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Das NC, Gorai S, Gupta PSS, Panda SK, Rana MK, Mukherjee S. Immune targeting of filarial glutaredoxin through a multi-epitope peptide-based vaccine: A reverse vaccinology approach. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 133:112120. [PMID: 38657497 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Revised: 04/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Despite the efforts of global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis (GPELF), the threat of lymphatic filariasis (LF) still looms over humanity in terms of long-term disabilities, and morbidities across the globe. In light of this situation, investigators have chosen to focus on the development of immunotherapeutics targeting the physiologically important filarial-specific proteins. Glutaredoxin (16.43 kDa) plays a pivotal role in filarial redox biology, serving as a vital contributor. In the context of the intra-host survival of filarial parasites, this antioxidant helps in mitigating the oxidative stress imposed by the host immune system. Given its significant contribution, the development of a vaccine targeting glutaredoxin holds promise as a new avenue for achieving a filaria-free world. Herein, multi-epitope-based vaccine was designed using advanced immunoinformatics approach. Initially, 4B-cell epitopes and 6 T-cell epitopes (4 MHC I and 2 MHC II) were identified from the 146 amino acid long sequence of glutaredoxin of the human filarid, Wuchereria bancrofti. Subsequent clustering of these epitopes with linker peptides finalized the vaccine structure. To boost TLR-mediated innate immunity, TLR-specific adjuvants were incorporated into the designed vaccine. After that, experimental analyses confirm the designed vaccine, Vac4 as anefficient ligand of human TLR5 to elicit protective innate immunity against filarial glutaredoxin. Immune simulation further demonstrated abundant levels of IgG and IgM as crucial contributors in triggering vaccine-induced adaptive responses in the recipients. Hence, to facilitate the validation of immunogenicity of the designed vaccine, Vac4 was cloned in silico in pET28a(+) expression vector for recombinant production. Taken together, our findings suggest that vaccine-mediated targeting of filarial glutaredoxin could be a future option for intervening LF on a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabarun Chandra Das
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol 713 340, West Bengal, India
| | - Sampa Gorai
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol 713 340, West Bengal, India
| | - Parth Sarthi Sen Gupta
- School of Biosciences & Bioengineering, D. Y. Patil International University, Akurdi, Pune 411044, India
| | - Saroj Kumar Panda
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Berhampur, India
| | - Malay Kumar Rana
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Berhampur, India
| | - Suprabhat Mukherjee
- Integrative Biochemistry & Immunology Laboratory, Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Asansol 713 340, West Bengal, India.
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Kundu M, Butti R, Panda VK, Malhotra D, Das S, Mitra T, Kapse P, Gosavi SW, Kundu GC. Modulation of the tumor microenvironment and mechanism of immunotherapy-based drug resistance in breast cancer. Mol Cancer 2024; 23:92. [PMID: 38715072 PMCID: PMC11075356 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-024-01990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer, the most frequent female malignancy, is often curable when detected at an early stage. The treatment of metastatic breast cancer is more challenging and may be unresponsive to conventional therapy. Immunotherapy is crucial for treating metastatic breast cancer, but its resistance is a major limitation. The tumor microenvironment (TME) is vital in modulating the immunotherapy response. Various tumor microenvironmental components, such as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), are involved in TME modulation to cause immunotherapy resistance. This review highlights the role of stromal cells in modulating the breast tumor microenvironment, including the involvement of CAF-TAM interaction, alteration of tumor metabolism leading to immunotherapy failure, and other latest strategies, including high throughput genomic screening, single-cell and spatial omics techniques for identifying tumor immune genes regulating immunotherapy response. This review emphasizes the therapeutic approach to overcome breast cancer immune resistance through CAF reprogramming, modulation of TAM polarization, tumor metabolism, and genomic alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Brainware University, West Bengal, 700125, India
| | - Ramesh Butti
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology and Oncology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75235, USA
| | - Venketesh K Panda
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Diksha Malhotra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Sumit Das
- National Centre for Cell Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University Campus, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Tandrima Mitra
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India
| | - Prachi Kapse
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Suresh W Gosavi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune, 411007, India
| | - Gopal C Kundu
- School of Biotechnology, KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
- Kalinga Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), KIIT Deemed to be University, Bhubaneswar, 751024, India.
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3
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Basheer A, Jamal SB, Alzahrani B, Faheem M. Development of a tetravalent subunit vaccine against dengue virus through a vaccinomics approach. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1273838. [PMID: 38045699 PMCID: PMC10690774 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1273838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Dengue virus infection (DVI) is a mosquito-borne disease that can lead to serious morbidity and mortality. Dengue fever (DF) is a major public health concern that affects approximately 3.9 billion people each year globally. However, there is no vaccine or drug available to deal with DVI. Dengue virus consists of four distinct serotypes (DENV1-4), each raising a different immunological response. In the present study, we designed a tetravalent subunit multi-epitope vaccine, targeting proteins including the structural protein envelope domain III (EDIII), precursor membrane proteins (prM), and a non-structural protein (NS1) from each serotype by employing an immunoinformatic approach. Only conserved sequences obtained through a multiple sequence alignment were used for epitope mapping to ensure efficacy against all serotypes. The epitopes were shortlisted based on an IC50 value <50, antigenicity, allergenicity, and a toxicity analysis. In the final vaccine construct, overall, 11 B-cell epitopes, 10 HTL epitopes, and 10 CTL epitopes from EDIII, prM, and NS1 proteins targeting all serotypes were selected and joined via KK, AAY, and GGGS linkers, respectively. We incorporated a 45-amino-acid-long B-defensins adjuvant in the final vaccine construct for a better immunogenic response. The vaccine construct has an antigenic score of 0.79 via VaxiJen and is non-toxic and non-allergenic. Our refined vaccine structure has a Ramachandran score of 96.4%. The vaccine has shown stable interaction with TLR3, which has been validated by 50 ns of molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Our findings propose that a designed multi-epitope vaccine has substantial potential to elicit a strong immune response against all dengue serotypes without causing any adverse effects. Furthermore, the proposed vaccine can be experimentally validated as a probable vaccine, suggesting it may serve as an effective preventative measure against dengue virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Basheer
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Syed Babar Jamal
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
| | - Badr Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jouf University, Sakakah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muhammad Faheem
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, ND, United States
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Sarfraz A, Wara TU, Sheheryar, Chen K, Ansari SH, Zaman A, Nishan U, Iqbal A, Ullah R, Ali EA, Shah M, Ojha SC. Structural informatics approach for designing an epitope-based vaccine against the brain-eating Naegleria fowleri. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1284621. [PMID: 37965306 PMCID: PMC10642955 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1284621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a severe lethal brain disease, is caused by a parasite, Naegleria fowleri, also known as the "brain-eating amoeba". The chances of a patient's recovery after being affected by this parasite are very low. Only 5% of people are known to survive this life-threatening infection. Despite the fact that N. fowleri causes a severe, fatal infection, there is no proper treatment available to prevent or cure it. In this context, it is necessary to formulate a potential vaccine that could be able to combat N. fowleri infection. The current study aimed at developing a multi-epitope subunit vaccine against N. fowleri by utilizing immunoinformatics techniques and reverse vaccinology approaches. The T- and B-cell epitopes were predicted by various tools. In order to choose epitopes with the ability to trigger both T- and B-cell-mediated immune responses, the epitopes were put through a screening pipeline including toxicity, antigenicity, cytokine-inductivity, and allergenicity analysis. Three vaccine constructs were designed from the generated epitopes linked with linkers and adjuvants. The modeled vaccines were docked with the immune receptors, where vaccine-1 showed the highest binding affinity. Binding affinity and stability of the docked complex were confirmed through normal mode analysis and molecular dynamic simulations. Immune simulations developed the immune profile, and in silico cloning affirmed the expression probability of the vaccine construct in Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain K12. This study demonstrates an innovative preventative strategy for the brain-eating amoeba by developing a potential vaccine through immunoinformatics and reverse vaccinology approaches. This study has great preventive potential for Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, and further research is required to assess the efficacy of the designed vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asifa Sarfraz
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Tehreem Ul Wara
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Sheheryar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Federal University of Ceara, Fortaleza, Brazil
| | - Ke Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | | | - Aqal Zaman
- Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Umar Nishan
- Department of Chemistry, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan
| | - Anwar Iqbal
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Lakki Marwat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Riaz Ullah
- Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Essam A. Ali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohibullah Shah
- Department of Biochemistry, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan
| | - Suvash Chandra Ojha
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
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Heng WT, Lim HX, Tan KO, Poh CL. Validation of Multi-epitope Peptides Encapsulated in PLGA Nanoparticles Against Influenza A Virus. Pharm Res 2023; 40:1999-2025. [PMID: 37344603 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-023-03540-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease which poses a serious threat to public health globally, causing severe diseases in 3-5 million humans and resulting in 650,000 deaths annually. The current licensed seasonal influenza vaccines lacked cross-reactivity against novel emerging influenza strains as they conferred limited neutralising capabilities. To address the issue, we designed a multi-epitope peptide-based vaccine delivered by the self-adjuvanting PLGA nanoparticles against influenza infections. METHODS A total of six conserved peptides representing B- and T-cell epitopes of Influenza A were identified and they were formulated in either incomplete Freund's adjuvant containing CpG ODN 1826 or being encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles for the evaluation of immunogenicity in BALB/c mice. RESULTS The self-adjuvanting PLGA nanoparticles encapsulating the six conserved peptides were capable of eliciting the highest levels of IgG and IFN- γ producing cells. In addition, the immunogenicity of the six peptides encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles showed greater humoral and cellular mediated immune responses elicited by the mixture of six naked peptides formulated in incomplete Freund's adjuvant containing CpG ODN 1826 in the immunized mice. Peptide 3 from the mixture of six peptides was found to exert necrotic effect on CD3+ T-cells and this finding indicated that peptide 3 should be removed from the nanovaccine formulation. CONCLUSION The study demonstrated the self-adjuvanting properties of the PLGA nanoparticles as a delivery system without the need for incorporation of toxic and costly conventional adjuvants in multi-epitope peptide-based vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Tzuen Heng
