Serum IgG Responses Research Articles

Oral Immunization with a Recombinant Lactococcus lactis-Expressing HIV-1 Antigen on Group A Streptococcus Pilus Induces Strong Mucosal Immunity in the Gut.

The induction of a potent humoral and cellular immune response in mucosal tissue is important for the development of an effective HIV vaccine. Most of the current HIV vaccines under development use the i.m. route for immunization, which is relatively poor in generating potent and long-lived mucosal immune responses. In this article, we explore the ability of an oral vaccination with a probiotic organism, Lactococcus lactis, to elicit HIV-specific immune responses in the mucosal and systemic compartments of BALB/c mice. We expressed the HIV-1 Gag-p24 on the tip of the T3 pilus of Streptococcus pyogenes as a fusion to the Cpa protein (LL-Gag). After four monthly LL-Gag oral immunizations, we observed strong Gag-specific IgG and IgA responses in serum, feces, and vaginal secretions. However, the Gag-specific CD8 T cell responses in the blood were at or below our detection limit. After an i.m. modified vaccinia Ankara/Gag boost, we observed robust Gag-specific CD8 T cell responses both in systemic and in mucosal tissues, including intraepithelial and lamina propria lymphocytes of the small intestine, Peyer's patches, and mesenteric lymph nodes. Consistent with strong immunogenicity, the LL-Gag induced activation of CD11c(+) CD11b(+) dendritic cells in the Peyer's patches after oral immunization. Our results demonstrate that oral immunization with L. lactis expressing an Ag on the tip of the group A Streptococcus pilus serves as an excellent vaccine platform to induce strong mucosal humoral and cellular immunity against HIV.

Plasmid DNA Vaccine Co-Immunisation Modulates Cellular and Humoral Immune Responses Induced by Intranasal Inoculation in Mice.

BackgroundAn effective HIV vaccine will likely require induction of both mucosal and systemic cellular and humoral immune responses. We investigated whether intramuscular (IM) delivery of electroporated plasmid DNA vaccine and simultaneous protein vaccinations by intranasal (IN) and IM routes could be combined to induce mucosal and systemic cellular and humoral immune responses to a model HIV-1 CN54 gp140 antigen in mice.ResultsCo-immunisation of DNA with intranasal protein successfully elicited both serum and vaginal IgG and IgA responses, whereas DNA and IM protein co-delivery did not induce systemic or mucosal IgA responses. Cellular IFNγ responses were preserved in co-immunisation protocols compared to protein-only vaccination groups. The addition of DNA to IN protein vaccination reduced the strong Th2 bias observed with IN protein vaccination alone. Luminex analysis also revealed that co-immunisation with DNA and IN protein induced expression of cytokines that promote B-cell function, generation of TFH cells and CCR5 ligands that can reduce HIV infectivity.SignificanceThese data suggest that while IN inoculation alone elicits both cellular and humoral responses, co-administration with homologous DNA vaccination can tailor these towards a more balanced Th1/Th2 phenotype modulating the cellular cytokine profile while eliciting high-levels of antigen-specific antibody. This work provides insights on how to generate differential immune responses within the same vaccination visit, and supports co-immunisation with DNA and protein by a mucosal route as a potential delivery strategy for HIV vaccines.

Different Dynamics for IgG and IgA Memory B Cells in Adolescents following a Meningococcal Serogroup C Tetanus Toxoid Conjugate Booster Vaccination Nine Years after Priming: A Role for Priming Age?

BackgroundAntibody levels wane rapidly after Meningococcal serogroup C conjugate (MenCC) vaccination in young children, rendering the need for an adolescent booster dose. It is not clear whether circulating memory B cells are associated with persistence of MenC-specific antibody levels.MethodsMeasurement of MenC-specific IgG and IgA memory B cells and levels of serum and salivary MenC-specific IgG and IgA in healthy 10-, 12- and 15-year-olds prior to and one month and one year after a MenCC booster vaccination. All participants had received a primary MenCC vaccination nine years earlier.ResultsThe number of circulating MenC-specific IgG memory B cells prior to booster was low and not predictive for MenC-specific IgG responses in serum or saliva post-booster, whereas the number of MenC-specific IgA memory B cells pre-booster positively correlated with MenC-specific IgA levels in saliva post-booster (R = 0.5, P<0.05). The booster induced a clear increase in the number of MenC-specific IgG and IgA memory B cells. The number of MenC-PS-specific IgG memory B cells at 1 month post-booster was highest in the 12-year-olds. The number of MenC-specific memory B cells at one month post-booster showed no correlation with the rate of MenC-specific antibody decay throughout the first year post-booster.ConclusionsCirculating MenC-specific IgA memory B cells correlate with IgA responses in saliva, whereas circulating MenC-specific IgG memory B cells are not predictive for MenC-specific IgG responses in serum or saliva. Our results are suggestive for age-dependent differences in pre-existing memory against MenC.

