Cancer immunotherapy by a recombinant phage vaccine displaying EGFR mimotope: an in vivo study

Abstract

To date, several small molecule inhibitors and monoclonal-antibodies (like ICR-62) have been used to treat tumors over-expressing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the limitations associated with these conventional applications accentuate the necessity of alternative approaches. Mimotopes as compelling molecular tools could rationally be employed to circumvent these drawbacks. In the present study, an M13 phage displaying ICR-62 binding peptide mimotope is exploited as a vaccine candidate. It exhibited high affinity towards ICR62 and polyclonal anti-P-BSA antibodies. Following the mice immunization, phage-based mimotope vaccine induced humoral immunity. Elicited anti-EGFR mimotope antibodies were detected using ELISA method. Moreover, the phage vaccine was tested on the Lewis lung carcinoma mice model to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects. The tumor volume was measured and recorded in different animal groups to evaluate the anti-tumor effects of the vaccine. Our data indicate that the reported phage-based mimotope could potentially elicit specific antibodies resulting in low titers of EGFR-specific antibodies and reduced tumor growth. However, in vivo experiments of prophylactic or therapeutic vaccination showed no specific advantage. Furthermore, phage-mimotope vaccine might be a promising approach in the field of cancer immunotherapy.     

Selection of cell binding and internalizing epidermal growth factor receptor antibodies from a phage display library

The first step in developing a targeted cancer therapeutic is generating a ligand that binds to a receptor which is either tumor specific or sufficiently overexpressed in tumors to provide targeting specificity. For this work, we generated human monoclonal antibodies to the EGF receptor (EGFR), an antigen overexpressed on many solid tumors. Single chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments were directly selected by panning a phage display library on tumor cells (A431) overexpressing EGFR or Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO/EGFR cells) transfected with the EGFR gene and recovering endocytosed phage from within the cell. Three unique scFvs were isolated, two from selections on A431 cells and two from selections on CHO/EGFR cells. All three scFv bound native receptor as expressed on a panel of tumor cells and did not bind EGFR negative cells. Phage antibodies and multivalent immunoliposomes constructed from scFv were endocytosed by EGFR expressing cells as shown by confocal microscopy. Native scFv primarily stained the cell surface, with less staining intracellularly. The results demonstrate how phage antibodies binding native cell surface receptors can be directly selected on overexpressing cell lines or transfected cells. Use of a transfected cell line allows selection of antibodies to native receptors without the need for protein expression and purification, significantly speeding the generation of targeting antibodies to genomic sequences. Depending upon the format used, the antibodies can be used to deliver molecules to the cell surface or intracellularly.     

A peptide mimotope of hepatitis C virus E2 protein is immunogenic in mice and block human anti‐HCV sera

Conformational B‐cell epitopes on the HCV E2 protein recognized by human antibodies were characterized by the use of a peptide mimotope named K1. K1 was identified by two HCV anti‐E2 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) following selection and purification of phage clones containing a 15‐mer random peptide insert. Murine antisera to the mimotope K1 recognized the E2 protein. Five of eight human sera from patients who had cleared HCV recognized the K1 mimotope. Binding to E2 in four individuals with the capacity to block E2–CD81 interaction was inhibited by the mimotope K1. The results demonstrate that anti‐E2 antibodies in sera from patients who have cleared HCV infection are directed against a conformational B‐cell epitope on E2 that can be mimicked with linear synthetic peptides. These findings could have implications for vaccine design by employing linear mimotopes to direct B‐cell responses against those specific E2 epitopes that may correlate with immunity. J. Med. Virol. 82:1655–1665, 2010. 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Specific and randomly derived immunoactive peptide mimotopes of mycobacterial antigens

