogenic fungi, it may be possible to create a multi-fungi vaccine. In this study, we combined immunoproteomic and immunopeptidomic methods, for which we have adapted a technique based on co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) that made it possible to map Histoplasma capsulatum epitopes for the first time in a natural context using murine dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (Mφ). Although polysaccharide epitopes exist, this research focused on mapping protein epitopes as these are more immunogenic. We used different algorithms to screen proteins and peptides identified by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-D) and Co-IP. Seventeen proteins were revealed by 2-D gels, and 45 and 24 peptides from distinct proteins were presented by DCs and Mφ, respectively. We then determined which epitopes were restricted to MHC-I and II from humans and mice and showed high promiscuity, but lacked identity with human proteins. The 4 most promising peptides were synthesized, and the peptides with and without incorporation into glucan particles induced CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation and produced a Th1 and Th17 response marked by the secretion of high levels of IFN-γ, IL-17 and IL-2. These epitopes were from heat shock protein 60, enolase, and the ATP-dependent molecular chaperone HSC82, and they each have a high degree of identity with proteins expressed by other medically important pathogenic fungi. Thus, the epitopes described in this study have the potential for use in the development of vaccines that could result in cross-protection among fungal species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brenda Kischkel
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Camila Boniche-Alfaro
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabela de Godoy Menezes
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Suelen Andreia Rossi
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Claudia Blanes Angeli
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sandro Rogério de Almeida
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Giuseppe Palmisano
- Department of Parasitology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Leila Lopes-Bezerra
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joshua D Nosanchuk
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Carlos Pelleschi Taborda
- Department of Microbiology, Biomedical Sciences Institute, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Dermatology, Tropical Medicine Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Boniche C, Rossi SA, Kischkel B, Vieira Barbalho F, Nogueira D’Aurea Moura Á, Nosanchuk JD, Travassos LR, Pelleschi Taborda C. Immunotherapy against Systemic Fungal Infections Based on Monoclonal Antibodies. J Fungi (Basel) 2020; 6:jof6010031. [PMID: 32121415 PMCID: PMC7151209 DOI: 10.3390/jof6010031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2020] [Revised: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing incidence in systemic fungal infections in humans has increased focus for the development of fungal vaccines and use of monoclonal antibodies. Invasive mycoses are generally difficult to treat, as most occur in vulnerable individuals, with compromised innate and adaptive immune responses. Mortality rates in the setting of our current antifungal drugs remain excessively high. Moreover, systemic mycoses require prolonged durations of antifungal treatment and side effects frequently occur, particularly drug-induced liver and/or kidney injury. The use of monoclonal antibodies with or without concomitant administration of antifungal drugs emerges as a potentially efficient treatment modality to improve outcomes and reduce chemotherapy toxicities. In this review, we focus on the use of monoclonal antibodies with experimental evidence on the reduction of fungal burden and prolongation of survival in in vivo disease models. Presently, there are no licensed monoclonal antibodies for use in the treatment of systemic mycoses, although the potential of such a vaccine is very high as indicated by the substantial promising results from several experimental models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Camila Boniche
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Suélen Andreia Rossi
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Brenda Kischkel
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Filipe Vieira Barbalho
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
| | - Ágata Nogueira D’Aurea Moura
- Tropical Medicine Institute, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
| | - Joshua D. Nosanchuk
- Departments of Medicine (Division of Infectious Diseases) and Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461, USA;
| | - Luiz R. Travassos
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 04021-001, Brazil;
| | - Carlos Pelleschi Taborda
- Biomedical Sciences Institute, Department of Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.); (S.A.R.); (B.K.); (F.V.B.)
