RESUMO
The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 epidemic was marked by the repeated emergence and replacement of "variants" with genetic and phenotypic distance from the ancestral strains, the most recent examples being viruses of the Omicron lineage. Here, we describe a hamster direct contact exposure challenge model to assess protection against reinfection conferred by either vaccination or prior infection. We found that two doses of self-amplifying RNA vaccine based on the ancestral Spike ameliorated weight loss following Delta infection and decreased viral loads but had minimal effect on Omicron BA.1 infection. Prior vaccination followed by Delta or BA.1 breakthrough infections led to a high degree of cross-reactivity to all tested variants, suggesting that repeated exposure to antigenically distinct Spikes, via infection and/or vaccination drives a cross-reactive immune response. Prior infection with ancestral or Alpha variant was partially protective against BA.1 infection, whereas all animals previously infected with Delta and exposed to BA.1 became reinfected, although they shed less virus than BA.1-infected naive hamsters. Hamsters reinfected with BA.1 after prior Delta infection emitted infectious virus into the air, indicating that they could be responsible for onwards airborne transmission. We further tested whether prior infection with BA.1 protected from reinfection with Delta or later Omicron sublineages BA.2, BA.4, or BA.5. BA.1 was protective against BA.2 but not against Delta, BA.4, or BA.5 reinfection. These findings suggest that cohorts whose only immune experience of COVID-19 is Omicron BA.1 infection may be vulnerable to future circulation of reemerged Delta-like derivatives, as well as emerging Omicron sublineages.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Hepatite D , Animais , Cricetinae , Infecções Irruptivas , Reinfecção , Reações Cruzadas , Anticorpos Neutralizantes , Anticorpos AntiviraisRESUMO
The optimal vaccination strategy to boost responses in the context of pre-existing immune memory to the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) glycoprotein is an important question for global public health. To address this, we explored the SARS-CoV-2-specific humoral and cellular immune responses to a novel self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine followed by a UK authorised mRNA vaccine (BNT162b2) in individuals with and without previous COVID-19, and compared these responses with those who received an authorised vaccine alone. 35 subjects receiving saRNA (saRNA group) as part of the COVAC1 clinical trial and an additional 40 participants receiving an authorised SARS-CoV-2 vaccine only (non-saRNA group) were recruited. Antibody responses were measured by ELISA and a pseudoneutralisation assay for wildtype, Delta and Omicron variants. Cellular responses were measured by IFN-Æ´ ELISpot and an activation induced marker (AIM) assay. Approximately 50% in each group had previous COVID-19 prior to vaccination, confirmed by PCR or antibody positivity on ELISA. All of those who received saRNA subsequently received a full course of an authorised vaccine. The majority (83%) of those receiving saRNA who were COVID-19 naïve at baseline seroconverted following the second dose, and those with previous COVID-19 had an increase in antibody titres two weeks following saRNA vaccination (median 27-fold), however titres were lower when compared to mRNA vaccination. Two weeks following the 2nd authorised mRNA vaccine dose, binding and neutralising antibody titres were significantly higher in the saRNA participants with previous COVID-19, compared to non-saRNA, or COVID-19 naive saRNA participants. Cellular responses were again highest in this group, with a higher proportion of spike specific CD8+ than CD4+ T cells when compared to those receiving the mRNA vaccine only. These findings suggest an immunological benefit of increased antigen exposure, both from natural infection and vaccination, particularly evident in those receiving heterologous vaccination with saRNA and mRNA.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra COVID-19 , COVID-19 , Anticorpos Neutralizantes , Anticorpos Antivirais , Vacina BNT162 , COVID-19/prevenção & controle , Humanos , Imunidade Celular , RNA , RNA Mensageiro , SARS-CoV-2 , Vacinação , Vacinas Sintéticas , Vacinas de mRNARESUMO
Nucleic acid therapeutics have attracted recent attention as promising preventative solutions for a broad range of diseases. Nonviral delivery vectors, such as cationic polymers, improve the cellular uptake of nucleic acids without suffering the drawbacks of viral delivery vectors. However, these delivery systems are faced with a major challenge for worldwide deployment, as their poor thermal stability elicits the need for cold chain transportation. Here, we demonstrate a biomaterial strategy to drastically improve the thermal stability of DNA polyplexes. Importantly, we demonstrate long-term room temperature storage with a transfection efficiency maintained for at least 9 months. Additionally, extreme heat shock studies show retained luciferase expression after heat treatment at 70 °C. We therefore provide a proof of concept for a platform biotechnology that could provide long-term room temperature storage for temperature-sensitive nucleic acid therapeutics, eliminating the need for the cold chain, which in turn would reduce the cost of distributing life-saving therapeutics worldwide.
