Co-formulation of the rF1V plague vaccine with depot-formulated cytokines enhances immunogenicity and efficacy to elicit protective responses against aerosol challenge in mice.

This study evaluated a depot-formulated cytokine-based adjuvant to improve the efficacy of the recombinant F1V (rF1V) plague vaccine and examined the protective response following aerosol challenge in a murine model. The results of this study showed that co-formulation of the Alhydrogel-adsorbed rF1V plague fusion vaccine with the depot-formulated cytokines recombinant human interleukin 2 (rhuIL-2) and/or recombinant murine granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rmGM-CSF) significantly enhances immunogenicity and significant protection at lower antigen doses against a lethal aerosol challenge. These results provide additional support for the co-application of the depot-formulated IL-2 and/or GM-CSF cytokines to enhance vaccine efficacy.

Co-Immunization with DNA Vaccines Expressing SABP1 and SAG1 Proteins Effectively Enhanced Mice Resistance to Toxoplasma gondii Acute Infection.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has many intermediate hosts, obligately invades nucleated cells, and seriously threatens human and animal health due to a lack of effective drugs and vaccines. Sialic acid-binding protein 1 (SABP1) is a novel invasion-related protein that, like surface antigen 1 (SAG1), is found on the plasma membrane of T. gondii. To investigate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of DNA vaccines expressing SABP1 and SAG1 proteins against T. gondii acute infection, the recombinant plasmids pVAX1-SABP1 and pVAX1-SAG1 were produced and administered intramuscularly in Balb/c mice. Serum antibody levels and subtypes, lymphocyte proliferation, and cytokines were used to assess immunized mice's humoral and cellular immune responses. Furthermore, the ability of DNA vaccines to protect mice against T. gondii RH tachyzoites was tested. Immunized mice exhibited substantially higher IgG levels, with IgG2a titers higher than IgG1. When the immune group mice's splenocytes were stimulated with T. gondii lysate antigen, Th1-type cytokines (IL-12p70, IFN-γ, and IL-2) and Th2-type cytokine (IL-4) increased significantly. The combined DNA vaccine significantly increased the immunized mouse survival compared to the control group, with an average death time extended by 4.33 ± 0.6 days (p < 0.0001). These findings show that DNA vaccines based on the SABP1 and SAG1 genes induced robust humoral and cellular immunity in mice, effectively protecting against acute toxoplasmosis and potentially serving as a viable option for vaccination to prevent T. gondii infection.

Synergistic Immunity and Protection in Mice by Co-Immunization with DNA Vaccines Encoding the Spike Protein and Other Structural Proteins of SARS-CoV-2.

The emergence of new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has generated recurring worldwide infection outbreaks. These highly mutated variants reduce the effectiveness of current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines, which are designed to target only the spike (S) protein of the original virus. Except for the S of SARS-CoV-2, the immunoprotective potential of other structural proteins (nucleocapsid, N; envelope, E; membrane, M) as vaccine target antigens is still unclear and worthy of investigation. In this study, synthetic DNA vaccines encoding four SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins (pS, pN, pE, and pM) were developed, and mice were immunized with three doses via intramuscular injection and electroporation. Notably, co-immunization with two DNA vaccines that expressed the S and N proteins induced higher neutralizing antibodies and was more effective in reducing the SARS-CoV-2 viral load than the S protein alone in mice. In addition, pS co-immunization with either pN or pE + pM induced a higher S protein-specific cellular immunity after three immunizations and caused milder histopathological changes than pS alone post-challenge. The role of the conserved structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2, including the N/E/M proteins, should be investigated further for their applications in vaccine design, such as mRNA vaccines.

