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Agbayani G, Akache B, Renner TM, Tran A, Stuible M, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Duque D, Bavananthasivam J, Deschatelets L, Hemraz UD, Régnier S, Durocher Y, McCluskie MJ. Intranasal administration of unadjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen boosts antigen-specific immune responses induced by parenteral protein subunit vaccine prime in mice and hamsters. Eur J Immunol 2024:e2350620. [PMID: 38561974 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202350620] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
With the continued transmission of SARS-CoV-2 across widely vaccinated populations, it remains important to develop new vaccines and vaccination strategies capable of providing protective immunity and limiting the spread of disease. Heterologous prime-boost vaccination based on the selection of different vaccine formulations and administration routes for priming and booster doses presents a promising strategy for inducing broader immune responses in key systemic and respiratory mucosal compartments. Intranasal vaccination can induce mucosal immune responses at the site of SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, the lack of clinically approved mucosal adjuvants makes it difficult to induce robust immune responses with protein subunit vaccines. Herein, we evaluated the immunogenicity of heterologous prime-boost regimens in mice and hamsters based on a parenteral vaccination of the antigen in combination with sulfated lactosylarchaeol (SLA) archaeosomes, a liposome adjuvant comprised of a single semisynthetic archaeal lipid, followed by an intranasally administered unadjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen. Intranasal administration of unadjuvanted spike to mice and hamsters increased serum spike-specific IgG titers and spike-neutralizing activity compared with nonboosted animals. Spike-specific IgA responses were also detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the lungs of mice that received an intranasal boost. In hamsters, the intranasal boost showed high efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 infection by protecting from body weight loss and reducing viral titers in the lungs and nasal turbinate. Overall, our heterologous intramuscular prime-intranasal boost with SLA-adjuvanted and unadjuvanted spike, respectively, demonstrated the potential of protein subunit formulations to promote antigen-specific systemic and mucosal immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tyler M Renner
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Anh Tran
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew Stuible
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Blair A Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diana Duque
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jegarubee Bavananthasivam
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Usha D Hemraz
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sophie Régnier
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
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Gashti AB, Agbayani G, Hrapovic S, Nassoury N, Coulombe N, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Akache B, Gilbert R, Chahal PS. Production, purification and immunogenicity of Gag virus-like particles carrying SARS-CoV-2 components. Vaccine 2024; 42:40-52. [PMID: 38042697 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2023.11.048] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023]
Abstract
The virus-like particle (VLP) platform is a robust inducer of humoral and cellular immune responses; hence, it has been used in vaccine development for several infectious diseases. In the current work, VLPs carrying SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein (Wuhan strain) with an HIV-1 Gag core were produced using suspension HEK 293SF-3F6 cells by transient transfection. The Gag was fused with green fluorescent protein (GFP) for rapid quantification of the VLPs. Five different versions of Gag-Spike VLPs (Gag-S-VLPs) consisting of Gag-S alone or combined with other SARS-CoV-2 components, namely Gag-S-Nucleocapsid (N), Gag-S-Matrix (M), Gag-S-Envelope (E), Gag-S-MEN, along with Gag alone were produced and processed by clarification, nuclease treatment, concentration by tangential flow filtration (TFF) and diafiltration. A pilot mouse study was performed to evaluate the immunogenicity of the Gag-S-VLPs through the measurement of the humoral and/or cellular responses against all the mentioned SARS-CoV-2 components. Antibody response to Spike was observed in all variants. The highest number of Spike-specific IFN-γ + T cells was detected with Gag-S-VLPs. No induction of antigen-specific cellular responses to M, N or E proteins were detected with any of the Gag-S, M, E/or N VLPs tested. Therefore, the Gag-S-VLP, by reason of consistently eliciting strong antigen-specific cellular and antibody responses, was selected for further evaluation. The purification process was improved by replacing the conventional centrifugation by serial microfiltration in the clarification step, followed by Spike-affinity chromatography to get concentrated VLPs with higher purity. Three different doses of Gag-S-VLP in conjunction with two adjuvants (Quil-A or AddaVax) were used to assess the dose-dependent antigen-specific cellular and antibody responses in mice. The Gag-S-VLP adjuvanted with Quil-A resulted in a stronger Spike-specific cellular response compared to that adjuvanted with AddaVax. A strong spike neutralisation activity was observed for all doses, independent of the adjuvant combination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sabahudin Hrapovic
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Montréal, Canada
| | - Nasha Nassoury
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nathalie Coulombe
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Blair A Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rénald Gilbert
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC, Canada; Department of Bioengineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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Beitari S, Agbayani G, Hewitt M, Duque D, Bavananthasivam J, Sandhu JK, Akache B, Hadžisejdić I, Tran A. Effectiveness of VSV vectored SARS-CoV-2 spike when administered through intranasal, intramuscular or a combination of both. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21390. [PMID: 38049498 PMCID: PMC10695950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48397-7] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A critical feature of the VSV vector platform is the ability to pseudotype the virus with different glycoproteins from other viruses, thus altering cellular tropism of the recombinant virus. The route of administration is critical in triggering local and systemic immune response and protection. Most of the vaccine platforms used at the forefront are administered by intramuscular injection. However, it is not known at what level ACE2 is expressed on the surface of skeletal muscle cells, which will have a significant impact on the efficiency of a VSV-SARS-CoV-2 spike vaccine to mount a protective immune response when administered intramuscularly. In this study, we investigate the immunogenicity and efficacy of a prime-boost immunization regimen administered intranasally (IN), intramuscularly (IM), or combinations of the two. We determined that the prime-boost combinations of IM followed by IN immunization (IM + IN) or IN followed by IN immunization (IN + IN) exhibited strong spike-specific IgG, IgA and T cell response in vaccinated K18 knock-in mice. Hamsters vaccinated with two doses of VSV expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike, both delivered by IN or IM + IN, showed strong protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern Alpha and Delta. This protection was also observed in aged hamsters. Our study underscores the highly crucial role immunization routes have with the VSV vector platform to elicit a strong and protective immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saina Beitari
- Infectious Diseases, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- Immunomodulation, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Melissa Hewitt
- Preclinical Imaging, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Diana Duque
- Infectious Diseases, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jegarubee Bavananthasivam
- Infectious Diseases, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jagdeep K Sandhu
- Preclinical Imaging, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Immunomodulation, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ita Hadžisejdić
- Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology Clinical Hospital Center Rijeka, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Anh Tran