Oxidative Stress and IgG Antibody Modify Periodontitis-CRP Association

In a previous report, we demonstrated the inverse association of high serum 8-isoprostane levels, a marker for oxidative stress, with decreased serum IgG antibodies to oral bacteria. The association between increased serum IgG with increased plaque and periodontitis (increased probing depths) was attenuated by high systemic oxidative stress. Other investigations have reported a role for systemic oxidative stress as a stimulus of hepatic C-reactive protein (CRP) response. These observations led us to hypothesize that the reported relationship of periodontitis to elevated serum CRP, a systemic inflammatory marker, may be modified by oxidative stress and that the levels of serum antibodies to oral bacteria might be an intermediary explanatory variable linking the association of systemic oxidative stress, periodontal disease, and levels of CRP. This hypothesis was explored as a secondary analysis of the Dental ARIC (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) study using serum levels of CRP, serum IgG levels to 16 oral organisms, serum levels of 8-isoprostane, and periodontal status. The findings indicate periodontitis is associated with high CRP in the presence of elevated oxidative stress that serves to suppress the IgG response. Only within the highest 8-isoprostane quartile was periodontitis (pocket depth) associated with increased serum CRP levels (P = 0.0003). Increased serum IgG antibody levels to oral bacteria were associated with lowered serum CRP levels. Thus, systemic oxidative stress, which has been demonstrated to be associated with increased levels of CRP in other studies, appears to be associated with the suppression of bacterial-specific IgG levels, which in the presence of periodontal disease can result in an enhanced systemic CRP response. Conversely, individuals with increased serum IgG antibodies to plaque bacteria exhibit lowered serum CRP levels. These 2 factors, oxidative stress and the serum IgG response, appear to function in opposing directions to modify serum levels of CRP and the association with periodontitis.

Comparing the immune response to a novel intranasal nanoparticle PLGA vaccine and a commercial BPI3V vaccine in dairy calves.

BackgroundThere is a need to improve vaccination against respiratory pathogens in calves by stimulation of local immunity at the site of pathogen entry at an early stage in life. Ideally such a vaccine preparation would not be inhibited by the maternally derived antibodies. Additionally, localized immune response at the site of infection is also crucial to control infection at the site of entry of virus. The present study investigated the response to an intranasal bovine parainfluenza 3 virus (BPI3V) antigen preparation encapsulated in PLGA (poly dl-lactic-co-glycolide) nanoparticles in the presence of pre-existing anti-BPI3V antibodies in young calves and comparing it to a commercially available BPI3V respiratory vaccine.ResultsThere was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in BPI3V-specific IgA in the nasal mucus of the BPI3V nanoparticle vaccine group alone. Following administration of the nanoparticle vaccine an early immune response was induced that continued to grow until the end of study and was not observed in the other treatment groups. Virus specific serum IgG response to both the nanoparticle vaccine and commercial live attenuated vaccine showed a significant (P < 0.05) rise over the period of study. However, the cell mediated immune response observed didn’t show any significant rise in any of the treatment groups.ConclusionCalves administered the intranasal nanoparticle vaccine induced significantly greater mucosal IgA responses, compared to the other treatment groups. This suggests an enhanced, sustained mucosal-based immunological response to the BPI3V nanoparticle vaccine in the face of pre-existing antibodies to BPI3V, which are encouraging and potentially useful characteristics of a candidate vaccine. However, ability of nanoparticle vaccine in eliciting cell mediated immune response needs further investigation. More sustained local mucosal immunity induced by nanoparticle vaccine has obvious potential if it translates into enhanced protective immunity in the face of virus outbreak.

