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Journal articleMcDonald JU, Zhong Z, Groves HT, et al., 2017,
Inflammatory responses to influenza vaccination at the extremes of age.
, Immunology, Vol: 151, Pages: 451-463, ISSN: 0019-2805Age affects the immune response to vaccination, with individuals at the extremes of age responding poorly. The initial inflammatory response to antigenic materials shapes the subsequent adaptive response and so understanding is required about the effect of age on the profile of acute inflammatory mediators. In this study we measured the local and systemic inflammatory response after influenza vaccination or infection in neonatal, young adult and aged mice. Mice were immunized intramuscularly with inactivated influenza vaccine with and without the adjuvant MF59 and then challenged with H1N1 influenza. Age was the major factor affecting the inflammatory profile after vaccination: neonatal mice had more interleukin-1α (IL-1α), C-reactive protein (CRP) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GMCSF), young adults more tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF), and elderly mice more interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), IL-2RA and interferon-γ-induced protein 10 (IP10). Notably the addition of MF59 induced IL-5, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), Keratinocyte Chemotractant (KC) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) in all ages of animals and levels of these cytokines correlated with antibody responses. Age also had an impact on the efficacy of vaccination: neonatal and young adult mice were protected against challenge, but aged mice were not. There were striking differences in the localization of the cytokine response depending on the route of exposure: vaccination led to a high serum response whereas intranasal infection led to a low serum response but a high lung response. In conclusion, we demonstrate that age affects the inflammatory response to both influenza vaccination and infection. These age-induced differences need to be considered when developing vaccination strategies for different age groups.
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Journal articleTregoning J, 2017,
No researcher is too junior to fix science
, Nature, Vol: 545, Pages: 7-7, ISSN: 0028-0836 -
Journal articleAstrand A, Wingren C, Benjamin A, et al., 2017,
Dapagliflozin-lowered blood glucose reduces respiratory Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in diabetic mice
, BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY, Vol: 174, Pages: 836-847, ISSN: 0007-1188Background and Purpose:Hyperglycaemia increases glucose concentrations in airway surface liquid and increases the risk of pulmonary Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. We determined whether reduction of blood and airway glucose concentrations by the anti-diabetic drug dapagliflozin could reduce P. aeruginosa growth/survival in the lungs of diabetic mice.Experimental Approach:The effect of dapagliflozin on blood and airway glucose concentration, the inflammatory response and infection were investigated in C57BL/6J (wild type, WT) or leptin receptor-deficient (db/db) mice, treated orally with dapagliflozin prior to intranasal dosing with LPS or inoculation with P. aeruginosa. Pulmonary glucose transport and fluid absorption were investigated in Wistar rats using the perfused fluid-filled lung technique.Key Results:Fasting blood, airway glucose and lactate concentrations were elevated in the db/db mouse lung. LPS challenge increased inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from WT and db/db mice with and without dapagliflozin treatment. P. aeruginosa colony-forming units (CFU) were increased in db/db lungs. Pretreatment with dapagliflozin reduced blood and bronchoalveolar lavage glucose concentrations and P. aeruginosa CFU in db/db mice towards those seen in WT. Dapagliflozin had no adverse effects on the inflammatory response in the mouse or pulmonary glucose transport or fluid absorption in the rat lung.Conclusion and Implications:Pharmacological lowering of blood glucose with dapagliflozin effectively reduced P. aeruginosa infection in the lungs of diabetic mice and had no adverse pulmonary effects in the rat. Dapagliflozin has potential to reduce the use, or augment the effect, of antimicrobials in the prevention or treatment of pulmonary infection.
