|
1
|
Lei EK, Azmat A, Henry KA, Hussack G. Outer membrane vesicles as a platform for the discovery of antibodies to bacterial pathogens. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 108:232. [PMID: 38396192 PMCID: PMC10891261 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-024-13033-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are nanosized spheroidal particles shed by gram-negative bacteria that contain biomolecules derived from the periplasmic space, the bacterial outer membrane, and possibly other compartments. OMVs can be purified from bacterial culture supernatants, and by genetically manipulating the bacterial cells that produce them, they can be engineered to harbor cargoes and/or display molecules of interest on their surfaces including antigens that are immunogenic in mammals. Since OMV bilayer-embedded components presumably maintain their native structures, OMVs may represent highly useful tools for generating antibodies to bacterial outer membrane targets. OMVs have historically been utilized as vaccines or vaccine constituents. Antibodies that target bacterial surfaces are increasingly being explored as antimicrobial agents either in unmodified form or as targeting moieties for bactericidal compounds. Here, we review the properties of OMVs, their use as immunogens, and their ability to elicit antibody responses against bacterial antigens. We highlight antigens from bacterial pathogens that have been successfully targeted using antibodies derived from OMV-based immunization and describe opportunities and limitations for OMVs as a platform for antimicrobial antibody development. KEY POINTS: • Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) of gram-negative bacteria bear cell-surface molecules • OMV immunization allows rapid antibody (Ab) isolation to bacterial membrane targets • Review and analysis of OMV-based immunogens for antimicrobial Ab development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eric K Lei
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Aruba Azmat
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin A Henry
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Greg Hussack
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
|
2
|
Abstract
Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spontaneously released by many gram-negative bacteria during their growth and constitute an important virulence factor for bacteria, helping them to survive through harsh environmental conditions. Native OMVs, naturally-released from bacteria, are produced at a level too low for vaccine manufacturing, requiring chemical treatment (detergent-extracted) or genetic manipulation, resulting in generalized modules for membrane antigens (GMMAs). Over the years, the nature and properties of OMVs have made them a viable platform for vaccine development. There are a few licensed OMV vaccines mainly for the prevention of meningitis caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). There are several candidates in clinical development against other gram-negative organisms from which the OMVs are derived, but also against heterologous targets in which the OMVs are used as carriers (e.g. coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]). The use of OMVs for targets other than those from which they are derived is a major advancement in OMV technology, improving its versatility by being able to deliver protein or polysaccharide antigens. Other advances include the range of genetic modifications that can be made to improve their safety, reduce reactogenicity, and increase immunogenicity and protective efficacy. However, significant challenges remain, such as identification of general tools for high-content surface expression of heterologous proteins on the OMV surface. Here, we outline the progress of OMV vaccines to date, particularly discussing licensed OMV-based vaccines and candidates in clinical development. Recent trends in preclinical research are described, mainly focused on genetic manipulation and chemical conjugation for the use of OMVs as carriers for heterologous protein and polysaccharide antigens. Remaining challenges with the use of OMVs and directions for future research are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH) S.r.l., Siena, Italy.
| | | | - Usman Nakakana
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH) S.r.l., Siena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
|
3
|
Wo J, Lv ZY, Sun JN, Tang H, Qi N, Ye BC. Engineering probiotic-derived outer membrane vesicles as functional vaccine carriers to enhance immunity against SARS-CoV-2. iScience 2022; 26:105772. [PMID: 36510593 PMCID: PMC9729586 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.105772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Because of the continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, there has been considerable interest in how to display multivalent antigens efficiently. Bacterial outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) can serve as an attractive vaccine delivery system because of their self-adjuvant properties and the ability to be decorated with antigens. Here we set up a bivalent antigen display platform based on engineered OMVs using mCherry and GFP and demonstrated that two different antigens of SARS-CoV-2 could be presented simultaneously in the lumen and on the surface of OMVs. Comparing immunogenicity, ClyA-NG06 fusion and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein in the OMV lumen elicited a stronger humoral response in mice than OMVs presenting either the ClyA-NG06 fusion or RBD alone. Taken together, we provided an efficient approach to display SARS-CoV-2 antigens in the lumen and on the surface of the same OMV and highlighted the potential of OMVs as general multi-antigen carriers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wo
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhao-Yong Lv
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang, China
| | - Jia-Nan Sun
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang, China
| | - Hao Tang
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang, China
| | - Nan Qi
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang, China
| | - Bang-Ce Ye
- Institute of Engineering Biology and Health, Collaborative Innovation Center of Yangtze River Delta Region Green Pharmaceuticals, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014 Zhejiang, China,Lab of Biosystem and Microanalysis, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China,Corresponding author
| |
Collapse
|
|
4
|
Alfini R, Brunelli B, Bartolini E, Carducci M, Luzzi E, Ferlicca F, Buccato S, Galli B, Lo Surdo P, Scarselli M, Romagnoli G, Cartocci E, Maione D, Savino S, Necchi F, Delany I, Micoli F. Investigating the Role of Antigen Orientation on the Immune Response Elicited by Neisseria meningitidis Factor H Binding Protein on GMMA. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:1182. [PMID: 35893831 PMCID: PMC9331691 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10081182] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
GMMA are outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) released from Gram-negative bacteria genetically modified to enhance OMVs formation that have been shown to be optimal systems to enhance immunogenicity of protein antigens. Here, we selected Neisseria meningitidis factor H binding protein (fHbp) and used the conjugation chemistry as a tool to alter antigen orientation on GMMA. Indeed, fHbp was randomly linked to GMMA or selectively attached via the N-terminus to mimic native presentation of the protein on the bacterial surface. Interestingly, protein and peptide array analyses confirmed that antibodies induced by the selective and the random conjugates showed a pattern very similar to fHbp natively expressed on bacterial surfaces or to the recombinant protein mixed with GMMA, respectively. However, the two conjugates elicited antibodies with similar serum bactericidal activity against meningococcal strains, superior to the protein alone or physically mixed with GMMA. Presentation of fHbp on GMMA strongly enhances the functional immune response elicited by the protein but its orientation on the bacterial surface does not have an impact. This study demonstrates the flexibility of the GMMA platform as a display and delivery system for enhancing antigen immunogenicity and further supports the use of such promising technology for the development of effective vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Renzo Alfini
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.A.); (M.C.); (F.N.)
