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Boggiano-Ayo T, Palacios-Oliva J, Lozada-Chang S, Relova-Hernandez E, Gomez-Perez J, Oliva G, Hernandez L, Bueno-Soler A, Montes de Oca D, Mora O, Machado-Santisteban R, Perez-Martinez D, Perez-Masson B, Cabrera Infante Y, Calzadilla-Rosado L, Ramirez Y, Aymed-Garcia J, Ruiz-Ramirez I, Romero Y, Gomez T, Espinosa LA, Gonzalez LJ, Cabrales A, Guirola O, de la Luz KR, Pi-Estopiñan F, Sanchez-Ramirez B, Garcia-Rivera D, Valdes-Balbin Y, Rojas G, Leon-Monzon K, Ojito-Magaz E, Hardy E. Development of a scalable single process for producing SARS-CoV-2 RBD monomer and dimer vaccine antigens. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2023; 11:1287551. [PMID: 38050488 PMCID: PMC10693982 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1287551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have developed a single process for producing two key COVID-19 vaccine antigens: SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain (RBD) monomer and dimer. These antigens are featured in various COVID-19 vaccine formats, including SOBERANA 01 and the licensed SOBERANA 02, and SOBERANA Plus. Our approach involves expressing RBD (319-541)-His6 in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells, generating and characterizing oligoclones, and selecting the best RBD-producing clones. Critical parameters such as copper supplementation in the culture medium and cell viability influenced the yield of RBD dimer. The purification of RBD involved standard immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography (IMAC), ion exchange chromatography, and size exclusion chromatography. Our findings suggest that copper can improve IMAC performance. Efficient RBD production was achieved using small-scale bioreactor cell culture (2 L). The two RBD forms - monomeric and dimeric RBD - were also produced on a large scale (500 L). This study represents the first large-scale application of perfusion culture for the production of RBD antigens. We conducted a thorough analysis of the purified RBD antigens, which encompassed primary structure, protein integrity, N-glycosylation, size, purity, secondary and tertiary structures, isoform composition, hydrophobicity, and long-term stability. Additionally, we investigated RBD-ACE2 interactions, in vitro ACE2 recognition of RBD, and the immunogenicity of RBD antigens in mice. We have determined that both the monomeric and dimeric RBD antigens possess the necessary quality attributes for vaccine production. By enabling the customizable production of both RBD forms, this unified manufacturing process provides the required flexibility to adapt rapidly to the ever-changing demands of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants and different COVID-19 vaccine platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tammy Boggiano-Ayo
- Process Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | - Gonzalo Oliva
- Process Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Alexi Bueno-Soler
- Process Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Osvaldo Mora
- Process Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Dayana Perez-Martinez
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Beatriz Perez-Masson
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | - Yaima Ramirez
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Judey Aymed-Garcia
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Yamile Romero
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Tania Gomez
- Quality Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | | | - Annia Cabrales
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Cuba
| | - Osmany Guirola
- Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Playa, Cuba
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Gertrudis Rojas
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | - Kalet Leon-Monzon
- Immunology and Immunobiology Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
| | | | - Eugenio Hardy
- Process Development Direction, Center of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
