Bacillus subtilis spores as adjuvants against avian influenza H9N2 induce antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses in White Leghorn chickens.

Low-pathogenicity avian influenza H9N2 remains an endemic disease worldwide despite continuous vaccination, indicating the need for an improved vaccine strategy. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis), a gram-positive and endospore-forming bacterium, is a non-pathogenic species that has been used in probiotic formulations for both animals and humans. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the effect of B. subtilis spores as adjuvants in chickens administered inactivated avian influenza virus H9N2. Herein, the adjuvanticity of B. subtilis spores in chickens was demonstrated by enhancement of H9N2 virus-specific IgG responses. B. subtilis spores enhanced the proportion of B cells and the innate cell population in splenocytes from chickens administered both inactivated H9N2 and B. subtilis spores (Spore + H9N2). Furthermore, the H9N2 and spore administration induced significantly increased expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and IL-6 compared to that in the H9N2 only group. Additionally, total splenocytes from chickens immunized with inactivated H9N2 in the presence or absence of B. subtilis spores were re-stimulated with inactivated H9N2. The subsequent results showed that the extent of antigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell proliferation was higher in the Spore + H9N2 group than in the group administered only H9N2. Taken together, these data demonstrate that B. subtilis spores, as adjuvants, enhance not only H9N2 virus-specific IgG but also CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses, with an increase in pro-inflammatory cytokine production. This approach to vaccination with inactivated H9N2 together with a B. subtilis spore adjuvant in chickens produces a significant effect on antigen-specific antibody and T cell responses against avian influenza virus.

AXL-dependent infection of human fetal endothelial cells distinguishes Zika virus from other pathogenic flaviviruses.

Although a causal relationship between Zika virus (ZIKV) and microcephaly has been established, it remains unclear why ZIKV, but not other pathogenic flaviviruses, causes congenital defects. Here we show that when viruses are produced in mammalian cells, ZIKV, but not the closely related dengue virus (DENV) or West Nile virus (WNV), can efficiently infect key placental barrier cells that directly contact the fetal bloodstream. We show that AXL, a receptor tyrosine kinase, is the primary ZIKV entry cofactor on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and that ZIKV uses AXL with much greater efficiency than does DENV or WNV. Consistent with this observation, only ZIKV, but not WNV or DENV, bound the AXL ligand Gas6. In comparison, when DENV and WNV were produced in insect cells, they also infected HUVECs in an AXL-dependent manner. Our data suggest that ZIKV, when produced from mammalian cells, infects fetal endothelial cells much more efficiently than other pathogenic flaviviruses because it binds Gas6 more avidly, which in turn facilitates its interaction with AXL.

Label-Free Pathogen Detection by a Deoxyribozyme Cascade with Visual Signal Readout.

A colorimetric nucleic acid based test for label-free pathogen detection has been developed and used for the detection of the Zika virus. The test relies on nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA) of a viral RNA followed by interrogation of the amplicon by a cascade of deoxyribozymes constituting a visual split deoxyribozyme (vsDz) probe. The probe consists of a split phosphodiesterase deoxyribozyme, which forms its catalytic core upon binding to a specific amplicon fragment. The catalytically active complex recognizes and cleaves an inhibited peroxidase-like deoxyribozyme (PDz), thereby activating it. Active PDz catalyzes hydrogen peroxide-mediated oxidation of a colorless substrate into a colored product, thereby generating a visible signal. Viral RNA (106 copies/mL or higher) triggers intense color within 2 hr. The test selectively differentiates between Zika and closely related dengue and West Nile viruses. The reported technology combines isothermal amplification and visual detection and therefore represents a basis for the future development of a cost-efficient and instrument-free method for point-of-care nucleic acid analysis.

MicroRNA-555 has potent antiviral properties against poliovirus.

Vaccination with live-attenuated polio vaccine has been the primary reason for the drastic reduction of poliomyelitis worldwide. However, reversion of this attenuated poliovirus vaccine occasionally results in the emergence of vaccine-derived polioviruses that may cause poliomyelitis. Thus, the development of anti-poliovirus agents remains a priority for control and eradication of the disease. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been shown to regulate viral infection through targeting the viral genome or reducing host factors required for virus replication. However, the roles of miRNAs in poliovirus (PV) replication have not been fully elucidated. In this study, a library of 1200 miRNA mimics was used to identify miRNAs that govern PV replication. High-throughput screening revealed 29 miRNAs with antiviral properties against Sabin-2, which is one of the oral polio vaccine strains. In particular, miR-555 was found to have the most potent antiviral activity against three different oral polio attenuated vaccine strains tested. The results show that miR-555 reduced the level of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein C1/C2 (hnRNP C) required for PV replication in the infected cells, which in turn resulted in reduction of PV positive-strand RNA synthesis and production of infectious progeny. These findings provide the first evidence for the role of miR-555 in PV replication and reveal that miR-555 could contribute to the development of antiviral therapeutic strategies against PV.

