1
|
Santoni M, Gutierrez-Valdes N, Pivotto D, Zanichelli E, Rosa A, Sobrino-Mengual G, Balieu J, Lerouge P, Bardor M, Cecchetto R, Compri M, Mazzariol A, Ritala A, Avesani L. Performance of plant-produced RBDs as SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic reagents: a tale of two plant platforms. Front Plant Sci 2024; 14:1325162. [PMID: 38239207 PMCID: PMC10794598 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1325162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for rapid and cost-effective diagnostic tools. Serological tests, particularly those measuring antibodies targeting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the virus, play a pivotal role in tracking infection dynamics and vaccine effectiveness. In this study, we aimed to develop a simple enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for measuring RBD-specific antibodies, comparing two plant-based platforms for diagnostic reagent production. We chose to retain RBD in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to prevent potential immunoreactivity issues associated with plant-specific glycans. We produced ER-retained RBD in two plant systems: a stable transformation of BY-2 plant cell culture (BY2-RBD) and a transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana using the MagnICON system (NB-RBD). Both systems demonstrated their suitability, with varying yields and production timelines. The plant-made proteins revealed unexpected differences in N-glycan profiles, with BY2-RBD displaying oligo-mannosidic N-glycans and NB-RBD exhibiting a more complex glycan profile. This difference may be attributed to higher recombinant protein synthesis in the N. benthamiana system, potentially overloading the ER retention signal, causing some proteins to traffic to the Golgi apparatus. When used as diagnostic reagents in ELISA, BY2-RBD outperformed NB-RBD in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and correlation with a commercial kit. This discrepancy may be due to the distinct glycan profiles, as complex glycans on NB-RBD may impact immunoreactivity. In conclusion, our study highlights the potential of plant-based systems for rapid diagnostic reagent production during emergencies. However, transient expression systems, while offering shorter timelines, introduce higher heterogeneity in recombinant protein forms, necessitating careful consideration in serological test development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Denise Pivotto
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Elena Zanichelli
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | | | - Guillermo Sobrino-Mengual
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
- Applied Plant Biotechnology Group, Department of Plant Production and Forestry Science, University of Lleida-Agrotecnio CERCA Center, Lleida, Spain
| | - Juliette Balieu
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
| | - Patrice Lerouge
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
| | - Muriel Bardor
- Université de Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, GlycoMEV UR 4358, SFR Normandie Végétal FED 4277, Innovation Chimie Carnot, IRIB, GDR CNRS Chemobiologie, RMT BESTIM, Rouen, France
| | - Riccardo Cecchetto
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Monica Compri
- Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria, UOC Microbiologia e Virologia, Verona, Italy
| | - Annarita Mazzariol
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Microbiology Section, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Anneli Ritala
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., Espoo, Finland
| | - Linda Avesani
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chattopadhyay A, Jailani AAK, Mandal B. Exigency of Plant-Based Vaccine against COVID-19 Emergence as Pandemic Preparedness. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1347. [PMID: 37631915 PMCID: PMC10458178 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11081347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
After two years since the declaration of COVID-19 as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than six million deaths have occurred due to SARS-CoV-2, leading to an unprecedented disruption of the global economy. Fortunately, within a year, a wide range of vaccines, including pathogen-based inactivated and live-attenuated vaccines, replicating and non-replicating vector-based vaccines, nucleic acid (DNA and mRNA)-based vaccines, and protein-based subunit and virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines, have been developed to mitigate the severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These vaccines have proven highly effective in reducing the severity of illness and preventing deaths. However, the availability and supply of COVID-19 vaccines have become an issue due to the prioritization of vaccine distribution in most countries. Additionally, as the virus continues to mutate and spread, questions have arisen regarding the effectiveness of vaccines against new strains of SARS-CoV-2 that can evade host immunity. The urgent need for booster doses to enhance immunity has been recognized. The scarcity of "safe and effective" vaccines has exacerbated global inequalities in terms of vaccine coverage. The development of COVID-19 vaccines has fallen short of the expectations set forth in 2020 and 2021. Furthermore, the equitable distribution of vaccines at the global and national levels remains a challenge, particularly in developing countries. In such circumstances, the exigency of plant virus-based vaccines has become apparent as a means to overcome supply shortages through fast manufacturing processes and to enable quick and convenient distribution to millions of people without the reliance on a cold chain system. Moreover, plant virus-based vaccines have demonstrated both safety and efficacy in eliciting robust cellular immunogenicity against COVID-19 pathogens. This review aims to shed light on the advantages and disadvantages of different types of vaccines developed against SARS-CoV-2 and provide an update on the current status of plant-based vaccines in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anirudha Chattopadhyay