The mycobacterial cell surface contains complex nonprotein antigens that are highly immunoactive in nature. However, these antigens are chemically heterogeneous and structurally complex, thereby limiting their applications. To identify their peptide mimotopes, phage-displayed peptide libraries Ph.D.-7 and Ph.D.-12 were panned on either defined template, monoclonal antibody (MAb) CS-35 against lipoarabinomannan (LAM), or a polyclonal rabbit immune serum reactive against whole cells of Mycobacterium bovis BCG. Panning on anti-LAM MAb CS-35 yielded two confirmed mimotopes of LAM, a 7-mer and a 12-mer, whereas panning on polyclonal serum yielded a large repertoire of mimotopes reactive against sera from BCG-immunized rabbits, one of which turned out to have the same sequence as the 7-mer LAM mimotope. The dissociation constant of the interaction between MAb CS-35 and a synthetic peptide corresponding to the 7-mer LAM mimotope was determined to be 7.55 microM. Dot blot assays were performed with peptides corresponding to the two LAM mimotopes to evaluate their diagnostic potential. Both peptides gave discernibly higher signals with a panel of tuberculosis (TB) patient sera than with sera from healthy controls. The peptides were also found to stimulate the release of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-12 cytokines in the J774A.1 cell line and primary bone marrow-derived macrophages, indicating that they may have immunomodulatory potential. The present study demonstrates that peptide mimotopes of known and unknown mycobacterial antigens could be isolated by using subtractive phage display techniques and that these peptides could have potential applications in areas such as TB diagnostics and immunotherapy.     

Production of mouse monoclonal antibodies against Helicobacter pylori Lpp20 and mapping the antigenic epitope by phage display library

Lpp20, an outer membrane protein of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), has been identified as an immunodominant antigen. To obtain mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against it and to map its antigenic epitope is potentially to develop a vaccine for prevention and treatment of H. pylori infection. In our study, the Lpp20 gene was obtained from H. pylori genomic DNA by PCR (GenBank accession no. DQ106902), cloned into pGEX-4T-1 vector and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a recombinant fusion protein with glutathione-S-transferase (GST), which was purified by GST-affinity chromatography. mAbs were produced by the hybridoma technique using Lpp20-GST as the immunogen. Using mAb as the target molecule and immunoscreening phage-displayed random dodecapeptide library (Ph.D.-12), the positive phage clones were sequenced and analyzed. Phage clones were chosen to immunize mice to evaluate the potential of phagotopes as effective vaccines. One mimotope (SWPLYSDASGLG) showed a good match with the Lpp20 proteins at 114-117aa (DASG) and the serum of mice induced by the phage clone clearly recognized Lpp20 protein. Our work suggests that the antigenic epitope could be mapped through screening the phage-displayed peptide libraries with mAb and a mimotope of Lpp20 providing an alternative approach for the diagnosis and development of a vaccine for H. pylori.     

EGFR二聚化B细胞表位抗原肽基因克隆、表达与纯化

目的利用基因工程手段建立表皮生长因子受体(EGFR)二聚化B细胞表位抗原肽MVF-ER的高效制备方法。方法采用重叠延伸PCR扩增MVF-ER后克隆于表达载体pET32a,于大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)进行表达,产物采用肠激酶酶切和镍离子螯合亲和层析法纯化。结果通过10对引物5步重叠延伸得到273 bp的扩增产物,目的基因与硫氧环蛋白(Trx)融合后可高效表达,经酶切和层析后得到纯度为95%的抗原肽。结论成功建立抗原肽"MVF-ER"的高效制备方法,为进一步研究EGFR过表达恶性肿瘤的治疗性疫苗打下了坚实基础。     

Phage display peptide libraries in molecular allergology: from epitope mapping to mimotope‐based immunotherapy

Identification of allergen epitopes is a key component in proper understanding of the pathogenesis of type I allergies, for understanding cross‐reactivity and for the development of mimotope immunotherapeutics. Phage particles have garnered recognition in the field of molecular allergology due to their value not only in competitive immunoscreening of peptide libraries but also as immunogenic carriers of allergen mimotopes. They integrate epitope discovery technology and immunization functions into a single platform. This article provides an overview of allergen mimotopes identified through the phage display technique. We discuss the contribution of phage display peptide libraries in determining dominant B‐cell epitopes of allergens, in developing mimotope immunotherapy, in understanding cross‐reactivity, and in determining IgE epitope profiles of individual patients to improve diagnostics and individualize immunotherapy. We also discuss the advantages and pitfalls of the methodology used to identify and validate the mimotopes.     