Serum IgG and IgM responses to rhinoviruses as detected by a HRV virus capsid (VP1)-based indirect ELISA

Serum IgG and IgM responses to rhinoviruses as detected by a HRV virus capsid (VP1)-based indirect ELISA

A novel monoclonal antibody to a defined peptide epitope in MUC16.

The MUC16 mucin is overexpressed and aberrantly glycosylated in ovarian carcinomas. Immunodetection of circulating MUC16 is one of the most used cancer biomarker assays, but existing antibodies to MUC16 fail to distinguish normal and aberrant cancer glycoforms. Although all antibodies react with the tandem-repeat region, their epitopes appear to be conformational dependent and not definable by a short peptide. Aberrant glycoforms of MUC16 may constitute promising targets for diagnostic and immunotherapeutic intervention, and it is important to develop well-defined immunogens for induction of potent MUC16 immunity. Here, we developed a MUC16 vaccine based on a 1.7TR (264 aa) expressed in Escherichia coli and in vitro enzymatically glycosylated to generate the aberrant cancer-associated glycoform Tn. This vaccine elicited a potent serum IgG response in mice and we identified two major immunodominant linear peptide epitopes within the tandem repeat. We developed one monoclonal antibody, 5E11, reactive with a minimum epitope with the sequence FNTTER. This sequence contains potential N- and O-glycosylation sites and, interestingly, glycosylation blocked binding of 5E11. In immunochemistry of ovarian benign and cancer lesions, 5E11 showed similar reactivity as traditional MUC16 antibodies, suggesting that the epitope is not efficiently glycosylated. The study provides a vaccine design and immunodominant MUC16 TR epitopes.

A Cholera Conjugate Vaccine Containing O-specific Polysaccharide (OSP) of V. cholerae O1 Inaba and Recombinant Fragment of Tetanus Toxin Heavy Chain (OSP:rTTHc) Induces Serum, Memory and Lamina Proprial Responses against OSP and Is Protective in Mice.

Background Vibrio cholerae is the cause of cholera, a severe watery diarrhea. Protection against cholera is serogroup specific. Serogroup specificity is defined by the O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) component of lipopolysaccharide (LPS).MethodologyHere we describe a conjugate vaccine for cholera prepared via squaric acid chemistry from the OSP of V. cholerae O1 Inaba strain PIC018 and a recombinant heavy chain fragment of tetanus toxin (OSP:rTTHc). We assessed a range of vaccine doses based on the OSP content of the vaccine (10-50 μg), vaccine compositions varying by molar loading ratio of OSP to rTTHc (3:1, 5:1, 10:1), effect of an adjuvant, and route of immunization.Principle FindingsImmunized mice developed prominent anti-OSP and anti-TT serum IgG responses, as well as vibriocidal antibody and memory B cell responses following intramuscular or intradermal vaccination. Mice did not develop anti-squarate responses. Intestinal lamina proprial IgA responses targeting OSP occurred following intradermal vaccination. In general, we found comparable immune responses in mice immunized with these variations, although memory B cell and vibriocidal responses were blunted in mice receiving the highest dose of vaccine (50 μg). We found no appreciable change in immune responses when the conjugate vaccine was administered in the presence or absence of immunoadjuvant alum. Administration of OSP:rTTHc resulted in 55% protective efficacy in a mouse survival cholera challenge model.ConclusionWe report development of an Inaba OSP:rTTHc conjugate vaccine that induces memory responses and protection against cholera in mice. Development of an effective cholera conjugate vaccine that induces high level and long-term immune responses against OSP would be beneficial, especially in young children who respond poorly to polysaccharide antigens.

Specific faecal antibody responses in sheep infected with Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis

