U.S. patent application number 10/570948 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-15 for method for production of bioresorable microparticles, microparticles thus obtained and use thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to BIOMERIEUX. Invention is credited to Yasemin Ataman-Onal, Thierry Delair, Genevieve Inchauspe, Pascale Jeannin, Glaucia Paranhos-Baccala, Bernard Verrier.
Application Number | 20070059681 10/570948 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34224374 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070059681 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ataman-Onal; Yasemin ; et
al. |
March 15, 2007 |
Method for production of bioresorable microparticles,
microparticles thus obtained and use thereof
Abstract
The present invention relates to a method for preparing
nonlamellar bioresorbable microparticles to which protein
substances are bonded, characterized in that it comprises the steps
of: (i) preparing said microparticles from at least one
bioresorbable polymer without stabilizer and without surfactant,
and (ii) bonding said protein substances to the microparticles
obtained in step (i) without surfactant. It further relates to the
bioresorbable microparticles thus obtained and use thereof in
diagnosis and therapy.
Inventors: |
Ataman-Onal; Yasemin; (Lyon,
FR) ; Delair; Thierry; (Echalas, FR) ;
Inchauspe; Genevieve; (Lyon, FR) ; Jeannin;
Pascale; (Bouchemaine, FR) ; Paranhos-Baccala;
Glaucia; (Lyon, FR) ; Verrier; Bernard;
(Mornant, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
BIOMERIEUX
MARCY L'ETOILE
FR
|
Family ID: |
34224374 |
Appl. No.: |
10/570948 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
September 21, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR04/50447 |
371 Date: |
March 7, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
435/5 ;
424/208.1; 530/388.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C07K 16/1054 20130101;
A61K 39/00 20130101; C07K 14/005 20130101; G01N 33/54346 20130101;
A61K 9/5153 20130101; A61K 47/34 20130101; A61K 9/167 20130101;
C12N 2740/16322 20130101; C07K 16/1072 20130101; C12N 2770/24222
20130101; A61P 43/00 20180101; A61K 47/6935 20170801; C07K 16/40
20130101; C12N 2740/16222 20130101; A61K 2039/6093 20130101; A61K
9/5192 20130101; A61P 31/12 20180101; A61P 31/18 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
435/005 ;
424/208.1; 530/388.3 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/21 20060101
A61K039/21; C12Q 1/70 20060101 C12Q001/70; C07K 16/10 20060101
C07K016/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 22, 2003 |
FR |
0311057 |
Claims
1. A method for preparing nonlamellar bioresorbable microparticles
to which protein substances are bonded, characterized in that it
comprises the steps of: (i) preparing said microparticles from at
least one bioresorbable polymer without stabilizer and without
surfactant, and (ii) bonding said protein substances to the
microparticles obtained in step (i) without surfactant.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
polymer used in step (i) is a poly(.alpha.-hydroxylated acid) or a
mixture of poly(.alpha.-hydroxylated acids).
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
bonding of the protein substances to the microparticles is carried
out by adsorption.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the
protein substance is an antigen of viral origin.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the
antigen is an HIV virus antigen, preferably the p24 protein or a
regulatory protein.
6. The method as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the HIV
virus antigen is a regulatory protein chosen from the Tat, Rev and
Nef proteins.
7. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the
antigen is an HCV virus antigen, preferably a nonstructural protein
of the HCV virus.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the
antigen is the NS3 protein, preferably the NS3 helicase
protein.
9. Bioresorbable nonlamellar microparticles to which protein
substances are bonded, obtainable by the method as claimed in claim
1.
10. A method of preparing a medicinal product comprising using
bioresorbable microparticles as defined in claim 9 for preparing
said medicinal product.
11. The method as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that the
medicinal product is intended for the inhibition, prevention or
treatment of an infection caused by a virus.
12. A pharmaceutical composition, in particular a vaccine,
characterized in that it contains at least one bioresorbable
microparticle as defined in claim 9 and, where appropriate, a
pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.
13. A method of treating pathologies associated with the protein
substance bonded to a bioresorbable microparticle as defined in
claim 9, obtainable (i) preparing said microparticle from at least
one bioresorbable polymer without stabilizer and without
surfactant, and (ii) bonding said protein substances to the
microparticle obtained in step (i) without surfactant; which
comprises the administration, to a patient, of an effective dose of
a pharmaceutical composition as defined in claim 12.
14. Antibodies directed against the bioresorbable microparticles as
defined in claim 9.
15. A diagnostic composition consisting of the bioresorbable
microparticles as defined in claim 9 or of antibodies against said
bioresorbable microparticles.
16. A diagnostic method comprising using the diagnostic composition
as defined in claim 15, for the in vitro diagnosis of a
pathological state related to the protein substance bonded to the
bioresorbable microparticle.
17. The method as claimed in claim 16, characterized in that the
pathological state is a viral infection.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to novel bioresorbable
particles to which protein substances are bonded, that are useful
in particular in the field of vaccination.
[0002] Protein substances, such as proteins and peptides, also
called antigens, are widely used in the treatment of many diseases,
such as diseases of viral origin, generally in the form of a
vaccine formulation.
[0003] In order to increase the activity and the strength of the
antigen and to improve the stability of the pharmaceutical
compositions containing the antigens, these compositions contain
adjuvants. In this regard, vaccine formulations often comprise
immunological adjuvants for enhancing cell-mediated responses and
humoral responses.
[0004] Despite the presence of such adjuvants, conventional
vaccines often have the drawback that they provide nonoriented
protection against the pathogenic agents targeted. The term
"oriented protection" is intended to mean protection involving both
the cell-mediated response and the humoral response of the immune
system.
[0005] In order to obtain an appropriate immune response,
particulate carriers associated with antigens have been used, said
antigens being either adsorbed onto the carrier, or trapped in the
carrier. Such carriers possess multiple copies of the antigen of
interest presented to the immune system and promote the trapping
and retention of the antigens in the local lymph nodes. The
particles can be phagocytozed by antigen-presenting cells and can
increase antigen-presentation to the immune system. Examples of
such carriers include poly(methyl methacrylate) polymers and also
microparticles made of polylactides, such as poly(D- or L-lactic
acid) known as D-PLA or L-PLA, respectively, and of
poly(lactide-co-glycolide)s known as PLG.
[0006] PLG-based microparticles in which antigens are trapped are
capable of giving an immune response. By way of example, Moore et
al. (1995, Vaccine, 13:1741-1749) have shown that the
microencapsulated HIV virus gp120 antigen induces an HIV-specific
CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell response. Similarly, Vordemeier et al. (1995,
Vaccine, 13-1576-1582) have shown that the PLG-trapped
Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigen induces, in mice immunized with
such an antigen, both a humoral response and a T-cell response.
[0007] Although these types of adjuvant offer some advantages
compared with the other more toxic systems, they have the drawback
that the production of microparticles is difficult and involves the
use of corrosive chemical products, such as solvents, which can
denature the antigen and destroy the immunogenicity thereof.
Furthermore, the antigen may also be degraded due to the vigorous
agitation required during the trapping process such as
encapsulation.
[0008] It has thus been proposed to use microparticles which have
the antigens adsorbed or grafted onto their surface (Rock K. L.,
Efficient MHC I presentation of exogenous Ag, PNAS 1993). Some
authors, such as Eldrige et al., in Infect. Immun., 59:2978-2986
(1991), have, however, indicated that, in order to achieve an
appropriate adjuvant effect, the antigens must be trapped in
microparticles.
[0009] PCT patent application WO 97/02810 describes particles
consisting of a biodegradable polymer, onto which antigens can be
adsorbed. These particles are useful for the delivery of these
antigens. The drawback of these particles is their lamellar nature
due to the use of crystalline or partially crystalline polymers,
such that it is not possible to control their size. In fact,
particles intended for vaccination must have a submicronic size in
order to be effective in transfection and in immunization.
[0010] Patent applications WO 98/33487 and WO 00/06123 describe,
for their part, polylactide or PLG-based microparticles onto which
antigens are adsorbed and the use thereof for stimulating immune
responses. All the microparticles of these patent applications,
onto which antigens are adsorbed, have been obtained using a
surfactant in order to maintain the colloidal stability of said
microparticles, and also a stabilizer, such as poly(vinyl alcohol),
for the preparation of the polymer particles. The drawback of the
microparticles thus obtained is their toxicity due to the presence
in the microparticles of said surfactant and of said
stabilizer.
[0011] The applicant has now discovered, against all expectations,
that it is possible to obtain spherical, nonlamellar bioresorbable
microparticles of at most micronic size, to which are bonded
antigenic protein substances against which it is sought to trigger
an immune response, and which are devoid of the above drawbacks,
i.e. they are not toxic since they are prepared without stabilizer
and without surfactant for the preparation of the polymeric
microparticles, and without surfactant for the bonding of the
antigens to the surface of the microparticles, without loss of
colloidal stability.
[0012] Thus, a first subject of the invention consists of a method
for preparing bioresorbable microparticles to which protein
substances are bonded, characterized in that it comprises the steps
of: [0013] (i) preparing said microparticles from at least one
bioresorbable polymer without stabilizer and without surfactant,
and [0014] (ii) bonding said protein substances to the
microparticles obtained in step (i) without surfactant.
[0015] The microparticles obtained by means of the method of the
invention are devoid of stabilizer and of surfactant such that they
are novel.
[0016] Thus, another subject of the invention consists of the
bioresorbable microparticles to which protein substances are
bonded, which are obtainable by the method of the invention.
[0017] Against all expectations, the particles of the invention
conserve their colloidal stability.
[0018] The microparticles of the invention are useful for
stimulating both a cell-mediated response and a humoral response,
such that they are useful both in therapy and in diagnosis.
[0019] Thus, another subject of the invention consists of the use
of the microparticles of the invention for preparing a medicinal
product, and also the pharmaceutical compositions, in particular
vaccines, comprising the microparticles of the invention.
[0020] Finally, another subject of the invention consists of the
use of the microparticles of the invention for the in vitro
diagnosis of pathological states related to the protein substance
bonded to said microparticles.
[0021] The microparticles intended for vaccination must not be
toxic for the organism that receives them, while at the same time
conserving their colloidal stability.
[0022] The method of the invention, that uses neither surfactant
nor stabilizer, makes it possible, against all expectations, to
obtain such particles.
[0023] The term "microparticle" is intended to mean particles of at
most micronic, preferably at most submicronic, size so as to allow
them to enter antigen-presenting cells.
[0024] The term "at most micronic size" is intended to mean a size
of less than or equal to 999 .mu.m, and the term "at most
submicronic size" is intended to mean a size of less than or equal
to 999 nm.
[0025] Preferably, the microparticles have a particle diameter of
less than or equal to 3 .mu.m. More preferably, the particles of
the invention are of submicronic size, with preferably a diameter
of between 150 and 900 nm, more preferably between 250 and 700
nm.
[0026] The size of the particles is readily determined by
techniques known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example,
using scanning electron microscopy, quasi-elastic light scattering
or transmission electron microscopy.
[0027] The term "toxic microparticle" is intended to mean a
microparticle comprising at least one compound capable of causing
biological disorders, such as metabolic disturbances, in the
organism having received the microparticle.
[0028] The first step of the method of the invention consists of
the preparation of said microparticles from at least one
bioresorbable polymer without stabilizer and without
surfactant.
[0029] The term "bioresorbable polymer" is intended to mean a
polymer capable of degrading, in the organism into which it has
been introduced, into compounds that can be eliminated via the
natural pathways. This polymer may be amorphous, slightly
crystalline or crystalline.
[0030] Examples of such bioresorbable polymers include, without
limitation, poly(.alpha.-hydroxylated acids), poly(hydroxybutyric
acids), polycaprolactones, poly-orthoesters and polyanhydrides.
Preferably, the bioresorbable polymer used in the method of the
invention is a poly(.alpha.-hydroxylated acid) such as
poly(D-lactic acid), poly(L-lactic acid) (called PLA),
poly(glycolic acid) (called PLG), or else a mixture of
poly(.alpha.-hydroxylated acids), such as a mixture of poly(D- and
L-lactic acids), a mixture of poly(L-lactic acid) and of
poly(glycolic acid), a mixture of poly(D-lactic acid) and of
poly(glycolic acid), or a mixture of poly(D-lactic and L-lactic
acids) and of poly(glycolic acid), which constitutes an embodiment
of the invention.
[0031] When the polymer used in the method of the invention is a
mixture of poly(.alpha.-hydroxylated acids), the proportion of each
constituent can be readily determined by those skilled in the art.
