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1.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 15331, 2024 07 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38961200

ABSTRACT

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) has emerged as a promising therapeutic target to reduce lipids. In 2020, we reported a chimeric camelid-human heavy chain antibody VHH-B11-Fc targeting PCSK9. Recently, it was verified that VHH-B11 binds one linear epitope in the PCSK9 hinge region. To enhance its druggability, we have developed a novel biparatopic B11-H2-Fc Ab herein. Thereinto, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) confirmed the epitope differences in binding-PCSK9 among VHH-B11, VHH-H2 and the approved Repatha. Additionally, SPR revealed the B11-H2-Fc exhibits an avidity of approximately 0.036 nM for PCSK9, representing a considerable increase compared to VHH-B11-Fc (~ 0.69 nM). Moreover, we found the Repatha and B11-H2-Fc exhibited > 95% PCSK9 inhibition efficiency compared to approximately 48% for the VHH-Fc at 7.4 nM (P < 0.0005). Further, we verified its biological activity using the human hepatoma cells G2 model, where the B11-H2-Fc exhibited almost 100% efficiency in PCSK9 inhibition at only 0.75 µM. The immunoblotting results of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) uptake assay also demonstrated the excellent performance of B11-H2-Fc on recovering the LDL-c receptor (LDLR), as strong as the Repatha (P > 0.05). These findings provide the first evidence of the efficacy of a novel Ab targeting PCSK9 in the field of lipid-lowering drugs.


Subject(s)
Proprotein Convertase 9 , Humans , Proprotein Convertase 9/metabolism , Proprotein Convertase 9/immunology , Hep G2 Cells , PCSK9 Inhibitors , Surface Plasmon Resonance , Receptors, LDL/metabolism , Epitopes/immunology , Lipoproteins, LDL/metabolism , Lipoproteins, LDL/immunology
2.
Commun Biol ; 7(1): 805, 2024 Jul 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38961245

ABSTRACT

Precise epitope determination of therapeutic antibodies is of great value as it allows for further comprehension of mechanism of action, therapeutic responsiveness prediction, avoidance of unwanted cross reactivity, and vaccine design. The golden standard for discontinuous epitope determination is the laborious X-ray crystallography method. Here, we present a combinatorial method for rapid mapping of discontinuous epitopes by mammalian antigen display, eliminating the need for protein expression and purification. The method is facilitated by automated workflows and tailored software for antigen analysis and oligonucleotide design. These oligos are used in automated mutagenesis to generate an antigen receptor library displayed on mammalian cells for direct binding analysis by flow cytometry. Through automated analysis of 33930 primers an optimized single condition cloning reaction was defined allowing for mutation of all surface-exposed residues of the receptor binding domain of SARS-CoV-2. All variants were functionally expressed, and two reference binders validated the method. Furthermore, epitopes of three novel therapeutic antibodies were successfully determined followed by evaluation of binding also towards SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.2. We find the method to be highly relevant for rapid construction of antigen libraries and determination of antibody epitopes, especially for the development of therapeutic interventions against novel pathogens.


Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Epitope Mapping , Epitopes , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , SARS-CoV-2/genetics , Epitope Mapping/methods , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/genetics , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , Peptide Library , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Animals , HEK293 Cells , Cell Surface Display Techniques/methods , Gene Library
3.
BMC Vet Res ; 20(1): 301, 2024 Jul 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38971791

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a devastating disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals, that leads to significant economic losses in affected countries and regions. Currently, there is an evident inclination towards the utilization of nanoparticles as powerful platforms for innovative vaccine development. Therefore, this study developed a ferritin-based nanoparticle (FNP) vaccine that displays a neutralizing epitope of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) VP1 (aa 140-158) on the surface of FNP, and evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of these FNPs in mouse and guinea pig models to provide a strategy for developing potential FMD vaccines. RESULTS: This study expressed the recombinant proteins Hpf, HPF-NE and HPF-T34E via an E. coli expression system. The results showed that the recombinant proteins Hpf, Hpf-NE and Hpf-T34E could be effectively assembled into nanoparticles. Subsequently, we evaluated the immunogenicity of the Hpf, Hpf-NE and Hpf-T34E proteins in mice, as well as the immunogenicity and protectiveness of the Hpf-T34E protein in guinea pigs. The results of the mouse experiment showed that the immune efficacy in the Hpf-T34E group was greater than the Hpf-NE group. The results from guinea pigs immunized with Hpf-T34E showed that the immune efficacy was largely consistent with the immunogenicity of the FMD inactivated vaccine (IV) and could confer partial protection against FMDV challenge in guinea pigs. CONCLUSIONS: The Hpf-T34E nanoparticles stand out as a superior choice for a subunit vaccine candidate against FMD, offering effective protection in FMDV-infected model animals. FNP-based vaccines exhibit excellent safety and immunogenicity, thus representing a promising strategy for the continued development of highly efficient and safe FMD vaccines.


