scholarly journals Development of a Broadly Accessible Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Replicon Particle Vaccine Platform

2018 ◽  
Vol 92 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudhakar Agnihothram ◽  
Vineet D. Menachery ◽  
Boyd L. Yount ◽  
Lisa C. Lindesmith ◽  
Trevor Scobey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccine Strain ◽  
Model Systems ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis ◽  
Vaccine Platform ◽  
Replicon Particle ◽  
Heterologous Challenge

ABSTRACT Zoonotic viruses circulate as swarms in animal reservoirs and can emerge into human populations, causing epidemics that adversely affect public health. Portable, safe, and effective vaccine platforms are needed in the context of these outbreak and emergence situations. In this work, we report the generation and characterization of an alphavirus replicon vaccine platform based on a non-select agent, attenuated Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus vaccine, strain 3526 (VRP 3526). Using both noroviruses and coronaviruses as model systems, we demonstrate the utility of the VRP 3526 platform in the generation of recombinant proteins, production of virus-like particles, and in vivo efficacy as a vaccine against emergent viruses. Importantly, packaging under biosafety level 2 (BSL2) conditions distinguishes VRP 3526 from previously reported alphavirus platforms and makes this approach accessible to the majority of laboratories around the world. In addition, improved outcomes in the vulnerable aged models as well as against heterologous challenge suggest improved efficacy compared to that of previously attenuated VRP approaches. Taking these results together, the VRP 3526 platform represents a safe and highly portable system that can be rapidly deployed under BSL2 conditions for generation of candidate vaccines against emerging microbial pathogens. IMPORTANCE While VEE virus replicon particles provide a robust, established platform for antigen expression and vaccination, its utility has been limited by the requirement for high-containment-level facilities for production and packaging. In this work, we utilize an attenuated vaccine strain capable of use at lower biocontainment level but retaining the capacity of the wild-type replicon particle. Importantly, the new replicon platform provides equal protection for aged mice and following heterologous challenge, which distinguishes it from other attenuated replicon platforms. Together, the new system represents a highly portable, safe system for use in the context of disease emergence.

scholarly journals Lack of Interference with Immunogenicity of a Chimeric Alphavirus Replicon Particle-Based Influenza Vaccine by Preexisting Antivector Immunity

2012 ◽  
Vol 19 (7) ◽  
pp. 991-998 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasushi Uematsu ◽  
Michael Vajdy ◽  
Ying Lian ◽  
Silvia Perri ◽  
Catherine E. Greer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Virus ◽  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Antibody Responses ◽  
Target Antigen ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis ◽  
Vaccine Platform ◽  
Lethal Challenge ◽  
Equine Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Replicon Particle

ABSTRACTAntivector immunity has been recognized as a potential caveat of using virus-based vaccines. In the present study, an alphavirus-based replicon particle vaccine platform, which has demonstrated robust immunogenicity in animal models, was tested for effects of antivector immunity on immunogenicity against hemagglutinin of influenza virus as a target antigen and efficacy for protection against lethal challenge with the virus. Chimeric alphavirus-based replicon particles, comprising Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus nonstructural and Sindbis virus structural components, induced efficient protective antibody responses, which were not adversely influenced after multiple immunizations with the same vector expressing various antigens.

scholarly journals Vaccination of Mice with Gonococcal TbpB Expressed In Vivo from Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Viral Replicon Particles

2006 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 1612-1620 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher E. Thomas ◽  
Weiyan Zhu ◽  
Cornelius N. Van Dam ◽  
Nancy L. Davis ◽  
Robert E. Johnston ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Protein ◽  
Specific Antibody ◽  
Serum Antibody ◽  
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis ◽  
Equine Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Secretion Signal ◽  
Replicon Particle ◽  
Intact Surface ◽  
Antibody Levels

ABSTRACT We investigated the immunogenicity of gonococcal transferrin binding protein B (TbpB) expressed with and without a eukaryotic secretion signal from a nonpropagating Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus replicon particle (VRP) delivery system. TbpB was successfully expressed in baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells, and the presence of the eukaryotic secretion signal not only apparently increased the protein's expression but also allowed for extracellular localization and glycosylation. Mice immunized with VRPs produced significant amounts of serum antibody although less than the amounts produced by mice immunized with recombinant protein. The response of mice immunized with VRPs encoding TbpB was consistently more Th1 biased than the response of mice immunized with recombinant protein alone. Boosting with recombinant protein following immunization with TbpB VRPs resulted in higher specific-antibody levels without altering the Th1/Th2 bias. Most of the immunization groups produced significant specific antibody binding to the intact surface of the homologous Neisseria gonorrhoeae strain. Immunization with TbpB VRPs without a eukaryotic secretion signal generated no measurable specific antibodies on the genital mucosal surface, but inclusion of a eukaryotic secretion signal or boosting with recombinant protein resulted in specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA in mucosal secretions after TbpB VRP immunization. The TbpB VRP system has potential for an N. gonorrhoeae vaccine.