Assuntos
DNA , Humanos , DNA/química , Transfecção/métodos , Polímeros/química , Resposta ao Choque Térmico/efeitos dos fármacos , Temperatura , Temperatura AltaRESUMO
TRIANNI mice carry an entire set of human immunoglobulin V region gene segments and are a powerful tool to rapidly isolate human monoclonal antibodies. After immunizing these mice with DNA encoding the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and boosting with spike protein, we identified 29 hybridoma antibodies that reacted with the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Nine antibodies neutralize SARS-CoV-2 infection at IC50 values in the subnanomolar range. ELISA-binding studies and DNA sequence analyses revealed one cluster of three clonally related neutralizing antibodies that target the receptor-binding domain and compete with the cellular receptor hACE2. A second cluster of six clonally related neutralizing antibodies bind to the N-terminal domain of the spike protein without competing with the binding of hACE2 or cluster 1 antibodies. SARS-CoV-2 mutants selected for resistance to an antibody from one cluster are still neutralized by an antibody from the other cluster. Antibodies from both clusters markedly reduced viral spread in mice transgenic for human ACE2 and protected the animals from SARS-CoV-2-induced weight loss. The two clusters of potent noncompeting SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies provide potential candidates for therapy and prophylaxis of COVID-19. The study further supports transgenic animals with a human immunoglobulin gene repertoire as a powerful platform in pandemic preparedness initiatives.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Glicoproteína da Espícula de Coronavírus , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Anticorpos Neutralizantes , Anticorpos Antivirais , Humanos , Camundongos , SARS-CoV-2RESUMO
RNA delivery has been demonstrated to be a potent method of vaccine delivery, as demonstrated by the recent success of the COVID-19 vaccines. Polymers have been shown to be effective vehicles for RNA delivery, with poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) being the current gold standard for delivery. Nonetheless, PEI has toxicity concerns, and so finding alternatives is desirable. Poly(2-oxazoline)s are a promising alternative to PEI, as they are generally biocompatible and offer a high degree of control over the polymer structure. Here, we have synthesized an ionizable primary amine 2-oxazoline and combined it with a double bond containing oxazoline to synthesize a small library of charged statistical and block copolymers. The pendant double bonds were reacted further to decorate the polymers with glucose via a thiol-ene click reaction. All polymers were shown to have excellent cell viability, and the synthesized block polymers showed promising complexation efficiencies for the saRNA, demonstrating a clear structure-property relationship. The polymer transfection potential was tested in various cell lines, and a polymer composition with an amine/glucose ratio of 9:27 has demonstrated the best transfection potential across all cell lines tested. Overall, the results suggest that block polymers with a cationic segment and high levels of glycosylation have the best complexation efficiency and RNA expression levels.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra COVID-19 , Polímeros , Humanos , Polímeros/química , Aminas , RNA , GlucoseRESUMO
Optimal immunogenicity from nucleic acid vaccines requires a balance of antigen expression that effectively engages the host immune system without generating a cellular response that rapidly destroys cells producing the antigen and thereby limiting vaccine antigen expression. We investigated the role of the cellular response on the expression and antigenicity of DNA vaccines using a plasmid DNA construct expressing luciferase. Repeated intramuscular administration led to diminished luciferase expression, suggesting a role for immune-mediated clearance of expression. To investigate the role of cell trafficking, we used the sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulator, FTY720 (Fingolimod), which traps lymphocytes within the lymphoid tissues. When lymphocyte trafficking was blocked with FTY720, DNA transgene expression was maintained at a constant level for a significantly extended time period. Both continuous and staggered administration of FTY720 prolonged transgene expression. However, blocking lymphocyte egress during primary transgene administration did not result in an increase of transgene expression during secondary administration. Interestingly, there was a disconnect between transgene expression and immunogenicity, as increasing expression by this approach did not enhance the overall immune response. Furthermore, when FTY720 was administered alongside a DNA vaccine expressing the HIV gp140 envelope antigen, there was a significant reduction in both antigen-specific antibody and T-cell responses. This indicates that the developing antigen-specific cellular response clears DNA vaccine expression but requires access to the site of expression in order to develop an effective immune response.
