Heat shock proteins as "super"-carriers for sporozoite peptide vaccines?
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to P H Lambert.
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BALB/c mice neonatally injected with 10(8) semiallogeneic (C57BL/6 x BALB/c)F1 spleen cells become tolerant to the H-2b alloantigens, but also develop a wide range of autoimmune manifestations characteristic of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Indeed, in these mice, the presence of a hypergammaglobulinaemia, autoantibodies--including anti-ssDNA, anti-platelet, thymocytotoxic and rheumatoid factor antibodies--circulating immune complexes, cryoglobulins as well as renal glomerular deposition of immunoglobulins have been observed. In this study, we have shown that the allogenic effect and B cell chimaerism which characterize these F1 cell-injected mice is associated with the expression of a large spectrum of autoantibodies, including anti-ssDNA and anti-cytoskeleton antibodies, and that these autoantibodies are not multispecific. We took advantage of the fact that, in this model, autoantibodies are exclusively produced by F1 donor B cells to inject newborn BALB/c mice with F1 Xid spleen cells lacking the CD5+ B cell subset. Injection of 2 x 10(8) F1 Xid spleen cells triggers the production of anti-ssDNA as well as anti-BrMRBC antibodies, and these mice developed tissue lesions. Finally, analysis of the VH gene family expressed by monoclonal autoantibodies derived from F1 cell-injected mice showed that they used the 2 largest families J558 and 7183. These results suggest that the allogenic effect and B cell chimerism which characterize the neonatal induction of tolerance to MHC alloantigens is associated with the selective triggering of autoreactive B cells producing monospecific IgG autoantibodies. They also imply that upon stimulation by persisting alloreactive CD4+ T cells, either CD5- B cells are able to produce autoantibodies or autoantibody-producing CD5+ B cells can differentiate from Xid spleen cells.
Multiple Antigen Peptides (MAPs), branched molecules where multiple copies of a desired antigenic sequence are assembled on a small peptide core, have been recently described as an alternative approach to the synthesis of high molecular weight immunogens. In comparison with conventional peptide-carrier conjugates, the MAPs show several advantages, including chemical unambiguity and ease of synthesis. A MAP based on the sequence of the repetitive domain of P. malariae sporozoites was immunogenic in a large number of mouse strains. When covalently linked to the corresponding sequence of the P. falciparum circumsporozoite protein, [NANP]40, the resulting conjugate showed the properties of a multivalent vaccine, overcoming the severe genetic restriction of the [NANP] sequence. A second generation of MAPs including both sequences, with more desirable chemical properties, was equally effective. These compounds represent a promising step towards the development of synthetic, multivalent peptide vaccines against human malaria.
We studied monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) directed against human tumour necrosis factor (TNF) for their capacity to prevent toxic or lethal effects of TNF. Two experimental models involving recombinant human TNF (rhTNF) in mice were used: the Shwartzmann reaction, and the lethality after D-galactosamine sensitization. Two MoAbs were found to be protective in both models. These MoAbs prevented mortality when given 6 h, 4 h, or 15 min before rhTNF injection but were not effective if given after TNF. In addition, our results point out that in vitro binding and even neutralizing capacities of anti-hTNF MoAbs do not necessarily reflect their protective efficacy in vivo. Therefore, the models studied here might be useful to evaluate anti-h TNF MoAbs before clinical use.
The production of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) was studied during experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) induced by Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection. IL-6 is present in the serum of mice with ECM, the highest concentrations being observed in mice with full-blown neurological syndrome. High IL-6 levels were also observed, however, in the absence of pathology in nonlethal malaria infection. These data suggest that IL-6 is produced in large amounts during malaria infection, but does not play a major role in the pathogenesis of ECM. A modulation of IL-6 production in ECM was achieved by in vivo treatment with other anticytokine antibodies: antibodies to interferon (IFN-gamma) or to tumor necrosis factor (TNF) abolished the rise of IL-6, while anti-IL-3 and anti-granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor antibodies only partially prevented this rise, suggesting that the two cytokines IFN-gamma and TNF are important intermediates in IL-6 production. Passive immunization against IL-6 did not prevent ECM, but significantly reduced serum IgG levels in malaria-infected mice. Thus, by its effects on B cells, IL-6 may be involved in hypergammaglobulinemia and immune-complex diseases, e.g., glomerulonephritis observed during malaria infection.
