Review
Microbiology
Megan A. Files, Kadin M. Kristjansson, Jai S. Rudra, Janice J. Endsley
Summary: Development of novel immunization approaches, especially using nanotechnology, is crucial for combating emerging and ancient infectious agents. Nanomaterial-based vaccines offer potential solutions by balancing immunogenicity and safety.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ping Jiang, Hongzhi Chen, Xiaojing Feng, Huiqi Xie, Mengjie Jiang, Danning Xu, Haoneng Tang, Ningjie Zhang, Jianlin Chen, Lei Zhang, Lingli Tang
Summary: We found that C. trachomatis L2 infection induced pyroptosis in mouse macrophages, which was accompanied by activation of caspase-1 and caspase-11 as well as gasdermin D (GSDMD) activation. Inhibition of these inflammatory caspases suppressed GSDMD activation. Importantly, the pyroptosis response significantly inhibited the intracellular growth of C. trachomatis, suggesting it can be utilized as an intrinsic mechanism to restrict C. trachomatis infection.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Luis M. de la Maza, Toni L. Darville, Sukumar Pal
Summary: The article discusses the progress in research on the Chlamydia trachomatis vaccine and expects more vaccine clinical trials to be conducted in the next five years.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Camille M. Riffaud, Elizabeth A. Rucks, Scot P. Ouellette
Summary: In order to survive inside host cells, obligate intracellular bacteria reduce their genome size by eliminating non-essential genes. While living inside a host cell provides a stable environment, these bacteria depend on the host for nutrients and are susceptible to nutrient limitations. They develop persistence as a survival strategy, which compromises antibiotic therapy and leads to chronic infections. This review discusses the strategies used by obligate intracellular bacteria and highlights their unique response mechanisms.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Aristo Vojdani, Elroy Vojdani, Ashley L. Melgar, Joshua Redd
Summary: It has been shown that SARS-CoV-2 shares homology and cross-reacts with vaccines, other viruses, common bacteria, and many human tissues. This study found strong reactions between SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and DTaP vaccine, food antigens, and bacteria. This cross-reactivity may provide advantages in immunity against SARS-CoV-2 and should be further investigated for potential cross-protection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephan P. Verweij, Remco P. H. Peters, Arnold Catsburg, Henry J. C. de Vries, Sander Ouburg, Servaas A. Morre
Summary: This study aims to assess the potential association of MBL2 gene SNPs to Chlamydia trachomatis infection. The results showed clear associations between specific MBL2 genotypes, haplotypes, and different subgroups of C. trachomatis infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Astrid Collingro, Stephan Koestlbacher, Alexander Siegl, Elena R. Toenshoff, Frederik Schulz, Susan O. Mitchell, Thomas Weinmaier, Thomas Rattei, Duncan J. Colquhoun, Matthias Horn
Summary: Chlamydia, including human and animal pathogens like Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydia psittaci, are a diverse group of ancient obligate intracellular bacteria. Comparative genome analysis has been used to study the evolutionary transition of chlamydiae from symbionts in eukaryotes to pathogens in humans. However, genome sequence data for many chlamydial lineages are still missing, limiting our understanding of their evolutionary history. Thus, the genome sequence of the fish pathogen Candidatus Clavichlamydia salmonicola provides valuable information for studying the evolution of chlamydial virulence mechanisms.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Diego Del Balzo, Anahi Capmany, Ignacio Cebrian, Maria Teresa Damiani
Summary: This study reveals that Chlamydia trachomatis can induce productive infections in murine dendritic cells and disrupt MHC-I trafficking, leading to impaired antigen cross-presentation ability.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kathleen Lynch, Sue Chen M. Apadinuwe, Stephen Lambert, Tessa Hillgrove, Mitchell Starr, Beth Catlett, Robert Ware, Anasaini W. Cama, Sara Webster, Emma M. Harding-Esch, Ana Bakhtiari, Robert Butcher, Philip Cunningham, Diana Martin, Sarah Gwyn, Anthony Solomon, Chandalene Garabwan, John Kaldor, Susana Vaz Nery
Summary: The Nauruan children are heavily affected by active trachoma caused by ocular infection with C. trachomatis. The epidemiology of trachoma in Nauru differs from other endemic settings, with a high prevalence of clinical signs but limited evidence of chlamydial infection. The study suggests that comprehensive public health intervention is required to control trachoma in Nauru.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Amanda L. Collar, Alexandria C. Linville, Susan B. Core, Kathryn M. Frietze
Summary: This study used immunogenic bacteriophage VLP technology to design a vaccine against Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). Two methods were used to identify potential immunogens that could elicit neutralizing antibodies to Ct, and the resulting vaccines provided protection from Chlamydia infection in a mouse model.