Assuntos
Cloridrato de Fingolimode , Vacinas de DNA , Cloridrato de Fingolimode/farmacologia , Fatores Imunológicos , Imunossupressores , Propilenoglicóis , Esfingosina , Linfócitos T , Vacinas de DNA/genéticaRESUMO
Exposure of the genital mucosa to a genetically diverse viral swarm from the donor HIV-1 can result in breakthrough and systemic infection by a single transmitted/founder (TF) virus in the recipient. The highly diverse HIV-1 envelope (Env) in this inoculating viral swarm may have a critical role in transmission and subsequent immune response. Thus, chronic (Envchronic) and acute (Envacute) Env chimeric HIV-1 were tested using multivirus competition assays in human mucosal penile and cervical tissues. Viral competition analysis revealed that Envchronic viruses resided and replicated mainly in the tissue, while Envacute viruses penetrated the human tissue and established infection of CD4+ T cells more efficiently. Analysis of the replication fitness, as tested in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), showed similar replication fitness of Envacute and Envchronic viruses, which did not correlate with transmission fitness in penile tissue. Further, we observed that chimeric Env viruses with higher replication in genital mucosal tissue (chronic Env viruses) had higher binding affinity to C-type lectins. Data presented herein suggest that the inoculating HIV-1 may be sequestered in the genital mucosal tissue (represented by chronic Env HIV-1) but that a single HIV-1 clone (e.g., acute Env HIV-1) can escape this trapped replication for systemic infection.IMPORTANCE During heterosexual HIV-1 transmission, a genetic bottleneck occurs in the newly infected individual as the virus passes from the mucosa, leading to systemic infection with a single transmitted HIV-1 clone in the recipient. This bottleneck in the recipient has just been described (K. Klein et al., PLoS Pathog 14:e1006754, https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1006754), and the mechanisms involved in this selection process have not been elucidated. However, understanding mucosal restriction is of the utmost importance for understanding dynamics of infections and for designing focused vaccines. Using our human penile and cervical mucosal tissue models for mixed HIV infections, we provide evidence that HIV-1 from acute/early infection, compared to that from chronic infection, can more efficiently traverse the mucosal epithelium and be transmitted to T cells, suggesting higher transmission fitness. This study focused on the role of the HIV-1 envelope in transmission and provides strong evidence that HIV transmission may involve breaking the mucosal lectin trap.
Assuntos
Colo do Útero/virologia , Infecções por HIV/transmissão , HIV-1/genética , Leucócitos Mononucleares/virologia , Mucosa/virologia , Pênis/virologia , Proteínas Virais/genética , Feminino , Infecções por HIV/virologia , HIV-1/classificação , HIV-1/isolamento & purificação , Sequenciamento de Nucleotídeos em Larga Escala , Humanos , Masculino , RNA Viral/análise , RNA Viral/genéticaRESUMO
Plasmid DNA is a promising vaccine platform that together with electroporation can elicit significant systemic Ab responses; however, immunity at mucosal sites remains low. In this study, we sought to program T and B cells to home to the gastrointestinal and vaginal mucosae using genetic chemokine adjuvants and assessed their impact on immune homeostasis in various distinct immune compartments. BALB/c mice were immunized i.m. with plasmid DNA encoding a model Ag HIV-1 Env gp140 and selected chemokines/cytokine and boosted intravaginally with gp140 recombinant protein. Isolated splenocytes, intestinal lymphocytes, and genital lymphocytes as well as serum and intestinal luminal contents were assessed for Ag-specific reactivity. In addition, flow cytometric analysis was performed to determine the impact on immune homeostasis at these sites. Different molecular chemokine/cytokine adjuvants effected significant alterations to the recruitment of B and T cells to the spleen, vaginal and intestinal mucosae, for example CCL25 enhanced splenic and vaginal Ag-specific T cell responses whereas CCL28 increased the levels of specific T cells only in the vaginal mucosa. The levels of Ab could be modulated in the systemic circulation, as well as the vaginal vault and intestinal lumen, with CCL20 playing a central role. Our data demonstrate that the CCL20, CCL25, and CCL28 genetic chemokine adjuvants enhance the vaccine Ag-specific humoral and cellular responses and induce homing to the intestinal and female genital mucosae.