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research (CVVR), School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, No.5 Jalan Universiti, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Hui Xuan Lim
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research (CVVR), School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, No.5 Jalan Universiti, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Kuan Onn Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, No.5 Jalan Universiti, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research (CVVR), School of Medical and Life Sciences, Sunway University, No.5 Jalan Universiti, 47500, Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
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Freitag TL, Fagerlund R, Karam NL, Leppänen VM, Ugurlu H, Kant R, Mäkinen P, Tawfek A, Kumar S, Strandin T, Leskinen K, Hepojoki J, Kesti T, Kareinen L, Kuivanen S, Koivulehto E, Sormunen A, Laidinen S, Khattab A, Saavalainen P, Meri S, Kipar A, Sironen T, Vapalahti O, Alitalo K, Ylä-Herttuala S, Saksela K. Intranasal administration of adenoviral vaccines expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike protein improves vaccine immunity in mouse models. Vaccine 2023; 41:3233-3246. [PMID: 37085458 PMCID: PMC10114927 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is controlled but not halted by public health measures and mass vaccination strategies which have exclusively relied on intramuscular vaccines. Intranasal vaccines can prime or recruit to the respiratory epithelium mucosal immune cells capable of preventing infection. Here we report a comprehensive series of studies on this concept using various mouse models, including HLA class II-humanized transgenic strains. We found that a single intranasal (i.n.) dose of serotype-5 adenoviral vectors expressing either the receptor binding domain (Ad5-RBD) or the complete ectodomain (Ad5-S) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein was effective in inducing i) serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) anti-spike IgA and IgG, ii) robust SARS-CoV-2-neutralizing activity in the serum and BAL, iii) rigorous spike-directed T helper 1 cell/cytotoxic T cell immunity, and iv) protection of mice from a challenge with the SARS-CoV-2 beta variant. Intramuscular (i.m.) Ad5-RBD or Ad5-S administration did not induce serum or BAL IgA, and resulted in lower neutralizing titers in the serum. Moreover, prior immunity induced by an intramuscular mRNA vaccine could be potently enhanced and modulated towards a mucosal IgA response by an i.n. Ad5-S booster. Notably, Ad5 DNA was found in the liver or spleen after i.m. but not i.n. administration, indicating a lack of systemic spread of the vaccine vector, which has been associated with a risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenia. Unlike in otherwise genetically identical HLA-DQ6 mice, in HLA-DQ8 mice Ad5-RBD vaccine was inferior to Ad5-S, suggesting that the RBD fragment does not contain a sufficient collection of helper-T cell epitopes to constitute an optimal vaccine antigen. Our data add to previous promising preclinical results on intranasal SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and support the potential of this approach to elicit mucosal immunity for preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias L Freitag
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Riku Fagerlund
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Nihay Laham Karam
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Veli-Matti Leppänen
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Hasan Ugurlu
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ravi Kant
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Petri Mäkinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ahmed Tawfek
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Sawan Kumar
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomas Strandin
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Katarzyna Leskinen
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jussi Hepojoki
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tapio Kesti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lauri Kareinen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Suvi Kuivanen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Emma Koivulehto
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Aino Sormunen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Svetlana Laidinen
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Ayman Khattab
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Saavalainen
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Folkhälsan Research Center, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Meri
- Translational Immunology Research Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Finland; Department of Bacteriology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Anja Kipar
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Laboratory for Animal Model Pathology, Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Tarja Sironen
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Olli Vapalahti
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kari Alitalo
- Wihuri Research Institute, Biomedicum Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Translational Cancer Medicine Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Seppo Ylä-Herttuala
- A.I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Kalle Saksela
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Diagnostic Center, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
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Michelo CM, Fiore-Gartland A, Dalel JA, Hayes P, Tang J, McGowan E, Kilembe W, Fernandez N, Gilmour J, Hunter E. Cohort-Specific Peptide Reagents Broaden Depth and Breadth Estimates of the CD8 T Cell Response to HIV-1 Gag Potential T Cell Epitopes. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:472. [PMID: 36851349 PMCID: PMC9961105 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11020472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
An effective HIV vaccine will need to stimulate immune responses against the sequence diversity presented in circulating virus strains. In this study, we evaluate breadth and depth estimates of potential T-cell epitopes (PTEs) in transmitted founder virus sequence-derived cohort-specific peptide reagents against reagents representative of consensus and global sequences. CD8 T-cells from twenty-six HIV-1+ PBMC donor samples, obtained at 1-year post estimated date of infection, were evaluated. ELISpot assays compared responses to 15mer consensus (n = 121), multivalent-global (n = 320), and 10mer multivalent cohort-specific (n = 300) PTE peptides, all mapping to the Gag antigen. Responses to 38 consensus, 71 global, and 62 cohort-specific PTEs were confirmed, with sixty percent of common global and cohort-specific PTEs corresponding to consensus sequences. Both global and cohort-specific peptides exhibited broader epitope coverage compared to commonly used consensus reagents, with mean breadth estimates of 3.2 (global), 3.4 (cohort) and 2.2 (consensus) epitopes. Global or cohort peptides each identified unique epitope responses that would not be detected if these peptide pools were used alone. A peptide set designed around specific virologic and immunogenetic characteristics of a target cohort can expand the detection of CD8 T-cell responses to epitopes in circulating viruses, providing a novel way to better define the host response to HIV-1 with implications for vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive M. Michelo
- Center for Family Health Research Zambia, PostNet 412, P/Bag E891, B22/737 Bwembelelo, Emmasdale, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Andrew Fiore-Gartland
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jama A. Dalel
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Peter Hayes
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Jianming Tang
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Edward McGowan
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - William Kilembe
- Center for Family Health Research Zambia, PostNet 412, P/Bag E891, B22/737 Bwembelelo, Emmasdale, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
| | - Natalia Fernandez
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Jill Gilmour
- IAVI Human Immunology Laboratory, Imperial College, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Eric Hunter
- Center for Family Health Research Zambia, PostNet 412, P/Bag E891, B22/737 Bwembelelo, Emmasdale, Lusaka 10101, Zambia
- Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, 954 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
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8
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Liu Y, Liu X, Huang J, Shi Y, Luo Z, Zhang J, Guo X, Jiang M, Li X, Yin H, Qin B, Guan G, Luo L, Zhou Y, You J. Nonlysosomal Route of mRNA Delivery and Combining with Epigenetic Regulation Optimized Antitumor Immunoprophylactic Efficacy. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202460. [PMID: 36366890 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Currently, mRNA-based tumor therapies are in full flow because in vitro-transcribed (IVT) mRNA has the potential to express tumor antigens to initiate the adaptive immune responses. However, the efficacy of such therapy relies heavily on the delivery system. Here, a pardaxin-modified liposome loaded with tumor antigen-encoding mRNA and adjuvant (2',3'-cGAMP, (cyclic [G(2',5')pA(3',5')p])), termed P-Lipoplex-CDN is reported. Due to an nonlysosomal delivery route, the transfection efficiency on dendritic cells (DCs) is improved by reducing the lysosome disruption of cargos. The mRNA modified DCs efficiently induce tumor antigen-specific immune responses both in vitro and in vivo. As prophylactic vaccines, mRNA transfected DCs significantly delay the occurrence and development of tumors, and several immunized mice are even completely resistant to tumors. Interestingly, the efficacy depends on the major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression level on tumor cells. Furthermore, epigenetic modification (decitabine, DAC) is applied as a combination strategy to deal with malignant tumor progression caused by deficient tumor MHC-I expression. This study highlights the close relationship between mRNA-DCs vaccine efficacy and the expression level of tumor cell MHC-I molecules. Moreover, a feasible strategy for tumor MHC-I expression deficiency is proposed, which may provide clinical guidance for the design and application of mRNA-based tumor therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xu Liu
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Jiaxin Huang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yingying Shi
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Junlei Zhang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xuemeng Guo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Mengshi Jiang
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Xiang Li
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Hang Yin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Bing Qin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Guannan Guan
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Lihua Luo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
| | - Yun Zhou
- Zhejiang Center of Drug and Cosmetic Evaluation, No. 39 Yile Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310012, P. R. China
| | - Jian You
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, 310058, P. R. China
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Pal A, Pyne N, Paul S. In-Silico Designing of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine against SARS-CoV2 and Studying the Interaction of the Vaccine with Alpha, Beta, Delta and Omicron Variants of Concern. Curr Drug Discov Technol 2023; 20:67-88. [PMID: 36093818 DOI: 10.2174/1570163819666220909114900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sudden appearance of the SARS-CoV2 virus has almost changed the future of vaccine development. There have been many different approaches to vaccination; among them, computational vaccinology in the form of multi-epitope vaccines with excellent immunological properties and minimal contamination or other adverse reactions has emerged as a promising strategy with a lot of room for further study in this area. OBJECTIVE Designing a multi-epitope vaccine from the spike protein of SARS-CoV2 based on immunoinformatics and in-silico techniques. Evaluating the binding affinity of the constructed vaccine against the major variants of concern (alpha, beta, delta, and omicron) using docking studies. METHODS The potential antigenic, immunogenic, and non-allergic T-cell epitopes were thoroughly explored using IEDB, NetCTL1.2, and NetMHCII pan 3.2 servers. The best suitable linker was identified using the ExPASy Protparam tool and VERIFY 3D. The 3D model of the vaccine was developed by RaptorX and the model was validated using ERRAT, Z-score, and Ramachandran Plot. Docking studies of the vaccine with TLR-2, 3, 4, and 7 and alpha, beta, delta, and omicron variants were performed using HADDOCK 2.4. RESULTS The vaccine construct showed good antigenic and immunogenic scores and was non-allergic as well. The model was capable of binding to all four selected Toll-like receptors. Docking scores with variants were also promising. CONCLUSION All the variants showed good binding ability with the vaccine construct. Interaction with the alpha variant was found to be the most intense, followed by delta, beta, and omicron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aranya Pal