Draft genome sequence of Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae DSM 30104T.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, nonmotile, and opportunistic pathogenic species with clinical importance. It is a part of natural flora of humans and animals. Here we report the draft genome sequence of the type strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae (DSM 30104(T)) to provide taxonomic and functional insights into the species.

Sublingual immunization with recombinant adenovirus encoding SARS-CoV spike protein induces systemic and mucosal immunity without redirection of the virus to the brain.

BACKGROUND: Sublingual (s.l.) administration of soluble protein antigens, inactivated viruses, or virus-like particles has been shown to induce broad immune responses in mucosal and extra-mucosal tissues. Recombinant replication-defective adenovirus vectors (rADVs) infect mucosa surface and therefore can serve as a mucosal antigen delivery vehicle. In this study we examined whether s.l. immunization with rADV encoding spike protein (S) (rADV-S) of severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus (SARS-CoV) induces protective immunity against SARS-CoV and could serve as a safe mucosal route for delivery of rADV. RESULTS: Here, we show that s.l. administration of rADV-S induced serum SARS-CoV neutralizing and airway IgA antibodies in mice. These antibody responses are comparable to those induced by intranasal (i.n.) administration. In addition, s.l. immunization induced antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses in the lungs that are superior to those induced by intramuscular immunization. Importantly, unlike i.n. administration, s.l. immunization with rADV did not redirect the rADV vector to the olfactory bulb. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that s.l. immunization with rADV-S is safe and effective in induction of a broad spectrum of immune responses and presumably protection against infection with SARS-CoV.

Intranasal Vaccination with Outer-Membrane Protein of Orientia tsutsugamushi induces Protective Immunity Against Scrub Typhus.

Scrub typhus develops after the individual is bitten by a trombiculid mite infected with Orientia tsutsugamushi. Since it has been reported that pneumonia is frequently observed in patients with scrub typhus, we investigated whether intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with the outer membrane protein of O. tsutsugamushi (OMPOT) would induce a protective immunity against O. tsutsugamushi infection. It was particular interest that when mice were infected with O. tsutsugamushi, the bacteria disseminated into the lungs, causing pneumonia. The i.n. vaccination with OMPOT induced IgG responses in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. The anti-O. tsutsugamushi IgA Abs in BAL fluid after the vaccination showed a high correlation of the protection against O. tsutsugamushi. The vaccination induced strong Ag-specific Th1 and Th17 responses in the both spleen and lungs. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that i.n. vaccination with OMPOT elicited protective immunity against scrub typhus in mouse with O. tsutsugamushi infection causing subsequent pneumonia.

Intranasal immunization with plasmid DNA encoding spike protein of SARS-coronavirus/polyethylenimine nanoparticles elicits antigen-specific humoral and cellular immune responses.

BACKGROUND: Immunization with the spike protein (S) of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV) in mice is known to produce neutralizing antibodies and to prevent the infection caused by SARS-CoV. Polyethylenimine 25K (PEI) is a cationic polymer which effectively delivers the plasmid DNA. RESULTS: In the present study, the immune responses of BALB/c mice immunized via intranasal (i.n.) route with SARS DNA vaccine (pci-S) in a PEI/pci-S complex form have been examined. The size of the PEI/pci-S nanoparticles appeared to be around 194.7 ± 99.3 nm, and the expression of the S mRNA and protein was confirmed in vitro. The mice immunized with i.n. PEI/pci-S nanoparticles produced significantly (P < 0.05) higher S-specific IgG1 in the sera and mucosal secretory IgA in the lung wash than those in mice treated with pci-S alone. Compared to those in mice challenged with pci-S alone, the number of B220+ cells found in PEI/pci-S vaccinated mice was elevated. Co-stimulatory molecules (CD80 and CD86) and class II major histocompatibility complex molecules (I-Ad) were increased on CD11c+ dendritic cells in cervical lymph node from the mice after PEI/pci-S vaccination. The percentage of IFN-γ-, TNF-α- and IL-2-producing cells were higher in PEI/pci-S vaccinated mice than in control mice. CONCLUSION: These results showed that intranasal immunization with PEI/pci-S nanoparticles induce antigen specific humoral and cellular immune responses.

Tumor angiogenesis promoted by ex vivo differentiated endothelial progenitor cells is effectively inhibited by an angiogenesis inhibitor, TK1-2.