Assuntos
Vacinas contra a AIDS/imunologia , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/administração & dosagem , Mucosa Intestinal/imunologia , Vacinas de DNA/imunologia , Vagina/imunologia , Vacinas contra a AIDS/administração & dosagem , Vacinas contra a AIDS/genética , Adjuvantes Imunológicos/genética , Animais , Linfócitos B/imunologia , Quimiocinas CC/genética , Quimiocinas CC/imunologia , Feminino , Células HEK293 , Antígenos HIV/genética , Antígenos HIV/imunologia , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , HIV-1/genética , HIV-1/imunologia , Humanos , Imunogenicidade da Vacina , Camundongos , Plasmídeos/administração & dosagem , Plasmídeos/genética , Plasmídeos/imunologia , Linfócitos T/imunologia , Vacinas de DNA/administração & dosagem , Vacinas de DNA/genética , Produtos do Gene env do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/genética , Produtos do Gene env do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/imunologiaRESUMO
Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is a cutting-edge platform for both nucleic acid vaccines and therapeutics. saRNA is self-adjuvanting, as it activates types I and III interferon (IFN), which enhances the immunogenicity of RNA vaccines but can also lead to inhibition of translation. In this study, we screened a library of saRNA constructs with cis-encoded innate inhibiting proteins (IIPs) and determined the effect on protein expression and immunogenicity. We observed that the PIV-5 V and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) ORF4a proteins enhance protein expression 100- to 500-fold in vitro in IFN-competent HeLa and MRC5 cells. We found that the MERS-CoV ORF4a protein partially abates dose nonlinearity in vivo, and that ruxolitinib, a potent Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) inhibitor, but not the IIPs, enhances protein expression of saRNA in vivo. Both the PIV-5 V and MERS-CoV ORF4a proteins were found to enhance the percentage of resident cells in human skin explants expressing saRNA and completely rescued dose nonlinearity of saRNA. Finally, we observed that the MERS-CoV ORF4a increased the rabies virus (RABV)-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) titer and neutralization half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) by â¼10-fold in rabbits, but not in mice or rats. These experiments provide a proof of concept that IIPs can be directly encoded into saRNA vectors and effectively abate the nonlinear dose dependency and enhance immunogenicity.
Assuntos
Imunidade Inata/efeitos dos fármacos , Imunogenicidade da Vacina , Biossíntese de Proteínas/efeitos dos fármacos , Vacinas Sintéticas/farmacologia , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/administração & dosagem , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Vírus da Encefalite Equina Venezuelana/efeitos dos fármacos , Vírus da Encefalite Equina Venezuelana/imunologia , Vírus da Encefalite Equina Venezuelana/patogenicidade , Fibroblastos , Regulação da Expressão Gênica , Células HeLa , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno/genética , Interações Hospedeiro-Patógeno/imunologia , Humanos , Imunoglobulina G/biossíntese , Fator Regulador 3 de Interferon/genética , Fator Regulador 3 de Interferon/imunologia , Janus Quinases/antagonistas & inibidores , Janus Quinases/genética , Janus Quinases/imunologia , Camundongos , Coronavírus da Síndrome Respiratória do Oriente Médio/efeitos dos fármacos , Coronavírus da Síndrome Respiratória do Oriente Médio/imunologia , Coronavírus da Síndrome Respiratória do Oriente Médio/patogenicidade , NF-kappa B/genética , NF-kappa B/imunologia , Nitrilas , Vírus da Parainfluenza 5/efeitos dos fármacos , Vírus da Parainfluenza 5/imunologia , Vírus da Parainfluenza 5/patogenicidade , Pirazóis/farmacologia , Pirimidinas , Coelhos , Vírus da Raiva/efeitos dos fármacos , Vírus da Raiva/imunologia , Vírus da Raiva/patogenicidade , Ratos , Fatores de Transcrição STAT/antagonistas & inibidores , Fatores de Transcrição STAT/genética , Fatores de Transcrição STAT/imunologia , Transdução de Sinais , Vacinas Sintéticas/biossíntese , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/genética , Proteínas do Envelope Viral/imunologia , Vacinas de mRNARESUMO
BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory viral infections are a major cause of respiratory morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with preexisting lung diseases such as asthma. Toll-like receptors are critical in the early detection of viruses and in activating innate immunity in the respiratory mucosa, but there is no reliable and convenient method by which respiratory mucosal innate immune responses can be measured. OBJECTIVE: We sought to assess in vivo immune responses to an innate stimulus and compare responsiveness between healthy volunteers and volunteers with allergy. METHODS: We administered the Toll-like receptor 7/8 agonist resiquimod (R848; a synthetic analogue of single-stranded RNA) or saline by nasal spray to healthy participants without allergy (n = 12), those with allergic rhinitis (n = 12), or those with allergic rhinitis with asthma (n = 11). Immune mediators in blood and nasal fluid and mucosal gene expression were monitored over time. RESULTS: R848 was well tolerated and significantly induced IFN-α2a, IFN-γ, proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-12p70), and chemokines (CXCL10, C-C motif chemokine ligand [CCL]2, CCL3, CCL4, and CCL13) in nasal mucosal fluid, without causing systemic immune activation. Participants with allergic rhinitis or allergic rhinitis with asthma had increased IFN-α2a, CCL3, and CCL13 responses relative to healthy participants; those with asthma had increased induction of IFN-stimulated genes DExD/H-box helicase 58, MX dynamin-like GTPase 1, and IFN-induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 3. CONCLUSIONS: Responses to nasal delivery of R848 enables simple assessment of mucosal innate responsiveness, revealing that patients with allergic disorders have an increased nasal mucosal IFN and chemokine response to the viral RNA analogue R848. This highlights that dysregulated innate immune responses of the nasal mucosa in allergic individuals may be important in determining the outcome of viral exposure.