丙型肝炎病毒非结构蛋白NS4A抗原模拟表位的筛选和鉴定

目的：筛选丙型肝炎病毒（hepatitis C virus,HCV)非结构蛋白NS4A（HCV NS4A)特异性噬菌体模拟表位，为抗HCV的疫苗研究探索新途径。方法：以抗HCV NS4A的单克隆抗体作为固相筛选分子，对人工合成的噬菌体随机12肽库进行5轮“吸附－洗脱－扩增”的筛选过程，随机挑取45个克隆，经噬菌体酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）鉴定并进行交叉反应实验以及竞争抑制性结合实验，最后对所选克隆进行DNA序列分析，以确定HCV NS4A抗原的模拟表位。结果：经噬菌体富集后，从随机筛选的45个克隆中得到13个阳性克隆，确定氨基酸序列XXRXXMXPXXXI为HCV NS4A的模拟表位。结论：用噬菌体12肽库成功筛选得到HCV NS4A的模拟表位，为开展用HCV模拟表位探索HCV的防治研究创造了条件。     

A phage-displayed mimotope inhibits tumour necrosis factor-alpha-induced cytotoxicity more effectively than the free mimotope

A phage-displayed peptide library was screened by direct interaction with human tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) to identify novel antagonistic molecules of its biological activities. After several rounds of affinity selection, a phage displaying a mimotope sequence was shown to strongly inhibit, in a dose-dependent fashion, both mouse and human TNF-alpha-mediated cytotoxicity in L929 cells. The identified mimotope did not bear any sequence homology to the primary structures of the extracellular domains of either the 55 000 MW or the 75 000 MW TNF-alpha receptors, suggesting that it represents or mimics a conformational epitope involved with binding to TNF-alpha. The free 15-mer mimotope weakly inhibited TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity in vitro, and it did not bind to TNF-alpha as assessed by surface plasmon resonance, demonstrating the importance of mimotope presentation for its biological activities. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of random combinatorial peptide libraries for the identification of novel inhibitors, which may serve as important tools in research that could lead to the development of TNF-alpha antagonists with therapeutic potential.     

TRAIL和EGFR配体寡肽与力达霉素辅基蛋白融合蛋白制备过程的优化

目的对以包涵体形式表达的TRAIL和EGFR配体寡肽与力达霉素辅基蛋白融合蛋白Ec-LDP-TRAIL的制备过程进行优化。方法对大肠杆菌原核表达Ec-LDP-TRAIL目的蛋白的温度、诱导物浓度、起始菌体密度及时间等条件进行优化;在Ni2+亲和层析纯化蛋白过程中对样品预处理以及纯化缓冲液成分进行优化;对纯化后蛋白的分步透析复性过程进行一系列优化,并通过基于ELISA的结合活性实验分析Ec-LDP-TRAIL与肿瘤细胞的结合能力。结果经过工艺优化后,纯化后的融合蛋白Ec-LDP-TRAIL纯度达95%以上,复性后LB培养基活性蛋白收率约为2.2 mg/L,与初始复性条件相比提高近2倍。复性后融合蛋白Ec-LDP-TRAIL显示出能够与人表皮癌A431和人大细胞肺癌H460细胞的结合活性。结论融合蛋白Ec-LDP-TRAIL制备过程的优化为后续研发和生产奠定了实验基础,同时也为其他以包涵体形式表达的基于TRAIL的抗肿瘤蛋白药物的制备提供借鉴。     

