RESUMO
Mollusk hemocyanins, among the largest known proteins, are used as immunostimulants in biomedical and clinical applications. The hemocyanin of the Chilean gastropod Concholepas concholepas (CCH) exhibits unique properties, which makes it safe and effective for human immunotherapy, as observed in animal models of bladder cancer and melanoma, and dendritical cell vaccine trials. Despite its potential, the structure and amino acid sequence of CCH remain unknown. This study reports two sequence fragments of CCH, representing three complete functional units (FUs). We also determined the high-resolution (1.5 Å) X-ray crystal structure of an "FU-g type" from the CCHB subunit. This structure enables in-depth analysis of chemical interactions at the copper-binding center and unveils an unusual, truncated N-glycosylation pattern. These features are linked to eliciting more robust immunological responses in animals, offering insights into CCH's enhanced immunostimulatory properties and opening new avenues for its potential applications in biomedical research and therapies.
Assuntos
Sequência de Aminoácidos , Hemocianinas , Modelos Moleculares , Hemocianinas/química , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Animais , Cristalografia por Raios X , Glicosilação , Sítios de Ligação , Gastrópodes/imunologia , Gastrópodes/química , Cobre/química , Moluscos/imunologia , Ligação ProteicaRESUMO
A peptide from the P0 acidic ribosomal protein (pP0) of ticks conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin from Megathura crenulata has shown to be effective against different tick species when used in host vaccination. Turning this peptide into a commercial anti-tick vaccine will depend on finding the appropriate, technically and economically feasible way to present it to the host immune system. Two conjugates (p64K-Cys1pP0 and p64K-ßAla1pP0) were synthesized using the p64K carrier protein from Neisseria meningitidis produced in Escherichia coli, the same cross-linking reagent, and two analogues of pP0. The SDS-PAGE analysis of p64K-Cys1pP0 showed a heterogeneous conjugate compared to p64K-ßAla1pP0 that was detected as a protein band at 91kDa. The pP0/p64K ratio determined by MALDI-MS for p64K-Cys1pP0 ranged from 1 to 8, being 3-5 the predominant ratio, while in the case of p64K-ßAla1pP0 this ratio was 5-7. Cys1pP0 was partially linked to 35 out of 39 Lys residues and the N-terminal end, while ßAla1pP0 was mostly linked to the six free cysteine residues, to the N-terminal end, and, in a lesser extent, to Lys residues. The assignment of the conjugation sites and side reactions were based on the identification of type 2 peptides. Rabbit immunizations showed the best anti-pP0 titers and the highest efficacy against Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks when the p64K-Cys1pP0 was used as vaccine antigen. The presence of high molecular mass aggregates observed in the SDS-PAGE analysis of p64K-Cys1pP0 could be responsible for a better immune response against pP0 and consequently for its better efficacy as an anti-tick vaccine. Graphical abstract.
Assuntos
Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/imunologia , Cromatografia Líquida/métodos , Neisseria meningitidis/imunologia , Espectrometria de Massas em Tandem/métodos , Carrapatos/imunologia , Vacinas/imunologia , Animais , Eletroforese em Gel de Poliacrilamida , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Coelhos , Espectrometria de Massas por Ionização e Dessorção a Laser Assistida por Matriz/métodosRESUMO
Hemocyanins are used as immunomodulators in clinical applications because they induce a strong Th1-biased cell-mediated immunity, which has beneficial effects. They are multiligand glycosylated molecules with abundant and complex mannose-rich structures. It remains unclear whether these structures influence hemocyanin-induced immunostimulatory processes in human APCs. We have previously shown that hemocyanin glycans from Concholepas concholepas (CCH), Fissurella latimarginata (FLH), and Megathura crenulata (KLH), participate in their immune recognition and immunogenicity in mice, interacting with murine C-type lectin receptors (CLRs). Here, we studied the interactions of these hemocyanins with two major mannose-binding CLRs on monocyte-derived human DCs: MR (mannose receptor) and DC-SIGN (DC-specific ICAM-3-grabbing nonintegrin). Diverse analyses showed that hemocyanins are internalized by a mannose-sensitive mechanism. This process was calcium dependent. Moreover, hemocyanins colocalized with MR and DC-SIGN, and were partly internalized through clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The hemocyanin-mediated proinflammatory cytokine response was impaired when using deglycosylated FLH and KLH compared to CCH. We further showed that hemocyanins bind to human MR and DC-SIGN in a carbohydrate-dependent manner with affinity constants in the physiological concentration range. Overall, we showed that these three clinically valuable hemocyanins interact with human mannose-sensitive CLRs, initiating an immune response and promoting a Th1 cell-driving potential.