Assuntos
Asma/imunologia , Imidazóis/farmacologia , Imunidade Inata/imunologia , Mucosa Nasal/imunologia , Rinite Alérgica/imunologia , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Imunidade Inata/efeitos dos fármacos , Interferons/imunologia , Masculino , Proteínas Quimioatraentes de Monócitos/imunologia , Mucosa Nasal/efeitos dos fármacos , Receptor 7 Toll-Like/agonistas , Receptor 8 Toll-Like/agonistasRESUMO
The transmission of HIV can be prevented by the application of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies and lectins. Traditional recombinant protein manufacturing platforms lack sufficient capacity and are too expensive for developing countries, which suffer the greatest disease burden. Plants offer an inexpensive and scalable alternative manufacturing platform that can produce multiple components in a single plant, which is important because multiple components are required to avoid the rapid emergence of HIV-1 strains resistant to single microbicides. Furthermore, crude extracts can be used directly for prophylaxis to avoid the massive costs of downstream processing and purification. We investigated whether rice could simultaneously produce three functional HIV-neutralizing proteins (the monoclonal antibody 2G12, and the lectins griffithsin and cyanovirin-N). Preliminary in vitro tests showed that the cocktail of three proteins bound to gp120 and achieved HIV-1 neutralization. Remarkably, when we mixed the components with crude extracts of wild-type rice endosperm, we observed enhanced binding to gp120 in vitro and synergistic neutralization when all three components were present. Extracts of transgenic plants expressing all three proteins also showed enhanced in vitro binding to gp120 and synergistic HIV-1 neutralization. Fractionation of the rice extracts suggested that the enhanced gp120 binding was dependent on rice proteins, primarily the globulin fraction. Therefore, the production of HIV-1 microbicides in rice may not only reduce costs compared to traditional platforms but may also provide functional benefits in terms of microbicidal potency.
Assuntos
Fármacos Anti-HIV , Anticorpos Monoclonais , Endosperma , Anticorpos Anti-HIV , Proteína gp120 do Envelope de HIV/antagonistas & inibidores , HIV-1/química , Oryza , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas , Fármacos Anti-HIV/química , Fármacos Anti-HIV/metabolismo , Anticorpos Monoclonais/biossíntese , Anticorpos Monoclonais/química , Anticorpos Monoclonais/genética , Endosperma/química , Endosperma/genética , Endosperma/metabolismo , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/biossíntese , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/química , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/genética , Proteína gp120 do Envelope de HIV/química , Proteína gp120 do Envelope de HIV/genética , Proteína gp120 do Envelope de HIV/metabolismo , Oryza/química , Oryza/genética , Oryza/metabolismo , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas/química , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas/genética , Plantas Geneticamente Modificadas/metabolismoRESUMO
Messenger RNA (mRNA) is a promising platform for both vaccines and therapeutics, and self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is particularly advantageous, as it enables higher protein expression and dose minimization. Here, we present a delivery platform for targeted delivery of saRNA using mannosylated poly(ethylene imine) (PEI) enabled by the host-guest interaction between cyclodextrin and adamantane. We show that the host-guest complexation does not interfere with the electrostatic interaction with saRNA and observed that increasing the degree of mannosylation inhibited transfection efficiency in vitro, but enhanced the number of cells expressing GFP by 8-fold in human skin explants. Besides, increasing the ratio of glycopolymer to saRNA also enhanced the percentage of transfected cells ex vivo. We identified that these mannosylated PEIs specifically increased protein expression in the epithelial cells resident in human skin in a mannose-dependent manner. This platform is promising for further study of glycosylation of PEI and targeted saRNA delivery.
