Article
Immunology
Glaivy Batsuli, Jasmine Ito, Elizabeth S. York, Courtney Cox, Wallace Baldwin, Surinder Gill, Pete Lollar, Shannon L. Meeks
Summary: This study analyzed the internalization of FVIII complexed with epitope-mapped FVIII-specific IgG monoclonal antibodies by murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) in vitro, as well as the antibody development in hemophilia A (FVIII-/-) mice injected with FVIII-IC over time. The results showed that certain FVIII-IC subsets modulate the humoral response to FVIII in an epitope-dependent manner.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yun Yang, Shuang Ge, Zhen Song, Anni Zhao, Liqun Zhao, Zhiming Hu, Dingyi Cai, Zelong Zhang, Liusheng Peng, Dongshui Lu, Ping Luo, Weijun Zhang, Hongwu Sun, Quanming Zou, Hao Zeng
Summary: Epitope peptides are not ideal for nasal administration immunity due to low immunogenicity and poor delivery efficiency. An intranasal self-assembled nanovaccine (I-OVA NE) loaded with IKVAV-OVA257-264 peptides showed enhanced antigen uptake and prolonged nasal residence time in vivo, leading to the induction of peptide-specific CD8+T cells and protective immunity in tumor-bearing mice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Toshihide Tomosugi, Kenta Iwasaki, Shintaro Sakamoto, Matthias Niemann, Eric Spierings, Isao Nahara, Kenta Futamura, Manabu Okada, Takahisa Hiramitsu, Asami Takeda, Norihiko Goto, Shunji Narumi, Yoshihiko Watarai, Takaaki Kobayashi
Summary: Evaluation of shared T cell epitopes can help predict the risk of early de novo DSA formation after kidney transplantation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sofia Ines Giorgetti, Marina Etcheverrigaray, Frances Terry, William Martin, Anne Searls De Groot, Natalia Ceaglio, Marcos Oggero, Eduardo Federico Mufarrege
Summary: Human interferon alpha (hIFN-alpha) is the current FDA approved therapy for chronic Hepatitis B and C virus infections, with recent efficacy demonstrated in COVID-19 patients. Development of a hyperglycosylated IFN called GMOP-IFN has been utilized to optimize the cytokine's pharmacokinetic profile. De-immunization of Functional Therapeutics (DeFT) approach has successfully produced GMOP-IFN variants with reduced immunogenicity and preserved antiviral function, making them promising candidates for antiviral therapy.
CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shinta Tominaga, Toshiyasu Ojima, Motoki Miyazawa, Hiromitsu Iwamoto, Junya Kitadani, Shimpei Maruoka, Keiji Hayata, Hiroki Yamaue
Summary: We obtained dendritic cells (DCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and the DCs transduced with the full-length tumor-associated antigen (TAA) gene induced TAA-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) for antitumor responses. We enhanced the antigen-presenting ability of iPSC-derived DCs (iPSDCs) by targeting mesothelin (MSLN) and the ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Li Li Xu, Maria Gasset, Hong Lin, Chuang Yu, Jin Long Zhao, Xue Wen Dang, Zhen Xing Li
Summary: Efficient peptide-based immunotherapy for shrimp allergy relies on identifying the dominant T-cell epitopes of tropomyosin. This study identified and characterized T-cell epitopes in Lit v 1 using immunoinformatic tools, T-cell proliferation, cytokine release, IgG/IgE binding, and degranulation assays. Results showed that one predicted T-cell epitope (T2: VQESLLKANIQLVEK, 60-74) promoted T-cell proliferation, IL-2 release, and upregulated Th2-associated cytokine secretion without IgG/IgE binding and degranulation activities, making it a candidate for vaccine development.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
William D. Chronister, Austin Crinklaw, Swapnil Mahajan, Randi Vita, Zeynep Kosaloglu-Yalcin, Zhen Yan, Jason A. Greenbaum, Leon E. Jessen, Morten Nielsen, Scott Christley, Lindsay G. Cowell, Alessandro Sette, Bjoern Peters
Summary: The study introduces a new tool called TCR Match, which aims to identify epitope specificity of T cell receptors by comparing sequence similarities, providing new insights for the development of strategies for monitoring and treating infectious, allergic, autoimmune diseases, and cancer.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Anna-Lisa Schaap-Johansen, Milena Vujovic, Annie Borch, Sine Reker Hadrup, Paolo Marcatili
Summary: This review focuses on computational tools for epitope prediction, particularly those aimed at identifying neoepitopes for use in immunotherapy for cancer treatment. It covers how these tools work, the type of data they utilize, as well as the pros and cons of their applications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Alex Olvera, Samandhy Cedeno, Anuska Llano, Beatriz Mothe, Jorge Sanchez, Gemma Arsequell, Christian Brander
Summary: Post-translational protein modifications, particularly glycosylation, may impact T cell epitope recognition presented by HLA molecules, but this aspect has been overlooked in HIV research. Studies demonstrated that glycosylation can affect T cell recognition of viral peptides in individuals with chronic HIV infection, indicating the potential importance of glyco-epitope specific T cell immunity in understanding host immune responses against viral infections. New methodologies are needed to accurately assess the role of glycosylation in altering T cell immunity to viral infections.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Hematology
Kuniyoshi Mizumachi, Yuto Nakajima, Naruto Shimonishi, Shoko Furukawa, Kenichi Ogiwara, Masahiro Takeyama, Keiji Nogami
Summary: Hybrid FVIII proteins containing porcine FVIII A2 and/or C2 domain(s) can avoid neutralization and may support effective therapy in patients with congenital haemophilia A and inhibitor antibodies.