- Tropical Medicine Institute, Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 05403-000, Brazil;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
MyD88 Shapes Vaccine Immunity by Extrinsically Regulating Survival of CD4+ T Cells during the Contraction Phase. PLoS Pathog 2016; 12:e1005787. [PMID: 27542117 PMCID: PMC4991787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Accepted: 07/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Soaring rates of systemic fungal infections worldwide underscore the need for vaccine prevention. An understanding of the elements that promote vaccine immunity is essential. We previously reported that Th17 cells are required for vaccine immunity to the systemic dimorphic fungi of North America, and that Card9 and MyD88 signaling are required for the development of protective Th17 cells. Herein, we investigated where, when and how MyD88 regulates T cell development. We uncovered a novel mechanism in which MyD88 extrinsically regulates the survival of activated T cells during the contraction phase and in the absence of inflammation, but is dispensable for the expansion and differentiation of the cells. The poor survival of activated T cells in Myd88-/- mice is linked to increased caspase3-mediated apoptosis, but not to Fas- or Bim-dependent apoptotic pathways, nor to reduced expression of the anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL. Moreover, TLR3, 7, and/or 9, but not TLR2 or 4, also were required extrinsically for MyD88-dependent Th17 cell responses and vaccine immunity. Similar MyD88 requirements governed the survival of virus primed T cells. Our data identify unappreciated new requirements for eliciting adaptive immunity and have implications for designing vaccines. Despite several million new systemic fungal infections annually worldwide, there are no commercial vaccines available. The development of effective vaccines requires a fundamental understanding of how protective immune responses are induced. Using experimental vaccine strains, we previously demonstrated that populations of T helper cells producing interleukin 17 (Th17 cells) and interferon gamma (Th1 cells) mediate vaccine resistance to systemic dimorphic fungi of North America. Here, we report how the immune system recognizes the fungal vaccines and induces the development of protective T cells. We delineate the role of pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) and their common signaling pathway in host immune cells that recognize the fungal vaccine. While the signaling pathway studied is essential for the development of vaccine-induced T cells, the mechanism of action is novel and included T cell death after activation. The findings could be extended to virus-specific T cells suggesting that the mechanism is conserved among the microbial kingdom. Our work sheds new light on how protective T cells are induced and can be harnessed by vaccine strategies tailored against fungal and other microbial infections.
Collapse
|
6
|
Recent advances in our understanding of the environmental, epidemiological, immunological, and clinical dimensions of coccidioidomycosis. Clin Microbiol Rev 2014; 26:505-25. [PMID: 23824371 DOI: 10.1128/cmr.00005-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 171] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Coccidioidomycosis is the endemic mycosis caused by the fungal pathogens Coccidioides immitis and C. posadasii. This review is a summary of the recent advances that have been made in the understanding of this pathogen, including its mycology, genetics, and niche in the environment. Updates on the epidemiology of the organism emphasize that it is a continuing, significant problem in areas of endemicity. For a variety of reasons, the number of reported coccidioidal infections has increased dramatically over the past decade. While continual improvements in the fields of organ transplantation and management of autoimmune disorders and patients with HIV have led to dilemmas with concurrent infection with coccidioidomycosis, they have also led to advances in the understanding of the human immune response to infection. There have been some advances in therapeutics with the increased use of newer azoles. Lastly, there is an overview of the ongoing search for a preventative vaccine.
Collapse
|
7
|
Cassone A, Torosantucci A. Opportunistic fungi and fungal infections: the challenge of a single, general antifungal vaccine. Expert Rev Vaccines 2014; 5:859-67. [PMID: 17184223 DOI: 10.1586/14760584.5.6.859] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
A vaccine made up by an algal beta-glucan (laminarin), conjugated with a protein component, protects against infections by different fungi and induces antibodies capable of inhibiting fungal growth. Although taking a premium on a common molecular theme, this remains a sort of 'cross-kingdom' vaccine because the immunizing antigen and the vaccination target belong to organisms from two different kingdoms and this is certainly the first case in the field of human vaccines. Thus, it is possible to convey in a single immunological tool the potential to protect against multiple infections, in theory all those caused by beta-glucan-expressing fungi. The generation of antibodies with the potential to directly inhibit the growth of, or kill the fungal cells also opens an exciting perspective for both active and passive vaccination in immunocompromised subjects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Cassone
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immuno-mediated Diseases, Viale Regina Elena, Rome, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Abstract
Endemic mycoses remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. As the number of immunosuppressed individuals increases worldwide, the incidence of endemic mycoses is also expected to rise. In immunocompromised patients, endemic mycoses can present in atypical fashion, cause more severe and/or disseminated disease, and result in higher mortality. Despite several noteworthy advances over the past decade, significant challenges remain with regard to the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of endemic mycoses in immunocompromised hosts. This review highlights important developments related to the epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of commonly encountered endemic mycoses. We also discuss emerging topics, knowledge gaps, and areas of future research.
