Immunogenic Domains Research Articles

Peptides of Tetraspanin Oncoprotein CD151 Trigger Active Immunity Against Primary Tumor and Experimental Lung Metastasis

Background: Active immunotherapy is an effective, long-lasting, cheap and safe way to suppress the progression of cancer, however, the key issue is to find the appropriate vaccines. Oncoproteins are up-regulated under various stresses, such as radiation, chemodrugs, targeted drugs, hypoxia, malnutrition and so on to promote the cell growth, suppress apoptosis and alter the micro-environment for survival locally and remotely. Oncoproteins and their immunogenic domain could well serve as vaccines to prime the host active anti-tumor immunity, which might enhance the immune (such as anti-PD-1) modulators given exogenously on effective stage. Methods: Proteomics and bio-information analysis were performed to identify potential associated antigens (TAAs) induced by 8 Gy irradiation (IR). Then, peptides derived from CD151 were designed and synthesized according to MHC I binding and immunogenicity. Cell killing assay, flow cytometer, immunohistochemistry staining, and in vivo bioluminescence imaging were applied to assessed active anti-tumor immunity triggered by CD151 peptides in H22 hepatoma primary and experimental 4T1 breast cancer lung metastasis model. Results: We utilized 8 Gy irradiation as therapeutic stress to up-regulate a panel of oncoproteins, and identified CD151 as a TAA according to proteomics and bio-information analysis. Two CD151 peptides were synthesized as tumor vaccine to immunize the mice, which triggered active anti-cancer immunity against both the primary growth of H22 hepatoma and the lung metastasis of 4T1 breast cancer in two mouse model via activation of CD8+IFNγ+ lymphocytes and their targeted cytotoxicity as well as reduction of negative regulator of MDSC cells. The survival of mice with lung metastases in CD151 peptide immunized group was also prolonged. Conclusions: The stress-upregulated oncoproteins defined by proteomics and bio-information on 8 Gy irradiated cells are the good candidates for designing immunogenic peptides as vaccines. Anti-tumor active immunity primed by peptides from tetraspanin oncoprotein CD151 could exert effective, long-lasting, cheap and safe way to suppress the progression of cancer. Funding: The project was funded in part by the grants of Fujian Province Natural Science Foundation (2017J01260); the Key Clinical Specialty Discipline Construction Program of Fujian; the National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program; Fujian Engineering Research Center of Cancer precision Diagnosis and Immunotherapy; Science&Technology Program of Fujian Province, China (#2018Y2003). Declaration of Interest: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. Ethical Approval: Animal experiments were approved by Fujian Medical University Institutional Animal Ethical Committee (FJMU IACUC #2018-075). The applicable institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

Mimicking immune signatures of flavivirus infection with targeted adjuvants improves dengue subunit vaccine immunogenicity

Neutralizing antibodies (nAbs) are a critical component for protection against dengue virus (DENV) infection, but little is known about the immune mechanisms governing their induction and whether such mechanisms can be harnessed for vaccine development. In this study, we profiled the early immune responses to flaviviruses in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and screened a panel of toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists that stimulate the same immune signatures. Monocyte/macrophage-driven inflammatory responses and interferon responses were characteristics of flavivirus infection and associated with induction of nAbs in humans immunized with the yellow fever vaccine YF-17D. The signatures were best reproduced by the combination of TLR agonists Pam3CSK4 and PolyI:C (PP). Immunization of both mice and macaques with a poorly immunogenic recombinant DENV-2 envelope domain III (EDIII) induced more consistent nAb and CD4+ T-cell responses with PP compared to alum plus monophosphoryl lipid A. Induction of nAbs by PP required interferon-mediated signals in macrophages in mice. However, EDIII + PP vaccination only provided partial protection against viral challenge. These results provide insights into mechanisms underlying nAb induction and a basis for further improving antigen/adjuvant combinations for dengue vaccine development.

