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Advances in Vaccines, Adjuvants and Delivery Technologies
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Advances in Vaccines, Adjuvants and Delivery Technologies

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 October 2023) | Viewed by 8310

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Nikolai Petrovsky

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park 5046, Australia
Interests: developed vaccines against influenza; hepatitis B; sting allergy; malaria; Japanese encephalitis; rabies and HIV
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The development of safe and effective vaccines is a key requirement to conquering pandemics and other infectious disease threats. After a surge in innovation approximately 50 years ago with the introduction of the first recombinant protein vaccines, polysaccharide conjugates vaccines and new adjuvants based on squalene oil emulsions and saponins, the field became relatively quiet in respect of new human vaccine technology innovations. This changed considerably with the COVID-19 pandemic, which has arguably resulted in the greatest number of new vaccine technology innovations introduced all in just a few years, with marketing approval given to COVID-19 vaccines embracing a wide variety of new technologies, including mRNA, DNA, and adenoviral vector delivery approaches, a range of new combination adjuvants, and the use of structural modeling approaches based on artificial intelligence and nanotechnology-based analytical techniques to design more stable vaccine antigens. The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of innovation in the vaccine field. It is hoped that this current wave of innovation will develop more broadly in other vaccine programs, including those aimed at major ongoing challenges, including the development of new and improved vaccines against the likes of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, which remain major causes of global mortality, as well as to other fields in which vaccines might play an important role, such as vaccines against allergies, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. This Special Issue will spotlight these transformative vaccine innovations, highlighting the bright future which lies ahead for advancements in this field.

Prof. Dr. Nikolai Petrovsky
Guest Editor

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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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11 pages, 1109 KiB  
Article
Post-Hoc Analysis of Potential Correlates of Protection of a Recombinant SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Extracellular Domain Vaccine Formulated with Advax-CpG55.2-Adjuvant
by Nikolai Petrovsky
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(17), 9459; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25179459 - 30 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1104
Abstract
SpikoGen® vaccine is a subunit COVID-19 vaccine composed of an insect cell expressed recombinant spike protein extracellular domain formulated with Advax-CpG55.2™ adjuvant. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II clinical trial was conducted in 400 adult subjects who were randomized 3:1 to receive [...] Read more.
SpikoGen® vaccine is a subunit COVID-19 vaccine composed of an insect cell expressed recombinant spike protein extracellular domain formulated with Advax-CpG55.2™ adjuvant. A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase II clinical trial was conducted in 400 adult subjects who were randomized 3:1 to receive two intramuscular doses three weeks apart of either SpikoGen® vaccine 25 μg or saline placebo, as previously reported. This study reports a post hoc analysis of the trial data to explore potential immune correlates of SpikoGen® vaccine protection. A range of humoral markers collected pre- and post-vaccination, including spike- and RBD-binding IgG and IgA, surrogate (sVNT), and conventional (cVNT) virus neutralization tests were compared between participants who remained infection-free or got infected over three months of follow-up. From 2 weeks after the second vaccine dose, 21 participants were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection, 13 (4.2%) in the SpikoGen® group and 8 (9%) in the placebo group. Those in the vaccinated group who experienced breakthrough infections had significantly lower sVNT titers (GMT 5.75 μg/mL, 95% CI; 3.72–8.91) two weeks after the second dose (day 35) than those who did not get infected (GMT 21.06 μg/mL, 95% CI; 16.57–26.76). Conversely, those who did not develop SARS-CoV-2 infection during follow-up had significantly higher baseline sVNT, cVNT, spike-binding IgG and IgA, and RBD-binding IgG, consistent with a past SARS-CoV-2 infection. SpikoGen® further reduced the risk of re-infection (OR 0.29) in baseline seropositive (previously infected) as well as baseline seronegative participants. This indicates that while SpikoGen vaccine is protective in seronegative individuals, those with hybrid immunity have the most robust protection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Vaccines, Adjuvants and Delivery Technologies)
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17 pages, 2437 KiB  
Communication
Transcriptional Targeting of Dendritic Cells Using an Optimized Human Fascin1 Gene Promoter
by Yanira Zeyn, Dominika Hobernik, Ulrich Wilk, Jana Pöhmerer, Christoph Hieber, Carolina Medina-Montano, Nadine Röhrig, Caroline F. Strähle, Andrea K. Thoma-Kress, Ernst Wagner, Matthias Bros and Simone Berger
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(23), 16938; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242316938 - 29 Nov 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2056
Abstract
Deeper knowledge about the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer development and progression has resulted in new strategies such as gene-based cancer immunotherapy. Whereas some approaches focus on the expression of tumoricidal genes within the TME, DNA-based vaccines are intended to [...] Read more.
Deeper knowledge about the role of the tumor microenvironment (TME) in cancer development and progression has resulted in new strategies such as gene-based cancer immunotherapy. Whereas some approaches focus on the expression of tumoricidal genes within the TME, DNA-based vaccines are intended to be expressed in antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendritic cells, DCs) in secondary lymphoid organs, which in turn induce anti-tumor T cell responses. Besides effective delivery systems and the requirement of appropriate adjuvants, DNA vaccines themselves need to be optimized regarding efficacy and selectivity. In this work, the concept of DC-focused transcriptional targeting was tested by applying a plasmid encoding for the luciferase reporter gene under the control of a derivative of the human fascin1 gene promoter (pFscnLuc), comprising the proximal core promoter fused to the normally more distantly located DC enhancer region. DC-focused activity of this reporter construct was confirmed in cell culture in comparison to a standard reporter vector encoding for luciferase under the control of the strong ubiquitously active cytomegalovirus promoter and enhancer (pCMVLuc). Both plasmids were also compared upon intravenous administration in mice. The organ- and cell type-specific expression profile of pFscnLuc versus pCMVLuc demonstrated favorable activity especially in the spleen as a central immune organ and within the spleen in DCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Vaccines, Adjuvants and Delivery Technologies)
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19 pages, 2605 KiB  
Article
A Tailored Approach to Leishmaniases Vaccination: Comparative Evaluation of the Efficacy and Cross-Protection Capacity of DNA vs. Peptide-Based Vaccines in a Murine Model
by Alicia Mas, Clara Hurtado-Morillas, Abel Martínez-Rodrigo, José A. Orden, Ricardo de la Fuente, Gustavo Domínguez-Bernal and Javier Carrión
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(15), 12334; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512334 - 2 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1537
Abstract
Zoonotic leishmaniases are a worldwide public health problem for which the development of effective vaccines remains a challenge. A vaccine against leishmaniases must be safe and affordable and should induce cross-protection against the different disease-causing species. In this context, the DNA vaccine pHisAK70 [...] Read more.
Zoonotic leishmaniases are a worldwide public health problem for which the development of effective vaccines remains a challenge. A vaccine against leishmaniases must be safe and affordable and should induce cross-protection against the different disease-causing species. In this context, the DNA vaccine pHisAK70 has been demonstrated to induce, in a murine model, a resistant phenotype against L. major, L. infantum, and L. amazonensis. Moreover, a chimeric multiepitope peptide, HisDTC, has been obtained by in silico analysis from the histone proteins encoded in the DNA vaccine and has showed its ability to activate a potent CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell protective immune response in mice against L. infantum infection. In the present study, we evaluated the plasmid DNA vaccine pHisAK70 in comparison with the peptide HisDTC (with and without saponin) against L. major and L. infantum infection. Our preliminary results showed that both formulations were able to induce a potent cellular response leading to a decrease in parasite load against L. infantum. In addition, the DNA candidate was able to induce better lesion control in mice against L. major. These preliminary results indicate that both strategies are potentially effective candidates for leishmaniases control. Furthermore, it is important to carry out such comparative studies to elucidate which vaccine candidates are the most appropriate for further development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Vaccines, Adjuvants and Delivery Technologies)
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Review