Subject(s)
Epitopes , Ferritins , Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus , Foot-and-Mouth Disease , Nanoparticles , Viral Vaccines , Animals , Guinea Pigs , Foot-and-Mouth Disease/prevention & control , Foot-and-Mouth Disease/immunology , Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus/immunology , Ferritins/immunology , Viral Vaccines/immunology , Epitopes/immunology , Mice , Female , Mice, Inbred BALB C , Recombinant Proteins/immunology , Capsid Proteins
4.
Protein Sci ; 33(8): e5095, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38988315

ABSTRACT

The Duffy-binding protein (DBP) is a promising antigen for a malaria vaccine that would protect against clinical symptoms caused by Plasmodium vivax infection. Region II of DBP (DBP-II) contains the receptor-binding domain that engages host red blood cells, but DBP-II vaccines elicit many non-neutralizing antibodies that bind distal to the receptor-binding surface. Here, we engineered a truncated DBP-II immunogen that focuses the immune response to the receptor-binding surface. This immunogen contains the receptor-binding subdomain S1S2 and lacks the immunodominant subdomain S3. Structure-based computational design of S1S2 identified combinatorial amino acid changes that stabilized the isolated S1S2 without perturbing neutralizing epitopes. This immunogen elicited DBP-II-specific antibodies in immunized mice that were significantly enriched for blocking activity compared to the native DBP-II antigen. This generalizable design process successfully stabilized an integral core fragment of a protein and focused the immune response to desired epitopes to create a promising new antigen for malaria vaccine development.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Protozoan , Antigens, Protozoan , Epitopes , Malaria Vaccines , Plasmodium vivax , Protozoan Proteins , Receptors, Cell Surface , Protozoan Proteins/immunology , Protozoan Proteins/chemistry , Protozoan Proteins/genetics , Antigens, Protozoan/immunology , Antigens, Protozoan/chemistry , Antigens, Protozoan/genetics , Plasmodium vivax/immunology , Animals , Malaria Vaccines/immunology , Malaria Vaccines/chemistry , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , Mice , Antibodies, Protozoan/immunology , Receptors, Cell Surface/immunology , Receptors, Cell Surface/chemistry , Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics , Models, Molecular , Malaria, Vivax/immunology , Malaria, Vivax/prevention & control , Mice, Inbred BALB C
5.
Nat Commun ; 15(1): 5833, 2024 Jul 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38992033

ABSTRACT

Arthropod-borne viruses represent a crucial public health threat. Current arboviral serology assays are either labor intensive or incapable of distinguishing closely related viruses, and many zoonotic arboviruses that may transition to humans lack any serologic assays. In this study, we present a programmable phage display platform, ArboScan, that evaluates antibody binding to overlapping peptides that represent the proteomes of 691 human and zoonotic arboviruses. We confirm that ArboScan provides detailed antibody binding information from animal sera, human sera, and an arthropod blood meal. ArboScan identifies distinguishing features of antibody responses based on exposure history in a Colombian cohort of Zika patients. Finally, ArboScan details epitope level information that rapidly identifies candidate epitopes with potential protective significance. ArboScan thus represents a resource for characterizing human and animal arbovirus antibody responses at cohort scale.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Viral , Arboviruses , Humans , Arboviruses/immunology , Arboviruses/isolation & purification , Animals , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/blood , Peptides/immunology , Peptides/chemistry , Zika Virus Infection/virology , Zika Virus Infection/immunology , Zika Virus Infection/blood , Zika Virus/immunology , Epitopes/immunology , Serologic Tests/methods , Arbovirus Infections/virology , Arbovirus Infections/immunology , Proteome , Colombia , Female , Peptide Library , Cell Surface Display Techniques , Male
6.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2821: 1-8, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38997476