An Influenza Virus Hemagglutinin-Based Vaccine Platform Enables the Generation of Epitope Specific Human Cytomegalovirus Antibodies.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a highly prevalent pathogen with ~60%–90% seropositivity in adults. CMV can contribute to organ rejection in transplant recipients and is a major cause of birth defects in newborns. Currently, there are no approved vaccines against CMV. The epitope of a CMV neutralizing monoclonal antibody against a conserved region of the envelope protein gH provided the basis for a new CMV vaccine design. We exploited the influenza A virus as a vaccine platform due to the highly immunogenic head domain of its hemagglutinin envelope protein. Influenza A variants were engineered by reverse genetics to express the epitope of an anti-CMV gH neutralizing antibody that recognizes native gH into the hemagglutinin antigenic Sa site. We determined that the recombinant influenza variants expressing 7, 10, or 13 residues of the anti-gH neutralizing antibody epitope were recognized and neutralized by the anti-gH antibody 10C10. Mice vaccinated with the influenza/CMV chimeric viruses induced CMV-specific antibodies that recognized the native gH protein and inhibited virus infection. In fact, the influenza variants expressing 7–13 gH residues neutralized a CMV infection at ~60% following two immunizations with variants expressing the 13 residue gH peptide produced the highest levels of neutralization. Collectively, our study demonstrates that a variant influenza virus inserted with a gH peptide can generate a humoral response that limits a CMV infection.

Prediction and Validation of Immunogenic Domains of Pneumococcal Proteins Recognized by Human CD4+ T Cells.

CD4+ T-cell mechanisms are implied in protection against pneumococcal colonization; however, their target antigens and function are not well defined. In contrast to high-throughput protein arrays for serology, basic antigen tools for CD4+ T-cell studies are lacking. Here, we evaluate the potential of a bioinformatics tool for in silico prediction of immunogenicity as a method to reveal domains of pneumococcal proteins targeted by human CD4+ T cells. For 100 pneumococcal proteins, CD4+ T-cell immunogenicity was predicted based on HLA-DRB1 binding motifs. For 20 potentially CD4+ T-cell immunogenic proteins, epitope regions were verified by testing synthetic peptides in T-cell assays using peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy adults. Peptide pools of 19 out of 20 proteins evoked T-cell responses. The most frequent responses (detectable in ≥20% of donors tested) were found to SP_0117 (PspA), SP_0468 (putative sortase), SP_0546 (BlpZ), SP_1650 (PsaA), SP_1923 (Ply), SP_2048 (conserved hypothetical protein), SP_2216 (PscB), and SPR_0907 (PhtD). Responding donors had diverging recognition patterns and profiles of signature cytokines (gamma interferon [IFN-γ], tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], interleukin-13 [IL-13], and/or IL-17A) against single-epitope regions. Natural HLA-DR-restricted presentation and recognition of a predicted SP_1923-derived epitope were validated through the isolation of a CD4+ T-cell clone producing IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17A in response to the synthetic peptide, whole protein, and heat-inactivated pneumococcus. This proof of principle for a bioinformatics tool to identify pneumococcal protein epitopes targeted by human CD4+ T cells provides a peptide-based strategy to study cell-mediated immune mechanisms for the pneumococcal proteome, advancing the development of immunomonitoring assays and targeted vaccine approaches.

Nucleoside Hydrolase NH 36: A Vital Enzyme for the Leishmania Genus in the Development of T-Cell Epitope Cross-Protective Vaccines.

NH36 is a vital enzyme of the DNA metabolism and a specific target for anti-Leishmania chemotherapy. We developed second-generation vaccines composed of the FML complex or its main native antigen, the NH36 nucleoside hydrolase of Leishmania (L.) donovani and saponin, and a DNA vaccine containing the NH36 gene. All these vaccines were effective in prophylaxis and treatment of mice and dog visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The FML-saponin vaccine became the first licensed veterinary vaccine against leishmaniasis (Leishmune®) which reduced the incidence of human and canine VL in endemic areas. The NH36, DNA or recombinant protein vaccines induced a Th1 CD4+IFN-γ+ mediated protection in mice. Efficacy against VL was mediated by a CD4+TNF-α T lymphocyte response against the NH36-F3 domain, while against tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) a CD8+ T lymphocyte response to F1 was also required. These domains were 36–41 % more protective than NH36, and a recombinant F1F3 chimera was 21% stronger than the domains, promoting a 99.8% reduction of the parasite load. We also identified the most immunogenic NH36 domains and epitopes for PBMC of active human VL, cured or asymptomatic and DTH+ patients. Currently, the NH36 subunit recombinant vaccine is turning into a multi-epitope T cell synthetic vaccine against VL and TL.

