Concomitant Administration of Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF Protein Vaccine and High-dose Influenza Vaccine in Adults 65 Years and Older: a Noninferiority Trial.

BACKGROUND: Since influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) carry significant burden in older adults with overlapping seasonality, vaccines for both pathogens would ideally be coadministered in this population. Here we evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of concomitant administration of Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF protein and high-dose seasonal influenza vaccine (Fluzone-HD®) in adults ≥65 years old. METHODS: Participants were randomized 1:1 to the Coadministration or Control group. The Coadministration group received concomitant Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF protein and Fluzone-HD® on Day 1 and placebo on Day 29, while the Control group received Fluzone-HD® and placebo at Day 1 and Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF protein on Day 29. Influenza hemagglutination-inhibiting and RSV preF-binding antibody titers were measured postvaccination and tested for noninferiority between both groups. Safety data were collected throughout the study and analyzed descriptively. RESULTS: Coadministered Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF protein and Fluzone-HD® vaccines induced noninferior immune responses compared to each vaccine administered alone. Seroconversion and seroprotection rates against influenza were similar between groups. Both vaccines remained well tolerated upon concomitant administration. CONCLUSIONS: Coadministration of Ad26.RSV.preF/RSV preF protein and Fluzone-HD® showed an acceptable safety profile and did not hamper the immunogenicity of either vaccine, thus supporting that both vaccines can be concomitantly administered in adults ≥65 years old.

Safety of AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccine in Chinese women aged 26 years and older and long-term protective effect in women vaccinated at age 18-25 years: A 10-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: The pivotal efficacy study assessed efficacy and safety of GSK's AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccine in Chinese women aged 18-25 years up to 6 years. The present extension study, performed 4 years later, offered AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccination to placebo recipients. Vaccine safety and its long-term protective effect were assessed at Year 10. METHODS: All 6051 women who received AS04-HPV-16/18 or the placebo during the initial study (NCT00779766) were invited to phase III/IV, open-label, partially controlled extension Year 10 study (NCT03629886). Placebo recipients were offered three-dose AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccination and followed up over 12 months to assess the safety. Cervical samples from all women were examined. Vaccine efficacy (VE) against incident infections and cytological lesions associated with HPV-16/18 and other oncogenic types was assessed as exploratory objective. RESULTS: Among 3537 women (out of 6051) enrolled in the extension study, 1791 women (mean age 32.7 years; standard deviation 1.8 years) received AS04-HPV-16/18 and reported no serious adverse events, potential immune-mediated diseases, or adverse pregnancy outcomes related to vaccination. Among 6051 women, VE against incident HPV-16, -18, and -16/18 infections up to Year 10 was 82.8% (95% confidence interval: 72.5-89.7), 79.8% (64.5-89.2), and 80.8% (72.4-87.0), respectively. VE against HPV-16/18 ASC-US+, CIN1+, and CIN2+ was 92.7% (82.2-97.7), 94.8% (67.4-99.9), and 90.5% (34.6-99.8), respectively. CONCLUSION: AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccine showed an acceptable safety profile in Chinese women vaccinated at age 26 years or above, and a long-term protection similar to other efficacy trials worldwide.

Long-term persistence of immune response to the AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine in Chinese girls aged 9-17 years: Results from an 8-9-year follow-up phase III open-label study.

AIM: In 9-17-year-old Chinese girls, the AS04-adjuvanted HPV-16/18 vaccine (AS04-HPV-16/18) given as three-dose schedule induced high antibody levels, which were noninferior 1 month after the third dose to those observed in 18-25-year-old Chinese women in a large efficacy study. We assessed the persistence of antibodies 8-9 years after vaccination in the same subjects. METHODS: This follow-up phase III, open-label study (NCT03355820) included subjects who had received three doses of AS04-HPV-16/18 in the initial trial (NCT00996125). Serum antibody concentrations were assessed by ELISA and compared to antibody persistence observed in 18-25-year-old Chinese women 6 years after first vaccination in the efficacy study (NCT00779766). RESULTS: Out of the 227 enrolled subjects, 223 were included in the per-protocol immunogenicity analysis. Mean interval from first AS04-HPV-16/18 dose to blood sampling was 101.4 months (8.5 years). For antibodies against HPV-16 and -18, 8.5 years after first vaccine dose all subjects remained seropositive and antibody. Geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were 1236.3 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1121.8; 1362.4) and 535.6 (95% CI: 478.6; 599.4) ELISA Units/mL, respectively. These seropositivity rates and antibody GMCs were higher than those observed 6 years after first vaccination of 18-25-year-old women. CONCLUSION: Sustained anti-HPV-16 and -18 immune responses were observed 8-9 years after AS04-HPV-16/18 vaccination of 9-17 year-old Chinese girls that were higher than the ones observed 6 years after first vaccination in Chinese adult women in whom AS04-HPV-16/18 efficacy against cervical intraepithelial neoplasia of grade ≥2 was demonstrated.