The role of IL-4 in the cellular interactions leading to the induction of CTL tolerance to H-2b alloantigens and to the development of a lupus-like autoimmune disease in BALB/c mice after neonatal injection with (C57BL/6 x BALB/c)F1 cells was investigated in vivo by using an anti-IL-4 mAb. Treatment of F1 cell-injected BALB/c mice with 15 mg of anti-IL-4 mAb was shown to interfere with tolerance induction, as assessed by the high percentages of H-2b target cell lysis and the very low or undetectable levels of B cell chimerism markers observed in these mice. Treatment with 4.5 mg of anti-IL-4 mAb interfered with tolerance induction only in one-third of F1 cell-injected BALB/c mice, but that dose induces specific modulations of the autoimmune manifestations in all mice, leading to the nearly complete prevention of the disease. In particular, the production of anti-ssDNA IgG1 and of total IgG1 and IgE antibodies was seriously affected by the treatment, as well as the proliferation and membrane Ia and K expression of F1 donor splenic cells and thymic APC. Treatment of F1 cell-injected BALB/c mice between 24 and 48 h of life with 0.5 mg of anti-IL-4 mAb did not interfere with tolerance induction, but had similar effects on the autoimmune syndrome as treatment with 4.5 mg. These results suggest that, after F1 cell injection of newborn mice, IL-4 plays an important role in the cellular interactions leading to the induction of tolerance to the corresponding alloantigens and to the development of the associated autoimmune syndrome.
The pathology of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was studied based on 223 Zairian HCC cases registered from 1966 to 1985. The observations included the following: (1) hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) status, (2) histologic types, (3) degree of cellular differentiation, and (4) frequency and types of the accompanying cirrhosis. Serum HBsAg was positive in 56.7% of HCC patients and 5.7% of controls (P less than 0.001). Immunohistochemical localization of HBsAg was positive in 53.3% in normal hepatocytes and in 10% in neoplastic cells. Morphologically, mixed type HCC (48.4%), trabecular (31.4%), and compact variants (13.5%) were predominant. Clear cell and pseudoglandular variants were rare (less than 1%). The majority of tumors (83%) were poorly differentiated HCC (Grades: 2-3, 3, 3-4, and 4). Well-differentiated HCC were extremely rare (0.5%). Fifty percent of HCC arose in a cirrhotic liver, predominantly of the macronodular (67.4%) inactive (55%) type. The micronodular cirrhosis was very uncommon (1.1%). These findings clearly show the excess of poorly differentiated HCC in African patients and suggest a possible link between the morphologic features of HCC in Africa and its extraordinary fast-running course.
