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Loukinov D, Anderson AL, Mkrtichyan M, Ghochikyan A, Rivero-Hinojosa S, Tucker J, Lobanenkov V, Agadjanyan MG, Nelson EL. A Therapeutic Vaccine Targeting Rat BORIS (CTCFL) for the Treatment of Rat Breast Cancer Tumors. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:5976. [PMID: 36983050 PMCID: PMC10058450 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065976] [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: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer testis antigens are ideal for tumor immunotherapy due to their testis-restricted expression. We previously showed that an immunotherapeutic vaccine targeting the germ cell-specific transcription factor BORIS (CTCFL) was highly effective in treating aggressive breast cancer in the 4T1 mouse model. Here, we further tested the therapeutic efficacy of BORIS in a rat 13762 breast cancer model. We generated a recombinant VEE-VRP (Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis-derived replicon particle) vector-expressing modified rat BORIS lacking a DNA-binding domain (VRP-mBORIS). Rats were inoculated with the 13762 cells, immunized with VRP-mBORIS 48 h later, and then, subsequently, boosted at 10-day intervals. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. Cured rats were re-challenged with the same 13762 cells. We demonstrated that BORIS was expressed in a small population of the 13762 cells, called cancer stem cells. Treatment of rats with VRP-BORIS suppressed tumor growth leading to its complete disappearance in up to 50% of the rats and significantly improved their survival. This improvement was associated with the induction of BORIS-specific cellular immune responses measured by T-helper cell proliferation and INFγ secretion. The re-challenging of cured rats with the same 13762 cells indicated that the immune response prevented tumor growth. Thus, a therapeutic vaccine against rat BORIS showed high efficacy in treating the rat 13762 carcinoma. These data suggest that targeting BORIS can lead to the elimination of mammary tumors and cure animals even though BORIS expression is detected only in cancer stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Loukinov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Amanda Laust Anderson
- Center for Immunology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jo Tucker
- Center for Immunology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA
| | - Victor Lobanenkov
- Molecular Pathology Section, Laboratory of Immunogenetics, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | | | - Edward L. Nelson
- Center for Immunology, Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Irvine, CA 92868, USA
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2
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Nazarkina ZK, Zajakina A, Laktionov PP. Maturation and Antigen Loading Protocols Influence Activity of Anticancer Dendritic Cells. Mol Biol 2018. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893317050132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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3
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Zhao J, Zhao J, Mangalam AK, Channappanavar R, Fett C, Meyerholz DK, Agnihothram S, Baric RS, David CS, Perlman S. Airway Memory CD4(+) T Cells Mediate Protective Immunity against Emerging Respiratory Coronaviruses. Immunity 2016; 44:1379-91. [PMID: 27287409 PMCID: PMC4917442 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2016.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 389] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2015] [Revised: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Two zoonotic coronaviruses (CoVs)—SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV—have crossed species to cause severe human respiratory disease. Here, we showed that induction of airway memory CD4+ T cells specific for a conserved epitope shared by SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV is a potential strategy for developing pan-coronavirus vaccines. Airway memory CD4+ T cells differed phenotypically and functionally from lung-derived cells and were crucial for protection against both CoVs in mice. Protection was dependent on interferon-γ and required early induction of robust innate and virus-specific CD8+ T cell responses. The conserved epitope was also recognized in SARS-CoV- and MERS-CoV-infected human leukocyte antigen DR2 and DR3 transgenic mice, indicating potential relevance in human populations. Additionally, this epitope was cross-protective between human and bat CoVs, the progenitors for many human CoVs. Vaccine strategies that induce airway memory CD4+ T cells targeting conserved epitopes might have broad applicability in the context of new CoVs and other respiratory virus outbreaks. Intranasal but not subcutaneous vaccination protects mice from pathogenic human CoVs Protection is mediated by airway memory CD4+ T cells IFN-γ produced by airway memory CD4+ T cells is required for protection A conserved epitope in SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV induces cross-reactive T cell responses
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Affiliation(s)
- Jincun Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510120, China; Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
| | - Jingxian Zhao
- Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | | | | | - Craig Fett
- Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - David K Meyerholz
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Sudhakar Agnihothram
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ralph S Baric
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology and Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chella S David
- Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MI 55905, USA
| | - Stanley Perlman
- Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
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4
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Oreshkova N, Wichgers Schreur PJ, Spel L, Vloet RPM, Moormann RJM, Boes M, Kortekaas J. Nonspreading Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection of Human Dendritic Cells Results in Downregulation of CD83 and Full Maturation of Bystander Cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142670. [PMID: 26575844 PMCID: PMC4648518 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines based on nonspreading Rift Valley fever virus (NSR) induce strong humoral and robust cellular immune responses with pronounced Th1 polarisation. The present work was aimed to gain insight into the molecular basis of NSR-mediated immunity. Recent studies have demonstrated that wild-type Rift Valley fever virus efficiently targets and replicates in dendritic cells (DCs). We found that NSR infection of cultured human DCs results in maturation of DCs, characterized by surface upregulation of CD40, CD80, CD86, MHC-I and MHC-II and secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines IFN-β, IL-6 and TNF. Interestingly, expression of the most prominent marker of DC maturation, CD83, was consistently downregulated at 24 hours post infection. Remarkably, NSR infection also completely abrogated CD83 upregulation by LPS. Downregulation of CD83 was not associated with reduced mRNA levels or impaired CD83 mRNA transport from the nucleus and could not be prevented by inhibition of the proteasome or endocytic degradation pathways, suggesting that suppression occurs at the translational level. In contrast to infected cells, bystander DCs displayed full maturation as evidenced by upregulation of CD83. Our results indicate that bystander DCs play an important role in NSR-mediated immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Oreshkova
- Department of Virology, Central Veterinary Institute, part of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Virology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Paul J. Wichgers Schreur
- Department of Virology, Central Veterinary Institute, part of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Lotte Spel
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht/Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Rianka P. M. Vloet
- Department of Virology, Central Veterinary Institute, part of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, The Netherlands
| | - Rob J. M. Moormann
- Department of Virology, Central Veterinary Institute, part of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, The Netherlands
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Virology Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Marianne Boes
- Department of Pediatric Immunology and Laboratory of Translational Immunology, University Medical Centre Utrecht/Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen Kortekaas
- Department of Virology, Central Veterinary Institute, part of Wageningen University and Research Centre, Lelystad, The Netherlands
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5
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Meyer M, Garron T, Lubaki NM, Mire CE, Fenton KA, Klages C, Olinger GG, Geisbert TW, Collins PL, Bukreyev A. Aerosolized Ebola vaccine protects primates and elicits lung-resident T cell responses. J Clin Invest 2015; 125:3241-55. [PMID: 26168222 DOI: 10.1172/jci81532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Direct delivery of aerosolized vaccines to the respiratory mucosa elicits both systemic and mucosal responses. This vaccine strategy has not been tested for Ebola virus (EBOV) or other hemorrhagic fever viruses. Here, we examined the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of an aerosolized human parainfluenza virus type 3-vectored vaccine that expresses the glycoprotein (GP) of EBOV (HPIV3/EboGP) delivered to the respiratory tract. Rhesus macaques were vaccinated with aerosolized HPIV3/EboGP, liquid HPIV3/EboGP, or an unrelated, intramuscular, Venezuelan equine encephalitis replicon vaccine expressing EBOV GP. Serum and mucosal samples from aerosolized HPIV3/EboGP recipients exhibited high EBOV-specific IgG, IgA, and neutralizing antibody titers, which exceeded or equaled titers observed in liquid recipients. The HPIV3/EboGP vaccine induced an EBOV-specific cellular response that was greatest in the lungs and yielded polyfunctional CD8+ T cells, including a subset that expressed CD103 (αE integrin), and CD4+ T helper cells that were predominately type 1. The magnitude of the CD4+ T cell response was greater in aerosol vaccinees. The HPIV3/EboGP vaccine produced a more robust cell-mediated and humoral immune response than the systemic replicon vaccine. Moreover, 1 aerosol HPIV3/EboGP dose conferred 100% protection to macaques exposed to EBOV. Aerosol vaccination represents a useful and feasible vaccination mode that can be implemented with ease in a filovirus disease outbreak situation.