IFN-γ and IL-5 whole blood response directed against mycolactone polyketide synthase domains in patients with Mycobacterium ulcerans infection.

BackgroundBuruli ulcer is a disease of the skin and soft tissues caused by infection with a slow growing pathogen, Mycobacterium ulcerans. A vaccine for this disease is not available but M. ulcerans possesses a giant plasmid pMUM001 that harbours the polyketide synthase (PKS) genes encoding a multi-enzyme complex needed for the production of its unique lipid toxin called mycolactone, which is central to the pathogenesis of Buruli ulcer. We have studied the immunogenicity of enzymatic domains in humans with M. ulcerans disease, their contacts, as well as non-endemic areas controls.MethodsBetween March 2013 and August 2015, heparinized whole blood was obtained from patients confirmed with Buruli ulcer. The blood samples were diluted 1 in 10 in Roswell Park Memorial Institute (RPMI) medium and incubated for 5 days with recombinant mycolactone PKS domains and mycolyltransferase antigen 85A (Ag85A). Blood samples were obtained before and at completion of antibiotic treatment for 8 weeks and again 8 weeks after completion of treatment. Supernatants were assayed for interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and interleukin-5 (IL-5) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Responses were compared with those of contacts and non-endemic controls.ResultsMore than 80% of patients and contacts from endemic areas produced IFN-γ in response to all the antigens except acyl carrier protein type 3 (ACP3) to which only 47% of active Buruli ulcer cases and 71% of contacts responded. The highest proportion of responders in cases and contacts was to load module ketosynthase domain (Ksalt) (100%) and enoylreductase (100%). Lower IL-5 responses were induced in a smaller proportion of patients ranging from 54% after ketoreductase type B stimulation to only 21% with ketosynthase type C (KS C). Among endemic area contacts, the, highest proportion was 73% responding to KS C and the lowest was 40% responding to acyltransferase with acetate specificity type 2. Contacts of Buruli ulcer patients produced significantly higher IFN-γ and IL-5 responses compared with those of patients to PKS domain antigens and to mycolyltransferase Ag85A of M. ulcerans. There was low or no response to all the antigens in non-endemic areas controls. IFN-γ and IL-5 responses of patients improved after treatment when compared to baseline results.DiscussionThe major response to PKS antigen stimulation was IFN-γ and the strongest responses were observed in healthy contacts of patients living in areas endemic for Buruli ulcer. Patients elicited lower responses than healthy contacts, possibly due to the immunosuppressive effect of mycolactone, but the responses were enhanced after antibiotic treatment. A vaccine made up of the most immunogenic PKS domains combined with the mycolyltransferase Ag85A warrants further investigation.

Construction of recombinant strain Brevibacillus choshinensis for chimeric borrelia Dbpa antigen production.

The aim of this work was creation of recombinant chimeric protein using TAKARA expression system Brevibacillus choshinensis with fused gene dbpAAG, which include the parts of dbpAA and dbpAG genes coding the major antigenic determinants of decorinbinding proteins А (DbpA) from two species of borreliosis agents - Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia gаrinii. Such plasmid should be able to support the synthesis of recombinant chimeric polypeptide consisting immunogenic domains of DbpA Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia gаrinii in the stable and soluble forms, that important for effective using in Lyme diseases serodiagnosis. We chose the TAKARA expression system based on the strain Brevibacillus choshinensis and plasmid pNCMO2. It give us possibilities to obtain the scale quantity of the secreted soluble target proteins with native conformation in particular with conserve antigenic determinants. As results, the plasmid pNCMO2 with a fusion gene dbpAAG was constructed. Recombinante plasmide DNA pNCMO2/dbpAAG was used for Brevibacillus choshinensis trasformation. We were able to show that during cultivation in a liquid medium recombinant cells of В. choshinensis/pNCMO2/dbpAAG produced secreted chimeric 30кD protein with high immunoreactivity to Lyme borreliosis patient's serum.