Review
Hematology
Kenneth C. Childers, Shaun C. Peters, Paul Clint Spiegel
Summary: Advances in structural studies of blood coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) have provided important insights into the biochemical properties of FVIII, particularly the mutations associated with hemophilia A. By analyzing the atomic details of FVIII structures, researchers can design recombinant FVIII with improved circulatory half-life. Recent structural studies of FVIII bound to inhibitory antibodies have also enhanced our understanding of FVIII binding to activated platelet membranes and the formation of the intrinsic tenase complex.
JOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Luo Li, Qian Chen, Xiaojian Han, Meiying Shen, Chao Hu, Siyin Chen, Jing Zhang, Yingming Wang, Tingting Li, Jingjing Huang, Shenglong Li, Yanan Hao, Aishun Jin
Summary: This study identified the presence of SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells in the blood of COVID-19 convalescents, with stronger response in the non-RBD region. CD4(+) T cells specific to SARS-CoV-2 S exhibited higher frequency than CD8(+) T cells in recovered patients, indicating potential implications for vaccine development and new therapies against COVID-19.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Haiwen Chen, Xiao Zhang, Shanshan Zhang, Xiaobing Duan, Tong Xiang, Xiang Zhou, Wanlin Zhang, Xinyu Zhang, Qisheng Feng, Yinfeng Kang, Jiangping Li, Lan Deng, Liang Wang, Xing Lv, Musheng Zeng, Yi-Xin Zeng, Miao Xu
Summary: The study identified novel gB T cell epitopes and revealed that inherent gB-specific CD8(+) T cell responses in EBV carriers are associated with EBV reactivation. Additionally, most gB epitopes were found to be conserved among different EBV strains.
JOURNAL OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Mary L. Disis, Yushe Dang, Andrew L. Coveler, Jennifer S. Childs, Doreen M. Higgins, Ying Liu, Jing Zhou, Sean Mackay, Lupe G. Salazar
Summary: This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of ex vivo-expanded HER2-specific T cells and found that it is a safe and effective approach to improve overall survival in patients.
CLINICAL CANCER RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yimin Wen, Rui Chen, Junpeng Yang, Enbo Yu, Weizhe Liu, Yijie Liao, Yiping Wen, Rui Wu, Qin Zhao, Senyan Du, Qigui Yan, Xinfeng Han, Sanjie Cao, Xiaobo Huang
Summary: This study predicted T-cell epitopes of porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) structural proteins using computational methods. Five peptides were identified as potential T-cell epitope candidates, with high levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) responses. A multi-epitope peptide combining these five epitopes (5T) was synthesized and evaluated for its immune response and protection efficacy in a piglet model. The results provide valuable information for the design of epitope-based vaccines.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Kenneth D. Tucker, Brian C. Schanen, Timothy W. Phares, Emily Sassano, Frances E. Terry, Pooja Hindocha, Leonard Moise, Vinayaka Kotraiah, William D. Martin, Anne S. De Groot, Donald R. Drake, Gabriel M. Gutierrez, Amy R. Noe
Summary: Immunization with radiation-attenuated sporozoites is effective in protecting against malaria infection primarily through CD8 T cell responses, but limited by parasite strain. To develop liver stage malaria vaccines targeting CD8 T cells, conserved epitopes covering a broad range of HLA supertypes are essential. By combining in silico analysis to select conserved proteins and in vitro evaluation of synthesized peptides, novel CD8 T cell epitopes capable of stimulating immune responses across major HLA alleles have been identified for potential inclusion in future vaccines.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Marieme Dembele, Shao Tao, Amir H. Massoud, S. M. Shahjahan Miah, Sandra Lelias, Anne S. De Groot, Bruce D. Mazer
Summary: IgG Tregitopes have been shown to attenuate symptoms of allergic airway disease by inducing highly suppressive antigen-specific Tregs and establishing antigen-specific tolerance. Tregitope therapy can reduce allergen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation, potentially offering a synthetic alternative to IVIg in conditions like asthma.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Lauren M. Meyers, Andres H. Gutierrez, Christine M. Boyle, Frances Terry, Bethany G. McGonnigal, Andres Salazar, Michael F. Princiotta, Wiliam D. Martin, Anne S. De Groot, Leonard Moise
Summary: This study identified peptide epitopes associated with SARS-CoV-2 T-cell immunity and demonstrated epitope-specific T-cell responses through direct restimulation and T-cell expansion. Immunization of HLA-DR3 transgenic mice generated a potent Th1-skewed, epitope-specific memory response, offering a potential approach for developing T-cell-targeted vaccines.