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Journal articleMcKay PF, Mann JFS, Pattani A, et al., 2017,
Intravaginal immunisation using a novel antigen-releasing ring device elicits robust vaccine antigen-specific systemic and mucosal humoral immune responses
, Journal of Controlled Release, Vol: 249, Pages: 74-83, ISSN: 1873-4995The generation of effective levels of antigen-specific immunity at the mucosal sites of pathogen entry is a key goal for vaccinologists. We explored topical vaginal application as an approach to initiate local antigen-specific immunity, enhance previously existing systemic immunity or re-target responses to the mucosae. To deliver a protein vaccine formulation to the vaginal mucosal surface, we used a novel vaginal ring device comprising a silicone elastomer body into which three freeze-dried, rod-shaped, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose inserts were incorporated. Each rod contained recombinant HIV-1 CN54gp140 protein (167 μg) ± R848 (167 μg) adjuvant. The inserts were loaded into cavities within each ring such that only the ends of the inserts were initially exposed.Sheep received a prime-boost vaccination regime comprising intramuscular injection of 100 μg CN54gp140 + 200 μg R848 followed by three successive ring applications of one week duration and separated by one month intervals. Other sheep received only the ring devices without intramuscular priming. Serum and vaginal mucosal fluids were sampled every two weeks and analysed by CN54gp140 ELISA and antigen-specific B cells were measured by flow cytometry at necropsy. Vaccine antigen-specific serum antibody responses were detected in both the intramuscularly-primed and vaginal mucosally-primed groups. Those animals that received only vaginal vaccinations had identical IgG but superior IgA responses. Analysis revealed that all animals exhibited mucosal antigen-specific IgG and IgA with the IgA responses 30-fold greater than systemic levels. Importantly, very high numbers of antigen-specific B cells were detected in local genital draining lymph nodes.We have elicited local genital antigen-specific immune responses after topical application of an adjuvanted antigen formulation within a novel vaginal ring vaccine release device. This regimen and delivery method elicited high levels of antigen-specifi
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Journal articleKrebs KC, Tian M, Asmal M, et al., 2016,
Infection of rhesus macaques with a pool of simian immunodeficiency virus with the envelope genes from acute HIV-1 infections
, AIDS Research and Therapy, Vol: 13, ISSN: 1742-6405Background:New simian–human immunodeficiency chimeric viruses with an HIV-1 env (SHIVenv) are critical for studies on HIV pathogenesis, vaccine development, and microbicide testing. Macaques are typically exposed to single CCR5-using SHIVenv which in most instances does not reflect the conditions during acute/early HIV infection (AHI) in humans. Instead of individual and serial testing new SHIV constructs, a pool of SHIVenv_B derived from 16 acute HIV-1 infections were constructed using a novel yeast-based SHIV cloning approach and then used to infect macaques.Results:Even though none of the 16 SHIVenvs contained the recently reported mutations in env genes that could significantly enhance their binding affinity to RhCD4, one SHIVenv (i.e. SHIVenv_B3-PRB926) established infection in macaques exposed to this pool. AHI SHIVenv_B viruses as well as their HIVenv_B counterparts were analyzed for viral protein content, function, and fitness to identify possible difference between SHIVenv_B3-PRB926 and the other 15 SHIVenvs in the pool. All of the constructs produced SHIV or HIV chimeric with wild type levels of capsid (p27 and p24) content, reverse transcriptase (RT) activity, and expressed envelope glycoproteins that could bind to cell receptors CD4/CCR5 and mediate virus entry. HIV-1env_B chimeric viruses were propagated in susceptible cell lines but the 16 SHIVenv_B variants showed only limited replication in macaque peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and 174×CEM.CCR5 cell line. AHI chimeric viruses including HIVenv_B3 showed only minor variations in cell entry efficiency and kinetics as well as replicative fitness in human PBMCs. Reduced number of N-link glycosylation sites and slightly greater CCR5 affinity/avidity was the only distinguishing feature of env_B3 versus other AHI env’s in the pool, a feature also observed in the HIV establishing new infections in humans.Conclusion:Despite the inability to propagate in primary cells and cell lin