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Gonzalez-Hernandez M, Kaiser FK, Steffen I, Ciurkiewicz M, van Amerongen G, Tchelet R, Emalfarb M, Saloheimo M, Wiebe MG, Vitikainen M, Albulescu IC, Bosch BJ, Baumgärtner W, Haagmans BL, Osterhaus ADME. Preclinical immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a SARS-CoV-2 RBD-based vaccine produced with the thermophilic filamentous fungal expression system Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1204834. [PMID: 37359531 PMCID: PMC10289020 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The emergency use of vaccines has been the most efficient way to control the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. However, the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern has reduced the efficacy of currently used vaccines. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein is the main target for virus neutralizing (VN) antibodies. Methods A SARS-CoV-2 RBD vaccine candidate was produced in the Thermothelomyces heterothallica (formerly, Myceliophthora thermophila) C1 protein expression system and coupled to a nanoparticle. Immunogenicity and efficacy of this vaccine candidate was tested using the Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) infection model. Results One dose of 10-μg RBD vaccine based on SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain, coupled to a nanoparticle in combination with aluminum hydroxide as adjuvant, efficiently induced VN antibodies and reduced viral load and lung damage upon SARS-CoV-2 challenge infection. The VN antibodies neutralized SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern: D614G, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Discussion Our results support the use of the Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1 protein expression system to produce recombinant vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and other virus infections to help overcome limitations associated with the use of mammalian expression system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Gonzalez-Hernandez
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Franziska Karola Kaiser
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Imke Steffen
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
- Institute for Biochemistry, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Malgorzata Ciurkiewicz
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Ronen Tchelet
- Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, FL, United States
| | - Mark Emalfarb
- Dyadic International, Inc., Jupiter, FL, United States
| | | | | | | | - Irina C. Albulescu
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Berend-Jan Bosch
- Virology Section, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, Department of Biomolecular Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Wolfgang Baumgärtner
- Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
| | - Bart L. Haagmans
- Department of Viroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus
- Research Center for Emerging Infections and Zoonoses, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Hannover, Germany
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Moro-Pérez L, Boggiano-Ayo T, Lozada-Chang SL, Fernández-Saiz OL, de la Luz KR, Gómez-Pérez JA. Conformational characterization of the mammalian-expressed SARS-CoV-2 recombinant receptor binding domain, a COVID-19 vaccine. Biol Res 2023; 56:22. [PMID: 37150832 PMCID: PMC10164616 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-023-00434-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a large number of diseases worldwide. There are few vaccines to constrain this disease and the value of them is high. In this sense, the antigens of the vaccine platform Soberana, the receptor binding domain from SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein, both the monomeric (mRBD) and dimeric (dRBD) forms, have been developed. This study encompassed several analyses by different techniques like circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy (FS) and Gel Filtration- High Performance Liquid ChLC of mRBD and dRBD. Monomer and dimer exhibited similar far-UV CD spectral characteristics with 54% of β-sheet content. Similar conformational features according to near-UV CD and FS studies were observed in both RBD. Stress stability studies by far-UV CD, FS, biological activity and GF-HPLC at 37 °C showed that mRBD is very stable. On the other hand, dRBD fluorescent emission showed a shift towards higher wavelengths as the incubation time increases, suggesting exposition of tryptophan residues, unlike what happens with mRBD. Biological activity outcome confirms these results. GF-HPLC profiles showed that in mRBD, the product of molecular stress are dimers and does not increase over time. However, dRBD showed dimer fragmentation as the main degradation species. This study reveals the usefulness of CD techniques for the analysis of degradation of RBD molecules as well as showed the difference in stability of both RBD molecules. Besides, our work provides useful insights into the production of a key protein used in diagnosis and therapeutics to fight COVID-19 pandemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leina Moro-Pérez
- Bioprocess R&D Department, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Tammy Boggiano-Ayo
- Bioprocess R&D Department, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600, Havana, Cuba.