Detection of Posttranslational Modifications by Fluorescent Staining of Two-Dimensional Gels.

Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) are key to the regulation of functional activities of proteins. Quantitative and qualitative information about PTM stages of proteins is crucial for the discovery of disease biomarkers. Fluorescent dyes specifically staining protein PTMs such as phosphorylation and glycosylation enable the specific detection of protein regulations taking place with respect to these modifications. Activity and molecular interactions of many proteins are determined by their extent of phosphorylation. In our search for biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases such as multiple sclerosis (MS), using an animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), we have applied the phosphorylation-specific fluorescent dye, ProQ Diamond, to study changes taking place in the phosphoproteome. Subsequent colloidal Coomassie staining of the same gels detects the changes at the whole proteome level. We have detected many changes taking place in the CNS tissue of the EAE animals at the whole proteome as well as at the phosphoproteome level resulting in valuable insights into the pathophysiological mechanism of EAE and MS.

Immunogenicity and Safety of a Quadrivalent Meningococcal ACWY-tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Vaccine 6 Years After MenC Priming as Toddlers.

BACKGROUND: We assessed immunogenicity, antibody persistence and safety of the meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y-tetanus toxoid (TT) conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT) in children primed as toddlers with MenC vaccine. METHODS: This open, multicenter extension study enrolled children 84-95 months of age who had received one dose of the combined Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)-MenC-TT conjugate vaccine (HibMenC group) or Hib-TT and monovalent MenC (MCC)-CRM197 vaccines (Hib+MCC group) at 12-18 months of age, in the primary study. All participants received one dose of MenACWY-TT. We assessed immunogenicity against MenA, MenC, MenW and MenY at 1 month and 2 years postvaccination by serum bactericidal assay using baby rabbit complement (rSBA). Safety and reactogenicity were evaluated. RESULTS: Six years post-MenC vaccination, <20% of children retained rSBA-MenC titers ≥1:8. At 1 month post-MenACWY-TT vaccination, vaccine response rates against all serogroups were high for both groups with ≥97.1% of children having rSBA ≥1:8. Two years postvaccination, ≥63.6% of children retained rSBA-MenA ≥1:8, and ≥87.9% for other serogroups. Geometric mean titers for all serogroups declined at 2 years post-MenACWY-TT vaccination, but remained ≥13 times higher than prevaccination levels. For both groups, pain (≤58.5%), redness (≤51.4%) and fatigue (≤27.0%) were the most frequently reported adverse events. No serious adverse events were reported. CONCLUSIONS: One dose of MenACWY-TT boosts protection against MenC in primed children, is safe and extends protection against MenA, MenW and MenY. Immunogenicity and safety were comparable in infants vaccinated with conjugated vaccine (HibMenC-TT) or the separate vaccines (Hib-TT and MCC-CRM197).

Immunogenicity and safety of the quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine MenACWY-TT co-administered with a combined diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine versus their separate administration in adolescents and young adults: A phase III, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine using tetanus (T) toxoid as carrier protein (MenACWY-TT) co-administered with combined diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) versus their separate administration in adolescents and young adults. METHODS: In this phase III, randomized, partially-blind study (NCT01767376), healthy 11-25-year-olds (N = 660) were randomized (1:1:1) to receive MenACWY-TT and Tdap at Month 0 (Co-ad group), MenACWY-TT at Month 0 and Tdap at Month 1 (ACWY_Tdap group) or Tdap at Month 0 and MenACWY-TT at Month 1 (Tdap_ACWY group). Immune responses to MenACWY-TT were measured by serum bactericidal assay using rabbit complement (rSBA). Anti-diphtheria (D), anti-tetanus (T), anti-pertussis toxin (PT), anti-filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) and anti-pertactin (PRN) antibody concentrations were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Non-inferiority of immunogenicity was assessed using pre-defined clinical criteria. Safety was also evaluated. RESULTS: Non-inferiority of immunogenicity of MenACWY-TT and Tdap when co-administered versus their separate administration was demonstrated in terms of rSBA geometric mean titers (GMTs) for 4 meningococcal serogroups and of the percentage of participants with antibody concentrations >1 IU/ml for D and T. Among the pertussis antigens, non-inferiority criteria for geometric mean concentrations (GMCs) were reached for PT, but not met for FHA and PRN. Across all groups, ≥93.2% of participants had vaccine responses to each meningococcal serogroup, ≥99.1% were seroprotected against T and D, and ≥85.5% had booster responses to each pertussis antigen. Robust increases in antibody GMTs/GMCs were observed for all antigens between pre-and post-vaccination. Both vaccines had clinically acceptable safety profiles. CONCLUSION: Immune responses to MenACWY-TT and to the T and D antigens from Tdap were not impacted by their co-administration. The lower antibody concentrations observed against the pertussis components may be of limited clinical relevance since robust anti-pertussis booster responses were observed. This study supports concurrent administration of the 2 vaccines in adolescents.