Assuntos
Iminas , Polietilenos , Glicosilação , Humanos , Polietilenoglicóis , TransfecçãoRESUMO
RNA technology has the potential to revolutionize vaccination. However, the lack of clear structure-property relationships in relevant biological models mean there is no clear consensus on the chemical motifs necessary to improve RNA delivery. In this work, we describe the synthesis of a series of copolymers based on the self-hydrolyzing charge-reversible polycation poly(dimethylaminoethyl acrylate) (pDMAEA), varying the lipophilicity of the additional co-monomers. All copolymers formed stable polyplexes, showing efficient complexation with model nucleic acids from nitrogen/phosphate (N/P) ratios of N/P = 5, with more hydrophobic complexes exhibiting slower charge reversal and disassembly compared to hydrophilic analogues. The more hydrophobic copolymers outperformed hydrophilic versions, homopolymer controls and the reference standard polymer (polyethylenimine), in transfection assays on 2D cell monolayers, albeit with significantly higher toxicities. Similarly, hydrophobic derivatives displayed up to a 4-fold higher efficacy in terms of the numbers of cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP+) cells in ex vivo human skin (10%) compared to free RNA (2%), attributed to transfection enrichment in epithelial cells. In contrast, in a mouse model, we observed the reverse trend in terms of RNA transfection, with no observable protein production in more hydrophobic analogues, whereas hydrophilic copolymers induced the highest transfection in vivo. Overall, our results suggest an important relationship between the vector lipophilicity and RNA transfection in vaccine settings, with polymer biocompatibility potentially a key parameter in effective in vivo protein production.
Assuntos
Polímeros , RNA , DNA , Técnicas de Transferência de Genes , Interações Hidrofóbicas e Hidrofílicas , Polietilenoimina , TransfecçãoRESUMO
Self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) is a promising biotherapeutic tool that has been used as a vaccine against both infectious diseases and cancer. saRNA has been shown to induce protein expression for up to 60 days and elicit immune responses with lower dosing than messenger RNA (mRNA). Because saRNA is a large (~9500 nt), negatively charged molecule, it requires a delivery vehicle for efficient cellular uptake and degradation protection. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been widely used for RNA formulations, where the prevailing paradigm is to encapsulate RNA within the particle, including the first FDA-approved small-interfering siRNA therapy. Here, we compared LNP formulations with cationic and ionizable lipids with saRNA either on the interior or exterior of the particle. We show that LNPs formulated with cationic lipids protect saRNA from RNAse degradation, even when it is adsorbed to the surface. Furthermore, cationic LNPs deliver saRNA equivalently to particles formulated with saRNA encapsulated in an ionizable lipid particle, both in vitro and in vivo. Finally, we show that cationic and ionizable LNP formulations induce equivalent antibodies against HIV-1 Env gp140 as a model antigen. These studies establish formulating saRNA on the surface of cationic LNPs as an alternative to the paradigm of encapsulating RNA.
Assuntos
Nanopartículas , RNA Mensageiro/administração & dosagem , Animais , Cátions , Ácidos Graxos Monoinsaturados/química , Feminino , Células HEK293 , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/biossíntese , Humanos , Lipídeos/administração & dosagem , Lipídeos/química , Luciferases de Vaga-Lume/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Nanopartículas/administração & dosagem , Nanopartículas/química , Tamanho da Partícula , Compostos de Amônio Quaternário/química , Estabilidade de RNA , RNA Mensageiro/imunologia , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismo , Ribonucleases/metabolismo , Transfecção , Produtos do Gene env do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/imunologiaRESUMO
Early events in the human airways determining whether exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) results in acquisition of infection are poorly understood. Epithelial cells are the dominant cell type in the lungs, but little is known about their role in tuberculosis. We hypothesised that human primary airway epithelial cells are part of the first line of defense against Mtb-infection and contribute to the protective host response in the human respiratory tract. We modelled these early airway-interactions with human primary bronchial epithelial cells (PBECs) and alveolar macrophages. By combining in vitro infection and transwell co-culture models with a global transcriptomic approach, we identified PBECs to be inert to direct Mtb-infection, yet to be potent responders within an Mtb-activated immune network, mediated by IL1ß and type I interferon (IFN). Activation of PBECs by Mtb-infected alveolar macrophages and monocytes increased expression of known and novel antimycobacterial peptides, defensins and S100-family members and epithelial-myeloid interactions further shaped the immunological environment during Mtb-infection by promoting neutrophil influx. This is the first in depth analysis of the primary epithelial response to infection and offers new insights into their emerging role in tuberculosis through complementing and amplifying responses to Mtb.