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6
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Preliminary Evaluation of a Bunyavirus Vector for Cancer Immunotherapy. J Virol 2015; 89:9124-7. [PMID: 26085169 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01105-15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Replicon particles of Rift Valley fever virus, referred to as nonspreading Rift Valley fever virus (NSR), are intrinsically safe and highly immunogenic. Here, we demonstrate that NSR-infected human dendritic cells can activate CD8(+) T cells in vitro and that prophylactic and therapeutic vaccinations of mice with NSR encoding a tumor-associated CD8 peptide can control the outgrowth of lymphoma cells in vivo. These results suggest that the NSR system holds promise for cancer immunotherapy.
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7
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An alphavirus-based adjuvant enhances serum and mucosal antibodies, T cells, and protective immunity to influenza virus in neonatal mice. J Virol 2014; 88:9182-96. [PMID: 24899195 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00327-14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED Neonatal immune responses to infection and vaccination are biased toward TH2 at the cost of proinflammatory TH1 responses needed to combat intracellular pathogens. However, upon appropriate stimulation, the neonatal immune system can induce adult-like TH1 responses. Here we report that a new class of vaccine adjuvant is especially well suited to enhance early life immunity. The GVI3000 adjuvant is a safe, nonpropagating, truncated derivative of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus that targets dendritic cells (DCs) in the draining lymph node (DLN) and produces intracellular viral RNA without propagating to other cells. RNA synthesis strongly activates the innate immune response so that in adult animals, codelivery of soluble protein antigens induces robust humoral, cellular, and mucosal responses. The adjuvant properties of GVI3000 were tested in a neonatal BALB/c mouse model using inactivated influenza virus (iFlu). After a single immunization, mice immunized with iFlu with the GVI3000 adjuvant (GVI3000-adjuvanted iFlu) had significantly higher and sustained influenza virus-specific IgG antibodies, mainly IgG2a (TH1), compared to the mice immunized with antigen only. GVI3000 significantly increased antigen-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, primed mucosal immune responses, and enhanced protection from lethal challenge. As seen in adult mice, the GVI3000 adjuvant increased the DC population in the DLNs, caused activation and maturation of DCs, and induced proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the DLNs soon after immunization, including gamma interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). In summary, the GVI3000 adjuvant induced an adult-like adjuvant effect with an influenza vaccine and has the potential to improve the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of new and existing neonatal vaccines. IMPORTANCE The suboptimal immune responses in early life constitute a significant challenge for vaccine design. Here we report that a new class of adjuvant is safe and effective for early life immunization and demonstrate its ability to significantly improve the protective efficacy of an inactivated influenza virus vaccine in a neonatal mouse model. The GVI3000 adjuvant delivers a truncated, self-replicating viral RNA into dendritic cells in the draining lymph node. Intracellular RNA replication activates a strong innate immune response that significantly enhances adaptive antibody and cellular immune responses to codelivered antigens. A significant increase in protection results from a single immunization. Importantly, this adjuvant also primed a mucosal IgA response, which is likely to be critical for protection during many early life infections.
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8
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Khalil SM, Tonkin DR, Mattocks MD, Snead AT, Johnston RE, White LJ. A tetravalent alphavirus-vector based dengue vaccine provides effective immunity in an early life mouse model. Vaccine 2014; 32:4068-74. [PMID: 24882043 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2014.05.053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2014] [Revised: 05/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/15/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Dengue viruses (DENV1-4) cause 390 million clinical infections every year, several hundred thousand of which progress to severe hemorrhagic and shock syndromes. Preexisting immunity resulting from a previous DENV infection is the major risk factor for severe dengue during secondary heterologous infections. During primary infections in infants, maternal antibodies pose an analogous risk. At the same time, maternal antibodies are likely to prevent induction of endogenous anti-DENV antibodies in response to current live, attenuated virus (LAV) vaccine candidates. Any effective early life dengue vaccine has to overcome maternal antibody interference (leading to ineffective vaccination) and poor induction of antibody responses (increasing the risk of severe dengue disease upon primary infection). In a previous study, we demonstrated that a non-propagating Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon expression vector (VRP), expressing the ectodomain of DENV E protein (E85), overcomes maternal interference in a BALB/c mouse model. We report here that a single immunization with a tetravalent VRP vaccine induced NAb and T-cell responses to each serotype at a level equivalent to the monovalent vaccine components, suggesting that this vaccine modality can overcome serotype interference. Furthermore, neonatal immunization was durable and could be boosted later in life to further increase NAb and T-cell responses. Although the neonatal immune response was lower in magnitude than responses in adult BALB/c mice, we demonstrate that VRP vaccines generated protective immunity from a lethal challenge after a single neonatal immunization. In summary, VRP vaccines expressing DENV antigens were immunogenic and protective in neonates, and hence are promising candidates for safe and effective vaccination in early life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syed Muaz Khalil
- Global Vaccines Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States; Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States.
| | - Daniel R Tonkin
- Global Vaccines Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | | | - Andrew T Snead
- Global Vaccines Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | | | - Laura J White
- Global Vaccines Inc., Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
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9
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Luciani F, Sanders MT, Oveissi S, Pang KC, Chen W. Increasing viral dose causes a reversal in CD8+ T cell immunodominance during primary influenza infection due to differences in antigen presentation, T cell avidity, and precursor numbers. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2012; 190:36-47. [PMID: 23233728 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1200089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
T cell responses are characterized by the phenomenon of immunodominance (ID), whereby peptide-specific T cells are elicited in a reproducible hierarchy of dominant and subdominant responses. However, the mechanisms that give rise to ID are not well understood. We investigated the effect of viral dose on primary CD8(+) T cell (T(CD8+)) ID by injecting mice i.p. with various doses of influenza A virus and assessing the primary T(CD8+) response to five dominant and subdominant peptides. Increasing viral dose enhanced the overall strength of the T(CD8+) response, and it altered the ID hierarchy: specifically, NP(366-374) T(CD8+) were dominant at low viral doses but were supplanted by PA(224-233) T(CD8+) at high doses. To understand the basis for this reversal, we mathematically modeled these T(CD8+) responses and used Bayesian statistics to obtain estimates for Ag presentation, T(CD8+) precursor numbers, and avidity. Interestingly, at low viral doses, Ag presentation most critically shaped ID hierarchy, enabling T(CD8+) specific to the more abundantly presented NP(366-374) to dominate. By comparison, at high viral doses, T(CD8+) avidity and precursor numbers appeared to be the major influences on ID hierarchy, resulting in PA(224-233) T(CD8+) usurping NP(366-374) cells as the result of higher avidity and precursor numbers. These results demonstrate that the nature of primary T(CD8+) responses to influenza A virus is highly influenced by Ag dose, which, in turn, determines the relative importance of Ag presentation, T(CD8+) avidity, and precursor numbers in shaping the ID hierarchy. These findings provide valuable insights for future T(CD8+)-based vaccination strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Luciani
- Infection and Inflammation Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
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10