Article
Immunology
Toni Darville
Summary: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) often results from sexually transmitted pathogens, leading to subtle or asymptomatic symptoms that may cause tubal factor infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or chronic pelvic pain. Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis are the most common PID pathogens, surviving within the host and requiring T-cell-mediated interferon gamma production for protection. Studies have shown multiple immune evasion mechanisms of these pathogens, but similarities in host immune defenses against both bacteria instill optimism for a combined vaccine for prevention of PID and infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lisa M. Jorgenson, Macy G. Olson-Wood, Elizabeth A. Rucks
Summary: The study found alterations in SNARE protein networks in cells infected with Chlamydia, but using the BioID system to study this impact has limitations.
PATHOGENS AND DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Guanghui Xu, Yuting Luo, Hanbing Wang, Yue Wang, Baorui Liu, Jia Wei
Summary: Bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) have shown promise as immunotherapy strategies, but have been limited to targeting cell surface antigens. However, recent attention has been focused on BsAbs that target intracellular oncoproteins, broadening the scope of tumor antigen targeting and improving the effectiveness of antibody-based therapies.
Review
Immunology
Ban Qi Tay, Quentin Wright, Rahul Ladwa, Christopher Perry, Graham Leggatt, Fiona Simpson, James W. Wells, Benedict J. Panizza, Ian H. Frazer, Jazmina L. G. Cruz
Summary: Advances in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, and immunology have led to promising developments in cancer vaccine research, with novel delivery methods and combination therapies offering new hope for the future of cancer vaccines.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
William C. Davis, Asmaa H. Mahmoud, Gaber S. Abdellrazeq, Mahmoud M. Elnaggar, John L. Dahl, Victoria Hulubei, Lindsay M. Fry
Summary: Progress has been made in studying the immune response to pathogens and candidate vaccines by developing methods to analyze T-cell subsets and their functional activity. This study focuses on the development of assays to study CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses and the intracellular killing of bacteria. The results demonstrate the efficacy of vaccination and the importance of tri-directional signaling between T cells and antigen-presenting cells in the development of cytotoxic T cells.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Rheumatology
Paola Adele Lonati, Caterina Bodio, Mariangela Scavone, Giuliana Martini, Elisa Pesce, Alessandra Bandera, Andrea Lombardi, Maria Gerosa, Franco Franceschini, Angela Tincani, Gianmarco Podda, Sergio Abrignani, Renata Grifantini, Marco Cattaneo, Maria Orietta Borghi, Pier Luigi Meroni
Summary: The study found that COVID-19 vaccination does not affect the production of anti-PF4 antibodies and their ability to cause platelet activation in aPL-positive patients.
Article
Oncology
Alessio Amatu, Arianna Pani, Giorgio Patelli, Oscar M. Gagliardi, Marina Loparco, Daniele Piscazzi, Andrea Cassingena, Federica Tosi, Silvia Ghezzi, Daniela Campisi, Renata Grifantini, Sergio Abrignani, Salvatore Siena, Francesco Scaglione, Andrea Sartore-Bianchi
Summary: This study evaluated the seroconversion rate of anti-spike antibodies in solid tumor patients after receiving SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines and found a lower conversion rate in cancer patients. Age and treatment type also had an impact on the conversion rate. It is suggested to consider enhanced vaccination strategies for this group of patients and closely monitor SARS-CoV-2 infection during treatment.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CANCER
(2022)
Correction
Medicine, General & Internal
Ennio Giulio Favalli, Andrea Gobbini, Mauro Bombaci, Gabriella Maioli, Martina Biggioggero, Elisa Pesce, Andrea Favalli, Martina Martinovic, Tanya Fabbris, Edoardo Marchisio, Alessandra Bandera, Andrea Gori, Sergio Abrignani, Renata Grifantini, Roberto Caporali