ABSTRACT

Peptide antibodies have become one of the most important classes of reagents in molecular biology and clinical diagnostics. For this reason, methods for their production and characterization continue to be developed, including basic peptide synthesis protocols, peptide-conjugate production and characterization, conformationally restricted peptides, immunization procedures, etc. Detailed mapping of peptide antibody epitopes has yielded important information on antibody-antigen interaction in general and specifically in relation to antibody cross-reactivity and theories of molecular mimicry. This information is essential for detailed understanding of paratope-epitope dynamics, design of antibodies for research, design of peptide-based vaccines, development of therapeutic peptide antibodies, and de novo design of antibodies with predetermined specificity.


Subject(s)
Antibodies , Epitopes , Peptides , Animals , Humans , Antibodies/immunology , Antibodies/chemistry , Epitope Mapping/methods , Epitopes/immunology , Peptides/immunology , Peptides/chemistry
7.
PLoS One ; 19(7): e0301664, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38985719

ABSTRACT

Influenza viruses constitute a major threat to human health globally. The viral surface glycoprotein hemagglutinin (HA) is the immunodominant antigen, contains the site for binding to the cellular receptor (RBS), and it is the major target of neutralizing antibody responses post-infection. We developed llama-derived single chain antibody fragments (VHHs) specific for type A influenza virus. Four VHHs were identified and further characterized. VHH D81 bound residues in the proximity of the C-terminal region of HA1 of H1 and H5 subtypes, and showed weak neutralizing activity, whereas VHH B33 bound residues in the proximity of the N-terminal region of the HA's stem domain (HA2) of H1, H5, and H9 subtypes, and showed no neutralizing activity. Of most relevance, VHHs E13 and G41 recognized highly conserved conformational epitopes on the H1 HA's globular domain (HA1) and showed high virus neutralizing activity (ranging between 0.94 to 0.01µM), when tested against several human H1N1 isolates. Additionally, E13 displayed abrogated virus replication of a panel of H1N1 strains spanning over 80 years of antigenic drift and isolated from human, avian, and swine origin. Interestingly, E13 conferred protection in vivo at a dose as low as 0.05 mg/kg. Mice treated with E13 intranasally resulted in undetectable virus challenge loads in the lungs at day 4 post-challenge. The transfer of sterilizing pan-H1 immunity, by a dose in the range of micrograms given intranasally, is of major significance for a monomeric VHH and supports the further development of E13 as an immunotherapeutic agent for the mitigation of influenza infections.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , Camelids, New World , Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype , Orthomyxoviridae Infections , Single-Domain Antibodies , Animals , Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus/immunology , Humans , Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/immunology , Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Mice , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/immunology , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/prevention & control , Orthomyxoviridae Infections/virology , Camelids, New World/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Female , Influenza, Human/immunology , Influenza, Human/prevention & control , Influenza, Human/virology , Epitopes/immunology , Dogs , Mice, Inbred BALB C
8.
Methods Mol Biol ; 2821: 179-193, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38997489

ABSTRACT

Characterization of peptide antibodies through identification of their target epitopes is of utmost importance, as information about epitopes provide important knowledge, among others, for discovery and development of new therapeutics, vaccines, and diagnostics.This chapter describes a strategy for mapping of continuous peptide antibody epitopes using resin-bound and soluble peptides. The approach combines three different types of peptide sets for full characterization of peptide antibodies; (i) overlapping peptides, used to locate antigenic regions; (ii) truncated peptides, used to identify the minimal peptide length required for antibody binding; and (iii) substituted peptides, used to identify the key residues important for antibody binding and to determine the specific contribution of key residues. For initial screening, resin-bound peptides are used for epitope estimation, while soluble peptides subsequently are used for final epitope characterization and identification of critical hot spot residues. The combination of resin-bound peptides and soluble peptides for epitope mapping provides a time-saving and straightforward approach for characterization of antibodies recognizing continuous epitopes, which applies to peptide antibodies and occasionally antibodies directed to larger proteins as well.