scholarly journals An Alphavirus Replicon Particle Chimera Derived from Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis and Sindbis Viruses Is a Potent Gene-Based Vaccine Delivery Vector

2003 ◽  
Vol 77 (19) ◽  
pp. 10394-10403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvia Perri ◽  
Catherine E. Greer ◽  
Kent Thudium ◽  
Barbara Doe ◽  
Harold Legg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sindbis Virus ◽  
Semliki Forest Virus ◽  
Cultured Cells ◽  
Heterologous Gene Expression ◽  
Envelope Glycoproteins ◽  
Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis ◽  
Vaccine Vectors ◽  
Equine Encephalitis Virus ◽  
Replicon Particle

ABSTRACT Alphavirus replicon particle-based vaccine vectors derived from Sindbis virus (SIN), Semliki Forest virus, and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE) have been shown to induce robust antigen-specific cellular, humoral, and mucosal immune responses in many animal models of infectious disease and cancer. However, since little is known about the relative potencies among these different vectors, we compared the immunogenicity of replicon particle vectors derived from two very different parental alphaviruses, VEE and SIN, expressing a human immunodeficiency virus type 1 p55Gag antigen. Moreover, to explore the potential benefits of combining elements from different alphaviruses, we generated replicon particle chimeras of SIN and VEE. Two distinct strategies were used to produce particles with VEE-p55 gag replicon RNA packaged within SIN envelope glycoproteins and SIN-p55 gag replicon RNA within VEE envelope glycoproteins. Each replicon particle configuration induced Gag-specific CD8+ T-cell responses in murine models when administered alone or after priming with DNA. However, Gag-specific responses varied dramatically, with the strongest responses to this particular antigen correlating with the VEE replicon RNA, irrespective of the source of envelope glycoproteins. Comparing the replicons with respect to heterologous gene expression levels and sensitivity to alpha/beta interferon in cultured cells indicated that each might contribute to potency differences. This work shows that combining desirable elements from VEE and SIN into a replicon particle chimera may be a valuable approach toward the goal of developing vaccine vectors with optimal in vivo potency, ease of production, and safety.

The coming of age of virus-like particle vaccines

2008 ◽  
Vol 389 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary T. Jennings ◽  
Martin F. Bachmann
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Coming Of Age ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Platform ◽  
Virus Like Particles ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Molecular Pattern ◽  
Virus Like Particle

AbstractVirus-like particles are supra-molecular assemblages, usually icosahedral or rod-like structures. They incorporate key immunologic features of viruses which include repetitive surfaces, particulate structures and induction of innate immunity through activation of pathogen-associated molecular-pattern recognition receptors. They carry no replicative genetic information and can be produced recombinantly in large scale. Virus-like particles thus represent a safe and effective vaccine platform for inducing potent B- and T-cell responses. In addition to being effective vaccines against the corresponding virus from which they are derived, virus-like particles can also be used to present foreign epitopes to the immune system. This can be achieved by genetic fusion or chemical conjugation. This technological innovation has greatly broadened the scope of their use, from immunizing against microbial pathogens to immunotherapy for chronic diseases. Towards this end, virus-like particles have been used to induce autoantibodies to disease-associated self-molecules involved in chronic diseases, such as hypertension and Alzheimer's disease. The recognition of the potent immunogenicity and commercial potential for virus-like particles has greatly accelerated research and development activities. During the last decade, two prophylactic virus-like particle vaccines have been registered for human use, while another 12 vaccines entered clinical development.

scholarly journals Development of an Oral Salmonella-Based Vaccine Platform against SARS-CoV-2

Vaccines ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Wonsuck Yoon ◽  
Yongsung Park ◽  
Seunghyun Kim ◽  
Iel Soo Bang
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Vaccine Development ◽  
Oral Vaccine ◽  
Oral Bacteria ◽  
Expression Vectors ◽  
Effective Vaccine ◽  
Vaccine Platform ◽  
In Vivo Experiments