A broad and potent IgM antibody against tetra-EV-As induced by EVA71 and CVA16 co-immunization.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the potent and broad neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against enterovirus A (EV-A) in vitro and in vivo induced by enterovirus A71(EVA71) and coxsackievirus 16 (CVA16) co-immunization. METHODS: The mAb was Generated by co-immunization with EVA71 and CVA16 through hybridomas technology. The characteristics and neutralizing ability of mAb were analysed in vitro and in mice. RESULTS: We screened three mAb, the IgM antibody M20 and IgG antibody B1 and C31. All three antibodies showed cross-reactivity against tetra-EV-As. However, M20 showed potent and broad neutralizing ability against tetra-EV-As than B1 and C31. Meanwhile, M20 provided cross-antiviral efficacy in tetra-EV-As orally infected mice. Moreover, M20 binds to a conserved neutralizing epitope within the GH loop of tetra-EV-As VP1. CONCLUSIONS: M20 and its property exhibited potent and broad antiviral activity against tetra-EV-As, and that is expected to be a potential preventive and therapeutic candidate against EV-As.

Co-Immunization With CHIKV VLP and DNA Vaccines Induces a Promising Humoral Response in Mice.

Chikungunya fever is an acute infectious disease that is mediated by the mosquito-transmitted chikungunya virus (CHIKV), for which no licensed vaccines are currently available. Here, we explored several immunization protocols and investigated their immunity and protective effects in mice, with DNA- and virus-like particle (VLP)- vaccines, both alone and in combination. Both DNA and VLP vaccine candidates were developed and characterized, which express CHIKV structural genes (C-E3-E2-6K-E1). Mice were immunized twice, with different protocols, followed by immunological detection and CHIKV Ross challenge. The highest antigen-specific IgG and neutralizing activity were induced by DNA and VLP co-immunization, while the highest cellular immunity was induced by DNA vaccination alone. Although all vaccine groups could protect mice from lethal CHIKV challenge, demonstrated as reduced viral load in various tissues, without weight loss, mice co-immunized with DNA and VLP exhibited the mildest histopathological changes and lowest International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND) scores, in comparison to mice with either DNA or VLP vaccination alone. We concluded that co-immunization with DNA and VLP is a promising strategy to inducing better protective immunity against CHIKV infection.

Enhancement of immune responses by co-administration of bacterial ghosts-mediated Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA vaccines.

AIM: Gonorrhoea remains a leading public health burden and the development of vaccine against gonorrhoea becomes more urgent. Here, a novel Neisseria gonorrhoeae DNA vaccine delivered by Salmonella enteritidis ghosts was developed and the immune responses of the vaccine candidate were evaluated. METHODS AND RESULTS: Neisseria gonorrhoeae nspA gene was cloned into the pVAX1 vector. The constructed recombinant plasmid pVAX1-nspA was loaded into the lyophilized SE ghosts to produce SE ghosts (pVAX1-nspA). Then, the immune responses induced by SE ghosts (pVAX1-nspA) alone and co-administrated with SE ghosts (pVAX1-porB) were evaluated in mouse model. Co-administered SE ghosts (pVAX1-nspA) and SE ghosts (pVAX1-porB) could elicited significantly higher levels of specific IgG antibody responses and lymphocyte proliferative responses than the control groups. Furthermore, the group co-administered SE ghosts (pVAX1-nspA) and SE ghosts (pVAX1-porB) had the highest bactericidal antibody titres. CONCLUSIONS: Co-administration of SE ghosts (pVAX1-nspA) and SE ghosts (pVAX1-porB) elicited significant specific humoral and cellular immune responses. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study demonstrates the potential of co-administration of SE ghosts (pVAX1-nspA) and SE ghosts (pVAX1-porB) as an attractive vaccination regimen for gonorrhoea.

Rapid Induction of Multifunctional Antibodies in Rabbits and Macaques by Clade C HIV-1 CAP257 Envelopes Circulating During Epitope-Specific Neutralization Breadth Development.