| | - Brunella Brunelli
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Erika Bartolini
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Martina Carducci
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.A.); (M.C.); (F.N.)
| | - Enrico Luzzi
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Francesca Ferlicca
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Scilla Buccato
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Barbara Galli
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Paola Lo Surdo
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Maria Scarselli
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Giacomo Romagnoli
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Elena Cartocci
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Domenico Maione
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Silvana Savino
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Francesca Necchi
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.A.); (M.C.); (F.N.)
| | - Isabel Delany
- GSK, 53100 Siena, Italy; (B.B.); (E.B.); (E.L.); (F.F.); (S.B.); (B.G.); (P.L.S.); (M.S.); (G.R.); (E.C.); (D.M.); (S.S.); (I.D.)
| | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.A.); (M.C.); (F.N.)
| |
Collapse
|
|
5
|
Stefanetti G, Borriello F, Richichi B, Zanoni I, Lay L. Immunobiology of Carbohydrates: Implications for Novel Vaccine and Adjuvant Design Against Infectious Diseases. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:808005. [PMID: 35118012 PMCID: PMC8803737 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.808005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbohydrates are ubiquitous molecules expressed on the surface of nearly all living cells, and their interaction with carbohydrate-binding proteins is critical to many immunobiological processes. Carbohydrates are utilized as antigens in many licensed vaccines against bacterial pathogens. More recently, they have also been considered as adjuvants. Interestingly, unlike other types of vaccines, adjuvants have improved immune response to carbohydrate-based vaccine in humans only in a few cases. Furthermore, despite the discovery of many new adjuvants in the last years, aluminum salts, when needed, remain the only authorized adjuvant for carbohydrate-based vaccines. In this review, we highlight historical and recent advances on the use of glycans either as vaccine antigens or adjuvants, and we review the use of currently available adjuvants to improve the efficacy of carbohydrate-based vaccines. A better understanding of the mechanism of carbohydrate interaction with innate and adaptive immune cells will benefit the design of a new generation of glycan-based vaccines and of immunomodulators to fight both longstanding and emerging diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Stefanetti
- Department of Immunology, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Francesco Borriello
- Division of Immunology, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Barbara Richichi
- Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Ivan Zanoni
- Division of Immunology, Division of Gastroenterology, Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Luigi Lay
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
|
6
|
Di Benedetto R, Alfini R, Carducci M, Aruta MG, Lanzilao L, Acquaviva A, Palmieri E, Giannelli C, Necchi F, Saul A, Micoli F. Novel Simple Conjugation Chemistries for Decoration of GMMA with Heterologous Antigens. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10180. [PMID: 34638530 PMCID: PMC8508390 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Outer Membrane Vesicles (OMV) constitute a promising platform for the development of efficient vaccines. OMV can be decorated with heterologous antigens (proteins or polysaccharides), becoming attractive novel carriers for the development of multicomponent vaccines. Chemical conjugation represents a tool for linking antigens, also from phylogenetically distant pathogens, to OMV. Here we develop two simple and widely applicable conjugation chemistries targeting proteins or lipopolysaccharides on the surface of Generalized Modules for Membrane Antigens (GMMA), OMV spontaneously released from Gram-negative bacteria mutated to increase vesicle yield and reduce potential reactogenicity. A Design of Experiment approach was used to identify optimal conditions for GMMA activation before conjugation, resulting in consistent processes and ensuring conjugation efficiency. Conjugates produced by both chemistries induced strong humoral response against the heterologous antigen and GMMA. Additionally, the use of the two orthogonal chemistries allowed to control the linkage of two different antigens on the same GMMA particle. This work supports the further advancement of this novel platform with great potential for the design of effective vaccines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Francesca Micoli
- GSK Vaccines Institute for Global Health (GVGH), Via Fiorentina 1, 53100 Siena, Italy; (R.D.B.); (R.A.); (M.C.); (M.G.A.); (L.L.); (A.A.); (E.P.); (C.G.); (F.N.); (A.S.)
| |
Collapse
|