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Osada T, Berglund P, Morse MA, Hubby B, Lewis W, Niedzwiecki D, Yang XY, Hobeika A, Burnett B, Devi GR, Clay TM, Smith J, Kim Lyerly H. Co-delivery of antigen and IL-12 by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles enhances antigen-specific immune responses and antitumor effects. Cancer Immunol Immunother 2012; 61:1941-51. [PMID: 22488274 PMCID: PMC3873731 DOI: 10.1007/s00262-012-1248-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2012] [Accepted: 03/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We recently demonstrated that Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-based replicon particle (VRPs) encoding tumor antigens could break tolerance in the immunomodulatory environment of advanced cancer. We hypothesized that local injection of VRP-expressing interleukin-12 (IL-12) at the site of injections of VRP-based cancer vaccines would enhance the tumor-antigen-specific T cell and antibody responses and antitumor efficacy. Mice were immunized with VRP encoding the human tumor-associated antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (VRP-CEA(6D)), and VRP-IL-12 was also administered at the same site or at a distant location. CEA-specific T cell and antibody responses were measured. To determine antitumor activity, mice were implanted with MC38-CEA-2 cells and immunized with VRP-CEA with and without VRP-IL-12, and tumor growth and mouse survival were measured. VRP-IL-12 greatly enhanced CEA-specific T cell and antibody responses when combined with VRP-CEA(6D) vaccination. VRP-IL-12 was superior to IL-12 protein at enhancing immune responses. Vaccination with VRP-CEA(6D) plus VRP-IL-12 was superior to VRP-CEA(6D) or VRP-IL-12 alone in inducing antitumor activity and prolonging survival in tumor-bearing mice. Importantly, local injection of VRP-IL-12 at the VRP-CEA(6D) injection site provided more potent activation of CEA-specific immune responses than that of VRP-IL-12 injected at a distant site from the VRP-CEA injections. Together, this study shows that VRP-IL-12 enhances vaccination with VRP-CEA(6D) and was more effective at activating CEA-specific T cell responses when locally expressed at the vaccine site. Clinical trials evaluating the adjuvant effect of VRP-IL-12 at enhancing the immunogenicity of cancer vaccines are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Osada
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2606 MSRB1 Rm 433b Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | | | - Michael A. Morse
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
- Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Bolyn Hubby
- Liquidia Technologies, RTP, Durham, NC 27709 USA
| | | | | | - Xiao Yi Yang
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2606 MSRB1 Rm 433b Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Amy Hobeika
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2606 MSRB1 Rm 433b Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Bruce Burnett
- Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Gayathri R. Devi
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2606 MSRB1 Rm 433b Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | - Timothy M. Clay
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2606 MSRB1 Rm 433b Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
- Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
| | | | - H. Kim Lyerly
- Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 2606 MSRB1 Rm 433b Research Dr, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Department of Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC USA
- Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Durham, NC 27710 USA
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11
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Tonkin DR, Whitmore A, Johnston RE, Barro M. Infected dendritic cells are sufficient to mediate the adjuvant activity generated by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles. Vaccine 2012; 30:4532-42. [PMID: 22531556 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2012.04.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2012] [Accepted: 04/09/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Replicon particles derived from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) are infectious non-propagating particles which act as a safe and potent systemic, mucosal, and cellular adjuvant when delivered with antigen. VEE and VEE replicon particles (VRP) can target multiple cell types including dendritic cells (DCs). The role of these cell types in VRP adjuvant activity has not been previously evaluated, and for these studies we focused on the contribution of DCs to the response to VRP. By analysis of VRP targeting in the draining lymph node, we found that VRP induced rapid recruitment of TNF-secreting monocyte-derived inflammatory dendritic cells. VRP preferentially infected these inflammatory DCs as well as classical DCs and macrophages, with less efficient infection of other cell types. DC depletion suggested that the interaction of VRP with classical DCs was required for recruitment of inflammatory DCs, induction of high levels of many cytokines, and for stable transport of VRP to the draining lymph node. Additionally, in vitro-infected DCs enhanced antigen-specific responses by CD4 and CD8 T cells. By transfer of VRP-infected DCs into mice we showed that these DCs generated an inflammatory state in the draining lymph node similar to that achieved by VRP injection. Most importantly, VRP-infected DCs were sufficient to establish robust adjuvant activity in mice comparable to that produced by VRP injection. These findings indicate that VRP infect, recruit and activate both classical and inflammatory DCs, and those DCs become mediators of the VRP adjuvant activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel R Tonkin
- Global Vaccines Inc, 7020 Kit Creek Rd, Ste. 240, PO Box 14827, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA.
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12
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The immunosuppressive tumor environment is the major impediment to successful therapeutic vaccination in Neu transgenic mice. J Immunother 2010; 33:482-91. [PMID: 20463599 DOI: 10.1097/cji.0b013e3181d756bb] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
We earlier showed that therapeutic vaccination of FVB/N mice with alphaviral replicon particles expressing rat neuET-VRP induced regression of established neu-expressing tumors. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of neuET-VRPs in a tolerant mouse model using mice with transgenic expression of neu. Using the same approach that induced regression of 70 mm(2) tumors in FVB/N mice, we were unable to inhibit tumor growth in tolerant neu-N mice, despite showing neu-specific B-cell and T-cell responses post vaccination. As neu-N mice have a limited T-cell repertoire specific to neu, we hypothesized that the absence of these T cells led to differences in the vaccine response. However, transfer of neu-specific T cells from vaccinated FVB/N mice was not effective in inducing tumor regression, as these cells did not proliferate in the tumor-draining lymph node. Vaccination given with low-dose cyclophosphamide to deplete regulatory T cells delayed tumor growth but did not result in tumor regression. Finally, we showed that T cells given with vaccination were effective in inhibiting tumor growth, if administered with approaches to deplete myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Our data show that both central deletion of lymphocytes and peripheral immunosuppressive mechanisms are present in neu-N mice. However, the major impediment to successful vaccination is the peripheral tumor-induced immune suppression.
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13
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Alphavirus vectors for cancer therapy. Virus Res 2010; 153:179-96. [PMID: 20692305 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2010.07.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2010] [Revised: 07/27/2010] [Accepted: 07/28/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Alphaviruses contain a single strand RNA genome that can be easily modified to express heterologous genes at very high levels in a broad variety of cells, including tumor cells. Alphavirus vectors can be used as viral particles containing a packaged vector RNA, or directly as nucleic acids in the form of RNA or DNA. In the latter case alphavirus RNA is cloned within a DNA vector downstream of a eukaryotic promoter. Expression mediated by these vectors is generally transient due to the induction of apoptosis. The high expression levels, induction of apoptosis, and activation of type I IFN response are the key features that have made alphavirus vectors very attractive for cancer treatment and vaccination. Alphavirus vectors have been successfully used as vaccines to induce protective and therapeutic immune responses against many tumor-associated antigens in animal models of mastocytoma, melanoma, mammary, prostate, and virally induced tumors. Alphavirus vectors have also shown a high antitumoral efficacy by expressing antitumoral molecules in tumor cells, which include cytokines, antiangiogenic factors or toxic proteins. In these studies induction of apoptosis in tumor cells contributed to the antitumoral efficacy by the release of tumor antigens that can be uptaken by antigen presenting cells, enhancing immune responses against tumors. The potential use of alphaviruses as oncolytic agents has also been evaluated for avirulent strains of Semliki Forest virus and Sindbis virus. The fact that this latter virus has a natural tropism for tumor cells has led to many studies in which this vector was able to reach metastatic tumors when administered systemically. Other "artificial" strategies to increase the tropism of alphavirus for tumors have also been evaluated and will be discussed.