| | - Sum Lai Lozada-Chang
- Bioprocess R&D Department, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Olga Lidia Fernández-Saiz
- Bioprocess R&D Department, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Kathya Rashida de la Luz
- Bioprocess R&D Department, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600, Havana, Cuba
| | - Jose Alberto Gómez-Pérez
- Bioprocess R&D Department, Center of Molecular Immunology, 216 Street and 15 Avenue, Atabey, Playa, P.O. Box 16040, 11600, Havana, Cuba
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Limonta-Fernández M, Chinea-Santiago G, Martín-Dunn AM, Gonzalez-Roche D, Bequet-Romero M, Marquez-Perera G, González-Moya I, Canaan-Haden-Ayala C, Cabrales-Rico A, Espinosa-Rodríguez LA, Ramos-Gómez Y, Andujar-Martínez I, González-López LJ, de la Iglesia MP, Zamora-Sanchez J, Cruz-Sui O, Lemos-Pérez G, Cabrera-Herrera G, Valdes-Hernández J, Martinez-Diaz E, Pimentel-Vazquez E, Ayala-Avila M, Guillén-Nieto G. An engineered SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain produced in Pichia pastoris as a candidate vaccine antigen. N Biotechnol 2022; 72:11-21. [PMID: 35953030 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2022.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Developing affordable and easily manufactured SARS-CoV-2 vaccines will be essential to achieve worldwide vaccine coverage and long-term control of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here the development is reported of a vaccine based on the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD), produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The RBD was modified by adding flexible N- and C-terminal amino acid extensions that modulate protein/protein interactions and facilitate protein purification. A fed-batch methanol fermentation with a yeast extract-based culture medium in a 50 L fermenter and an immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography-based downstream purification process yielded 30-40 mg/L of RBD. Correct folding of the purified protein was demonstrated by mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, and determinations of binding affinity to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. The RBD antigen also exhibited high reactivity with sera from convalescent individuals and Pfizer-BioNTech or Sputnik V vaccinees. Immunization of mice and non-human primates with 50 µg of the recombinant RBD adjuvanted with alum induced high levels of binding antibodies as assessed by ELISA with RBD produced in HEK293T cells, and which inhibited RBD binding to ACE2 and neutralized infection of VeroE6 cells by SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, the RBD protein stimulated IFNγ, IL-2, IL-6, IL-4 and TNFα secretion in splenocytes and lung CD3+-enriched cells of immunized mice. The data suggest that the RBD recombinant protein produced in yeast P. pastoris is suitable as a vaccine candidate against COVID-19.
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Nechooshtan R, Ehrlich S, Vitikainen M, Makovitzki A, Dor E, Marcus H, Hefetz I, Pitel S, Wiebe M, Huuskonen A, Cherry L, Lupu E, Sapir Y, Holtzman T, Aftalion M, Gur D, Tamir H, Yahalom-Ronen Y, Ramot Y, Kronfeld N, Zarling D, Vallerga A, Tchelet R, Nyska A, Saloheimo M, Emalfarb M, Ophir Y. Thermophilic Filamentous Fungus C1-Cell-Cloned SARS-CoV-2-Spike-RBD-Subunit-Vaccine Adjuvanted with Aldydrogel(®)85 Protects K18-hACE2 Mice against Lethal Virus Challenge. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10. [PMID: 36560529 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10122119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is evolving with increased transmission, host range, pathogenicity, and virulence. The original and mutant viruses escape host innate (Interferon) immunity and adaptive (Antibody) immunity, emphasizing unmet needs for high-yield, commercial-scale manufacturing to produce inexpensive vaccines/boosters for global/equitable distribution. We developed DYAI-100A85, a SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (RBD) subunit antigen vaccine expressed in genetically modified thermophilic filamentous fungus, Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1, and secreted at high levels into fermentation medium. The RBD-C-tag antigen strongly binds ACE2 receptors in vitro. Alhydrogel®'85'-adjuvanted RDB-C-tag-based vaccine candidate (DYAI-100A85) demonstrates strong immunogenicity, and antiviral efficacy, including in vivo protection against lethal intranasal SARS-CoV-2 (D614G) challenge in human ACE2-transgenic mice. No loss of body weight or adverse events occurred. DYAI-100A85 also demonstrates excellent safety profile in repeat-dose GLP toxicity study. In summary, subcutaneous prime/boost DYAI-100A85 inoculation induces high titers of RBD-specific neutralizing antibodies and protection of hACE2-transgenic mice against lethal challenge with SARS-CoV-2. Given its demonstrated safety, efficacy, and low production cost, vaccine candidate DYAI-100 received regulatory approval to initiate a Phase 1 clinical trial to demonstrate its safety and efficacy in humans.