Thus, for example, it is possible to use a racemic mixture of
poly(D- and L-lactic acids) or a PLA/PLG mixture at various
percentages known to those skilled in the art.
[0032] The preparation of the microparticles of the invention from
at least one bioresorbable polymer can be carried out by any
methods for preparing microparticles known to those skilled in the
art, for which no stabilizer and no surfactant are used. In fact,
step (i) of the method of the invention is characterized in that
such agents are not used.
[0033] The stabilizers normally used in methods for preparing
microparticles include, for example, poly(vinyl alcohol), pluronics
(copolymer of poly(ethylene oxide) and of poly(propylene oxide)),
and cationic or anionic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium
bromide or sodium dodecyl sulfate.
[0034] Of course, when the stabilizer used in the methods of the
prior art is a surfactant, said methods do not use an additional
surfactant.
[0035] The surfactants normally used in the methods of the prior
art are largely known to those skilled in the art and are
described, for example, in patent application WO 98/33487.
[0036] By way of example of a method for preparing microparticles
without stabilizer and without surfactant, mention may be made of
dialysis, solvent displacement, emulsification-solvent evaporation
and emulsification-diffusion, these said methods being largely
known to those skilled in the art.
[0037] For example, the dialysis for preparing the microparticles
of the invention can be carried out with a solution of
bioresorbable polymer in a water-miscible solvent, such as acetone,
DMSO or DMF, at a concentration by mass of 0.1% to 10%, dialyzed
against 1000 times its volume of water for 12 hours.
[0038] The second step of the method of the invention consists in
bonding protein substances to the microparticles obtained in the
first step of the method, without using surfactant.
[0039] This step of bonding the protein substance to the surface of
the microparticles has the characteristic that it is carried out
without surfactant. In fact, against all expectations, even in the
absence of surfactant, the microparticles of the invention exhibit
a colloidal stability that provides a range of particle size
suitable for use in immunization.
[0040] By way of examples of a surfactant normally used for the
bonding of protein substances to the surface of microparticles,
reference may be made to the surfactants mentioned above.
[0041] The protein substances to be bonded to the surface of the
microparticles obtained in step (i) of the method of the invention
may be any protein substance against which it is sought to trigger
an immune response.
[0042] The term "immune response" is intended to mean a
cell-mediated response, a humoral response or both.
[0043] The term "cell-mediated response" is intended to mean a
response mediated by T lymphocytes and/or other leukocytes. This
response is reflected by the induction of a lytic activity by
cytotoxic T lymphocytes and/or by cytokine production by suppressor
CD8+ T lymphocytes or by helper T cells.
[0044] The term "humoral response" is intended to mean a response
mediated by the antibody molecules secreted by B lymphocytes.
[0045] The protein substances that are suitable for the purposes of
the invention may be of several origins, such as of viral or
bacterial origin.
[0046] By way of example of such protein substances, mention may,
for example, be made of antigens and epitopes or any protein
substance having the role of an antigen after bonding to the
microparticles.
[0047] The antigens are molecules capable of being recognized by an
antibody, the synthesis of which they have induced via an immune
response, and containing at least one epitope. This may be whole
proteins or protein fragments having conserved the structure of
interest.
[0048] The epitopes are peptides comprising between 3 and 15 and
generally between 5 and 15 amino acids, having also conserved the
structure of interest.
[0049] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the
protein substance is an antigen of viral origin.
[0050] When the protein substance is of viral origin, the suitable
viruses are any viruses for which substances capable of an immune
response are known.
[0051] By way of example, mention may be made, without any
limitation, of herpesviruses, hepatitis viruses, such as hepatitis
B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV), papilloma viruses (HPV)
and human immunodeficiency viruses (HIV), such as HIV-1 and
HIV-2.
[0052] The nucleic acid sequences of the viruses suitable for the
purposes of the invention, and also the proteins encoded by said
sequences, are largely known to those skilled in the art and are
available, for example, in databases such as GenBank.
[0053] Thus, for example, the HIV virus has genes which encode
structural proteins of the virus. The gag gene encodes the protein
that forms the core of the virion, including the p24 antigen. The
pol gene encodes the enzymes responsible for reverse transcription
(reverse transcriptase), for cleavage (protease) and for
integration (integrase). The env gene encodes the envelope
glycoproteins. It contains six other genes (tat, rev, nef, vif, vpr
and vpu (HIV-1) or vpx (HIV-2)) which encode proteins involved in
regulating the expression of the genes of the virus (regulatory
proteins). The HIV genome also comprises the 5' and 3' LTRs (Long
Terminal Repeats) which comprise regulatory elements involved in
the expression of the genes of the virus.
[0054] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protein
substance used in the method of the invention is an HIV virus
antigen. Preferably, the HIV virus antigen is a regulatory protein
or the p24 protein, the preferred regulatory proteins being the
Tat, Rev or Nef protein.
[0055] As regards HCV, the 5' end of its genome corresponds to an
untranslated region adjacent to the genes which encode the
structural proteins, the nucleocapsid core protein, the two
envelope glycoproteins, E1 and E2, and a small protein called p7.
The 5' untranslated region and the core gene are relatively well
conserved in the various genotypes. The E1 and E2 envelope proteins
are encoded by regions that are more variable from one isolate to
another. The p7 protein is an extremely hydrophobic protein which
is thought to constitute an ion channel. The 3' end of the HCV
genome contains the genes which encode the nonstructural proteins
(NS2, NS3, NS4, NS5) and a 3' noncoding region that has a
well-conserved domain (Major M E, Feinstone S M, Hepatology, June
1997, 25(6):1527-1538).
[0056] The NS3 nonstructural protein of HCV is a 630 amino acid
protein which comprises two distinct structural domains: an
N-terminal domain, of 81 amino acids, which has an active serine
protease activity involved in the maturation of the viral protein
(domain called NS3 protease), and a C-terminal domain, of 549 amino
acids, comprising a helicase activity associated with an NTPase
activity which plays a role in the replication of the viral genome
(domain called NS3 helicase). This NS3 protein is relatively
well-conserved among the various genotypes of the virus, such that
this protein constitutes a "vaccine candidate" antigen of
choice.
[0057] According to one embodiment of the invention, the protein
substance of interest is an antigenic protein of HCV, preferably a
nonstructural protein, more preferably the NS3 protein, and in
particular the NS3 helicase protein being more preferred.
[0058] The protein substances suitable for the purposes of the
invention can be obtained by the genetic engineering technique
which comprises the steps of: [0059] culturing a microorganism or
eukaryotic cells transformed with a nucleotide sequence encoding
the protein substance of interest, and [0060] recovering said
protein substance produced by said microorganism or said eukaryotic
cells.
[0061] This technique is well known to those skilled in the art.
For further detail with regard thereto, reference may be made to
the manual hereinafter: Recombinant DNA Technology I, Editors Ales
Prokop, Raskesh K Bajpai; Annals of the New-York Academy of
Sciences, Volume 646, 1991.
[0062] The protein substances of interest, when they are small in
size, can also be prepared by conventional peptide syntheses well
known to those skilled in the art.
[0063] The bonding of the protein substances to the bioresorbable
microparticles can be carried out by any method known to those
skilled in the art.
[0064] Examples of such bonding include adsorption, covalent
bonding and bonding via a polysaccharide polymer deposited at the
surface of the microparticle, such as chitosan, the protein
substance being bonded to the chitosan by adsorption.
[0065] The adsorption can be carried out, for example, by mixing
the microparticles with the protein substances and incubating with
agitation, for example at ambient temperature or at 37.degree.
C.
[0066] The covalent bonding of the protein substances to the
surface of the microparticles can be carried out using the
techniques and reagents known in the literature, as described, for
example, in Bioconjugate Techniques, G. T. Hermanson, Academic
Press, London, 1996 and Chemical Reagents for Protein Modification,
R. L. Lundblad, Ed. CRC Press, 1991.
[0067] According to a particular embodiment, the bonding of the
protein substances to the microparticles is carried by
adsorption.
[0068] The bioresorbable microparticles to which protein substances
are bonded, prepared according to the method of the invention, are
devoid of stabilizer and of surfactant, such that they are novel
and constitute another subject of the invention.
[0069] The microparticles of the invention, because of their
ability to induce an immune response by virtue of the protein
substance, and because of their lack of toxicity, are particularly
suitable for the preparation of pharmaceutical compositions, in
particular vaccines, that are useful in the treatment of
pathologies associated with the protein substance bonded to the
microparticles.
[0070] Thus, another subject of the invention consists of the use
of the bioresorbable microparticles of the invention, for preparing
a medicinal product.
[0071] In particular, the medicinal product prepared with the
microparticles of the invention is particularly useful for the
inhibition, prevention or treatment of an infection caused by a
virus, such as, for example, the HIV or HCV virus or any other
known virus, which constitutes another embodiment of the
invention.
[0072] The invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition,
in particular a vaccine, containing at least one microparticle of
the invention and, where appropriate, a pharmaceutically acceptable
excipient.
[0073] The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are
suitable for oral, sublingual, subcutaneous, intramuscular,
intravenous, topical, local, intratracheal, intranasal,
transdermal, rectal, intraocular or intra-auricular administration,
it being possible for said active ingredient to be administered in
unit administration forms.
[0074] The unit administration forms may, for example, be tablets,
gelatin capsules, granules, powders, injectable oral solutions or
suspensions, transdermal patches, sublingual, buccal,
intratracheal, intraocular, intranasal or intra-auricular
administration forms, forms of administration by inhalation,
topical, transdermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous
administration forms, rectal administration forms, or implants. For
topical administration, creams, gels, ointments, lotions or eye
lotions can be envisioned.
[0075] These pharmaceutical forms are prepared according to the
usual methods in the fields under consideration.
[0076] Of course, those skilled in the art will readily determine
the suitable excipient and the amount of microparticles to be used
according to the constituents and to the unit administration form
of the pharmaceutical composition.
[0077] Said unit forms contain a dosage so as to allow daily
administration of from 0.001 to 10 mg of active ingredient per kg
of body weight, according to the pharmaceutical form.
[0078] There may be specific cases where higher or lower dosages
are appropriate; such dosages do not depart from the scope of the
invention. According to the usual practice, the dosage appropriate
for each patient is determined by the physician according to the
method of administration and the weight and response of the
patient.
[0079] According to another embodiment of the invention, the
present invention also relates to a method of treating pathologies
associated with the protein substance bonded to the microparticle
of the invention, which comprises the administration, to a patient,
of an effective dose of a pharmaceutical composition of the
invention.
[0080] The microparticles of the invention also make it possible to
obtain antibodies, which constitutes another subject of the
invention.
[0081] The antibodies according to the invention are polyclonal or
monoclonal antibodies, monoclonal antibodies being preferred.
[0082] The abovementioned polyclonal antibodies can be obtained by
immunization of an animal with at least one microparticle of the
invention, followed by recovery of the desired antibodies in
purified form, by taking a sample of the serum of said animal and
separating said antibodies from the other constituents of the
serum, in particular by affinity chromatography on a column to
which is attached an antigen specifically recognized by the
antibodies, in particular that of the microparticle of the
invention.
[0083] The monoclonal antibodies can be obtained by means of the
hybridoma technique, the general principle of which is recalled
hereinafter.
[0084] Firstly, an animal, generally a mouse (or cells in culture
in the case of in vitro immunizations), is immunized with at least
one microparticle of the invention, for which the B lymphocytes are
then capable of producing antibodies against the protein substance
of said microparticle. These antibody-producing lymphocytes are
then fused with "immortal" (murine in the example) myeloma cells so
as to give hybridomas. Using the heterogeneous mixture of the cells
thus obtained, a selection of the cells capable of producing a
specific antibody and of indefinitely multiplying is then carried
out. Each hybridoma is multiplied in the form of a clone, each
resulting in the production of a monoclonal antibody whose
recognition properties with respect to the microparticle of the
invention may be tested, for example, by ELISA, by one- or
two-dimensional immunoblotting, by immunofluorescence, or using a
biosensor. The monoclonal antibodies thus selected are subsequently
purified, in particular according to the affinity chromatography
technique described above.
[0085] The microparticles and the antibodies of the invention are
also useful in the diagnosis of the pathological state associated
with the protein substance bonded to the surface of said
microparticles.
[0086] Specifically, the microparticles or antibodies of the
invention can be used as a partner for the capture or detection of
an analyte in any diagnostic technique using such partners, such as
the ELISA method. For example, when the intention is to search for
an antigen as an analyte, an antibody of the invention obtained
from microparticles to which said antigen is bonded is used,
whereas, if the intention is to search for antibodies, the
microparticles of the invention are used. In the latter case, if
the diagnostic test requires the use of a solid support, the
microparticles may or may not play this role.