Assuntos
Moléculas de Adesão Celular/imunologia , Células Dendríticas/imunologia , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Fatores Imunológicos/imunologia , Lectinas Tipo C/imunologia , Lectinas de Ligação a Manose/imunologia , Receptores de Superfície Celular/imunologia , Animais , Células CHO , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Células Cultivadas , Cricetulus , Humanos , Imunidade Celular/imunologia , Imunização/métodos , Receptor de Manose , Monócitos/imunologia , Células U937RESUMO
After Rhipicephalus microplus, the most important tick species affecting livestock industry in Cuba belong to the Amblyomma genus. There are few reports of effective vaccine antigens for these species. Recently, vaccination and challenge trials using a peptide from the P0 acidic ribosomal protein of R. microplus ticks (pP0) as antigen have shown an efficacy around 90% against tick species from the Rhipicephalus genus. Given the high degree of sequence conservation among tick species, pP0 could be an antigen of versatile use in anti-tick vaccine formulations. In this paper, seven rabbits were immunized with a chemical conjugate of pP0 to keyhole limpet haemocyanin. Rabbits were challenged with an average of 1,900 Amblyomma mixtum larvae from a Cuban tick strain. The average number of recovered fed larvae and the viability of larvae in the moulting process were significantly lower in vaccinated animals compared with the control group. The overall vaccine efficacy of the P0 peptide antigen is 54% according to the calculated parameters.
Assuntos
Amblyomma/imunologia , Antígenos/imunologia , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Peptídeos/imunologia , Proteínas Ribossômicas/imunologia , Infestações por Carrapato/veterinária , Vacinas/imunologia , Animais , Feminino , Imunização/veterinária , Coelhos , Infestações por Carrapato/parasitologiaRESUMO
Hemocyanins are widely used as carriers, adjuvants, and nonspecific immunostimulants in cancer because they promote Th1 immunity in mammals. Hemocyanins also interact with glycan-recognizing innate immune receptors on antigen-presenting cells, such as the C-type lectin immune receptors mannose receptor (MR), macrophage galactose lectin (MGL), and the Toll-like receptors (TLRs), stimulating proinflammatory cytokine secretion. However, the role of N-linked oligosaccharides on the structural and immunological properties of hemocyanin is unclear. Mollusk hemocyanins, such as Concholepas concholepas (CCH), Fissurella latimarginata (FLH), and Megathura crenulata (KLH), are oligomeric glycoproteins with complex dodecameric quaternary structures and heterogeneous glycosylation patterns, primarily consisting of mannose-rich N-glycans. Here, we report that enzyme-catalyzed N-deglycosylation of CCH, FLH, and KLH disrupts their quaternary structure and impairs their immunogenic effects. Biochemical analyses revealed that the deglycosylation does not change hemocyanin secondary structure but alters their refolding mechanism and dodecameric structure. Immunochemical analyses indicated decreased binding of N-deglycosylated hemocyanins to the MR and MGL receptors and TLR4 and reduced endocytosis concomitant with an impaired production of tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukins 6 and 12 (IL-6 and IL-12p40, respectively) in macrophages. Evaluating the function of N-deglycosylated hemocyanins in the humoral immune response and their nonspecific antitumor effects in the B16F10 melanoma model, we found that compared with native hemocyanins N-deglycosylated hemocyanins elicited reduced antibody titers, as well as partially diminished antitumor effects and altered carrier activities. In conclusion, the glycan content of hemocyanins is, among other structural characteristics, critically required for their immunological activities and should be considered in biomedical applications.
