Chimeric Fusion (F) and Attachment (G) Glycoprotein Antigen Delivery by mRNA as a Candidate Nipah Vaccine

Nipah virus (NiV) represents a significant pandemic threat with zoonotic transmission from bats-to-humans with almost annual regional outbreaks characterized by documented human-to-human transmission and high fatality rates. Currently, no vaccine against NiV has been approved. Structure-based design and protein engineering principles were applied to stabilize the fusion (F) protein in its prefusion trimeric conformation (pre-F) to improve expression and increase immunogenicity. We covalently linked the stabilized pre-F through trimerization domains at the C-terminus to three attachment protein (G) monomers, forming a chimeric design. These studies detailed here focus on mRNA delivery of NiV immunogens in mice, assessment of mRNA immunogen-specific design elements and their effects on humoral and cellular immunogenicity. The pre-F/G chimera elicited a strong neutralizing antibody response and a superior NiV-specific Tfh and other effector T cell response compared to G alone across both the mRNA and protein platforms. These findings enabled final candidate selection of pre-F/G Fd for clinical development.

Ultrapotent antibodies against diverse and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants

The emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) that are resistant to therapeutic antibodies highlights the need for continuing discovery of broadly reactive antibodies. We identified four receptor binding domain-targeting antibodies from three early-outbreak convalescent donors with potent neutralizing activity against 23 variants, including the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, B.1.429, B.1.526, and B.1.617 VOCs. Two antibodies are ultrapotent, with subnanomolar neutralization titers [half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) 0.3 to 11.1 nanograms per milliliter; IC80 1.5 to 34.5 nanograms per milliliter). We define the structural and functional determinants of binding for all four VOC-targeting antibodies and show that combinations of two antibodies decrease the in vitro generation of escape mutants, suggesting their potential in mitigating resistance development.

COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273 elicits a protective immune profile in mice that is not associated with vaccine-enhanced disease upon SARS-CoV-2 challenge

Vaccine-associated enhanced respiratory disease (VAERD) was previously observed in some preclinical models of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and MERS coronavirus vaccines. We used the SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) mouse-adapted, passage 10, lethal challenge virus (MA10) mouse model of acute lung injury to evaluate the immune response and potential for immunopathology in animals vaccinated with research-grade mRNA-1273. Whole-inactivated virus or heat-denatured spike protein subunit vaccines with alum designed to elicit low-potency antibodies and Th2-skewed CD4+ T cells resulted in reduced viral titers and weight loss post challenge but more severe pathological changes in the lung compared to saline-immunized animals. In contrast, a protective dose of mRNA-1273 induced favorable humoral and cellular immune responses that protected from viral replication in the upper and lower respiratory tract upon challenge. A subprotective dose of mRNA-1273 reduced viral replication and limited histopathological manifestations compared to animals given saline. Overall, our findings demonstrate an immunological signature associated with antiviral protection without disease enhancement following vaccination with mRNA-1273.

Antibodies with potent and broad neutralizing activity against antigenically diverse and highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants

The emergence of highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOC) that are resistant to therapeutic antibodies highlights the need for continuing discovery of broadly reactive antibodies. We identify four receptor-binding domain targeting antibodies from three early-outbreak convalescent donors with potent neutralizing activity against 12 variants including the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 VOCs. Two of them are ultrapotent, with sub-nanomolar neutralization titers (IC50 <0.0006 to 0.0102 μ g/mL; IC80 < 0.0006 to 0.0251 μ g/mL). We define the structural and functional determinants of binding for all four VOC-targeting antibodies, and show that combinations of two antibodies decrease the in vitro generation of escape mutants, suggesting potential means to mitigate resistance development. These results define the basis of therapeutic cocktails against VOCs and suggest that targeted boosting of existing immunity may increase vaccine breadth against VOCs.

T cell immunity to SARS-CoV-2 following natural infection and vaccination

SARS-CoV-2 first emerged in the human population in late 2019 in Wuhan, China, and in a matter of months, spread across the globe resulting in the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic and substantial economic fallout. SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted between humans via respiratory particles, with infection presenting a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from asymptomatic to respiratory failure with multiorgan dysfunction and death in severe cases. Prior experiences with human pathogenic coronaviruses and respiratory virus diseases in general have revealed an important role for cellular immunity in limiting disease severity. Here, we review some of the key mechanisms underlying cell-mediated immunity to respiratory viruses and summarize our current understanding of the functional capacity and role of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells following natural infection and vaccination.

SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Development Enabled by Prototype Pathogen Preparedness

A SARS-CoV-2 vaccine is needed to control the global COVID-19 public health crisis. Atomic-level structures directed the application of prefusion-stabilizing mutations that improved expression and immunogenicity of betacoronavirus spike proteins. Using this established immunogen design, the release of SARS-CoV-2 sequences triggered immediate rapid manufacturing of an mRNA vaccine expressing the prefusion-stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike trimer (mRNA-1273). Here, we show that mRNA-1273 induces both potent neutralizing antibody and CD8 T cell responses and protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in lungs and noses of mice without evidence of immunopathology. mRNA-1273 is currently in a Phase 2 clinical trial with a trajectory towards Phase 3 efficacy evaluation.