Effective vaccine development for global outbreaks, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has been successful in the short run. However, the currently available vaccines have been associated with a higher frequency of adverse effects compared with other general vaccines. In this study, the possibility of an oral bacteria-based vaccine that can be safely used as a platform for large-scale, long-term immunization was evaluated. A well-known Salmonella strain that was previously considered as a vaccine delivery candidate was used. Recombinant Salmonella cells expressing engineered viral proteins related with COVID-19 pathogenesis were engineered, and the formulation of the oral vaccine candidate strain was evaluated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. First, engineered S proteins were synthesized and cloned into expression vectors, which were than transformed into Salmonella cells. In addition, when orally administrated to mice, the vaccine promoted antigen-specific antibody production and cellular immunity was induced with no significant toxicity effects. These results suggest that Salmonella strains may represent a valuable platform for the development of an oral vaccine for COVID-19 as an alternative to tackle the outbreak of various mutated coronavirus strains and new infectious diseases in the future.

Genetic Engineering of AAV Capsid Gene for Gene Therapy Application

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (5) ◽  
pp. 321-332
Author(s):  
Yunbo Liu ◽  
Xu Zhang ◽  
Lin Yang
Keyword(s):  
Gene Therapy ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Genetic Diseases ◽  
Capsid Gene ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Stable Gene ◽  
Efficient Gene ◽  
Gene Therapy Application

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) is a promising vector for in vivo gene therapy because of its excellent safety profile and ability to mediate stable gene expression in human subjects. However, there are still numerous challenges that need to be resolved before this gene delivery vehicle is used in clinical applications, such as the inability of AAV to effectively target specific tissues, preexisting neutralizing antibodies in human populations, and a limited AAV packaging capacity. Over the past two decades, much genetic modification work has been performed with the AAV capsid gene, resulting in a large number of variants with modified characteristics, rendering AAV a versatile vector for more efficient gene therapy applications for different genetic diseases.

scholarly journals Attacins: A Promising Class of Insect Antimicrobial Peptides

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 212
Author(s):  
Francesco Buonocore ◽  
Anna Maria Fausto ◽  
Giulia Della Pelle ◽  
Tomislav Roncevic ◽  
Marco Gerdol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Peptides ◽  
Antimicrobial Effect ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Microbial Pathogens ◽  
Special Focus ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Physiological Importance ◽  
Related Proteins ◽  
Large Repertoire

Insects produce a large repertoire of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as the first line of defense against bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. These peptides are produced from a large precursor that contains a signal domain, which is cleaved in vivo to produce the mature protein with antimicrobial activity. At present, AMPs from insects include several families which can be classified as cecropins, ponericins, defensins, lebocins, drosocin, Metchnikowin, gloverins, diptericins and attacins according to their structure and/or function. This short review is focused on attacins, a class of glycine-rich peptides/proteins that have been first discovered in the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia). They are a rather heterogeneous group of immunity-related proteins that exhibit an antimicrobial effect mainly against Gram-negative bacteria. Here, we discuss different attacin and attacin-like AMPs that have been discovered so far and analyze their structure and phylogeny. Special focus is given to the physiological importance and mechanism of action of attacins against microbial pathogens together with their potential pharmacological applications, emphasizing their roles as antimicrobials.

scholarly journals Selective sweep for an enhancer involucrin allele identifies skin barrier adaptation out of Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Elizabeth Mathyer ◽  
Erin A. Brettmann ◽  
Alina D. Schmidt ◽  
Zane A. Goodwin ◽  
Inez Y. Oh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Selective Sweep ◽  
Skin Barrier ◽  
Human Migration ◽  
Epidermal Differentiation ◽  
Human Populations ◽  
Epidermal Differentiation Complex ◽  
Regulatory Module ◽  
Reporter Assays ◽  
Out Of Africa

AbstractThe genetic modules that contribute to human evolution are poorly understood. Here we investigate positive selection in the Epidermal Differentiation Complex locus for skin barrier adaptation in diverse HapMap human populations (CEU, JPT/CHB, and YRI). Using Composite of Multiple Signals and iSAFE, we identify selective sweeps for LCE1A-SMCP and involucrin (IVL) haplotypes associated with human migration out-of-Africa, reaching near fixation in European populations. CEU-IVL is associated with increased IVL expression and a known epidermis-specific enhancer. CRISPR/Cas9 deletion of the orthologous mouse enhancer in vivo reveals a functional requirement for the enhancer to regulate Ivl expression in cis. Reporter assays confirm increased regulatory and additive enhancer effects of CEU-specific polymorphisms identified at predicted IRF1 and NFIC binding sites in the IVL enhancer (rs4845327) and its promoter (rs1854779). Together, our results identify a selective sweep for a cis regulatory module for CEU-IVL, highlighting human skin barrier evolution for increased IVL expression out-of-Africa.

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