The Use of Fluoroproline in MUC1 Antigen Enables Efficient Detection of Antibodies in Patients with Prostate Cancer.

A structure-based design of a new generation of tumor-associated glycopeptides with improved affinity against two anti-MUC1 antibodies is described. These unique antigens feature a fluorinated proline residue, such as a (4S)-4-fluoro-l-proline or 4,4-difluoro-l-proline, at the most immunogenic domain. Binding assays using biolayer interferometry reveal 3-fold to 10-fold affinity improvement with respect to the natural (glyco)peptides. According to X-ray crystallography and MD simulations, the fluorinated residues stabilize the antigen-antibody complex by enhancing key CH/π interactions. Interestingly, a notable improvement in detection of cancer-associated anti-MUC1 antibodies from serum of patients with prostate cancer is achieved with the non-natural antigens, which proves that these derivatives can be considered better diagnostic tools than the natural antigen for prostate cancer.

Recognition of Core- and Polymerase-derived immunogenic peptides included in novel therapeutic vaccine by T cells from Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients.

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is one of the major public health challenges in the world. Due to a strong interplay between specific T-cell immunity and elimination of hepatitis B virus (HBV), efforts to develop novel immunotherapeutics are gaining attention. TG1050, a novel immunotherapy, has shown efficacy in an animal study. To support the clinical development of TG1050 in China, specific immunity to the fusion antigens of TG1050 was assessed in Chinese patients. One hundred and thirty subjects were divided into three groups as CHB patients, HBV spontaneous resolvers, and CHB patients with HBsAg loss after antiviral treatment. HBV-specific T-cell responses to pools of HBV Core or Polymerase genotype D peptides included in TG1050 were evaluated. HBV Core- or Polymerase-specific cells were detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from the different cohorts. The frequencies and intensities of HBV Core-specific immune responses were significantly lower in CHB patients than in HBsAg loss subjects. In CHB patients, a dominant pool derived from Polymerase (Pol1) was the most immunogenic. CHB patients with low viral loads (<106 IU/mL) were more likely to have a positive response specific to the Core peptide pool. Overall, genotype D-derived peptides included in TG1050 could raise broad and functional T-cell responses in PBMCs from Chinese CHB patients infected with genotype B/C isolates. Core-specific immunogenic domains appeared as "hot spots" with the capacity to differentiate between CHB vs HBsAg loss subjects. These observations support the extended application and associated immune monitoring of TG1050 in China.

Adenovirus vector-based multi-epitope vaccine provides partial protection against H5, H7, and H9 avian influenza viruses.

The emergence of H5, H7, and H9 avian influenza virus subtypes in humans reveals their pandemic potential. Although human-to-human transmission has been limited, the genetic reassortment of the avian and human/porcine influenza viruses or mutations in some of the genes resulting in virus replication in the upper respiratory tract of humans could generate novel pandemic influenza viruses. Current vaccines do not provide cross protection against antigenically distinct strains of the H5, H7, and H9 influenza viruses. Therefore, newer vaccine approaches are needed to overcome these potential threats. We developed an egg-independent, adenovirus vector-based, multi-epitope (ME) vaccine approach using the relatively conserved immunogenic domains of the H5N1 influenza virus [M2 ectodomain (M2e), hemagglutinin (HA) fusion domain (HFD), T-cell epitope of nucleoprotein (TNP). and HA α-helix domain (HαD)]. Our ME vaccine induced humoral and cell-mediated immune responses and caused a significant reduction in the viral loads in the lungs of vaccinated mice that were challenged with antigenically distinct H5, H7, or H9 avian influenza viruses. These results suggest that our ME vaccine approach provided broad protection against the avian influenza viruses. Further improvement of this vaccine will lead to a pre-pandemic vaccine that may lower morbidity, hinder transmission, and prevent mortality in a pandemic situation before a strain-matched vaccine becomes available.