We have investigated the immunogenicity of defined sequences of the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of the murine malaria parasite, Plasmodium yoelii. A 21-ner synthetic peptide from the nonrepetitive region of the CS protein (position 59-79, referred to as Py1) induced T cell proliferative responses in H-2d and, to a lesser extent, in H-2b mice. Conversely, a synthetic peptide (referred to as Py4) consisting of four (QGPGAP) repeats of the P. yoelii CS protein, induced an antibody response only in H-2b mice. No antibody response was observed when the Py3 peptide, consisting of three (QGPGAP) repeats, was used as an immunogen. When cross-linked to the Py4 repetitive peptide, the Py1 sequence behaved as a T helper epitope allowing the production of anti-Py4 antibodies in H-2d mice. Several long-term T cell lines and clones specific for the nonrepetitive Py1 peptide were originated in vitro from both H-2d and H-2b mice. These lines and clones were CD4+ and proliferated in a major histocompatibility complex-restricted fashion. Furthermore, Py1-specific T cell lines and clones did not proliferate in the presence of synthetic peptides from an analogous region of another rodent malaria parasite, P. berghei, despite the high degree of homology existing in this sequence of the two CS proteins. Finally, supernatants from 7 out of 13 clones (from BALB/c mice) produced detectable amounts of interleukin 2 and interferon-gamma; whereas supernatants from the 4 clones from C57BL/6 and 2 from BALB/c mice contained detectable amounts of interleukin 5. These results show that functionally heterogenous CD4+ T cell populations, belonging to either TH1 or TH2 subset, are activated upon immunization of mice with the P. yoelii Py1 synthetic peptide. It is not yet known what differential role these CD4+ subsets play during the malaria infection or after immunization with different malaria T cell epitopes. This knowledge may have a particular impact in the design of effective subunit vaccines against malaria.
The major repetitive epitopes of the surface circumsporozoite (CS) protein of malaria sporozoites represent candidates for the development of subunit vaccines against malaria. However, previous experimental work has shown that repetitive peptides from the CS proteins of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, P. yoelii and P. berghei are immunogenic only in mice with the H-2b or H-2k haplotype. This led to the conclusion that strong T helper epitopes from the non-repetitive CS sequences were required in the design of sporozoite vaccines. In the present study, we investigated the immunogenicity in mice of a octa-branched multiple antigen peptide (MAP) containing repeats of the CS protein of the human malaria parasite, P. malariae, [MAP8(NAAG)6], and found that mice with an H-2b, H-2d, H-2k, H-2f, H-2q, and H-2s haplotype produced anti-peptide antibodies after immunization and that only H-2r mice were nonresponsive. This antibody response, not induced in athymic H-2b nu/nu mice, was directed against the (NAAG) sequence, but not against the lysine core of the MAP construct. Finally, when covalently linked to a synthetic polymer of the repetitive (NANP) sequence of the P. falciparum CS protein, [MAP8(NAAG)6] behaved as a carrier molecule for the production of anti-(NANP)n antibodies in H-2d and H-2k mice, genetically nonresponder to the (NANP)n sequence. Should this wide immunogenicity of the P. malariae CS (NAAG) repetitive sequence also apply to humans, it might be considered for the design of multivalent subunit malaria vaccines.
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The immunogenicity of the carrier-free synthetic peptide, (NANP)40, from the repetitive region of the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite (CS) protein was investigated in genetically responder mice (C57BL/6, H-2b) acutely infected with blood forms of the non-lethal murine malaria parasite, P. yoelii. As compared to non-infected mice, P. yoelii-infected C57BL/6 mice produced significantly lower titers of anti-(NANP)40 IgG antibodies. This decrease in the anti-(NANP)40 antibody response peaked with the peak of parasitemia, and involved all the IgG subclasses. Interestingly, this P. yoelii-mediated effect was evident both on the development of the antibody response to the (NANP)40 peptide, and on an already established anti-(NANP)40 antibody titer, as seen in mice immunized with the peptide 1 month before the infection. Since (NANP)n-based constructs are strongly envisaged as potential vaccines against falciparum malaria, these results might be important in the evaluation of the efficacy of these vaccine candidates, when they will be used in individuals living in endemic areas.