Mapping of Taenia solium TSOL18 antigenic epitopes by phage display library

Taenia solium is a cestode parasite that causes cysticercosis in humans and pigs. TSOL18 has been identified as a host-protective oncosphere antigen. To obtain mouse monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against TSOL18 and to map its antigenic epitopes are potentials to develop a vaccine for the prevention of T. solium infection. In this study, mAbs were produced by the hybridoma technique using purified glycosylated TSOL18 produced in Pichia pastoris as the immunogen. mAb was used to define the B-cell epitopes of TSOL18 with phage-displayed random dodecapeptide library (Ph.D.-12), and some of the positive phage clones were sequenced and analyzed. The predominant mimotopes were ETTKLQRFQAML (L1) found in 83%, followed by DHTXF in 15% (L2: DHTLFAASHNHR, DHTLFSTGHSHG, and DHTFMQRYHTHQ). Comparison of the peptide sequences with native TSOL18 protein sequence using Clustal W software showed that they did not completely match, suggesting that the ETTKLQRFQAML and DHTXF sequences should be conformational epitopes. The sera of mice immunized with the selected phage clones obviously recognized the TSOL18 protein. Meanwhile, sera collected from TSOL18-vaccinated pigs reacted to both epitopes in enzyme-linked-immunosorbent serologic assay test. Our work demonstrated that the antigenic epitope could be mapped through screening the phage-displayed peptide libraries with mAbs and a mimotope of TSOL18, which could provide an alternative approach for the diagnosis and development of a vaccine for T. solium.     

Induction of IgG antibodies against the GD2 carbohydrate tumor antigen by vaccination with peptide mimotopes

The disialoganglioside GD2, a carbohydrate antigen, is expressed on all tumors of neuroectodermal origin, including melanoma, neuroblastoma, sarcoma and small cell lung cancer. Due to its specific expression on tumor surfaces, GD2 is an attractive target for immunotherapies. The mouse/human chimeric anti-GD2 mAb ch14.18 is already applied in melanoma and neuroblastoma trials as a passive immunotherapy. To establish an active immunotherapy alternative, we aimed to replace the poorly immunogenic ganglioside with immunogenic peptides. Previously, we used the ch14.18 antibody to select GD2 peptide mimics from a phage display library. In the present study, two mimics of the ch14.18 epitope were coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and used for immunizing BALB/c mice. Induction of a specific humoral immune response towards the original antigen GD2, both purified and expressed on neuroblastoma and melanoma cells, could be demonstrated in ELISA, Western blot, and immunofluorohistochemistry. As the elicited antibodies were of the IgG isotype, the mimotope conjugates were capable of recruiting T cell help and inducing memory phenomena. In conclusion, we show that an epitope of the carbohydrate antigen GD2 can successfully be translated into immunogenic peptide mimotopes. Our immunization experiments indicate that GD2 mimotopes are suitable for active immunotherapy of GD2-expressing tumors.     

应用噬菌体表面展示技术筛选流感病毒H3N2抗原模拟表位

目的 筛选特异性流感病毒H3N2抗原模拟表位,为开展新的流感病毒疫苗研究探索新的途径.方法 应用噬菌体表面展示技术,以抗-H3N2的单克隆抗体作为固相筛选分子,对人工合成的噬菌体随机肽库进行5轮"吸附-洗脱-扩增"的筛选过程,在第5轮筛选后,随机挑取48个克隆,经噬菌体酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)鉴定并进行交叉反应实验以及竞争抑制性实验,最后对所选克隆进行DNA序列分析,以确定H3N2抗原的模拟表位.结果 经噬菌体富集后,从随机筛选的48个克隆中得到21个阳性克隆,经ELISA鉴定及交叉反应实验、竞争抑制性实验后,确定氨基酸序列XTXPYXX为H3N2的模拟表位.结论 用噬菌体7肽库筛选得到H3N2的模拟表位,为开展用流感病毒模拟表位探索新的防治方法研究奠定了基础.     

Specific antibody response towards predicted epitopes of the epidermal growth factor receptor induced by a thermostable synthetic peptide adjuvant conjugate.