Anti-HERV-K (HML-2) capsid antibody responses in HIV elite controllers

BackgroundHuman endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) comprise approximately 8% of the human genome and while the majority are transcriptionally silent, the most recently integrated HERV, HERV-K (HML-2), remains active. During HIV infection, HERV-K (HML-2) specific mRNA transcripts and viral proteins can be detected. In this study, we aimed to understand the antibody response against HERV-K (HML-2) Gag in the context of HIV-1 infection.ResultsWe developed an ELISA assay using either recombinant protein or 164 redundant “15mer” HERV-K (HML-2) Gag peptides to test sera for antibody reactivity. We identified a total of eight potential HERV-K (HML-2) Gag immunogenic domains: two on the matrix (peptides 16 and 31), one on p15 (peptide 85), three on the capsid (peptides 81, 97 and 117), one on the nucleocapsid (peptide 137) and one on the QP1 protein (peptide 157). Four epitopes (peptides 16, 31, 85 and 137) were highly immunogenic. No significant differences in antibody responses were found between HIV infected participants (n = 40) and uninfected donors (n = 40) for 6 out of the 8 epitopes tested. The antibody response against nucleocapsid (peptide 137) was significantly lower (p < 0.001), and the response to QP1 (peptide 157) significantly higher (p < 0.05) in HIV-infected adults compared to uninfected individuals. Among those with HIV infection, the level of response against p15 protein (peptide 85) was significantly lower in untreated individuals controlling HIV (“elite” controllers) compared to untreated non-controllers (p < 0.05) and uninfected donors (p < 0.05). In contrast, the response against the capsid protein (epitopes 81 and 117) was significantly higher in controllers compared to uninfected donors (p < 0.001 and <0.05 respectively) and non-controllers (p < 0.01 and <0.05). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from study participants were tested for responses against HERV-K (HML-2) capsid recombinant peptide in gamma interferon (IFN-γ) enzyme immunospot (Elispot) assays. We found that the HERV-K (HML-2) Gag antibody and T cell response by Elispot were significantly correlated.ConclusionsHIV elite controllers had a strong cellular and antibody response against HERV-K (HML-2) Gag directed mainly against the Capsid region. Collectively, these data suggest that anti-HERV-K (HML-2) antibodies targeting capsid could have an immunoprotective effect in HIV infection.

Functional Analysis Reveals Geographical Variation in Inhibitory Immune Responses Against a Polymorphic Malaria Antigen.

Plasmodium falciparum reticulocyte-binding protein homologue 2b (PfRh2b) is an invasion ligand that is a potential blood-stage vaccine candidate antigen; however, a naturally occurring deletion within an immunogenic domain is present at high frequencies in Africa and has been associated with alternative invasion pathway usage. Standardized tools that provide antigenic specificity in in vitro assays are needed to functionally assess the neutralizing potential of humoral responses against malaria vaccine candidate antigens. Transgenic parasite lines were generated to express the PfRh2b deletion. Total immunoglobulin G (IgG) from individuals residing in malaria-endemic regions in Tanzania, Senegal, and Mali were used in growth inhibition assays with transgenic parasite lines. While the PfRh2b deletion transgenic line showed no change in invasion pathway utilization compared to the wild-type in the absence of specific antibodies, it outgrew wild-type controls in competitive growth experiments. Inhibition differences with total IgG were observed in the different endemic sites, ranging from allele-specific inhibition to allele-independent inhibitory immune responses. The PfRh2b deletion may allow the parasite to escape neutralizing antibody responses in some regions. This difference in geographical inhibition was revealed using transgenic methodologies, which provide valuable tools for functionally assessing neutralizing antibodies against vaccine-candidate antigens in regions with varying malaria endemicity.

Immunogenic Domains and Secondary Structure of Escherichia coli Recombinant Secreted Protein Escherichia coli-Secreted Protein B.