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14
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Tonkin DR, Jorquera P, Todd T, Beard CW, Johnston RE, Barro M. Alphavirus replicon-based enhancement of mucosal and systemic immunity is linked to the innate response generated by primary immunization. Vaccine 2010; 28:3238-46. [PMID: 20184975 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2010.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2009] [Revised: 02/05/2010] [Accepted: 02/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP) function as an effective systemic, cellular and mucosal adjuvant when codelivered with antigen, and show promise for use as a component in new and existing human vaccine formulations. We show here that VRP are effective at low dose and by intramuscular delivery, two useful features for implementation of VRP as a vaccine adjuvant. In mice receiving a prime and boost with antigen, we found that VRP are required in prime only to produce a full adjuvant effect. This outcome indicates that the events triggered during prime with VRP are sufficient to establish the nature and magnitude of the immune response to a second exposure to antigen. Events induced by VRP in the draining lymph node after prime include robust secretion of many inflammatory cytokines, upregulation of CD69 on leukocytes, and increased cellularity, with a disproportionate increase of a cell population expressing CD11c, CD11b, and F4/80. We show that antigen delivered 24h after administration of VRP does not benefit from an adjuvant effect, indicating that the events which are critical to VRP-mediated adjuvant activity occur within the first 24h. Further studies of the events induced by VRP will help elucidate the mechanism of VRP adjuvant activity and will advance the safe implementation of this adjuvant in human vaccines.
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15
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Abstract
Enterovirus 71 (EV71) causes death and long-term neurologic sequelae in hundreds of thousands of young children, but its pathogenesis remains elusive. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in antiviral immunity by functioning as professional antigen-presenting cells to prime T cells and by secreting cytokines to modulate immune responses. Here, we show that EV71 productively infected human immature DCs and expressed viral antigen in DCs. EV71 entry into DCs was partially mediated by DC-SIGN. Further analyses revealed that EV71 increased the viability, activation, release of cytokines, interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and tumor necrosis factor-α in DCs. Moreover, EV71 enabled DCs to stimulate T-cell proliferation. Collectively, these findings suggest that EV71 infection of human DCs in vivo is very likely to elicit protective immunity, because in infected mice, both T cells and IL-6 function to reduce mortality.
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16
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Hacker K, White L, de Silva AM. N-linked glycans on dengue viruses grown in mammalian and insect cells. J Gen Virol 2009; 90:2097-106. [PMID: 19494052 DOI: 10.1099/vir.0.012120-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This study compared the ability of mosquito and mammalian cell-derived dengue virus (DENV) to infect human dendritic cell-specific ICAM3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN)-expressing cells and characterized the structure of envelope (E) protein N-linked glycans on DENV derived from the two cell types. DENVs derived from both cell types were equally effective at infecting DC-SIGN-expressing human monocytes and dendritic cells. The N-linked glycans on mosquito cell-derived virus were a mix of high-mannose and paucimannose glycans. In virus derived from mammalian cells, the N-linked glycans were a mix of high-mannose and complex glycans. These results indicate that N-linked glycans are incompletely processed during DENV egress from cells, resulting in high-mannose glycans on viruses derived from both cell types. Studies with full-length and truncated E protein demonstrated that incomplete processing was most likely a result of the poor accessibility of glycans on the membrane-anchored protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kari Hacker
- Department of Microbiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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17
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Nishimoto KP, Laust AK, Nelson EL. A human dendritic cell subset receptive to the Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-derived replicon particle constitutively expresses IL-32. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2008; 181:4010-8. [PMID: 18768856 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.181.6.4010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are a diverse population with the capacity to respond to a variety of pathogens. Because of their critical role in pathogenesis and Ag-specific adaptive immune responses, DCs are the focus of extensive study and incorporation into a variety of immunotherapeutic strategies. The diversity of DC subsets imposes a substantial challenge to the successful development of DC-based therapies, requiring identification of the involved subset(s) and the potential roles each contributes to the immunologic responses. The recently developed and promising Venezuelan equine encephalitis replicon particle (VRP) vector system has conserved tropism for a subset of myeloid DCs. This immunotherapeutic vector permits in situ targeting of DCs; however, it targets a restricted subset of DCs, which are heretofore uncharacterized. Using a novel technique, we isolated VRP-receptive and -nonreceptive populations from human monocyte-derived DCs. Comparative gene expression analysis revealed significant differential gene expression, supporting the existence of two distinct DC populations. Further analysis identified constitutive expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-32 as a distinguishing characteristic of VRP-receptive DCs. IL-32 transcript was exclusively expressed (>50 fold) in the VRP-receptive DC population relative to the background level of expression in the nonreceptive population. The presence of IL-32 transcript was accompanied by protein expression. These data are the first to identify a subset of immature monocyte-derived DCs constitutively expressing IL-32 and they provide insights into both DC biology and potential mechanisms employed by this potent vector system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Nishimoto
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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18
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Thompson JM, Whitmore AC, Staats HF, Johnston R. The contribution of type I interferon signaling to immunity induced by alphavirus replicon vaccines. Vaccine 2008; 26:4998-5003. [PMID: 18656518 PMCID: PMC3595171 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2007] [Revised: 05/28/2008] [Accepted: 07/08/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The type I interferon (IFN) system is critical for protecting the mammalian host from numerous virus infections and plays a key role in shaping the antiviral adaptive immune response. In this report, the importance of type I IFN signaling was assessed in a mouse model of alphavirus-induced humoral immune induction. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP) expressing the hemagglutinin (HA) gene from influenza virus (HA-VRP) were used to vaccinate both wildtype (wt) and IFN alpha/beta receptor knockout (RKO) mice. HA-VRP vaccination induced equivalent levels of flu-specific systemic IgG, mucosal IgG, and systemic IgA antibodies in both wt and IFN RKO mice. In contrast, HA-VRP vaccination of IFN RKO mice failed to induce significant levels of flu-specific mucosal IgA antibodies at multiple mucosal surfaces. In the VRP adjuvant system, co-delivery of null VRP with ovalbumin (OVA) protein significantly increased the levels of OVA-specific serum IgG, fecal IgG, and fecal IgA antibodies in both wt and RKO mice, suggesting that type I IFN signaling plays a less significant role in the VRP adjuvant effect. Taken together, these results suggest that (1) at least in regard to IFN signaling, the mechanisms which regulate alphavirus-induced immunity differ when VRP are utilized as expression vectors as opposed to adjuvants, and (2) type I IFN signaling is required for the induction of mucosal IgA antibodies directed against VRP-expressed antigen. These results shed new light on the regulatory networks which promote immune induction, and specifically mucosal immune induction, with alphavirus vaccine vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Thompson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599
| | - Alan C. Whitmore
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599
| | - Herman F. Staats
- Department of Pathology, and Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham NC 27710
| | - Robert Johnston
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill NC 27599
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19
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Eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses differ in their ability to infect dendritic cells and macrophages: impact of altered cell tropism on pathogenesis. J Virol 2008; 82:10634-46. [PMID: 18768986 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01323-08] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Eastern and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (EEEV and VEEV, respectively) cause severe morbidity and mortality in equines and humans. Like other mosquito-borne viruses, VEEV infects dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages in lymphoid tissues, fueling a serum viremia and facilitating neuroinvasion. In contrast, EEEV replicates poorly in lymphoid tissues, preferentially infecting osteoblasts. Here, we demonstrate that infectivity of EEEV for myeloid lineage cells including DCs and macrophages was dramatically reduced compared to that of VEEV, whereas both viruses replicated efficiently in mesenchymal lineage cells such as osteoblasts and fibroblasts. We determined that EEEV infection of myeloid lineage cells was restricted after attachment, entry, and uncoating of the genome. Using replicon particles and translation reporter RNAs, we found that translation of incoming EEEV genomes was almost completely inhibited in myeloid, but not mesenchymal, lineage cells. Alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) responses did not mediate the restriction, as infectivity was not restored in the absence of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase, RNase L, or IFN-alpha/beta receptor-mediated signaling. We confirmed these observations in vivo, demonstrating that EEEV is compromised in its ability to replicate within lymphoid tissues, whereas VEEV does so efficiently. The altered tropism of EEEV correlated with an almost complete avoidance of serum IFN-alpha/beta induction in vivo, which may allow EEEV to evade the host's innate immune responses and thereby enhance neurovirulence. Taken together, our data indicate that inhibition of genome translation restricts EEEV infectivity for myeloid but not mesenchymal lineage cells in vitro and in vivo. In this regard, the tropisms of EEEV and VEEV differ dramatically, likely contributing to observed differences in disease etiology.