Applying computer-assisted epitope prediction to the amino-acid sequence of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the extracytoplasmic domain EGFR(516-529) was selected as a putative antigenic region. EGFR(516-529) was synthesized on a solid-phase matrix and N-terminally linked to the low mol. wt adjuvant tripalmitoyl-S-glyceryl-cysteinyl-serine (Pam3 Cys-Ser). The conjugation to this B cell and macrophage-activating lipopeptide considerably enhanced the immunogenicity of the EGFR peptide. Using the conjugate Pam3 Cys-Ser-EGFR(516-529), a peptide-specific monoclonal antibody was produced. By flow cytometry and immunoprecipitation the antibody was demonstrated to recognize EGFR on A431 cells, expressing large numbers of EGFR. With this novel approach synthetic immunogens can be prepared which could serve as thermostable synthetic vaccines with great potential in countries where a functional cold chain cannot be maintained.     

Newly characterized species-specific immunogenic Chlamydophila pneumoniae peptide reactive with murine monoclonal and human serum antibodies

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) directed against an unknown Chlamydophila pneumoniae epitope has been characterized, and the respective peptide mimotope has been identified. A murine MAb specific for C. pneumoniae was used to select peptides from phage display libraries. The peptides identified from the phage display library clones reacted specifically with the respective target murine MAb and with human sera previously identified as having antibody titers to C. pneumoniae. The selected peptide mimotope sequences tended to be composed of charged residues surrounding a core of hydrophobic residues. The peptide with the best binding could inhibit >95% of binding to the MAb, suggesting that the selected peptide binds the paratope of the respective MAb. The peptide reacted with human sera previously determined by microimmunofluorescence to have anti-C. pneumoniae antibodies. The peptide was competitively competed with the MAb against Renografin-purified, sonicated C. pneumoniae in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and with whole-cell C. pneumoniae in an indirect fluorescence assay format, demonstrating its potential utility in the development of diagnostics. The use of this novel peptide may allow investigators to establish standardized assays free from cross-reactive Chlamydia trachomatis and Chlamydophila psittaci epitopes and immunoreactivity.     

交叉保护性抗LPS多克隆抗体的制备与LPS多表位模拟肽的筛选

目的 获得具交叉保护性的抗细菌脂多糖(LPS)多克隆抗体与模拟LPS多表位的噬菌体展示环肽克隆。方法制备具交叉反应性的兔抗鼠伤寒沙门菌抗血清，鉴定抗血清对大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌攻击小鼠的交叉保护性。以亲和纯化的多克隆抗体为靶，亲和筛选噬菌体随机环七肽库。双夹心ELISA和竞争抑制ELISA鉴定阳性噬菌体克隆。结果兔抗血清能与多种来源的LPS反应，对用大肠杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌攻击的小鼠有显著的保护性。用亲和层析纯化的多克隆抗体为靶分子进行3轮筛选，随机挑选46个克隆，其中20个克隆显示与多抗结合。鼠伤寒沙门菌LPS可抑制阳性噬菌体克隆与多抗结合，所有克隆的IC50(达到50％抑制率的LPS浓度)为125ng/ml。挑选其中10个克隆测序并推导氨基酸序列，其中5个克隆具X-QFYP-X-A保守序列；3个克隆具LFTFAHY序列；2个克隆具YQYYPAA序列，所有序列非极性氨基酸含量平均值为80．0％。结论获得能与多种LPS反应且具交叉保护作用的兔多克隆抗体，筛选得到可模拟鼠伤寒沙门菌LPS多表位噬菌体展示环七肽。     

Characterization of monoclonal antibody CIBCNSH3 generated to the human EGF receptor