[0087] Thus, another subject of the invention consists of a
diagnostic composition consisting of the bioresorbable
microparticles or of the antibodies of the invention.
[0088] It also relates to the use of this diagnostic composition
for the in vitro diagnosis of the pathological state related to the
protein substance bonded to the bioresorbable microparticle, it
being possible for the pathological state to be, according to one
embodiment, a viral infection, as caused by the HIV virus or the
HCV virus.
[0089] Here again, those skilled in the art will readily determine
the amount of microparticles or antibodies to be used according to
the diagnostic technique used.
[0090] The present invention will be understood more fully from the
following examples given only by way of nonlimiting illustration,
and also from FIGS. 1 to 9, in which:
[0091] FIG. 1 gives the result of CTL assays by immunizing mice
with the DNA sequence corresponding to the HCV NS3NS4 polyprotein
as a control (FIG. 1A), with the NS3 helicase protein substance and
Freund's adjuvant, without microparticle (FIG. 1B), with the NS3
helicase protein substance without microparticle (FIG. 1C), with
PLA microparticles without protein substance (FIG. 1D), and with
the microparticles of the invention in which the polymer is PLA and
the protein substance is the NS3 helicase peptide (FIG. 1E),
[0092] FIG. 2 represents a histogram giving the anti-p24 IgG titers
according to an ELISA assay, in the preimmune sera and the immune
sera of six rabbits (L1 to L6) having been given an injection of
the particles of the invention PLA-p24 either intradermally (ID) or
subcutaneously (SC),
[0093] FIG. 3 represents histograms (mean of four replicates+/-
standard deviations) obtained according to an ELISPOT assay in two
macaques M1 and M2 having received microparticles of the invention
PLA/p24, giving the number of spots per million cells obtained as a
function of the days post-immunization after stimulation without
antigen (medium, negative control, black histogram), after
stimulation with p24 (gray histogram) or after stimulation with the
PMA-ionomycin couple (outline histogram),
[0094] FIG. 4 represents histograms giving the number of spots
obtained by ELISPOT in two macaques M1 and M2 having received
microparticles of the invention PLA/p24, after stimulation either
with the p24 protein (black histogram), or with the peptides (gray
histogram), in the total PBMC fraction, the total PBMC fraction in
the presence of the anti-CD4 antibody, the CD4.sup.+-depleted PBMC
fraction (CD4- PBMC) and the corresponding CD4.sup.+-enriched
fraction (CD4+ PBMC), and also the CD8.sup.+-depleted PBMC fraction
(CD8- PBMC) and the corresponding CD8.sup.+-enriched fraction (CD8+
PBMC),
[0095] FIG. 5 represents histograms giving the anti-p24 IgG titer
obtained by ELISA in the M2 monkey having received microparticles
of the invention PLA/p24, as a function of the days on which the
sequential sera were taken,
[0096] FIG. 6 represents histograms giving the OD value obtained by
ELISA in the preimmune serum, in the serum after the 1st
immunization, in the serum after the second immunization and in the
serum after the 3rd immunization of mice immunized with SRDC cells
and sensitized either with the negative control (Ct1 and Ct2), or
with the p24 protein (p24-1 and p24-2), or with the microparticles
negative control (NanoOva1 and NanoOva2) or with the microparticles
of the invention (Nanop24-1 and Nanop24-2),
[0097] FIG. 7 represents graphs giving the relative proliferative
index (RPI) specific to the NS3h protein as a function of the
amount of NS3h used in mice having received NS3h-PBS (PBS), of the
microparticles of the invention prepared by dialysis (DYS), of the
microparticles of the invention prepared by solvent displacement
(DDS) and the NS3h-Alum composition,
[0098] FIG. 8 represents graphs giving the relative proliferative
index (RPI) specific to the NS3h protein as a function of the
amount of NS3h used in mice having received NS3h-PBS (PBS), of the
microparticles of the invention prepared by dialysis (DYS), of the
microparticles of the invention prepared by solvent displacement
(DDS) and the NS3h-Alum composition (Alum) in the cells of the
popliteal nodes for the localized cellular response (FIG. 8A) and
in the cells of the spleen for the systemic cellular response (FIG.
8B), and
[0099] FIG. 9 represents histograms giving the cellular
proliferative index (RPI) as a function of the immunogens used in
mice, i.e. NS3h-PBS (PBS), of the microparticles of the invention
prepared by dialysis (DYS), of the microparticles of the invention
prepared by solvent displacement (DDS) and the NS3h-Alu composition
(Alum), in the cells of the spleen without stimulation (0), after
stimulation with NS3h protein (1) or after stimulation with protein
and the anti-CD4+ antibody (1+aCD4).
EXAMPLE 1
Preparation of Microparticles of the Invention by Dialysis
1. Preparation of PLA Particles
[0100] PLA 50 (50% of poly(L-lactic acid) and 50% of poly(D-lactic
acid)) of molar mass 52,000 Da (Phusis.RTM.) was used.
[0101] This PLA was dissolved at 2% by total weight of solution in
DMSO (Prolabo.RTM.). The organic solution of PLA was subsequently
introduced into a dialysis membrane with a cut off of 15 000 Da
(Spectrum.RTM.) and the assembly was placed in a water bath of
double-distilled water (4 l, MilliQ.RTM.), stirred and changed
regularly every hour, for 6 h. The final dialysis bath was
continued overnight in order to obtain particles as a
precipitate.
[0102] The following day, the solution of PLA particles was
recovered and stored at 4.degree. C.
[0103] The particles thus obtained were characterized in terms of
their size, their polydispersity index and their charge using the
Zetasizer 3000 HS device (Malvern.RTM. Instruments). Their solids
content was also evaluated after weighing, by means of the
calculation: (mass of dry extract/mass of wet
extract).times.100.
2. Preparation of PLA/p24 Particles
[0104] The HIV-1 p24 protein was prepared in recombinant form in E.
coli and was purified by metal-chelate affinity chromatography
according to the technique of Cheynet V., et al., 1993, Protein
Expr. Purif., 4:367-372.
[0105] The PLA microparticles were prepared as described in point 1
above and have a particle diameter of 515.7+/-6.7 nm, a solids
content of 1.1% and a polydispersity index of 0.242+/-0.013.
[0106] A 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 5.7, was prepared by mixing 10
ml of 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 4.7 (NaH.sub.2PO.sub.4.2H.sub.2O,
M=15.60 g/l) and 1.1 ml of 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 9.2
(NaH.sub.2PO.sub.4.2H.sub.2O, M=17.79 g/l), and diluting to 1/10th
with water.
[0107] 200 .mu.l of the p24 protein diluted to 0.6 g/l in the 10 mM
phosphate buffer, pH 5.7 were mixed with 200 .mu.l of the
microparticles, and stirring was carried out overnight on a wheel
at ambient temperature. Centrifugation was then carried out for 5
min at 5000 rpm and the supernatant was drained, which made it
possible to assay the amount of nonadsorbed p24 (BCA Protein Assay
kit from Pierce) and to deduce therefrom the concentration of p24
adsorbed onto the microparticles, which comes to 0.2 g/l.
3. Preparation of the PLA/Tat Microparticles
[0108] The HIV-1 Tat protein, of sequence SEQ ID No. 1, synthesized
according to the procedure described in Peloponese J. P., et al.,
1999, The Journal of Biological Chemistry, 274(17):11473-11478, was
used.
[0109] The PLA microparticles were prepared as described in point 1
above and have a particle diameter of 420.1+/-10.7 nm, a solids
content of 1.02% and a polydispersity index of 0.241+/-0.040.
[0110] 200 .mu.l of the Tat protein diluted to 0.4 g/l in a
degassed 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.8, prepared as indicated in
point 2 above, except that 13.8 ml of 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH
9.2, were used, were mixed with 200 .mu.l of the microparticles,
and stirring was carried out overnight on a wheel at ambient
temperature. Centrifugation was then carried out for 5 min at 5000
rpm and the supernatant was drained, which made it possible to
assay the amount of nonadsorbed Tat (BCA Protein Assay kit from
Pierce) and to deduce therefrom the concentration of Tat adsorbed
onto the microparticles, which comes to 0.1 g/l.
4. Preparation of the PLA/NS3 Helicase Microparticles
[0111] The HCV NS3 helicase peptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 2
obtained in recombinant form as follows, was used.
[0112] The gene encoding amino acids 1192-1458 corresponding to the
helicase domain of the HCV NS3 protein as a fusion with
hexahistidine was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector
pMH80 and expressed in E. coli JM109 bacteria (Promega). The
expression of the recombinant protein was carried out at 30.degree.
C. after 3 hours of induction with 1 mM IPTG
(isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside, Promega). After
centrifugation, the bacteria were lysed by sonication in the buffer
solution: 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8, 5 mM MgCl.sub.2, 1% Triton X100, 1
tablet of anti-protease (Boehringer), 250U benzonase (Merck). After
lysis and centrifugation, the soluble fraction was purified on a
Ni-agarose column and eluted in 10 mM sodium phosphate buffer
solution, pH 7.2, containing 300 mM NaCl and 300 mM imidazole. The
pure protein was thus dialyzed against PBS, pH 7.2. After
purification, the protein was analyzed by acrylamide gel
electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS),
and mass spectrometry. The degree of purity of the NS3 protein,
helicase domain, is estimated at greater than 95%. The absence of
endotoxin was verified by measuring the degree of endotoxins (LPS)
with an in vitro LAL and functional assay.
[0113] The PLA microparticles were prepared as described in point 1
above and have a particle diameter of the order of 600 nm, a solids
content of 1% and a polydispersity index of 0.2.
[0114] 200 .mu.l of the NS3 helicase peptide diluted to 0.327 g/l
in a 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 6.5, prepared as described in point
2 above, except that 6.8 ml of 0.1M phosphate buffer, pH 9.2, were
used, were mixed with 200 .mu.l of the microparticles, and stirring
was carried out overnight on a wheel at ambient temperature.
Centrifugation was then carried out for 5 min at 5000 rpm and the
supernatant was drained, which made it possible to assay the amount
of nonadsorbed NS3 helicase (BCA Protein Assay kit from Pierce) and
to deduce therefrom the concentration of NS3 helicase adsorbed onto
the microparticles, which comes to 0.28 g/l.
EXAMPLE 2
Preparation of Microparticles of the Invention by Solvent
Displacement
1. Preparation of PLA Particles
[0115] PLA 50 (50% of poly(L-lactic acid) and 50% of poly(D-lactic
acid)) of molar mass 52 000 Da (Phusis.RTM.) was used.
[0116] This PLA was dissolved at 2% by a total weight of solution
in acetone. The solution of PLA in acetone was then added,
dropwise, to 35 ml of water and the solvent was evaporated off
under reduced pressure for 35 min.
[0117] The particles thus obtained were characterized in terms of
their size, their polydispersity index and their charge using the
Zetasizer 3000 HS device (Malvern.RTM. Instruments). Their solids
content was also evaluated after weighing, by means of the
calculation: (mass of dry extract/mass of wet
extract).times.100.
2. Preparation of the PLA/NS3 Helicase Microparticles
[0118] The HCV NS3 helicase peptide of sequence SEQ ID No. 2
obtained in recombinant form as indicated in example 1, point 4
above was used.
[0119] The PLA microparticles were prepared as described in point 1
above and have a particle diameter of the order of 250 nm, a solids
content of 1% and a polydispersity index of 0.3.
[0120] 200 .mu.l of the NS3 helicase peptide diluted to 0.327 g/l
in a PBS buffer (Phosphate Buffered Saline buffer; 150 mM NaCl, pH
7.1), prepared as described in point 1 above, except that 6.8 ml of
0.1M PBS buffer, pH 9.2, were used, were mixed with 200 .mu.l of
the microparticles, and stirring was carried out overnight on a
wheel at ambient temperature. Centrifugation was then carried out
for 5 min at 5000 rpm and the supernatant was drained, which made
it possible to assay the amount of nonadsorbed NS3 helicase (BCA
Protein Assay kit from Pierce) and to deduce therefrom the
concentration of NS3 helicase adsorbed onto the microparticles,
which comes to 0.34 g/l.