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6
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Gerez G, Martinez J, Steinbrugger C, Bouanich S, Dimino J, Piegay C, Combe M, Berthier F, Daniel S. Impact of SARS-CoV-2 RBD Mutations on the Production of a Recombinant RBD Fusion Protein in Mammalian Cells. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1170. [PMID: 36139010 PMCID: PMC9496381 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) is a major target for the development of diagnostics, vaccines and therapeutics directed against COVID-19. Important efforts have been dedicated to the rapid and efficient production of recombinant RBD proteins for clinical and diagnostic applications. One of the main challenges is the ongoing emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants that carry mutations within the RBD, resulting in the constant need to design and optimise the production of new recombinant protein variants. We describe here the impact of naturally occurring RBD mutations on the secretion of a recombinant Fc-tagged RBD protein expressed in HEK 293 cells. We show that mutation E484K of the B.1.351 variant interferes with the proper disulphide bond formation and folding of the recombinant protein, resulting in its retention into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and reduced protein secretion. Accumulation of the recombinant B.1.351 RBD-Fc fusion protein in the ER correlated with the upregulation of endogenous ER chaperones, suggestive of the unfolded protein response (UPR). Overexpression of the chaperone and protein disulphide isomerase PDIA2 further impaired protein secretion by altering disulphide bond formation and increasing ER retention. This work contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced in producing mutant RBD proteins and can assist in the design of optimisation protocols.
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7
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Ramot Y, Kronfeld N, Ophir Y, Ezov N, Friedman S, Saloheimo M, Vitikainen M, Ben-Artzi H, Avigdor A, Tchelet R, Valbuena Crespo N, Emalfarb M, Nyska A. Toxicity and Local Tolerance of a Novel Spike Protein RBD Vaccine Against SARS-CoV-2, Produced Using the C1 Thermothelomyces Heterothallica Protein Expression Platform. Toxicol Pathol 2022; 50:294-307. [PMID: 35514116 PMCID: PMC9128004 DOI: 10.1177/01926233221090518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and there is a growing demand for safe and effective vaccines. The thermophilic Thermothelomyces heterothallica filamentous fungal host, C1-cell, can be utilized as an expression platform for the rapid production of large quantities of antigens for developing vaccines. The aim of this study was to evaluate the local tolerance and the systemic toxicity of a C1-cell expressed receptor-binding domain (C1-RBD) vaccine, following repeated weekly intramuscular injections (total of 4 administrations), in New Zealand White rabbits. The animals were sacrificed either 3 days or 3 weeks following the last dose. No signs of toxicity were observed, including no injection site reactions. ELISA studies revealed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific immunoglobulin G antibodies in the sera of C1-RBD-treated animals starting from day 13 post injection, that were further elevated. Histopathology evaluation and immunohistochemical staining revealed follicular hyperplasia, consisting of B-cell type, in the spleen and inguinal lymph nodes of the treated animals that were sustained throughout the recovery phase. No local or systemic toxicity was observed. In conclusion, the SARS-CoV-2 C1-RBD vaccine candidate demonstrated an excellent safety profile and a lasting immunogenic response against receptor-binding domain, thus supporting its further development for use in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Ramot
- The Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.,Department of Dermatology, Hadassah Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Yakir Ophir
- Israel Institute for Biological Research, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | - Nati Ezov
- Envigo CRS Israel Limited, Ness Ziona, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Hanna Ben-Artzi
- BTG-Biotechnology General (Israel) Ltd., Kiryat Malachi, Israel
| | - Avi Avigdor
- BTG-Biotechnology General (Israel) Ltd., Kiryat Malachi, Israel
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8
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Keresztes G, Baer M, Alfenito MR, Verwoerd TC, Kovalchuk A, Wiebe MG, Andersen TK, Saloheimo M, Tchelet R, Kensinger R, Grødeland G, Emalfarb M. The Highly Productive Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1 Expression System as a Host for Rapid Development of Influenza Vaccines. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10020148. [PMID: 35214607 PMCID: PMC8877961 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10020148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
(1) Influenza viruses constantly change and evade prior immune responses, forcing seasonal re-vaccinations with updated vaccines. Current FDA-approved vaccine manufacturing technologies are too slow and/or expensive to quickly adapt to mid-season changes in the virus or to the emergence of pandemic strains. Therefore, cost-effective vaccine technologies that can quickly adapt to newly emerged strains are desirable. (2) The filamentous fungal host Thermothelomyces heterothallica C1 (C1, formerly Myceliophthora thermophila) offers a highly efficient and cost-effective alternative to reliably produce immunogens of vaccine quality at large scale. (3) We showed the utility of the C1 system expressing hemagglutinin (HA) and a HA fusion protein from different H1N1 influenza A virus strains. Mice vaccinated with the C1-derived HA proteins elicited anti-HA immune responses similar, or stronger than mice vaccinated with HA products derived from prototypical expression systems. A challenge study demonstrated that vaccinated mice were protected against the aggressive homologous viral challenge. (4) The C1 expression system is proposed as part of a set of protein expression systems for plug-and-play vaccine manufacturing platforms. Upon the emergence of pathogens of concern these platforms could serve as a quick solution for producing enough vaccines for immunizing the world population in a much shorter time and more affordably than is possible with current platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabor Keresztes
- Dyadic International Inc., 140 Intracoastal Pointe Drive, Suite 404, Jupiter, FL 33477, USA; (G.K.); (T.C.V.); (R.T.)
