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En el Instituto Finlay de Vacunas se desarrolló el candidato vacunal SOBERANA 01 (FINLAY-FR-01) contra el coronavirus de tipo 2 causante del síndrome respiratorio agudo severo. Este trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar la inmunogenicidad y posibles efectos toxicológicos del candidato vacunal SOBERANA 01 (FINLAY-FR-01 en Cercopithecus aethiops. Se utilizaron cinco primates no humanos (hembras), de 1-3 años de edad y 1-4 kg de peso corporal, distribuidos en dos grupos experimentales: Control (Solución Salina Fisiológica) y Tratado SOBERANA 01 (FINLAY-FR-01). El estudio se extendió por 84 días, en un esquema a dosis repetida de cuatro inmunizaciones los días 0, 28, 56 y 70. Se realizaron observaciones clínicas diarias, peso corporal, signos vitales (temperatura rectal, frecuencia respiratoria, y frecuencia cardíaca), exámenes electrocardiográficos, toma de la temperatura del sitio de inyección, musculometría e irritabilidad dérmica. Fueron realizados exámenes de hematología, bioquímica sanguínea, así como estudios inmunológicos. El ensayo concluyó con una supervivencia del 100por ciento, no se manifestaron signos de toxicidad, no hubo variaciones hematológicas, ni de la bioquímica sanguínea asociadas a la sustancia de ensayo. Además, no se observaron efectos locales en el sitio de administración. Por último, el candidato vacunal resultó inmunogénico, ya que se indujeron títulos altos de IgG anti-RBD, así como de la inhibición de la unión de RBD a ACE2(AU)

At Finlay Vaccine Institute has been developed the vaccine candidate SOBERANA 01 (FINLAY-FR-01) against SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing COVID-19. This work aims to evaluate the immunogenicity and possible toxicological effects of the SOBERANA 01 (FINLAY-FR-01) vaccine candidate in Cercopithecus aethiops. Five non-human primates (females) from 1-3 years old and 1-4 kg of body weight were distributed in two experimental groups: Control (Physiological Saline Solution) and Treated (SOBERANA 01 FINLAY-FR-01). The study extended through 84 days, in a repeated dose schedule of four immunizations on days 0, 28, 56, and 70. Daily clinical observations, body weight, vital signs (rectal temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate), electrocardiographic examinations, temperature of the injection site, musculometry and dermic irritability, were performed. Hematological and blood biochemistry tests, as well as immunological studies were assessed. At the end of the assay 100percent survival was obtained, there were no signs of toxicity neither hematological or blood biochemistry variations associated with the test substance. In addition, no local effects were observed at the administration site. Finally, the vaccine candidate was immunogenic, since high titers of anti-RBD IgG, as well as inhibition of the RBD to ACE2 binding were induced(AU)

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Introducción: La Enfermedad del Injerto Contra el Hospedador es la complicación más frecuente de los Trasplantes de Células Madre Hematopoyéticas y de todos los trasplantes que contengan células inmunocompetentes alogénicas, el 100 por ciento la padecen y cerca del 30 por ciento mueren por su causa; una proporción alta de casos son esteroide-refractarios, asimismo otras medidas inmunosupresoras modernas fracasan. En los campos de la Inmunoterapia y la Vaccinología también existe una escasez preocupante de inmunomoduladores de origen biológico potentes, efectivos, seguros y de amplio espectro. Existe un modelo híbrido murino de gran utilidad metodológica para estudios experimentales. Objetivo: Evaluar dos formulaciones novedosas de origen biotecnológico, una de ellas inmunopotenciadora y otra inmunosupresora, desarrolladas como cocleatos. Material y Métodos: Mediante Microscopia Electrónica y RT-PCR se caracterizaron las formulaciones como nanopartículas y su capacidad de regular la expresión del ARNm de linfoquinas definitorias de sus perfiles, respectivamente. Empleando el modelo de Enfermedad del Injerto Contra el Hospedador en ratón híbrido F1 (CBAxC57BL), se evaluó su carácter inmunomodulador in vivo . Resultados: Partiendo de los proteoliposomas de Neisseria meningitidis, se obtuvieron dos formulaciones en forma de cocleatos, ambas con diámetros de partícula inferior a 100nm. La Formulación 1mostró un perfil proinflamatorio con potente capacidad de aumentar el IFNγ y el TNFα y potenció el Índice de Bazo hasta 2,05 en el modelo EICH con p=0,0002. La Formulación 2 mostró un perfil supresor-regulatorio con potente capacidad de aumentar la IL-10 y el TGFβ y además de suprimir la producción de TNFα. En el modelo usado, esta formulación, suprimió el Índice de Bazo de manera dosis dependiente y con alta significación estadística. Se corroboró el conocido perfil de seguridad y ausencia de reactogenicidad de ambas formulaciones. Conclusiones: Ambas formulaciones tienen potencial aplicación en los campos de la terapia de Enfermedad del Injerto Contra el Hospedador en otras patologías y en Vaccinología. Los resultados obtenidos en el presente trabajo fundamentan la conveniencia de continuar el desarrollo farmacéutico y completar la preclínica de ambas formulaciones(AU)