- Department of Botany, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Centre of Advanced Study, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Nibedita Pyne
- Department of Botany, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Centre of Advanced Study, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India
| | - Santanu Paul
- Department of Botany, Laboratory of Cell and Molecular Biology, Centre of Advanced Study, University of Calcutta, Kolkata 700019, India
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10
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Jain S, Chalif EJ, Aghi MK. Interactions Between Anti-Angiogenic Therapy and Immunotherapy in Glioblastoma. Front Oncol 2022; 11:812916. [PMID: 35096619 PMCID: PMC8790087 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.812916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma is the most aggressive brain tumor with a median survival ranging from 6.2 to 16.7 months. The complex interactions between the tumor and the cells of tumor microenvironment leads to tumor evolution which ultimately results in treatment failure. Immunotherapy has shown great potential in the treatment of solid tumors but has been less effective in treating glioblastoma. Failure of immunotherapy in glioblastoma has been attributed to low T-cell infiltration in glioblastoma and dysfunction of the T-cells that are present in the glioblastoma microenvironment. Recent advances in single-cell sequencing have increased our understanding of the transcriptional changes in the tumor microenvironment pre and post-treatment. Another treatment modality targeting the tumor microenvironment that has failed in glioblastoma has been anti-angiogenic therapy such as the VEGF neutralizing antibody bevacizumab, which did not improve survival in randomized clinical trials. Interestingly, the immunosuppressed microenvironment and abnormal vasculature of glioblastoma interact in ways that suggest the potential for synergy between these two therapeutic modalities that have failed individually. Abnormal tumor vasculature has been associated with immune evasion and the creation of an immunosuppressive microenvironment, suggesting that inhibiting pro-angiogenic factors like VEGF can increase infiltration of effector immune cells into the tumor microenvironment. Remodeling of the tumor vasculature by inhibiting VEGFR2 has also been shown to improve the efficacy of PDL1 cancer immunotherapy in mouse models of different cancers. In this review, we discuss the recent developments in our understanding of the glioblastoma tumor microenvironment specially the tumor vasculature and its interactions with the immune cells, and opportunities to target these interactions therapeutically. Combining anti-angiogenic and immunotherapy in glioblastoma has the potential to unlock these therapeutic modalities and impact the survival of patients with this devastating cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saket Jain
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Eric J Chalif
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Manish K Aghi
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
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11
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Tarabini RF, Rigo MM, Faustino Fonseca A, Rubin F, Bellé R, Kavraki LE, Ferreto TC, Amaral Antunes D, de Souza APD. Large-Scale Structure-Based Screening of Potential T Cell Cross-Reactivities Involving Peptide-Targets From BCG Vaccine and SARS-CoV-2. Front Immunol 2022; 12:812176. [PMID: 35095907 PMCID: PMC8793865 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.812176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although not being the first viral pandemic to affect humankind, we are now for the first time faced with a pandemic caused by a coronavirus. The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused more than 4.5 million deaths worldwide. Despite unprecedented efforts, with vaccines being developed in a record time, SARS-CoV-2 continues to spread worldwide with new variants arising in different countries. Such persistent spread is in part enabled by public resistance to vaccination in some countries, and limited access to vaccines in other countries. The limited vaccination coverage, the continued risk for resistant variants, and the existence of natural reservoirs for coronaviruses, highlight the importance of developing additional therapeutic strategies against SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses. At the beginning of the pandemic it was suggested that countries with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination programs could be associated with a reduced number and/or severity of COVID-19 cases. Preliminary studies have provided evidence for this relationship and further investigation is being conducted in ongoing clinical trials. The protection against SARS-CoV-2 induced by BCG vaccination may be mediated by cross-reactive T cell lymphocytes, which recognize peptides displayed by class I Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA-I) on the surface of infected cells. In order to identify potential targets of T cell cross-reactivity, we implemented an in silico strategy combining sequence-based and structure-based methods to screen over 13,5 million possible cross-reactive peptide pairs from BCG and SARS-CoV-2. Our study produced (i) a list of immunogenic BCG-derived peptides that may prime T cell cross-reactivity against SARS-CoV-2, (ii) a large dataset of modeled peptide-HLA structures for the screened targets, and (iii) new computational methods for structure-based screenings that can be used by others in future studies. Our study expands the list of BCG peptides potentially involved in T cell cross-reactivity with SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides, and identifies multiple high-density "neighborhoods" of cross-reactive peptides which could be driving heterologous immunity induced by BCG vaccination, therefore providing insights for future vaccine development efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Fioravanti Tarabini
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Infant Center, School of Health Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | | | - André Faustino Fonseca
- Antunes Lab, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Felipe Rubin
- School of Technology - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Rafael Bellé
- Laboratório de alto desempenho – Centro de Apoio ao desenvolvimento cientifico e tecnológico da (IDEIA), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Lydia E Kavraki
- Kavraki Lab, Department of Computer Science, Rice University, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Tiago Coelho Ferreto
- School of Technology - Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil,Laboratório de alto desempenho – Centro de Apoio ao desenvolvimento cientifico e tecnológico da (IDEIA), Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Dinler Amaral Antunes
- Antunes Lab, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States,*Correspondence: Ana Paula Duarte de Souza, ; Dinler Amaral Antunes,
| | - Ana Paula Duarte de Souza
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Immunology, Infant Center, School of Health Science, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Porto Alegre, Brazil,*Correspondence: Ana Paula Duarte de Souza, ; Dinler Amaral Antunes,
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12
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Oso BJ, Olaoye IF, Ogidi CO. In silico Design of a Vaccine Candidate for SAR S-CoV-2 Based on Multiple T-cell and B-cell Epitopes. ARCHIVES OF RAZI INSTITUTE 2021; 76:1191-1202. [PMID: 35355741 PMCID: PMC8934067 DOI: 10.22092/ari.2020.351605.1526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Coronaviruses (2019-nCoV) are large single-stranded RNA viruses that usually cause respiratory infections with a crude lethality ratio of 3.8% and high levels of transmissibility. There is yet no applicable clinical evaluation to assess the efficacy of various therapeutic agents that have been suggested as investigational drugs against the viruses despite their respective supposed hypothetical claims due to their antiviral potentials. Moreover, the development of a safe and effective vaccine has been suggested as an intervention to control the 2019-nCoV pandemic. However, a major concern in the development of a 2019-nCoV vaccine is the possibility of stimulating a corresponding immune response without enhancing the induction of the disease and associated side effects. The present investigation was carried out by predicting the antigenicity of the primary sequences of 2019-nCoV structural proteins and identification of B-cell and T-cell epitopes through the Bepipred and PEPVAC servers, respectively. The peptides of the vaccine construct include the selected epitopes based on the VaxiJen score with a threshold of 1.0 and β-defensinas an adjuvant. The putative binding of the vaccine constructs to intracellular toll-like receptors (TLRs) was assessed through molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulations. The selected epitopes for the final vaccine construct are DPNFKD, SPLSLN, and LELQDHNE as B-cell epitopes and EPKLGSLVV, NFKDQVILL, and SSRSSSRSR as T-cell epitopes. The molecular docking analysis showed the vaccine construct could have favorable interactions with TLRs as indicated by the negative values of the computed binding energies. The constructed immunogen based on the immune informatics study could be employed in the strategy to develop potential vaccine candidates against 2019-nCoV.
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Affiliation(s)
- B J Oso
- Department of Biochemistry, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - I F Olaoye
- Department of Biochemistry, McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, Ogun State, Nigeria
- Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Kings University, Odeomu, Nigeria
| | - C O Ogidi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, England
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13
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Identification of immunodominant epitopes in allelic variants VK210 and VK247 of Plasmodium Vivax Circumsporozoite immunogen. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2021; 96:105120. [PMID: 34655808 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Plasmodium vivax-induced malaria is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-tropical and tropical regions and infect 2.85 billion people globally. The continual rise and propagation of resistance against anti-malarial drugs is a prerequisite to develop a potent vaccine candidate for Plasmodium vivax (P. vivax). Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is an important immunogen of malaria parasite that has the conserved CSP structure as an immune dominant B-cell epitope. In current study, we focused on designing multi-epitope vaccines (MEVs) using various immunoinformatics tools against Pakistani based allelic variants VK210 and VK247 of P. vivax CSP (PvCSP) gene. Antigenicity, allergic potential and physicochemical parameters of both PvCSP variants were assessed for the designed MEVs and they were within acceptable range suitable for post experimental investigations. The three-dimensional structures of both MEVs have been predicted ab initio, optimized, and validated by using different online servers. The both MEVs candidates were stable and free from aggregation-prone regions. The stability of both MEVs had been improved by a disulfide engineering approach. To estimate the binding energy and stability of the MEVs, molecular docking simulation and binding free energy calculations with TLR-4 immune receptor have been conducted. The docking score of PvCSP210 and PvCSP247 for TLR-4 was -6.34 kJ/mol and - 2.3 kJ/mol, respectively. For PvCSP210-TLR4 system, mean RMSD was 4.96 Å while PvCSP247-TLR4 system, average RMSD was 4.49 Å. The binding free energy of PvCSP210-TLR4 complex and PvCSP247-TLR4 complex was -50.49/-117.15 kcal/mol (MMGBSA/MMPSA) and -52.94/-96.26 kcal/mol (MMGBSA/MMPSA), respectively. The expression of both MEVs produced in Escherichia coli K12 expression system by in silico cloning was significant. Immune simulation revealed that the proposed MEVs induce strong humoral and cellular immunological responses, in addition to significant production of interleukins and cytokines. In conclusions, we believed that the MEVs proposed in current research, using combine approach of immunoinformatics, structural biology and biophysical approaches, could induce protective and effective immune responses against P. vivax and the experimental validation of our findings could contribute to the development of potential malaria vaccine.