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20
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Thompson JM, Whitmore AC, Staats HF, Johnston RE. Alphavirus replicon particles acting as adjuvants promote CD8+ T cell responses to co-delivered antigen. Vaccine 2008; 26:4267-75. [PMID: 18582997 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.05.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2007] [Revised: 05/14/2008] [Accepted: 05/20/2008] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Alphavirus replicon particles induce strong antibody and CD8+ T cell responses to expressed antigens in numerous experimental systems. We have recently demonstrated that Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP) possess adjuvant activity for systemic and mucosal antibody responses. In this report, we demonstrate that VRP induced an increased and balanced serum IgG subtype response to co-delivered antigen, with simultaneous induction of antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies, and increased both systemic and mucosal antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses, as measured by an IFN-gamma ELISPOT assay. Additionally, VRP further increased antigen-specific T cell immunity in an additive fashion following co-delivery with the TLR ligand, CpG DNA. VRP infection led to recruitment of CD8+ T cells into the mucosal compartment, possibly utilizing the mucosal homing receptor, as this integrin was upregulated on CD8+ T cells in the draining lymph node of VRP-infected animals, where VRP-infected dendritic cells reside. This newly recognized ability of VRP to mediate increased T cell response towards co-delivered antigen provides the potential to both define the molecular basis of alphavirus-induced immunity, and improve alphavirus-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M Thompson
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
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21
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Induction of broad CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell responses and cross-neutralizing antibodies against hepatitis C virus by vaccination with Th1-adjuvanted polypeptides followed by defective alphaviral particles expressing envelope glycoproteins gpE1 and gpE2 and nonstructural proteins 3, 4, and 5. J Virol 2008; 82:7492-503. [PMID: 18508900 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.02743-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Broad, multispecific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses to the hepatitis C virus (HCV), as well as virus-cross-neutralizing antibodies, are associated with recovery from acute infection and may also be associated in chronic HCV patients with a favorable response to antiviral treatment. In order to recapitulate all of these responses in an ideal vaccine regimen, we have explored the use of recombinant HCV polypeptides combined with various Th1-type adjuvants and replication-defective alphaviral particles encoding HCV proteins in various prime/boost modalities in BALB/c mice. Defective chimeric alphaviral particles derived from the Sindbis and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses encoding either the HCV envelope glycoprotein gpE1/gpE2 heterodimer (E1E2) or nonstructural proteins 3, 4, and 5 (NS345) elicited strong CD8(+) T-cell responses but low CD4(+) T helper responses to these HCV gene products. In contrast, recombinant E1E2 glycoproteins adjuvanted with MF59 containing a CpG oligonucleotide elicited strong CD4(+) T helper responses but no CD8(+) T-cell responses. A recombinant NS345 polyprotein also stimulated strong CD4(+) T helper responses but no CD8(+) T-cell responses when adjuvanted with Iscomatrix containing CpG. Optimal elicitation of broad CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cell responses to E1E2 and NS345 was obtained by first priming with Th1-adjuvanted proteins and then boosting with chimeric, defective alphaviruses expressing these HCV genes. In addition, this prime/boost regimen resulted in the induction of anti-E1E2 antibodies capable of cross-neutralizing heterologous HCV isolates in vitro. This vaccine formulation and regimen may therefore be optimal in humans for protection against this highly heterogeneous global pathogen.
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22
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A two-phase innate host response to alphavirus infection identified by mRNP-tagging in vivo. PLoS Pathog 2008; 3:e199. [PMID: 18215114 PMCID: PMC2151086 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.0030199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Accepted: 11/08/2007] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
A concept fundamental to viral pathogenesis is that infection induces specific changes within the host cell, within specific tissues, or within the entire animal. These changes are reflected in a cascade of altered transcription patterns evident during infection. However, elucidation of this cascade in vivo has been limited by a general inability to distinguish changes occurring in the minority of infected cells from those in surrounding uninfected cells. To circumvent this inherent limitation of traditional gene expression profiling methods, an innovative mRNP-tagging technique was implemented to isolate host mRNA specifically from infected cells in vitro as well as in vivo following Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) infection. This technique facilitated a direct characterization of the host defense response specifically within the first cells infected with VEE, while simultaneous total RNA analysis assessed the collective response of both the infected and uninfected cells. The result was a unique, multifaceted profile of the early response to VEE infection in primary dendritic cells, as well as in the draining lymph node, the initially targeted tissue in the mouse model. A dynamic environment of complex interactions was revealed, and suggested a two-step innate response in which activation of a subset of host genes in infected cells subsequently leads to activation of the surrounding uninfected cells. Our findings suggest that the application of viral mRNP-tagging systems, as introduced here, will facilitate a much more detailed understanding of the highly coordinated host response to infectious agents.
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23
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Collins PL, Bukreyev A. Advances in the development of vaccines against Marburg and Ebola viruses. Future Virol 2007; 2:537-541. [DOI: 10.2217/17460794.2.6.537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter L Collins
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Bethesda, MA 20892, USA
| | - Alexander Bukreyev
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease, National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 50 South Drive, Room 6505, Bethesda, MA 20892-8007, USA
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24
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Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles encoding respiratory syncytial virus surface glycoproteins induce protective mucosal responses in mice and cotton rats. J Virol 2007; 81:13710-22. [PMID: 17928349 PMCID: PMC2168850 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01351-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important viral pathogen that causes severe lower respiratory tract infection in infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. There are no licensed RSV vaccines to date. To prevent RSV infection, immune responses in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts are required. Previously, immunization with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRPs) demonstrated effectiveness in inducing mucosal protection against various pathogens. In this study, we developed VRPs encoding RSV fusion (F) or attachment (G) glycoproteins and evaluated the immunogenicity and efficacy of these vaccine candidates in mice and cotton rats. VRPs, when administered intranasally, induced surface glycoprotein-specific virus neutralizing antibodies in serum and immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies in secretions at the respiratory mucosa. In addition, fusion protein-encoding VRPs induced gamma interferon (IFN-gamma)-secreting T cells in the lungs and spleen, as measured by reaction with an H-2K(d)-restricted CD8(+) T-cell epitope. In animals vaccinated with F protein VRPs, challenge virus replication was reduced below the level of detection in both the upper and lower respiratory tracts following intranasal RSV challenge, while in those vaccinated with G protein VRPs, challenge virus was detected in the upper but not the lower respiratory tract. Close examination of histopathology of the lungs of vaccinated animals following RSV challenge revealed no enhanced inflammation. Immunization with VRPs induced balanced Th1/Th2 immune responses, as measured by the cytokine profile in the lungs and antibody isotype of the humoral immune response. These results represent an important first step toward the use of VRPs encoding RSV proteins as a prophylactic vaccine for RSV.