Collapse
|
9
|
Wüthrich M, LeBert V, Galles K, Hu-Li J, Ben-Sasson SZ, Paul WE, Klein BS. Interleukin 1 enhances vaccine-induced antifungal T-helper 17 cells and resistance against Blastomyces dermatitidis infection. J Infect Dis 2013; 208:1175-82. [PMID: 23788728 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jit283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccine-induced T-helper 17 (Th17) cells are necessary and sufficient to protect against fungal infection. Although live fungal vaccines are efficient in driving protective Th17 responses and immunity, attenuated fungi may not be safe for human use. Heat-inactivated formulations and subunit vaccines are safer but less potent and require adjuvant to increase their efficacy. Here, we show that interleukin 1 (IL-1) enhances the capacity of weak vaccines to induce protection against lethal Blastomyces dermatitidis infection in mice and is far more effective than lipopolysaccharide. While IL-1 enhanced expansion and differentiation of fungus-specific T cells by direct action on those cells, cooperation with non-T cells expressing IL-1R1 was necessary to maximize protection. Mechanistically, IL-17 receptor signaling was required for the enhanced protection induced by IL-1. Thus, IL-1 enhances the efficacy of safe but inefficient vaccines against systemic fungal infection in part by increasing the expansion of CD4(+) T cells, allowing their entry into the lungs, and inducing their differentiation to protective Th17 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Wüthrich
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin Medical School, University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Adjuvanticity of a recombinant calreticulin fragment in assisting anti-β-glucan IgG responses in T cell-deficient mice. CLINICAL AND VACCINE IMMUNOLOGY : CVI 2013; 20:582-9. [PMID: 23408527 DOI: 10.1128/cvi.00689-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Polysaccharide-encapsulated fungi are the chief source of diseases in immunocompromised hosts such as those infected with human immunodeficiency virus or neutropenia patients. Currently available polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccines are mainly T cell dependent and are usually ineffective in weakened immune systems. In this study, laminarin, a well-characterized β-1,3-glucan, was conjugated with a prokaryotically expressed recombinant fragment (amino acids [aa] 39 to 272) of calreticulin (rCRT/39-272), which exhibits extraordinarily potent immunogenicity and adjuvanticity in experimental animals. The resultant conjugate reserves the immunostimulatory effect of rCRT/39-272 on naïve murine B cells and is capable of eliciting anti-β-glucan IgG (mostly IgG1) responses in not only BALB/c mice but also athymic nude mice. Laminarin-CRT-induced mouse antibodies (Abs) are able to bind with Candida albicans and inhibit its growth in vitro. In addition, vaccination with laminarin-CRT partially protects mice from lethal C. albicans challenge. These results imply that rCRT/39-272 could be used as an ideal carrier or adjuvant for carbohydrate vaccines aimed at inducing or boosting IgG responses to fungal infections in immunodeficient hosts.
Collapse
|
11
|
Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast cells inhibit nitric oxide production by alveolar macrophage inducible nitric oxide synthase. Infect Immun 2011; 79:2385-95. [PMID: 21444664 DOI: 10.1128/iai.01249-10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability of pathogens to evade host antimicrobial mechanisms is crucial to their virulence. The dimorphic fungal pathogen Blastomyces dermatitidis can infect immunocompetent patients, producing a primary pulmonary infection that can later disseminate to other organs. B. dermatitidis possesses a remarkable ability to resist killing by alveolar macrophages. To date, no mechanism to explain this resistance has been described. Here, we focus on macrophage production of the toxic molecule nitric oxide as a potential target of subversion by B. dermatitidis yeast cells. We report that B. dermatitidis yeast cells reduce nitric oxide levels in the supernatants of activated alveolar macrophages. This reduction is not due to detoxification of nitric oxide, but rather to suppression of macrophage nitric oxide production. We show that B. dermatitidis yeast cells do not block upregulation of macrophage inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression or limit iNOS access to its arginine substrate. Instead, B. dermatitidis yeast cells appear to inhibit iNOS enzymatic activity. Further investigation into the genetic basis of this potential virulence mechanism could lead to the identification of novel antifungal drug targets.