Subject(s)
Antibodies , Epitope Mapping , Epitopes , Peptides , Epitope Mapping/methods , Peptides/immunology , Peptides/chemistry , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , Antibodies/immunology , Antibodies/chemistry , Solubility , Humans
9.
Exp Dermatol ; 33(7): e15125, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38946225

ABSTRACT

The 16th non-collagenous domain (NC16A) of BP180 is the main antigenic target of autoantibodies in bullous pemphigoid (BP) and mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP). Commercially available assays detect serum autoantibodies against NC16A in the majority of BP (80%-90%) and in approximately 50% of MMP patients. However, a standardized test system for detecting antibodies against other regions of BP180 is still lacking. Moreover, anti-BP180 autoantibodies have been found in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease. This study aimed at identifying primary epitopes recognized by BP autoantibodies on the BP180 ectodomain. Serum samples of 51 BP and 30 MMP patients both without anti-NC16A reactivity were included along with 44 multiple sclerosis and 75 Parkinson disease sera. Four overlapping His-tagged proteins covering the entire BP180 ectodomain (BP180(ec)1-4) were cloned, expressed, purified and tested for reactivity by immunoblot. IgG antibodies to BP180(ec)3 were detected in 98% of BP, 77% of MMP and 2% of normal human sera. Only weak reactivity was detected for neurological diseases against BP180(ec)1, BP180(ec)2 and BP180(ec)4, in 3%, 11% and 7% of tested multiple sclerosis sera, respectively. 8% of Parkinson disease sera reacted with BP180(ec)2 and 9% with BP180(ec)4. In conclusion, this study successfully identified epitopes recognized by BP autoantibodies outside the NC16A domain in pemphigoid diseases. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the immune response in BP and MMP with potential implications for a future diagnostic assay for NC16A-negative pemphigoid patients.


Subject(s)
Autoantibodies , Autoantigens , Collagen Type XVII , Multiple Sclerosis , Non-Fibrillar Collagens , Parkinson Disease , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane , Pemphigoid, Bullous , Humans , Parkinson Disease/immunology , Parkinson Disease/blood , Non-Fibrillar Collagens/immunology , Pemphigoid, Bullous/immunology , Pemphigoid, Bullous/blood , Autoantigens/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis/immunology , Multiple Sclerosis/blood , Autoantibodies/blood , Autoantibodies/immunology , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane/immunology , Pemphigoid, Benign Mucous Membrane/blood , Immunoglobulin G/blood , Immunoglobulin G/immunology , Epitopes/immunology , Protein Domains , Female , Male , Aged
10.
BMC Biotechnol ; 24(1): 45, 2024 Jul 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38970027

ABSTRACT

Marburg virus (MARV) is a highly contagious and virulent agent belonging to Filoviridae family. MARV causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. Owing to its highly virulent nature, preventive approaches are promising for its control. There is currently no approved drug or vaccine against MARV, and management mainly involves supportive care to treat symptoms and prevent complications. Our aim was to design a novel multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) against MARV using immunoinformatics studies. In this study, various proteins (VP35, VP40 and glycoprotein precursor) were used and potential epitopes were selected. CTL and HTL epitopes covered 79.44% and 70.55% of the global population, respectively. The designed MEV construct was stable and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) host. The physicochemical properties were also acceptable. MARV MEV candidate could predict comprehensive immune responses such as those of humoral and cellular in silico. Additionally, efficient interaction to toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) and its agonist (ß-defensin) was predicted. There is a need for validation of these results using further in vitro and in vivo studies.


Subject(s)
Computational Biology , Marburg Virus Disease , Marburgvirus , Viral Vaccines , Marburgvirus/immunology , Marburg Virus Disease/prevention & control , Marburg Virus Disease/immunology , Viral Vaccines/immunology , Computational Biology/methods , Animals , Humans , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/genetics , Epitopes/chemistry , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Immunoinformatics
11.
Microb Pathog ; 193: 106775, 2024 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38960216

