Protection From Influenza by Intramuscular Gene Vector Delivery of a Broadly Neutralizing Nanobody Does Not Depend on Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity

Cross-subtype neutralizing single domain antibodies against influenza present new opportunities for immunoprophylaxis and pandemic preparedness. Their simple modular structure and single open reading frame format are highly amenable to gene therapy-mediated delivery. We have previously described R1a-B6, an alpaca-derived single domain antibody (nanobody), that is capable of potent cross-subtype neutralization in vitro of H1N1, H5N1, H2N2, and H9N2 influenza viruses, through binding to a highly conserved epitope in the influenza hemagglutinin stem region. To evaluate the potential of R1a-B6 for immunoprophylaxis, we have reformatted it as an Fc fusion for adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector delivery. Our findings demonstrate that a single intramuscular injection in mice of AAV encoding R1a-B6 fused to Fc fragments of different isotypes equipped either, with or without antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) activity, was able to drive sustained high-level expression (0.5–1.1 mg/mL) in sera with no evidence of reduction for up to 6 months. R1a-B6-Fc fusions of both isotypes gave complete protection against lethal challenge with both pandemic A/California/07/2009 (H1N1)pdm09 and avian influenza A/Vietnam/1194/2004 (H5N1). This data suggests that R1a-B6 is capable of cross-subtype protection and ADCC was not essential for R1a-B6 efficacy. Our findings demonstrate AAV delivery of cross-subtype neutralizing nanobodies may be an effective strategy to prevent influenza infection and provide long-term protection independent of a host induced immune response

Hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) in proteomics

In proteomics, nanoflow multidimensional chromatography is now the gold standard for the separation of complex mixtures of peptides as generated by in-solution digestion of whole-cell lysates. Ideally, the different stationary phases used in multidimensional chromatography should provide orthogonal separation characteristics. For this reason, the combination of strong cation exchange chromatography (SCX) and reversed-phase (RP) chromatography is the most widely used combination for the separation of peptides. Here, we review the potential of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) as a separation tool in the multidimensional separation of peptides in proteomics applications. Recent work has revealed that HILIC may provide an excellent alternative to SCX, possessing several advantages in the area of separation power and targeted analysis of protein post-translational modifications

The population dynamics of plasmid-mediated antibiotic resistance in salmonella typhimurium in chickens

A model of growth and plasmid transfer between strains of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium was developed with reference to the literature. This was the organising principle for the collection of a complete set of in vitro life history parameters of one S. typhimurium and one E. coli strain. In the course of estimating these parameters two results of note were obtained. Fits of the Lotka-Volterra competition model were obtained for data on S. typhimuiurm growing in competition with E. coli. The first noteworthy discovery was the failure of this model to account for several characteristics of growth of these strains under competition. The growth rates of plasmid-bearing and plasmid-free strains were obtained. The second main result came from examination of the results of the growth rate data, which revealed that the cost to S. typhimuiurm 576 of bearing the resistance plasmid was low (4%). The model was also used to simulate the effect of antibiotic dose on the density of the donor, recipient and transconjugant populations over time. These simulations predicted that there would be a convex relationship between antibiotic dose and transconjugant density (i.e. that the density would first rise, then fall, with increasing dose). Following from this result, laboratory experiments and in vivo experiments in chickens were directed towards obtaining information on the relationship between these two variables. This convex relationship was not demonstrated within a single experiment, although some experimental environments produced an increase in transconjugant density with dose, and others, a decrease. Few transconjugants were formed in vivo. In order to investigate the low cost of resistance and low rate of in vivo transconjugant production, cost of resistance and plasmid transfer rate of this plasmid in several strain combinations of E. coli and S. typhimuiurm was evaluated.</p

Human candidate polymorphisms in sympatric ethnic groups differing in malaria susceptibility in Mali.

Malaria still remains a major public health problem in Mali, although disease susceptibility varies between ethnic groups, particularly between the Fulani and Dogon. These two sympatric groups share similar socio-cultural factors and malaria transmission rates, but Fulani individuals tend to show significantly higher spleen enlargement scores, lower parasite prevalence, and seem less affected by the disease than their Dogon neighbours. We have used genetic polymorphisms from malaria-associated genes to investigate associations with various malaria metrics between the Fulanai and Dogon groups. Two cross sectional surveys (transmission season 2006, dry season 2007) were performed. Healthy volunteers from the both ethnic groups (n=939) were recruited in a rural setting. In each survey, clinical (spleen enlargement, axillary temperature, weight) and parasitological data (malaria parasite densities and species) were collected, as well as blood samples. One hundred and sixty six SNPs were genotyped and 5 immunoassays (AMA1, CSP, MSP1, MSP2, total IgE) were performed on the DNA and serum samples respectively. The data confirm the reduced malaria susceptibility in the Fulani, with a higher level of the protective O-blood group, and increased circulating antibody levels to several malaria antigens (p<10(-15)). We identified SNP allele frequency differences between the 2 ethnic groups in CD36, IL4, RTN3 and ADCY9. Moreover, polymorphisms in FCER1A, RAD50, TNF, SLC22A4, and IL13 genes were correlated with antibody production (p-value<0.003). Further work is required to understand the mechanisms underpinning these genetic factors

Nanobodies mapped to cross-reactive and divergent epitopes on A(H7N9) influenza hemagglutinin using yeast display.

Influenza H7N9 virus continues to cause infections in humans and represents a significant pandemic risk. During the most recent 5th epidemic wave in 2016/17 two distinct lineages with increased human infections and wider geographical spread emerged. In preparation for any future adaptations, broadly reactive antibodies against H7N9 are required for surveillance, therapy and prophylaxis. In this study we have isolated a panel of nanobodies (Nbs) with broad reactivity across H7 influenza strains, including H7N9 strains between 2013 and 2017. We also describe Nbs capable of distinguishing between the most recent high and low pathogenicity Yangtze River Delta lineage H7N9 strains. Nanobodies were classified into 5 distinct groups based on their epitope footprint determined using yeast display and mutational scanning. The epitope footprint of Nbs capable of distinguishing high pathogenic (HP) A/Guangdong/17SF003/2016 from low pathogenic (LP) A/Hong Kong/125/2017 (H7N9) were correlated to natural sequence divergence in the head domain at lysine 164. Several Nbs binding to the head domain were capable of viral neutralisation. The potency of one nanobody NB7-14 could be increased over 1000-fold to 113 pM by linking two Nbs together. Nbs specific for distinct epitopes on H7N9 may be useful for surveillance or therapy in human or veterinary settings