We report here on HIV-1 immunization results in rabbits and macaques co-immunized with clade C gp160 DNA and gp140 trimeric envelope vaccines, a strategy similar to a recent clinical trial that showed improved speed and magnitude of humoral responses. Clade C envelopes were isolated from CAP257, an individual who developed a unique temporal pattern of neutralization breadth development, comprising three separate "Waves" targeting distinct Env epitopes and different HIV clades. We used phylogeny and neutralization criteria to down-select envelope vaccine candidates, and confirmed antigenicity of our antigens by interaction with well-characterized broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies. Using these envelopes, we performed rabbit studies that screened for immunogenicity of CAP257 Envs from timepoints preceding peak neutralization breadth in each Wave. Selected CAP257 envelopes from Waves 1 and 2, during the first 2 years of infection that were highly immunogenic in rabbits were then tested in macaques. We found that in rabbits and macaques, co-immunization of DNA, and protein envelope-based vaccines induced maximum binding and neutralizing antibody titers with three immunizations. No further benefit was obtained with additional immunizations. The vaccine strategies recapitulated the Wave-specific epitope targeting observed in the CAP257 participant, and elicited Tier 1A, 1B, and Tier 2 heterologous neutralization. CAP257 envelope immunogens also induced the development of ADCC and TFH responses in macaques, and these responses positively correlated with heterologous neutralization. Together, the results from two animal models in this study have implications for identifying effective vaccine immunogens. We used a multi-step strategy to (1) select an Env donor with well-characterized neutralization breadth development; (2) study Env phylogeny for potential immunogens circulating near peak breadth timepoints during the first 2 years of infection; (3) test down-selected Envs for antigenicity; (4) screen down-selected Envs in an effective vaccine regimen in rabbits; and (5) advance the most immunogenic Envs to NHP studies. The results were an induction of high titers of HIV-1 envelope-specific antibodies with increasing avidity and cross-clade neutralizing antibodies with effector functions that together may improve the potential for protection in a pre-clinical SHIV model.

MOMP and MIP DNA-loaded bacterial ghosts reduce the severity of lung lesions in mice after Chlamydia psittaci respiratory tract infection.

Chlamydia psittaciis a well known zoonotic pathogen that can lead to severe respiratory disease in poultry, pet birds and humans. Development of an effective and safe vaccine would be the most effective way to control C. psittaci infection. In this study, we used bacterial ghosts (BGs) as a delivery vehicle to evaluate the protective effects of major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and macrophage infectivity potentiator (MIP) DNA vaccines in mice. We found that MOMP/MIP DNA-loaded BGs elicited a better immune response than a naked DNA vaccine, giving increased IgG titers, lymphocyte proliferation responses and higher levels of IFN-γ. After challenge infection, MOMP/MIP DNA-loaded BGs-immunized mice showed lower chlamydial load and inflammation pathology in lung tissues. In addition, we found that MOMP and MIP co-immunization or a heterologous prime-boost strategy could induce stronger immune responses and better protective efficacy against C. psittaci infection. Together, the above results suggest that BGs can act as an effective delivery vehicle for C. psittaci DNA vaccines, and co-immunization or heterologous prime-boost strategy can enhance protective efficacy against infection, thereby providing an alternative strategy for the design of vaccines against C. psittaci.

Multimeric Epitope-Scaffold HIV Vaccines Target V1V2 and Differentially Tune Polyfunctional Antibody Responses.

The V1V2 region of the HIV-1 envelope is the target of several broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Antibodies to V1V2 elicited in the RV144 clinical trial correlated with a reduced risk of HIV infection, but these antibodies were without broad neutralizing activity. Antibodies targeting V1V2 also correlated with a reduced viral load in immunized macaques challenged with simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) or simian/human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV). To focus immune responses on V1V2, we engrafted the native, glycosylated V1V2 domain onto five different multimeric scaffold proteins and conducted comparative immunogenicity studies in macaques. Vaccinated macaques developed high titers of plasma and mucosal antibodies that targeted structurally distinct V1V2 epitopes. Plasma antibodies displayed limited neutralizing activity but were functionally active for ADCC and phagocytosis, which was detectable 1-2 years after immunizations ended. This study demonstrates that multivalent, glycosylated V1V2-scaffold protein immunogens focus the antibody response on V1V2 and are differentially effective at inducing polyfunctional antibodies with characteristics associated with protection.

[Efficacy enhancement of a Baculovirus-vectored Newcastle Disease Virus F protein vaccine by chicken GM-CSF and IL-2].