OMIP-061: 20-Color Flow Cytometry Panel for High-Dimensional Characterization of Murine Antigen-Presenting Cells

This 20-color flow cytometry panel was designed to resolve the cellular heterogeneity of antigen-presenting cells and was optimized for lymph node tissue. Reagents were carefully selected and optimized for identification of B cells (B220), neutrophils (Ly6G), monocytes and macrophages (Ly6C, CD169, F4/80), and dendritic cells (XCR1, CD172a, CD11c, I-A/I-E, CD24, CD64, pDCA-1, CD103, CD11b). Inclusion of additional functional markers involved in cell migration (CCR7), co-stimulation (CD80), and adhesion (ICAM-1) enabled further phenotypic characterization. Finally, this panel has been tested and is compatible with fluorescently labeled antigens such as Alexa Fluor 488 (Ax488) for the study of antigen-bearing cells in vivo. Published 2019. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.

A Novel Vaccine Strategy to Overcome Poor Immunogenicity of Avian Influenza Vaccines through Mobilization of Memory CD4 T Cells Established by Seasonal Influenza

Avian influenza vaccines exhibit poor immunogenicity in humans. We hypothesized that one factor underlying weak B cell responses was sequence divergence between avian and seasonal influenza hemagglutinin proteins, thus limiting the availability of adequate CD4 T cell help. To test this, a novel chimeric hemagglutinin protein (cH7/3) was derived, comprised of the stem domain from seasonal H3 hemagglutinin and the head domain from avian H7. Immunological memory to seasonal influenza was established in mice, through strategies that included seasonal inactivated vaccines, Flumist, and synthetic peptides derived from the H3 stalk domain. After establishment of memory, mice were vaccinated with H7 or cH7/3 protein. The cH7/3 Ag was able to recall H3-specific CD4 T cells, and this potentiated CD4 T cell response was associated with enhanced early germinal center response and rapid elicitation of Abs to H7, including Abs specific for the H7 head domain. These results suggest that in pandemic situations, inclusion of CD4 T cell epitopes from seasonal viruses have the potential to overcome the poor immunogenicity of avian vaccines by helping B cells and conferring greater subtype-specific Ab response to viral HA.

A proof of concept for structure-based vaccine design targeting RSV in humans

Technologies that define the atomic-level structure of neutralization-sensitive epitopes on viral surface proteins are transforming vaccinology and guiding new vaccine development approaches. Previously, iterative rounds of protein engineering were performed to preserve the prefusion conformation of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion (F) glycoprotein, resulting in a stabilized subunit vaccine candidate (DS-Cav1), which showed promising results in mice and macaques. Here, phase I human immunogenicity data reveal a more than 10-fold boost in neutralizing activity in serum from antibodies targeting prefusion-specific surfaces of RSV F. These findings represent a clinical proof of concept for structure-based vaccine design, suggest that development of a successful RSV vaccine will be feasible, and portend an era of precision vaccinology.

CD4 T cells in protection from influenza virus: Viral antigen specificity and functional potential

CD4 T cells convey a number of discrete functions to protective immunity to influenza, a complexity that distinguishes this arm of adaptive immunity from B cells and CD8 T cells. Although the most well recognized function of CD4 T cells is provision of help for antibody production, CD4 T cells are important in many aspects of protective immunity. Our studies have revealed that viral antigen specificity is a key determinant of CD4 T cell function, as illustrated both by mouse models of infection and human vaccine responses, a factor whose importance is due at least in part to events in viral antigen handling. We discuss research that has provided insight into the diverse viral epitope specificity of CD4 T cells elicited after infection, how this primary response is modified as CD4 T cells home to the lung, establish memory, and after challenge with a secondary and distinct influenza virus strain. Our studies in human subjects point out the challenges facing vaccine efforts to facilitate responses to novel and avian strains of influenza, as well as strategies that enhance the ability of CD4 T cells to promote protective antibody responses to both seasonal and potentially pandemic strains of influenza.

Diverse Epitope Specificity, Immunodominance Hierarchy, and Functional Avidity of Effector CD4 T Cells Established During Priming Is Maintained in Lung After Influenza A Virus Infection

One of the major contributions to protective immunity to influenza viruses that is provided by virus-specific CD4 T cells is delivery of effector function to the infected lung. However, there is little known about the selection and breadth of viral epitope-specific CD4 T cells that home to the lung after their initial priming. In this study, using a mouse model of influenza A infection and an unbiased method of epitope identification, the viral epitope-specific CD4 T cells elicited after infection were identified and quantified. We found that a very diverse specificity of CD4 T cells is primed by infection, including epitopes from hemagglutinin, neuraminidase, matrix protein, nucleoprotein, and non-structural protein-1. Using peptide-specific cytokine EliSpots, the diversity and immunodominance hierarchies established in the lung-draining lymph node were compared with specificities of CD4 T cells that home to the lung. Our studies revealed that CD4 T cells of all epitope specificities identified in peripheral lymphoid tissue home back to the lung and that most of these lung-homing cells are localized within the tissue rather than the pulmonary vasculature. There is a striking shift of CD4 T cell functionality that enriches for IFN-γ production as cells are primed in the lymph node, enter the lung vasculature, and finally establish residency in the tissue, but with no apparent shifts in their functional avidity. We conclude that CD4 T cells of broad viral epitope specificity are recruited into the lung after influenza infection, where they then have the opportunity to encounter infected or antigen-bearing antigen-presenting cells.