Synthetic self-assembling ADDomer platform for highly efficient vaccination by genetically encoded multiepitope display

International audienceSelf-assembling virus-like particles represent highly attractive tools for developing next-generation vaccines and protein therapeutics. We created ADDomer, an adenovirus-derived multimeric protein-based self-assembling nanoparticle scaffold engineered to facilitate plug-and-play display of multiple immunogenic epitopes from pathogens. We used cryo-electron microscopy at near-atomic resolution and implemented novel, cost-effective, high-performance cloud computing to reveal architectural features in unprecedented detail. We analyzed ADDomer interaction with components of the immune system and developed a promising first-in-kind ADDomer-based vaccine candidate to combat emerging Chikungunya infectious disease, exemplifying the potential of our approach

Modification of the Adenovirus derived from serotype 3 base dodecahedra : Design and characterization of a new multi-epitopic versatile vector

Certains adénovirus humains (HAdV) comme le sérotype 3 (appartenant au sous-groupe B) sont capables de former des particules pseudo-virales composées des deux protéines impliquées dans l’entrée virale : la base du penton et la fibre (= penton). En effet, 12 pentons sont capables de s’auto-assembler de manière symétrique pour former des particules appelées dodécaèdres (Dd). Dans le présent travail, nous avons modifié et caractérisé les dodécaèdres bases (c’est à dire des Dds sans fibres) de l’HAdV3 afin d’en faire une plateforme vectorielle multi-épitopique versatile appelée ADDomer (ADenovirus Dodecamer). Pour cela, nous avons identifié des régions de la base du penton permettant l’insertion de peptides d’intérêt et créé une plateforme génétique générique permettant l’insertion facile de ceux-ci par biologie synthétique. L’insertion de séquences codant un peptide d’intérêt directement dans le gène de l’ADDomer, résulte dans son exposition de manière multivalente à la surface de la VLP du fait de la pentamérisation puis de la dodécamérisation de la base. L’ADDomer a été produit et caractérisé afin d’évaluer sa capacité à vectoriser des épitopes linéaires ou structuralement complexes. Nous avons ensuite conçu une deuxième stratégie de vectorisation, toujours basée sur l’ADDomer mais cette fois-ci en utilisant l’interaction base/fibre. Un peptide mimant la partie de la fibre de l’HAdV3 (les 20 résidus N-terminaux) interagissant avec la base du penton a été élaboré pour servir d’adaptateur formant des liaisons covalentes avec l’ADDomer.Le comportement de l’ADDomer in vivo a été étudié dans un contexte vaccinal. Pour cela, nous avons injecté l’ADDomer chez la souris afin de valider son transport vers le système lymphatique. Nous avons également démontré que l’ADDomer était capable de s’internaliser dans les monocytes et dans des cellules dendritiques dérivées de monocytes et d’induire les caractères spécifiques de maturation de ces dernières. Fort de ces résultats, nous avons généré un ADDomer vectorisant un épitope du virus Chikungunya décrit pour être la cible d’anticorps neutralisants de patients infectés par ce virus. Pour finir cette étude in vivo, nous avons évalué la capacité de l’ADDomer-TevChik à induire la réponse anti-épitopique et nous avons ainsi démontré que la façon dont l’épitope est présenté à la surface de l’ADDomer était importante pour obtenir une réponse significative.Some human adenoviruses (HAdV) such as adenovirus derived from serotype 3 (belonging to subgroup B) are able to form virus-like particles composed of the two proteins involved in viral entry: the penton base and the fiber (= penton). Indeed, 12 pentons are able to self-assemble in a symmetrical manner to form penton dodecahedron (PtDd). In the present work, we modified and characterized the base dodecahedron (BsDd = PtDd without fiber) of HAdV3 in order to create a versatile multi-epitopic platform named ADDomer (ADenovirus Dodecamer). We have created a genetic platform allowing easy insertion of epitope(s) of interest (s) thanks to synthetic biology. The insertion of sequences encoding a peptide of interest in the ADDomer gene enable a multivalent exposure at the surface of the VLP due to the pentamerization then to the dodecamerization of the penton base. ADDomer has been produced and characterized to assess its ability to vectorize linear or structurally complex epitopes. We then designed a second vectorization strategy, still based on the ADDomer, but using the interaction penton base / fibre. A peptide mimicking the part of the Ad3 fiber interacting with the penton base (the 20 N-terminal residues) has been designed to serve as an adaptor forming covalent bonds with the ADDomer.The behavior of the ADDomer in vivo has been studied in a vaccine context. For this, we injected the ADDomer in mice to validate its transport to the lymphatic system. We have also demonstrated that ADDomer is able to internalize monocytes and dendritic cells derived from monocytes (MoDC) and induces the specific characters of MoDC maturation. Based on these results, we generated an ADDomer vectorizing an epitope of the Chikungunya virus (ADDomer TevChik) described to be the target of neutralizing antibodies of patients who have been infected by this virus. To conclude this in vivo study, we assessed the ability of ADDomer TevChik to induce the anti-epitopic response and thus demonstrated that the way the epitope is displayed on the surface of the ADDomer was important to obtain a meaningful response