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ennio Giulio Favalli, Andrea Gobbini, Mauro Bombaci, Gabriella Maioli, Martina Biggioggero, Elisa Pesce, Andrea Favalli, Martina Martinovic, Tanya Fabbris, Edoardo Marchisio, Alessandra Bandiera, Andrea Gori, Sergio Abrignani, Renata Grifantini, Roberto Caporali
Summary: This study evaluated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in rheumatic musculoskeletal disease patients receiving immunomodulatory drugs. The overall prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was higher in these patients compared to laboratory positivity rate or clinically suspected cases, but similar to the healthy population. Glucocorticoids and comorbidities resulted in higher seroprevalence rate.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Meeting Abstract
Rheumatology
E. G. Favalli, A. Favalli, G. Andrea, G. Maioli, E. Zagato, M. Bombaci, E. Pesce, L. Donnici, P. Gruarin, M. Biggioggero, S. Curti, L. Manganaro, E. Marchisio, V. Bevilacqua, M. Martinovic, T. Fabbris, M. L. Sarnicola, M. Crosti, L. Marongiu, F. Granucci, S. Notabartolo, A. Bandera, A. Gori, R. De Francesco, S. Abrignani, R. Caporali, R. Grifantini
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John E. Bowen, Amin Addetia, Ha Dang, Cameron Stewart, Jack T. Brown, William K. Sharkey, Kaitlin R. Sprouse, Alexandra C. Walls, Ignacio G. Mazzitelli, Jennifer K. Logue, Nicholas M. Franko, Nadine Czudnochowski, Abigail E. Powell, Exequiel Jr Dellota Jr, Kumail Ahmed, Asefa Shariq Ansari, Elisabetta Cameroni, Andrea Gori, Alessandra Bandera, Christine M. Posavad, Jennifer M. Dan, Zeli Zhang, Daniela Weiskopf, Alessandro Sette, Shane Crotty, Najeeha Talat Iqbal, Davide Corti, Jorge Geffner, Gyorgy Snell, Renata Grifantini, Helen Y. Chu, David Veesler
Summary: The Omicron variant of concern, characterized by numerous spike mutations, exhibits enhanced binding to ACE2, reduced fusogenicity, and reduced neutralizing activity against plasma induced by infection or vaccines. However, booster doses based on the Wuhan-Hu-1 spike sequence significantly increase neutralizing antibody titers and breadth against multiple Omicron sublineages.
Article
Immunology
Maria Orietta Borghi, Mauro Bombaci, Caterina Bodio, Paola Adele Lonati, Andrea Gobbini, Mariangela Lorenzo, Erminio Torresani, Antonella Dubini, Ilaria Bulgarelli, Francesca Solari, Francesca Pregnolato, Alessandra Bandera, Andrea Gori, Gianfranco Parati, Sergio Abrignani, Renata Grifantini, Pier Luigi Meroni
Summary: Molecular mimicry between SARS-CoV-2 and human proteins may result in autoimmunity during COVID-19. Vaccination does not induce early autoimmune response but occasionally leads to low levels of autoantibodies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Michele Tomasi, Elena Caproni, Mattia Benedet, Ilaria Zanella, Sebastiano Giorgetta, Mattia Dalsass, Enrico Koenig, Assunta Gagliardi, Laura Fantappie, Alvise Berti, Silvia Tamburini, Lorenzo Croia, Gabriele Di Lascio, Erika Bellini, Silvia Valensin, Giada Licata, Guido Sebastiani, Francesco Dotta, Federica Armanini, Fabio Cumbo, Francesco Asnicar, Aitor Blanco-Miguez, Eliana Ruggiero, Nicola Segata, Guido Grandi, Alberto Grandi
Summary: A growing body of evidence supports the important role of the gut microbiome in cancer immunity, and it has been found that microbiome proteins can induce specific T cells, which can inhibit tumor growth. Furthermore, personalized mucosal cancer vaccines can be developed using engineered microbes and Outer Membrane Vesicles.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Annarita Miluzio, Alessandro Cuomo, Chiara Cordiglieri, Lorena Donnici, Elisa Pesce, Mauro Bombaci, Matteo Conti, Alessandra Fasciani, Luigi Terracciano, Lara Manganaro, Mirco Toccafondi, Alessandra Scagliola, Stefania Oliveto, Sara Ricciardi, Renata Grifantini, Raffaele De Francesco, Sergio Abrignani, Nicola Manfrini, Stefano Biffo
Summary: The study found that the binding of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to hACE2 receptors is the first step in infection, but the abundance of receptors is influenced by various factors. Further research revealed SLC1A5 as a factor involved in receptor localization and viral entry, and co-expression with hACE2 improved the prediction of SARS-CoV-2 binding and entry. The Omicron variant showed higher efficiency in binding to hACE2 sites, but was equally sensitive to SLC1A5 downregulation.