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25
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Fluet ME, Whitmore AC, Moshkoff DA, Fu K, Tang Y, Collier ML, West A, Moore DT, Swanstrom R, Johnston RE, Davis NL. Effects of rapid antigen degradation and VEE glycoprotein specificity on immune responses induced by a VEE replicon vaccine. Virology 2007; 370:22-32. [PMID: 17904185 PMCID: PMC2288739 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2007] [Revised: 06/20/2007] [Accepted: 08/20/2007] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Genetic vaccines are engineered to produce immunogens de novo in the cells of the host for stimulation of a protective immune response. In some of these systems, antigens engineered for rapid degradation have produced an enhanced cellular immune response by more efficient entry into pathways for processing and presentation of MHC class I peptides. VEE replicon particles (VRP), single cycle vaccine vectors derived from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), are examined here for the effect of an increased rate of immunogen degradation on VRP vaccine efficacy. VRP expressing the matrix capsid (MA/CA) portion of SIV Gag were altered to promote rapid degradation of MA/CA by various linkages to co-translated ubiquitin or by destabilizing mutations and were used to immunize BALB/c mice for quantitation of anti-MA/CA cellular and humoral immune responses. Rapid degradation by the N-end rule correlated with a dampened immune response relative to unmodified MA/CA when the VRP carried a glycoprotein spike from an attenuated strain of VEE. In contrast, statistically equivalent numbers of IFNgamma(+)T-cells resulted when VRP expressing unstable MA/CA were packaged with the wild-type VEE glycoproteins. These results suggest that the cell types targeted in vivo by VRP carrying mutant or wild type glycoprotein spikes are functionally different, and are consistent with previous findings suggesting that wild-type VEE glycoproteins preferentially target professional antigen presenting cells that use peptides generated from the degraded antigen for direct presentation on MHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Fluet
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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26
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Elliott MB, Chen T, Terio NB, Chong SY, Abdullah R, Luckay A, Egan MA, Boutilier LA, Melville K, Lerch RA, Long D, Eldridge JH, Parks CL, Udem SA, Hancock GE. Alphavirus replicon particles encoding the fusion or attachment glycoproteins of respiratory syncytial virus elicit protective immune responses in BALB/c mice and functional serum antibodies in rhesus macaques. Vaccine 2007; 25:7132-44. [PMID: 17850933 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.07.065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2007] [Revised: 07/22/2007] [Accepted: 07/24/2007] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute respiratory tract disease in humans. Towards development of a prophylactic vaccine, we genetically engineered Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) replicons encoding the fusion (Fa) or attachment (Ga or Gb) proteins of the A or B subgroups of RSV. Intramuscular immunization with a formulation composed of equal amounts of each replicon particle (3vRSV replicon vaccine) generated serum neutralizing antibodies against A and B strains of RSV in BALB/c mice and rhesus macaques. When contrasted with purified natural protein or formalin-inactivated RSV formulated with alum, the 3vRSV replicon vaccine induced balanced Th1/Th2 T cell responses in mice. This was evident in the increased number of RSV-specific IFN-gamma(+) splenocytes following F or G peptide stimulation, diminished quantity of eosinophils and type 2 T cell cytokines in the lungs after challenge, and increased in vivo lysis of RSV peptide-loaded target cells. The immune responses in mice were also protective against intranasal challenge with RSV. Thus, the replicon-based platform represents a promising new strategy for vaccines against RSV.
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27
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White LJ, Parsons MM, Whitmore AC, Williams BM, de Silva A, Johnston RE. An immunogenic and protective alphavirus replicon particle-based dengue vaccine overcomes maternal antibody interference in weanling mice. J Virol 2007; 81:10329-39. [PMID: 17652394 PMCID: PMC2045445 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00512-07] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
A candidate pediatric dengue virus (DENV) vaccine based on nonpropagating Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP) was tested for immunogenicity and protective efficacy in weanling mice in the presence and absence of potentially interfering maternal antibodies. A gene cassette encoding envelope proteins prM and E from mouse-adapted DENV type 2 (DENV2) strain NGC was cloned into a VEE replicon vector and packaged into VRP, which programmed proper in vitro expression and processing of DENV2 envelope proteins upon infection of Vero cells. Primary immunization of 3-week-old weanling BALB/c mice in the footpad with DENV2 VRP resulted in high levels of DENV-specific serum immunoglobulin G antibodies and significant titers of neutralizing antibodies in all vaccinates. A booster immunization 12 weeks after the prime immunization resulted in increased neutralizing antibodies that were sustained for at least 30 weeks. Immunization at a range of doses of DENV2 VRP protected mice from an otherwise-lethal intracranial DENV2 challenge. To model vaccination in the presence of maternal antibodies, weanling pups born to DENV2-immune or DENV2-naïve dams were immunized with either DENV2 VRP or live DENV2 given peripherally. The DENV2 VRP vaccine induced neutralizing-antibody responses in young mice regardless of the maternal immune status. In contrast, live-DENV2 vaccination performed poorly in the presence of preexisting anti-DENV2 antibodies. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a VRP vaccine approach as an early-life DENV vaccine in populations with high levels of circulating DENV antibodies and suggests the utility of VRP-based vaccines in other instances where maternal antibodies make early vaccination problematic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J White
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, CB 7292, 99 Manning Drive, 9029 Burnett-Womack, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7292, USA.
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28
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Moran TP, Burgents JE, Long B, Ferrer I, Jaffee EM, Tisch RM, Johnston RE, Serody JS. Alphaviral vector-transduced dendritic cells are successful therapeutic vaccines against neu-overexpressing tumors in wild-type mice. Vaccine 2007; 25:6604-12. [PMID: 17675184 PMCID: PMC2692294 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2007.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2007] [Revised: 06/16/2007] [Accepted: 06/22/2007] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
While dendritic cell (DC) vaccines can protect hosts from tumor challenge, their ability to effectively inhibit the growth of established tumors remains indeterminate. Previously, we have shown that human DCs transduced with Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRPs) were potent stimulators of antigen-specific T cells in vitro. Therefore, we investigated the ability of VRP-transduced DCs (VRP-DCs) to induce therapeutic immunity in vivo against tumors overexpressing the neu oncoprotein. Transduction of murine DCs with VRPs resulted in high-level transgene expression, DC maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Vaccination with VRP-DCs expressing a truncated neu oncoprotein induced robust neu-specific CD8(+) T cell and anti-neu IgG responses. Furthermore, a single vaccination with VRP-DCs induced the regression of large established tumors in wild-type mice. Interestingly, depletion of CD4(+), but not CD8(+), T cells completely abrogated inhibition of tumor growth following vaccination. Taken together, our results demonstrate that VRP-DC vaccines induce potent immunity against established tumors, and emphasize the importance of the generation of both CD4(+) T cell and B cell responses for efficient tumor inhibition. These findings provide the rationale for future evaluation of VRP-DC vaccines in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P. Moran
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Joseph E. Burgents
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Brian Long
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ivana Ferrer
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Jaffee
- Department of Oncology, Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
| | - Roland M. Tisch
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Robert E. Johnston
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jonathan S. Serody
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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29