ABSTRACT

Rotavirus, a primary contributor to severe cases of infantile gastroenteritis on a global scale, results in significant morbidity and mortality in the under-five population, particularly in middle to low-income countries, including India. WHO-approved live-attenuated vaccines are linked to a heightened susceptibility to intussusception and exhibit low efficacy, primarily attributed to the high genetic diversity of rotavirus, varying over time and across different geographic regions. Herein, molecular data on Indian rotavirus A (RVA) has been reviewed through phylogenetic analysis, revealing G1P[8] to be the prevalent strain of RVA in India. The conserved capsid protein sequences of VP7, VP4 and VP6 were used to examine helper T lymphocyte, cytotoxic T lymphocyte and linear B-cell epitopes. Twenty epitopes were identified after evaluation of factors such as antigenicity, non-allergenicity, non-toxicity, and stability. These epitopes were then interconnected using suitable linkers and an N-terminal beta defensin adjuvant. The in silico designed vaccine exhibited structural stability and interactions with integrins (αvß3 and αIIbß3) and toll-like receptors (TLR2 and TLR4) indicated by docking and normal mode analyses. The immune simulation profile of the designed RVA multiepitope vaccine exhibited its potential to trigger humoral as well as cell-mediated immunity, indicating that it is a promising immunogen. These computational findings indicate potential efficacy of the designed vaccine against rotavirus infection.


Subject(s)
Antigens, Viral , Capsid Proteins , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte , Rotavirus Infections , Rotavirus Vaccines , Rotavirus , Rotavirus/immunology , Rotavirus/genetics , Rotavirus Vaccines/immunology , Rotavirus Vaccines/administration & dosage , Rotavirus Vaccines/genetics , Rotavirus Infections/prevention & control , Rotavirus Infections/immunology , Capsid Proteins/immunology , Capsid Proteins/genetics , Capsid Proteins/chemistry , Antigens, Viral/immunology , Antigens, Viral/genetics , Humans , India , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics , Vaccinology/methods , Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology , Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/genetics , Phylogeny , Molecular Docking Simulation , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/genetics , Vaccine Development
12.
Life Sci Alliance ; 7(9)2024 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38977312

ABSTRACT

Chronic B-cell receptor signals incited by cognate antigens are believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphomas. We have explored the immunoglobulin variable regions (IGHV) expressed by 124 ocular adnexal MALT lymphomas (OAML) and tested the in vitro reactivity of recombinant IgM derived from 23 OAMLs. Six of 124 OAMLs (5%) were found to express a high-affinity stereotyped rheumatoid factor. OAMLs have a biased IGHV4-34 usage, which confers intrinsic super auto-antigen reactivity with poly-N-acetyllactosamine (NAL) epitopes, present on cell surface glycoproteins of erythrocytes and B cells. Twenty-one OAMLs (17%) expressed IGHV4-34-encoded B-cell receptors. Five of the 23 recombinant OAML IgMs expressed IGHV4-34, four of which bound to the linear NAL i epitope expressed on B cells but not to the branched NAL I epitope on erythrocytes. One non-IGHV4-34-encoded OAML IgM was also reactive with B cells. Interestingly, three of the 23 OAML IgMs (13%) specifically reacted with proteins of U1-/U-snRNP complexes, which have been implicated as cognate-antigens in various autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus and mixed connective tissue disease. The findings indicate that local autoimmune reactions are instrumental in the pathogenesis of a substantial fraction of OAMLs.


Subject(s)
Autoantigens , Eye Neoplasms , Immunoglobulin M , Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone , Humans , Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/immunology , Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/genetics , Autoantigens/immunology , Immunoglobulin M/immunology , Immunoglobulin M/metabolism , Eye Neoplasms/immunology , Eye Neoplasms/genetics , Female , Middle Aged , Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/metabolism , Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell/genetics , B-Lymphocytes/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Male , Aged , Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics , Immunoglobulin Variable Region/immunology , Aged, 80 and over , Epitopes/immunology , Adult , Rheumatoid Factor/immunology
13.
Int J Mol Sci ; 25(13)2024 Jun 30.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39000348

ABSTRACT

Although Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells have shown high efficacy in hematologic malignancies, they can cause severe to life-threatening side effects. To address these safety concerns, we have developed adaptor CAR platforms, like the UniCAR system. The redirection of UniCAR T-cells to target cells relies on a Target Module (TM), containing the E5B9 epitope and a tumor-specific binding moiety. Appropriate UniCAR-T activation thus involves two interactions: between the TM and the CAR T-cell, and the TM and the target cell. Here, we investigate if and how alterations of the amino acid sequence of the E5B9 UniCAR epitope impact the interaction between TMs and the UniCAR. We identify the new epitope E5B9L, for which the monoclonal antibody 5B9 has the greatest affinity. We then integrate the E5B9L peptide in previously established TMs directed to Fibroblast Activation Protein (FAP) and assess if such changes in the UniCAR epitope of the TMs affect UniCAR T-cell potency. Binding properties of the newly generated anti-FAP-E5B9L TMs to UniCAR and their ability to redirect UniCAR T-cells were compared side-by-side with the ones of anti-FAP-E5B9 TMs. Despite a substantial variation in the affinity of the different TMs to the UniCAR, no significant differences were observed in the cytotoxic and cytokine-release profiles of the redirected T-cells. Overall, our work indicates that increasing affinity of the UniCAR to the TM does not play a crucial role in such adaptor CAR system, as it does not significantly impact the potency of the UniCAR T-cells.