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22 pages, 1492 KiB  
Review
The Quest for Immunity: Exploring Human Herpesviruses as Vaccine Vectors
by Mohamed S. Kamel, Rachel A. Munds and Mohit S. Verma
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(22), 16112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms242216112 - 9 Nov 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3099
Abstract
Herpesviruses are large DNA viruses that have long been used as powerful gene therapy tools. In recent years, the ability of herpesviruses to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses has led to their transition to various applications as vaccine vectors. This vaccinology [...] Read more.
Herpesviruses are large DNA viruses that have long been used as powerful gene therapy tools. In recent years, the ability of herpesviruses to stimulate both innate and adaptive immune responses has led to their transition to various applications as vaccine vectors. This vaccinology branch is growing at an unprecedented and accelerated rate. To date, human herpesvirus-based vectors have been used in vaccines to combat a variety of infectious agents, including the Ebola virus, foot and mouth disease virus, and human immunodeficiency viruses. Additionally, these vectors are being tested as potential vaccines for cancer-associated antigens. Thanks to advances in recombinant DNA technology, immunology, and genomics, numerous steps in vaccine development have been greatly improved. A better understanding of herpesvirus biology and the interactions between these viruses and the host cells will undoubtedly foster the use of herpesvirus-based vaccine vectors in clinical settings. To overcome the existing drawbacks of these vectors, ongoing research is needed to further advance our knowledge of herpesvirus biology and to develop safer and more effective vaccine vectors. Advanced molecular virology and cell biology techniques must be used to better understand the mechanisms by which herpesviruses manipulate host cells and how viral gene expression is regulated during infection. In this review, we cover the underlying molecular structure of herpesviruses and the strategies used to engineer their genomes to optimize capacity and efficacy as vaccine vectors. Also, we assess the available data on the successful application of herpesvirus-based vaccines for combating diseases such as viral infections and the potential drawbacks and alternative approaches to surmount them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Vaccines, Adjuvants and Delivery Technologies)
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