Article
Immunology
Renzo Alfini, Brunella Brunelli, Erika Bartolini, Martina Carducci, Enrico Luzzi, Francesca Ferlicca, Scilla Buccato, Barbara Galli, Paola Lo Surdo, Maria Scarselli, Giacomo Romagnoli, Elena Cartocci, Domenico Maione, Silvana Savino, Francesca Necchi, Isabel Delany, Francesca Micoli
Summary: This study demonstrates the flexibility of GMMA as a display and delivery system for enhancing antigen immunogenicity. The presentation of fHbp on GMMA significantly enhances the immune response elicited by the protein, while the orientation of the antigen on the bacterial surface does not have an impact.
Article
Microbiology
Christine S. Rollier, Christina Dold, Leanne Marsay, Aline Linder, Christopher A. Green, Manish Sadarangani, Gunnstein Norheim, Jeremy P. Derrick, Ian M. Feavers, Martin C. J. Maiden, Andrew J. Pollard
Summary: Neisseria meningitidis outer membrane vesicle (OMV) vaccines induce specific immune responses against outer membrane proteins, providing protection against invasive meningococcal disease. However, memory B cell responses are low and mainly detected in individuals with preexisting immunity, which may be linked to the short-lived protective antibody responses induced by OMV vaccines.
Article
Microbiology
Christine S. Rollier, Christina Dold, Leanne Marsay, Aline Linder, Christopher A. Green, Manish Sadarangani, Gunnstein Norheim, Jeremy P. Derrick, Ian M. Feavers, Martin C. J. Maiden, Andrew J. Pollard
Summary: After MenPF1 vaccination, specific antibody responses to PorA and FetA were detected in participants, but memory B cell responses were low or absent, mainly detected in participants with preexisting immunity.
Review
Microbiology
Melanie D. Balhuizen, Edwin J. A. Veldhuizen, Henk P. Haagsman
Summary: OMVs released by Gram-negative bacteria are promising for vaccine development due to their surface antigens identical to bacterial surface. However, difficulties in efficient isolation and potential impact of yield enhancement methods on OMVs properties are challenges. This review will discuss the effects of different induction and isolation methods on OMVs.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Vittorio Gattini, Marco Napoletano, Alessandra Bonotti, Aldo Mignani, Francesca Cosentino, Giovanni Guglielmi, Poupak Fallahi, Alfonso Cristaudo, Rudy Foddis
Summary: In response to a meningococcal epidemic outbreak, there was a significant increase in demand for antimeningococcal vaccination among healthcare workers at the University Hospital of Pisa. A total of 41.1% of the population received the vaccine, with better compliance observed among women, older healthcare workers, those with lower educational qualifications, doctors, and healthcare workers in specific departments.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yadira Pastor, Alba Calvo, Josune Salvador-Erro, Carlos Gamazo
Summary: Shigellosis is a global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study demonstrates that outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) could be a promising vaccine platform for shigellosis, as intradermal immunization with OMVs induces a robust cellular response, generates functional antibodies, and shows cross-protective capacity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Elena Palmieri, Vanessa Arato, Davide Oldrini, Beatrice Ricchetti, Maria Grazia Aruta, Werner Pansegrau, Sara Marchi, Fabiola Giusti, Ilaria Ferlenghi, Omar Rossi, Renzo Alfini, Carlo Giannelli, Gianmarco Gasperini, Francesca Necchi, Francesca Micoli
Summary: Research has shown that high temperature conditions do not affect the stability and immunogenicity of GMMA, but longer periods of low temperature conditions may have an impact. Monitoring critical quality attributes during stability assessment is crucial for vaccine efficacy.
Article
Immunology
Randa H. Ali, Mohamed E. Ali, Reham Samir
Summary: This study developed a novel chemical protocol to produce Neisseria meningitidis ghost vaccine. The vaccine candidate showed both safety and immunogenicity. In animal model, it induced a significantly higher humoral immune response and better serum bactericidal assay values compared to the commercial vaccine. However, clinical studies are needed to further evaluate its effectiveness.