- Pulses Research Station, Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University, Sardarkrushinagar 385506, India;
| | - A. Abdul Kader Jailani
- Department of Plant Pathology, North Florida Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Quincy, FL 32351, USA
| | - Bikash Mandal
- Advanced Centre for Plant Virology, Division of Plant Pathology, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zahmanova G, Takova K, Tonova V, Koynarski T, Lukov LL, Minkov I, Pishmisheva M, Kotsev S, Tsachev I, Baymakova M, Andonov AP. The Re-Emergence of Hepatitis E Virus in Europe and Vaccine Development. Viruses 2023; 15:1558. [PMID: 37515244 PMCID: PMC10383931 DOI: 10.3390/v15071558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis. Transmission of HEV mainly occurs via the fecal-oral route (ingesting contaminated water or food) or by contact with infected animals and their raw meat products. Some animals, such as pigs, wild boars, sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, rats, etc., are natural reservoirs of HEV, which places people in close contact with them at increased risk of HEV disease. Although hepatitis E is a self-limiting infection, it could also lead to severe illness, particularly among pregnant women, or chronic infection in immunocompromised people. A growing number of studies point out that HEV can be classified as a re-emerging virus in developed countries. Preventative efforts are needed to reduce the incidence of acute and chronic hepatitis E in non-endemic and endemic countries. There is a recombinant HEV vaccine, but it is approved for use and commercially available only in China and Pakistan. However, further studies are needed to demonstrate the necessity of applying a preventive vaccine and to create conditions for reducing the spread of HEV. This review emphasizes the hepatitis E virus and its importance for public health in Europe, the methods of virus transmission and treatment, and summarizes the latest studies on HEV vaccine development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gergana Zahmanova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Katerina Takova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Valeria Tonova
- Department of Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Tsvetoslav Koynarski
- Department of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Laura L Lukov
- Faculty of Sciences, Brigham Young University-Hawaii, Laie, HI 96762, USA
| | - Ivan Minkov
- Department of Technology Transfer and IP Management, Center of Plant Systems Biology and Biotechnology, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, 4108 Markovo, Bulgaria
| | - Maria Pishmisheva
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pazardzhik Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment, 4400 Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
| | - Stanislav Kotsev
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Pazardzhik Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment, 4400 Pazardzhik, Bulgaria
| | - Ilia Tsachev
- Department of Microbiology, Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Trakia University, 6000 Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
| | - Magdalena Baymakova
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Military Medical Academy, 1606 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Anton P Andonov
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Blokhina EA, Mardanova ES, Zykova AA, Stepanova LA, Shuklina MA, Tsybalova LM, Ravin NV. Plant-Produced Nanoparticles Based on Artificial Self-Assembling Peptide Bearing the Influenza M2e Epitope. Plants (Basel) 2023; 12:plants12112228. [PMID: 37299207 DOI: 10.3390/plants12112228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in vaccine development, influenza remains a persistent global health threat and the search for a broad-spectrum recombinant vaccine against influenza continues. The extracellular domain of the transmembrane protein M2 (M2e) of the influenza A virus is highly conserved and can be used to develop a universal vaccine. M2e is a poor immunogen by itself, but it becomes highly immunogenic when linked to an appropriate carrier. Here, we report the transient expression of a recombinant protein comprising four tandem copies of M2e fused to an artificial self-assembling peptide (SAP) in plants. The hybrid protein was efficiently expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana using the self-replicating potato virus X-based vector pEff. The protein was purified using metal affinity chromatography under denaturing conditions. The hybrid protein was capable of self-assembly in vitro into spherical particles 15-30 nm in size. The subcutaneous immunization of mice with M2e-carrying nanoparticles induced high levels of M2e-specific IgG antibodies in serum and mucosal secretions. Immunization provided mice with protection against a lethal influenza A virus challenge. SAP-based nanoparticles displaying M2e peptides can be further used to develop a recombinant "universal" vaccine against influenza A produced in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elena A Blokhina
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Eugenia S Mardanova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Anna A Zykova
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| | - Liudmila A Stepanova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Marina A Shuklina
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Liudmila M Tsybalova
- Smorodintsev Research Institute of Influenza, Russian Ministry of Health, 197376 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nikolai V Ravin
- Institute of Bioengineering, Research Center of Biotechnology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071 Moscow, Russia
| |
Collapse
|