- Infectious Diseases, Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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4
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Alpuche-Lazcano SP, Stuible M, Akache B, Tran A, Kelly J, Hrapovic S, Robotham A, Haqqani A, Star A, Renner TM, Blouin J, Maltais JS, Cass B, Cui K, Cho JY, Wang X, Zoubchenok D, Dudani R, Duque D, McCluskie MJ, Durocher Y. Preclinical evaluation of manufacturable SARS-CoV-2 spike virus-like particles produced in Chinese Hamster Ovary cells. Commun Med (Lond) 2023; 3:116. [PMID: 37612423 PMCID: PMC10447459 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-023-00340-7] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, novel vaccines need to be developed that are readily manufacturable and provide clinical efficacy against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants. Virus-like particles (VLPs) presenting the spike antigen at their surface offer remarkable benefits over other vaccine antigen formats; however, current SARS-CoV-2 VLP vaccines candidates in clinical development suffer from challenges including low volumetric productivity, poor spike antigen density, expression platform-driven divergent protein glycosylation and complex upstream/downstream processing requirements. Despite their extensive use for therapeutic protein manufacturing and proven ability to produce enveloped VLPs, Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells are rarely used for the commercial production of VLP-based vaccines. METHODS Using CHO cells, we aimed to produce VLPs displaying the full-length SARS-CoV-2 spike. Affinity chromatography was used to capture VLPs released in the culture medium from engineered CHO cells expressing spike. The structure, protein content, and glycosylation of spikes in VLPs were characterized by several biochemical and biophysical methods. In vivo, the generation of neutralizing antibodies and protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection was tested in mouse and hamster models. RESULTS We demonstrate that spike overexpression in CHO cells is sufficient by itself to generate high VLP titers. These VLPs are evocative of the native virus but with at least three-fold higher spike density. In vivo, purified VLPs elicit strong humoral and cellular immunity at nanogram dose levels which grant protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that CHO cells are amenable to efficient manufacturing of high titers of a potently immunogenic spike protein-based VLP vaccine antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio P Alpuche-Lazcano
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Matthew Stuible
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Anh Tran
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - John Kelly
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Sabahudin Hrapovic
- Aquatic and Crop Resources Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Anna Robotham
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Arsalan Haqqani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Alexandra Star
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 100 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Tyler M Renner
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Julie Blouin
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Jean-Sébastien Maltais
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Brian Cass
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Kai Cui
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Jae-Young Cho
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Xinyu Wang
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 11421 Saskatchewan Drive, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Daria Zoubchenok
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Diana Duque
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada.
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5
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Akache B, Read AJ, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Williams D, Deschatelets L, Jia Y, Chandan V, Stark FC, Agbayani G, Makinen SR, Hemraz UD, Lam E, Régnier S, Zou W, Kirkland PD, McCluskie MJ. Sulfated Lactosyl Archaeol Archaeosome-Adjuvanted Vaccine Formulations Targeting Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus Are Immunogenic and Efficacious. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1043. [PMID: 37376432 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11061043] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines play an important role in maintaining human and animal health worldwide. There is continued demand for effective and safe adjuvants capable of enhancing antigen-specific responses to a target pathogen. Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) is a highly contagious calicivirus that often induces high mortality rates in rabbits. Herein, we evaluated the activity of an experimental sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) archaeosome adjuvant when incorporated in subunit vaccine formulations targeting RHDV. The subunit antigens consisted of RHDV-CRM197 peptide conjugates or recombinant RHDV2 VP60. SLA was able to enhance antigen-specific antibody titers and cellular responses in mice and rabbits. Three weeks following immunization, antigen-specific antibody levels in rabbits vaccinated with RHDV2 VP60 + SLA were significantly higher than those immunized with antigen alone, with geomean titers of 7393 vs. 117. In addition, the SLA-adjuvanted VP60-based formulations were highly efficacious in a rabbit RHDV2 challenge model with up to 87.5% animals surviving the viral challenge. These findings demonstrate the potential utility of SLA adjuvants in veterinary applications and highlight its activity in different types of mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Andrew J Read
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW 2567, Australia
| | - Renu Dudani
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Blair A Harrison
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Dean Williams
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Yimei Jia
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Vandana Chandan
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Felicity C Stark
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Shawn R Makinen
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Usha D Hemraz
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Edmond Lam
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Sophie Régnier
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Wei Zou
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Peter D Kirkland
- Virology Laboratory, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, NSW Department of Primary Industries, Menangle, NSW 2567, Australia
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada
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6
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Renner TM, Agbayani G, Dudani R, McCluskie MJ, Akache B. Blood-Based Immune Protein Markers of Disease Progression in Murine Models of Acute and Chronic Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11010140. [PMID: 36672648 PMCID: PMC9855888 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11010140] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic ailment afflicting millions of people worldwide, with the majority of recognized cases within industrialized countries. The impacts of IBD at the individual level are long-lasting with few effective treatments available, resulting in a large burden on the health care system. A number of existing animal models are utilized to evaluate novel treatment strategies. Two commonly used models are (1) acute colitis mediated by dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) treatment of wild-type mice and (2) chronic colitis mediated by the transfer of proinflammatory T cells into immunodeficient mice. Despite the wide use of these particular systems to evaluate IBD therapeutics, the typical readouts of clinical disease progression vary depending on the model used, which may be reflective of mechanistic differences of disease induction. The most reliable indicator of disease in both models remains intestinal damage which is typically evaluated upon experimental endpoint. Herein, we evaluated the expression profile of a panel of cytokines and chemokines in both DSS and T cell transfer models in an effort to identify a number of inflammatory markers in the blood that could serve as reliable indicators of the relative disease state. Out of the panel of 25 markers tested, 6 showed statistically significant shifts with the DSS model, compared to 11 in the T cell transfer model with IL-6, IL-13, IL-22, TNF-α and IFN-γ being common markers of disease in both models. Our data highlights biological differences between animal models of IBD and helps to guide future studies when selecting efficacy readouts during the evaluation of experimental IBD therapeutics.