Collapse
|
12
|
Wüthrich M, Gern B, Hung CY, Ersland K, Rocco N, Pick-Jacobs J, Galles K, Filutowicz H, Warner T, Evans M, Cole G, Klein B. Vaccine-induced protection against 3 systemic mycoses endemic to North America requires Th17 cells in mice. J Clin Invest 2011; 121:554-68. [PMID: 21206087 DOI: 10.1172/jci43984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 177] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2010] [Accepted: 11/03/2010] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide rates of systemic fungal infections, including three of the major pathogens responsible for such infections in North America (Coccidioides posadasii, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Blastomyces dermatitidis), have soared recently, spurring interest in developing vaccines. The development of Th1 cells is believed to be crucial for protective immunity against pathogenic fungi, whereas the role of Th17 cells is vigorously debated. In models of primary fungal infection, some studies have shown that Th17 cells mediate resistance, while others have shown that they promote disease pathology. Here, we have shown that Th1 immunity is dispensable and that fungus-specific Th17 cells are sufficient for vaccine-induced protection against lethal pulmonary infection with B. dermatitidis in mice. Further, vaccine-induced Th17 cells were necessary and sufficient to protect against the three major systemic mycoses in North America. Mechanistically, Th17 cells engendered protection by recruiting and activating neutrophils and macrophages to the alveolar space, while the induction of Th17 cells and acquisition of vaccine immunity unexpectedly required the adapter molecule Myd88 but not the fungal pathogen recognition receptor Dectin-1. These data suggest that human vaccines against systemic fungal infections should be designed to induce Th17 cells if they are to be effective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcel Wüthrich
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Torosantucci A, Chiani P, Bromuro C, De Bernardis F, Palma AS, Liu Y, Mignogna G, Maras B, Colone M, Stringaro A, Zamboni S, Feizi T, Cassone A. Protection by anti-beta-glucan antibodies is associated with restricted beta-1,3 glucan binding specificity and inhibition of fungal growth and adherence. PLoS One 2009; 4:e5392. [PMID: 19399183 PMCID: PMC2670538 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0005392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2009] [Accepted: 03/28/2009] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-β-glucan antibodies elicited by a laminarin-conjugate vaccine confer cross-protection to mice challenged with major fungal pathogens such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Cryptococcus neoformans. To gain insights into protective β-glucan epitope(s) and protection mechanisms, we studied two anti-β-glucan monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with identical complementarity-determining regions but different isotypes (mAb 2G8, IgG2b and mAb 1E12, IgM). C. albicans, the most relevant fungal pathogen for humans, was used as a model. Both mAbs bound to fungal cell surface and to the β1,3-β1,6 glucan of the fungal cell wall skeleton, as shown by immunofluorescence, electron-microscopy and ELISA. They were also equally unable to opsonize fungal cells in a J774 macrophage phagocytosis and killing assay. However, only the IgG2b conferred substantial protection against mucosal and systemic candidiasis in passive vaccination experiments in rodents. Competition ELISA and microarray analyses using sequence-defined glucan oligosaccharides showed that the protective IgG2b selectively bound to β1,3-linked (laminarin-like) glucose sequences whereas the non-protective IgM bound to β1,6- and β1,4-linked glucose sequences in addition to β1,3-linked ones. Only the protective IgG2b recognized heterogeneous, polydisperse high molecular weight cell wall and secretory components of the fungus, two of which were identified as the GPI-anchored cell wall proteins Als3 and Hyr1. In addition, only the IgG2b inhibited in vitro two critical virulence attributes of the fungus, hyphal growth and adherence to human epithelial cells. Our study demonstrates that the isotype of anti-β-glucan antibodies may affect details of the β-glucan epitopes recognized, and this may be associated with a differing ability to inhibit virulence attributes of the fungus and confer protection in vivo. Our data also suggest that the anti-virulence properties of the IgG2b mAb may be linked to its capacity to recognize β-glucan epitope(s) on some cell wall components that exert critical functions in fungal cell wall structure and adherence to host cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Torosantucci
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Paola Chiani
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Bromuro
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia De Bernardis
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelina S. Palma
- Glycosciences Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Yan Liu
- Glycosciences Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giuseppina Mignogna
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Maras
- Department of Biochemical Sciences ‘A. Rossi Fanelli’, University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’, Rome, Italy
| | - Marisa Colone
- Departments of Technology and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Annarita Stringaro
- Departments of Technology and Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Zamboni
- Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Ten Feizi
- Glycosciences Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Cassone
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
do Nascimento Martins EM, Reis BS, de Resende MA, de Andrade ASR, Goes AM. Mice Immunization with Radioattenuated Yeast Cells of Paracoccidiodes brasiliensis: Influence of the Number of Immunizations. Mycopathologia 2009; 168:51-8. [DOI: 10.1007/s11046-009-9197-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2008] [Accepted: 03/24/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
15
|
Immunization protocols for use in animal models of candidiasis. Methods Mol Biol 2009. [PMID: 19152036 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-60327-151-6_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
Immunoprotection during most forms of candidiasis (oropharyngeal, invasive) is lacking since most candidiasis patients are immunosuppressed either as a result of their allogeneic transplant, cancer chemotherapy, or HIV infection. Consequently, immunization might be considered as an unlikely way to protect patients from such infection. Nonetheless, there are a number of investigations that indicate active immunization or the passive treatment with hyperimmune, specific antibodies can result in protection in models of experimental candidiasis. The former subject, active immunization, is the subject of this chapter. We focus on recent efforts with the Als family of cell wall proteins to serve as a model, and also offer immunization methods in candidiasis models that can be adapted to any antigen of the organism.