Introduction: Graft-versus-host disease is the most frequent complication of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplants and all transplants containing allogeneic immunocompetent cells; 100 percent of patients suffer from this complication and about 30 percent die for this particular cause. A high proportion of cases are steroid-refractory; likewise, other modern immunosuppressive measures fail. In the fields of Immunotherapy and Vaccinology, there is also a worrying shortage of powerful, effective, safe and broad spectrum immunomodulators of biological origin. There is a hybrid murine model of great methodological utility for experimental studies. Objective: To evaluate two novel formulations of biotechnological origin: an immunopotentiator formulation and an immunosuppressive one, which were developed as cochleates. Material and Methods: The formulations assayed by Electron Microscopy and RT-PCR were characterized as nanoparticles and for their capacity to regulate lymphokine mRNA expression profile, respectively. The immunomodulatory character was evaluated in vivo using Graft-versus-host disease in (CBAxC57BL) F1 hybrid mice. Results: Starting from the proteoliposomes derived from Neisseria meningitides, two cochleate formulations were obtained, both with particle diameters below 100 nm. Formulation 1 showed a proinflammatory profile with potent capacity to increase IFNγ and TNFα, and potentiated the Spleen Index up to 2.05 in the GVDH model with p = 0.0002. Formulation 2 showed a suppressor/regulatory profile with potent capacity to increase IL-10 and TGFβ and suppress the production of TNFα. In the model used, this formulation suppressed the Spleen Index in a dose-dependent manner with high statistical significance. The known safety profile and absence of reactogenicity of both formulations was corroborated. Conclusions: Both formulations have potential application in the fields of GVHD therapy and other pathologies as well as in Vaccinology. The results obtained in the present work suggest the usefulness to continue with the pharmaceutical development and complete the preclinical studies of both formulations(AU)

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Combined vaccines for childhood are a strategy in the prevention of several diseases. These can maximize protection and decrease immunization schedules in children. New candidates are getting closer to being able to meet these needs, but they raise numerous strategic questions related to formulation and regulatory aspects. In addition to being immunogenic and protective must have low reactogenicity when combined with other antigens. Adjuvants are important components in achieving these combinations. Therefore, a reactogenicity study was designed for two Bordetella pertussis formulations containing hydroxide or aluminum phosphate in Sprague Dawley rats. Both formulations dose were administered in 0.2 mL intramuscularly. Clinical evaluations, body weight, water consumption, food, temperature, muscle volume, dermal irritability and pathological studies with special interest at the inoculation site were carried out. Only differences in body temperature and muscle volume were found with a slight increase in values with return to normal. The macroscopic study showed lesions at the site of inoculation, consid­ered characteristics of aluminum adjuvants, such as granulomatous abscesses and the increase in regional lymph nodes near the inoculation site. As conclusion, there are no differences between the formulations of B. pertussis with hydroxide or aluminum phosphate resulted in low reactogenicity.

Las vacunas combinadas resultan una estrategia importante en la obtención de vacunas múltiples para la infancia y el uso de adyuvantes es un componente de gran valor en lograr estas combinaciones, además de ser inmunogénicas y protectoras deben tener baja reactogenicidad, cuando se combinan con diferentes antígenos. Por esta razón, se diseñó un estudio de reactogenicidad a dos formulaciones que contenían hidróxido y fosfato de aluminio con antígenos de Bordetella pertussis en ratas Sprague Dawley. Se administró a cada grupo de ensayo una dosis correspondiente de ambas formulaciones en 0,2 mL por vía intramuscular. Se realizaron observaciones clínicas, comportamiento del peso corporal, consumo de agua, alimentos, temperatura corporal, volumen muscular, irritabilidad dérmica y estudios anatomopatológicos macroscópicos, con especial interés en el sitio de inoculación. No se observaron síntomas, ni muertes en los animales durante el estudio. Tampoco se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos experimentales en cuanto al peso corporal, el consumo de agua y de alimentos; los estudios de temperatura corporal y volumetría muscular evidenciaron un ligero incremento en los valores, los cuales involucionaron rápidamente a la normalidad. En el estudio anatomopatológico macroscópico se observaron lesiones a nivel del punto de inoculación, consideradas propias de los adyuvantes que contienen aluminio, tales como formaciones abscedadas de tipo granulomatosas y el aumento de los ganglios linfáticos regionales cercanos al punto de inoculación. Se concluye que las formulaciones en hidróxido y fosfato de aluminio con antígenos de B.pertussis resultaron ser de baja reactogenicidad.