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7
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Renner TM, Akache B, Stuible M, Rohani N, Cepero-Donates Y, Deschatelets L, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Baardsnes J, Koyuturk I, Hill JJ, Hemraz UD, Régnier S, Lenferink AEG, Durocher Y, McCluskie MJ. Tuning the immune response: sulfated archaeal glycolipid archaeosomes as an effective vaccine adjuvant for induction of humoral and cell-mediated immunity towards the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant of concern. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1182556. [PMID: 37122746 PMCID: PMC10140330 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1182556] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Liposomes composed of sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) have been shown to be a safe and effective vaccine adjuvant with a multitude of antigens in preclinical studies. In particular, SLA-adjuvanted SARS-CoV-2 subunit vaccines based on trimeric spike protein antigens were shown to be immunogenic and efficacious in mice and hamsters. With the continued emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, we sought to evaluate next-generation vaccine formulations with an updated antigenic identity. This was of particular interest for the widespread Omicron variant, given the abundance of mutations and structural changes observed within its spike protein compared to other variants. An updated version of our resistin-trimerized SmT1 corresponding to the B.1.1.529 variant was successfully generated in our Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell-based antigen production platform and characterized, revealing some differences in protein profile and ACE2 binding affinity as compared to reference strain-based SmT1. We next evaluated this Omicron-based spike antigen for its immunogenicity and ability to generate robust antigen-specific immune responses when paired with SLA liposomes or AddaS03 (a mimetic of the AS03 oil-in-water emulsion adjuvant system found in commercialized SARS-CoV-2 protein vaccines). Immunization of mice with vaccine formulations containing this updated antigen with either adjuvant stimulated neutralizing antibody responses favouring Omicron over the reference strain. Cell-mediated responses, which play an important role in the neutralization of intracellular infections, were induced to a much higher degree with the SLA adjuvant relative to the AddaS03-adjuvanted formulations. As such, updated vaccines that are better capable of targeting towards SARS-CoV-2 variants can be generated through an optimized combination of antigen and adjuvant components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler M. Renner
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew Stuible
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Nazanin Rohani
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Lise Deschatelets
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Blair A. Harrison
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jason Baardsnes
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Izel Koyuturk
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jennifer J. Hill
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Usha D. Hemraz
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sophie Régnier
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne E. G. Lenferink
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Michael J. McCluskie
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Michael J. McCluskie,
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8
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Jia Y, Agbayani G, Chandan V, Iqbal U, Dudani R, Qian H, Jakubek Z, Chan K, Harrison B, Deschatelets L, Akache B, McCluskie MJ. Evaluation of Adjuvant Activity and Bio-Distribution of Archaeosomes Prepared Using Microfluidic Technology. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2291. [PMID: 36365110 PMCID: PMC9697222 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [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: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Archaeosomes, composed of sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) glycolipids, have been proven to be an effective vaccine adjuvant in multiple preclinical models of infectious disease or cancer. They have classically been prepared using a thin-film hydration method with an average particle size of 100-200 nm. In this study, we developed methods to generate SLA archaeosomes at different sizes, i.e., 30 nm and 100 nm, via microfluidic mixing technology and evaluated their physicochemical characteristics, as well as adjuvant activity and in vivo biodistribution in mice. Archaeosomes, prepared using thin-film and microfluidic mixing techniques, had similar nanostructures and physicochemical characteristics, with both appearing stable during the course of this study when stored at 4 °C or 37 °C. They also demonstrated similar adjuvant activity when admixed with ovalbumin antigen and used to immunize mice, generating equivalent antigen-specific immune responses. Archaeosomes, labeled with CellVueTM NIR815, had an equivalent biodistribution with both sizes, namely the highest signal at the injection site at 24 h post injection, followed by liver, spleen and inguinal lymph node. The presence of SLA archaeosomes of either size helped to retain OVA antigen (OVA-Cy5.5) longer at the injection site than unadjuvanted OVA. Overall, archaeosomes of two sizes (30 nm and 100 nm) prepared using microfluidic mixing maintained similar physicochemical properties, adjuvant activity and biodistribution of antigen, in comparison to those compared by the conventional thin film hydration method. This suggests that microfluidics based approaches could be applied to generate consistently sized archaeosomes for use as a vaccine adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Vandana Chandan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Umar Iqbal
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Hui Qian
- Nanotechnology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Edmonton, AB T6G2M9, Canada
| | - Zygmunt Jakubek
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Kenneth Chan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Blair Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
| | - Michael J. McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A0R6, Canada
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9
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Régnier S, Lam E, Vasquez V, Martinez-Farina CF, Stark FC, Agbayani G, Deschatelets L, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Akache B, McCluskie MJ, Hemraz UD. Effect of Chiral Purity on Adjuvanticity of Archaeol-Based Glycolipids. J Med Chem 2022; 65:8332-8344. [PMID: 35658102 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c00072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Archaeosomes composed of sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) glycolipids from stereoisomerically pure archaeol (1) are vaccine adjuvants that can boost immunogenicity and vaccine efficacy in preclinical models. Herein, we report a new synthesis of 2,3-bis((3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadecyl)oxy) propan-1-ol (3) by treating (±)-3-benzyloxy-1,2-propanediol with a mesylated phytol derivative through a double nucleophilic substitution reaction, followed by reductive debenzylation. Three SLA archaeosomes from archaeols of different chiral purities were prepared, and the effect of stereochemistry on their adjuvanticity toward ovalbumin was investigated. It was found that all SLA archaeosomes induced strong humoral and cell-mediated antigen-specific immune responses following immunization of C57BL/6NCrl mice, with no significant differences, irrespective of the chiral purities. The responses were comparable or better than those obtained using mimetics of approved adjuvants. The performance of SLA archaeosomes during immunization and their lack of dependence on the stereochemistry of archaeol points toward a promising, safe, scalable, and economically viable vaccine adjuvant system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Régnier
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Edmond Lam
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Vinicio Vasquez
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Camilo F Martinez-Farina
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, 1411 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 3Z1, Canada
| | - Felicity C Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Blair A Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council of Canada, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Usha D Hemraz
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council of Canada, 6100 Royalmount Avenue, Montreal, Quebec H4P 2R2, Canada
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10
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Abstract
Adjuvants are key components of many vaccines, used to enhance the level and breadth of the immune response to a target antigen, thereby enhancing protection from the associated disease. In recent years, advances in our understanding of the innate and adaptive immune systems have allowed for the development of a number of novel adjuvants with differing mechanisms of action. Herein, we review adjuvants currently approved for human and veterinary use, describing their use and proposed mechanisms of action. In addition, we will discuss additional promising adjuvants currently undergoing preclinical and/or clinical testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Felicity C Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tyler M Renner