EXAMPLE 3
Immunization of Mice with the PLA/p24 Microparticles of the
Invention
1. Animal Model
[0121] The immunization experiments were carried out on female
BALB/c (H-2.sup.d) mice 6 to 8 weeks old at the time of the first
immunization.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0122] In this experiment, the p24 protein alone, the PLA/p24
microparticles of the invention prepared as indicated in example 1,
point 2 above, and also the p24-Freund's adjuvant (Sigma)
composition prepared in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion, and
which is known to exhibit a good immunogenic capacity (positive
control), were used.
3. Immunizations
[0123] The mice received three successive doses (40 .mu.g or 10
.mu.g each) of the immunogens described in point 2 above at 0, 2
and 4 weeks. All the injections were given subcutaneously.
[0124] The animals were sacrificed 10 days (D38), 14 days (D42) or
else 42 days (D70) after the third injection and the blood and the
spleen were taken for the immunological analyses.
4. Immunological Analyses
[0125] The humoral response and the cellular response were
investigated as follows: [0126] Humoral response: a blood sample
was taken from the mice before they were sacrificed. The presence
of anti-p24 antibodies (IgG1, IgG2a and IgG) was determined by
ELISA. The p24 protein was used for capture and the specific
antibodies present in the serum were revealed with anti-mouse
polyclonal antibodies as detection antibodies, which antibodies
bind to the antibodies being sought and are, respectively, a
horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG1 antibody
(Southern Biotechnology Associates Inc., Cat no. 1070-05,
Birmingham, Ala., USA), a horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat
anti-mouse IgG2a antibody (Southern Biotechnology Associates Inc.,
Cat no. 1080-05), and a horseradish peroxidase-conjugated
AffiniPure goat anti-mouse IgG antibody (H+L, Jackson
Immunoresearch, Cat no. 115-035-062). The titer is the inverse of
the dilution for which an absorbance of 0.3 OD unit is obtained
with the ELISA protocol used. The ratio of the IgG2a:IgG1 isotypes,
which makes it possible to judge the IFN-.gamma.-IL-4 tendency
(respectively, Th1-Th2) of the immune response, was also determined
by indirect ELISA. [0127] Cellular response: after sacrifice of the
mice, the spleens were removed sterilely so as to prepare a cell
suspension. The following analyses were carried out on the cell
suspensions obtained, each mouse having been analyzed
individually.
[0128] (i) CTL Assay: The cell suspension was placed in culture in
the presence of a 9-mer peptide (AMQMLKETI, SEQ ID No. 3) which
corresponds to an immunodominant H-2K.sup.d-restricted CTL epitope,
and of IL-2. Five days later, the effector population was
restimulated with irradiated naive cells loaded with the peptide.
The effector cytotoxic population was harvested after the 7th day
and the CTL activity was measured using .sup.51Cr-labeled P815
cells as targets.
[0129] (ii) ELISPOT: The ELISPOT makes it possible to determine the
number of cells secreting a given cytokine in response to a
specific stimulus. We were interested in the cytokine IFN-.gamma.
(Th1). The cell suspensions obtained from the spleens were
restimulated in vitro with the peptide AMQMLKETI for 20 h in order
to analyze the CD8-type responses.
[0130] 96-well ELISPOT plates with PVDF membranes (Multiscreen IP,
Millipore) were coated with an anti-IFN-.gamma. antibody. During
the restimulation, the splenocyte suspensions were incubated in
these plates so as to capture the cytokines secreted by each cell.
The spots corresponding to each cell secreting the cytokine of
interest were visualized with a biotinylated detection antibody
specific for the cytokine of interest.
[0131] (iii) Proliferation: The splenocytes were stimulated in the
presence of the p24 protein for 5 days. The cells were pulsed for
18 h with tritiated thymidine, which incorporates into the DNA of
the cells undergoing proliferation. Following the pulse, the cells
were harvested on a membrane which retains the DNA and makes it
possible to eliminate the nonincorporated labeled thymidine by
washing. The more the cells proliferate in response to the specific
stimulus, the more the DNA is labeled; in other words, the greater
the cellular response against the immunogen (p24).
5. Results
[0132] A first series of experiments was carried out with 15 mice
(5 mice per branch), three doses of 10 .mu.g of immunogen and
sacrifice of the mice at D38, and investigation of the humoral
response and the CTL assay and proliferation as cellular
response.
[0133] The results are given in table 1 below: TABLE-US-00001 TABLE
1 p24 alone p24/Freund's p24/PLA Proliferation (.DELTA.cpm).sup.a
3000 3900 8000 CTL.sup.b 0/5 0/5 0/5 IgG1 antibodies (titer).sup.c
0.1 .times. 10.sup.5 10 .times. 10.sup.5 7 .times. 10.sup.5
.sup.aMean of the cpm values (specific stimulation - stimulation
with medium), cpm = counts per minute (Student's test, P = 0.002)
.sup.bNumber of mice having specific CTL activity out of the total
number of mice of the branch .sup.cGeometric mean of the anti-p24
IgG1 titers of the mice of the branch
[0134] This table demonstrates that: [0135] enhanced proliferative
responses are obtained with the p24/PLA microparticles of the
invention, compared with the p24 protein alone or adjuvanted with
Freund's, [0136] no CTL activity is detected with any one of the
immunogens, and [0137] the p24/PLA microparticles of the invention
make it possible to obtain a specific antibody titer that is
largely superior to that obtained when p24 alone is administered,
the responses obtained being within the order of magnitude of the
antibody titers obtained with the p24/Freund's adjuvant
combination.
[0138] The experiment was repeated with 13 mice (3 or 4 mice per
branch), except that the immunogens were used at a rate of 40 .mu.g
and that the mice were sacrificed either at D42 (3 mice) or at D70
(4 mice).
[0139] The results are given in table 2 below. TABLE-US-00002 TABLE
2 p24/PLA p24/PLA p24 alone p24/Freund's D42 D70 ELISPOT
IFN-.gamma. CD8.sup.a 6 100 50 330 CTL.sup.b 0/3 0/3 0/3 4/4 IgG1
antibodies (titer).sup.c 0.7 .times. 10.sup.5 10 .times. 10.sup.5 8
.times. 10.sup.5 30 .times. 10.sup.5 .sup.aMean of the number of
cells secreting IFN-.gamma./10.sup.6 total cells, in response to a
specific stimulus (peptide AMQMLKETI) for 20 h .sup.bNumber of mice
having specific CTL activity out of the total number of mice of the
branch .sup.cGeometric mean of the anti-p24 IgG1 titers of the mice
of the branch
[0140] The results in the table demonstrate that: [0141] if the
antibody titers reported in table 1 are compared with those
reported here in table 2, increasing the dose from 10 .mu.g to 40
.mu.g makes it possible to give comparable results, and [0142] a
more long-term response after the final injection, reflected by a
later sacrifice of the mice, makes it possible to demonstrate a CTL
response in all the mice of the p24/PLA group, and also a response
by ELISPOT and in terms of enhanced antibody titers.
EXAMPLE 4
Immunization of Mice with the PLA/Tat Microparticles of the
Invention
[0143] The procedure indicated in example 3 was repeated, except
that the PLA/Tat microparticles as prepared in example 1, point 3
above, the Tat protein alone and the Tat protein/Freund's adjuvant
(Sigma) combination prepared in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion
were used as immunogen, that the injection doses were each 20
.mu.g, that, for the humoral response, the Tat protein was used as
capture partner and the mouse polyclonal antibodies as indicated in
example 3, point 4 above were used as detection partner, and that,
for the humoral response, only an ELISPOT assay was carried out,
using as stimulus either the six peptides as indicated hereinafter,
for 20 h, for analyzing the CD8-type responses, or the Tat protein,
for 42 h, for analyzing the CD4-type responses.
[0144] Peptides used in the ELISPOT assay (Sygma Genosys)
TABLE-US-00003 CFHCQVCFTKKGLGI (SEQ ID No. 4) VCFTKKGLGISYGRK (SEQ
ID No. 5) KGLGISYGRKKRRQR (SEQ ID No. 6) SYGRKKRRQRRRSPQ (SEQ ID
No. 7) KRRQRRRSPQDSETH (SEQ ID No. 8) RRSPQDSETHQVSLS (SEQ ID No.
9)
[0145] The results are indicated in table 3 below. TABLE-US-00004
TABLE 3 Tat alone Tat/Freund's Tat/PLA ELISPOT IFN-.gamma.
CD8.sup.a 3 3 24 ELISPOT IFN-.gamma. CD4.sup.b 4 and 6 4 and 8 28
and 50 IgG antibodies (titer).sup.c 0.1 .times. 10.sup.5 0.2
.times. 10.sup.5 1.7 .times. 10.sup.5 IgG2a antibodies
(frequency).sup.d 2/4 1/4 3/4 IgG2a antibodies (titer).sup.e 730
560 3900 .sup.aMean of the number of cells secreting
IFN-.gamma./10.sup.6 total cells, in response to a specific
stimulus (pool of peptides) for 20 h .sup.bMean of the number of
cells secreting IFN-.gamma./10.sup.6 total cells, in response to a
specific stimulus (Tat protein) for 42 h .sup.cGeometric mean of
the anti-Tat total IgG titers of the mice of the branch
.sup.dNumber of mice having a specific IgG2a response out of the
total number of mice of the branch .sup.eGeometric mean of the
anti-Tat IgG2a titers of the mice which have responded
[0146] The results in table 3 above demonstrate that: [0147]
injection of the microparticles of the invention makes it possible
to induce IFN-.gamma.-secreting cells, whereas injection of the Tat
protein alone or of the Tat/Freund's composition, and [0148]
bonding of the Tat protein to the PLAs makes it possible to enhance
the antibody titers (total IgGs) by approximately 1 log compared
with the titers obtained with the Tat protein alone or adjuvanted
with Freund's, which are of the order of 10.sup.4. The use of the
Tat/PLA microparticles makes it possible to enhance both the
frequency and the titer of the anti-Tat IgG2 as.
EXAMPLE 5
Immunization of mice with the PLA/NS3 Helicase Microparticles of
the Invention
[0148] 1. Animal Model
[0149] The immunization experiments were carried out on 14 C57BL/6
mice transgenic for the HLA-A2 molecule (Pascolo S., et al. (1997),
J. Exp Med., 185(12), 2043-2051).
2. Immunogens Administered
[0150] In this experiment, naked DNA corresponding to the NS3NS4
nucleic acid sequence (SEQ ID No. 10) as a positive control, the
NS3 helicase peptide alone, the PLA particles alone, as prepared in
example 1, points 1 and 4 above, the NS3 helicase/Freund's adjuvant
(Sigma) composition prepared in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion
and also the PLA/NS3 helicase microparticles of the invention as
prepared in example 1, point 4 above, were used.
3. Immunizations
[0151] The mice received three successive doses of the immunogens
described in point 2 above, at 0, 2 and 4 weeks, at a rate of 50
.mu.g each in the case of the proteins or of 100 .mu.g each in the
case of the naked DNA. All the injections were given
subcutaneously, with the exception of the naked DNA, which was
administered intramuscularly.
[0152] The animals were sacrificed approximately 70 days (D70)
after the first injection and the blood and the spleen were taken
for the immunological analyses.
4. Immunological Analyses
[0153] The CTL cellular response was investigated as follows: after
sacrifice of the mice, the spleens were removed sterilely in order
to prepare a cell suspension. The cell suspension was placed in
culture in the presence of the KLV peptide (KLVALGVNAV, SEQ ID No.
11), which corresponds to a CTL epitope contained in the NS3
protein, and of IL-2. Five days later, the effector population was
restimulated with irradiated naive cells loaded with the peptide.
The effector cytotoxic population was harvested after the 7th day
and the CTL activity was measured using .sup.51Cr-labeled P815
cells as targets.
5. Results
[0154] The results are given in FIG. 1, representing graphs giving
the percentage specific lysis as a function of the effector/target
ratio, and where FIG. 1A gives the cellular response induced after
injection of the DNA sequence corresponding to the HCV NS3NS4
polyprotein as a control, FIG. 1B gives the cellular response
induced after injection of the NS3 helicase/Freund's adjuvant
combination without microparticle, FIG. 1C gives the cellular
response induced after injection of the NS3 helicase peptide
without microparticle, FIG. 1D gives the cellular response induced
after injection of the PLA microparticles without protein
substance, and FIG. 1E gives the cellular response induced after
injection of the PLA/NS3 helicase microparticles of the
invention.
[0155] These graphs show a CTL response specific for the NS3
helicase peptide, demonstrated when the PLA/NS3 microparticles of
the invention are injected.