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14
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Sarri CA, Giannoulis T, Moutou KA, Mamuris Z. HLA class II peptide-binding-region analysis reveals funneling of polymorphism in action. Immunol Lett 2021; 238:75-95. [PMID: 34329645 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 07/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND HLA-class II proteins hold important roles in key physiological processes. The purpose of this study was to compile all class II alleles reported in human population and investigate patterns in pocket variants and their combinations, focusing on the peptide-binding region (PBR). METHODS For this purpose, all protein sequences of DPA1, DQA1, DPB1, DQB1 and DRB1 were selected and filtered, in order to have full PBR sequences. Proportional representation was used for pocket variants while population data were also used. RESULTS All pocket variants and PBR sequences were retrieved and analyzed based on the preference of amino acids and their properties in all pocket positions. The observed number of pocket variants combinations was much lower than the possible inferred, suggesting that PBR formation is under strict funneling. Also, although class II proteins are very polymorphic, in the majority of the reported alleles in all populations, a significantly less polymorphic pocket core was found. CONCLUSIONS Pocket variability of five HLA class II proteins was studied revealing favorable properties of each protein. The actual PBR sequences of HLA class II proteins appear to be governed by restrictions that lead to the establishment of only a fraction of the possible combinations and the polymorphism recorded is the result of intense funneling based on function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantina A Sarri
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500, Larisa, Greece
| | - Themistoklis Giannoulis
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500, Larisa, Greece; Department of Animal Science, University of Thessaly, Trikallon 224, 43100 Karditsa, Greece
| | - Katerina A Moutou
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500, Larisa, Greece
| | - Zissis Mamuris
- Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Laboratory of Genetics, Comparative and Evolutionary Biology, University of Thessaly, Viopolis, Mezourlo, 41500, Larisa, Greece.
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15
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Cuspoca AF, Díaz LL, Acosta AF, Peñaloza MK, Méndez YR, Clavijo DC, Yosa Reyes J. An Immunoinformatics Approach for SARS-CoV-2 in Latam Populations and Multi-Epitope Vaccine Candidate Directed towards the World's Population. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9060581. [PMID: 34205992 PMCID: PMC8228945 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9060581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus pandemic is a major public health crisis affecting global health systems with dire socioeconomic consequences, especially in vulnerable regions such as Latin America (LATAM). There is an urgent need for a vaccine to help control contagion, reduce mortality and alleviate social costs. In this study, we propose a rational multi-epitope candidate vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Using bioinformatics, we constructed a library of potential vaccine peptides, based on the affinity of the most common major human histocompatibility complex (HLA) I and II molecules in the LATAM population to predict immunological complexes among antigenic, non-toxic and non-allergenic peptides extracted from the conserved regions of 92 proteomes. Although HLA-C, had the greatest antigenic peptide capacity from SARS-CoV-2, HLA-B and HLA-A, could be more relevant based on COVID-19 risk of infection in LATAM countries. We also used three-dimensional structures of SARS-CoV-2 proteins to identify potential regions for antibody production. The best HLA-I and II predictions (with increased coverage in common alleles and regions evoking B lymphocyte responses) were grouped into an optimized final multi-epitope construct containing the adjuvants Beta defensin-3, TpD, and PADRE, which are recognized for invoking a safe and specific immune response. Finally, we used Molecular Dynamics to identify the multi-epitope construct which may be a stable target for TLR-4/MD-2. This would prove to be safe and provide the physicochemical requirements for conducting experimental tests around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Felipe Cuspoca
- Grupo de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica de Colombia (GRECO), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, Colombia; (A.F.C.); (L.L.D.); (A.F.A.); (M.K.P.); (Y.R.M.)
| | - Laura Lorena Díaz
- Grupo de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica de Colombia (GRECO), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, Colombia; (A.F.C.); (L.L.D.); (A.F.A.); (M.K.P.); (Y.R.M.)
| | - Alvaro Fernando Acosta
- Grupo de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica de Colombia (GRECO), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, Colombia; (A.F.C.); (L.L.D.); (A.F.A.); (M.K.P.); (Y.R.M.)
| | - Marcela Katherine Peñaloza
- Grupo de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica de Colombia (GRECO), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, Colombia; (A.F.C.); (L.L.D.); (A.F.A.); (M.K.P.); (Y.R.M.)
| | - Yardany Rafael Méndez
- Grupo de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica de Colombia (GRECO), Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Tunja 150003, Colombia; (A.F.C.); (L.L.D.); (A.F.A.); (M.K.P.); (Y.R.M.)
| | - Diana Carolina Clavijo
- Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana Cali, Santiago de Cali 760031, Colombia;
| | - Juvenal Yosa Reyes
- Laboratorio de Simulación Molecular, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas y Biomédicas, Universidad Simón Bolívar, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
- Correspondence:
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16
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Michelo CM, Dalel JA, Hayes P, Fernandez N, Fiore-Gartland A, Kilembe W, Tang J, Streatfield C, Gilmour J, Hunter E. Comprehensive epitope mapping using polyclonally expanded human CD8 T cells and a two-step ELISpot assay for testing large peptide libraries. J Immunol Methods 2021; 491:112970. [PMID: 33529681 DOI: 10.1016/j.jim.2021.112970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The genetic diversity of circulating HIV-1 strains poses a major barrier to the design, development and evaluation of HIV-1 vaccines. The assessment of both vaccine- and natural infection-elicited T cell responses is commonly done with multivalent peptides that are designed to maximally capture the diversity of potential T cell epitopes (PTEs) observed in natural circulating sequences. However, depending on the sequence diversity of viral subtypes and number of the HIV immunogens under investigation, PTE estimates, including HLA-guided computational methods, can easily generate enormous peptide libraries. Evaluation of T cell epitope specificity using such extensive peptide libraries is usually limited by sample availability, even for high-throughput and robust epitope mapping techniques like ELISpot assays. Here we describe a novel, two-step protocol for in-vitro polyclonal expansion of CD8 T cells from a single vial of frozen PBMC, which facilitated the screening 441 HIV-1 Gag peptides for immune responses among 32 HIV-1 positive subjects and 40 HIV-1 negative subjects for peptide qualification. Using a pooled-peptide mapping strategy, epitopes were mapped in two sequential ELISpot assays; the first ELISpot screened 33 large peptide pools using CD8 T cells expanded for 7 days, while the second step tested pool-matrix peptides to identify individual peptides using CD8 T cells expanded for 10 days. This comprehensive epitope screening established the breadth and magnitude of HIV-1 Gag-specific CD8 T cells and further revealed the extent of immune responses to variable/polymorphic epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clive M Michelo
- Zambia Emory HIV Research Project, B22/737 Mwembelelo, Emmasdale, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jama A Dalel
- Human Immunology Laboratory, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Hayes
- Human Immunology Laboratory, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natalia Fernandez
- Human Immunology Laboratory, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Fiore-Gartland
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
| | - William Kilembe
- Zambia Emory HIV Research Project, B22/737 Mwembelelo, Emmasdale, Lusaka, Zambia
| | - Jianming Tang
- Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Claire Streatfield
- Human Immunology Laboratory, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jill Gilmour
- Human Immunology Laboratory, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eric Hunter
- Zambia Emory HIV Research Project, B22/737 Mwembelelo, Emmasdale, Lusaka, Zambia; Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, 954 Gatewood Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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17
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Layman NC, Tuschhoff BM, Nuismer SL. Designing transmissible viral vaccines for evolutionary robustness and maximum efficiency. Virus Evol 2021; 7:veab002. [PMID: 33680502 PMCID: PMC7920745 DOI: 10.1093/ve/veab002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The danger posed by emerging infectious diseases necessitates the development of new tools that can mitigate the risk of animal pathogens spilling over into the human population. One promising approach is the development of recombinant viral vaccines that are transmissible, and thus capable of self-dissemination through hard to reach populations of wild animals. Indeed, mathematical models demonstrate that transmissible vaccines can greatly reduce the effort required to control the spread of zoonotic pathogens in their animal reservoirs, thereby limiting the chances of human infection. A key challenge facing these new vaccines, however, is the inevitability of evolutionary change resulting from their ability to self-replicate and generate extended chains of transmission. Further, carrying immunogenic transgenes is often costly, in terms of metabolic burden, increased competition with the pathogen, or due to unintended interactions with the viral host regulatory network. As a result, natural selection is expected to favor vaccine strains that down-regulate or delete these transgenes resulting in increased rates of transmission and reduced efficacy against the target pathogen. In addition, efficacy and evolutionary stability will often be at odds; as when longer, more efficacious antigens experience faster rates of evolutionary decay. Here, we ask how such trade-offs influence the overall performance of transmissible vaccines. We find that evolutionary instability can substantially reduce performance, even for vaccine candidates with the ideal combination of efficacy and transmission. However, we find that, at least in some cases, vaccine stability and overall performance can be improved by the inclusion of a second, redundant antigen. Overall, our results suggest that the successful application of recombinant transmissible vaccines will require consideration of evolutionary dynamics and epistatic effects, as well as basic measurements of epidemiological features.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Beth M Tuschhoff
- Department of Mathematics, University of Idaho, 875 Perimeter Drive, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
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Goel H, Rahul E, Gupta AK, Meena JP, Chopra A, Ranjan A, Hussain S, Rath GK, Tanwar P. Molecular update on biology of Wilms Tumor 1 gene and its applications in acute myeloid leukemia. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF BLOOD RESEARCH 2020; 10:151-160. [PMID: 33224559 PMCID: PMC7675129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1) is an important gene which is involved in growth and development of many organs. It is identified as a tumor suppressor gene in nephroblastoma. However, its role as a tumor oncogene has been highlighted by many studies in haematological as well as non haematological malignant neoplasm. The expression of WT1 on leukemic blast cells sensitised us to explore its impact on neoplastic phenomenon. WT1 is has been found both mutated as well as over expressed in different subsets of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). WT1 is a gene has been used as a biomarker for diagnosis, monitoring of minimal residual disease (MRD) and detection of relapse for molecular remission in AML. It also has potential of being a predictive molecular predictive biomarker for the treatment of leukemic cases after allogeneic transplantation. The WT1 specific expression on blast cells and its interaction with cytotoxic T cell has also been explored for its potential usage WT1 based immunotherapy. Here, we are reviewing molecular updates of WT1 gene and discuss its potential clinical applications as a predictive molecular biomarker for diagnosis, as MRD detection and as immunotherapy in AML.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harsh Goel
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi 110029, India
| | - Ekta Rahul
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi 110029, India
| | - Aditya Kumar Gupta
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi 110029, India
| | - Jagdish Prasad Meena
- Department of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi 110029, India
| | - Anita Chopra
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi 110029, India
| | - Amar Ranjan
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi 110029, India
| | - Showket Hussain
- Division of Molecular Oncology, National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research I-7Sector-39, NOIDA-201301, India
| | - GK Rath
- All India Institute of Medical ScincesNew Delhi, India
| | - Pranay Tanwar
- Laboratory Oncology Unit, Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital, All India Institute of Medical SciencesNew Delhi 110029, India
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19
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Lim HX, Lim J, Jazayeri SD, Poppema S, Poh CL. Development of multi-epitope peptide-based vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. Biomed J 2020; 44:18-30. [PMID: 33727051 PMCID: PMC7527307 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2020.09.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a pandemic involving so far more than 22 million infections and 776,157 deaths. Effective vaccines are urgently needed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infections. No vaccines have yet been approved for licensure by regulatory agencies. Even though host immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 infections are beginning to be unravelled, effective clearance of virus will depend on both humoral and cellular immunity. Additionally, the presence of Spike (S)-glycoprotein reactive CD4+ T-cells in the majority of convalescent patients is consistent with its significant role in stimulating B and CD8+ T-cells. The search for immunodominant epitopes relies on experimental evaluation of peptides representing the epitopes from overlapping peptide libraries which can be costly and labor-intensive. Recent advancements in B- and T-cell epitope predictions by bioinformatic analysis have led to epitope identifications. Assessing which peptide epitope can induce potent neutralizing antibodies and robust T-cell responses is a prerequisite for the selection of effective epitopes to be incorporated in peptide-based vaccines. This review discusses the roles of B- and T-cells in SARS-CoV-2 infections and experimental validations for the selection of B-, CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell epitopes which could lead to the construction of a multi-epitope peptide vaccine. Peptide-based vaccines are known for their low immunogenicity which could be overcome by incorporating immunostimulatory adjuvants and nanoparticles such as Poly Lactic-co-Glycolic Acid (PLGA) or chitosan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Xuan Lim
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jianhua Lim
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Seyed Davoud Jazayeri
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Chit Laa Poh
- Centre for Virus and Vaccine Research, School of Science and Technology, Sunway University, Selangor, Malaysia.