Subject(s)
Receptors, Chimeric Antigen , T-Lymphocytes , Humans , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology , Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/metabolism , T-Lymphocytes/immunology , T-Lymphocytes/metabolism , Immunotherapy, Adoptive/methods , Epitopes/immunology , Cell Line, Tumor , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology
14.
Brief Bioinform ; 25(4)2024 May 23.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39007599

ABSTRACT

The interaction between T-cell receptors (TCRs) and peptides (epitopes) presented by major histocompatibility complex molecules (MHC) is fundamental to the immune response. Accurate prediction of TCR-epitope interactions is crucial for advancing the understanding of various diseases and their prevention and treatment. Existing methods primarily rely on sequence-based approaches, overlooking the inherent topology structure of TCR-epitope interaction networks. In this study, we present $GTE$, a novel heterogeneous Graph neural network model based on inductive learning to capture the topological structure between TCRs and Epitopes. Furthermore, we address the challenge of constructing negative samples within the graph by proposing a dynamic edge update strategy, enhancing model learning with the nonbinding TCR-epitope pairs. Additionally, to overcome data imbalance, we adapt the Deep AUC Maximization strategy to the graph domain. Extensive experiments are conducted on four public datasets to demonstrate the superiority of exploring underlying topological structures in predicting TCR-epitope interactions, illustrating the benefits of delving into complex molecular networks. The implementation code and data are available at https://github.com/uta-smile/GTE.


Subject(s)
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/chemistry , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology , Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/metabolism , Humans , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/chemistry , Neural Networks, Computer , Computational Biology/methods , Protein Binding , Epitopes/chemistry , Epitopes/immunology , Algorithms , Software
15.
Emerg Microbes Infect ; 13(1): 2373307, 2024 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38953857

ABSTRACT

SARS-CoV-2 has been evolving into a large number of variants, including the highly pathogenic Delta variant, and the currently prevalent Omicron subvariants with extensive evasion capability, which raises an urgent need to develop new broad-spectrum neutralizing antibodies. Herein, we engineer two IgG-(scFv)2 form bispecific antibodies with overlapping epitopes (bsAb1) or non-overlapping epitopes (bsAb2). Both bsAbs are significantly superior to the parental monoclonal antibodies in terms of their antigen-binding and virus-neutralizing activities against all tested circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants including currently dominant JN.1. The bsAb1 can efficiently neutralize all variants insensitive to parental monoclonal antibodies or the cocktail with IC50 lower than 20 ng/mL, even slightly better than bsAb2. Furthermore, the cryo-EM structures of bsAb1 in complex with the Omicron spike protein revealed that bsAb1 with overlapping epitopes effectively locked the S protein, which accounts for its conserved neutralization against Omicron variants. The bispecific antibody strategy engineered from overlapping epitopes provides a novel solution for dealing with viral immune evasion.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bispecific , Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 , Epitopes , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , Antibodies, Bispecific/immunology , Antibodies, Bispecific/chemistry , Antibodies, Bispecific/pharmacology , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Humans , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Epitopes/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , COVID-19/prevention & control , Neutralization Tests
16.
Emerg Microbes Infect ; 13(1): 2377606, 2024 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38979723