Neovascularization plays a critical role in the growth and metastatic spread of tumors and involves recruitment of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) from bone marrow as well as sprouting of preexisting endothelial cells. In this study, we examined if EPCs could promote tumor angiogenesis and would be an effective cellular target for an angiogenesis inhibitor, the recombinant kringle domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator (TK1-2). When TK1-2 was applied in the ex vivo culture of EPCs isolated from human cord blood, TK1-2 inhibited adhesive differentiation of mononuclear EPCs into endothelial-like cells. In addition, it inhibited the migration of ex vivo cultivated EPCs and also inhibited their adhesion to fibronectin matrix or endothelial cell monolayer. When A549 cancer cells were coimplanted along with ex vivo cultivated EPCs s.c. in nude mice, the tumor growth was increased. However, the tumor growth and the vascular density of tumor tissues increased by coimplanted EPCs were decreased upon TK1-2 treatment. Accordingly, TK1-2 treatment reduced the remaining number of EPCs in tumor tissues and their incorporation into the host vascular channels. In addition, overall expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and von Willebrand factor in tumor tissues were decreased upon TK1-2 treatment. Interestingly, strong VEGF expression by implanted EPCs was decreased by TK1-2. Finally, we confirmed in vitro that TK1-2 inhibited VEGF secretion of EPCs. TK1-2 also inhibited endothelial cell proliferation and migration induced by the conditioned medium of EPCs. Therefore, we concluded that EPCs, as well as mature endothelial cells, could be an important target of TK1-2.

Plant factory: new resource for the productivity and diversity of human and veterinary vaccines.

Vaccination is one of the most successful strategies to prevent diseases caused by pathogens. Although various expression systems including Escherichia coli, yeast, insect, and mammalian cells are currently used for producing many of vaccines, these conventional platforms have the limitation of post-translational modification, high cost, and expensive scalability. In this respect, the plant-based expression system has been considered as an attractive platform to produce recombinant vaccines due to fast, cost-effective and scalable production as well as safety. This review discusses the development of plant-derived vaccines and the current stage of plant-based expression system.

Sublingual Immunization With an RSV G Glycoprotein Fragment Primes IL-17-Mediated Immunopathology Upon Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of serious respiratory tract disease but there is no licensed RSV vaccine. Immunopathological mechanisms have long been suspected as operating in the development of severe RSV disease and have hampered the development of safe and effective vaccines. Here, we show that unlike intranasal immunization, sublingual immunization with RSV glycoprotein fragment containing the central conserved region (Gcf) primes the host for severe disease upon RSV challenge. This increased pathology does not require replication by the challenge virus and is associated with massive infiltration of inflammatory cells, extensive cell death, and excessive mucus production in the airway and lungs. This exacerbated RSV disease primed by sublingual Gcf immunization is distinct from the immunopathology by G-expressing vaccinia virus or formalin-inactivated RSV, and preceded by prominent IL-17 production. IL-17 deficiency abolished the enhanced disease. Our results suggest a novel mechanism of RSV vaccine-induced immunopathology by IL-17, and highlights the importance of vaccination site.

Intranasal immunization with pneumococcal surface protein A in the presence of nanoparticle forming polysorbitol transporter adjuvant induces protective immunity against the Streptococcus pneumoniae infection.

Developing effective mucosal subunit vaccine for the Streptococcus pneumoniae has been unsuccessful mainly because of their poor immunogenicity with insufficient memory T and B cell responses. We thus address whether such limitation can be overcome by introducing effective adjuvants that can enhance immunity and show here that polysorbitol transporter (PST) serves as a mucosal adjuvant for a subunit vaccine against the Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) with PST adjuvant induced protective immunity against S. pneumoniae challenge, especially long-term T and B cell immune responses. Moreover, we found that the PST preferentially induced T helper (Th) responses toward Th2 or T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and, importantly, that the responses were mediated through antigen-presenting cells via activating a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) pathway. Thus, these data indicate that PST can be used as an effective and safe mucosal vaccine adjuvant against S. pneumoniae infection. STATE OF SIGNIFICANCE: In this study, we suggested the nanoparticle forming adjuvant, PST works as an effective adjuvant for the pneumococcal vaccine, PspA. The PspA subunit vaccine together with PST adjuvant efficiently induced protective immunity, even in the long-term memory responses, against Streptococcus pneumoniae lethal challenge. We found that PspA with PST adjuvant induced dendritic cell activation followed by follicular helper T cell responses through PPAR-γ pathway resulting long-term memory antibody-producing cells. Consequently, in this paper, we suggest the mechanism for safe nanoparticle forming subunit vaccine adjuvant against pneumococcal infection.