Many studies have examined the serum antibody response to Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in cases of Johne's disease (JD), but there are no reports on the mucosal antibody response. Faecal immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgA ELISA responses were examined from sheep experimentally inoculated with MAP for up to 23 months post inoculation (PI). Corresponding serum IgG responses and the presence of viable MAP shed in faeces were also examined. The sheep were divided into three groups: (i) “un-inoculated controls” (n=10), (ii) “clinical cases” (n=8) which were inoculated animals that developed clinical disease and had moderate to high levels of MAP shedding and (iii) “survivors” (n=11) which were inoculated animals from which MAP could not be cultured from tissues at the conclusion of the trial. Serum IgG responses gradually increased in all inoculated animals, peaking at 12–16 months PI. A significant increase in the levels of MAP-specific faecal IgG and IgA was measured in the survivors at 16 and 17 months PI, while levels in the un-inoculated controls and clinical cases remained at baseline levels. The detection of faecal Ig in the survivors coincided with the removal of sheep that developed clinical disease. The data suggest that some sheep produced MAP-specific IgG and IgA in the intestinal mucosa, which was released into their faeces. We hypothesise that the survivors produced faecal Ig as a direct response to ingestion of MAP associated with environmental contamination from clinical cases. Thus MAP specific mucosal antibodies may play a previously unreported role as part of a protective response triggered by environmental exposure.

Evaluation of the Long-Term Anti-Human Papillomavirus 6 (HPV6), 11, 16, and 18 Immune Responses Generated by the Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine.

This quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) (HPV6, -11, -16, and -18) vaccine long-term follow-up (LTFU) study is an ongoing extension of a pivotal clinical study (FUTURE II) taking place in the Nordic region. The LTFU study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness, immunogenicity, and safety of the qHPV vaccine (Gardasil) for at least 10 years following completion of the base study. The current report presents immunogenicity data from testing samples of the year 5 LTFU visit (approximately 9 years after vaccination). FUTURE II vaccination arm subjects, who consented to being followed in the LTFU, donated serum at regular intervals and in 2012. Anti-HPV6, -11, -16, and -18 antibodies were detected by the competitive Luminex immunoassay (cLIA), and in addition, serum samples from 2012 were analyzed by the total IgG Luminex immunoassay (LIA) (n = 1,598). cLIA geometric mean titers (GMTs) remained between 70% and 93% of their month 48 value depending on HPV type. For all HPV types, the lower bound of the 95% confidence interval (CI) for the year 9 GMTs remained above the serostatus cutoff value. The proportion of subjects who remained seropositive based on the IgG LIA was higher than the proportion based on cLIA, especially for anti-HPV18. As expected, the anti-HPV serum IgG and cLIA responses were strongly correlated for all HPV types. Anti-HPV GMTs and the proportion of vaccinated individuals who are seropositive remain high for up to 9 years of follow-up after vaccination.

A novel protein‐based subunit Shigella vaccine candidate

A novel protein‐based subunit <i>Shigella</i> vaccine candidate

Human seroreactivity to gut microbiota antigens

Although immune responses directed against antigens from the intestinal microbiota are observed in certain diseases, the normal human adaptive immune response to intestinal microbiota is poorly defined. Our goal was to assess the adaptive immune response to the intestinal microbiota present in 143 healthy adults and compare this response with the response observed in 52 children and their mothers at risk of having allergic disease. Human serum was collected from adults and children followed from birth to 7 years of age, and the serum IgG response to a panel of intestinal microbiota antigens was assessed by using a novel protein microarray. Nearly every subject tested, regardless of health status, had serum IgG that recognized a common set of antigens. Seroreactivity to the panel of antigens was significantly lower in atopic adults. Healthy infants expressed the highest level of IgG seroreactivity to intestinal microbiota antigens. This adaptive response developed between 6 and 12 months of age and peaked around 2 years of age. Low IgG responses to certain clusters of microbiota antigens during infancy were associated with allergy development during childhood. There is an observed perturbation of the adaptive response to antigens from the microbiota in allergic subjects. These perturbations are observable even in childhood, suggesting that optimal stimulation of the adaptive immune system by the microbiota might be needed to prevent certain immune-mediated diseases.

Immunogenicity of mucosally-administered modified vaccinia Ankara expressing HIV-1 Env protein gp120 in rabbits (VAC8P.1047)