ABSTRACT

The lack of success in clinical trials for HIV vaccines highlights the need to explore novel strategies for vaccine development. Research on highly exposed seronegative (HESN) HIV-resistant Kenyan female sex workers revealed naturally protective immunity is correlated with a focused immune response mediated by virus-specific CD8 T cells. Further studies indicated that the immune response is unconventionally focused on highly conserved sequences around HIV viral protease cleavage sites (VPCS). Thus, taking an unconventional approach to HIV vaccine development, we designed lipid nanoparticles loaded with mRNA that encodes multi-epitopes of VPCS (MEVPCS-mRNA LNP), a strategic design to boost antigen presentation by dendritic cells, promoting effective cellular immunity. Furthermore, we developed a novel cold-chain compatible mRNA LNP formulation, ensuring long-term stability and compatibility with cold-chain storage/transport, widening accessibility of mRNA LNP vaccine in low-income countries. The in-vivo mouse study demonstrated that the vaccinated group generated VPCS-specific CD8 memory T cells, both systemically and at mucosal sites of viral entry. The MEVPCS-mRNA LNP vaccine-induced CD8 T cell immunity closely resembled that of the HESN group and displayed a polyfunctional profile. Notably, it induced minimal to no activation of CD4 T cells. This proof-of-concept study underscores the potential of the MEVPCS-mRNA LNP vaccine in eliciting CD8 T cell memory specific to the highly conserved multiple VPCS, consequently having a broad coverage in human populations and limiting viral escape mutation. The MEVPCS-mRNA LNP vaccine holds promise as a candidate for an effective prophylactic HIV vaccine.


Subject(s)
AIDS Vaccines , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes , HIV Infections , mRNA Vaccines , AIDS Vaccines/immunology , AIDS Vaccines/administration & dosage , AIDS Vaccines/genetics , Animals , Mice , CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/immunology , Female , HIV Infections/prevention & control , HIV Infections/immunology , HIV Infections/virology , Humans , HIV-1/immunology , HIV-1/genetics , Nanoparticles/chemistry , HIV Protease/genetics , HIV Protease/immunology , Kenya , Sex Workers , Dendritic Cells/immunology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/genetics , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/immunology , Liposomes
17.
Sci Rep ; 14(1): 16512, 2024 Jul 17.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39020051

ABSTRACT

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels are widely used to screen for prostate cancer, yet the test has poor sensitivity, specificity and predictive value, which leads to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. Alterations in the glycosylation status of PSA, including fucosylation, may offer scope for an improved biomarker. We sought to generate a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting α-1,6-fucosylated PSA (fuc-PSA) and to develop a tissue-based immunological assay for fuc-PSA detection. Immunogens representing fuc-PSA were used for immunisation and resultant mAbs were extensively characterised. The mAbs reacted specifically with fuc-PSA-specific glycopeptide, but not with aglycosylated PSA or glycan without the PSA peptide. Reactivity was confirmed using high-throughput surface plasmon resonance spectroscopy. X-ray crystallography investigations showed that the mAbs bound to an α-helical form of the peptide, whereas the native PSA epitope is linear. Protein unfolding was required for detection of fuc-PSA in patient samples. Peptide inhibition of fuc-PSA mAbs was observed with positive screening reagents, and target epitope specificity was observed in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue samples. This research introduces a well-characterised, first-in-class antibody targeting fuc-PSA and presents the first crystal structure of an antibody demonstrating glycosylation-specific binding to a peptide.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Monoclonal , Fucose , Prostate-Specific Antigen , Prostatic Neoplasms , Humans , Prostate-Specific Antigen/immunology , Prostate-Specific Antigen/metabolism , Male , Antibodies, Monoclonal/immunology , Antibodies, Monoclonal/chemistry , Glycosylation , Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis , Prostatic Neoplasms/immunology , Fucose/metabolism , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , Animals , Crystallography, X-Ray , Mice
18.
Open Biol ; 14(6): 230252, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38835241

ABSTRACT

The Omicron strains of SARS-CoV-2 pose a significant challenge to the development of effective antibody-based treatments as immune evasion has compromised most available immune therapeutics. Therefore, in the 'arms race' with the virus, there is a continuing need to identify new biologics for the prevention or treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Here, we report the isolation of nanobodies that bind to the Omicron BA.1 spike protein by screening nanobody phage display libraries previously generated from llamas immunized with either the Wuhan or Beta spike proteins. The structure and binding properties of three of these nanobodies (A8, H6 and B5-5) have been characterized in detail providing insight into their binding epitopes on the Omicron spike protein. Trimeric versions of H6 and B5-5 neutralized the SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern BA.5 both in vitro and in the hamster model of COVID-19 following nasal administration. Thus, either alone or in combination could serve as starting points for the development of new anti-viral immunotherapeutics.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Single-Domain Antibodies , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Single-Domain Antibodies/immunology , Single-Domain Antibodies/chemistry , Single-Domain Antibodies/pharmacology , Animals , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/chemistry , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/virology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/chemistry , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/metabolism , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/genetics , Humans , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , Camelids, New World/immunology , Epitopes/immunology , Epitopes/chemistry , Cricetinae , Protein Binding , Models, Molecular
19.
PLoS Pathog ; 20(6): e1012246, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38857264