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20
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Harari A, Graciotti M, Bassani-Sternberg M, Kandalaft LE. Antitumour dendritic cell vaccination in a priming and boosting approach. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2020; 19:635-652. [PMID: 32764681 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-020-0074-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Mobilizing antitumour immunity through vaccination potentially constitutes a powerful anticancer strategy but has not yet provided robust clinical benefits in large patient populations. Although major hurdles still exist, we believe that currently available strategies for vaccines that target dendritic cells or use them to present antitumour antigens could be integrated into existing clinical practice using prime-boost approaches. In the priming phase, these approaches capitalize on either standard treatment modalities to trigger in situ vaccination and release tumour antigens or vaccination with dendritic cells loaded with tumour lysates or patient-specific neoantigens. In a second boost phase, personalized synthetic vaccines specifically boost T cells that were triggered during the priming phase. This immunotherapy approach has been enabled by the substantial recent improvements in dendritic cell vaccines. In this Perspective, we discuss these improvements, highlight how the prime-boost approach can be translated into clinical practice and provide solutions for various anticipated hurdles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Harari
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michele Graciotti
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Michal Bassani-Sternberg
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lana E Kandalaft
- Center of Experimental Therapeutics, Department of Oncology, University Hospital of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland. .,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
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21
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Gupta A, Rosato AJ, Cui F. Vaccine candidate designed against carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecules using immunoinformatics tools. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 39:6084-6098. [PMID: 32720576 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1797539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion (CEACAM) molecules belong to a family of membrane glycoproteins that mediate intercellular interactions influencing cellular growth, immune cell activation, apoptosis, and tumor suppression. Several family members (CEACAM1, CEACAM5, and CEACAM6) are highly expressed in cancers, and they share a conserved N-terminal domain that serves as an attractive target for cancer immunotherapy. A multi-epitope vaccine candidate against this conserved domain has been developed using immunoinformatics tools. Specifically, several epitopes predicted to interact with MHC class I and II molecules were linked together with appropriate linkers. The tertiary structure of the vaccine is generated by homology and ab initio modeling. Molecular docking of epitopes to MHC structures have revealed that the lowest energy conformations are the epitopes bound to the antigen-binding groove of the MHC molecules. Subsequent molecular dynamics simulation has confirmed the stability of the binding conformations in solution. The predicted vaccine has relatively high antigenicity and low allergenicity, suggesting that it is an ideal candidate for further refinement and development.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aditya Gupta
- Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Andrew J Rosato
- Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Feng Cui
- Thomas H. Gosnell School of Life Sciences, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, USA
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22
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Shi W, Tong Z, Qiu Q, Yue N, Guo W, Zou F, Zhou D, Li J, Huang W, Qian H. Novel HLA-A2 restricted antigenic peptide derivatives with high affinity for the treatment of breast cancer expressing NY-ESO-1. Bioorg Chem 2020; 103:104138. [PMID: 32745760 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2020.104138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tumor immunotherapy based on specific tumor antigen has become the focus for breast cancer, and research into cancer/testes antigens (CTA) is progressing. As an important member in the CTA, NY-ESO-1 plays a crucial role in the treatment and prognosis of breast cancer. In this study, we aimed to improve the binding ability to MHC by designing and synthesizing stable NY-ESO-1-derived peptides, based on NetMHC 4.0 webserver (http://www.cbs.dtu.dk/services/NetMHC/) and HLP webserver (http://crdd.osdd.net/raghava/hlp/pep_both.htm). Moreover, after modification of the lead compound, affinity of the peptides to human leukocyte antigen-A2 (HLA-A2) was determined by a flow cytometry and an inverted fluorescence microscope in T2 cells that show high expression of HLA-A2. The results demonstrated that the affinity of peptides II-4 and II-10 to HLA-A2 was significantly better when compared to others (II-Lead, II-1 ~ II-3, II-5 ~ II-9, II-11 ~ II-15). Further studies indicated that II-4 and II-10, especially II-4, significantly promoted the maturation of HLA-A2-positive human peripheral blood-derived dendritic cells (DCs) from morphology and surface markers, the activation of CD8 + T lymphocytes, and the type-specific killing effect on HLA-A2+/NY-ESO-1+ MDA-MB-231 cells. Molecular docking studies suggested a strong interaction between peptide II-4 and HLA-A2, thereby indicating that the II-4 is a promising candidate with antigenic potential in the field of immunotherapy that needs more studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Shi
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Zhenzhen Tong
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Qianqian Qiu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Wetland Bioresources and Environmental Protection, Yancheng Teachers' University, Yancheng 224002, PR China; Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Na Yue
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Weiwei Guo
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Feng Zou
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Daoguang Zhou
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Jiuhui Li
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Wenlong Huang
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China
| | - Hai Qian
- Center of Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China; Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery for Metabolic Disease, China Pharmaceutical University, 24 Tongjiaxiang, Nanjing 210009, PR China.
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23
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Karimi M, Seyyed Tabaei SJ, Ranjbar MM, Fathi F, Jalili A, zamini G, Javadi Mamaghani A, Nazari J, Roshani D, Bagherani N, Khademerfan MB. Construction of A Synthetic Gene Encoding the Multi-Epitope of Toxoplasma gondii and Demonstration of the Relevant Recombinant Protein Production: A Vaccine Candidate. Galen Med J 2020; 9:e1708. [PMID: 34466573 PMCID: PMC8343506 DOI: 10.31661/gmj.v9i0.1708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toxoplasma gondii is a widely-distributed parasite all over the world whose attributed severe afflicting complications in human necessitate the development of serodiagnostic tests and vaccines for it. Immunological responses to monovalent vaccines and the application of diagnostic reagents including single antigens are not optimally effective. Bioinformatics approaches were used to introduce these epitopes, predict their immunogenicity and preliminarily evaluate their potential as an effective DNA vaccine and for serodiagnostic goals. MATERIALS AND METHODS A 3D structure of proteins was predicted by I-TASSER server, and linear and conformational B cell and T cell epitopes were predicted using the online servers. Then, the predicted epitopes were constructed and called Toxoeb, and their expression in the prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells was demonstrated using SDS-PAGE. In the next step, Western blotting with pooled sera of mice infected with T. gondii was done. RESULTS The current in silico analysis revealed that the B cell epitopes with high immunogenicity for GRA4 protein were located in the residues 34-71, and 230-266, for GRA14 in 308-387, for SAG1 in 182-195, 261-278, and for GRA7 in residues 101-120, 160-176. The T cell epitopes were selected in overlapping regions with the B cell epitopes. The immunogenic region for GRA4 are in the residues 245-253, 50-58, and 40-54, for GRA14 in 307-315, 351-359, and 308- 322, for SAG1 261-269, and 259-267, and for GRA7 in the residues 103-112, and 167-175. The results of the western blotting showed that the expressed protein had immunogenicity. CONCLUSION Our constructed multi-epitope of T. gondii could be considered as a candidate for diagnostic and vaccination purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Karimi
- Student Research Committee, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Seyyed Javad Seyyed Tabaei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Ranjbar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran
| | - Fardin Fathi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Science, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ali Jalili
- Cancer and Immunology Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ghasem zamini
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Science
| | - Amirreza Javadi Mamaghani
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Nazari
- Medical Department, Arak University of Medical Science, Arak, Iran
| | - Daem Roshani
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Nooshin Bagherani
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Bagher Khademerfan
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Science
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24
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Herst CV, Burkholz S, Sidney J, Sette A, Harris PE, Massey S, Brasel T, Cunha-Neto E, Rosa DS, Chao WCH, Carback R, Hodge T, Wang L, Ciotlos S, Lloyd P, Rubsamen R. An effective CTL peptide vaccine for Ebola Zaire Based on Survivors' CD8+ targeting of a particular nucleocapsid protein epitope with potential implications for COVID-19 vaccine design. Vaccine 2020; 38:4464-4475. [PMID: 32418793 PMCID: PMC7186210 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2020.04.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The 2013-2016 West Africa EBOV epidemic was the biggest EBOV outbreak to date. An analysis of virus-specific CD8+ T-cell immunity in 30 survivors showed that 26 of those individuals had a CD8+ response to at least one EBOV protein. The dominant response (25/26 subjects) was specific to the EBOV nucleocapsid protein (NP). It has been suggested that epitopes on the EBOV NP could form an important part of an effective T-cell vaccine for Ebola Zaire. We show that a 9-amino-acid peptide NP44-52 (YQVNNLEEI) located in a conserved region of EBOV NP provides protection against morbidity and mortality after mouse adapted EBOV challenge. A single vaccination in a C57BL/6 mouse using an adjuvanted microsphere peptide vaccine formulation containing NP44-52 is enough to confer immunity in mice. Our work suggests that a peptide vaccine based on CD8+ T-cell immunity in EBOV survivors is conceptually sound and feasible. Nucleocapsid proteins within SARS-CoV-2 contain multiple Class I epitopes with predicted HLA restrictions consistent with broad population coverage. A similar approach to a CTL vaccine design may be possible for that virus.