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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11
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Akache B, Jia Y, Chandan V, Deschatelets L, McCluskie MJ. Generation of a Liposomal Vaccine Adjuvant Based on Sulfated S-Lactosylarchaeol (SLA) Glycolipids. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2412:255-267. [PMID: 34918249 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1892-9_12] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Vaccine formulations utilize adjuvants to enhance the level and breadth of the immune response to a target antigen. Liposomes composed of sulfated S-lactosylarchaeol (SLA) glycolipids can induce strong humoral and cell-mediated antigen-specific immune responses to co-administered antigens in mice. This has been demonstrated with a variety of protein antigens, where the protein is either encapsulated within or simply admixed with the archaeal liposomes (archaeosomes). In this process, a dried film of SLA glycolipid is hydrated in water or antigen solution to generate a large multilamellar (ML) liposomal suspension which is then size reduced by sonication to form unilamellar vesicles (UL) with a narrower size distribution. Herein, we describe the generation of liposomes based on the archaeal-based lipid SLA for use as an adjuvant in vaccine formulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vandana Chandan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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12
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Akache B, Renner TM, Tran A, Deschatelets L, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Duque D, Haukenfrers J, Rossotti MA, Gaudreault F, Hemraz UD, Lam E, Régnier S, Chen W, Gervais C, Stuible M, Krishnan L, Durocher Y, McCluskie MJ. Immunogenic and efficacious SARS-CoV-2 vaccine based on resistin-trimerized spike antigen SmT1 and SLA archaeosome adjuvant. Sci Rep 2021; 11:21849. [PMID: 34750472 PMCID: PMC8576046 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-01363-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The huge worldwide demand for vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2 has necessitated the continued development of novel improved formulations capable of reducing the burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. Herein, we evaluated novel protein subunit vaccine formulations containing a resistin-trimerized spike antigen, SmT1. When combined with sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) archaeosome adjuvant, formulations induced robust antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses in mice. Antibodies had strong neutralizing activity, preventing viral spike binding and viral infection. In addition, the formulations were highly efficacious in a hamster challenge model reducing viral load and body weight loss even after a single vaccination. The antigen-specific antibodies generated by our vaccine formulations had stronger neutralizing activity than human convalescent plasma, neutralizing the spike proteins of the B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 variants of concern. As such, our SmT1 antigen along with SLA archaeosome adjuvant comprise a promising platform for the development of efficacious protein subunit vaccine formulations for SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Tyler M Renner
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Anh Tran
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Blair A Harrison
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Diana Duque
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Julie Haukenfrers
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Martin A Rossotti
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Francis Gaudreault
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Usha D Hemraz
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Edmond Lam
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Sophie Régnier
- National Research Council Canada, Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, 6100 Avenue Royalmount, Montreal, QC, H4P 2R2, Canada
| | - Wangxue Chen
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Christian Gervais
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Matthew Stuible
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Yves Durocher
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Road, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada.
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13
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Akache B, Agbayani G, Stark FC, Jia Y, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Deschatelets L, Chandan V, Lam E, Hemraz UD, Régnier S, Krishnan L, McCluskie MJ. Sulfated Lactosyl Archaeol Archaeosomes Synergize with Poly(I:C) to Enhance the Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Synthetic Long Peptide-Based Vaccine in a Melanoma Tumor Model. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020257. [PMID: 33673382 PMCID: PMC7918940 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While novel treatments have improved survival outcomes for some patients, new treatment modalities/platforms are needed to combat a wider variety of tumor types. Cancer vaccines harness the power of the immune system to generate targeted tumor-specific immune responses. Liposomes composed of glycolipids derived from archaea (i.e., archaeosomes) have been shown to be potent adjuvants, inducing robust, long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to a variety of antigens. Herein, we evaluated the ability of archaeosomes composed of sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA), a semi-synthetic archaeal glycolipid, to enhance the immunogenicity of a synthetic long peptide-based vaccine formulation containing the dominant CD8+ T cell epitope, SIINFEKL, from the weakly immunogenic model antigen ovalbumin. One advantage of immunizing with long peptides is the ability to include multiple epitopes, for example, the long peptide antigen was also designed to include the immediately adjacent CD4+ epitope, TEWTSSNVMEER. SLA archaeosomes were tested alone or in combination with the toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) agonist Poly(I:C). Overall, SLA archaeosomes synergized strongly with Poly(I:C) to induce robust antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses, which were highly functional in an in vivo cytolytic assay. Furthermore, immunization with this vaccine formulation suppressed tumor growth and extended mouse survival in a mouse melanoma tumor model. Overall, the combination of SLA archaeosomes and Poly(I:C) appears to be a promising adjuvant system when used along with long peptide-based antigens targeting cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Felicity C. Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Blair A. Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Vandana Chandan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Edmond Lam
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (E.L.); (U.D.H.); (S.R.)
| | - Usha D. Hemraz
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (E.L.); (U.D.H.); (S.R.)
| | - Sophie Régnier
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (E.L.); (U.D.H.); (S.R.)
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
| | - Michael J. McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (B.A.); (G.A.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (V.C.); (L.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-613-993-9774
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14
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Jia Y, Akache B, Agbayani G, Chandan V, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Deschatelets L, Hemraz UD, Lam E, Régnier S, Stark FC, Krishnan L, McCluskie MJ. The Synergistic Effects of Sulfated Lactosyl Archaeol Archaeosomes When Combined with Different Adjuvants in a Murine Model. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:pharmaceutics13020205. [PMID: 33540932 PMCID: PMC7913188 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Archaeosomes, composed of sulfated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) glycolipids, have been proven to be an effective vaccine adjuvant in multiple preclinical models of infectious disease or cancer. SLA archaeosomes are a promising adjuvant candidate due to their ability to strongly stimulate both humoral and cytotoxic immune responses when simply admixed with an antigen. In the present study, we evaluated whether the adjuvant effects of SLA archaeosomes could be further enhanced when combined with other adjuvants. SLA archaeosomes were co-administered with five different Toll-like Receptor (TLR) agonists or the saponin QS-21 using ovalbumin as a model antigen in mice. Both humoral and cellular immune responses were greatly enhanced compared to either adjuvant alone when SLA archaeosomes were combined with either the TLR3 agonist poly(I:C) or the TLR9 agonist CpG. These results were also confirmed in a separate study using Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and support the further evaluation of these adjuvant combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Vandana Chandan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Blair A. Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Usha D. Hemraz
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (U.D.H.); (E.L.); (S.R.)
| | - Edmond Lam
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (U.D.H.); (E.L.); (S.R.)
| | - Sophie Régnier
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada, Montreal, QC H4P 2R2, Canada; (U.D.H.); (E.L.); (S.R.)