Monoclonal antibody CIBCNSH3 of IgG1 isotype has been generated against human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) using MDA MB 468 breast carcinoma cell line as immunogen. Earlier studies have revealed that this MAb blocked growth factor-receptor interaction and thus inhibited cell proliferation and tumor growth. In the present paper, this MAb has been extensively characterized to evaluate its application in the study of human cancers. The results were compared with those obtained using a control MAb ICR 62 specific to EGFR. Competitive assay showed that this MAb bound to an epitope in the extracellular domain of the EGFR to which MAb ICR 62 also bound. This MAb immunoprecipitated the 170 kD glycoprotein. The specificity was further confirmed by the formation of a single discrete band in western blot analysis. By flow cytometric analysis this monoclonal antibody revealed high binding affinity with MDA MB 468 cells. By immunocytochemical assay, out of 35 breast tumors studied, 40% were found to exhibit strong cell membrane staining and in the case of 25 oral cancers studied, 56% were strong positive. High expression of EGFR was observed in MDA MB 468 cells and HN 5 cells. These studies clearly indicate that MAb CIBCNSH3 might prove useful to identify tumors with high level of expression of EGFR associated with poor prognosis.     

模拟HIV-1 gp41 CHR表位短肽的筛选及研究

目的 利用针对HIV-1跨膜蛋白gp41CHR序列合成肽C34的单克隆抗体1G1筛选噬菌体12肽库，旨在找寻模拟C34肽表位的序列，同时探索该短肽成为HIV-1gp41NHR与CHR结合抑制物的可能性。方法 以1G1为钓饵蛋白对噬菌体12肽库进行亲和筛选，以双夹心ELISA鉴定阳性克隆。结果 经3轮筛选后，随机挑选17个噬菌体克隆，其中6个克隆与1G1显示出较强的结合活性，上述6个阳性克隆经DNA测序，氨基酸序列相同；HYEFWAWNWEAN，其明显的疏水性质类似于G34N末端，特异性鉴定显示这些克隆均能够与HIV-1gp41N多肽结合，结论 该噬菌体克隆展示肽可模拟HIV-1gp41CHR多肽表位，并可与N多肽结合。     

Current and emerging EGFR therapies for glioblastoma

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are the most lethal and hard to treat malignancies in clinical practice. The standard of care for treating GBM involving surgery and adjuvant radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide (TMZ) has remained virtually unchanged in the past decade. Molecular targeted therapies against cancer-specific structures have reported mediocre results in the treatment of GBM, due to multiple factors such as the presence of the blood brain barrier or a vast array of molecular alterations which greatly hinder the action of the most therapeutic agents. One such therapy is directed against the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its’ receptor (EGFR) using either monoclonal antibodies or tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Even though anti-EGF/EGFR treatment produced encouraging results in other forms of cancer it failed to present any clinical benefit for patients with GBM. Lately, immunotherapies that focus on using the host’s own immune system against cancer cells have gained popularity, with approaches like peptide vaccination being successfully used in clinical trials for different types of malignancies. These immune-based therapies could hold the key to improving both the prognosis and quality of life for patients suffering for cancers previously considered incurable, such as GBM.     

siRNA对卵巢癌细胞周期及EGFR表达的影响

目的体外构建编码人类表皮生长因子受体（EGFR）的小干扰RNA（siRNA）的质粒表达载体,观察其对卵巢癌Skov-3细胞EGFR的特异性抑制作用及对细胞凋亡和周期的影响。方法构建pSilencer-EGFR siRNA真核基因表达载体,采用脂质体介导的方法将其转染到卵巢癌细胞株Skov-3,实验分为以下3组：空白对照组（未经转染的人卵巢癌Skov一3细胞）、非特异性转染组（转染非特异性质粒载体）及特异性转染组。用RT-PCR的方法检测mRNA水平的变化,用免疫荧光法检测EGFR蛋白水平的变化,流式细胞仪检测其对卵巢癌细胞周期及凋亡的影响。结果成功构建pSilencer—EGFR siRNA真核基因表达载体。psiRNA—EGFR质粒明显下调Skov-3细胞中EGFR的表达,阻断细胞周期在G1期,促进细胞凋亡。结论重组质粒psiRNA—EGFR能有效地抑制Skov-3细胞内EGFR的表达、抑制细胞增殖,其抑制机制可能与引起细胞周期再分布、降低S期细胞比例和促进细胞凋亡有关。