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Brechun KE, Förschle M, Schmidt M, Kranz H. Method for plasmid-based antibiotic-free fermentation. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:18. [PMID: 38212806 PMCID: PMC10782701 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-023-02291-z] [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: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antibiotic-based plasmid selection and maintenance is a core tool in molecular biology; however, while convenient, this strategy has numerous drawbacks for biological manufacturing. Overuse of antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) contributes to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which is a growing threat to modern medicine. Antibiotics themselves are costly and therefore often omitted in fermentations, leading to plasmid loss and a corresponding loss in product yield. Furthermore, constitutive expression of a plasmid-encoded antibiotic resistance gene imposes a significant metabolic burden on the cells. For many fermentation products (e.g., in nutrition and medicine), the use of antibiotic resistance genes is subject to strict regulations and should be avoided. We present a method for plasmid selection and maintenance with stringent selection pressure that is independent of antibiotics and ARG. Furthermore, it can be used without any restrictions regarding culture medium and temperature. RESULTS The developed method involves modification of a bacterial strain such that an essential gene is expressed genomically under the control of an inducible promoter. A copy of the same essential gene with the endogenous promoter is supplied on a plasmid for selection. In the absence of the inducer for the genomic copy of the essential gene, cells rely on expression of the plasmid-encoded gene copy, leading to tight selection for plasmid maintenance. Induction of the genomic copy of the essential gene enables the engineered strain to be propagated in the absence of a plasmid. Here, we describe the genetic setup and demonstrate long-term, tight selection for plasmid maintenance with a variety of different plasmids and E. coli strains. CONCLUSIONS This method facilitates plasmid-based fermentations by eliminating the need for antibiotic selection and improving plasmid maintenance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E Brechun
- Gen-H Genetic Engineering Heidelberg GmbH, Im Neuenheimer Feld 584, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marion Förschle
- Gen-H Genetic Engineering Heidelberg GmbH, Im Neuenheimer Feld 584, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Marlen Schmidt
- Gen-H Genetic Engineering Heidelberg GmbH, Im Neuenheimer Feld 584, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Harald Kranz
- Gen-H Genetic Engineering Heidelberg GmbH, Im Neuenheimer Feld 584, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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2
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Firdessa Fite R, Bechi Genzano C, Mallone R, Creusot RJ. Epitope-based precision immunotherapy of Type 1 diabetes. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2023; 19:2154098. [PMID: 36656048 PMCID: PMC9980607 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2022.2154098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific immunotherapies (ASITs) address important clinical needs in treating autoimmune diseases. However, Type 1 diabetes is a heterogeneous disease wherein patient characteristics influence responsiveness to ASITs. Targeting not only disease-relevant T cell populations, but also specific groups of patients using precision medicine is a new goal toward achieving effective treatment. HLA-restricted peptides provide advantages over protein as antigens, however, methods for profiling antigen-specific T cells need to improve in sensitivity, depth, and throughput to facilitate epitope selection. Delivery approaches are highly diverse, illustrating the many ways relevant antigen-presenting cell populations and anatomical locations can be targeted for tolerance induction. The role of persistence of antigen presentation in promoting durable antigen-specific tolerance requires further investigation. Based on the outcome of ASIT trials, the field is moving toward using patient-specific variations to improve efficacy, but challenges still lie on the path to delivering more effective and safer treatment to the T1D patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebuma Firdessa Fite
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Camillo Bechi Genzano
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Roberto Mallone
- Université Paris Cité, Institut Cochin, CNRS, INSERM, Paris, France.,Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Diabétologie et Immunologie Clinique, Cochin Hospital, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Paris Centre-Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - Remi J Creusot
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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3
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Lykhopiy V, Malviya V, Humblet-Baron S, Schlenner SM. "IL-2 immunotherapy for targeting regulatory T cells in autoimmunity". Genes Immun 2023; 24:248-262. [PMID: 37741949 PMCID: PMC10575774 DOI: 10.1038/s41435-023-00221-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Abstract
FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg) are indispensable for immune homoeostasis and for the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) signalling is critical in all aspects of Treg biology. Consequences of defective IL-2 signalling are insufficient numbers or dysfunction of Treg and hence autoimmune disorders in human and mouse. The restoration and maintenance of immune homoeostasis remain central therapeutic aims in the field of autoimmunity. Historically, broadly immunosuppressive drugs with serious side-effects have been used for the treatment of autoimmune diseases or prevention of organ-transplant rejection. More recently, ex vivo expanded or in vivo stimulated Treg have been shown to induce effective tolerance in clinical trials supporting the clinical benefit of targeting natural immunosuppressive mechanisms. Given the central role of exogenous IL-2 in Treg homoeostasis, a new and promising focus in drug development are IL-2-based approaches for in vivo targeted expansion of Treg or for enhancement of their suppressive activity. In this review, we summarise the role of IL-2 in Treg biology and consequences of dysfunctional IL-2 signalling pathways. We then examine evidence of efficacy of IL-2-based biological drugs targeting Treg with specific focus on therapeutic candidates in clinical trials and discuss their limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lykhopiy