Abstract Modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) used as a vaccine vector expressing heterologous antigens has been demonstrated to be immunogenic when delivered parenterally while its immunogenicity after mucosal delivery is less defined. To determine the immunogenicity of MVA when administered via different mucosal routes, NZW rabbits were vaccinated on day 0 and 28 with 3 x 108 PFU MVA expressing HIV-1 gp120 by nasal, rectal, or gastric routes. Intramuscular immunization with 1 x 108 PFU of the MVA vaccine was used as the positive control. Serum was collected on days 21 and 42 and antigen-specific antibodies were determined by ELISA. While intramuscular vaccination was the only route that induced a significantly elevated anti-gp120 serum IgG titer, nasal vaccination induced detectable anti-gp120 IgG response on day 42. Immunization by rectal or gastric routes did not induce measurable anti-gp120 IgG responses. Intramuscular and intranasal vaccination, but not gastric or rectal vaccination with MVA, induced significantly elevated serum IgG responses to pox proteins A33R and B5R. We conclude that, under the conditions tested, MVA vaccine vectors are immunogenic when delivered intramuscularly and intranasally but not gastrically or rectally. Insert specific responses after nasal vaccination were not comparable to those achieved by intramuscular vaccination, indicating that use of MVA as a nasal vaccine vector will need to be optimized.

FcµR expression by B cells regulates maximal induction of plasma cell differentiation in vivo and in vitro (VIR5P.1136)

Abstract Secreted (s)IgM functions in immune defense and regulation. It supports B cell development, selection and the size and quality of the humoral response. We aimed to identify the mechanisms underlying the reduced IgG responses in sIgM-/- mice after influenza virus infection. To distinguish effects of sIgM on B cell development from those on immune regulation, we generated sIgM-/- x wild-type (wt) F1 mice. All B cells develop normally in these mice but 50% lack the ability to secrete IgM. Wt and sIgM-/- B cells from F1 mice were transferred into sublethally irradiated wt controls, which were infected with influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34. sIgM-/- B cells mounted reduced antiviral serum IgG responses compared to controls, demonstrating a non-redundant function for sIgM in B cell response induction. Studies in mice lacking the FcµR only on B cells suggested that sIgM-mediated regulation is due at least in part to sIgM-FcµR direct interaction. These mice mounted IgG and Hemagglutination Inhibition titers that were reduced by about half, and their sera had strongly decreased passive protective capacity compared to wt mice. ELISPOT and FACS-analysis revealed reduced plasma cell differentiation in draining mediastinal LNs at day 8, and long-lived plasma cells in bone marrows at day 70 after infection, as well as following stimulation of B cells in vitro. The data identify sIgM-FcµR direct interaction as a non-redundant B cell differentiation signal after B cell activation.

Neutrophils negatively regulate induction of mucosal IgA responses after sublingual immunization.

Induction of mucosal IgA capable of providing a first line of defense against bacterial and viral pathogens remains a major goal of needle-free vaccines given via mucosal routes. Innate immune cells are known to play a central role in induction of IgA responses by mucosal vaccines, but the relative contribution of myeloid cell subsets to these responses has not firmly been established. Using an in vivo model of sublingual vaccination with Bacillus anthracis edema toxin (EdTx) as adjuvant, we examined the role of myeloid cell subsets for mucosal secretory IgA responses. Sublingual immunization of wild-type mice resulted in a transient increase of neutrophils in sublingual tissues and cervical lymph nodes. These mice later developed Ag-specific serum IgG responses, but not serum or mucosal IgA. Interestingly, EdTx failed to increase neutrophils in sublingual tissues of IKKβΔMye mice, and these mice developed IgA responses. Partial depletion of neutrophils before immunization of wild-type mice allowed the development of both mucosal and serum IgA responses. Finally, co-culture of B cells with neutrophils from either wild-type or IKKβΔMye mice suppressed production of IgA, but not IgM or IgG. These results identify a new role for neutrophils as negative regulators of IgA responses.

THE EFFECT OF SLEEP DEPRIVATION ON SERUM IGG RESPONSES TO AEROBIC ACTIVITY IN COLLEGE STUDENT ATHLETES

Background &amp; Aims: Sleep is a restorative process for the immune system. There are many situations in which sleep is disturbed prior to an athletic event. However, the effect of sleep deprivation on immune indices in response to exercise remains unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of sleep deprivation on serum IgG responses to aerobic activity. Materials &amp; Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 10 male physical education students were voluntarily participated. Study was performed in two separate occasions; control and experimental within two weeks. In the control occasion, normal sleep and aerobic activity and in the experimental occasion, sleep deprivation and aerobic activity was applied. Aerobic activity was performed on bicycle ergometer for 30 minutes at intensity of 70 to 75 percent of maximum heart rate. Changes in serum IgG concentrations in pre-test, before and after aerobic activity in both occasions were analyzed by the two repeated measures ANOVA and dependent T-test using SPSS software. Results: The results showed that sleep deprivation not significantly effect on Serum IgG response to aerobic activity (p=0.130). Also, aerobic activity not significantly effect on Serum IgG concentration (p=0.357). But sleep deprivation caused a significantly increase in serum IgG concentration (p=0.035). Conclusion: No significant effect of sleep deprivation on serum IgG concentrations response to aerobic activity.