Review
Microbiology
Zhuang Zhu, Fabio Antenucci, Kasper Romer Villumsen, Anders Miki Bojesen
Summary: Gram-negative bacterial vaccines are important tools for preventing bacterial infections and reducing the need for antibiotics. Outer membrane vesicles have great potential as adjuvants, antigens, and delivery platforms in vaccine development. There is a need for the development of novel bacterial vaccines to prevent the advent of a postantibiotic era.
Article
Microbiology
Daniela Erminia Manno, Adelfia Tala, Matteo Calcagnile, Silvia Caterina Resta, Pietro Alifano, Antonio Serra
Summary: An in-depth morphological analysis of the Neisseria meningitidis cell envelope was conducted using AFM and Raman spectroscopy, revealing distinctive features among different strains and providing valuable insights for research and prevention of meningococcal disease.
RESEARCH IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Xi Jiang, Chao Chu, Zhenyu Wang, Jiaojie Gu, Yaming Hong, Qiuchun Li, Xinan Jiao
Summary: The study revealed that outer-membrane vesicles (OMVs) from various S. Enteritidis strains could be potential subunit vaccine candidates against nontyphoidal Salmonella infections in mammals.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Francesca Micoli, Usman N. Nakakana, Francesco Berlanda Scorza
Summary: Shigellosis is a major public health problem, especially in low- and middle-income countries, causing diarrhoeal disease primarily in young children. The increasing cases of Shigella with antimicrobial resistance are concerning. Currently, there are no widely available licensed vaccines against Shigella, but several candidates are being developed. This article presents the development of a potential low-cost four-component Shigella vaccine that uses GMMA technology to deliver the O-antigen to the immune system for broad protection.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Felix Behrens, Teresa C. Funk-Hilsdorf, Wolfgang M. Kuebler, Szandor Simmons
Summary: Respiratory infection-induced pneumonia is the leading cause of death in global infectious diseases, with antibiotics and vaccines helping to reduce the burden. However, lack or refusal of vaccines and antibiotics in some regions, the rise of multidrug-resistant pathogens, and high fatality rates even in patients treated appropriately pose a global threat. Bacteria's secretome contains extracellular vesicles that can trigger inflammatory responses and serve as promising vaccine candidates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Kathryn A. Matthias, Kristie L. Connolly, Afrin A. Begum, Ann E. Jerse, Andrew N. Macintyre, Gregory D. Sempowski, Margaret C. Bash
Summary: Recent studies have found that Neisseria meningitidis vaccines lacking specific proteins can provide protection against Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in mice, and the antibodies produced can cross-react with N. gonorrhoeae. This finding supports the development of a cross-protective vaccine against Neisseria infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mina Mehanny, Claus-Michael Lehr, Gregor Fuhrmann
Summary: EVs and MVs provide innovative avenues for safe and effective antigen delivery, with potential applications in anti-cancer vaccination immunotherapy and prophylactic vaccination against infectious diseases.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Patricia Kaaijk, Willem Luytjes
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2016)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Wanda G. H. Han, Maarten E. Emmelot, Haziz Jaadar, Hinke I. ten Hulscher, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Patricia Kaaijk
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGICAL METHODS
(2016)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Patricia Kaaijk, Willem Luytjes
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2018)
Article
Allergy
Jelle de Wit, Maarten E. Emmelot, Martien C. M. Poelen, Rob S. van Binnendijk, Saskia van der Lee, Debbie van Baarle, Wanda G. H. Han, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Patricia Kaaijk
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Virology
Jelle de Wit, Maarten E. Emmelot, Martien C. M. Poelen, Josien Lanfermeijer, Wanda G. H. Han, Odle A. C. M. van Els, Patricia Kaaijk
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2019)
Article
Immunology
Patricia Kaaijk, Alienke J. Wijmenga-Monsuur, Marlies A. van Houten, Irene K. Veldhuijzen, Hinke ten Hulscher, Jeroen Kerkhof, Fiona R. van der Klis, Rob S. van Binnendijk
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Jelle de Wit, Maarten E. Emmelot, Hugo Meiring, Jacqueline A. M. van Gaans-van den Brink, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Patricia Kaaijk
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Immunology
Patricia Kaaijk, M. Alina Nicolaie, Debbie van Rooijen, Marianne A. van Houten, Fiona R. van der Klis, Anne-Marie Buisman, Rob S. van Binnendijk
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Eric R. A. Vos, Gerco den Hartog, Rutger M. Schepp, Patricia Kaaijk, Jeffrey van Vliet, Kina Helm, Gaby Smits, Alienke Wijmenga-Monsuur, Janneke D. M. Verberk, Michiel van Boven, Rob S. van Binnendijk, Hester E. de Melker, Liesbeth Mollema, Fiona R. M. van der Klis
Summary: During the first epidemic wave, the overall seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in the Netherlands was estimated to be 2.8%, with the highest rates among 18-39 year-olds and the lowest among children aged 2-17. Those taking immunosuppressants and individuals from the Orthodox-Reformed Protestant community had higher odds of being seropositive. Anosmia/ageusia was the most discriminative symptom between seropositive and seronegative individuals.
JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Patricia Kaaijk, Maarten E. Emmelot, Jeroen Kerkhof, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Hugo D. Meiring, Jelle de Wit, Rogier Bodewes
Summary: Recent studies have shown that vaccinated individuals may have reduced T cell immunity to circulating mumps viruses due to antigenic differences between vaccine and wild-type strains.
Article
Immunology
Patricia Kaaijk, Alienke J. Wijmenga-Monsuur, Hinke I. ten Hulscher, Jeroen Kerkhof, Gaby Smits, Mioara Alina Nicolaie, Marianne A. van Houten, Rob S. van Binnendijk
Summary: This follow-up study investigated the antibody levels of mumps, measles, and rubella in young adults who received a third dose of the MMR vaccine. The results showed that the antibody levels remained elevated even 3 years after vaccination, with the strongest increase observed in individuals with low mumps antibody levels before vaccination. The study suggested that a third dose of MMR vaccine could provide additional protection during mumps outbreaks.
Article
Immunology
Josien Lanfermeijer, Marieke M. Nuehn, Maarten E. Emmelot, Martien C. M. Poelen, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Jose A. M. Borghans, Debbie van Baarle, Patricia Kaaijk, Jelle de Wit
Summary: Decrease in MuV-specific humoral response after vaccination may contribute to recent mumps outbreaks, but CD8(+) T cells could play a key role in the immune response against MuV. The frequency of MuV-specific CD8(+) T cells in the blood declines within 9 months post-infection, although the TCR beta analysis reveals a stable MuV-specific T-cell repertoire over time.
Article
Virology
Patricia Kaaijk, Niels Swaans, Alina M. Nicolaie, Jacob P. Bruin, Renee A. J. van Boxtel, Marit M. A. de Lange, Adam Meijer, Elisabeth A. M. Sanders, Marianne A. van Houten, Nynke Y. Rots, Willem Luytjes, Josine van Beek
Summary: This study investigates the presence of influenza and other respiratory viruses in older adults with influenza-like illness (ILI). It found that influenza virus was the most commonly detected virus, followed by rhinovirus, seasonal coronavirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and human metapneumovirus. Coinfections of influenza virus with other viruses were rare. The study also suggests that influenza virus infection may reduce the risk of simultaneous infection with other viruses. However, viral persistence or coinfections did not affect the clinical outcome of ILI.
Article
Virology
Maarten E. Emmelot, Martijn Vos, Mardi C. Boer, Nynke Y. Rots, Jelle de Wit, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Patricia Kaaijk
Summary: The Omicron BA.1 variant can evade neutralizing antibodies but does not significantly impact T-cell reactivity. However, it does result in the loss of cross-reactivity of memory T cells to immunodominant epitopes of the spike protein.
Article
Virology
Maarten E. E. Emmelot, Martijn Vos, Mardi C. C. Boer, Nynke Y. Y. Rots, Cecile A. C. M. van Els, Patricia Kaaijk
Summary: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (B.1.1.529) variants rapidly became dominant in multiple countries due to enhanced transmissibility and evasion of neutralizing antibodies. While T cells induced by ancestral SARS-CoV-2-based vaccines can recognize Omicron variants, this study found a significant decrease in cross-reactivity to spike epitopes with Omicron BA.4/BA.5 mutations. Universal T-helper epitopes with predicted broad population coverage were identified, and testing on vaccinated individuals showed reduced cross-reactivity against 87% of the tested non-conserved CD4(+) T cell epitopes. These findings should be considered for vaccine boosting strategies against Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and future SARS-CoV-2 variants.