Several pathogenic bacteria are able to induce the attaching and effacing (A/E) lesion. The A/E lesion is caused by effector proteins, such as Escherichia coli-secreted protein B (EspB), responsible together with Escherichia coli-secreted protein D for forming a pore structure on the host cell, which allows the translocation of effector proteins. Different variants of this protein can be found in E. coli strains, and during natural infection or when this protein is injected, this leads to variant-specific production of antibodies, which may not be able to recognize other variants of this bacterial protein. Herein, we describe the production of a hybrid recombinant EspB toxin that comprises all known variants of this protein. This recombinant protein could be useful as an antigen for the production of antibodies with broad-range detection of EspB-bearing bacteria, or as an antigen that could be used in vaccine formulation to generate antibodies against different EspB variants, thereby increasing immunization potential. In addition, the recombinant protein allowed us to analyze its secondary structure, to propose the immunogenic regions of EspB variants, and also to characterize anti-EspB antibodies. Our results suggest that this hybrid protein or a protein composed of the conserved immunogenic regions could be used for a variety of clinical applications.

Salivary Gluten Degradation and Oral Microbial Profiles in Healthy Individuals and Celiac Disease Patients.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic immune-mediated enteropathy induced by dietary gluten in genetically predisposed individuals. Saliva harbors the second highest bacterial load of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract after the colon. We hypothesized that enzymes produced by oral bacteria may be involved in gluten processing in the intestine and susceptibility to celiac disease. The aim of this study was to investigate salivary enzymatic activities and oral microbial profiles in healthy subjects versus patients with classical and refractory CD. Stimulated whole saliva was collected from patients with CD in remission (n = 21) and refractory CD (RCD; n = 8) and was compared to healthy controls (HC; n = 20) and subjects with functional GI complaints (n = 12). Salivary gluten-degrading activities were monitored with the tripeptide substrate Z-Tyr-Pro-Gln-pNA and the α-gliadin-derived immunogenic 33-mer peptide. The oral microbiome was profiled by 16S rRNA-based MiSeq analysis. Salivary glutenase activities were higher in CD patients compared to controls, both before and after normalization for protein concentration or bacterial load. The oral microbiomes of CD and RCD patients showed significant differences from that of healthy subjects, e.g., higher salivary levels of lactobacilli (P < 0.05), which may partly explain the observed higher gluten-degrading activities. While the pathophysiological link between the oral and gut microbiomes in CD needs further exploration, the presented data suggest that oral microbe-derived enzyme activities are elevated in subjects with CD, which may impact gluten processing and the presentation of immunogenic gluten epitopes to the immune system in the small intestine.IMPORTANCE Ingested gluten proteins are the triggers of intestinal inflammation in celiac disease (CD). Certain immunogenic gluten domains are resistant to intestinal proteases but can be hydrolyzed by oral microbial enzymes. Very little is known about the endogenous proteolytic processing of gluten proteins in the oral cavity. Given that this occurs prior to gluten reaching the small intestine, such enzymes are likely to contribute to the composition of the gluten digest that ultimately reaches the small intestine and causes CD. We demonstrated that endogenous salivary protease activities are incomplete, likely liberating peptides from larger gluten proteins. The potentially responsible microbes were identified. The study included refractory CD patients, who have been studied less with regard to CD pathogenesis.

The N-terminal domain of Schmallenberg virus envelope protein Gc is highly immunogenic and can provide protection from infection

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is transmitted by insect vectors, and therefore vaccination is one of the most important tools of disease control. In our study, novel subunit vaccines on the basis of an amino-terminal domain of SBV Gc of 234 amino acids (“Gc Amino”) first were tested and selected using a lethal small animal challenge model and then the best performing formulations also were tested in cattle. We could show that neither E. coli expressed nor the reduced form of “Gc Amino” protected from SBV infection. In contrast, both, immunization with “Gc Amino”-encoding DNA plasmids and “Gc-amino” expressed in a mammalian system, conferred protection in up to 66% of the animals. Interestingly, the best performance was achieved with a multivalent antigen containing the covalently linked Gc domains of both, SBV and the related Akabane virus. All vaccinated cattle and mice were fully protected against SBV challenge infection. Furthermore, in the absence of antibodies against the viral N-protein, differentiation between vaccinated and field-infected animals allows an SBV marker vaccination concept. Moreover, the presented vaccine design also could be tested for other members of the Simbu serogroup and might allow the inclusion of additional immunogenic domains.