Assuntos
Células Epiteliais/microbiologia , Imunidade Inata , Pulmão/microbiologia , Macrófagos/imunologia , Mycobacterium tuberculosis/imunologia , Tuberculose/imunologia , Células Cultivadas , Humanos , Interferon gama/imunologia , Monócitos/imunologiaRESUMO
We report the development of a novel flow cytometry-based Ig capture assay (ICA) for the identification and sorting of individual Ab-secreting cells based on their Ag reactivity. The ICA represents a fast and versatile tool for single-cell sorting of peripheral plasmablasts, streamlining subsequent Ab analysis, and cloning. We demonstrate the utility of the assay by isolating Ag-reactive plasmablasts from cryopreserved PBMC obtained from volunteers vaccinated with a recombinant HIV envelope protein. To show the specificity of the ICA, we produced Ag-specific Abs from these cells and subsequently verified their Ag reactivity via ELISA. Furthermore, we used the ICA to track Ag-specific plasmablast responses in HIV-vaccine recipients over a period of 42 d and performed a head-to-head comparison with a conventional B cell ELISpot. Results were highly comparable, highlighting that this assay is a viable alternative for monitoring Ag-specific plasmablast responses at early time points after infection or vaccination. The ICA provides important added benefits in that phenotypic information can be obtained from the identified Ag-specific cells that can then be captured for downstream applications such as B cell sequencing and/or Ab cloning. We envisage the ICA as being a useful tool in Ab repertoire analysis for future clinical trials.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Antibacterianos/imunologia , Separação Celular/métodos , Citometria de Fluxo/métodos , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/imunologia , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/imunologia , Plasmócitos/imunologia , Vacinas contra a AIDS/imunologia , Anticorpos Antibacterianos/sangue , Reações Antígeno-Anticorpo , Antígenos de Bactérias/imunologia , Preservação de Sangue , Criopreservação , ELISPOT , Seguimentos , Células HEK293 , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/sangue , Antígenos de Superfície da Hepatite B/sangue , Vacinas contra Hepatite B/imunologia , Humanos , Fragmentos de Peptídeos/imunologia , Toxina Tetânica/imunologia , Toxoide Tetânico/imunologia , Vacinação , Produtos do Gene env do Vírus da Imunodeficiência Humana/imunologiaRESUMO
Definition of the key parameters mediating effective antibody blocking of HIV-1 acquisition within mucosal tissue may prove critical to effective vaccine development and the prophylactic use of monoclonal antibodies. Although direct antibody-mediated neutralization is highly effective against cell-free virus, antibodies targeting different sites of envelope vulnerability may display differential activity against mucosal infection. Nonneutralizing antibodies (nnAbs) may also impact mucosal transmission events through Fc-gamma receptor (FcγR)-mediated inhibition. In this study, a panel of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and nnAbs, including those associated with protection in the RV144 vaccine trial, were screened for the ability to block HIV-1 acquisition and replication across a range of cellular and mucosal tissue models. Neutralization potency, as determined by the TZM-bl infection assay, did not fully predict activity in mucosal tissue. CD4-binding site (CD4bs)-specific bnAbs, in particular VRC01, were consistent in blocking HIV-1 infection across all cellular and tissue models. Membrane-proximal external region (MPER) (2F5) and outer domain glycan (2G12) bnAbs were also efficient in preventing infection of mucosal tissues, while the protective efficacy of bnAbs targeting V1-V2 glycans (PG9 and PG16) was more variable. In contrast, nnAbs alone and in combinations, while active in a range of cellular assays, were poorly protective against HIV-1 infection of mucosal tissues. These data suggest that tissue resident effector cell numbers and low FcγR expression may limit the potential of nnAbs to prevent establishment of the initial foci of infection. The solid protection provided by specific bnAbs clearly demonstrates their superior potential over that of nonneutralizing antibodies for preventing HIV-1 infection at the mucosal portals of infection. IMPORTANCE: Key parameters mediating effective antibody blocking of HIV-1 acquisition within mucosal tissue have not been defined. While bnAbs are highly effective against cell-free virus, they are not induced by current vaccine candidates. However, nnAbs, readily induced by vaccines, can trigger antibody-dependent cellular effector functions, through engagement of their Fc-gamma receptors. Fc-mediated antiviral activity has been implicated as a secondary correlate of decreased HIV-1 risk in the RV144 vaccine efficacy trial, suggesting that protection might be mediated in the absence of classical neutralization. To aid vaccine design and selection of antibodies for use in passive protection strategies, we assessed a range of bnAbs and nnAbs for their potential to block ex vivo challenge of mucosal tissues. Our data clearly indicate the superior efficacy of neutralizing antibodies in preventing mucosal acquisition of infection. These results underscore the importance of maintaining the central focus of HIV-1 vaccine research on the induction of potently neutralizing antibodies.