Article
Immunology
Donatello Laera, Camilla Scarpellini, Simona Tavarini, Barbara Baudner, Agnese Marcelli, Carlo Pergola, Malte Meppen, Derek T. O'Hagan
Summary: Although aluminium-based vaccines have been used for a long time, their mechanism of action is still unclear. Antigen adsorption to the adjuvant facilitates delivery of the antigen to immune cells. Understanding the interactions between aluminium and antigens, as well as antigen distribution over the adjuvant particles, is crucial for further research.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lisa Pagani, Clizia Chinello, Giulia Risca, Giulia Capitoli, Lucrezia Criscuolo, Andrea Lombardi, Riccardo Ungaro, Davide Mangioni, Isabella Piga, Antonio Muscatello, Francesco Blasi, Andrea Favalli, Martina Martinovic, Andrea Gori, Alessandra Bandera, Renata Grifantini, Fulvio Magni
Summary: By studying the plasma proteome of 43 COVID-19 patients, differentially expressed proteins related to the severity of infection were identified. Three proteins were found to be able to accurately distinguish different stages of infection. These proteins may be associated with the severity of the disease and the immune response.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Elisa Pesce, Chiara Cordiglieri, Mauro Bombaci, Serenella Eppenberger-Castori, Stefania Oliveto, Cristina Manara, Mariacristina Crosti, Caner Ercan, Mairene Coto, Andrea Gobbini, Susanna Campagnoli, Tiziano Donnarumma, Manuele Martinelli, Valeria Bevilacqua, Elisa De Camilli, Paola Gruarin, Maria L. Sarnicola, Elisa Cassinotti, Ludovica Baldari, Giuseppe Viale, Stefano Biffo, Sergio Abrignani, Luigi M. Terracciano, Renata Grifantini
Summary: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related death. The interplay between effector immune cells and cancer cells in the tumor site plays a key role in determining tumor elimination or outgrowth. TMEM123 protein is over-expressed in infiltrating CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and contributes to their effector phenotype. TMEM123 plays a role in lymphocyte migration and cytoskeleton organization, and its presence is associated with improved survival in CRC patients.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ylenia Silvestri, Francesca Clemente, Giorgia Moschetti, Sara Maioli, Elena Carelli, Alejandro Espadas de Arias, Rosanna Torelli, Elena Longhi, Tullia De Feo, MariaCristina Crosti, Maria Lucia Sarnicola, Mario Salvi, Giovanna Mantovani, Maura Arosio, Mauro Bombaci, Elisa Pesce, Renata Grifantini, Sergio Abrignani, Jens Geginat, Ilaria Muller
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to thyroid disorders like subacute thyroiditis (SAT). This study aimed to investigate the role of T-cells in SAT following severe COVID disease (COV-A-SAT). T-cells from COV-A-SAT patients were analyzed and compared to controls. The results showed that COV-A-SAT was associated with specific HLA haplotypes and activated T-cell responses. Tissue-resident memory cells were present in the thyroid, suggesting a prolonged immune response in the target tissue.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Silvia Tamburini, Yueru Zhang, Assunta Gagliardi, Gabriele Di Lascio, Elena Caproni, Mattia Benedet, Michele Tomasi, Riccardo Corbellari, Ilaria Zanella, Lorenzo Croia, Guido Grandi, Martin Mueller, Alberto Grandi
Summary: This study demonstrates that L2 epitopes can be efficiently expressed on the surface of E. coli outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), and a polypeptide composed of L2 epitopes from multiple serotypes shows broad cross-protective activity against HPV. This provides a highly effective and inexpensive solution for producing universal anti-HPV vaccines.
Article
Immunology
Alberto Grandi, Michele Tomasi, Irfan Ullah, Cinzia Bertelli, Teresa Vanzo, Silvia Accordini, Assunta Gagliardi, Ilaria Zanella, Mattia Benedet, Riccardo Corbellari, Gabriele Di Lascio, Silvia Tamburini, Elena Caproni, Lorenzo Croia, Micol Rava, Valeria Fumagalli, Pietro Di Lucia, Davide Marotta, Eleonora Sala, Matteo Iannacone, Priti Kumar, Walther Mothes, Pradeep D. Uchil, Peter Cherepanov, Martino Bolognesi, Massimo Pizzato, Guido Grandi
Summary: The study demonstrates that engineered OMVs vaccines can induce effective immune responses, producing neutralizing antibodies and protecting animals from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Furthermore, the vaccine can also elicit immune responses against the Omicron BA.1 and BA.5 variants. OMV-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, with the convenience of engineering, production, and distribution, can be a crucial addition to the currently available vaccines.