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Journal articleCheeseman HM, Olejniczak NJ, Rogers PM, et al., 2016,
Broadly neutralizing antibodies display potential for prevention of HIV-1 infection of mucosal tissue superior to that of nonneutralizing antibodies
, Journal of Virology, Vol: 91, ISSN: 1098-5514Definition of the key parameters mediating effective antibody blocking of HIV-1 acquisition within mucosal tissue may prove critical to effective vaccine development and the prophylactic use of monoclonal antibodies. Although direct antibody-mediated neutralization is highly effective against cell-free virus, antibodies targeting different sites of envelope vulnerability may display differential activity against mucosal infection. Nonneutralizing antibodies (nnAbs) may also impact mucosal transmission events through Fc-gamma receptor (FcγR)-mediated inhibition. In this study, a panel of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) and nnAbs, including those associated with protection in the RV144 vaccine trial, were screened for the ability to block HIV-1 acquisition and replication across a range of cellular and mucosal tissue models. Neutralization potency, as determined by the TZM-bl infection assay, did not fully predict activity in mucosal tissue. CD4-binding site (CD4bs)-specific bnAbs, in particular VRC01, were consistent in blocking HIV-1 infection across all cellular and tissue models. Membrane-proximal external region (MPER) (2F5) and outer domain glycan (2G12) bnAbs were also efficient in preventing infection of mucosal tissues, while the protective efficacy of bnAbs targeting V1-V2 glycans (PG9 and PG16) was more variable. In contrast, nnAbs alone and in combinations, while active in a range of cellular assays, were poorly protective against HIV-1 infection of mucosal tissues. These data suggest that tissue resident effector cell numbers and low FcγR expression may limit the potential of nnAbs to prevent establishment of the initial foci of infection. The solid protection provided by specific bnAbs clearly demonstrates their superior potential over that of nonneutralizing antibodies for preventing HIV-1 infection at the mucosal portals of infection.IMPORTANCE Key parameters mediating effective antibody blocking of HIV-1 acquisition within mucosal
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Journal articleLambert L, Kinnear E, Mcdonald JU, et al., 2016,
DNA Vaccines Encoding Antigen Targeted to MHC Class II Induce Influenza-Specific CD8+ T Cell Responses, Enabling Faster Resolution of Influenza Disease
, Frontiers in Immunology, Vol: 7, ISSN: 1664-3224Current influenza vaccines are effective but imperfect, failing to cover against emerging strains of virus and requiring seasonaladministration to protect against new strains. A key step to improving influenza vaccines is to improve our understanding ofvaccine induced protection. Whilst it is clear that antibodies play a protective role, vaccine induced CD8+ T cells can improveprotection. To further explore the role of CD8+ T cells we used a DNA vaccine that encodes antigen dimerised to an immune celltargeting module. Immunising CB6F1 mice with the DNA vaccine in a heterologous prime boost regime with the seasonal proteinvaccine improved the resolution of influenza disease compared to protein alone. This improved disease resolution was dependenton CD8+ T cells. However, DNA vaccine regimes that induced CD8+ T cells alone were not protective and did not boost theprotection provided by protein. The MHC targeting module used was an anti-I-Ed single chain antibody specific to the BALB/c strainof mice. To test the role of MHC targeting we compared the response between BALB/c, C57BL/6 mice and an F1 cross of the twostrains (CB6F1). BALB/c mice were protected, C57BL/6 were not and the F1 had an intermediate phenotype; showing that thetargeting of antigen is important in the response. Based on these findings, and in agreement with other studies using differentvaccines, we conclude that in addition to antibody, inducing a protective CD8 response is important in future influenza vaccines.