Immunogenicity and safety of MenACWY-TT, a meningococcal conjugate vaccine, co-administered with routine childhood vaccine in healthy infants: A phase III, randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Invasive meningococcal disease has a high burden in young children, particularly during infancy. We investigated the immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugated vaccine (MenACWY-TT) co-administered with routine vaccines in healthy infants. METHODS: In this phase IIIb study (NCT01340898) conducted in 2 centers in Lebanon and Mexico, 750 infants were randomized (2:1:1) to receive MenACWY-TT according to 3 schedules: 3+1 (at ages 2, 4, 6 and 15-18 months; group ACWY3+1); 1+1 (at 6 and 15-18 months; group ACWY1+1) or single-dose at 15-18 months (group ACWY1). All infants received PHiD-CV and DTPa-IPV/Hib at ages 2, 4, 6, 15-18 months. Immune responses to MenACWY-TT were assessed by rSBA and hSBA at 7 months (groups ACWY3+1, ACWY1+1) and pre- and post-vaccination at 15-18 months of age (all groups). Immune responses to co-administered vaccines, reactogenicity and safety were also evaluated. RESULTS: Immunogenicity of MenACWY-TT at 1 month post-primary vaccination was demonstrated in group ACWY3+1: the lower limit of the 95% confidence interval for the percentage of infants with rSBA titers ≥8 was >80% for each serogroup. At 7 months of age, ≥93.9% of MenACWY-TT-primed infants had rSBA titers ≥8. Post-MenACWY-TT vaccination at age 15-18 months, ≥96.3% of participants in all groups had rSBA titers ≥8, regardless of the number of doses received previously. The percentage of infants with hSBA titers ≥4 were ≥87.2% and ≥89.7% at post-primary and booster/single-dose vaccination, respectively. Immune responses to PHiD-CV and DTPa-IPV/Hib did not seem impacted by co-administration with MenACWY-TT in infancy. The incidence of all adverse events was similar among groups. Serious adverse events were reported for 63/750 children in all groups; none were considered vaccine-related by investigators. CONCLUSION: Primary vaccination with 3 or 1 dose(s) of MenACWY-TT when co-administered with routine pediatric vaccines in infants is immunogenic and well-tolerated.

MenACWY-TT is immunogenic when co-administered with Tdap and AS04-HPV16/18 in girls and young women: Results from a phase III randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Co-administration of vaccines in adolescents may improve coverage. We assessed co-administration of quadrivalent meningococcal serogroups A, C, W and Y tetanus toxoid-conjugate vaccine (MenACWY-TT), human papillomavirus 16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine (AS04-HPV16/18) and tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap) in girls and young women. METHODS: In this phase IIIb study (NCT01755689), 1300 healthy 9-25-year-old females were randomized (1:1:1:1:1) to receive: MenACWY-TT at month (M) 0 and AS04-HPV16/18 at M1, M2, M7; MenACWY-TT and AS04-HPV16/18 at M0 and AS04-HPV16/18 at M1, M6; AS04-HPV16/18 at M0, M1, M6; MenACWY-TT, Tdap and AS04-HPV16/18 at M0 and AS04-HPV16/18 at M1, M6; Tdap and AS04-HPV16/18 at M0 and AS04-HPV16/18 at M1, M6. Immunogenicity, safety and reactogenicity were evaluated. RESULTS: Immunogenicity of MenACWY-TT and AS04-HPV16/18 when co-administered was non-inferior to that of the 2 vaccines given separately. Co-administration of MenACWY-TT, AS04-HPV16/18 and Tdap was non-inferior to MenACWY-TT administered alone or to Tdap co-administered with AS04-HPV16/18 in terms of immunogenicity for all vaccine components, except pertussis antigens. Post-vaccination, ≥89.5% of participants reached antibody levels above the pre-specified threshold for all antigens. No safety concerns were identified. CONCLUSION: Our data support co-administration of MenACWY-TT with Tdap and AS04-HPV16/18 vaccines in adolescents.

Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers for major depression confirm relevance of associated pathophysiology.

Individual characteristics of pathophysiology and course of depressive episodes are at present not considered in diagnostics. There are no biological markers available that can assist in categorizing subtypes of depression and detecting molecular variances related to disease-causing mechanisms between depressed patients. Identification of such differences is important to create patient subgroups, which will benefit from medications that specifically target the pathophysiology underlying their clinical condition. To detect characteristic biological markers for major depression, we analyzed the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome of depressed vs control persons, using two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry peptide profiling. Proteins of interest were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization TOF mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). Validation of protein markers was performed by immunoblotting. We found 11 proteins and 144 peptide features that differed significantly between CSF from depressed patients and controls. In addition, we detected differences in the phosphorylation pattern of several CSF proteins. A subset of the differentially expressed proteins implicated in brain metabolism or central nervous system disease was validated by immunoblotting. The identified proteins are involved in neuroprotection and neuronal development, sleep regulation, and amyloid plaque deposition in the aging brain. This is one of the first hypothesis-free studies that identify characteristic protein expression differences in CSF of depressed patients. Proteomic approaches represent a powerful tool for the identification of disease markers for subgroups of patients with major depression.

Regulation of proteins mediating neurodegeneration in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis is characterized by inflammatory demyelination and axonal loss as pathophysiological correlates of relapsing activity and progressive development of clinical disability. The molecular processes involved in this pathogenesis are still unclear as they are quite complex and heterogeneous. In this article we present protein expression analysis of brain and spinal cord tissues from different models of murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the most commonly used animal model for multiple sclerosis. We observed a number of EAE-specific protein expression and PTM differences. Proteome analysis was extended to multiple sclerosis specimens in order to validate the EAE findings. Our findings suggest the regulation of a number of proteins that shed light on the molecular mechanisms of the disease processes taking place in EAE and multiple sclerosis. We found consistent modulation of proteins including serum amyloid P component, sirtuin 2, dihydropyrimidinase-related protein family proteins, stathmin 1, creatine kinase B and chloride intracellular channel protein 1. Functional classification of the proteins by database and the literature mining reveals their association with neuronal development and myelinogenesis, suggesting possible disease processes that mediate neurodegeneration.

CRHR1-dependent effects on protein expression and posttranslational modification in AtT-20 cells.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) plays a major role in coordinating the organism's stress response, including the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. The molecular underpinnings of CRH-dependent signal transduction mechanisms in the anterior pituitary have not yet been revealed in detail. In order to dissect the signal transduction cascades activated by CRH receptor type 1, a comparative proteome approach was performed in vitro utilizing murine corticotroph AtT-20 cells. Alterations in protein expression and posttranslational modification in response to CRH stimulation were studied by 2D gel electrophoresis. Selected candidates were analyzed by immunoblotting and quantitative real-time PCR. The differential analyses revealed proteins regulated or modified related to diverse cellular processes. Amongst others we identified alterations in PRKAR1A, the regulatory subunit of protein kinase A; in PGK1 and PGAM1, key regulators of glycolysis; and in proteins involved in proteasome-mediated proteolysis, PSMC2 and PSMA3. These results offer novel entry points to molecular mechanisms underlying stress responses elicited via the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis.

Protein biomarkers in a mouse model of extremes in trait anxiety.

Brain proteome analysis of mice selectively bred for either high or low anxiety-related behavior revealed quantitative and qualitative protein expression differences. The enzyme glyoxalase-I was consistently expressed to a higher extent in low anxiety as compared with high anxiety mice in several brain areas. The same phenotype-dependent difference was also found in red blood cells with normal and cross-mated animals showing intermediate expression profiles of glyoxalase-I. Another protein that showed a different mobility during two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was identified as enolase phosphatase. The presence of both protein markers in red or white blood cells, respectively, creates the opportunity to screen for their expression in clinical blood specimens from patients suffering from anxiety.