EXAMPLE 6
Immunization of Rabbits with the PLA/p24 Microparticles of the
Invention
1. Animal Model
[0156] The immunization experiments were carried out on New Zealand
White strain rabbits weighing approximately 2.5 kg at the time of
the first immunization.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0157] In this experiment, the PLA/p24 microparticles of the
invention prepared as indicated in example 1, point 2 above, and
also the p24-Freund's adjuvant (Sigma) composition prepared in the
form of a water-in-oil emulsion, and which is known to exhibit a
good immunogenic capacity (positive control), were used.
3. Immunizations
[0158] The rabbits received five successive doses of 200 .mu.g of
the immunogens described in point 2 above at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4
months. All the injections were given subcutaneously or
intradermally.
4. Monitoring of the Appearance of the Anti-p24 Humoral
Response
[0159] In order to follow the appearance of the anti-p24
antibodies, blood samples were taken regularly from the animals.
The presence of the anti-p24 antibodies was then tested using the
ELISA assay similar to that described in example 3, point 4, except
that the visualizing conjugate was replaced with a horseradish
peroxidase-conjugated AffiniPure goat anti-rabbit IgG antibody
(H+L, Jackson Immunoresearch, Cat no. 111-035-003).
5. Results
[0160] The results are given in FIG. 2, which gives the anti-p24
IgG titers in the preimmune sera and the immune sera of the 6
rabbits (L1 to L6) having been given an injection either
intradermally (ID) or subcutaneously (SC). The titer corresponds to
the inverse of the dilution for which an OD approximately equal to
0.1 is obtained. The preimmune serum was taken at D0, before the
injection of the immunogens, and the immune serum was taken at D0
plus 4 months.
[0161] The results obtained show that the immunization with the
PLA/p24 particles of the invention gives good titers in all the
animals, irrespective of whether the antigen was administered
subcutaneously or intradermally. However, in the model chosen,
intradermal administration appears to be slightly better than
subcutaneous administration. It may be noted that the titers
obtained with the immunization of Freund's/p24 are substantially
comparable to those obtained with a PLA/p24 immunization
(2.times.10.sup.7 versus 5.times.10.sup.6). The PLA/p24
microparticles can therefore be used to induce a polyclonal serum
in rabbits.
EXAMPLE 7
Immunization of Macaques with the PLA/p24 Microparticles of the
Invention
1. Animal Model
[0162] The immunization experiments were carried out on cynomolgus
macaques housed at the CEA.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0163] In this experiment, the PLA/p24 microparticles of the
invention prepared as indicated in example 1, point 2 above, were
used.
3. Immunizations
[0164] Two cynomolgus macaques were immunized with an injection of
PLA/p24 (500 .mu.g per animal administered IM), followed by an
identical booster 6 weeks later. A third injection is given under
the same conditions 6 months later.
[0165] 4. Monitoring of the Appearance of the Anti-p24 Humoral
Response
[0166] In order to follow the appearance of the anti-p24
antibodies, blood samples were taken from the macaques at weeks 0
(the day of the primer immunization), 2, 4, 6 (the day of the
booster injection), 8, 10 and 12. The presence of the anti-p24
antibodies was then tested using the ELISA assay similar to that
described in example 3, point 4 above, with the exception that the
visualizing conjugate was replaced with a horseradish
peroxidase-conjugated AffiniPure mouse anti-human IgG Fc gamma
fragment antibody (H+L, Jackson Immunoresearch, Cat no.
209-035-098). The same ELISA format was also used to analyze the
IgG subclasses present, using anti-human IgG1 (Cat no. 05-3320,
Zymed), anti-human IgG2 (Cat no. 05-0520, Zymed), anti-human IgG3
(Cat no. 05-3620, Zymed) and anti-human IgG4 (Cat no. 05-3820,
Zymed) horseradish peroxidase-conjugated antibodies.
5. Monitoring of the Appearance of the Anti-p24 Cellular Response
by ELISPOT
[0167] This procedure makes it possible to determine the number of
cells secreting interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in response to an
antigenic stimulation at a final concentration of 5 .mu.g/ml for 48
h. This procedure was used successfully with freshly isolated
peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), PBMCs cryoconserved
beforehand, T lymphocytes lines derived from PBMCs stimulated in
vitro and from PBMCs pre-depleted of CD4.sup.+ cells (using an
anti-CD4 antibody) or of CD8.sup.+ cells (using an anti-CD8
antibody). The CD4.sup.+ or CD8.sup.+ cell sorting was carried out
using the MACS reagents, CD4 microbeads (Cat no. 130-091-102) and
CD8 microbeads kit (Cat no. 130-091-112) from Miltenyi Biotec,
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
[0168] The PMA-ionomycin couple (PMA for Phorbol Myristate
Acetate), which mimics the effect of an antigenic activation of T
lymphocytes, was used as a positive control.
[0169] 96-well ELISPOT plates with PVDF membranes (Multiscreen,
Millipore) were coated with the anti-macaque IFN gamma monoclonal
antibody, clone GZ-4 (Mabtech, ref: 3420M-3) at 1 .mu.g/ml in
sterile PBS, overnight at +4.degree. C. The plates were then washed
and saturated. In parallel, PBMCs were isolated from the blood
samples on a Ficoll gradient, according to the usual techniques.
10.sup.5 cells in 100 .mu.l of culture medium/well and the antigen
source in 100 .mu.l of culture medium/well were deposited.
According to the experiments, the antigen source is either the p24
protein, or a pool of gag peptides as defined hereinafter, for
which it was verified beforehand that they make it possible to
obtain a positive response in ELISPOT. In order to produce positive
controls for stimulation, 4.times.10.sup.3 cells in 200 .mu.l of
culture medium were deposited/well containing 50 ng/ml of PMA and
500 ng/ml of ionomycin. The plates were then incubated for 24 h at
37.degree. C. in a humid atmosphere at 5% CO.sub.2, and then washed
with PBS. The remaining cells were then lysed using a treatment
with ice-cold water for 10 minutes, and the plates were again
washed. The visualizing antibody, the biotinylated monoclonal
directed against human IFN-gamma, clone 7-B6-1 (Mabtech, ref:
3420-6) was then added at 0.1 .mu.g/well (incubation for 2 h at
37.degree. C. or overnight at 4.degree. C.). The spots were
visualized by adding extravidin-alkaline phosphatase and the
5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl phosphate/nitro blue tetrazolium
(BCIP/NBT) substrate. The sequences of the gag peptides used are as
follows: TABLE-US-00005 EQIGWMTNNPPIPVG (SEQ ID No. 12)
WMTNNPPIPVGEIYK (SEQ ID No. 13) NPPIPVGEIYKRWII (SEQ ID No. 14)
PVGEIYKRWIILGLN (SEQ ID No. 15) IYKRWIILGLNKIVR (SEQ ID No. 16)
WIILGLNKIVRMYSP (SEQ ID No. 17) GLNKIVRMYSPTSIL (SEQ ID No. 18)
IVRMYSPTSILDIRQ (SEQ ID No. 19) YSPTSILDIRQGPKE (SEQ ID No. 20)
SILDIRQGPKEPFRD (SEQ ID No. 21) IRQGPKEPFRDYVDR (SEQ ID No. 22)
PKEPFRDYVDRFYKT (SEQ ID No. 23) FRDYVDRFYKTLRAE (SEQ ID No. 24)
VDRFYKTLRAEQASQ (SEQ ID No. 25) YKTLPAEQASQEVKN (SEQ ID No. 26)
RAEQASQEVKNWMTE (SEQ ID No. 27) ASQEVKNWMTETLLV (SEQ ID No. 28)
VKNWMTETLLVQNAN (SEQ ID No. 29) MTETLLVQNANPDCK (SEQ ID No. 30)
LLVQNANPDCKTILK (SEQ ID No. 31) NANPDCKTILKALGP (SEQ ID No. 32)
6. Results 6.1 Demonstration of the ELISPOT Responses
[0170] The results of the IFN-gamma ELISPOT assays for the two
macaques (M1 and M2) having been given the PLA/p24 preparation, and
the PBMCs of which were stimulated, are reproduced in FIG. 3, which
represents histograms (mean of 4 replicates+/- standard deviations)
giving the number of spots per million cells, obtained as a
function of the days post-immunization, after stimulation without
antigen (medium, negative control, solid histogram), after
stimulation with p24 (hashed histogram) or after stimulation with
the PMA-ionomycin couple. The arrows under each graph represent the
moment at which the injections were given (D0 and D+6 weeks).
[0171] These results demonstrate that the PLA/p24 microparticles of
the invention make it possible to induce an IFN-gamma ELISPOT
response in the two animals tested. The first monkey (M1) only
develops a specific response after the second injection, whereas
the second animal (M2) has already developed a response at the
first sample tested, after the first injection. In both cases, the
effect of the booster injection is very significant (boost effect)
since the ELISPOT responses obtained are high. Furthermore, the
responses obtained are relatively long-lasting, given the fact that
a non-replicative immunogen is involved; the responses remain
significant approximately 40 days after the second injection.
6.2 Nature of the ELISPOT Responses
[0172] The nature of the ELISPOT responses makes it possible to
demonstrate what types of effector immune cells, CD4+ or CD8+, are
responsible for the IFN-gamma secretion measured.
[0173] The results are given in FIG. 4, which represents histograms
giving the number of spots obtained by ELISPOT after stimulation
either with the p24 protein (solid histograms), or with the
peptides (hashed histograms), in the total PBMC fraction, the total
PBMC fraction in the presence of the anti-CD4 antibody, the
CD4.sup.+-depleted PBMC fraction (CD4- PBMC) and the corresponding
CD4.sup.+-enriched fraction (CD4+ PBMC), and also the
CD8.sup.+-depleted PBMC fraction (CD8- PBMC) and the corresponding
CD8.sup.+-enriched fraction (CD8+ PBMC). It should be noted that
the amount of cells obtained in the M1 monkey was not sufficient to
carry out the depletion experiments with the anti-CD8 antibody.
[0174] The results obtained in FIG. 4 show that the secretion of
the IFN-gamma cytokine is carried out by both the CD4- fraction and
the CD8- fraction of the peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Furthermore, there is no ELISPOT response in the presence of an
anti-CD4 antibody or of an anti-CD8 antibody (positive sorting
fractions), indicating that each of these antibodies interferes
with the immune response. This experiment therefore makes it
possible to conclude that the IFN-gamma secretion observed is
mediated by both CD4+ effector cells and CD8+ effector cells.
Furthermore, this observation is valid irrespective of the nature
of the antigenic stimulation used, p24 protein or pool of gag
peptides. It is important to underline that this is the first time
that a microparticle-based formulation has made it possible to
induce, in primates, a CD8+ response specific for the antigen of
interest.
6.3 Analysis of the Humoral Response
[0175] At the same time as the analysis of the cellular responses
on the PBMCs, we also analyze the humoral response on the
sequential sera obtained from the monkeys. Among the two animals,
only the M2 monkey developed an antibody response, which reached an
anti-p24 IgG titer of approximately 10.sup.5 following the second
injection. The M1 monkey did not develop a significant antibody
response after two injections of PLA/p24, the titer remaining less
than 10.sup.3. This result is not very surprising because, during
the analysis of the cellular responses, we were able to demonstrate
that the M1 monkey was a poor responder, requiring an additional
injection compared with the M2 monkey in order to develop an immune
response.
[0176] The results of the ELISA assay with the M2 monkey are given
in FIG. 5, which represents histograms giving the anti-p24 IgG
titer in the M2 monkey as a function of the days on which the
sequential sera were taken. These results show, firstly, that it is
possible to induce specific antibody responses in macaques with the
PLA/p24 microparticles of the invention and, secondly, that it is
very probably necessary to add one or two additional injections to
the protocol that we used in order to be certain of inducing a
response even in less effective responders.
6.4 Conclusion
[0177] All these experiments carried out in the cynomolgus macaque
model have made it possible to show that the microparticles of the
invention make it possible to induce good immune responses in a
nonhuman primate, with CD4+, CD8+ cellular responses and antibody
responses.
EXAMPLE 8
Immunization of Mice with Dendritic Cells Sensitized with the
PLA/p24 Microparticles of the Invention
1. Animal Model
[0178] The immunization experiments were carried out on female
CBA/J (H-2.sup.k) mice 6 to 8 weeks old at the time of the first
immunization.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0179] In this experiment, the SRDC (H-2.sup.k) murine spleen cell
line was used in order to transport the various immunogens to be
tested. This dendritic cell line was sensitized for 12 h with one
of the following immunogens: PLA/p24 microparticles of the
invention prepared as indicated in example 1, point 2 (at 10
.mu.g/ml of p24/PLA in terms of p24 equivalent), PLA-OVA
microparticles, prepared in the same way, which will serve as a
negative control, or p24 protein.