Assuntos
Hemocianinas/química , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Imunidade Humoral , Moluscos/química , Adjuvantes Imunológicos , Animais , Linhagem Celular , Citocinas/imunologia , Galactose/química , Glicosilação , Lectinas/química , Lectinas Tipo C/química , Macrófagos/imunologia , Receptor de Manose , Lectinas de Ligação a Manose/química , Melanoma Experimental , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Peptídeo-N4-(N-acetil-beta-glucosaminil) Asparagina Amidase/química , Polissacarídeos/química , Dobramento de Proteína , Estrutura Quaternária de Proteína , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Receptores de Superfície Celular/químicaRESUMO
Los problemas éticos de las investigaciones sobre vacunas han crecido en las últimas décadas en frecuencia y magnitud debido a la posición dominante de la industria farmacéutica en el desarrollo de esos estudios. Las tradicionales cuestiones de seguridad y eficacia se han visto agravadas por el conflicto de intereses introducido por la competencia comercial en un mercado a escala global de miles de millones de dólares. La integridad profesional de los investigadores, la responsabilidad moral de los patrocinadores, y la regulación y control por parte de los Estados nacionales, se muestra cuestionada en varios ejemplos. Los resultados de estos cambios son las amenazas a la protección de los derechos de las personas incluidas en estas investigaciones y el discutible progreso que resulta para la salud pública.
The ethical problems in vaccine research have grown in frequency and magnitude in last decades, due to the dominant place of the pharmaceutical industry in the development of such studies. Traditional issues of security and efficacy have been aggravated by the conflicts of interests introduced by commercial competition in a global market worth billions of dollars. We present here a few examples in which the professional integrity of researchers, the moral responsibility of sponsors, and the public regulation and control by national States are put into question. The consequences of these changes represent serious threats to the rights of people included in these studies as well as disputable progress for public health.
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Benzamidas/administração & dosagem , Inibidores Enzimáticos/administração & dosagem , Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/imunologia , Estresse Psicológico/enzimologia , Estresse Psicológico/imunologia , Análise de Variância , Formação de Anticorpos/efeitos dos fármacos , Corticosterona/sangue , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Habituação Psicofisiológica/fisiologia , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/efeitos dos fármacos , Distribuição Aleatória , Restrição Física/fisiologia , Estresse Psicológico/sangueRESUMO
Los problemas éticos de las investigaciones sobre vacunas han crecido en las últimas décadas en frecuencia y magnitud debido a la posición dominante de la industria farmacéutica en el desarrollo de esos estudios. Las tradicionales cuestiones de seguridad y eficacia se han visto agravadas por el conflicto de intereses introducido por la competencia comercial en un mercado a escala global de miles de millones de dólares. La integridad profesional de los investigadores, la responsabilidad moral de los patrocinadores, y la regulación y control por parte de los Estados nacionales, se muestra cuestionada en varios ejemplos. Los resultados de estos cambios son las amenazas a la protección de los derechos de las personas incluidas en estas investigaciones y el discutible progreso que resulta para la salud pública.(AU)
The ethical problems in vaccine research have grown in frequency and magnitude in last decades, due to the dominant place of the pharmaceutical industry in the development of such studies. Traditional issues of security and efficacy have been aggravated by the conflicts of interests introduced by commercial competition in a global market worth billions of dollars. We present here a few examples in which the professional integrity of researchers, the moral responsibility of sponsors, and the public regulation and control by national States are put into question. The consequences of these changes represent serious threats to the rights of people included in these studies as well as disputable progress for public health.(AU)
Assuntos
Animais , Masculino , Camundongos , Benzamidas/administração & dosagem , Inibidores Enzimáticos/administração & dosagem , Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/imunologia , Estresse Psicológico/enzimologia , Estresse Psicológico/imunologia , Análise de Variância , Formação de Anticorpos/efeitos dos fármacos , Corticosterona/sangue , Relação Dose-Resposta a Droga , Habituação Psicofisiológica/fisiologia , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases/efeitos dos fármacos , Distribuição Aleatória , Restrição Física/fisiologia , Estresse Psicológico/sangueRESUMO
Hemocyanins, which boost the immune system of mammals, have been used as carrier-adjuvants to promote Ab production against haptens and peptides, as immunostimulants during therapy for bladder carcinoma and as a component in therapeutic vaccines for cancer. These biomedical applications have led to growing interest in obtaining hemocyanins with high immunogenicity. Here, we study the immunological properties of a modified oxidized Concholepas concholepas hemocyanin (Ox-CCH) obtained by the oxidation of its carbohydrates using sodium periodate. We assessed the internalization of Ox-CCH into DCs and its immunogenicity and antitumor effects. Transmission electron microscopy showed no changes in Ox-CCH quaternary structure with respect to native CCH, although proteolytic treatment followed by SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that Schiff bases were formed. Interestingly, DCs internalized Ox-CCH faster than CCH, mainly through macropinocytosis. During this process, Ox-CCH remained inside endosome-like structures for a longer period. Mouse immunization experiments demonstrated that Ox-CCH is more immunogenic and a better carrier than CCH. Moreover, Ox-CCH showed a significant antitumor effect in the B16F10 melanoma model similar to that produced by CCH, inducing IFN-γ secretion. Together, these data demonstrate that the aldehydes formed by the periodate oxidation of sugar moieties stabilizes the CCH structure, increasing its adjuvant/immunostimulatory carrier effects.
Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Gastrópodes/metabolismo , Hemocianinas/química , Melanoma Experimental/imunologia , Animais , Western Blotting , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Células Dendríticas/imunologia , Feminino , Gastrópodes/imunologia , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Hemocianinas/farmacologia , Hemocianinas/ultraestrutura , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Melanoma Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Oxirredução , Ácido Periódico/química , Ácido Periódico/farmacologiaRESUMO
Hemocyanins, the giant oxygen transporter glycoproteins of diverse mollusks, are xenogenic to the mammalian immune system and they display a remarkable immuno-genicity. Therefore they are ideal non-specific immunostimulants to treat some types of cancer. They are used as an alternative therapy for superficial urinary bladder cancer (SBC), that has been traditionally treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). In contrast to BCG, hemocyanins do not cause side-effects, making them ideal for long-term repetitive treatments. Hemocyanins have also been exploited as carriers to develop antibodies against hapten molecules and peptides, as carrier-adjuvants for cutting-edge vaccines against cancer, drug addiction, and infectious diseases and in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases, such as Schistosomiasis. The hemocyanin from Megathura crenulata, also known as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), has been used for over thirty years for the purposes described above. More recently, hemoc yanin from the Chilean mollusk Concholepas concholepas (CCH) has proved to be a reliable alternative to KLH, either as carrier protein, and as a likely alternative for the immunotherapy of SBC. Despite KLH and CCH differ significantly in their origin and structure, we have demonstrated that both hemocyanins stimulate the immune system of mammals in a similar way by inducing a potent Thl-polarized cellular and humoral response.
Assuntos
Adjuvantes Imunológicos/uso terapêutico , Hemocianinas/imunologia , Moluscos/imunologia , Vacinas/imunologia , Animais , Vacinas Anticâncer/imunologiaRESUMO
Hemocyanins, the giant oxygen transporter glycoproteins of diverse mollusks, are xenogenic to the mammalian immune system and they display a remarkable immuno-genicity. Therefore they are ideal non-specific immunostimulants to treat some types of cancer. They are used as an alternative therapy for superficial urinary bladder cancer (SBC), that has been traditionally treated with Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). In contrast to BCG, hemocyanins do not cause side-effects, making them ideal for long-term repetitive treatments. Hemocyanins have also been exploited as carriers to develop antibodies against hapten molecules and peptides, as carrier-adjuvants for cutting-edge vaccines against cancer, drug addiction, and infectious diseases and in the diagnosis of parasitic diseases, such as Schistosomiasis. The hemocyanin from Megathura crenulata, also known as keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH), has been used for over thirty years for the purposes described above. More recently, hemoc yanin from the Chilean mollusk Concholepas concholepas (CCH) has proved to be a reliable alternative to KLH, either as carrier protein, and as a likely alternative for the immunotherapy of SBC. Despite KLH and CCH differ significantly in their origin and structure, we have demonstrated that both hemocyanins stimulate the immune system of mammals in a similar way by inducing a potent Thl-polarized cellular and humoral response.