Collapse
|
16
|
Boneberger S, Korting H. Therapeutische oder prophylaktische Vakzination bei Pilzinfektionen. Hautarzt 2008; 59:828-32. [DOI: 10.1007/s00105-008-1582-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
17
|
Galgiani JN. Vaccines to prevent systemic mycoses: holy grails meet translational realities. J Infect Dis 2008; 197:938-40. [PMID: 18419469 DOI: 10.1086/529205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- John N Galgiani
- Valley Fever Center for Excellence, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona 85724, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Fungal vaccines: real progress from real challenges. THE LANCET. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2008; 8:114-24. [DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(08)70016-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
|
19
|
Immunization with radioattenuated yeast cells of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis induces a long lasting protection in BALB/c mice. Vaccine 2007; 25:7893-9. [PMID: 17920169 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2007] [Revised: 08/27/2007] [Accepted: 09/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is the fungus agent of paracoccidioidomycosis, a chronic systemic disease prevalent in Latin America. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the protection elicited by the immunization of BALB/c mice with radioattenuated yeast cells of P. brasiliensis. The immunization promoted a long lasting protection against highly infective yeast forms of P. brasiliensis. A 99.5% decrease in CFUs recovery was verified 90 days post challenge. At the same time the levels of IgG2a and IFN-gamma were high while a very low production of IL-10 and IL-5 was verified, suggesting that a Th1 pattern was dominant. This work shows the potential of radioattenuated yeast cells for the development of vaccines against fungi infections.
Collapse
|
20
|
Cutler JE, Deepe GS, Klein BS. Advances in combating fungal diseases: vaccines on the threshold. Nat Rev Microbiol 2007; 5:13-28. [PMID: 17160002 PMCID: PMC2214303 DOI: 10.1038/nrmicro1537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 160] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The dramatic increase in fungal diseases in recent years can be attributed to the increased aggressiveness of medical therapy and other human activities. Immunosuppressed patients are at risk of contracting fungal diseases in healthcare settings and from natural environments. Increased prescribing of antifungals has led to the emergence of resistant fungi, resulting in treatment challenges. These concerns, together with the elucidation of the mechanisms of protective immunity against fungal diseases, have renewed interest in the development of vaccines against the mycoses. Most research has used murine models of human disease and, as we review in this article, the knowledge gained from these studies has advanced to the point where the development of vaccines targeting human fungal pathogens is now a realistic and achievable goal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jim E. Cutler
- Departments of Pediatrics and Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences, and Research Institute for Children at Children’s Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118 USA
| | - George S. Deepe
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45267–0560 USA
| | - Bruce S. Klein
- Departments of Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Medical Microbiology and Immunology and the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, 53792 USA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Fungal Vaccines and Vaccination: Problems and Perspectives. IMMUNOLOGY OF FUNGAL INFECTIONS 2007. [PMCID: PMC7121605 DOI: 10.1007/1-4020-5492-0_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Vaccines against human pathogenic fungi, a rather neglected medical need until few years ago, are now gaining steps in the public health priority scale. The awareness of the rising medical threat represented by the opportunistic fungal infections among the health care-associated infections, the advances in the knowledge of fungal pathogenicity and immune response and the extraordinary progress of biotechnology have generated enthusiasm and critical new tools for active and passive anti-fungal vaccination. The discovery that antibodies play a critical role for protection against fungal infection has greatly contributed to the advancements in this field, in recognition that almost all useful vaccines against viral and bacterial pathogens owe their protective efficacy to neutralizing, opsonizing or otherwise effective antibodies. Overall, there is more hope now than few years ago about the chances of generating and having approved by the regulatory authorities one or more antifungal vaccines, be active or passive, for use in humans in the next few years. In particular, the possibility of protecting against multiple opportunistic mycoses in immuno-depressed subjects with a single, well-defined glucan-conjugate vaccine eliciting directly anti-fungal antibodies may be an important step to achieve this public health goal
Collapse
|
22
|
|
23
|
Torosantucci A, Bromuro C, Chiani P, De Bernardis F, Berti F, Galli C, Norelli F, Bellucci C, Polonelli L, Costantino P, Rappuoli R, Cassone A. A novel glyco-conjugate vaccine against fungal pathogens. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 202:597-606. [PMID: 16147975 PMCID: PMC2212864 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20050749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