3. Immunizations
[0180] The mice were divided up into 4 batches of 6 animals. Each
mouse received 5.times.10.sup.5 sensitized SRDC cells at 0, 2 and 4
weeks, subcutaneously. The 4 batches of mice received either
nonsensitized cells (negative control), or cells sensitized with
the PLA/p24 microparticles or PLA/OVA microparticles (microparticle
negative control) or the p24 protein.
4. Monitoring of the Appearance of the Anti-p24 Humoral
Response
[0181] In order to monitor the appearance of the anti-p24
antibodies, blood samples were taken from the mice every 10 days
after immunization. The presence of the anti-p24 antibodies was
then tested using the ELISA assay similar to that described in the
preceding examples.
5. Results
[0182] The analysis of the humoral response is presented in FIG. 6,
which represents histograms that give the OD value obtained by
ELISA in the preimmune serum, in the serum after the 1.sup.st
immunization, in the serum after the second immunization and in the
serum after the 3.sup.rd immunization, of the mice sensitized
either with the negative control (Ct1 and Ct2), or with the p24
protein (p24-1 and p24-2), or with the microparticle negative
control (NanoOva1 and NanoOva2) or with the microparticles of the
invention (Nanop24-1 and Nanop24-2).
[0183] The results show that the injection of SRDC cells induces
antibodies only when the SRDCs are sensitized with the PLA-p24
microparticles. The sensitization with the soluble p24 protein does
not make it possible to obtain an immune response.
6. Study of the Cellular Response
[0184] The study was carried out using both splenic and mucosal
lymphocytes isolated from the mice. The analysis of the stimulated
T lymphocyte subpopulations was carried out using
lymphoproliferation and cytokine secretion assays so as to evaluate
their ability to respond to the antigen, two weeks after the final
immunization.
[0185] For the lymphoproliferation assays, the T lymphocytes
isolated from the spleen and from the mucosal lymph nodes were
placed in culture for 5 days in complete culture medium in the
presence of various concentrations of the antigen of interest, and
then radiolabeled with .sup.3H thymidine for 18 h. The level of
thymidine incorporation corresponds to the degree of the
lymphoproliferative response.
[0186] For the cytokine secretion assays, the T lymphocytes
isolated from the spleen and from the mucosal lymph nodes were
placed in culture for 3 days in complete culture medium in the
presence of various concentrations of the antigen of interest, and
then the cytokine secreted into the culture supernatant were
assayed using commercial ELISA kits.
7. Results
[0187] Table 4 below gives a summary of the results obtained.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 4 Number of mice having developed an antibody
(IgG) response Lymphoproliferation Groups of after the 3.sup.rd
Stimulation index IFN-gamma mice injection Spleen-lymph node
secretion Control 0/2 1 - 1 No SRDC-p24 0/2 1 - 1 No SRDC- 0/2 1.4
- 1.4 No PLA-Ova SRDC- 2/2 2.8 - 2.2 +spleen, PLA-p24 ++lymph
node
[0188] As above, the results show that the SRDC-PLA-p24 group is
the only group for which it is possible to demonstrate a specific
immune response. The stimulation index is 2.8 for the cells
isolated from the spleen and 2.2 for those isolated from the
mesenteric lymph nodes. For the other groups, there is no increase
in the stimulation index or it is not significant. Similarly, the
SRDC-PLA-p24 group is the only group which makes it possible to
induce secretion of IFN-gamma, which is a Th1-type cytokine. This
secretion in the presence of the antigen can be demonstrated using
both the spleen cells and those of the mesenteric lymph nodes.
8. Conclusion
[0189] All these experiments have enabled us to show that it is
also possible to use the PLA-p24 microparticles in order to
sensitize dendritic cells with an antigen of interest, in this case
p24. Although administration of the SRDCs, when they are loaded
with the PLA-p24s, makes it possible to induce both cellular and
humoral specific responses, the SRDCs sensitized with the soluble
p24 do not make it possible to induce anti-p24 responses. Thus, the
PLA microparticles can also be used successfully in immunotherapy
applications based on the transfer of dendritic cells sensitized in
vitro. When the antigen of interest cannot be loaded into the
dendritic cells in its soluble form, the PLA microparticles
carrying the antigen can be used to facilitate its uptake by the
dendritic cells. The use of the microparticles of the invention
makes it possible to considerably enhance the specific immune
responses obtained.
EXAMPLE 9
Immunization of Mice with the PLA/NS3 Helicase Microparticles of
the Invention: Early and Localized Cellular Response
1. Animal Model
[0190] The immunization experiments were carried out on female
BALB/c (H-2.sup.d) mice 6 to 8 weeks old at the time of the first
immunization.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0191] In this experiment, 5 mice per immunization group were used:
the NS3 helicase genotype 1b protein (NS3h) alone, the PLA/NS3h
microparticles of the invention prepared by dialysis (PLADYS) as
indicated in example 1, point 4 above, the PLA/NS3h microparticles
of the invention prepared by solvent displacement (PLADDS) as
indicated in example 2, point 2 above, and also the NS3h-Alum
(Pierce) composition prepared in the form of an emulsion and known
to be an adjuvant in commercial vaccines (positive control).
3. Immunizations
[0192] The mice received one dose (100 .mu.g) of the immunogens
described in point 2 above, subcutaneously into the plantar
footpad.
[0193] The animals were sacrificed 10 days after the first
injection and the popliteal lymph nodes were removed for
immunological analysis.
4. Immunological Analyses
[0194] The early and localized NS3h protein-specific dose-response
cellular response was investigated as follows: Proliferation of the
popliteal lymph node cells after stimulation with various
concentrations of the NS3h protein--the popliteal lymph node cells
were stimulated in the presence of 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 .mu.M of the
NS3h protein for 3 days. The cells were pulsed for 18 h with
tritiated thymidine, which incorporates into the DNA of the cells
undergoing proliferation.
[0195] Following the pulse, the cells were harvested on a membrane
which retains the DNA and makes it possible to eliminate the
nonincorporated labeled thymidine by washing. The more the cells
proliferate in response to the specific stimulus, the more the DNA
is labeled; in other words, the greater the cellular response
against the NS3h immunogen.
5. Results
[0196] The results of the proliferation of the popliteal lymph node
cells after stimulation with the NS3h protein are indicated in FIG.
7 representing the graphs giving the relative proliferation index
(RPI) specific to the NS3h protein, corresponding to the ratio of
cpm (counts per minute) obtained for each concentration of NS3h (0,
0.1, 0.3 and 1 .mu.M) relative to the zero concentration of the
NS3h protein, as a function of the amount of NS3h used for the
restimulation for the cell proliferation assay, in mice having
received NS3h-PBS (PBS), microparticles of the invention prepared
by dialysis (DYS), microparticles of the invention prepared by
solvent displacement (DDS) and the NS3h-Alum composition.
[0197] This graph shows a cellular response specific for the NS3h
protein when the PLA/NS3h microparticles prepared by solvent
displacement (DDS) and the PLA/NS3h microparticles prepared by
dialysis (DYS) are injected. The specific cellular responses of the
mice injected with the PLADDS/NS3hs of the invention are greater
than those obtained with the PLADYS/NS3hs of the invention, the
positive control (Alum/NS3h) and the PBS/NS3h control for all the
concentrations of NS3h antigens tested
(PLADDS/NS3h>PLADYS/NS3h>Alum/NS3h PBS/NS3h).
[0198] The results show that enhanced cellular proliferative
responses are obtained with the PLADDS/NS3h and PLADYS/NS3h
microparticles of the invention, compared with the NS3h protein
alone or adjuvanted with Alum.
EXAMPLE 10
Immunization of Mice with the PLA/NS3 Helicase Microparticles of
the Invention: Localized and Systemic Cellular Response and
Inhibition of the Systemic Cellular Response with Anti-CD4.sup.+
Antibodies
1. Animal Model
[0199] The immunization experiments were carried out on female
BALB/c (H-2.sup.d) mice 6 to 8 weeks old at the time of the first
immunization.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0200] In this experiment, 5 mice per immunization group were used:
the NS3 helicase genotype 1b protein (NS3h) alone, the PLA/NS3h
microparticles of the invention prepared by dialysis (PLADYS) as
indicated in example 1, point 4 above, the PLA/NS3h microparticles
of the invention prepared by solvent displacement (PLADDS) as
indicated in example 2, point 2 above, and also the NS3h-Alum
(Pierce) composition prepared in the form of an emulsion and known
to be an adjuvant in commercial vaccines (positive control).
3. Immunizations
[0201] The mice received 2 doses (100 .mu.g) of the immunogens
described in point 2 above, the first dose having been given
subcutaneously into the plantar footpad at day 0 and the second
subcutaneously at the base of the tail at day 7.
[0202] The animals were sacrificed 7 days after the second
injection and the popliteal lymph nodes and the spleen were removed
for immunological analysis.
4. Immunological Analyses
[0203] The NS3h protein-specific dose-response cellular response
localized in the popliteal lymph nodes and systemic in the spleen
was investigated as follows:
[0204] Proliferation of the popliteal lymph node cells after
stimulation with various concentrations of the NS3h protein--the
cells of the popliteal lymph nodes and of the spleen were
stimulated in the presence of 0, 0.1, 0.3 and 1 .mu.M of the NS3h
protein for 3 days. After 3 days of culture, 50 .mu.l of
supernatant were removed. The cells were pulsed for 18 h with
tritiated thymidine, which incorporates into the DNA of the cells
undergoing proliferation. Following the pulse, the cells were
harvested on the membrane that retains the DNA and that makes it
possible to eliminate the nonincorporated labeled thymidine by
washing. The more the cells proliferate in response to the specific
stimulus, the more the DNA is labeled; in other words, the greater
the cellular response against the NS3h immunogen.
[0205] It was sought to inhibit the cellular response with
anti-CD4+ antibodies (GK1.5; American Type Culture Collection
(ATCC)) in the cells originating from the spleen as follows:
[0206] (i) Inhibition, with the anti-CD4.sup.+ antibody, of the
proliferation of the spleen cells after stimulation with 1 .mu.M of
the NS3h protein--the spleen cells were stimulated in the presence
of 1 .mu.M of the NS3h protein and incubated with 10 .mu.g of
anti-CD4.sup.+ antibody for 3 days. The cells were pulsed for 18 h
with tritiated thymidine, which incorporates into the DNA of the
cells undergoing proliferation. Following the pulse, the cells were
harvested on a membrane that retains the DNA that makes it possible
to eliminate the nonincorporated labeled thymidine by washing. The
more the cells proliferate in response to the specific stimulus,
the more the DNA is labeled; in other words, the greater the
cellular response against the NS3h immunogen.
[0207] (ii) Assaying of interferon .gamma.--the interferon .gamma.
was assayed using the BD.TM. Cytometric Bead Array kit, Mouse
Th1/Th2 Cytokine CBA (BD Biosciences, Cat. No. 551287). Five
populations of beads with distinct fluorescence intensities were
coated with capture antibodies specific for IL-2, IL-4, IL-5,
IFN-gamma, and TNF-alpha proteins. The five populations of beads
were mixed together to form the CBA, which is resolved in the FL3
channel of a flow cytometer such as the BD FACScan.TM. Coule
Cytometer. The cytokine capture beads were mixed with
phycoerythrin-conjugated detection antibodies, and then incubated
according to the supplier's recommendations. The sample data
acquisition using the flow cytometer to produce the results was
carried out using the BD CBA analytical software.
5. Results
5.1 Localized and Systemic Cellular Response
[0208] The results of the proliferation of the spleen cells after
stimulation with the NS3h protein are indicated in FIG. 8,
representing the graphs giving the relative proliferation index
(RPI) specific to the NS3h protein as a function of the amount of
NS3h used (in .mu.M) in mice having received NS3h-PBS (PBS),
microparticles of the invention prepared by dialysis (DYS),
microparticles of the invention prepared by solvent displacement
(DDS) and the NS3h-Alum composition (Alum), in the cells of the
popliteal lymph nodes for the localized cellular response (FIG. 8A)
and in the cells of the spleen for the systemic cellular response
(FIG. 8B).