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- argenx BV, Industriepark Zwijnaarde 7, 9052, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vanshika Malviya
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stephanie Humblet-Baron
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Susan M Schlenner
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, KU Leuven-University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Huang M, Chen W, Wang M, Huang Y, Liu H, Ming Y, Chen Y, Tang Z, Jia B. Advanced Delivery Strategies for Immunotherapy in Type I Diabetes Mellitus. BioDrugs 2023; 37:331-352. [PMID: 37178431 PMCID: PMC10182560 DOI: 10.1007/s40259-023-00594-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been defined as an autoimmune disease characterised by immune-mediated destruction of the pancreatic β cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency and hyperglycaemia. Current research has increasingly focused on immunotherapy based on immunosuppression and regulation to rescue T-cell-mediated β-cell destruction. Although T1DM immunotherapeutic drugs are constantly under clinical and preclinical development, several key challenges remain, including low response rates and difficulty in maintaining therapeutic effects. Advanced drug delivery strategies can effectively harness immunotherapies and improve their potency while reducing their adverse effects. In this review, we briefly introduce the mechanisms of T1DM immunotherapy and focus on the current research status of the integration of the delivery techniques in T1DM immunotherapy. Furthermore, we critically analyse the challenges and future directions of T1DM immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingshu Huang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weixing Chen
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Min Wang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yisheng Huang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hongyu Liu
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Ming
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuanxin Chen
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhengming Tang
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Bo Jia
- Stomatological Hospital, School of Stomatology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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5
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Ackun-Farmmer MA, Jewell CM. Delivery route considerations for designing antigen-specific biomaterial strategies to combat autoimmunity. ADVANCED NANOBIOMED RESEARCH 2023; 3:2200135. [PMID: 36938103 PMCID: PMC10019031 DOI: 10.1002/anbr.202200135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Disease modifying drugs and biologics used to treat autoimmune diseases, although promising, are non-curative. As the field moves towards development of new approaches to treat autoimmune disease, antigen-specific therapies immunotherapies (ASITs) have emerged. Despite clinical approval of ASITs for allergies, clinical trials using soluble ASITs for autoimmunity have been largely unsuccessful. A major effort to address this shortcoming is the use of biomaterials to harness the features unique to specific delivery routes. This review focuses on biomaterials being developed for delivery route-specific strategies to induce antigen-specific responses in autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and celiac disease. We first discuss the delivery strategies used in ongoing and completed clinical trials in autoimmune ASITs. Next, we highlight pre-clinical biomaterial approaches from the most recent 3 years in the context of these same delivery route considerations. Lastly, we provide discussion on the gaps remaining in biomaterials development and comment on the need to consider delivery routes in the process of designing biomaterials for ASITs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian A Ackun-Farmmer
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Christopher M Jewell
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Maryland Medical School, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
- Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
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6
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Dolgin E. How a pioneering diabetes drug offers hope for preventing autoimmune disorders. Nature 2023; 614:404-406. [PMID: 36792744 DOI: 10.1038/d41586-023-00400-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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Wesley JD, Pagni PP, Bergholdt R, Kreiner FF, von Herrath M. Induction of antigenic immune tolerance to delay type 1 diabetes - challenges for clinical translation. Curr Opin Endocrinol Diabetes Obes 2022; 29:379-385. [PMID: 35776831 DOI: 10.1097/med.0000000000000742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Dissect the field of antigen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in type 1 diabetes (T1D), highlighting the major barriers currently blocking clinical translation. RECENT FINDINGS ASIT remains a promising approach in T1D to re-establish the proper balance in the immune system to avoid the autoimmune-mediated attack or destruction of beta-cells in the pancreas. Despite some encouraging preclinical results, ASIT has not yet successfully translated into clinical utility, predominantly due to the lack of validated and clinically useful biomarkers. SUMMARY To restore immune tolerance towards self-antigens, ASIT aims to establish a favourable balance between T effector cells and T regulatory cells. Whilst most ASITs, including systemic or oral administration of relevant antigens, have appeared safe in T1D, meaningful and durable preservation of functional beta-cell mass has not been proven clinically. Development, including clinical translation, remains negatively impacted by lack of predictive biomarkers with confirmed correlation between assay readout and clinical outcomes. To be able to address the high unmet medical need in T1D, we propose continued reinforced research to identify such biomarkers, as well efforts to ensure alignment in terms of trial design and conduct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johnna D Wesley
