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Liu X, Li Y, Xiao H, Bi Y, Gong Y, Hu Z, Zeng Y, Sun M, He Z, Lu S, Li Q, Cun W. Identification of T Cell Epitopes in the Spike Glycoprotein of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 in Rhesus Macaques. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2021; 206:2527-2535. [PMID: 33980582 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The T cell response is an important detection index in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccine development. The present study was undertaken to determine the T cell epitopes in the spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 that dominate the T cell responses in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. PBMCs from rhesus macaques vaccinated with a DNA vaccine encoding the full-length S protein were isolated, and an ELISPOT assay was used to identify the recognized T cell epitopes among a total of 158 18-mer and 10-aa-overlapping peptides spanning the full-length S protein. Six multipeptide-based epitopes located in the S1 region, with four of the six located in the receptor-binding domain, were defined as the most frequently recognized epitopes in macaques. The conservation of the epitopes across species was also verified, and peptide mixtures for T cell response detection were established. Six newly defined T cell epitopes were found in the current study, which may provide a novel potential target for T cell response detection and the diagnosis and vaccine design of SARS-CoV-2 based on multipeptide subunit-based epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojuan Liu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Yuzhong Li
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Hongjian Xiao
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Yanwei Bi
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Yue Gong
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Zhengrong Hu
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Yaxin Zeng
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Ming Sun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Zhanlong He
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Shan Lu
- Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA
| | - Qihan Li
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
| | - Wei Cun
- Institute of Medical Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Kunming, China; .,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Vaccine Research and Development of Severe Infectious Disease, Kunming, China; and
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Development of Virus-Like-Particle Vaccine and Reporter Assay for Zika Virus. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.00834-17. [PMID: 28794019 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00834-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent worldwide outbreaks of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and the lack of an approved vaccine raise serious concerns regarding preparedness to combat this emerging virus. We used a virus-like particle (VLP)-based approach to develop a vaccine and a microneutralization assay for ZIKV. A synthetic capsid-premembrane-envelope (C-prM-E) gene construct of ZIKV was used to generate reporter virus particles (RVPs) that package a green fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter-expressing West Nile virus (WNV) replicon. The assay was adapted to a 96-well format, similar to the plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT), and showed high reproducibility with specific detection of ZIKV neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, C-prM-E and prM-E VLPs were tested as vaccine candidates in mice and compared to DNA vaccination. While the ZIKV prM-E construct alone was sufficient for generating VLPs, efficient VLP production from the C-prM-E construct could be achieved in the presence of the WNV NS2B-3 protease, which cleaves C from prM, allowing virus release. Immunization studies in mice showed that VLPs generated higher neutralizing antibody titers than those with the DNA vaccines, with C-prM-E VLPs giving slightly higher titers than those with prM-E VLPs. The superiority of C-prM-E VLPs suggests that inclusion of capsid may have benefits for ZIKV and other flaviviral VLP vaccines. To facilitate the VLP platform, we generated a stable cell line expressing high levels of ZIKV prM-E proteins that constitutively produce VLPs as well as a cell line expressing ZIKV C-prM-E proteins for RVP production. While several vaccine platforms have been proposed for ZIKV, this study describes a safe, effective, and economical VLP-based vaccine against ZIKV.IMPORTANCE To address the growing Zika virus epidemic, we undertook this study with two objectives: first, to develop a safe, effective, and economical vaccine for ZIKV, and second, to develop a rapid and versatile assay to detect the anti-ZIKV immune response. We generated a cell line stably expressing ZIKV prM-E that produces large amounts of VLPs in the supernatant and a ZIKV C-prM-E cell line that produces reporter virus particles upon transfection with a GFP replicon plasmid. The prM-E VLPs induced a strong neutralizing antibody response in mice that was better when the capsid was included. VLP-based vaccines showed significantly better neutralizing antibody responses than those with their DNA counterparts. The RVP-based microneutralization assay worked similarly to the PRNT assay, with a rapid GFP readout in a 96-well format. Our VLP-based platform provides a source for a ZIKV vaccine and diagnosis that can rapidly be adapted to current outbreaks.