| | - Felicity C. Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
| | - Michael J. McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada; (Y.J.); (B.A.); (G.A.); (V.C.); (R.D.); (B.A.H.); (L.D.); (F.C.S.); (L.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-613-993-9774
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15
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Abstract
The enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISpot) assay allows for the quantification of the number of cells producing a particular secreted analyte. As T lymphocytes secrete cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-γ upon binding of the T cell receptor with its cognate antigen epitope, IFN-γ ELISpot allows for the measurement of antigen-specific T cells in an immune sample. Immune cells are isolated from the vaccinated subject and incubated with the epitope/antigen of interest on polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF)-lined microplates precoated with a capture antibody to IFN-γ. Cytokine spots are then detected utilizing an IFN-γ-specific detection antibody and an enzyme-linked conjugate. Here, we describe the quantification of OVA-specific CD8 and CD4 T cells from mouse splenocytes to measure vaccine-induced cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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16
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Chakravarthy B, Comas R, Atkinson T, Menard M, Brunette E, Jiang S, Haukenfrers J, Charlebois C, Delaney C, Dudani R, Aylsworth A, Tauskela J, Haqqani A, Rennie K, Pon R, Agbayani G, Bihun C, Akache B, McCluskie M, Guhados G, Callaway J, Gillard J, Yoganathan N, Stanimirovic D. Pre‐clinical development of a blood‐brain barrier (BBB)‐penetrating anti‐amyloid‒β fusion protein. Alzheimers Dement 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.044198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Rosa Comas
- National Research Council Ottawa ON Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Robert Pon
- National Research Council Ottawa ON Canada
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17
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Agbayani G, Jia Y, Akache B, Chandan V, Iqbal U, Stark FC, Deschatelets L, Lam E, Hemraz UD, Régnier S, Krishnan L, McCluskie MJ. Mechanistic insight into the induction of cellular immune responses by encapsulated and admixed archaeosome-based vaccine formulations. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2020; 16:2183-2195. [PMID: 32755430 PMCID: PMC7553676 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2020.1788300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Archaeosomes are liposomes formulated using total polar lipids (TPLs) or semi-synthetic glycolipids derived from archaea. Conventional archaeosomes with entrapped antigen exhibit robust adjuvant activity as demonstrated by increased antigen-specific humoral and cell-mediated responses and enhanced protective immunity in various murine infection and cancer models. However, antigen entrapment efficiency can vary greatly resulting in antigen loss during formulation and variable antigen:lipid ratios. In order to circumvent this, we recently developed an admixed archaeosome formulation composed of a single semi-synthetic archaeal lipid (SLA, sulfated lactosylarchaeol) which can induce similarly robust adjuvant activity as an encapsulated formulation. Herein, we evaluate and compare the mechanisms involved in the induction of early innate and antigen-specific responses by both admixed (Adm) and encapsulated (Enc) SLA archaeosomes. We demonstrate that both archaeosome formulations result in increased immune cell infiltration, enhanced antigen retention at injection site and increased antigen uptake by antigen-presenting cells and other immune cell types, including neutrophils and monocytes following intramuscular injection to mice using ovalbumin as a model antigen. In vitro studies demonstrate SLA in either formulation is preferentially taken up by macrophages. Although the encapsulated formulation was better able to induce antigen-specific CD8+ T cell activation by dendritic cells in vitro, both encapsulated and admixed formulations gave equivalently enhanced protection from tumor challenge when tested in vivo using a B16-OVA melanoma model. Despite some differences in the immunostimulatory profile relative to the SLA (Enc) formulation, SLA (Adm) induces strong in vivo immunogenicity and efficacy, while offering an ease of formulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard Agbayani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vandana Chandan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Umar Iqbal
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Felicity C Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Edmond Lam
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Usha D Hemraz
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sophie Régnier
- Aquatic and Crop Resource Development, National Research Council Canada , Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa, ON, Canada
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18
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Jia Y, Chandan V, Akache B, Qian H, Jakubek ZJ, Vinogradov E, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Jamshidi MP, Stark FC, Deschatelets L, Sauvageau J, Williams D, Krishnan L, McCluskie MJ. Assessment of stability of sulphated lactosyl archaeol archaeosomes for use as a vaccine adjuvant. J Liposome Res 2020; 31:237-245. [PMID: 32583693 DOI: 10.1080/08982104.2020.1786115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Archaeosomes, composed of sulphated lactosyl archaeol (SLA) glycolipids, have been proven to be an effective vaccine adjuvant in multiple preclinical models of infectious disease or cancer. In addition to efficacy, the stability of vaccine components including the adjuvant is an important parameter to consider when developing novel vaccine formulations. To properly evaluate the potential of SLA glycolipids to be used as vaccine adjuvants in a clinical setting, a comprehensive evaluation of their stability is required. Herein, we evaluated the long term stability of preformed empty SLA archaeosomes prior to admixing with antigen at 4 °C or 37 °C for up to 6 months. In addition, the stability of adjuvant and antigen was evaluated for up to 1 month following admixing. Multiple analytical parameters evaluating the molecular integrity of SLA and the liposomal profile were assessed. Following incubation at 4 °C or 37 °C, the SLA glycolipid did not show any pattern of degradation as determined by mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). In addition, SLA archaeosome vesicle characteristics, such as size, zeta potential, membrane fluidity and vesicular morphology, were largely consistent throughout the course of the study. Importantly, following storage for 6 months at both 4 °C and 37 °C, the adjuvant properties of empty SLA archaeosomes were unchanged, and following admixing with antigen, the immunogenicity of the vaccine formulations was also unchanged when stored at both 4 °C and 37 °C for up to 1 month. Overall this indicates that SLA archaeosomes are highly stable adjuvants that retain their activity over an extended period of time even when stored at high temperatures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Vandana Chandan
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Hui Qian
- Nanotechnology Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Zygmunt J Jakubek
- Metrology Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Evguenii Vinogradov
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Blair A Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammad P Jamshidi
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Felicity C Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Janelle Sauvageau
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Dean Williams
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Akache B, Deschatelets L, Harrison BA, Dudani R, Stark FC, Jia Y, Landi A, Law JLM, Logan M, Hockman D, Kundu J, Tyrrell DL, Krishnan L, Houghton M, McCluskie MJ. Effect of Different Adjuvants on the Longevity and Strength of Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses to the HCV Envelope Glycoproteins. Vaccines (Basel) 2019; 7:vaccines7040204. [PMID: 31816920 PMCID: PMC6963754 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines7040204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection by Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can lead to liver cirrhosis/hepatocellular carcinoma and remains a major cause of serious disease morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, current treatment regimens remain inaccessible to most patients, particularly in developing countries, and, therefore, the development of a novel vaccine capable of protecting subjects from chronic infection by HCV could greatly reduce the rates of HCV infection, subsequent liver pathogenesis, and in some cases death. Herein, we evaluated two different semi-synthetic archaeosome formulations as an adjuvant to the E1/E2 HCV envelope protein in a murine model and compared antigen-specific humoral (levels of anti-E1/E2 IgG and HCV pseudoparticle neutralization) and cellular responses (numbers of antigen-specific cytokine-producing T cells) to those generated with adjuvant formulations composed of mimetics of commercial adjuvants including a squalene oil-in-water emulsion, aluminum hydroxide/monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA) and liposome/MPLA/QS-21. In addition, we measured the longevity of these responses, tracking humoral, and cellular responses up to 6 months following vaccination. Overall, we show that the strength and longevity of anti-HCV responses can be influenced by adjuvant selection. In particular, a simple admixed sulfated S-lactosylarchaeol (SLA) archaeosome formulation generated strong levels of HCV neutralizing antibodies and polyfunctional antigen-specific CD4 T cells producing multiple cytokines such as IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2. While liposome/MPLA/QS-21 as adjuvant generated superior cellular responses, the SLA E1/E2 admixed formulation was superior or equivalent to the other tested formulations in all immune parameters tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Blair A. Harrison
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Renu Dudani
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Felicity C. Stark
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Yimei Jia
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Amir Landi
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - John L. M. Law
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Michael Logan
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Darren Hockman
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Juthika Kundu
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - D. Lorne Tyrrell
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
| | - Michael Houghton
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, Department of Medical Microbiology & Immunology, University of Alberta, 6-010 Katz Group-Rexall Centre for Health Research, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E1, Canada; (A.L.); (J.L.M.L.); (M.L.); (D.H.); (J.K.); (D.L.T.); (M.H.)