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La meningitis meningocóccica continua siendo un problema de salud en diferentes países y para la prevención de esta enfermedad se han obtenido diferentes vacunas. La vacuna VA-MENGOC-BC® ha constituido ser eficaz y segura en la prevención de la meningitis meningocóccica contra los serogrupos B y C. Esta ha demostrado buena estabilidad en el tiempo sin cambiar su calidad como producto; fue conservada a estante durante 24 y 36 meses a temperaturas de 4 a 8 °C. Se evaluó su posible potencial toxicológico a través de un estudio de tolerancia local en ratas Sprague Dawley para extender su vida útil. Los animales inmunizados se observaron diariamente para evaluar síntomas locales y sistémicos de toxicidad. Se realizaron evaluaciones del peso corporal, consumo de agua y alimento, termometría, musculometría e irritabilidad dérmica por el método de Draize. Se realizaron estudios anatomopatológicos periódicos para observar posibles efectos adversos. No se observaron síntomas de toxicidad ni muertes. No se encontraron diferencias entre los grupos experimentales en cuanto al peso corporal, el consumo de agua y de alimentos, no se evidenció fiebre, ni irritabilidad local. Anatomopatológicamente a nivel del punto de inoculación se observaron procesos granulomatosos de tipo macrofágicos característicos en las vacunas que contienen hidróxido de aluminio. Estos resultados permitieron concluir que la vacuna VA-MENGOC-BC® que permaneció en estante durante 24 y 36 meses no evidenció efectos adversos locales, ni sistémicos en las ratas(AU)

Meningococcal meningitis continues to be a health problem in different countries and different vaccines have been obtained for the prevention of this disease. VA-MENGOC-BC® vaccine has been effective and safe in the prevention of meningococcal meningitis against serogroups B and C. This has shown good stability over time without changing its quality as a product; it was stored on a shelf for 24 and 36 months at temperatures of 4 to 8 °C. Their possible toxicological potential was evaluated through a local tolerance study in Sprague Dawley rats. Immunized animals were observed daily to evaluate local and systemic toxicity symptoms. Body weight, water and feed intake, thermometry, musculometry were performed and dermal irritability by the Draize method. Anatomopathological studies to observe possible adverse effects were made. No symptoms of toxicity or deaths were observed. No differences were found between the experimental groups in terms of body weight, water and food consumption, no fever or local irritability was evident. Anatomopathologically no lesions of diagnostic value were observed, at the site of inoculation, granulomatous processes of macrophagic type characteristic in vaccines containing aluminum hydroxide were observed. These results allowed us to conclude that the VA-MENGOC-BC® vaccine that remained on the shelf for 24 and 36 months did not show any local or systemic effects in rats(AU)

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Streptococcus pneumoniae can cause life-threatening infections mostly in infants, children, and elderly people. Capsular polysaccharide conjugate vaccines provide serotype-dependent protection against S. pneumoniae infections but fail to protect against new emerging serotypes. To overcome these limitations, pneumolysin (Ply), a serotype-independent and conserved protein was selected. As such subunit vaccines lack immunogenicity, we engineered Ply to be attached to self-assembled polyester beads in order to boost immunogenicity. To display Ply at the surface of these polyester beads, it was translationally fused to the N-terminus of the polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthase (PhaC), which mediates PHB bead assembly inside recombinant Escherichia coli. We also chemically conjugated the capsular polysaccharide (CPS) 19F to isolated PHB beads to further assess their antigen carrier properties. CPS conjugated to soluble tetanus toxoid served as control. Balb/c mice immunized with Ply-PhaC beads and 19F-PhaC beads induced specific and higher IgG levels than the respective soluble counterparts. The induced IgG antibodies recognized Ply in whole cell lysates of six different serotypes of S. pneumoniae. Additionally, restimulated splenocytes from animals immunized with Ply-PhaC beads produced a balanced INF-γ/IL-17A profile unlike animals immunized with soluble Ply. The 19F-PhaC beads induced production of antibodies showing high opsonophagocytic titers against the homologous strain, serotype 19F, while CPS 19F only mixed with PhaC beads did not elicit any detectable immune response. This study provided insight into the design of PHB beads as a carrier of proteinaceous antigens and CPS in order to induce immune responses for the prevention of pneumococcal infections.