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MESH Headings
- Amino Acid Sequence
- Animals
- COVID-19
- COVID-19 Vaccines
- Coronavirus Infections/immunology
- Coronavirus Infections/prevention & control
- Disease Models, Animal
- Drug Design
- Ebola Vaccines/chemistry
- Ebola Vaccines/immunology
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/chemistry
- Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology
- Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/immunology
- Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola/prevention & control
- Humans
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Nucleocapsid Proteins/chemistry
- Nucleocapsid Proteins/immunology
- Pandemics/prevention & control
- Pneumonia, Viral/immunology
- Pneumonia, Viral/prevention & control
- T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic/immunology
- Vaccines, Subunit/chemistry
- Vaccines, Subunit/immunology
- Viral Vaccines/chemistry
- Viral Vaccines/immunology
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Affiliation(s)
- C V Herst
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States
| | - S Burkholz
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States
| | - J Sidney
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - A Sette
- La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, 9420 Athena Circle La Jolla, CA 92037, United States
| | - P E Harris
- Endocrinology Division, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - S Massey
- University of Texas, Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - T Brasel
- University of Texas, Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, United States
| | - E Cunha-Neto
- Laboratory of Clinical Immunology and Allergy-LIM60, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil; Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii) INCT, São Paulo, Brazil; Heart Institute (Incor), School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D S Rosa
- Institute for Investigation in Immunology (iii) INCT, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - W C H Chao
- University of Macau, E12 Avenida da Universidade, Taipa, Macau, China
| | - R Carback
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States
| | - T Hodge
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States
| | - L Wang
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States
| | - S Ciotlos
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States
| | - P Lloyd
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States
| | - R Rubsamen
- Flow Pharma, Inc., 3451 Vincent Road, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, United States; Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, 55 Fruit St, Boston, MA 02114, United States.
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25
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Dadgar Pakdel J, Zakeri S, Raz A, Dinparast Djadid N. Identification, molecular characterization and expression of aminopeptidase N-1 (APN-1) from Anopheles stephensi in SF9 cell line as a candidate molecule for developing a vaccine that interrupt malaria transmission. Malar J 2020; 19:79. [PMID: 32075635 PMCID: PMC7029531 DOI: 10.1186/s12936-020-03154-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND According to the World Health Organization reports, billions of people around the world are at risk for malaria disease and it is important to consider the preventive strategies for protecting the people that are living in high risk areas. One of the main reasons of disease survival is diversity of vectors and parasites in different malaria regions that have their specific features, behaviour and biology. Therefore, specific regional strategies are necessary for successful control of malaria. One of the tools that needs to be developed for elimination and prevention of reintroduction of malaria is a vaccine that interrupt malaria transmission (VIMTs). VIMT is a broad concept that should be adjusted to the biological characteristics of the disease in each region. One type of VIMT is a vector-based vaccine that affects the sexual stage of Plasmodium life cycle. According to recent studies, the aminopeptidase N-1 of Anopheles gambiae (AgAPN-1) is as a potent vector-based VIMT with considerable inhibition activity against the sexual stage of Plasmodium parasite. METHODS Systems for rapid amplification of cDNA ends (3'-RACE) and genome walking methods were used for sequence determination of apn-1 gene from Anopheles stephensi and distinct bioinformatics software were used for structural analysis. AsAPN-1 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf9) insect cell line using the baculovirus expression system. Recombinant AsAPN-1 was purified under the hybrid condition and its biological activity was assayed. RESULTS Asapn-1 gene and its coded protein from An. stephensi were characterized for the first time in this study. Subsequently, the structural features and immunological properties of its coded protein were evaluated by in silico approaches. Enzymatic activity of the recombinant AsAPN-1, which was expressed in Sf9 insect cell line, was equal to 6 unit/μl. CONCLUSIONS Results of this study revealed that AsAPN-1 is very similar to its counterpart in An. gambiae. In silico evaluation and fundamental data which are necessary for its evaluation as a VIMT-based vaccine in the next steps were acquired in this study and those could be useful for research groups that study on malaria vaccine for countries that An. stephensi is the main malaria vector there.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Dadgar Pakdel
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.,Trauma Research Center, Sina Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Hassan Abad Square, Imam Khomeini Avenue, PO BOX: 1136746911, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sedigheh Zakeri
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbasali Raz
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Navid Dinparast Djadid
- Malaria and Vector Research Group (MVRG), Biotechnology Research Center (BRC), Pasteur Institute of Iran (PII), Pasteur Avenue, P.O. Box 1316943551, Tehran, Iran.
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26
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Haj AK, Breitbach ME, Baker DA, Mohns MS, Moreno GK, Wilson NA, Lyamichev V, Patel J, Weisgrau KL, Dudley DM, O'Connor DH. High-Throughput Identification of MHC Class I Binding Peptides Using an Ultradense Peptide Array. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:1689-1696. [PMID: 32060132 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1900889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Rational vaccine development and evaluation requires identifying and measuring the magnitude of epitope-specific CD8 T cell responses. However, conventional CD8 T cell epitope discovery methods are labor intensive and do not scale well. In this study, we accelerate this process by using an ultradense peptide array as a high-throughput tool for screening peptides to identify putative novel epitopes. In a single experiment, we directly assess the binding of four common Indian rhesus macaque MHC class I molecules (Mamu-A1*001, -A1*002, -B*008, and -B*017) to ∼61,000 8-mer, 9-mer, and 10-mer peptides derived from the full proteomes of 82 SIV and simian HIV isolates. Many epitope-specific CD8 T cell responses restricted by these four MHC molecules have already been identified in SIVmac239, providing an ideal dataset for validating the array; up to 64% of these known epitopes are found in the top 192 SIVmac239 peptides with the most intense MHC binding signals in our experiment. To assess whether the peptide array identified putative novel CD8 T cell epitopes, we validated the method by IFN-γ ELISPOT assay and found three novel peptides that induced CD8 T cell responses in at least two Mamu-A1*001-positive animals; two of these were validated by ex vivo tetramer staining. This high-throughput identification of peptides that bind class I MHC will enable more efficient CD8 T cell response profiling for vaccine development, particularly for pathogens with complex proteomes for which few epitope-specific responses have been defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia K Haj
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Meghan E Breitbach
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - David A Baker
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Mariel S Mohns
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Gage K Moreno
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - Nancy A Wilson
- Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | | | | | - Kim L Weisgrau
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53715
| | - Dawn M Dudley
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705
| | - David H O'Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705; .,Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI 53715
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27
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Yang Y, Chen L, Sun HW, Guo H, Song Z, You Y, Yang LY, Tong YN, Gao JN, Zeng H, Yang WC, Zou QM. Epitope-loaded nanoemulsion delivery system with ability of extending antigen release elicits potent Th1 response for intranasal vaccine against Helicobacter pylori. J Nanobiotechnology 2019; 17:6. [PMID: 30660182 PMCID: PMC6339695 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-019-0441-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection remains a global public health issue, especially in Asia. Due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant strains and the complexity of H. pylori infection, conventional vaccination is the best way to control the disease. Our previous study found that the N-acetyl-neuroaminyllactose-binding hemagglutinin protein (HpaA) is an effective protective antigen for vaccination against H. pylori infection, and intranasal immunization with the immunodominant HpaA epitope peptide (HpaA 154-171, P22, MEGVLIPAGFIKVTILEP) in conjunction with a CpG adjuvant decreased bacterial colonization in H. pylori-infected mice. However, to confer more robust and effective protection against H. pylori infection, an optimized delivery system is needed to enhance the P22-specific memory T cell response. RESULTS In this study, an intranasal nanoemulsion (NE) delivery system offering high vaccine efficacy without obvious cytotoxicity was designed and produced. We found that this highly stable system significantly prolonged the nasal residence time and enhanced the cellular uptake of the epitope peptide, which powerfully boosted the specific Th1 responses of the NE-P22 vaccine, thus reducing bacterial colonization without CpG. Furthermore, the protection efficacy was further enhanced by combining the NE-P22 vaccine with CpG. CONCLUSION This epitope-loaded nanoemulsion delivery system was shown to extend antigen release and elicit potent Th1 response, it is an applicable delivery system for intranasal vaccine against H. pylori.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Yang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Li Chen
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong-wu Sun
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hong Guo
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhen Song
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ying You
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liu-yang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ya-nan Tong
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ji-ning Gao
- Institute of Combined Injury of PLA, College of Military Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA, Chongqing, China
| | - Hao Zeng
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Wu-chen Yang