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Durso RJ, Andjelic S, Gardner JP, Margitich DJ, Donovan GP, Arrigale RR, Wang X, Maughan MF, Talarico TL, Olmsted RA, Heston WDW, Maddon PJ, Olson WC. A Novel Alphavirus Vaccine Encoding Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Elicits Potent Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses. Clin Cancer Res 2007; 13:3999-4008. [PMID: 17606734 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-06-2202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is an attractive target for active immunotherapy. Alphavirus vaccines have shown promise in eliciting immunity to tumor antigens. This study investigated the immunogenicity of alphavirus vaccine replicon particles (VRP) that encode PSMA (PSMA-VRP). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Cells were infected with PSMA-VRP and evaluated for PSMA expression and folate hydrolase activity. Mice were immunized s.c. with PSMA-VRP or purified PSMA protein. Sera, splenocytes, and purified T cells were evaluated for the magnitude, durability, and epitope specificity of the anti-PSMA response. Antibodies were measured by flow cytometry, and cellular responses were measured by IFN-gamma enzyme-linked immunospot and chromium release assays. Cellular responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were mapped using overlapping 15-mer PSMA peptides. A Good Laboratory Practice-compliant toxicology study was conducted in rabbits. RESULTS PSMA-VRP directed high-level expression of active PSMA. Robust T-cell and B-cell responses were elicited by a single injection of 2 x 10(5) infectious units, and responses were boosted following repeat immunizations. Anti-PSMA responses were detected following three immunizations with 10(2) infectious units and increased with increasing dose. PSMA-VRP was more immunogenic than adjuvanted PSMA protein. Responses to PSMA-VRP were characterized by Th-1 cytokines, potent CTL activity, and IgG2a/IgG2b antibodies. T-cell responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice were directed toward different PSMA peptides. Immunogenic doses of PSMA-VRP were well tolerated in mice and rabbits. CONCLUSIONS PSMA-VRP elicited potent cellular and humoral immunity in mice, and specific anti-PSMA responses were boosted on repeat dosing. PSMA-VRP represents a promising approach for immunotherapy of prostate cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Durso
- Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York 10591, USA
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Abstract
The transfusion of T cells, also called adoptive T cell therapy, is an effective treatment for viral infections and has induced regression of cancer in early-stage clinical trials. However, recent advances in cellular immunology and tumor biology are guiding new approaches to adoptive T cell therapy. For example, use of engineered T cells is being tested as a strategy to improve the functions of effector and memory T cells, and manipulation of the host to overcome immunotoxic effects in the tumor microenvironment has led to promising results in early-stage clinical trials. Challenges that face the field and must be addressed before adoptive T cell therapy can be translated into routine clinical practice are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl H June
- Abramson Family Cancer Research Institute and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 421 Curie Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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31
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Nishimoto KP, Laust AK, Wang K, Kamrud KI, Hubby B, Smith JF, Nelson EL. Restricted and selective tropism of a Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-derived replicon vector for human dendritic cells. Viral Immunol 2007; 20:88-104. [PMID: 17425424 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2006.0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) consist of heterogeneous phenotypic populations and have diverse immunostimulatory functions dependent on both lineage and functional phenotype, but as exceptionally potent antigen-presenting cells, they are targets for generating effective antigen-specific immune responses. A promising replicon particle vector derived from Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) has been reported to transduce murine footpad DCs. However, the receptive DC subset, the degree of restriction for this tropism, and the extent of conservation between rodents and humans have not been well characterized. Using fresh peripheral blood DCs, mononuclear cells, monocyte-derived macrophages, and monocyte-derived DCs, our results demonstrate conservation of VEE replicon particle (VRP) tropism for DCs between humans and rodents. We observed that a subset of immature myeloid DCs is the target population, and that VRP-transduced immature DCs retain intact functional capacity, for example, the ability to resist the cytopathic effects of VRP transduction and the capacity to acquire the mature phenotype. These studies support the demonstration of selective VRP tropism for human DCs and provide further insight into the biology of the VRP vector, its parent virus, and human DCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Nishimoto
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, California 92697, USA
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32
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Nishimoto KP, Newkirk D, Hou S, Fruehauf J, Nelson EL. Fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) using RNAlater to minimize RNA degradation and perturbation of mRNA expression from cells involved in initial host microbe interactions. J Microbiol Methods 2007; 70:205-8. [PMID: 17512621 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2007.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2007] [Revised: 03/27/2007] [Accepted: 03/27/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Host microbe interactions frequently involve specific cellular tropism. Accurate characterization of cells involved in these initial interactions is complicated by the response to the microbe. We describe a method utilizing RNAlater for Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting of these critical cells that minimizes the downstream perturbation in the gene expression profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin P Nishimoto
- Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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33
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Laust AK, Sur BW, Wang K, Hubby B, Smith JF, Nelson EL. VRP immunotherapy targeting neu: treatment efficacy and evidence for immunoediting in a stringent rat mammary tumor model. Breast Cancer Res Treat 2007; 106:371-82. [PMID: 17351745 DOI: 10.1007/s10549-007-9517-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2007] [Accepted: 01/07/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The ability to overcome intrinsic tolerance to a strict "self" tumor-associated antigen (TAA) and successfully treat pre-existing tumor is the most stringent test for anti-tumor immunotherapeutic strategies. Although this capacity has been demonstrated in various models using complicated strategies that may not be readily translated into the clinical arena, straightforward antigen-specific immunotherapeutic strategies in the most stringent models of common epithelial cancers have largely failed to meet this standard. We employed an immunotherapeutic strategy using an alphavirus-based, virus-like replicon particle (VRP), which has in vivo tropism for dendritic cells, to elicit immune responses to the non-mutated TAA rat neu in an aggressive rat mammary tumor model. Using this VRP-based immunotherapeutic strategy targeting a single TAA, we generated effective anti-tumor immunity in the setting of pre-existing tumor resulting in the cure of 36% of rats over multiple experiments, P = 0.002. We also observed down-regulation of rat neu expression in tumors that showed initial responses followed by tumor escape with resumption of rapid tumor growth. These responses were accompanied by significant anti-tumor proliferative responses and CD8+ cellular tumor infiltrates, all of which were restricted to animals receiving the anti-neu immunotherapy. Together these data, obtained in a stringent "self" TAA model, indicate that the VRP-based antigen-specific immunotherapy elicits sufficiently potent immune responses to exert immunologic pressure, selection, and editing of the growing tumors, thus supporting the activity of this straightforward immunotherapy and suggesting that it is a promising platform upon which to build even more potent strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda K Laust
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, School of Biological Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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34
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Thornburg NJ, Ray CA, Collier ML, Liao HX, Pickup DJ, Johnston RE. Vaccination with Venezuelan equine encephalitis replicons encoding cowpox virus structural proteins protects mice from intranasal cowpox virus challenge. Virology 2007; 362:441-52. [PMID: 17292434 PMCID: PMC2262929 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2007.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2006] [Revised: 12/13/2006] [Accepted: 01/02/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
An anti-poxvirus vaccine based on replicon particles of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VRP) is being developed. The cowpox virus genes encoding structural proteins corresponding to vaccinia virus proteins A33, B5, and A27 were each expressed from VRP. High serum IgG titers against these proteins were generated in BALB/c mice vaccinated with each of these VRP. VRP induced both IgG1 and IgG2a with a strong predominance of IgG2a production. The response is long-lasting, as evidenced by the retention of high anti-B5 serum IgG titers through at least 50 weeks after priming immunization. Mice vaccinated with B5-, A33- or A27-VRP individually or together survived intranasal challenge with cowpox virus, with the multivalent vaccine formulation providing more effective protection from weight loss and clinical signs of illness than the monovalent vaccines. These results demonstrate that VRP may provide an effective alternative to vaccinia virus vaccines against poxvirus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie J Thornburg
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, 9th Floor Burnett-Womack, West Drive, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7292, USA.