Zika Virus-Immune Plasmas from Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Individuals Enhance Zika Pathogenesis in Adult and Pregnant Mice.

Preexisting immunity against dengue virus or West Nile virus was previously reported to mediate antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in a mouse model. We show here that ZIKV-immune plasma samples from both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals mediated ZIKV ADE of infection in vitro and in mice. In a lethal infection model with a viral inoculum 10 times higher, both ADE and protection were observed, depending on the amount of infused immune plasma. In a vertical-transmission model, ZIKV-immune plasma infused to timed pregnant mice increased fetal demise and decreased the body weight of surviving fetuses. Depletion of IgG from an immune plasma abolished ADE of infection, and the presence of purified IgG alone mediated ADE of infection. Higher viral loads and proinflammatory cytokines were detected in mice treated with ZIKV-immune plasma samples compared to those receiving control plasma. Together, these data show that passive immunization with homotypic ZIKV antibodies, depending on the concentration, could either worsen or limit a subsequent ZIKV infection.IMPORTANCE Antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) of virus infection is common to many viruses and is problematic when plasma antibody levels decline to subneutralizing concentrations. ADE of infection is especially important among flaviviruses, many of which are the cause of global health problems. Recently, human plasma samples immune to heterologous flaviviruses were shown to promote Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. Here we showed in immunocompromised mouse models that homologous immune plasma samples protect mice from subsequent infection at high antibody concentrations but that they mediate ADE of infection and increase ZIKV pathogenesis in adult mice and fetal demise during pregnancy at low concentrations.

Development of Safe and Non-Self-Immunogenic Mucosal Adjuvant by Recombinant Fusion of Cholera Toxin A1 Subunit with Protein Transduction Domain.

Potential use of cholera toxin (CT) as a mucosal vaccine adjuvant has been documented in a variety of animal models. However, native CT is highly toxic to be used as a mucosal adjuvant in humans. Here, we demonstrate a new approach to generate a mucosal adjuvant by replacing the B subunit of CT with HIV-1 Tat protein transduction domain (PTD), which efficiently delivers fusion proteins into the cell cytoplasm by unspecific binding to cell surface. We compared the adjuvanticity and toxicity of Tat PTD-CTA1-Tat PTD (TCTA1T) with those of CT. Our results indicate that intranasal (i.n.) delivery of ovalbumin (OVA) with TCTA1T significantly augments the OVA-specific systemic and mucosal antibody responses to levels comparable to those seen with CT adjuvant. Moreover, in vivo cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity elicited by TCTA1T was significantly higher than that elicited by a mutant TCTA1T (TmCTA1T) lacking ADP-ribosyltransferase function. In addition, coadministration of influenza M2 protein with TCTA1T conferred near complete protection against lethal influenza virus challenge. Importantly, TCTA1T, in contrast to CT, did not induce serum IgG antibody responses to itself and was shown to be nontoxic. These results suggest that TCTA1T may be a safe and effective adjuvant when given by mucosal routes.

MicroRNA-134 regulates poliovirus replication by IRES targeting.

Global poliovirus eradication efforts include high vaccination coverage with live oral polio vaccine (OPV), surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis, and OPV "mop-up" campaigns. An important objective involves host-directed strategies to reduce PV replication to diminish viral shedding in OPV recipients. In this study, we show that microRNA-134-5p (miR-134) can regulate Sabin-1 replication but not Sabin-2 or Sabin-3 via direct interaction with the PV 5'UTR. Hypochromicity data showed miR-134 binding to Sabin-1 and 3 but not Sabin-2 IRES. Transfection of a miR-134 mimic repressed translation of Sabin-1 5'UTR driven luciferase validating the mechanism of miR-134-mediated repression of Sabin-1. Further, site directed mutagenesis of the miR-134 binding site in Sabin-1 IRES relieved miR-134-mediated repression indicating that these regulatory molecules have an important role in regulating the host gene response to PV. Binding of miR-134 to Sabin-1 IRES caused degradation of the IRES transcript in a miR-134 and sequence specific manner. The miR-134 binding site was found to be highly conserved in wild type PV-1 as well as EV71 strains indicating that miR-134 may regulate function of these IRES sequences in circulation.