Prebiotic and probiotic agents enhance antibody-based immune responses to Salmonella Typhimurium infection in pigs

Salmonellosis causes significant economic losses to the pig industry and contaminated pork products are an important source of Salmonella for humans. The EU ban on the use of antibiotic growth promoters in pig production, and the emergence of antibiotic resistance has meant there is a pressing need for alternative control strategies for pathogenic bacteria such as S. Typhimurium in pigs. Here, we determined the effects of prebiotic, probiotic and synbiotic diet regimes on antibody responses to oral Salmonella challenge of pigs. The data demonstrate that the inclusion of the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum B2984 in the diet of piglets (∼1×1010cfu/animal/day) enhanced serum IgM (P<0.001), IgG (P=0.001) and IgA (P=0.039) responses to S. Typhimurium infection including cross-reacting antibodies to S. Enteritidis. Similarly, inclusion of the prebiotic lactulose at 1% (w/w) of the feed on a daily basis in the diet enhanced serum IgM (P=0.010), IgG (P=0.004) and IgA (P=0.046) responses to S. Typhimurium infection and also cross-reacting antibodies to S. Enteritidis. Inclusion of both additives in the synbiotic diet also elicited an enhanced immune response with IgM (P=0.009) and IgG (P=0.046) levels being increased, however a significant interaction of the pre and probiotics was observed when considering the immune responses to S. Typhimurium (IgM P=0.004; IgG and IgA, P<0.001 for interaction). With respect to immune responses, the effects of pre or probiotic administration were the same or reduced in the synbiotic diet compared to when used in isolation. The data support the use of Lactobacillus plantarum B2984 or lactulose as strategies to contribute to the protection of weaned piglets from zoonotic bacterial pathogens, but caution must be taken when combining dietary supplements as combinations can interact.

Sublingual injection of microparticles containing glycolipid ligands for NKT cells and subunit vaccines induces antibody responses in oral cavity

Natural Killer T (NKT) cells are a unique type of innate immune cells which exert paradoxical roles in animal models through producing either Th1 or Th2 cytokines and activating dendritic cells. Alpha-galactosylceramide (αGalCer), a synthetic antigen for NKT cells, was found to be safe and immune stimulatory in cancer and hepatitis patients. We recently developed microparticle-formulated αGalCer, which is selectively presented by dendritic cells and macrophages, but not B cells, and thus can avoid the anergy of NKT cells. In this study, we have examined the immunogenicity of microparticles containing αGalCer and protein vaccine components through sublingual injection in mice. The results showed that sublingual injection of microparticles containing αGalCer and ovalbumin triggered IgG responses in serum (titer >1:100,000), which persisted for more than 3months. Microparticles containing ovalbumin alone also induced comparable level of IgG responses. However, immunoglobulin subclass analysis showed that sublingually injected microparticles containing αGalCer and ovalbumin induced 20 fold higher Th1 biased antibody (IgG2c) than microparticles containing OVA alone (1:20,000 as compared to 1:1000 titer). Sublingual injection of microparticles containing αGalCer and ovalbumin induced secretion of both IgG (titer >1:1000) and IgA (titer=1:80) in saliva secretion, while microparticles containing ovalbumin alone only induced secretion of IgG in saliva. Our results suggest that sublingual injection of microparticles and their subsequent trafficking to draining lymph nodes may induce adaptive immune responses in mucosal compartments. Ongoing studies are focused on the mechanism of antigen presentation and lymphocyte biology in the oral cavity, as well as the toxicity and efficacy of these candidate microparticles for future applications.