- Type 1 Diabetes & Kidney Disease, Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc., Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Philippe P Pagni
- Type 1 Diabetes & Kidney Disease, Global Drug Discovery, Novo Nordisk Research Center Seattle, Inc., Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Regine Bergholdt
- Type 1 Diabetes & Functional Insulins, Clinical Drug Development
| | | | - Matthias von Herrath
- Global Chief Medical Office, Novo Nordisk A/S, Søborg, Denmark
- Type 1 Diabetes Center, The La Jolla Institute for Immunology, La Jolla, California, USA
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Podojil JR, Genardi S, Chiang MY, Kakade S, Neef T, Murthy T, Boyne MT, Elhofy A, Miller SD. Tolerogenic Immune-Modifying Nanoparticles Encapsulating Multiple Recombinant Pancreatic β Cell Proteins Prevent Onset and Progression of Type 1 Diabetes in Nonobese Diabetic Mice. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:465-475. [PMID: 35725270 PMCID: PMC9339508 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by T and B cell responses to proteins expressed by insulin-producing pancreatic β cells, inflammatory lesions within islets (insulitis), and β cell loss. We previously showed that Ag-specific tolerance targeting single β cell protein epitopes is effective in preventing T1D induced by transfer of monospecific diabetogenic CD4 and CD8 transgenic T cells to NOD.scid mice. However, tolerance induction to individual diabetogenic proteins, for example, GAD65 (glutamic acid decarboxylase 65) or insulin, has failed to ameliorate T1D both in wild-type NOD mice and in the clinic. Initiation and progression of T1D is likely due to activation of T cells specific for multiple diabetogenic epitopes. To test this hypothesis, recombinant insulin, GAD65, and chromogranin A proteins were encapsulated within poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (COUR CNPs) to assess regulatory T cell induction, inhibition of Ag-specific T cell responses, and blockade of T1D induction/progression in NOD mice. Whereas treatment of NOD mice with CNPs containing a single protein inhibited the corresponding Ag-specific T cell response, inhibition of overt T1D development only occurred when all three diabetogenic proteins were included within the CNPs (CNP-T1D). Blockade of T1D following CNP-T1D tolerization was characterized by regulatory T cell induction and a significant decrease in both peri-insulitis and immune cell infiltration into pancreatic islets. As we have recently published that CNP treatment is both safe and induced Ag-specific tolerance in a phase 1/2a celiac disease clinical trial, Ag-specific tolerance induced by nanoparticles encapsulating multiple diabetogenic proteins is a promising approach to T1D treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Podojil
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
- COUR Pharmaceutical Development Company, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Samantha Genardi
- COUR Pharmaceutical Development Company, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Ming-Yi Chiang
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Sandeep Kakade
- COUR Pharmaceutical Development Company, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Tobias Neef
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
| | - Tushar Murthy
- COUR Pharmaceutical Development Company, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Michael T Boyne
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
- COUR Pharmaceutical Development Company, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Adam Elhofy
- COUR Pharmaceutical Development Company, Inc., Northbrook, IL; and
| | - Stephen D Miller
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL;
- Interdepartmental Immunobiology Center, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
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Postigo-Fernandez J, Firdessa-Fite R, Creusot RJ. Preclinical evaluation of a precision medicine approach to DNA vaccination in type 1 diabetes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2110987119. [PMID: 35385352 PMCID: PMC9169641 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2110987119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific immunotherapy involves the delivery of self-antigens as proteins or peptides (or using nucleic acids encoding them) to reestablish tolerance. The Endotope platform supports the optimal presentation of endogenously expressed epitopes on appropriate major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. Using specific epitopes that are disease-relevant (including neoepitopes and mimotopes) and restricted to the subject’s MHC haplotypes provides a more focused and tailored way of targeting autoreactive T cells. We evaluated the efficacy of an Endotope DNA vaccine tailored to the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse in parallel to one expressing the Proinsulin protein, a central autoantigen in NOD mice, and assessed the influence of several parameters (e.g., route, dosing frequency, disease stage) on diabetes prevention. Secretion of encoded peptides and intradermal delivery of DNA offered more effective disease prevention. Long-term weekly treatments were needed to achieve protection that can persist after discontinuation, likely mediated by regulatory T cells induced by at least one epitope. Although epitopes were presented for at least 2 wk, weekly treatments were needed, at least initially, to achieve significant protection. While Endotope and Proinsulin DNA vaccines were effective at both the prediabetic normoglycemic and dysglycemic stages of disease, Proinsulin provided better protection in the latter stage, particularly in animals with slower progression of disease, and Endotope limited insulitis the most in the earlier stage. Thus, our data support the possibility of applying a precision medicine approach based on tailored epitopes for the treatment of tissue-specific autoimmune diseases with DNA vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Postigo-Fernandez
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Rebuma Firdessa-Fite
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
| | - Rémi J. Creusot
- Columbia Center for Translational Immunology, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
- Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY 10032
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