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Quan-ming Zou
- National Engineering Research Center of Immunological Products, Department of Microbiology and Biochemical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Roozbehani M, Falak R, Mohammadi M, Hemphill A, Razmjou E, Meamar AR, Masoori L, Khoshmirsafa M, Moradi M, Gharavi MJ. Characterization of a multi-epitope peptide with selective MHC-binding capabilities encapsulated in PLGA nanoparticles as a novel vaccine candidate against Toxoplasma gondii infection. Vaccine 2018; 36:6124-6132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2018.08.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Arab A, Behravan N, Razazn A, Barati N, Mosaffa F, Nicastro J, Slavcev R, Behravan J. The viral approach to breast cancer immunotherapy. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:1257-1267. [PMID: 30146692 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Despite years of intensive research, breast cancer remains the leading cause of death in women worldwide. New technologies including oncolytic virus therapies, virus, and phage display are among the most powerful and advanced methods that have emerged in recent years with potential applications in cancer prevention and treatment. Oncolytic virus therapy is an interesting strategy for cancer treatment. Presently, a number of viruses from different virus families are under laboratory and clinical investigation as oncolytic therapeutics. Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been shown to be able to induce and initiate a systemic antitumor immune response. The possibility of application of a multimodal therapy using a combination of the OV therapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors and cancer antigen vaccination holds a great promise in the future of cancer immunotherapy. Display of immunologic peptides on bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) is also increasingly being considered as a new and strong cancer vaccine delivery strategy. In phage display immunotherapy, a peptide or protein antigen is presented by genetic fusions to the phage coat proteins, and the phage construct formulation acts as a protective or preventive vaccine against cancer. In our laboratory, we have recently tested a few peptides (E75, AE37, and GP2) derived from HER2/neu proto-oncogene as vaccine delivery modalities for the treatment of TUBO breast cancer xenograft tumors of BALB/c mice. Here, in this paper, we discuss the latest advancements in the applications of OVs and bacterial viruses display systems as new and advanced modalities in cancer immune therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Arab
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | | | - Atefeh Razazn
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nastaran Barati
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mosaffa
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Jessica Nicastro
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Roderick Slavcev
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.,Mediphage Bioceuticals, Inc., MaRS Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Javad Behravan
- Biotechnology Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Mediphage Bioceuticals, Inc., MaRS Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Parvizpour S, Razmara J, Pourseif MM, Omidi Y. In silico design of a triple-negative breast cancer vaccine by targeting cancer testis antigens. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 9:45-56. [PMID: 30788259 PMCID: PMC6378095 DOI: 10.15171/bi.2019.06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an important subtype of breast cancer, which occurs in the absence of estrogen, progesterone and HER-2 receptors. According to the recent studies, TNBC may be a cancer testis antigen (CTA)-positive tumor, indicating that the CTA-based cancer vaccine can be a treatment option for the patients bearing such tumors. Of these antigens (Ags), the MAGE-A family and NY-ESO-1 as the most immunogenic CTAs are the potentially relevant targets for the development of an immunotherapeutic way of the breast cancer treatment. Methods: In the present study, immunoinformatics approach was used to design a multi-epitope peptide vaccine to combat the TNBC. The vaccine peptide was constructed by the fusion of three crucial components, including the CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) epitopes, helper epitopes and adjuvant. The epitopes were predicted from the MAGE-A and NY-ESO-1 Ags. In addition, the granulocyte-macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was used as an adjuvant to promote the CD4+ T cells towards the T-helper for more strong induction of CTL responses. The components were conjugated by proper linkers. Results: The vaccine peptide was examined for different physiochemical characteristics to confirm the safety and immunogenic behavior. Furthermore, the 3D-structure of the vaccine peptide was predicted based on the homology modeling approach using the MODELLER v9.17 program. The vaccine structure was also subjected to the molecular dynamics simulation study for structure refinement. The results verified the immunogenicity and safety profile of the constructed vaccine as well as its capability for stimulating both the cellular and humoral immune responses. Conclusion: Based on our in-silico analyses, the proposed vaccine may be considered for the immunotherapy of TNBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sepideh Parvizpour
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Jafar Razmara
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad M Pourseif
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Yadollah Omidi
- Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Biomedicine Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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31
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Marino F. Gaining Insight Into Posttranslationally Modified HIV Antigens and Their Underlying Characteristics. Proteomics 2018. [PMID: 29513933 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201800041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry (MS)-based immunopeptidomics has developed as one of the leading methodologies for comprehensive characterization of in vivo presented human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-bound peptides. Unveiling the identity of HLA-bound peptides derived from diseased cells is crucial to gain knowledge on the constitution of efficient disease-specific T cell responses. The HLA-presented peptidome reflects the status of the cellular proteome, hence disease-related aberrations of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) might lead to presentation of peptides harboring PTMs. Therefore, characterization of HLA-bound PTM peptides could shed light on their relevance in immune and disease processes. In this issue, Ramarathinam et al. investigate the presentation of HIV envelope (HIVenv) peptides bound to the HLA-B*57:01 allele. Among these peptides, the authors specifically focused on a kynurenine-modified peptide. To this end, they characterize the possible origin of the kynurenine modification, its effect on HLA binding affinity, stability, conformation within the complex, and its immunogenicity compared to the native counterpart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Marino
- Departement de Medecine-Oncology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois, Switzerland
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32
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Usmani SS, Kumar R, Bhalla S, Kumar V, Raghava GPS. In Silico Tools and Databases for Designing Peptide-Based Vaccine and Drugs. ADVANCES IN PROTEIN CHEMISTRY AND STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY 2018; 112:221-263. [PMID: 29680238 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2018.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The prolonged conventional approaches of drug screening and vaccine designing prerequisite patience, vigorous effort, outrageous cost as well as additional manpower. Screening and experimentally validating thousands of molecules for a specific therapeutic property never proved to be an easy task. Similarly, traditional way of vaccination includes administration of either whole or attenuated pathogen, which raises toxicity and safety issues. Emergence of sequencing and recombinant DNA technology led to the epitope-based advanced vaccination concept, i.e., small peptides (epitope) can stimulate specific immune response. Advent of bioinformatics proved to be an adjunct in vaccine and drug designing. Genomic study of pathogens aid to identify and analyze the protective epitope. A number of in silico tools have been developed to design immunotherapy as well as peptide-based drugs in the last two decades. These tools proved to be a catalyst in drug and vaccine designing. This review solicits therapeutic peptide databases as well as in silico tools developed for designing peptide-based vaccine and drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salman Sadullah Usmani
- Center for Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India; Bioinformatics Centre, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar
- Center for Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India; Bioinformatics Centre, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sherry Bhalla
- Center for Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Center for Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India; Bioinformatics Centre, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gajendra P S Raghava
- Center for Computational Biology, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, New Delhi, India; Bioinformatics Centre, CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology, Chandigarh, India.
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33
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Glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccines enhance CD8 + T cell responses against human viral proteins. Sci Rep 2017; 7:14273. [PMID: 29079845 PMCID: PMC5660197 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-14690-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
An important goal of vaccination against viruses and virus-driven cancers is to elicit cytotoxic CD8+ T cells specific for virus-derived peptides. CD8+ T cell responses can be enhanced by engaging help from natural killer T (NKT) cells. We have produced synthetic vaccines that induce strong peptide-specific CD8+ T cell responses in vivo by incorporating an NKT cell-activating glycolipid. Here we examine the effect of a glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccine incorporating an NKT cell-activating glycolipid linked to an MHC class I-restricted peptide from a viral antigen in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The vaccine induces CD1d-dependent activation of human NKT cells following enzymatic cleavage, activates human dendritic cells in an NKT-cell dependent manner, and generates a pool of activated antigen-specific CD8+ T cells with cytotoxic potential. Compared to unconjugated peptide, the vaccine upregulates expression of genes encoding interferon-γ, CD137 and granzyme B. A similar vaccine incorporating a peptide from the clinically-relevant human papilloma virus (HPV) 16 E7 oncoprotein induces cytotoxicity against peptide-expressing targets in vivo, and elicits a better antitumor response in a model of E7-expressing lung cancer than its unconjugated components. Glycolipid-peptide conjugate vaccines may prove useful for the prevention or treatment of viral infections and tumors that express viral antigens.