T Cell Epitope-Containing Domains of Ragweed Amb a 1 and Mugwort Art v 6 Modulate Immunologic Responses in Humans and Mice.

BackgroundRagweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) are the major cause of pollen allergy in late summer. Allergen-specific lymphocytes are crucial for immune modulation during immunotherapy. We sought to generate and pre-clinically characterise highly immunogenic domains of the homologous pectate lyases in ragweed (Amb a 1) and mugwort pollen (Art v 6) for immunotherapy.MethodsDomains of Amb a 1 (Amb a 1α) and Art v 6 (Art v 6α) and a hybrid molecule, consisting of both domains, were designed, expressed in E. coli and purified. Human IgE reactivity and allergenicity were assessed by ELISA and mediator release experiments using ragweed and mugwort allergic patients. Moreover, T cell proliferation was determined. Blocking IgG antibodies and cytokine production in BALB/c mice were studied by ELISA and ELISPOT.ResultsThe IgE binding capacity and in vitro allergenic activity of the Amb a 1 and Art v 6 domains and the hybrid were either greatly reduced or abolished. The recombinant proteins induced T cell proliferative responses comparable to those of the natural allergens, indicative of retained allergen-specific T cell response. Mice immunisation with the hypoallergens induced IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ production after antigen-specific in vitro re-stimulation of splenocytes. Moreover, murine IgG antibodies that inhibited specific IgE binding of ragweed and mugwort pollen allergic patients were detected.ConclusionAccumulation of T cell epitopes and deletion of IgE reactive areas of Amb a 1 and Art v 6, modulated the immunologic properties of the allergen immuno-domains, leading to promising novel candidates for therapeutic approach.

Epr3 is a conserved immunogenic protein among Aeromonas species and able to induce antibody response in Nile tilapia

The present study retrospectively identified sixteen putative aeromonad isolates associated with previous disease outbreaks in farmed tilapia, unspecified fish, and striped catfish. Based on a combination of biochemical characterization and homology identity of 16S rDNA, the majority of the isolates were identified as Aeromonas caviae (n=10) while the remaining isolates were Aeromonas veronii (n=4), Aeromonas jandaei (n=1) and Plesiomonas shigelloides (n=1). Potential antigenic gene of epr3 from A. caviae isolates was identified and recombinant proteins were expressed in E. coli system for investigation of immunogenicity in vivo. The result indicated the β-sheet domain (comprising amino acid residue 23–171) expressed in a soluble form while the α-helix domain (residues 172–346) of Epr3 protein expressed in an insoluble form. Interestingly, all 15 identified Aeromonas strains naturally produced Epr3 evidenced by Western blot analysis detected with Epr3-specific polyclonal antibodies. Serum collected from the surviving fish after exposure to A. caviae AH15 was able to react with two domains of the recombinant Epr3. Two immunogenic domains of Epr3 had the capability of enhancing fish humoral immunity but a soluble form (β-sheet) induced a higher antibody response compared to an insoluble form (α-helix). A combination of two forms provoked the strongest antibody response as indicated by dot blot assay. Furthermore, Western blot results showed that sera from fish immunized with Epr3 β-sheet domain, α-helix domain, and pool of both domains could also react with specific protein bands from bacterial lysates of A. caviae, A. veronii and A. jandaei. The result suggests that the common immunogenic protein Epr3 is a promising candidate antigen for development of a cross-protective vaccine against different isolates of Aeromonas spp. Statement of relevanceThe authors strongly believe that our manuscript would provide significant knowledge to fish aquaculture especially to that of the tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) farming and vaccine development for Aeromonas spp. infection.