| | - Michael J. McCluskie
- National Research Council Canada, Human Health Therapeutics, 1200 Montreal Rd, Ottawa, ON K1T 0H1, Canada; (B.A.); (L.D.); (B.A.H.); (R.D.); (F.C.S.); (Y.J.); (L.K.)
- Correspondence:
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Stark FC, Akache B, Ponce A, Dudani R, Deschatelets L, Jia Y, Sauvageau J, Williams D, Jamshidi MP, Agbayani G, Wachholz K, Harrison BA, Li X, Krishnan L, Chen W, McCluskie MJ. Archaeal glycolipid adjuvanted vaccines induce strong influenza-specific immune responses through direct immunization in young and aged mice or through passive maternal immunization. Vaccine 2019; 37:7108-7116. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 06/21/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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21
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Haq K, Jia Y, Elahi SM, MacLean S, Akache B, Gurnani K, Chattopadhyay A, Nazemi-Moghaddam N, Gilbert R, McCluskie MJ, Weeratna RD. Evaluation of recombinant adenovirus vectors and adjuvanted protein as a heterologous prime-boost strategy using HER2 as a model antigen. Vaccine 2019; 37:7029-7040. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.08.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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22
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Jia Y, Akache B, Deschatelets L, Qian H, Dudani R, Harrison BA, Stark FC, Chandan V, Jamshidi MP, Krishnan L, McCluskie MJ. A comparison of the immune responses induced by antigens in three different archaeosome-based vaccine formulations. Int J Pharm 2019; 561:187-196. [PMID: 30836154 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpharm.2019.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [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: 09/21/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Archaeosomes are liposomes composed of natural or synthetic archaeal lipids that can be used as adjuvants to induce strong long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against entrapped antigen. However, the entrapment efficiency of antigen within archaeosomes constituted using standard liposome forming methodology is often only 5-40%. In this study, we evaluated different formulation methods using a simple semi-synthetic archaeal lipid (SLA, sulfated lactosyl archaeol) and two different antigens, ovalbumin (OVA) and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Antigen was entrapped within archaeosomes using the conventional thin film hydration-rehydration method with or without removal of non-entrapped antigen, or pre-formed empty archaeosomes were simply admixed with an antigen solution. Physicochemical characteristics were determined (size distribution, zeta potential, vesicle morphology and lamellarity), as well as location of antigen relative to bilayer using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (TEM). We demonstrate that antigen (OVA or HBsAg) formulated with SLA lipid adjuvants using all the different methodologies resulted in a strong antigen-specific immune response. Nevertheless, the advantage of using a drug substance process that comprises of simply admixing antigen with pre-formed empty archaeosomes, represents a simple, efficient and antigenic dose-sparing formulation for adjuvanting and delivering vaccine antigens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yimei Jia
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Lise Deschatelets
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Hui Qian
- Nanotechnology Research Center, National Research Council Canada, Edmonton, AB T6G 2M9, Canada.
| | - Renu Dudani
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Blair A Harrison
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Felicity C Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Vandana Chandan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Mohammad P Jamshidi
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0R6, Canada.
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Abstract
The immune system in a broad sense is a mechanism that allows a living organism to discriminate between "self" and "nonself." Examples of immune systems occur in multicellular organisms as simple and ancient as sea sponges. In fact, complex multicellular life would be impossible without the ability to exclude external life from the internal environment. This introduction to the immune system will explore the cell types and soluble factors involved in immune reactions, as well as their location in the body during development and maintenance. Additionally, a description of the immunological events during an innate and adaptive immune reaction to an infection will be discussed, as well as a brief introduction to autoimmunity, cancer immunity, vaccines, and immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott McComb
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Aude Thiriot
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bassel Akache
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Felicity Stark
- Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
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24
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Akache B, Stark FC, Iqbal U, Chen W, Jia Y, Krishnan L, McCluskie MJ. Safety and biodistribution of sulfated archaeal glycolipid archaeosomes as vaccine adjuvants. Hum Vaccin Immunother 2018; 14:1746-1759. [PMID: 29336668 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1423154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Archaeosomes are liposomes comprised of ether lipids derived from various archaea. Unlike conventional ester-linked liposomes, archaeosomes exhibit high pH and thermal stability. As adjuvants, archaeosomes can induce robust, long-lasting humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and enhance protection in murine models of infectious disease and cancer. Archaeosomes constituted with total polar lipids (TPL) of various archaea are relatively complex, comprising >10 different lipid compounds. Archaeosomes can be constituted with semi-synthetic glycerolipids built on ether-linked isoprenoid phytanyl cores with varied synthetic glycol- and amino-head groups. However, such semi-synthetic archaeosomes involve many synthetic steps to arrive at the final desired glycolipid composition. We have developed a novel archaeosome formulation comprising a sulfated saccharide group covalently linked to the free sn-1 hydroxyl backbone of an archaeal core lipid (sulfated S-lactosylarchaeol, SLA) mixed with uncharged glycolipid (lactosylarchaeol, LA). This new class of adjuvants can be easily synthesized and retains strong immunostimulatory activity for induction of cell-mediated immunity following systemic immunization. Herein, we demonstrate the safety of SLA/LA archaeosomes following intramuscular injection to mice and evaluate the immunogenicity, in vivo distribution and cellular uptake of antigen (ovalbumin) encapsulated into SLA/LA archaeosomes. Overall, we have found that semi-synthetic sulfated glycolipid archaeosomes are a safe and effective novel class of adjuvants capable of inducing strong antigen-specific immune responses in mice and protection against subsequent B16 melanoma tumor challenge. A key step in their mechanism of action appears to be the recruitment of immune cells to the injection site and the subsequent trafficking of antigen to local draining lymph nodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- a Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Felicity C Stark
- a Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Umar Iqbal
- a Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Wangxue Chen
- a Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Yimei Jia
- a Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Lakshmi Krishnan
- a Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
| | - Michael J McCluskie
- a Human Health Therapeutics, National Research Council Canada , Ottawa , Canada