Thermostable Cross-Protective Subunit Vaccine against Brucella Species

A subunit vaccine candidate was produced from Brucella suis 145 (biovar 4; expressing both the A antigen of Brucella abortus and the M antigen of Brucella melitensis). The preparation consisted mostly of polysaccharide (PS; >90% [wt/wt]; both cell-associated PS and exo-PS were combined) and a small amount of protein (1 to 3%) with no apparent nucleic acids. Vaccinated mice were protected (these had a statistically significant reduction in bacterial colonization compared to that of unvaccinated controls) when challenged with representative strains of three Brucella species most pathogenic for humans, i.e., B. abortus, B. melitensis, and B. suis. As little as 1 ng of the vaccine, without added adjuvant, protected mice against B. suis 145 infection (5 × 10(5) CFU), and a single injection of 1 μg of this subunit vaccine protected mice from B. suis 145 challenge for at least 14 months. A single immunization induced a serum IgG response to Brucella antigens that remained elevated for up to 9 weeks. The use of heat (i.e., boiling-water bath, autoclaving) in the vaccine preparation showed that it was thermostable. This method also ensured safety and security. The vaccine produced was immunogenic and highly protective against multiple strains of Brucella and represents a promising candidate for further evaluation.

Abstract 2542: Sipuleucel-T-induced immune response against secondary cancer antigens is associated with improved overall survival

Abstract Introduction and Objective: Tumor cell death in response to immunotherapy may lead to the release of secondary (non-targeted) cancer antigens that prime subsequent immune responses (antigen spread) 1. This may contribute to tumor control and reveal post-treatment biomarkers of clinical outcome. Sipuleucel-T, an immunotherapy targeted towards the prostate-specific antigen, prostatic acid phosphatase, is approved in the US and EU for treatment of asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic, metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. We evaluated: (i) antigen spread after sipuleucel-T treatment, based on IgG antibody responses against secondary cancer antigens, and (ii) association of such IgG responses with overall survival (OS). Methods: ProtoArray®, an unbiased protein microarray platform, was used to characterize the spectrum of serum IgG responses after treatment. IgG responses against secondary antigens were confirmed using an independent platform, Luminex®, xMAP®. Pre- and post- treatment sera from two clinical trials of sipuleucel-T were analyzed: IMPACT 2 (double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3, NCT00065442) and ProACT (open-label, phase 2, NCT00715078). The correlations between IgG responses (≥ 2 fold elevation post-treatment) and OS were assessed in IMPACT using a Cox regression model, adjusted for baseline PSA, LDH, bone lesions, Gleason score, and prior bisphosphonate use. Results: Serum IgG responses (p&amp;lt;10-3) towards several secondary cancer antigens (PSA, hK2/KLK2, K-Ras, E-Ras, and LGALS8/PCTA-1) were observed after treatment with sipuleucel-T in IMPACT as well as ProACT. Across trials, the frequency of patients with IgG responses after sipuleucel-T treatment was: ≥25% for PSA, ≥33% for hK2, ≥36% for K-Ras, ≥39% for E-Ras, ≥24% for LGALS8. These IgG responses were observed as early as 2 weeks and up to 6 months after treatment with sipuleucel-T. Control arm patients in IMPACT did not show such responses (p&amp;gt;0.01). In the sipuleucel-T arm of IMPACT (N=140), an IgG response to PSA ≈2 weeks after treatment was positively correlated with increased OS, compared to patients with no IgG response to PSA (Cox p&amp;lt;0.01, HR≈0.41 [95% CI=0.22-0.78]). Other IgG responses (such as those against E-Ras and hK2) at ≈2 or ≈10 weeks after treatment, also showed trends towards improved OS. Conclusions: Sipuleucel-T elicited IgG responses against multiple cancer antigens. Sipuleucel-T- induced IgG response against PSA was positively correlated with improved OS. These data enhance our understanding of sipuleucel-T's mechanism of action, and may help to identify pharmacodynamic biomarkers of clinical outcome. The methods and results presented here may also help in the characterization of antigen spread and pharmacodynamic biomarkers after treatment with other cancer immunotherapies. 1. Ribas A, et al. Trends Immunol. 24:58-61 (2003) 2. Kantoff PW, et al. N Engl J Med. 363:411-22 (2010) Citation Format: Debraj GuhaThakurta, Li-Qun Fan, Tuyen Vu, Francis Stewart, Philip Kantoff, Eric Small, Celeste Higano, Thomas Gardner, Nadeem Sheikh, James Trager. Sipuleucel-T-induced immune response against secondary cancer antigens is associated with improved overall survival. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2542. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2542