Article
Immunology
Swan Tan, Andres Hazaet Gutierrez, Phillip Charles Gauger, Tanja Opriessnig, Justin Bahl, Leonard Moise, Anne Searls De Groot
Summary: The study suggests that conserved T cell epitopes can have a disease-mitigating effect on influenza, with differences in conservation levels between circulating and vaccine strains potentially explaining variations in vaccine efficacy. Conserved T cell epitope vaccines may serve as a useful adjunct to commercial flu vaccines, particularly when antibodies are not cross-reactive, in order to improve protection against influenza.
Review
Immunology
Guilhem Richard, Michael F. Princiotta, Dominique Bridon, William D. Martin, Gary D. Steinberg, Anne S. De Groot
Summary: The field of cancer therapy has been transformed in less than a decade with the introduction of checkpoint inhibitors, next generation sequencing, and the discovery of neoantigens. Immune responses to neoantigens through vaccination have become a focus in precision immunotherapy. Validation of personalized vaccine design pipelines is crucial for revolutionizing neoantigen-based vaccine design and delivery.
EXPERT REVIEW OF VACCINES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ann E. Sluder, Susan Raju Paul, Leonard Moise, Christina Dold, Guilhem Richard, Laura Silva-Reyes, Laurie A. Baeten, Anja Scholzen, Patrick M. Reeves, Andrew J. Pollard, Anja Garritsen, Richard A. Bowen, Anne S. De Groot, Christine Rollier, Mark C. Poznansky
Summary: This study aimed to develop a T cell-targeted vaccine to induce specific cell-mediated immunity for protection against Q fever. By selecting suitable epitopes and expressing them in viral vectors, the vaccine candidates showed antigen-specific T cell responses in animal models, establishing a foundation for future vaccine efficacy studies.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Leonard Moise, Lauren M. Meyers, Hyesun Jang, Mayara Grizotte-Lake, Christine M. Boyle, Bethany McGonnigal, Pan Ge, Ted M. Ross, Anne S. De Groot
Summary: Strategies to enhance immunogenicity of influenza vaccines are crucial for pandemic preparedness. A study showed that incorporating a memory CD4(+) T cell epitope from H3N2 into H7N9 HA can improve immune response and antibody production.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Swan Tan, Lenny Moise, Douglas S. Pearce, Constantinos S. Kyriakis, Andres H. Gutierrez, Ted M. Ross, Justin Bahl, Anne S. De Groot
Summary: This study used the EpiCC tool to assess the impact of the emergent H1N1 G4 swine influenza A virus (G4) on swine and human populations. The results showed that the T cell epitope cross-conservation between US commercial swine vaccines and G4 was poor, while a recent European swine influenza vaccine (HL03) provided good protection against G4.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Katherine Barry, Johanna A. Suskin, Julia Testa, Morgan Leonard, Anne S. De Groot
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportional impact on uninsured and minority populations, exacerbating long-standing health inequities. Free clinics, such as Clinica Esperanza/Hope Clinic (CEHC), play an important role in improving access to COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for at-risk individuals during the pandemic.
HUMAN VACCINES & IMMUNOTHERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Jiani Chen, Swan Tan, Vasanthi Avadhanula, Leonard Moise, Pedro A. Piedra, Anne S. De Groot, Justin Bahl
Summary: This study computationally predicted T cell epitopes in the F and G proteins of RSV wild circulating strains and found that RSV strains can be clustered into three RSV-A groups and two RSV-B groups on the T epitope landscape, suggesting potentially distinct T cell immunity. The study also observed higher conservation of F protein T cell epitopes among recent epidemic strains and decreased content of G protein T cell epitopes. These findings are valuable for vaccine design and assessment.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tiffani Crippin, Karamoko Tounkara, Eliza Squibb, Sarah Beseme, Katherine Barry, Kotou Sangare, Saidou Coulibaly, Pinda Fane, Aliou Bagayoko, Ousmane A. Koita, Ibrahima Teguete, Anne S. De Groot
Summary: Cervical cancer, mainly caused by HPV, is a major health issue in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in West Africa. This study highlights the importance of community-centered education campaigns and the use of story-telling cloth to increase awareness and uptake of cervical cancer screening in the region, where knowledge about HPV and CC is limited.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Anne S. De Groot, Sundos Khan, Aimee E. Mattei, Sandra Lelias, William D. Martin
Summary: Biologics developers are exploring non-antibody modalities for therapeutic interventions, using modified "natural" protein scaffolds to deliver bioactive sequences. These new non-antibody scaffolds have advantages such as smaller size, improved stability, and easier synthesis compared to monoclonal antibodies, and are believed to have low immunogenic potential. However, evaluating their immunogenicity risk potential, especially related to T cell epitopes, is still necessary. Assessing the immunogenicity of scaffold proteins is important for drug developers and clinicians.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)