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Conference paperJha A, Progatzky F, Wane M, et al., 2016,
Human nasal mucosal responses to TLR agonists are mirrored by the zebrafish gill
, British Association of Lung Research Summer CongressIntroduction: There are few reliable ways to study respiratory mucosal immune responses to viruses, viral-type toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists and vaccines. To investigate innate immune responses to TLR agonists (TLR3: poly IC/ poly ICLC; TLR7/8: resiquimod), we compared the effects on human nasal mucosa and zebrafish gills in vivo. Methods: Nasal challenge of adult volunteers was performed with saline, poly IC (n=4), poly ICLC (n=4) or resiquimod (n=8; 5 non-atopic, 3 atopic). Nasal mucosal lining fluid (MLF) was obtained by nasosorption at regular intervals up to 24 hours after challenge; nasal obstruction was monitored by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and total nasal symptom scores (TNSS). Cytokines and interferons were measured in MLF using electrochemiluminescence on the Meso Scale Discovery (MSD) platform. Adult zebrafish gills were exposed to the same TLR agonists and gene expression was quantified in gill tissue at similar time-points. Results: Nasal challenge with TLR3 agonists failed to elicit any significant responses when compared to saline. In contrast resiquimod (10μg/100μl per nostril) caused a potent induction of cytokines with an early release (1-3 hours) of IFN-α2a, TNF-α and IL-1β and a later release (after 4 hours) of IFN-γ. The 3 volunteers with the highest levels of IFN-α2a were atopic. Six volunteers were asymptomatic and two volunteers had flu-like symptoms. There were no significant changes in clinical correlates of nasal obstruction. After resiquimod administration, but not TLR3 agonists, zebrafish gills showed an immune profile remarkably analogous to human nasal responses. Conclusion: The TLR7/8 agonist resiquimod is a potent mucosal inducer of IFN-α2a, IFN-γ and proinflammatory cytokines, whilst TLR3 agonists failed to stimulate mucosal innate immune responses. Zebrafish gills accurately mimic human nasal mucosal responses following exposure to TLR agonists, offering translational app
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Journal articlePorter JD, Watson J, Groves H, et al., 2016,
Identification of novel macrolides with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and type I and III IFN-augmenting activity in airway epithelium
, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Vol: 71, Pages: 2767-2781, ISSN: 1460-2091Background Exacerbations of asthma and COPD are triggered by rhinoviruses. Uncontrolled inflammatory pathways, pathogenic bacterial burden and impaired antiviral immunity are thought to be important factors in disease severity and duration. Macrolides including azithromycin are often used to treat the above diseases, but exhibit variable levels of efficacy. Inhaled corticosteroids are also readily used in treatment, but may lack specificity. Ideally, new treatment alternatives should suppress unwanted inflammation, but spare beneficial antiviral immunity.Methods In the present study, we screened 225 novel macrolides and tested them for enhanced antiviral activity against rhinovirus, as well as anti-inflammatory activity and activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Primary bronchial epithelial cells were grown from 10 asthmatic individuals and the effects of macrolides on rhinovirus replication were also examined. Another 30 structurally similar macrolides were also examined.Results The oleandomycin derivative Mac5, compared with azithromycin, showed superior induction (up to 5-fold, EC50 = 5–11 μM) of rhinovirus-induced type I IFNβ, type III IFNλ1 and type III IFNλ2/3 mRNA and the IFN-stimulated genes viperin and MxA, yet had no effect on IL-6 and IL-8 mRNA. Mac5 also suppressed rhinovirus replication at 48 h, proving antiviral activity. Mac5 showed antibacterial activity against Gram-positive Streptococcus pneumoniae; however, it did not have any antibacterial properties compared with azithromycin when used against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (as a model organism) and also the respiratory pathogens Pseudomonas aeruginosa and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae. Further non-toxic Mac5 derivatives were identified with various anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial activities.Conclusions The data support the idea that macrolides have antiviral properties through a mechanism that is yet to be ascertained. We also
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Journal articleMcdonald J, Kaforou M, Clare S, et al., 2016,
A Simple Screening Approach To Prioritize Genes for Functional Analysis Identifies a Role for Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 in the Control of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Disease
, mSystems, Vol: 1, ISSN: 2379-5077Greater understanding of the functions of host gene products in response to infection is required. While many of these genes enable pathogen clearance, some enhance pathogen growth or contribute to disease symptoms. Many studies have profiled transcriptomic and proteomic responses to infection, generating large data sets, but selecting targets for further study is challenging. Here we propose a novel data-mining approach combining multiple heterogeneous data sets to prioritize genes for further study by using respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection as a model pathogen with a significant health care impact. The assumption was that the more frequently a gene is detected across multiple studies, the more important its role is. A literature search was performed to find data sets of genes and proteins that change after RSV infection. The data sets were standardized, collated into a single database, and then panned to determine which genes occurred in multiple data sets, generating a candidate gene list. This candidate gene list was validated by using both a clinical cohort and in vitro screening. We identified several genes that were frequently expressed following RSV infection with no assigned function in RSV control, including IFI27, IFIT3, IFI44L, GBP1, OAS3, IFI44, and IRF7. Drilling down into the function of these genes, we demonstrate a role in disease for the gene for interferon regulatory factor 7, which was highly ranked on the list, but not for IRF1, which was not. Thus, we have developed and validated an approach for collating published data sets into a manageable list of candidates, identifying novel targets for future analysis.
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