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25
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Akache B, Grimm D, Shen X, Fuess S, Yant SR, Glazer DS, Park J, Kay MA. A two-hybrid screen identifies cathepsins B and L as uncoating factors for adeno-associated virus 2 and 8. Mol Ther 2007; 15:330-9. [PMID: 17235311 PMCID: PMC7106033 DOI: 10.1038/sj.mt.6300053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Vectors based on different serotypes of adeno-associated virus hold great promise for human gene therapy, based on their unique tissue tropisms and distinct immunological profiles. A particularly interesting candidate is AAV8, which can efficiently and rapidly transduce a wide range of tissues in vivo. To further unravel the mechanisms behind AAV8 transduction, we used yeast two-hybrid analyses to screen a mouse liver complementary DNA library for cellular proteins capable of interacting with the viral capsid proteins. In total, we recovered approximately 700 clones, comprising over 300 independent genes. Sequence analyses revealed multiple hits for over 100 genes, including two encoding the endosomal cysteine proteases cathepsins B and L. Notably, these two proteases also physically interacted with the corresponding portion of the AAV2 capsid in yeast, but not with AAV5. We demonstrate that cathepsins B and L are essential for efficient AAV2- and AAV8-mediated transduction of mammalian cells, and document the ability of purified cathepsin B and L proteins to bind and cleave intact AAV2 and AAV8 particles in vitro. These data suggest that cathepsin-mediated cleavage could prime AAV capsids for subsequent nuclear uncoating, and indicate that analysis of additional genes recovered in our screen may help to further elucidate the mechanisms behind transduction by AAV8 and related serotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dirk Grimm
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Xuan Shen
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Sally Fuess
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Stephen R Yant
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Dariya S Glazer
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Julie Park
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Mark A Kay
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University, 300 Pasteur Drive, Room G305, Stanford, California 94305-5208, USA
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26
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Abstract
The Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon is a promising gene transfer vector that integrates nonspecifically into host cell genomes. Herein, we attempt to direct transposon integration into predetermined DNA sites by coupling a site-specific DNA-binding domain (DBD) to the SB transposase. We engineered fusion proteins comprised of a hyperactive SB transposase (HSB5) joined via a variable-length linker to either end of the polydactyl zinc-finger protein E2C, which binds a unique sequence on human chromosome 17. Although DBD linkage to the C-terminus of SB abolished activity in a human cell transposition assay, the N-terminal addition of the E2C or Gal4 DBD did not. Molecular analyses indicated that these DBD-SB fusion proteins retained DNA-binding specificity for their respective substrate molecules and were capable of mediating bona fide transposition reactions. We also characterized transposon integrations in the presence of the E2C-SB fusion protein to determine its potential to target predefined DNA sites. Our results indicate that fusion protein-mediated tethering can effectively redirect transposon insertion site selection in human cells, but suggest that stable docking of integration complexes may also partially interfere with the cut-and-paste mechanism. These findings illustrate the feasibility of directed transposon integration and highlight potential means for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Yant
- Department of Pediatrics and Genetics, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5208, USA
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27
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Akache B, Grimm D, Pandey K, Yant SR, Xu H, Kay MA. The 37/67-kilodalton laminin receptor is a receptor for adeno-associated virus serotypes 8, 2, 3, and 9. J Virol 2006; 80:9831-6. [PMID: 16973587 PMCID: PMC1617255 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00878-06] [Citation(s) in RCA: 292] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Adeno-associated virus serotype 8 (AAV8) is currently emerging as a powerful gene transfer vector, owing to its capability to efficiently transduce many different tissues in vivo. While this is believed to be in part due to its ability to uncoat more readily than other AAV serotypes such as AAV2, understanding all the processes behind AAV8 transduction is important for its application and optimal use in human gene therapy. Here, we provide the first report of a cellular receptor for AAV8, the 37/67-kDa laminin receptor (LamR). We document binding of LamR to AAV8 capsid proteins and intact virions in vitro and demonstrate its contribution to AAV8 transduction of cultured cells and mouse liver in vivo. We also show that LamR plays a role in transduction by three other closely related serotypes (AAV2, -3, and -9). Sequence and deletion analysis allowed us to map LamR binding to two protein subdomains predicted to be exposed on the AAV capsid exterior. Use of LamR, which is constitutively expressed in many clinically relevant tissues and is overexpressed in numerous cancers, provides a molecular explanation for AAV8's broad tissue tropism. Along with its robust transduction efficiency, our findings support the continued development of AAV8-based vectors for clinical applications in humans, especially for tumor gene therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Stanford University, Department of Pediatrics, 300 Pasteur Drive, Room G305, Stanford, CA 94305-5208, USA
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28
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Yant S, Huang Y, Akache B, Kay M. 389. Directed Transposon Integration in Human Cells. Mol Ther 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.08.450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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29
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Akache B, Fuess S, Grimm D, Kay MA. 103. A Screen for Host Cellular Proteins That Interact with Adeno-Associated Virus Capsid Proteins Reveals Proteins Involved in AAV8 Transduction. Mol Ther 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.08.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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30
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MacPherson S, Akache B, Weber S, De Deken X, Raymond M, Turcotte B. Candida albicans zinc cluster protein Upc2p confers resistance to antifungal drugs and is an activator of ergosterol biosynthetic genes. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2005; 49:1745-52. [PMID: 15855491 PMCID: PMC1087678 DOI: 10.1128/aac.49.5.1745-1752.2005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human pathogen Candida albicans is responsible for a large proportion of infections in immunocompromised individuals, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains is of medical concern. Resistance to antifungal azole compounds is often due to an increase in drug efflux or an alteration of the pathway for synthesis of ergosterol, an important plasma membrane component in fungi. However, little is known about the transcription factors that mediate drug resistance. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, two highly related transcriptional activators, Upc2p and Ecm22p, positively regulate the expression of genes involved in ergosterol synthesis (ERG genes). We have identified a homologue in C. albicans of the S. cerevisiae UPC2/ECM22 genes and named it UPC2. Deletion of this gene impaired growth under anaerobic conditions and rendered cells highly susceptible to the antifungal drugs ketoconazole and fluconazole. Conversely, overexpression of Upc2p increased resistance to ketoconazole, fluconazole, and fluphenazine. Azole-induced expression of the ERG genes was abolished in a Delta upc2 strain, while basal levels of these mRNAs remained unchanged. Importantly, the purified DNA binding domain of Upc2p bound in vitro to putative sterol response elements in the ERG2 promoter, suggesting that Upc2p increases the expression of the ERG genes by directly binding to their promoters. These results provide an important link between changes in the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway and azole resistance in this opportunistic fungal species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah MacPherson
- Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, 687 Pine Ave. West, Montréal, Québec, Canada H3A 1A1
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31
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Abstract
The Gal4p family of yeast zinc cluster proteins comprises regulators of multidrug resistance genes. For example, Pdr1p and Pdr3p bind as homo- or heterodimers to pleiotropic drug response elements (PDREs) found in promoters of target genes. Other zinc cluster activators of multidrug resistance genes include Stb5p and Yrr1p. To better understand the interplay among these activators, we have performed native co-immunoprecipitation experiments using strains expressing tagged zinc cluster proteins from their natural chromosomal locations. Interestingly, Stb5p is found predominantly as a Pdr1p heterodimer and shows little homodimerization. No interactions of Stb5p with Pdr3p or Yrr1p could be detected in our assays. In contrast to Stb5p, Yrr1p is only detected as a homodimer. Similar results were obtained using glutathione S-transferase pull-down assays. Importantly, the purified DNA binding domains of Stb5p and Pdr1p bound to a PDRE as heterodimers in vitro. These results suggest that the DNA binding domains of Pdr1p and Stb5p are sufficient for heterodimerization. Our data demonstrate a complex interplay among these activators and suggest that Pdr1p is a master drug regulator involved in recruiting other zinc cluster proteins to fine tune the regulation of multidrug resistance genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
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Abstract
The Gal4p family of yeast zinc cluster proteins comprises over 50 members that are putative transcriptional regulators. For example, Pdr1p and Pdr3p activate multidrug resistance genes by binding to pleiotropic drug response elements (PDREs) found in promoters of target genes such as PDR5, encoding a drug efflux pump involved in resistance to cycloheximide. However, the role of many zinc cluster proteins is unknown. We tested a panel of strains carrying deletions of zinc cluster genes in the presence of various drugs. One deletion strain (Deltardr1) was resistant to cycloheximide, whereas eight strains showed sensitivity to the antifungal ketoconazole or cycloheximide. Unnamed zinc cluster genes identified in our screen were called RDS for regulators of drug sensitivity. RNA levels of multidrug resistance genes such as PDR16, SNQ2, and PDR5 were decreased in many deletion strains. For example, cycloheximide sensitivity of a Deltastb5 strain was correlated with decreased RNA levels and promoter activity of the PDR5 gene. We tested if activation of PDR5 is mediated via a PDRE by inserting this DNA element in front of a minimal promoter linked to the lacZ gene. Strikingly, activity of the reporter was decreased in a Deltastb5 strain. The purified DNA binding domain of Stb5p bound to a PDRE in vitro. Mutations in the PDRE known to affect binding of Pdr1p/Pdr3p showed similar effects when assayed with Stb5p. These results strongly suggest that Stb5p is a transcriptional activator of multidrug resistance genes. Thus, we have identified new regulators of drug sensitivity in the family of zinc cluster proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassel Akache
- Departments of Medicine, Biochemistry, and Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
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Hellauer K, Akache B, MacPherson S, Sirard E, Turcotte B. Zinc cluster protein Rdr1p is a transcriptional repressor of the PDR5 gene encoding a multidrug transporter. J Biol Chem 2002; 277:17671-6. [PMID: 11882665 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m201637200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The yeast PDR5 gene encodes an efflux pump that confers multidrug resistance. Expression of PDR5 is positively regulated by the transcription factors Pdr1p and Pdr3p that recognize the same pleiotropic drug resistance elements (PDREs) in the PDR5 promoter. Pdr1p and Pdr3p belong to the Gal4p family of zinc cluster proteins. The function of RDR1 (YOR380W), which also encodes a member of this family, is unknown. To identify target genes for Rdr1p, we have performed whole-genome analysis of gene expression with DNA microarrays. Our results show that Rdr1p is a transcriptional repressor of five genes, including PDR5. A Deltardr1 strain has increased resistance to cycloheximide, as expected from the overexpression of PDR5. In addition, the activity of a PDR5-lacZ reporter is increased in a Deltardr1 strain. All (but one) genes affected by removal of Rdr1p contain PDREs in their promoters. We tested if the effect of Rdr1p is mediated through PDREs by inserting this DNA element in front of a minimal promoter. Activity of this reporter was increased in a Deltardr1 strain. Moreover, mutations known to reduce binding of Pdr1/Pdr3p abolished the induction observed in the Deltardr1 strain. Thus, we have identified a transcriptional repressor involved in the control of multidrug resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Hellauer
- Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
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34
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Abstract
Zinc cluster proteins (or binuclear cluster proteins) possess zinc fingers of the Zn(II)2Cys6-type involved in DNA recognition as exemplified by the well-characterized protein Gal4p. These fungal proteins are transcriptional regulators of genes involved in a wide variety of cellular processes including metabolism of compounds such as amino acids and sugars, as well as control of meiosis, multi-drug resistance etc. The yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) sequencing project has allowed the identification of additional zinc cluster proteins for a total of 54. However, the role of many of these putative zinc cluster proteins is unknown. We have performed phenotypic analysis of 33 genes encoding (putative) zinc cluster proteins. Only two members of the GAL4 family are essential genes. Our results show that deletion of eight different zinc cluster genes impairs growth on non-fermentable carbon sources. The same strains are also hypersensitive to the antifungal calcofluor white suggesting a role for these genes in cell wall integrity. In addition, one of these strains (YFL052W) is also heat sensitive on rich (but not minimal) plates. Thus, deletion of YFL052W results in sensitivity to a combination of low osmolarity and high temperature. In addition, six strains are hypersensitive to caffeine, an inhibitor of the MAP kinase pathway and phosphodiesterase of the cAMP pathway. In conclusion, our analysis assigns phenotypes to a number of genes and provides a basis to better understand the role of these transcriptional regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Akache
- Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, 687 Pine Avenue West, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
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