We have mapped a T cell epitope in the circumsporozoite (CS) protein of the murine malaria parasite, Plasmodium yoelii. A 21-mer synthetic peptide corresponding to the amino acid positions 59-79 (referred to as Py1), induced specific proliferation in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice, and provided help for the production of antibodies to peptides from the repetitive region, (QGPGAP)n, of the same CS protein, when mice were immunized with the Py1 peptide conjugated to the repetitive peptide. Long-term CD3+CD4+CD8-TCR alpha beta+ T cell lines and clones were derived from both strains of mice. These lines and clones, that proliferated in an MHC-restricted fashion, did not recognize peptides from the homologous region of another murine malaria parasite, P. berghei. About 50% of these clones produced detectable amounts of IFN-gamma and IL-2, whereas the remaining produced IL-4, IL-5, and IL-6. In preliminary experiments, some of these clones specifically inhibited P. yoelii sporozoite development in vitro and conferred protection in vivo in passive transfer experiments. These findings show that heterogenous T cell populations are activated in mice upon immunization with a short peptide from the P. yoelii CS protein and that some of these cells could be active in the effector arm of the immune response against malaria sporozoites.
The pathological expression in malaria infection depends largely on immunopathologic responses induced by the parasite. In the past few years, we have attempted to analyze mechanisms by which inappropriate immune response to some malarial antigens can generate major complications of malaria and particularly neurovascular lesions. To this end, we have undertaken a study aimed at a more precise definition of immunopathological parameters of malaria infection, and more particularly those involved in cerebral malaria (CM). CM, the most severe complication of falciparum infection in man, represents a major problem of public health at the world level.
New molecular technologies have accelerated the search for sub-unit candidate vaccines. However, once identified the use of a candidate antigen must be optimised to reap the maximum benefit from the eventual vaccine. This optimisation should take into account both the needs of the target population, and the various ways of potentiating the protective immune response induced. One must be sure that the final product will be used. Hence, vaccine optimisation should strive toward meeting the needs of a specific epidemiological problem within the economic constraints of a given situation. This may be possible using novel delivery systems designed to limit the number of doses needed, improve the stability or facilitate the delivery of a particular vaccine. In meeting the needs of a target population in a field situation, one must also keep in mind certain safety factors that go beyond the usual regulatory constraints. The immune response to vaccine candidates can be potentiated in many ways. The ability to preferentially induce specific protective effector mechanisms: i.e., antibody isotypes, T-cell subsets, and T-cell sub-subsets, is becoming a reality. Carrier molecules designed to avoid the problems of epitope suppression and competition, and perhaps an eventual "carrier jam," are being developed. Adjuvants and immunostimulants may also help, but the critical issue here remains their acceptability for use in man. Finally novel strategies for the induction of the immune response may also potentiate the immune response in the optimisation of vaccines.
Because of its immunodominancy, and because it is conserved in different geographical isolates of Plasmodium falciparum, the repetitive sequence of the circumsporozoite protein, (Asn-Ala-Asn-Pro)n [(NANP)n], has been envisaged for the development of an anti-falciparum malaria subunit vaccine. However, the murine immune response to (NANP)n peptides, either carrier-free or coupled to carrier proteins, was shown to be inducible only by using strong (e.g., Freund's) adjuvants. Furthermore, response to the carrier-free peptide, administered in adjuvant, is genetically restricted to I-Ab mice. In the present paper, we report that high titers of antibodies against the NANP repetitive epitope were obtained in responder C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice when they were primed with live BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guérin Mycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis) and immunized once with the synthetic peptide (NANP)40 coupled to tuberculin purified protein derivative (PPD) without the use of any adjuvant. This approach also led to the production of high titers of anti-NANP antibodies in ASW (H-2s), B10.RIII (H-2r), BALB/c (H-2d), C3H/He (H-2k), and DBA/1 (H-2q) nonresponder mice after two injections of the conjugate. In both cases, BCG priming was obligatory for the induction of antibodies reacting with the synthetic peptide. The levels of anti-NANP antibodies in nonresponder BALB/c mice were demonstrated to be comparable to the levels induced after PPD-(NANP)40 immunization in Freund's complete or incomplete adjuvant. The antibodies induced were also capable of recognizing P. falciparum sporozoites in immunofluorescence assays and, furthermore, these antibodies inhibited the penetration of live sporozoites into human hepatocytes in vitro. This system functioned independently of the subjects' resistance or susceptibility to BCG infection. Given the widespread natural exposure to mycobacterial antigens and the extensive use of BCG and PPD in the human population, this approach might be envisaged for vaccination with malaria peptides.