[0209] These results demonstrate a cellular response that is
systemic (spleen cells--FIG. 8B) and specific for the NS3h protein
at 1 .mu.M with the PLA/NS3h microparticles of the invention
prepared by solvent dispersion (DDS) and the PLA/NS3h
microparticles prepared by dialysis (DYS). The specific cellular
responses of the mice having received the PLADDS/NS3h and
PLADYS/NS3h of the invention are greater than those obtained with
the positive control (Alum/NS3h) and the PBS/NS3h control (PBS)
(PLADDS/NS3h and PLADYS/NS3h>>>Alum/NS3h=PBS/NS3h).
5.2 Inhibition of the Systemic Cellular Response with the Anti-CD4
Antibody
[0210] The results are indicated in FIG. 9, which represents
histograms giving the cellular proliferation index (RPI) as a
function of the immunogens used in mice, i.e. NS3h-PBS (PBS),
microparticles of the invention prepared by dialysis (DYS),
microparticles of the invention prepared by solvent displacement
(DDS) and the NS3h-Alum composition (Alum), in the spleen cells
without stimulation (0), after stimulation with NS3h protein (1) or
after stimulation with protein and anti-CD4+ antibody (1+aCD4).
[0211] The results show that the systemic cellular response is
inhibited by at least a factor of 5 in the presence of the
anti-CD4+ antibody, suggesting that the NS3h protein-specific
response is of the Th2 type.
5.3 Supplementary Results
[0212] At the third day of proliferation after stimulation with the
NS3h protein, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) secretion was observed
under all the conditions used, which secretion is decreased with
the anti-CD4.sup.+ antibody.
[0213] The results of the IFN-gamma assay at the third day after
stimulation with the NS3h protein are given in table 5 below:
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 5 Interferon gamma Type of stimulation assay
pg/ml PBS/NS3h 1 .mu.M of NS3h 316 1 .mu.M of NS3h + anti-CD4+ 60
PLADDS/NS3h 1 .mu.M of NS3h 556 1 .mu.M of NS3h + anti-CD4+ 196
PLADYS/NS3h 1 .mu.M of NS3h 606 1 .mu.M of NS3h + anti-CD4+ 249
Alum/NS3h 1 .mu.M of NS3h 583 1 .mu.M of NS3h + anti-CD4+ 144
EXAMPLE 11
Immunization of mice with the PLA/NS3 Helicase Microparticles of
the Invention: Humoral Response
1. Animal Model
[0214] The immunization experiments were carried out on female
BALB/c (H-2.sup.d) mice 6 to 8 weeks old at the time of the first
immunization.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0215] In this experiment, 5 mice per immunization group were used,
the NS3 helicase genotype 1b protein (NS3h) alone, the PLA/NS3h
microparticles of the invention prepared by dialysis (PLADYS) as
indicated in example 1, point 4 above, the PLA/NS3h microparticles
of the invention prepared by solvent displacement (PLADDS) as
indicated in example 2, point 2 above, and also the NS3h-Alum
(Pierce) composition prepared in the form of an emulsion and known
to be an adjuvant in commercial vaccines (positive control).
3. Immunizations
[0216] The mice received 3 doses (50 .mu.g) of the immunogens
described in point 2 above, subcutaneously at the base of the tail
at 0, 2 and 4 weeks. The sera were taken at day 13, day 27 and day
45 for the analyses of the specific humoral response against the
NS3h protein using an ELISA assay as indicated hereinafter.
[0217] The animals were sacrificed at 10 days after the first
injection and the popliteal lymph nodes were removed for
immunological analysis.
4. Immunological Analyses
[0218] The early and localized NS3h protein-specific humoral
response was investigated as follows:
[0219] Qualitative and quantitative humoral response against the
NS3h protein--a blood sample was taken from the mice before the
first injection (D0), and at D13, D27 and D45. The presence of the
specific anti-NS3h antibodies, the antibody titer and the
immunoglobulin isotypes (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a) were determined by
ELISA. The microtitration plates were sensitized with the NS3h
protein and the specific antibodies against the NS3h protein that
were present in the serum of immunized mice were visualized using
peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG serum (H+ L, Jackson
Immunoresearch, Cat no. 115-035-062). For the determination of the
antibody titer, the immunized mice sera were serially diluted. For
the determination of the isotyping, the reaction was visualized
using peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG1 serum (Southern
Biotechnology Associates Inc., Cat no. 1070-05, Birmingham, Ala.,
USA), and a peroxidase-labeled goat anti-mouse IgG2a antibody
(Interchim, UPB 90520). The IgG2a/IgG1 isotype ratio, which makes
it possible to interpret the IFN-gamma/IL-4 (respectively, Th1-Th2)
tendency of the immune response was also determined.
5. Results
[0220] The results of the specific anti-NS3h total IgG antibody
titer at day 30 and day 45 are given in table 6 below:
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 6 Specific anti-NS3h antibody titer Day 30 Day
45 NS3h 3.3 .times. 10.sup.3 4.5 .times. 10.sup.4 PLADYS/NS3h 3.5
.times. 10.sup.4 2.6 .times. 10.sup.5 Freund's adjuvant/NS3h 7.1
.times. 10.sup.4 1.9 .times. 10.sup.5
[0221] The results demonstrate that the bonding of the NS3h protein
to the PLAs makes it possible to enhance the antibody (total IgG)
titers by approximately 1 log relative to the titer obtained with
the NS3h protein alone. Moreover, the titers obtained are also
comparable to those obtained with the Freund's adjuvant/NS3h
formulation.
[0222] The use of the PLA/NS3h microparticles makes it possible to
obtain an essentially IgG1 antibody response specific for the NS3h
protein, suggesting that the response is of the Th2 type.
EXAMPLE 12
Action of the PLA/NS3hs During the Differentiation of Monocytes to
Dendritic Cells
[0223] This study consists in studying the effect on
antigen-presenting cells of the NS3h protein adsorbed onto PLA
nanoparticles. To do this, the procedure is carried out in the
presence of dendritic cells generated using monocytes isolated from
human peripheral blood and differentiated.
[0224] Analysis of the expansion of costimulatory molecules makes
it possible to determine whether dendritic cells that are immature
at the start (DCi) enter into a process of maturation.
[0225] The ability of the potential adjuvant and of the PLA-NS3h
formulation to promote the differentiation and maturation of
monocytes into dendritic cells is also tested. This study enables
us to understand more clearly their role in cell mediation, which
is essential at the interface between innate and adaptive immunity.
The screening is carried out by means of successive steps of
analysis of phenotypic markers of differentiation and of maturation
and by analysis of the profile of cytokines produced. The analysis
of the cytokine production makes it possible to identify whether
the PLA-NS3 formulation induces a Th1 and/or Th2 profile.
1. Purification of Monocytes from Human Peripheral Blood
[0226] The monocytes were isolated from normal human peripheral
blood (recovered at the Etablissement Francais du Sang [French
bloodbank] in Lyon) by centrifugation on a Ficoll and Percoll
(Amersham Biosciences) gradient. The Ficoll makes it possible to
create a density gradient while at the same time conserving the
integrity of the cells and their function. After centrifugation,
the red blood cells and the polymorphonuclear cells that are more
dense than the Ficoll are at the bottom of the tube. The PBMCs
(peripheral blood mononuclear cells) comprising lymphocytes and
monocytes remain at the interface between the plasma and the
Ficoll. They are then purified on a Percoll gradient. After
centrifugation, the lymphocytes, that are more dense than the
Percoll, are in the pellet, whereas the monocytes remain at the
interface between the medium and the Percoll.
[0227] The monocytes were incubated with the mixture of antibodies
(Ab) indicated hereinafter, in order to eliminate the remaining
contaminants by depletion of T lymphocytes (mouse anti-CD3 Ab OKT3,
ATCC, Rockville, Md., USA, directed against T lymphocytes), of B
lymphocytes (mouse anti-CD19 Ab hybridoma 4G7, directed against B
lymphocytes), of red blood cells (mouse anti-glycophorin A Ab,
Immunotech) and of NK cells (mouse anti-CD56 Ab NKH1, Immunotech,
directed against Natural Killer cells) and using magnetic beads
(Dynal). The Dynal beads are small magnetic beads coated with sheep
antibodies directed against mouse antibodies. These antibodies will
bind the mouse Ab/cell complexes and then, after the cell
suspension has been passed over a magnetized carrier, the remaining
cells will only be monocytes.
[0228] The depletion was verified by FACScan (Becton Dickinson)
flow cytometry analysis.
[0229] The cell suspension was analyzed by isolated passage of the
cells through a liquid matrix. The passage of these cells through a
light beam results in two types of scattering referred to as small
angle (Forward scatter-FS) and large angle (Side scatter--SS),
which represent the two cellular parameters taken into account, the
size (scattering) and the granulometry (refraction) of the cells.
The use of antibodies coupled to fluorochromes (FITC: Fluorescein
IsoThioCyanate read on the X-axis FL1 and PE: PhycoErythrin read on
the Y-axis in FL2) that are laser-excitable allows detectable
fluorescence emission. An electrical signal amplification and
analog-digital converter system allows the data to be
computer-formatted.
[0230] The cells were labeled with various types of antibodies:
[0231] Anti-CD14 Ab labeled with FITC (monocyte specific) [0232]
Anti-CD3 Ab labeled with PE (LT specific) [0233] Anti-CD56 Ab PE
(NK cells) [0234] Anti-CD20 Ab PE (LB specific).
[0235] The contaminant level is less than 10%.
[0236] The monocytes were subsequently placed in culture (day 0) in
24-well plates at a rate of 1.times.10.sup.6 cells/ml in RPMI 1640
medium (Gibco), 2 mM of L-glutamine (Life Technologies), 10 mM
Hepes (Life Technologies), 40 ng/ml of gentamycin (Life
Technologies)+10% decomplemented fetal calf serum, and in the
presence of GM-CSF (40 ng/ml) (Granulocyte Macrophage Colony
Stimulating Factor) and recombinant human IL-4 (250U/ml) The GM-CSF
and the IL-4 allow differentiation of the monocytes into immature
dendritic cells.
2. Phenotypic Analysis of the Cells
[0237] At the 5.sup.th day of differentiation, various tests were
applied to the cells: [0238] LPS from 250 to 2000 pg/ml.fwdarw.LPS
(lipopoly-saccharide) is a component of the bacterial membrane and
is recognized as a danger signal by DCis, systematically allowing
their maturation. A range of LPS concentrations was realized in
each of the assays in order to compare the degrees of
maturation.
[0239] A dose-response was carried out for the NS3h alone, the
particles alone and the PL/NS3h particles. [0240] NS3h from 1 to 50
.mu.g/ml.fwdarw.control for ensuring that the protein alone does
not induce any maturation. [0241] PLA from 0.01 to 1
mg/ml.fwdarw.test to determine whether the PLAs have an adjuvant
effect. [0242] PLA/NS3h from 10 to 100 .mu.l.fwdarw.test to
determine whether the PLAs have an adjuvant effect in the presence
of the NS3h protein.
[0243] At the 6.sup.th day, 200 .mu.l of the supernatant were
conserved at -80.degree. C. for assaying the cytokines. The cells
were subsequently collected and then washed.
[0244] Various control labelings were carried out: [0245] a control
isotype labeling IgG1-FITC/IgG2a-PE: IgGs are capable of binding
nonspecifically to cells possessing an Fc fragment receptor. This
labeling therefore makes it possible to be sure of the specificity
of the reaction and to eliminate the nonspecific fluorescence from
the various assays. The use of IgG1 and of IgG2a is related to the
fact that the anti-CD antibodies used are also of this type; [0246]
a CD14-FITC (specific for monocytes)/CD1a-PE (specific for immature
dendritic cells) labeling makes it possible to be sure that the
differentiation has correctly functioned.
[0247] The phenotype was subsequently determined by specific
labeling of the mature dendritic cells with: [0248] anti-CD80 FITC
Ab/anti-CD86 PE Ab [0249] anti-HLA-DR FITC Ab/anti-CD83 PE Ab
[0250] anti-CD40 PE Ab. 3. Implementation of the Dendritic Cell
Maturation Protocol
[0251] The formulations were brought into contact with the immature
dendritic cells in order to judge the ability of the PLA/NS3h
particles to generate mature dendritic cells (adjuvant effect).
[0252] The assays carried out were as follows: [0253] LPS range:
250-300-400-500-750-1000-2000 pg [0254] NS3h: 1-10-25-50 .mu.g
[0255] PLA particles: 0.05-0.1-0.5-1 mg [0256] PLA/NS3h particles:
0.24 mg DYS/10 .mu.g NS3h (10 .mu.l)-0.6 mg/25 .mu.g (25 .mu.l)-1.2
mg/50 .mu.g (50 .mu.l)-2.4 mg/100 .mu.g (100 .mu.l). 4. Results
[0257] The NS3h protein gives no positive labeling.