To compare with the effects of the GM-CSF and IL-2 used as adjuvants in the baculovirus vaccine, we used genetic engineering to construct the recombinant baculovirus rBV-LMI-F and with GM-CSF and IL-2 to immunized chickens. Then, we compared the concentration of the neutralizing antibody and cytokines to determine the immunostimulatory effects of GM-CSF and IL-2. GM-CSF induced higher levels of antibodies and cytokines in chickens at 28 d and 42 d post-vaccination. In conclusion, GM-CSF could elicit higher serum antibody and cytokines responses and improved the effects of Baculovirus vaccine.

Efficacy enhancement of a Baculovirus-vectored Newcastle Disease Virus F protein vaccine by chicken GM-CSF and IL-2 / 生物工程学报

To compare with the effects of the GM-CSF and IL-2 used as adjuvants in the baculovirus vaccine, we used genetic engineering to construct the recombinant baculovirus rBV-LMI-F and with GM-CSF and IL-2 to immunized chickens. Then, we compared the concentration of the neutralizing antibody and cytokines to determine the immunostimulatory effects of GM-CSF and IL-2. GM-CSF induced higher levels of antibodies and cytokines in chickens at 28 d and 42 d post-vaccination. In conclusion, GM-CSF could elicit higher serum antibody and cytokines responses and improved the effects of Baculovirus vaccine.

Epitope Capsid-Incorporation: New Effective Approach for Vaccine Development for Chagas Disease.

BACKGROUND: Previously we reported that a hexon-modified adenovirus (Ad) vector containing the invasive neutralizing epitope of Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) trypomastigote gp83 (Ad5-gp83) provided immunoprotection against T. cruzi infection. The purpose of this work was to design an improved vaccine for T. cruzi using a novel epitope capsid incorporation strategy. Thus, we evaluated the immunoprotection raised by co-immunization with Ad5-gp83 and an Ad vector containing an epitope (ASP-M) of the T. cruzi amastigote surface protein 2. METHODS: Protein IX (pIX)-modified Ad vector (Ad5-pIX-ASP-M) was generated, characterized, and validated. C3H/He mice were immunized with Ad5-pIX-ASP-M and Ad5-gp83 and the cell-mediated responses were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assay and intracellular staining. Immunized mice were challenged with T. cruzi to evaluate the vaccine efficacy. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that Ad5-pIX-ASP-M was viable. Specific CD8+ T-cell mediated responses prior to the challenge show an increase in IFNγ and TNFα production. A single immunization with Ad5-pIX-ASP-M provided protection from T. cruzi infection, but co-immunizations with Ad5-pIX-ASP-M and Ad5-gp83 provided a higher immunoprotection and increased survival rate of mice. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, these results suggest that the combination of gp83 and ASP-M specific epitopes onto the capsid-incorporated adenoviruses would provide superior protection against Chagas disease as compared with Ad5-gp83 alone.

Epitope spreading induced by immunization with synthetic SSB peptides.

Sjogren's syndrome type B (SSB)/La antibody is an autoantibody generally observed in connective tissue diseases whereas double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibodies are the most characteristic autoantibodies found in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. The relationship of these autoantibodies remains unclear. The aim of the study was to determine the profile of antibody production in rabbits immunized with synthetic SSB peptides alone or with dsDNA. For this purpose, 214-225aa peptide of SSB antigen was synthesized based on the organic chemistry solid-phase peptide synthesis. Rabbits were immunized with the following antigens: i) synthetic SSB peptides linked with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH); ii) dsDNA; iii) SSB plus dsDNA; iv) KLH; and v) phosphate-buffered saline. SSB peptide antibody was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay while extractable nuclear antigens (ENA) antibody and dsDNA antibody were measured by immunoblotting and immunofluorescence, respectively. The results showed that a specific anti-SSB peptide antibody was produced following immunization with SSB epitope alone or with dsDNA. The SSB peptide antibody titer in the coimmunization group was higher than that of the SSB alone group. In addition, antibodies against ribonucleoprotein (RNP), Smith and/or dsDNA were detected in rabbits of the coimmunization group. The presence of anti-dsDNA antibodies in the rabbits immunized with SSB peptide suggested the induction of epitope spreading. In conclusions, SSB antibodies were produced in rabbits immunized with SSB peptide or SSB+dsDNA, whereas SSB antibody titers were higher in the coimmunization group. Furthermore, coimmunization was associated with epitope spreading.