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Vyas AK, Jindal A, Hissar S, Ramakrishna G, Trehanpati N. Immune balance in Hepatitis B Infection: Present and Future Therapies. Scand J Immunol 2017; 86:4-14. [PMID: 28387980 DOI: 10.1111/sji.12553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects millions of people worldwide and about half a million people die every year. India represents the second largest pool of chronic HBV infections with an estimated 40 million chronically infected patients. Persistence or clearance of HBV infection mainly depends upon host immune responses. Chronically infected individuals remain in immune tolerant phase unless HBV flares and leads to the development of chronic active hepatitis or acute-on-chronic liver failure. Strategies based on inhibition of viral replication (nucleoside analogues) or immune modulation (interferons) as monotherapy, or in combination in sequential therapies, are currently being used globally for reducing HBV viral load and mediating HBsAg clearance. However, the immune status and current therapies for promoting sustained virological responses in HBV-infected patients remain suboptimal. Elimination of cccDNA is major challenge for future therapies, and new molecules such as NTCP, Toll-like receptor (TLR)7 agonist (GS9620) and cyclophilin have emerged as potential targets for preventing HBV entry and replication. Other than these, HBV cccDNA elimination is the major target for future therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Vyas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - A Jindal
- Department of Hepatology, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - S Hissar
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - G Ramakrishna
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - N Trehanpati
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Institute of Liver & Biliary Sciences, New Delhi, India
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Koriyama H, Nakagami H, Nakagami F, Osako MK, Kyutoku M, Shimamura M, Kurinami H, Katsuya T, Rakugi H, Morishita R. Long-Term Reduction of High Blood Pressure by Angiotensin II DNA Vaccine in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Hypertension 2015; 66:167-74. [PMID: 26015450 DOI: 10.1161/hypertensionaha.114.04534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Accepted: 04/11/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Recent research on vaccination has extended its scope from infectious diseases to chronic diseases, including Alzheimer disease, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. The aim of this study was to design DNA vaccines for high blood pressure and eventually develop human vaccine therapy to treat hypertension. Plasmid vector encoding hepatitis B core-angiotensin II (Ang II) fusion protein was injected into spontaneously hypertensive rats using needleless injection system. Anti-Ang II antibody was successfully produced in hepatitis B core-Ang II group, and antibody response against Ang II was sustained for at least 6 months. Systolic blood pressure was consistently lower in hepatitis B core-Ang II group after immunization, whereas blood pressure reduction was continued for at least 6 months. Perivascular fibrosis in heart tissue was also significantly decreased in hepatitis B core-Ang II group. Survival rate was significantly improved in hepatitis B core-Ang II group. This study demonstrated that Ang II DNA vaccine to spontaneously hypertensive rats significantly lowered high blood pressure for at least 6 months. In addition, Ang II DNA vaccines induced an adequate humoral immune response while avoiding the activation of self-reactive T cells, assessed by ELISPOT assay. Future development of DNA vaccine to treat hypertension may provide a new therapeutic option to treat hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Koriyama
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hironori Nakagami
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Futoshi Nakagami
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariana Kiomy Osako
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mariko Kyutoku
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Munehisa Shimamura
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hitomi Kurinami
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Katsuya
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiromi Rakugi
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Morishita
- From the Division of Vascular Medicine and Epigenetics, Osaka University United Graduate School of Child Development, Suita, Osaka, Japan (H.K., H.N., M.K.O., M.S., H.K.); Departments of Clinical Gene Therapy (F.N., M.K., T.K., R.M.) and Geriatric Medicine and Nephrology (F.N., H.R.), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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Obeng-Adjei N, Choo DK, Saini J, Yan J, Pankhong P, Parikh A, Chu JS, Weiner DB. Synthetic DNA immunogen encoding hepatitis B core antigen drives immune response in liver. Cancer Gene Ther 2012; 19:779-87. [PMID: 23037809 DOI: 10.1038/cgt.2012.61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Asia and sub-Sahara Africa is alarming. With quarter of a billion people chronically infected worldwide and at risk of developing liver cancer, the need for a prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination approach that can effectively induce protective responses against the different genotypes of HBV is more important than ever. Such a strategy will require both the induction of a strong antigen-specific immune response and the subsequent deployment of immune response towards the liver. Here, we assessed the ability of a synthetic DNA vaccine encoding a recombinant consensus plasmid from genotype A through E of the HBV core antigen (HBcAg), to drive immunity in the liver. Intramuscular vaccination induced both strong antigen-specific T cell and high titer antibody responses systematically and in the liver. Furthermore, immunized mice showed strong cytotoxic responses that eliminate adoptively transferred HBV-coated target cells. Importantly, vaccine-induced immune responses provided protection from HBcAg plasmid-based liver transfection in a hydrodynamic liver transfection model. These data provide important insight into the generation of peripheral immune responses that are recruited to the liver-an approach that can be beneficial in the search for vaccines or immune-therapies to liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Obeng-Adjei
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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