Modification des dodécaèdres bases de l'adénovirus de sérotype 3 : design et caractérisation d'un nouveau vecteur multi-épitopique polyvalent

Some human adenoviruses (HAdV) such as adenovirus derived from serotype 3 (belonging to subgroup B) are able to form virus-like particles composed of the two proteins involved in viral entry: the penton base and the fiber (= penton). Indeed, 12 pentons are able to self-assemble in a symmetrical manner to form penton dodecahedron (PtDd). In the present work, we modified and characterized the base dodecahedron (BsDd = PtDd without fiber) of HAdV3 in order to create a versatile multi-epitopic platform named ADDomer (ADenovirus Dodecamer). We have created a genetic platform allowing easy insertion of epitope(s) of interest (s) thanks to synthetic biology. The insertion of sequences encoding a peptide of interest in the ADDomer gene enable a multivalent exposure at the surface of the VLP due to the pentamerization then to the dodecamerization of the penton base. ADDomer has been produced and characterized to assess its ability to vectorize linear or structurally complex epitopes. We then designed a second vectorization strategy, still based on the ADDomer, but using the interaction penton base / fibre. A peptide mimicking the part of the Ad3 fiber interacting with the penton base (the 20 N-terminal residues) has been designed to serve as an adaptor forming covalent bonds with the ADDomer.The behavior of the ADDomer in vivo has been studied in a vaccine context. For this, we injected the ADDomer in mice to validate its transport to the lymphatic system. We have also demonstrated that ADDomer is able to internalize monocytes and dendritic cells derived from monocytes (MoDC) and induces the specific characters of MoDC maturation. Based on these results, we generated an ADDomer vectorizing an epitope of the Chikungunya virus (ADDomer TevChik) described to be the target of neutralizing antibodies of patients who have been infected by this virus. To conclude this in vivo study, we assessed the ability of ADDomer TevChik to induce the anti-epitopic response and thus demonstrated that the way the epitope is displayed on the surface of the ADDomer was important to obtain a meaningful response.Certains adénovirus humains (HAdV) comme le sérotype 3 (appartenant au sous-groupe B) sont capables de former des particules pseudo-virales composées des deux protéines impliquées dans l’entrée virale : la base du penton et la fibre (= penton). En effet, 12 pentons sont capables de s’auto-assembler de manière symétrique pour former des particules appelées dodécaèdres (Dd). Dans le présent travail, nous avons modifié et caractérisé les dodécaèdres bases (c’est à dire des Dds sans fibres) de l’HAdV3 afin d’en faire une plateforme vectorielle multi-épitopique versatile appelée ADDomer (ADenovirus Dodecamer). Pour cela, nous avons identifié des régions de la base du penton permettant l’insertion de peptides d’intérêt et créé une plateforme génétique générique permettant l’insertion facile de ceux-ci par biologie synthétique. L’insertion de séquences codant un peptide d’intérêt directement dans le gène de l’ADDomer, résulte dans son exposition de manière multivalente à la surface de la VLP du fait de la pentamérisation puis de la dodécamérisation de la base. L’ADDomer a été produit et caractérisé afin d’évaluer sa capacité à vectoriser des épitopes linéaires ou structuralement complexes. Nous avons ensuite conçu une deuxième stratégie de vectorisation, toujours basée sur l’ADDomer mais cette fois-ci en utilisant l’interaction base/fibre. Un peptide mimant la partie de la fibre de l’HAdV3 (les 20 résidus N-terminaux) interagissant avec la base du penton a été élaboré pour servir d’adaptateur formant des liaisons covalentes avec l’ADDomer.Le comportement de l’ADDomer in vivo a été étudié dans un contexte vaccinal. Pour cela, nous avons injecté l’ADDomer chez la souris afin de valider son transport vers le système lymphatique. Nous avons également démontré que l’ADDomer était capable de s’internaliser dans les monocytes et dans des cellules dendritiques dérivées de monocytes et d’induire les caractères spécifiques de maturation de ces dernières. Fort de ces résultats, nous avons généré un ADDomer vectorisant un épitope du virus Chikungunya décrit pour être la cible d’anticorps neutralisants de patients infectés par ce virus. Pour finir cette étude in vivo, nous avons évalué la capacité de l’ADDomer-TevChik à induire la réponse anti-épitopique et nous avons ainsi démontré que la façon dont l’épitope est présenté à la surface de l’ADDomer était importante pour obtenir une réponse significative

Advances in bacterial pathways for the biosynthesis of ubiquinone

International audienceUbiquinone is an important component of the electron transfer chains in proteobacteria and eukaryotes. The biosynthesis of ubiquinone requires multiple steps, most of which are common to bacteria and eukaryotes. Whereas the enzymes of the mitochondrial pathway that produces ubiquinone are highly similar across eu-karyotes, recent results point to a rather high diversity of pathways in bacteria. This review focuses on ubi-quinone in bacteria, highlighting newly discovered functions and detailing the proteins that are known to participate to its biosynthetic pathways. Novel results showing that ubiquinone can be produced by a pathway independent of dioxygen suggest that ubiquinone may participate to anaerobiosis, in addition to its well-established role for aerobiosis. We also discuss the supramolecular organization of ubiquinone biosynthesis proteins and we summarize the current understanding of the evolution of the ubiquinone pathways relative to those of other isoprenoid quinones like menaquinone and plastoquinone