Diabetes tolerogenic vaccines targeting antigen-specific inflammation.

Tolerance controls the magnitude of inflammation, and balance between beneficial and harmful effects of inflammation is crucial for organ function and survival. Inadequate tolerance leads to various inflammatory diseases. Antigen specific tolerance is ideal for inflammation control as alternative anti-inflammatory interventions are non-specific and consequently increase the risk of infection and tumorigenesis. With inherent antigen specificity, tolerogenic vaccines are potentially ideal for control of inflammation. Although the concept of tolerogenic vaccines is still in its infancy, tolerogenic mucosal vaccines and specific immuno-therapies have long been proven effective in pioneering examples. Now a body of evidence supporting the concept of tolerogenic vaccines has also accumulated. Here we comment on recent successes of the tolerogenic vaccine concept, present new evidence with a type 1 diabetes vaccine as an example and draw conclusions on the advantages and potential for inflammatory disease control at the bedside.

Improvement of antibody responses by HIV envelope DNA and protein co-immunization.

BACKGROUND: Developing HIV envelope (Env) vaccine components that elicit durable and protective antibody responses is an urgent priority, given the results from the RV144 trial. Optimization of both the immunogens and vaccination strategies will be needed to generate potent, durable antibodies. Due to the diversity of HIV, an effective Env-based vaccine will most likely require an extensive coverage of antigenic variants. A vaccine co-delivering Env immunogens as DNA and protein components could provide such coverage. Here, we examine a DNA and protein co-immunization strategy by characterizing the antibody responses and evaluating the relative contribution of each vaccine component. METHOD: We co-immunized rabbits with representative subtype A or B HIV gp160 plasmid DNA plus Env gp140 trimeric glycoprotein and compared the responses to those obtained with either glycoprotein alone or glycoprotein in combination with empty vector. RESULTS: DNA and glycoprotein co-immunization was superior to immunization with glycoprotein alone by enhancing antibody kinetics, magnitude, avidity, and neutralizing potency. Importantly, the empty DNA vector did not contribute to these responses. Humoral responses elicited by mismatched DNA and protein components were comparable or higher than the responses produced by the matched vaccines. CONCLUSION: Our data show that co-delivering DNA and protein can augment antibodies to Env. The rate and magnitude of immune responses suggest that this approach has the potential to streamline vaccine regimens by inducing higher antibody responses using fewer vaccinations, an advantage for a successful HIV vaccine design.

Molecular adjuvant interleukin-33 enhances the antifertility effect of Lagurus lagurus zona pellucida 3 DNA vaccine administered by the mucosal route

It has been shown that cytokines can act as molecular adjuvant to enhance the immune response induced by DNA vaccines, but it is unknown whether interleukin 33 (IL-33) can enhance the immunocontraceptive effect induced by DNA vaccines. In the present study, we explored the effects of murine IL-33 on infertility induced by Lagurus lagurus zona pellucida 3 (Lzp3) contraceptive DNA vaccine administered by the mucosal route. Plasmid pcD-Lzp3 and plasmid pcD-mIL-33 were encapsulated with chitosan to generate the nanoparticle chi-(pcD-Lzp3+pcD-mIL-33) as the DNA vaccine. Sixty female ICR mice, divided into 5 groups (n=12/group), were intranasally immunized on days 0, 14, 28, and 42. After intranasal immunization, the anti-LZP3-specific IgG in serum and IgA in vaginal secretions and feces were determined by ELISA. The results showed that chi-(pcD-Lzp3+pcD-mIL-33) co-immunization induced the highest levels of serum IgG, secreted mucosal IgA, and T cell proliferation. Importantly, mice co-immunized with chi-(pcD-Lzp3+pcD-mIL-33) had the lowest birth rate and mean litter size, which correlated with high levels of antibodies. Ovaries from infertile female mice co-immunized with chi-(pcD-Lzp3+pcD-mIL-33) showed abnormal development of ovarian follicles, indicated by atretic follicles and loss of oocytes. Our results demonstrated that intranasal delivery of the molecular adjuvant mIL-33 with chi-pcD-Lzp3 significantly increased infertility by enhancing both systemic and mucosal immune responses. Therefore, chi-(pcD-Lzp3+pcD-mIL-33) co-immunization could be a strategy for controlling the population of wild animal pests.