To generate a vaccine to protect against a variety of human pathogenic fungi, we conjugated laminarin (Lam), a well-characterized but poorly immunogenic beta-glucan preparation from the brown alga Laminaria digitata, with the diphtheria toxoid CRM197, a carrier protein used in some glyco-conjugate bacterial vaccines. This Lam-CRM conjugate proved to be immunogenic and protective as immunoprophylactic vaccine against both systemic and mucosal (vaginal) infections by Candida albicans. Protection probably was mediated by anti-beta-glucan antibodies as demonstrated by passive transfer of protection to naive mice by the whole immune serum, the immune vaginal fluid, and the affinity-purified anti-beta-glucan IgG fractions, as well as by administration of a beta-glucan-directed IgG2b mAb. Passive protection was prevented by adsorption of antibodies on Candida cells or beta-glucan particles before transfer. Anti-beta-glucan antibodies bound to C. albicans hyphae and inhibited their growth in vitro in the absence of immune-effector cells. Remarkably, Lam-CRM-vaccinated mice also were protected from a lethal challenge with conidia of Aspergillus fumigatus, and their serum also bound to and markedly inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus hyphae. Thus, this novel conjugate vaccine can efficiently immunize and protect against two major fungal pathogens by mechanisms that may include direct antifungal properties of anti-beta-glucan antibodies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Torosantucci
- Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immune-mediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Abstract
Cryptococcosis is a relatively common fungal disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans that has high morbidity and mortality. Numerous studies have established the feasibility of enhancing host immunity to C neoformans in naive immunocompetent animal models by vaccination. Several antigens have been identified that appear to be suitable vaccine candidates. Induced immune responses can mediate protection through both humoral and cellular immunity. Hence, a vaccine against cryptococcosis in humans is probably feasible but there are significant obstacles to vaccine development that range from uncertainties about the pathogenesis of infection to economic considerations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arturo Casadevall
- Division of Infectious Diseases of the Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 10461, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Segal BH, Kwon-Chung J, Walsh TJ, Klein BS, Battiwalla M, Almyroudis NG, Holland SM, Romani L. Immunotherapy for fungal infections. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 42:507-15. [PMID: 16421795 DOI: 10.1086/499811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2005] [Accepted: 10/17/2005] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Opportunistic fungal infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised individuals. Fungi have evolved complex and coordinated mechanisms to survive in the environment and in the mammalian host. Fungi must adapt to "stressors" in the host (including scarcity of nutrients, pH, and reactive oxygen and nitrogen intermediates) in addition to evading host immunity. Knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of fungal infections has paved the way to promising strategies for immunotherapy. These include strategies that increase phagocyte number, activate innate host defense pathways in phagocytes and dendritic cells, and stimulate antigen-specific immunity (e.g., vaccines). Immunotherapy must be tailored to specific immunocompromised states. Challenges exist in bringing promising immunotherapies from the laboratory to clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brahm H Segal
- Department of Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY 14263, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
26
|
Trevino R, Salvat R. Preventing reactivation of ocular histoplasmosis: Guidance for patients at risk. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 77:10-6. [PMID: 16458241 DOI: 10.1016/j.optm.2005.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (OHS), a significant cause of vision loss in young and middle-aged adults, is associated with the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum (Hc). There is considerable evidence that recurrent reactivation of perimacular ocular histoplasmosis lesions is an important cause of disease progression and that vision loss is at least, in part, a consequence of host sensitivity to fungal antigen. METHODS The etiology and pathogenesis of OHS is reviewed and specific recommendations are made for patients with OHS that may decrease the risk of reactivation of ocular histoplasmosis lesions and slow disease progression. CONCLUSION Patients with perimacular chorioretinal scars secondary to OHS should be informed by the clinician that they are at risk for vision loss; they should be told the symptoms of choroidal neovascularization and how to self-monitor their vision with an Amsler grid. We recommend they also be instructed on how to decrease their risk of reinfection by Hc. Aggressive treatment of dermatomycoses, onychomycosis, vaginal candidiasis, and other chronic fungal infections may decrease the risk of reactivation of ocular lesions. Patients with OHS who are considering LASIK surgery should be informed that the procedure may trigger choroidal neovascularization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Trevino
- Evansville Outpatient Clinic, Department of Veteran's Affairs, Evansville, Indiana 47713-2438, USA.
| | | |
Collapse
|