The Adenovirus Dodecahedron: Beyond the Platonic Story

International audienceMany geometric forms are found in nature, some of them adhering to mathematical laws or amazing aesthetic rules. One of the best-known examples in microbiology is the icosahedral shape of certain viruses with 20 triangular facets and 12 edges. What is less known, however, is that a complementary object displaying 12 faces and 20 edges called a 'dodecahedron' can be produced in huge amounts during certain adenovirus replication cycles. The decahedron was first described more than 50 years ago in the human adenovirus (HAdV3) viral cycle. Later on, the expression of this recombinant scaffold, combined with improvements in cryo-electron microscopy, made it possible to decipher the structural determinants underlying their architecture. Recently, this particle, which mimics viral entry, was used to fish the long elusive adenovirus receptor, desmoglein-2, which serves as a cellular docking for some adenovirus serotypes. This breakthrough enabled the understanding of the physiological role played by the dodecahedral particles, showing that icosahedral and dodecahedral particles live more than a simple platonic story. All these points are developed in this review, and the potential use of the dodecahedron in therapeutic development is discussed

Mapping of Adenovirus of serotype 3 fibre interaction to desmoglein 2 revealed a novel ‘non-classical’ mechanism of viral receptor engagement

International audienceHigh-affinity binding of the trimeric fibre protein to a cell surface primary receptor is a common feature shared by all adenovirus serotypes. Recently, a long elusive species B adenovirus receptor has been identified. Desmoglein 2 (DSG2) a component of desmosomal junction, has been reported to interact at high affinity with Human adenoviruses HAd3, HAd7, HAd11 and HAd14. Little is known with respect to the molecular interactions of adenovirus fibre with the DSG2 ectodomain. By using different DSG2 ectodomain constructs and biochemical and biophysical experiments, we report that the third extracellular cadherin domain (EC3) of DSG2 is critical for HAd3 fibre binding. Unexpectedly, stoichiometry studies using multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) and analytical ultra-centrifugation (AUC) revealed a non-classical 1:1 interaction (one DSG2 per trimeric fibre), thus differentiating 'DSG2-interacting' adenoviruses from other protein receptor interacting adenoviruses in their infection strategy

Studies on the Interaction of Tumor-Derived HD5 Alpha Defensins with Adenoviruses and Implications for Oncolytic Adenovirus Therapy.

International audienceDefensins are small antimicrobial peptides capable of neutralizing human adenovirus (HAdV) in vitro by binding capsid proteins and blocking endosomal escape of virus. In humans, the alpha defensin HD5 is produced by specialized epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal and genito-urinary tracts. Here, we demonstrate, using patient biopsy specimens, that HD5 is also expressed as an active, secreted peptide by epithelial ovarian and lung cancer cells in situ This finding prompted us to study the role of HD5 in infection and spread of replication-competent, oncolytic HAdV type 3 (HAdV3). HAdV3 produces large amounts of penton-dodecahedra (PtDd), virus-like particles, during replication. We have previously shown that PtDd are involved in opening epithelial junctions, thus facilitating lateral spread of de novo-produced virions. Here, we describe a second function of PtDd, namely, the blocking of HD5. A central tool to prove that viral PtDd neutralize HD5 and support spread of progeny virus was an HAdV3 mutant virus in which formation of PtDd was disabled (mut-Ad3GFP, where GFP is green fluorescent protein). We demonstrated that viral spread of mut-Ad3GFP was blocked by synthetic HD5 whereas that of the wild-type (wt) form (wt-Ad3GFP) was only minimally impacted. In human colon cancer Caco-2 cells, induction of cellular HD5 expression by fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9) significantly inhibited viral spread and progeny virus production of mut-Ad3GFP but not of wt-Ad3GFP. Finally, the ectopic expression of HD5 in tumor cells diminished the in vivo oncolytic activity of mut-Ad3GFP but not of wt-Ad3GFP. These data suggest a new mechanism of HAdV3 to overcome innate antiviral host responses. Our study has implications for oncolytic adenovirus therapy.IMPORTANCE Previously, it has been reported that human defensin HD5 inactivates specific human adenoviruses by binding to capsid proteins and blocking endosomal escape of virus. The central new findings described in our manuscript are the following: (i) the discovery of a new mechanism used by human adenovirus serotype 3 to overcome innate antiviral host responses that is based on the capacity of HAdV3 to produce subviral penton-dodecahedral particles that act as decoys for HD5, thus preventing the inactivation of virus progeny produced upon replication; (ii) the demonstration that ectopic HD5 expression in cancer cells decreases the oncolytic efficacy of a serotype 5-based adenovirus vector; and (iii) the demonstration that epithelial ovarian and lung cancers express HD5. The study improves our understanding of how adenoviruses establish infection in epithelial tissues and has implications for cancer therapy with oncolytic adenoviruses