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35
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Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a crucial role in the induction of antigen-specific T-cell responses, and therefore their use for the active immunotherapy of malignancies has been studied with considerable interest. More than a decade has passed since the publication of the first clinical data of DC-based vaccines, and through this and subsequent studies, a number of important developmental insights have been gleaned. These include the ideal source and type of DCs, the discovery of novel antigens and methods of loading DCs, the role of DC maturation, and the most efficient route of immunization. The generation of immune responses against tumor antigens after DC immunization has been demonstrated, and favorable clinical responses have been reported in some patients; however, it is difficult to pool the results as a whole, and thus the body of data remains inconclusive, in part because of varying DC preparation and vaccination protocols, the use of different forms of antigens, and, most importantly, a lack of rigorous criteria for defining clinical responses. As such, the standardization of clinical and immunologic criteria utilized, as well as DC preparations employed, will allow for the comparison of results across multiple clinical studies and is required in order for future trials to measure the true value and role of this treatment modality. In addition, issues regarding the optimal dose and clinical setting for the application of DC vaccines remain to be resolved, and recent clinical studies have been designed to begin to address these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Osada
- Department of Surgery, Program in Molecular Therapeutics, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27710, USA
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36
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Shabman RS, Morrison TE, Moore C, White L, Suthar MS, Hueston L, Rulli N, Lidbury B, Ting JPY, Mahalingam S, Heise MT. Differential induction of type I interferon responses in myeloid dendritic cells by mosquito and mammalian-cell-derived alphaviruses. J Virol 2006; 81:237-47. [PMID: 17079324 PMCID: PMC1797231 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01590-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dendritic cells (DCs) are an important early target cell for many mosquito-borne viruses, and in many cases mosquito-cell-derived arboviruses more efficiently infect DCs than viruses derived from mammalian cells. However, whether mosquito-cell-derived viruses differ from mammalian-cell-derived viruses in their ability to induce antiviral responses in the infected dendritic cell has not been evaluated. In this report, alphaviruses, which are mosquito-borne viruses that cause diseases ranging from encephalitis to arthritis, were used to determine whether viruses grown in mosquito cells differed from mammalian-cell-derived viruses in their ability to induce type I interferon (IFN) responses in infected primary dendritic cells. Consistent with previous results, mosquito-cell-derived Ross River virus (mos-RRV) and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (mos-VEE) exhibited enhanced infection of primary myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) compared to mammalian-cell-derived virus preparations. However, unlike the mammalian-cell-derived viruses, which induced high levels of type I IFN in the infected mDC cultures, mos-RRV and mos-VEE were poor IFN inducers. Furthermore, the poor IFN induction by mos-RRV contributed to the enhanced infection of mDCs by mos-RRV. These results suggest that the viruses initially delivered by the mosquito vector differ from those generated in subsequent rounds of replication in the host, not just with respect to their ability to infect dendritic cells but also in their ability to induce or inhibit antiviral type I IFN responses. This difference may have an important impact on the mosquito-borne virus's ability to successfully make the transition from the arthropod vector to the vertebrate host.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reed S Shabman
- Department of Genetics, The Carolina Vaccine Institute, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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37
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Scherer A, Salathé M, Bonhoeffer S. High epitope expression levels increase competition between T cells. PLoS Comput Biol 2006; 2:e109. [PMID: 16933984 PMCID: PMC1550274 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.0020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2006] [Accepted: 07/11/2006] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Both theoretical predictions and experimental findings suggest that T cell populations can compete with each other. There is some debate on whether T cells compete for aspecific stimuli, such as access to the surface on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) or for specific stimuli, such as their cognate epitope ligand. We have developed an individual-based computer simulation model to study T cell competition. Our model shows that the expression level of foreign epitopes per APC determines whether T cell competition is mainly for specific or aspecific stimuli. Under low epitope expression, competition is mainly for the specific epitope stimuli, and, hence, different epitope-specific T cell populations coexist readily. However, if epitope expression levels are high, aspecific competition becomes more important. Such between-specificity competition can lead to competitive exclusion between different epitope-specific T cell populations. Our model allows us to delineate the circumstances that facilitate coexistence of T cells of different epitope specificity. Understanding mechanisms of T cell coexistence has important practical implications for immune therapies that require a broad immune response. Pathogens are masters of disguise, and frequently escape recognition by the immune response. Therefore, broad immune responses, directed at many epitopes of the pathogen, are thought to improve control of infection. There is evidence that competition between immune cells of different epitope specificity reduces the breadth of the immune response. It has been suggested that the resource that T cells compete for is access to antigen-presenting cells (APCs). However, the experimental data regarding competition for access to APCs is controversial. In this study, Scherer, Salathé, and Bonhoeffer have used an individual-based model to investigate the mechanisms of T cell competition. They find that T cells only compete for access to APCs when epitopes are expressed abundantly on APCs. In contrast, when epitope expression is limiting, competition is for the specific epitope rather than for access to APCs. The distinction between competition for epitope and for access to APCs is relevant because the model predicts qualitatively different outcomes for either case. When competition is for the specific epitope, different epitope-specific T cell responses coexist readily and hence the immune response is broad. However, when T cells compete for access to APCs, immunodominant T cell responses can outcompete subdominant ones, which leads to narrow immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almut Scherer
- Theoretical Biology, Institute of Integrative Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Marcel Salathé
- Theoretical Biology, Institute of Integrative Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Sebastian Bonhoeffer
- Theoretical Biology, Institute of Integrative Biology, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
- * To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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38
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Frey CF, Bauhofer O, Ruggli N, Summerfield A, Hofmann MA, Tratschin JD. Classical swine fever virus replicon particles lacking the Erns gene: a potential marker vaccine for intradermal application. Vet Res 2006; 37:655-70. [PMID: 16777037 DOI: 10.1051/vetres:2006028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2005] [Accepted: 03/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical swine fever virus replicon particles (CSF-VRP) deficient for E(rns) were evaluated as a non-transmissible marker vaccine. A cDNA clone of CSFV strain Alfort/187 was used to obtain a replication-competent mutant genome (replicon) lacking the sequence encoding the 227 amino acids of the glycoprotein E(rns) (A187delE(rns)). For packaging of A187delE(rns) into virus particles, porcine kidney cell lines constitutively expressing E(rns) of CSFV were established. The rescued VRP were infectious in cell culture but did not yield infectious progeny virus. Single intradermal vaccination of two pigs with 10(7) TCID(50) of VRP A187delE(rns) elicited neutralizing antibodies, anti-E2 antibodies, and cellular immune responses determined by an increase of IFN-gamma producing cells. No anti-E(rns) antibodies were detected in the vaccinees confirming that this vaccine represents a negative marker vaccine allowing differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals. The two pigs were protected against lethal challenge with the highly virulent CSFV strain Eystrup. In contrast, oral immunization resulted in only partial protection, and neither CSFV-specific antibodies nor stimulated T-cells were found before challenge. These data represent a good basis for more extended vaccination/challenge trials including larger numbers of animals as well as more thorough analysis of virus shedding using sentinel animals to monitor horizontal spread of the challenge virus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline F Frey
- Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis, 3147 Mittelhäusern, Switzerland
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39
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Thompson JM, Whitmore AC, Konopka JL, Collier ML, Richmond EMB, Davis NL, Staats HF, Johnston RE. Mucosal and systemic adjuvant activity of alphavirus replicon particles. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2006; 103:3722-7. [PMID: 16505353 PMCID: PMC1383499 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0600287103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Vaccination represents the most effective control measure in the fight against infectious diseases. Local mucosal immune responses are critical for protection from, and resolution of, infection by numerous mucosal pathogens. Antigen processing across mucosal surfaces is the natural route by which mucosal immunity is generated, as peripheral antigen delivery typically fails to induce mucosal immune responses. However, we demonstrate in this article that mucosal immune responses are evident at multiple mucosal surfaces after parenteral delivery of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particles (VRP). Moreover, coinoculation of null VRP (not expressing any transgene) with inactivated influenza virions, or ovalbumin, resulted in a significant increase in antigen-specific systemic IgG and fecal IgA antibodies, compared with antigen alone. Pretreatment of VRP with UV light largely abrogated this adjuvant effect. These results demonstrate that alphavirus replicon particles possess intrinsic systemic and mucosal adjuvant activity and suggest that VRP RNA replication is the trigger for this activity. We feel that these observations and the continued experimentation they stimulate will ultimately define the specific components of an alternative pathway for the induction of mucosal immunity, and if the activity is evident in humans, will enable new possibilities for safe and inexpensive subunit and inactivated vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph M. Thompson
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Alan C. Whitmore
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Jennifer L. Konopka
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Martha L. Collier
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | | | - Nancy L. Davis
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
| | - Herman F. Staats
- Department of Pathology, and
- Human Vaccine Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710
| | - Robert E. Johnston
- *Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and
- Carolina Vaccine Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599; and
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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