Fel d 1-airway inflammation prevention and treatment by co-immunization vaccine via induction of CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ Treg cells.

Pet allergens are major causes for asthma and allergic rhinitis. Fel d 1 protein, a key pet allergen from domestic cat, can sensitize host and trigger asthma attack. In this study, we report that co-immunization with recombinant Fel d 1 protein (rFel d 1) plus plasmid DNA that contains Fe1 d 1 gene was effective in preventing and treating the natural Fel d 1 (nFel d 1) induced allergic airway inflammation in mice. A population of T regulatory cells (iTreg) exhibiting a CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ phenotype and expressing IL-10 and TGF-ß was induced by this co-immunization strategy. Furthermore, after adoptive transfers of the iTreg cells, mice that were pre-sensitized and challenged with nFel d 1 exhibited less signs of allergic inflammation, AHR and a reduced allergic immune response. These data indicate that co-immunization with DNA and protein mixture vaccine may be an effective treatment for cat allergy.

Immunogenicity and protective effect induced by co-immunization with HCV recombinant protein antigens / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To investigate the cellular and humoral immune responses and protective effect induced by co-immunization with two multi-epitope combinant antigens. Methods Mice were co-im-munized with the muhi-epitope HCV-T and HCV-E1 antigens three times. Sera antibodies IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a were tested by ELISA. Spleens from BALB/c mice immunized were removed 10 days after the last im-munization. CTL activity was assessed using LDH cytotoxicity assay kit. IFN-γ- and IL-4-secreting cells were quantified using ELISPOT kit. Two weeks after the final immunization, the mice were challenged sub-cutaneously(s, c. ) at the back with 106 SP2/0-NS3 cells, and protective effect was observed. For therapy, 106 SP2/0-NS3 cells were implanted into the back of BALB/c mice. Seven days later, mice were immuniza-tion three times. Therapy effect was observed. Results Co-immunization with HCV-T and HCV-E1 induced high tiers of HCV-El-specific IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies, and high level of CTL activity. Synergistic effect in frequencies of both specific IFN-γ-secreting cells and IL-4-secreting cells was observed in mice co-immunized. Prophylactic as well as therapeutic administration of mT + mE1 in mice led to protecting mice against SP2/0-NS3 cells. These results suggested that mT + mE1 was potential as a prophylactic as well as therapeutic HCV vaccine. Conclusion Co-immunization with HCV-T + HCV-EI induced protective humor-al and cellular immune response. HCV-T + HCV-E1 was potential as a recombinant HCV vaccine.

Observation on cellular immune response in mice induced by co-immunization of Mtb8.4 gene vaccine and plasmid encoding human interleukin 12 / 解放军医学杂志

Objective To observe the specific cellular immune response induced by co-immunization of DNA vaccine of Mtb8.4 and plasmid encoding human interleukin 12(hIL-12)in mice.Methods Fifteen C57BL/6N mice were divided into following groups:Mtb8.4 gene vaccine plus plasmid of hIL-12,Mtb8.4 gene vaccine,BCG,empty vector alone and PBS.Mice were immunized intramuscularly in both hind limbs three times at the intervals of three weeks or once subcutaneously with 1?106 of viable M.bovis BCG Pasteur at the time of the first DNA immunization.The level of IFN-? in supernatant of spleno-lymphocyte cultures was measured by ELISA.CTL activities of spleno-lymphocyte were detected with LDH release assay.Results The levels of IFN-? and IL-2 in supernatant of spleno-lymphocyte cultures in the group of Mtb8.4 gene vaccine plus plasmid of hIL-12 were significantly higher than that of group of Mtb8.4 alone(P