Evaluation of combined B cell specific N-terminal immunogenic domains of LipL21 for diagnosis of leptospirosis

Leptospiral outer membrane protein LipL21 and its truncated N-terminal immunogenic region (I-LipL21) were evaluated for diagnosis of leptospirosis. The complete coding sequence of LipL21 nucleotide sequence was subjected to BCPred and VaxiJen analysis for determination of B cell specific immunogenic epitopes. Epitope1 ACS STD TGQ KDA TTV GDG (1.8837), Epitope2 WGG PPE QRN DGK TPR DTN (0.9483), Epitope3 VKG VGV YEC KAT GSG SDP (1.4077) and Epitope4 NEW ECQ CVI YAK FPG GKD (0.4462) were predicted. LipL21 and N-terminal fragment having B-cell specific epitopes with higher VaxiJen score >0.9 as truncated I-LipL21 were cloned independently in pET15b and expressed in Escherichia coli. IgM ELISA and dot blot assay was performed for sera samples collected from Delhi-NCR for leptospiral whole cell lysate (WCL), recombinant LipL21 and I-LipL21. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were found to be 92.5%, 92.8%, 83.3%, and 97% respectively for recombinant I-LipL21 by IgM-ELISA. 11⿿14.8% increased sensitivity was observed over LipL21 and WCL. The I-LipL21 dot blot assay showed a further increased sensitivity of 3.8% over the IgM-ELISA. Therefore I-LipL21 may be the ideal candidate protein for diagnosis of leptospirosis.

A chimeric protein comprising the immunogenic domains of Mannheimia haemolytica leukotoxin and outer membrane protein PlpE induces antibodies against leukotoxin and PlpE

Mannheimia haemolytica is a very important pathogen of pneumonia in ruminants. Bighorn sheep (BHS, Ovis canadensis) are highly susceptible to M. haemolytica-caused pneumonia which has significantly contributed to the drastic decline of bighorn sheep population in North America. Pneumonia outbreaks in wild BHS can cause mortality as high as 90%. Leukotoxin is the critical virulence factor of M. haemolytica. In a ‘proof of concept’ study, an experimental vaccine containing leukotoxin and surface antigens of M. haemolytica developed by us induced 100% protection of BHS, but required multiple booster injections. Vaccination of wild BHS is difficult. But they can be vaccinated at the time of transplantation into a new habitat. Administration of booster doses, however, is impossible. Therefore, a vaccine that does not require booster doses is necessary to immunize BHS against M. haemolytica pneumonia. Herpesviruses are ideal vectors for development of such a vaccine because of their ability to undergo latency with subsequent reactivation. As the first step towards developing a herpesvirus-vectored vaccine, we constructed a chimeric protein comprising the leukotoxin-neutralizing epitopes and the immuno-dominant epitopes of the outer membrane protein PlpE. The chimeric protein was efficiently expressed in primary BHS lung cells. The immunogenicity of the chimeric protein was evaluated in mice before inoculating BHS. Mice immunized with the chimeric protein developed antibodies against M. haemolytica leukotoxin and PlpE. More importantly, the anti-leukotoxin antibodies effectively neutralized leukotoxin-induced cytotoxicity. Taken together, these results represent the successful completion of the first step towards developing a herpesvirus-vectored vaccine for controlling M. haemolytica pneumonia in BHS, and possibly other ruminants.

Use of immunogenic moiety of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A as a DNA vaccine in experimentally contaminated mice

Background: DNA immunization is an appropriate method to produce an immunological response. Pseudomonas aeruginosa produces exotoxin A which is highly cytotoxic for eukaryotic cells. Since domains II (translocation domain) and 1b of the toxin have antigenic qualities, so they could be useful candidates to protect against pseudomonas infections. Objectives: To evaluate if recombinant plasmid containing immunogenic domain of exotoxin A might be protective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Methods: To study the biologic and immunological effects of antigenic domains of exotoxin A, plasmid expression vector (pET28a) containing domain II and 1b of exotoxin was constructed. To evaluate the effects of intracellular recombinant gene expression, BALB/C mice were immunized with the recombinant plasmid and then subjected to third degree thermal injury and the humoral immunity responses were assayed. Results: Immunization with the recombinant plasmid containing translocation and 1b domains of exotoxin A resulted in increasing antibodies production (IgA and IgG) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. DNA immunization significantly decreased the bacterial count liver, spleen, blood and inoculated burns after challenging with P. aeruginosa and dramatically improved the survival rate of burn-injured mice. Conclusions: Finally, immunization by gene encoding antigenic products may be a good technique for protection against P. aeruginosa infections.