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Monoclonais/farmacologia , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/farmacologia , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/farmacologia , Infecções por HIV/prevenção & controle , HIV-1/efeitos dos fármacos , Mucosa/efeitos dos fármacos , Animais , Anticorpos Monoclonais/biossíntese , Anticorpos Neutralizantes/biossíntese , Colo do Útero/citologia , Colo do Útero/efeitos dos fármacos , Colo do Útero/imunologia , Colo do Útero/virologia , Células Dendríticas/citologia , Células Dendríticas/efeitos dos fármacos , Células Dendríticas/imunologia , Células Dendríticas/virologia , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Anticorpos Anti-HIV/biossíntese , Infecções por HIV/imunologia , Infecções por HIV/virologia , HIV-1/crescimento & desenvolvimento , HIV-1/imunologia , Células HeLa , Humanos , Imunidade nas Mucosas/efeitos dos fármacos , Leucócitos Mononucleares/citologia , Leucócitos Mononucleares/efeitos dos fármacos , Leucócitos Mononucleares/imunologia , Leucócitos Mononucleares/virologia , Macrófagos/citologia , Macrófagos/efeitos dos fármacos , Macrófagos/imunologia , Macrófagos/virologia , Masculino , Modelos Biológicos , Mucosa/citologia , Mucosa/imunologia , Mucosa/virologia , Pênis/citologia , Pênis/efeitos dos fármacos , Pênis/imunologia , Pênis/virologia , Receptores de IgG/genética , Receptores de IgG/imunologia , Reto/citologia , Reto/efeitos dos fármacos , Reto/imunologia , Reto/virologia , Técnicas de Cultura de TecidosRESUMO
Pichia pastoris (Komagataella phaffi) has been used for recombinant protein production for over 30 years with over 5000 proteins reported to date. However, yields of antibody are generally low. We have evaluated the effect of secretion signal peptides on the production of a broadly neutralizing antibody (VRC01) to increase yield. Eleven different signal peptides, including the murine IgG1 signal peptide, were combinatorially evaluated for their effect on antibody titer. Strains using different combinations of signal peptides were identified that secreted approximately 2-7 fold higher levels of VRC01 than the previous best secretor, with the highest yield of 6.50â¯mgâ¯L-1 in shake flask expression. Interestingly it was determined that the highest yields were achieved when the murine IgG1 signal peptide was fused to the light chain, with several different signal peptides leading to high yield when fused to the heavy chain. Finally, we have evaluated the effect of using a 2A signal peptide to create a bicistronic vector in the attempt to reduce burden and increase transformation efficiency, but found it to give reduced yields compared to using two independent vectors.
Assuntos
Anticorpos Anti-HIV/biossíntese , Pichia/metabolismo , Proteínas Recombinantes/biossíntese , Animais , Expressão Gênica , Vetores Genéticos/metabolismo , Imunoglobulina G/biossíntese , Camundongos , Conformação Proteica , Sinais Direcionadores de ProteínasRESUMO
Nucleic acid delivery systems are commonly translated between different modalities, such as DNA and RNA of varying length and structure, despite physical differences in these molecules that yield disparate delivery efficiency with the same system. Here, we synthesized a library of poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline)/poly(ethylene imine) copolymers with varying molar mass and charge densities in order to probe how pDNA, mRNA, and RepRNA polyplex characteristics affect transfection efficiency. The library was utilized in a full factorial design of experiment (DoE) screening, with outputs of luciferase expression, particle size, surface charge, and particle concentration. The optimal copolymer molar mass and charge density was found as 83 kDa/100%, 72 kDa/100%, and 45 kDa/80% for pDNA, RepRNA, and mRNA, respectively. While 10 of the synthesized copolymers enhanced the transfection efficiency of pDNA and mRNA, only 2 copolymers enhanced RepRNA transfection efficiency, indicating a narrow and more stringent design space for RepRNA. These findings suggest that there is not a "one size fits all" polymer for different nucleic acid species.