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34
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Zeng Y, Gao T, Zhao G, Jiang Y, Yang Y, Yu H, Kou Z, Lone Y, Sun S, Zhou Y. Generation of human MHC (HLA-A11/DR1) transgenic mice for vaccine evaluation. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2017; 12:829-36. [PMID: 26479036 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2015.1103405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The rapid occurrence of emerging infectious diseases demonstrates an urgent need for a new preclinical experimental model that reliably replicates human immune responses. Here, a new homozygous humanized human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A11/DR1 transgenic mouse (HLA-A11(+/+)/DR01(+/+)/H-2-β2m(-/-)/IAβ(-/-)) was generated by crossing HLA-A11 transgenic (Tg) mice with HLA-A2(+/+)/DR01(+/+)/H-2-β2m(-/-)/IAβ(-/-) mice. The HLA-A11-restricted immune response of this mouse model was then examined. HLA-A11 Tg mice expressing a chimeric major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecule comprising the α1, α2, and β2m domains of human HLA-A11 and the α3 transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of murine H-2D(b) were generated. The correct integration of HLA-A11 and HLA-DR1 into the genome of the HLA-A11/DR1 Tg mice (which lacked the expression of endogenous H-2-I/II molecules) was then confirmed. Immunizing mice with a recombinant HBV vaccine or a recombinant HIV-1 protein resulted in the generation of IFN-γ-producing cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and antigen-specific antibodies. The HLA-A11-restricted CTL response was directed at HLA immunodominant epitopes. These mice represent a versatile animal model for studying the immunogenicity of HLA CTL epitopes in the absence of a murine MHC response. The established animal model will also be useful for evaluating and optimizing T cell-based vaccines and for studying differences in antigen processing between mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Zeng
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China.,b INSERM U1197 (ex U1014), University of Paris-Sud, Hospital Paul Brousse , Villejuif , France
| | | | - Guangyu Zhao
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yuting Jiang
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yi Yang
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Hong Yu
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Zhihua Kou
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yuchun Lone
- b INSERM U1197 (ex U1014), University of Paris-Sud, Hospital Paul Brousse , Villejuif , France
| | - Shihui Sun
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China
| | - Yusen Zhou
- a State Key Laboratory of Pathogen and Biosecurity, Beijing Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology , Beijing , China.,c Wenzhou Medical University , Zhejiang , China
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35
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Taniguchi H, Iwasa S, Yamazaki K, Yoshino T, Kiryu C, Naka Y, Liew EL, Sakata Y. Phase 1 study of OCV-C02, a peptide vaccine consisting of two peptide epitopes for refractory metastatic colorectal cancer. Cancer Sci 2017; 108:1013-1021. [PMID: 28266765 PMCID: PMC5448625 DOI: 10.1111/cas.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Revised: 02/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
OCV‐C02 is a peptide vaccine consisting of two peptide epitopes derived from ring finger protein 43 (RNF43) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 34 (TOMM34). This Phase 1 study assessed the safety, preliminary efficacy and immunological responses following OCV‐C02 administration in patients with advanced or relapsed colorectal cancer who were intolerant or refractory to standard chemotherapy. Primary endpoint was any occurrence of dose‐limiting toxicity (DLT) during cycle 1. Secondary endpoints were treatment‐emergent adverse events, efficacy and immunological responses. Efficacy was evaluated based on overall response rate, disease control rate, time to treatment failure and overall survival. Immunological responses were evaluated by measuring CTL, delayed‐type hypersensitivity (DTH) and regulatory T cells (Tregs). Twenty‐four patients who were HLA‐A*24:02‐positive were enrolled and grouped into four cohorts of six patients each: cohorts 1, 2, 3, and 4 which received s.c. OCV‐C02 (emulsifying agent: Montanide™ ISA 51 VG) 0.3, 1, 3, and 6 mg/body, respectively. After cycle 1, patients who were eligible and willing to continue vaccination proceeded to the extended treatment period. No DLT occurred in cycle 1 and no major safety problems were reported throughout the trial. One patient in cohort 2, three patients in cohort 3 and two patients in cohort 4 achieved stable disease. CTL and DTH responses following vaccination were also observed across the four cohorts. OCV‐C02 at 0.3 to 6 mg/body was found to be safe and well tolerated. Trial registrations: JAPIC clinical trials registry (ID: JapicCTI‐132075) and ClinicalTrials.Gov (ID: NCT01801930).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroya Taniguchi
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Aichi Cancer Center Hospital, Aichi, Japan
| | - Satoru Iwasa
- Gastrointestinal Medical Oncology Division, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kentaro Yamazaki
- Division of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Shizuoka Cancer Center, Shizuoka, Japan
| | - Takayuki Yoshino
- Department of Gastroenterology & Gastrointestinal Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba, Japan
| | - Chika Kiryu
- Department of Clinical Management, Headquarters of Clinical Development, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiharu Naka
- Department of Clinical Development - Oncology, Headquarters of Clinical Development, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ei Leen Liew
- Department of Medical Affairs, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuh Sakata
- Department of Medical Oncology, Misawa-City Hospital, Aomori, Japan
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36
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Wang T, Yin H, Li Y, Zhao L, Sun X, Cong H. Vaccination with recombinant adenovirus expressing multi-stage antigens of Toxoplasma gondii by the mucosal route induces higher systemic cellular and local mucosal immune responses than with other vaccination routes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 24:12. [PMID: 28367800 PMCID: PMC5399536 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2017013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, an obligate intracellular protozoan, is a cause of congenital disease and abortion in humans and animals. Various vaccination strategies against toxoplasmosis in rodent models have been used in the past few decades; however, effective vaccines remain a challenge. A recombinant adenovirus vaccine expressing ubiquitin-conjugated multi-stage antigen segments (Ad-UMAS) derived from different life-cycle stages of T. gondii was constructed previously. Here, we compared the immune responses and protection effects in vaccination of mice with Ad-UMAS by five vaccination routes including intramuscular (i.m.), intravenous (i.v.), subcutaneous (s.c.), intraoral (i.o.), and intranasal (i.n.). Much higher levels of T. gondii-specific IgG and IgA antibodies were detected in the sera of the intraoral and intranasal vaccination groups on day 49 compared with controls (p < 0.05). The percentages of CD8+ T-cells in mice immunized intranasally and intraorally were larger than in mice immunized intramuscularly (p < 0.05). The highest level of IL-2 and IFN-γ was detected in the group with nasal immunization, and splenocyte proliferation activity was significantly enhanced in mice immunized via the oral and nasal routes. Furthermore, the higher survival rate (50%) and lower cyst numbers observed in the intraoral and intranasal groups all indicate that Ad-UMAS is far more effective in protecting mice against T. gondii infection via the mucosal route. Ad-UMAS could be an effective and safe mucosal candidate vaccine to protect animals and humans against T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, No. 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Huiquan Yin
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, No. 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, No. 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Lingxiao Zhao
- Shandong Xiehe University, No. 6277 Jiqing Road, Jinan, Shandong 250107, P.R. China
| | - Xiahui Sun
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, No. 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
| | - Hua Cong
- Department of Human Parasitology, Shandong University, School of Medicine, No. 44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P.R. China
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37
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Vance RE, Eichberg MJ, Portnoy DA, Raulet DH. Listening to each other: Infectious disease and cancer immunology. Sci Immunol 2017; 2:eaai9339. [PMID: 28783669 PMCID: PMC5927821 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.aai9339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The immune system provides defense against tumors and pathogens. Here, we propose that by elucidating the shared principles of immunity that underlie cancer and infectious disease, oncologists and microbiologists can learn from each other and achieve the deeper mechanistic understanding critical the development of therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell E Vance
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.
- Cancer Research Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Research Initiative, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Center for Emerging and Neglected Disease, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Michael J Eichberg
- Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Research Initiative, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Center for Emerging and Neglected Disease, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Daniel A Portnoy
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Cancer Research Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Research Initiative, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Center for Emerging and Neglected Disease, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - David H Raulet
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Cancer Research Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Immunotherapeutics and Vaccine Research Initiative, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
- Center for Emerging and Neglected Disease, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
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38
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Human Leukocyte Antigen Diversity: A Southern African Perspective. J Immunol Res 2015; 2015:746151. [PMID: 26347896 PMCID: PMC4549606 DOI: 10.1155/2015/746151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the increasingly well-documented evidence of high genetic, ethnic, and linguistic diversity amongst African populations, there is limited data on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) diversity in these populations. HLA is part of the host defense mechanism mediated through antigen presentation to effector cells of the immune system. With the high disease burden in southern Africa, HLA diversity data is increasingly important in the design of population-specific vaccines and the improvement of transplantation therapeutic interventions. This review highlights the paucity of HLA diversity data amongst southern African populations and defines a need for information of this kind. This information will support disease association studies, provide guidance in vaccine design, and improve transplantation outcomes.
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Khalili S, Rahbar MR, Dezfulian MH, Jahangiri A. In silico analyses of Wilms׳ tumor protein to designing a novel multi-epitope DNA vaccine against cancer. J Theor Biol 2015; 379:66-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2015.04.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Revised: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/20/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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40
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Rosendahl Huber S, van Beek J, de Jonge J, Luytjes W, van Baarle D. T cell responses to viral infections - opportunities for Peptide vaccination. Front Immunol 2014; 5:171. [PMID: 24795718 PMCID: PMC3997009 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2014.00171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2014] [Accepted: 03/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
An effective immune response against viral infections depends on the activation of cytotoxic T cells that can clear infection by killing virus-infected cells. Proper activation of these T cells depends on professional antigen-presenting cells, such as dendritic cells (DCs). In this review, we will discuss the potential of peptide-based vaccines for prevention and treatment of viral diseases. We will describe features of an effective response against both acute and chronic infections, such as an appropriate magnitude, breadth, and quality and discuss requirements for inducing such an effective antiviral immune response. We will address modifications that affect presentation of vaccine components by DCs, including choice of antigen, adjuvants, and formulation. Furthermore, we will describe differences in design between preventive and therapeutic peptide-based vaccines. The ultimate goal in the design of preventive vaccines is to develop a universal vaccine that cross-protects against multiple strains of the virus. For therapeutic vaccines, cross-protection is of less importance, but enhancing existing T cell responses is essential. Although peptide vaccination is successful in inducing responses in human papillomavirus (HPV) infected patients, there are still several challenges such as choosing the right target epitopes, choosing safe adjuvants that improve immunogenicity of these epitopes, and steering the immune response in the desired direction. We will conclude with an overview of the current status of peptide vaccination, hurdles to overcome, and prospects for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sietske Rosendahl Huber
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Josine van Beek
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Jørgen de Jonge
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Willem Luytjes
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
| | - Debbie van Baarle
- Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, Netherlands
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Cong H, Yuan Q, Zhao Q, Zhao L, Yin H, Zhou H, He S, Wang Z. Comparative efficacy of a multi-epitope DNA vaccine via intranasal, peroral, and intramuscular delivery against lethal Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice. Parasit Vectors 2014; 7:145. [PMID: 24685150 PMCID: PMC4229990 DOI: 10.1186/1756-3305-7-145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2013] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis is an important zoonosis, being a cause of congenital disease and abortion in animals and humans. DNA vaccination as a promising vaccine remains a challenge for an improved delivery system. Methods In this study, attenuated Salmonella typhimurium BRD509 was used to deliver a DNA vaccine encoding several epitopes, derived from the tachyzoite proteins SAG1, GRA1, ROP2, GRA4 and bradyzoite proteins SAG2C, SAG2X of Toxoplasma gondii and A2/B subunit of cholera toxin. The recombinant plasmids were electroporated into attenuated Salmonella typhimurium. Humoral and cellular immune responses were evaluated for BALB/c mice administered with this attenuated recombinant Salmonella vaccine via the oral and nasal route or by intramuscular injection with DNA plasmid directly. Results High IgG levels were present in the mice immunized intramuscularly, while IgA levels were higher in the oral and nasal immunization groups. Furthermore, cellular immunity was activated in oral immunization groups with 60% survival rate following challenge with high virulent RH strain. Conclusions The results from this study indicate that a DNA vaccine encoding multi-epitopes of T. gondii delivered by attenuated Salmonella is promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Cong
- Department of human parasitology, Medical school, Shandong University, No,44 Wenhuaxi Road, Jinan, Shandong 250012, P, R, China.
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