Four murine monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) to Salmonella typhi flagellin were produced. These MAbs did not react with eight other enterobacterial strains tested: Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella paratyphi A, Escherichia coli, Shigella flexneri, Shigella sonnei, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Campylobacter jejuni. All four MAbs cross-reacted with Salmonella muenchen flagellin indicating specificity for d antigenic flagellar epitope. One MAb (C4) was selected to develop a double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect S. typhi flagellin in serum samples. By use of this assay S. typhi flagellar antigen was detected in 95.5% of serum samples from patients with positive hemoculture for S. typhi, in 93.6% of samples from patients with positive serodiagnosis of typhoid fever, in 26% of samples collected from patients who were initially hemoculture-positive for S. typhi and who had undergone 7-8 d of chemotherapy, in 8.5% of samples from healthy persons from an endemic area, and in no samples from healthy persons from a nonendemic area. The presence of high levels of flagellin antibody titers did not interfere with the antigen detection. The detection of S. typhi flagellar antigen in patient serum may have practical value for rapid diagnosis of typhoid fever.
Serum concentrations of immunoreactive tumor necrosis factor/cachectin (TNF), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), and interferon-alpha (IFN alpha) were prospectively measured in 70 patients with septic shock to determine their evolution and prognostic values. In a univariate analysis, levels of TNF (P = .002) and IL-1 beta (P = .05) were associated with the patient's outcome, but not IFN alpha (P = .15) and IFN gamma (P = .26). In contrast, in a stepwise logistic regression analysis, the severity of the underlying disease (P = .01), the age of the patient (P = .02), the documentation of infection (nonbacteremic infections vs. bacteremias, P = .03), the urine output (P = .04), and the arterial pH (P = .05) contributed more significantly to prediction of patient outcome than the serum levels of TNF (P = .07). After 10 days, the median concentration of TNF was undetectable (less than 100 pg/ml) in the survivors, whereas it remained elevated (305 pg/ml, P = .002) in the nonsurvivors. Thus, in patients with septic shock due to various gram-negative bacteria, other parameters than the absolute serum concentration of immunoreactive TNF contributed significantly to the prediction of outcome.
The injection of (C57BL/6 x BALB/c) F1 spleen cells into BALB/c newborn mice leads to activation of persisting F1 donor B cells and development of a lupus-like syndrome in tolerized BALB/c mice. This syndrome is characterized by hypergammaglobulinaemia, high levels of anti-DNA and anti-Sm antibodies, circulating immune complexes and deposits of immunoglobulin in renal glomeruli. The role of donor T cells in this model was investigated by injecting the newborn mice with F1 cells depleted in different T cell subsets by using specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). Tolerance, as shown by an absence of H-2b-specific CTL alloreactivity and persistence of immunoglobulin bearing the donor allotype were observed in mice injected with F1 cells previously depleted in the CD4+ and/or CD8+ T cell subsets as well as in those which received Thy-1+-depleted F1 spleen cells. In these mice, a typical autoimmune syndrome was found, including splenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, anti-ssDNA and anti-aortic myosin IgG antibodies and renal deposition of immunoglobulin. However, some quantitative changes were seen: the levels of anti-aortic myosin antibodies were lower in mice tolerized with CD4+-depleted F1 cells than in those receiving untreated F1 cells. Conversely, higher levels of these autoantibodies were observed in mice tolerized with CD8+-depleted F1 cells. These results suggest that mature donor T cells are not necessary neither for the establishment of neonatal tolerance to alloantigens nor for the activation of F1 donor B cells in the production of the autoimmune syndrome in tolerant mice, but they may contribute in the regulation of the expression of autoreactive B cell clones.