| | - Mark Baer
- EnGen Bio LLC, 61 Avondale Ave., Redwood City, CA 94062, USA; (M.B.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Mark R. Alfenito
- EnGen Bio LLC, 61 Avondale Ave., Redwood City, CA 94062, USA; (M.B.); (M.R.A.)
| | - Theo C. Verwoerd
- Dyadic International Inc., 140 Intracoastal Pointe Drive, Suite 404, Jupiter, FL 33477, USA; (G.K.); (T.C.V.); (R.T.)
| | - Andriy Kovalchuk
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., P.O. Box 1000, 02044 Espoo, Finland; (A.K.); (M.G.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Marilyn G. Wiebe
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., P.O. Box 1000, 02044 Espoo, Finland; (A.K.); (M.G.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Tor Kristian Andersen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0027 Oslo, Norway; (T.K.A.); (G.G.)
| | - Markku Saloheimo
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd., P.O. Box 1000, 02044 Espoo, Finland; (A.K.); (M.G.W.); (M.S.)
| | - Ronen Tchelet
- Dyadic International Inc., 140 Intracoastal Pointe Drive, Suite 404, Jupiter, FL 33477, USA; (G.K.); (T.C.V.); (R.T.)
| | - Richard Kensinger
- Sanofi Pasteur, 1541 Ave. Marcel Mérieux, 69280 Marcy l’Etoile, France;
| | - Gunnveig Grødeland
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0027 Oslo, Norway; (T.K.A.); (G.G.)
- Department of Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, 0027 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mark Emalfarb
- Dyadic International Inc., 140 Intracoastal Pointe Drive, Suite 404, Jupiter, FL 33477, USA; (G.K.); (T.C.V.); (R.T.)
- Correspondence:
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9
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Lazo L, Bequet-Romero M, Lemos G, Musacchio A, Cabrales A, Bruno AJ, Ariel Espinosa L, Saloheimo M, Vitikainen M, Hernández A, Emalfarb M, Tchelet R, Suzarte E, Guillén G. A recombinant SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain expressed in an engineered fungal strain of Thermothelomyces heterothallica induces a functional immune response in mice. Vaccine 2022; 40:1162-1169. [PMID: 35078661 PMCID: PMC8783260 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the development of effective vaccines against this pathogen has been a priority for the scientific community. Several strategies have been developed including vaccines based on recombinant viral protein fragments. The receptor-binding domain (RBD) in the S1 subunit of S protein has been considered one of the main targets of neutralizing antibodies. In this study we assess the potential of a vaccine formulation based on the recombinant RBD domain of SARS-CoV-2 expressed in the thermophilic filamentous fungal strain Thermothelomyces heterothallica and the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein. Functional humoral and cellular immune responses were detected in mice. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the immune evaluation of a biomedical product obtained in the fungal strain T. heterothallica. These results together with the intrinsic advantages of this expression platform support its use for the development of biotechnology products for medical purpose.
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