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Streptococcus pneumoniae is a human pathogen responsible for the majority of childhood pneumonia and media otitis cases worldwide. The diversity of its capsular polysaccharides (CPS) results in more than 91 serotypes of which at least 23 are virulent. Various CPS conjugated to immunogenic carrier proteins are currently licensed and provide protection against the infection caused by the respective serotypes but not against new and emerging virulent serotypes. In this study, we considered the conserved protein antigen PsaA, the pneumococcal surface adhesin A, in order to overcome the limitations of CPS antigens. The PsaA was translationally fused to a polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthase which mediated production of PsaA displayed on PHB inclusions in recombinant Escherichia coli. This suggested that the PsaA fusion to the PHB synthase did not interfere with PHB synthase activity and its ability to mediate formation of nano-sized inclusions composed of a PHB core surrounded by the PHB synthase fused to PsaA. Isolated PHB beads showed a negative surface charge. Transmission electron microscopy analysis suggested that the PsaA fusion to the PHB synthase reduced the size of PHB beads from about 500 nm to 100 nm. The integrity and antigenicity of the fusion protein attached to isolated PHB beads was confirmed by SDS-PAGE, tryptic peptide fingerprinting analysis using MALDI-TOF-MS/MS and immunoblotting using a monoclonal anti-PsaA antibody. Mice immunized with PsaA displaying PHB beads produced high and specific IgG levels dominated by IgG1 isotype. While IgG1 titer were similar between soluble and insoluble PsaA, the IgG2 titers were strongly increased upon vaccination with insoluble PsaA i.e. PsaA displayed on PHB beads. Particulate PsaA-PHB beads elicited IgG antibodies recognizing PsaA in whole cell lysates of seven different serotypes of S. pneumoniae. This study suggested that PHB beads are suitable carriers for PsaA in order to induce a significant and specific Th-2-type immune response.

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BACKGROUND: The AFCo1 cochleate is a potential novel adjuvant derived from Neisseria meningitidis B proteoliposome. AIM: The aim was to assessing the safety of AFCo1 by single and repeated doses in Sprague Dawley rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rats were grouped for treatment with AFCo1, placebo formulation or control. The first study was a single intranasal dose of 100 µl and monitoring body weight, water, and food intakes as well as clinical symptoms. Fourteen days later the rats were killed and anatomopathological studies were conducted. In a second study, four similar doses of the test substance were instilled every 5 days. Clinical observations were carried out as for the single dose study and a number of rats from each group were killed 3 and 14 days after the last dose in order to conduct hematological, hemochemical, and anatomopathological studies. RESULTS: No variable showed differences of toxicological relevance; the histological changes found were mild and similarly frequently in the three groups. According to the irritability index calculated form histology of the nasal region, AFCo1 was also classified as nonirritating. CONCLUSION: AFCo1 is potentially safe for human use by nasal route as evidenced by the absence of local and systemic signs of toxicity in Sprague Dawley rats.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: A live attenuated vaccine candidate against human cholera has been developed from the genetically modified Vibrio cholerae O1, biotype El Tor, serotype Ogawa, 638 strain. Previous single dose toxicity and local tolerance studies have demonstrated that the product is innocuous in Sprague Dawley rats by oral route and single dose. The present paper describes a repeated dose toxicity study using a further dose compared to the proposed clinical schedule. METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats (140-180g) were treated with two doses of the vaccine candidate with a dedicated placebo formulation or were not treated at all (controls). The test products were inoculated at a 21-day interval. Animals were observed daily, body weight was determined weekly and food and water intakes were measured every other day. Three and 14 days after the last inoculation, groups of rats were humanely sacrificed, bled and macroscopically examined. Blood samples were taken for hematology, serum biochemistry and to determine the vibriocide antibody titers. A comprehensive list of tissue and organ samples was taken for microscopic studies. RESULTS: There was no mortality and no animal showed any clinical symptoms. Food and water intake, body weight, and hematological and biochemical variables did not show differences of toxicological and/or statistical relevance among the experimental groups. Macroscopic examination did not demonstrate any alterations and there were no histological findings of toxicological significance. CONCLUSIONS: The vaccine was considered potentially safe for human use as indicated by the results in Sprague Dawley rats.

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Se realizó la prueba toxicológica de dosis única para la vacuna antileptospirósica vax-SPIRAL en ratones. No se encontraron síntomas clínicos de toxicidad y las diferencias entre las variables evaluadas no fueron importantes desde el punto de vista biológico

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