ABSTRACT

Antibody-mediated immunity plays a key role in protection against SARS-CoV-2. We characterized B-cell-derived anti-SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibody repertoires from vaccinated and infected individuals and elucidate the mechanism of action of broadly neutralizing antibodies and dissect antibodies at the epitope level. The breadth and clonality of anti-RBD B cell response varies among individuals. The majority of neutralizing antibody clones lose or exhibit reduced activities against Beta, Delta, and Omicron variants. Nevertheless, a portion of anti-RBD antibody clones that develops after a primary series or booster dose of COVID-19 vaccination exhibit broad neutralization against emerging Omicron BA.2, BA.4, BA.5, BQ.1.1, XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 variants. These broadly neutralizing antibodies share genetic features including a conserved usage of the IGHV3-53 and 3-9 genes and recognize three clustered epitopes of the RBD, including epitopes that partially overlap the classically defined set identified early in the pandemic. The Fab-RBD crystal and Fab-Spike complex structures corroborate the epitope grouping of antibodies and reveal the detailed binding mode of broadly neutralizing antibodies. Structure-guided mutagenesis improves binding and neutralization potency of antibody with Omicron variants via a single amino-substitution. Together, these results provide an immunological basis for partial protection against severe COVID-19 by the ancestral strain-based vaccine and indicate guidance for next generation monoclonal antibody development and vaccine design.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Neutralizing , Antibodies, Viral , COVID-19 Vaccines , COVID-19 , SARS-CoV-2 , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus , Humans , SARS-CoV-2/immunology , Antibodies, Viral/immunology , COVID-19/immunology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/immunology , Antibodies, Neutralizing/immunology , Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus/immunology , Immunization, Secondary , Epitopes/immunology , B-Lymphocytes/immunology
20.
Pathog Dis ; 822024 Feb 07.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38889932

ABSTRACT

Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection worldwide, potentially leading to severe pathologies including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal infertility if left untreated. Current strategies, including screening and antibiotics, have limited effectiveness due to high rates of asymptomatic cases and logistical challenges. A multiepitope prophylactic vaccine could afford long-term protection against infection. Immunoinformatic analyses were employed to design a multiepitope Chlamydia vaccine antigen. B- and T-cell epitopes from five highly conserved and immunogenic Ct antigens were predicted and selected for the vaccine design. The final construct, adjuvanted with cholera toxin A1 subunit (CTA1), was further screened for immunogenicity. CTA1-MECA (multiepitope Chlamydia trachomatis antigen) was identified as antigenic and nonallergenic. A tertiary structure was predicted, refined, and validated as a good quality model. Molecular docking exhibited strong interactions between the vaccine and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). Additionally, immune responses consistent with protection including IFN-γ, IgG + IgM antibodies, and T- and B-cell responses were predicted following vaccination in an immune simulation. Expression of the construct in an Escherichia coli expression vector proved efficient. To further validate the vaccine efficacy, we assessed its immunogenicity in mice. Immunization with CTA1-MECA elicited high levels of Chlamydia-specific antibodies in mucosal and systemic compartments.


Subject(s)
Antibodies, Bacterial , Bacterial Vaccines , Chlamydia Infections , Chlamydia trachomatis , Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte , Molecular Docking Simulation , Bacterial Vaccines/immunology , Bacterial Vaccines/genetics , Chlamydia Infections/prevention & control , Chlamydia Infections/immunology , Animals , Chlamydia trachomatis/immunology , Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/immunology , Mice , Antibodies, Bacterial/immunology , Antibodies, Bacterial/blood , Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/immunology , Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte/genetics , Female , Antigens, Bacterial/immunology , Antigens, Bacterial/chemistry , Antigens, Bacterial/genetics , Computer Simulation , Epitopes/immunology , Humans , Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology , Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism , Cholera Toxin/immunology , Cholera Toxin/genetics , Disease Models, Animal
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