MicroRNA screening identifies miR-134 as a regulator of poliovirus and enterovirus 71 infection.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate virus replication through multiple mechanisms. Poliovirus causes a highly debilitating disease and though global efforts to eradicate polio have sharply decreased polio incidence, unfortunately three countries (Afghanistan, Nigeria and Pakistan) remain polio-endemic. We hypothesize that understanding the host factors involved in polio replication will identify novel prophylactic and therapeutic targets against polio and related viruses. In this data set, employing genome wide screens of miRNA mimics and inhibitors, we identified miRNAs which significantly suppressed polio replication. Specifically, miR-134 regulates poliovirus replication via modulation of ras-related nuclear protein (RAN), an important component of the nuclear transport system. MiR-134 also inhibited other Picornaviridae viruses including EV71, a growing concern and a high priority for vaccination in Asian countries like China. These findings demonstrate a novel mechanism for miRNA regulation of poliovirus and other Picornaviridae viruses in host cells, and thereby may provide a novel approach in combating infection and a potential approach for the development of anti-Picornaviridae strategies.

Molecular epidemiology of swine influenza A viruses in the Southeastern United States, highlights regional differences in circulating strains.

Swine influenza A virus (IAV) can cause widespread respiratory disease with high morbidity, low mortality, and have a substantial economic impact to the swine industry. Swine infection may contribute to pandemic IAV given their susceptibility to both avian and human IAVs. Currently, three IAV subtypes (H1N1, H3N2 and H1N2) circulate in swine in North America frequently combining gene segments from avian or human viruses. This study investigated the prevalence of IAV in commercial swine herds. A total of 1878 oral fluid samples were collected from pigs of all ages from 201 commercial farms located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Sixty-eight oral fluid samples from 35 farms were positive by MP gene PCR with an overall IAV-positivity of 3.6%. On the herd level, the percentage of IAV positivity was 17.4%. Fifty-six viruses were subtyped, while 12 were partly subtyped or not subtyped at all. Using de novo assembly, complete sequences were obtained for 59 HA genes. The majority of IAVs subtyped had an H1 HA demonstrating a considerable prevalence over H3 viruses. Furthermore, only six out of eleven HA types were detected which has implications for the selection of vaccines used by swine producers in the region.

Potent anti-tumor and prolonged survival effects of E. coli-derived non-glycosylated kringle domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator.

The two-kringle domain of tissue-type plasminogen activator (TK1-2) has been identified as a novel angiogenesis inhibitor. In the previous study, purified Pichia-derived TK1-2 has been shown to suppress in vivo growth of human lung and colon cancer cells. Here, we demonstrate that E. coli-derived non-glycosylated TK1-2 suppresses tumor growth more potently than Pichia-derived TK1-2 and prolongs the survival of tumor bearing mice. The recombinant TK1-2 prepared through E. coli expression, His-tag affinity chromatography and in vitro refolding was injected intraperitoneally once daily into nude mice 7 days after subcutaneous implantation with PC14 lung cancer cells (n=10). Measurement of tumor volumes indicated that low-dose TK1-2 treatment (10 mg/kg) suppressed tumor growth by approximately 85.2% (p<0.01), while high-dose TK1-2 treatment (50 mg/kg) even more potently inhibited tumor growth (>93.8%) (p<0.005). Treatment of TK1-2 also prolonged the survival of tumor-bearing mice in a dose-dependent fashion. In an independent HCT116 xenograft model, E. coli-derived TK1-2 was more effective in suppressing tumor growth than Pichia-derived TK1-2. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumor tissue also revealed that the expression of VEGF, SMA-alpha, TNF-alpha and angiogenin was less positive in the E. coli-derived TK1-2-treated group than in the Pichia-derived TK1-2-treated group. These results suggest that E. coli-derived refolded, non-glycosylated TK1-2 can be used more effectively as an anti-cancer agent.

Zika virus infection during the period of maximal brain growth causes microcephaly and corticospinal neuron apoptosis in wild type mice.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection in pregnant women has been established as a cause of microcephaly in newborns. Here we test the hypothesis that neurodevelopmental stages when the brain is undergoing rapid growth are particularly vulnerable to the effects of ZIKV infection. We injected ZIKV intracranially into wild type C57BL/6 mice at two different time points: early postnatal development, when the brain is growing at its maximal rate, and at weaning, when the brain has largely reached adult size. Both time points showed widespread immunoreactivity for ZIKV and cleaved caspase 3 (CC3, a marker of apoptosis) throughout the brain. However, in early postnatal ZIKV injected mice, some brain areas and cell types display particularly large increases in apoptosis that we did not observe in older animals. Corticospinal pyramidal neurons, a cell type implicated in human microcephaly associated with ZIKV infection, are an example of one such cell type. Proliferating cells in the ventricular zone stem cell compartment are also depleted. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that periods of rapid brain growth are especially susceptible to neurodevelopmental effects of ZIKV infection, and establish a valuable model to investigate mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental effects of ZIKV infection and explore candidate therapeutics.