[0258] The PLA DYS particles alone, added at D5 to DCis, make it
possible to obtain a maturation phenotype (DCm CD83+, CD86+,
CD40+). A dose-response effect on cell maturation was observed.
[0259] The PLA/NS3h particles give very advantageous results.
Specifically, it can be noted that the degree of activation of
maturation is substantial. Right from the assay at 10 .mu.l (0.24
mg PLA/10 .mu.g helicase), maturation can be observed. The
PLA/NS3hs added to DCis induce the expression of all the activation
markers (CD83+, CD86+, CD80+, HLA-DR+, CD40+).
[0260] The assay at 100 .mu.l was carried out in the knowledge that
it is in large excess in the conditions used in vitro.
[0261] In conclusion, the PLA formulations have an adjuvant effect
on the HCV NS3h protein since they make it possible to obtain
mature dendritic cells.
EXAMPLE 13
Obtaining Monoclonal Antibodies with the PLA/p24 Microparticles of
the Invention
1. Animal Model
[0262] The immunization experiments were carried out on female
BALB/c (H-2.sup.d) mice 6 to 8 weeks old at the time of the first
immunization.
2. Immunogens Administered
[0263] In this experiment, the PLA/p24 microparticles of the
invention prepared as indicated in example 1, point 2, and also the
p24-Freund's adjuvant (Sigma) composition prepared in the form of a
water-in-oil emulsion, and which is known to have a good
immunogenic capacity (positive control), were used.
3. Immunizations
[0264] The mice received 3 successive doses of 10 .mu.g of the
immunogens described in point 2 above, at 0, 2 and 4 weeks. All the
injections were given subcutaneously. At D68 after the first
injection, the humoral responses were restimulated with an
intravenous injection of 50 .mu.g of p24.
4. Monitoring of the Appearance of the Anti-p24 Humoral
Response
[0265] In order to monitor the appearance of the anti-p24
antibodies, blood samples were taken regularly from the mice. The
presence of the anti-p24 antibodies is then tested using the ELISA
assay similar to that described in example 2, point 4. However, the
visualizing conjugate is replaced with an alkaline
phosphatase-conjugated AffiniPure goat anti-mouse IgG antibody
(H+L, Jackson Immunoresearch, Cat no. 115-055-146).
5. Obtaining Monoclonal Antibodies
[0266] Three days after the final injection, a mouse of the PLA-p24
group was sacrificed; the blood and the spleen were taken. The
splenocytes obtained from the spleen were placed in culture with
Sp2/0-Ag14 myeloma cells so that they would fuse and become
immortalized, according to the protocol described by Kohler and
Milstein (Kohler, G. and Milstein, C., 1975, Nature, 256:495-497;
Kohler, G. and Milstein, C., 1976, Eur. J. Immunol., 6:511-519).
After an incubation period of 12-14 days, the supernatants of the
hybridomas obtained were screened in order to determine the
presence of anti-p24 antibodies using the ELISA assay described in
point 4 of this example. The positive hybridoma colonies were
subcloned twice according to the limiting dilution technique.
6. Results
[0267] The anti-p24 antibody titer in the serum of the mice was
determined just before sacrifice, individually for each mouse.
[0268] The results are given in table 7 below. TABLE-US-00009 TABLE
7 PLA/p24 group Mouse 1 dilution 1/8000 >3.0 (saturating)
dilution 1/64000 0.5 Mouse 2 dilution 1/8000 >3.0 (saturating)
dilution 1/64000 0.5 Mouse 3 dilution 1/2000 >3.0 (saturating)
dilution 1/8000 1.3 Freund's/p24 group Mouse 1 dilution 1/8000
>3.0 (saturating) dilution 1/64000 0.5 Mouse 2 dilution 1/8000
>3.0 (saturating) dilution 1/64000 0.5 Mouse 3 dilution 1/2000
>3.0 (saturating) dilution 1/8000 1.4
[0269] The titers obtained are comparable in the two groups. As
monoclonal antibodies had already been obtained by Freund's/p24
immunization, we sought to determine whether the PLA/p24 immunogen,
which makes it possible to induce comparable titers, will also make
it possible to obtain monoclonal antibodies.
[0270] For this, a mouse of the PLA/p24 group (mouse 1) was
sacrificed and the cells from its spleen were fused with myeloma
cells. The hybridomas derived from the fusion were cloned by
limiting dilution in 18 96-well plates. Screening of the hybridoma
culture supernatants using an anti-p24 ELISA assay made it possible
to identify 12 hybridoma clones which secrete a p24-specific
antibody. The PLA/p24 microparticles can therefore also be used to
obtain monoclonal antibodies.
Sequence CWU 1
1
32 1 101 PRT HIV 1 Met Glu Pro Val Asp Pro Arg Leu Glu Pro Trp Lys
His Pro Gly Ser 1 5 10 15 Gln Pro Arg Thr Ala Cys Thr Asn Cys Tyr
Cys Lys Lys Cys Cys Phe 20 25 30 His Cys Gln Val Cys Phe Ile Arg
Lys Ala Leu Gly Ile Ser Tyr Gly 35 40 45 Arg Lys Lys Arg Arg Gln
Arg Arg Arg Ala Pro Gln Asp Ser Glu Thr 50 55 60 His Gln Val Ser
Pro Pro Lys Gln Pro Ala Ser Gln Pro Arg Gly Asp 65 70 75 80 Pro Thr
Gly Pro Lys Glu Ser Lys Lys Lys Val Glu Arg Glu Thr Glu 85 90 95
Thr His Pro Val Asn 100 2 288 PRT HCV 2 Met Arg Gly Ser His His His
His His His Gly Ser Val Asp Glu Ser 1 5 10 15 Met Asp Glu Phe Ala
Val Asp Phe Ile Pro Val Glu Asn Leu Glu Thr 20 25 30 Thr Met Arg
Ser Pro Val Phe Ser Asp Asn Ser Ser Pro Pro Ala Val 35 40 45 Pro
Gln Ser Tyr Gln Val Ala His Leu His Ala Pro Thr Gly Ser Gly 50 55
60 Lys Ser Thr Lys Val Pro Ala Ala Tyr Ala Ala Gln Gly Tyr Lys Val
65 70 75 80 Leu Val Leu Asn Pro Ser Val Ala Ala Thr Leu Gly Phe Gly
Ala Tyr 85 90 95 Met Ser Lys Ala His Gly Ile Asp Pro Asn Ile Arg
Thr Gly Val Arg 100 105 110 Thr Ile Thr Thr Gly Ser Pro Ile Thr Tyr
Ser Thr Tyr Gly Lys Phe 115 120 125 Leu Ala Asp Gly Gly Cys Ser Gly
Gly Ala Tyr Asp Ile Ile Ile Cys 130 135 140 Asp Glu Cys His Ser Thr
Asp Ala Thr Ser Ile Leu Gly Ile Gly Thr 145 150 155 160 Val Leu Asp
Gln Ala Glu Thr Ala Gly Ala Arg Leu Thr Val Leu Ala 165 170 175 Thr
Ala Thr Pro Pro Gly Ser Val Thr Val Pro His Pro Asn Ile Glu 180 185
190 Glu Val Ala Leu Ser Thr Thr Gly Glu Ile Pro Phe Tyr Gly Lys Ala
195 200 205 Ile Pro Leu Glu Ala Ile Lys Gly Gly Arg His Leu Ile Phe
Cys His 210 215 220 Ser Lys Lys Lys Cys Asn Glu Leu Ala Ala Lys Leu
Val Ala Leu Gly 225 230 235 240 Val Asn Ala Val Ala Tyr Tyr Arg Gly
Leu Asp Val Ser Val Ile Pro 245 250 255 Thr Ser Gly Asp Val Val Val
Val Ala Thr Asp Ala Leu Met Thr Gly 260 265 270 Phe Thr Gly Asp Phe
Asp Ser Val Ile Asp Cys Asn Thr Cys Val Ile 275 280 285 3 9 PRT HIV
3 Ala Met Gln Met Leu Lys Glu Thr Ile 1 5 4 15 PRT HIV 4 Cys Phe
His Cys Gln Val Cys Phe Thr Lys Lys Gly Leu Gly Ile 1 5 10 15 5 15
PRT HIV 5 Val Cys Phe Thr Lys Lys Gly Leu Gly Ile Ser Tyr Gly Arg
Lys 1 5 10 15 6 15 PRT HIV 6 Lys Gly Leu Gly Ile Ser Tyr Gly Arg
Lys Lys Arg Arg Gln Arg 1 5 10 15 7 15 PRT HIV 7 Ser Tyr Gly Arg
Lys Lys Arg Arg Gln Arg Arg Arg Ser Pro Gln 1 5 10 15 8 15 PRT HIV
8 Lys Arg Arg Gln Arg Arg Arg Ser Pro Gln Asp Ser Glu Thr His 1 5
10 15 9 15 PRT HIV 9 Arg Arg Ser Pro Gln Asp Ser Glu Thr His Gln
Val Ser Leu Ser 1 5 10 15 10 2838 DNA HCV 10 gcgcctatca cggcctattc
ccaacaaacg cggggcctgc ttggctgtat catcactagc 60 ctcacaggtc
gggacaagaa ccaggtcgat ggggaggttc aggtgctctc caccgcaacg 120
caatctttcc tggcgacctg cgtcaatggc gtgtgttgga ccgtctacca tggtgccggc
180 tcgaagaccc tggccggccc gaagggtcca atcacccaaa tgtacaccaa
tgtagaccag 240 gacctcgtcg gctggccggc gccccccggg gcgcgctcca
tgacaccgtg cacctgcggc 300 agctcggacc tttacttggt cacgaggcat
gccgatgtca ttccggtgcg ccggcgaggc 360 gacagcaggg ggagtctact
ctcccctagg cccgtctcct acctgaaggg ctcctcgggt 420 ggaccactgc
tttgcccttc ggggcacgtt gtaggcatct tccgggctgc tgtgtgcacc 480
cggggggttg cgaaggcggt ggacttcata cccgttgagt ctatggaaac taccatgcgg
540 tctccggtct tcacagacaa ctcatcccct ccggccgtac cgcaaacatt
ccaagtggca 600 catttacacg ctcccactgg cagcggcaag agcaccaaag
tgccggctgc atatgcagcc 660 caagggtaca aggtgcgcgt cctaaacccg
tccgttgctg ccacattggg ctttggagcg 720 tatatgtcca aggcacatgg
catcgagcct aacatcagaa ctggggtaag gaccatcacc 780 acgggcggcc
ccatcacgta ctccacctat ggcaagttcc ttgccgacgg tggatgctcc 840
gggggcgcct atgacatcat aatatgtgac gaatgccact caactgactg gacaaccatc
900 ttgggcatcg gcacagtcct ggatcaggca gagacggctg gagcgcggct
cgtcgtgctc 960 gccaccgcca cgcctccggg atcgatcacc gtgccacacc
ccaacatcga ggaagtggcc 1020 ctgtccaaca ctggggagat tcccttctat
ggcaaagcca tccccattga ggccatcaag 1080 gggggaaggc atctcatctt
ctgccattcc aagaagaagt gtgacgagct cgccgcaaag 1140 ctgacaggcc
tcggactcaa cgctgtagcg tattacaggg gtctcgatgt gtccgtcata 1200
ccgactagcg gagacgtcgt tgtcgtggca acagacgctc taatgacggg ctttaccggc
1260 gactttgact cagtgatcga ctgcaacaca tgtgtcaccc agacagtcga
tttcagcttg 1320 gatcccacct tcaccattga gacgaccacc gtgccccaag
acgcggtgtc gcgctcgcag 1380 cggcgaggta ggactggcag gggcaggagt
ggcatctaca ggtttgtgac tccaggagaa 1440 cggccctcag gcatgttcga
ctcctcggtc ctgtgtgagt gctatgacgc aggctgcgct 1500 tggtatgagc
tcacgcccgc tgagactaca gtcaggttgc gggcttacct gaatacacca 1560
gggttgcccg tctgccagga ccatctggag ttctgggaaa gcgtcttcac aggcctcacc
1620 cacatagatg cccacttcct gtcccaaacc aagcaggcag gagacaactt
cccctacctg 1680 gtggcatacc aagccacggt gtgcgccagg gctcaggctc
cacctccatc gtgggatcaa 1740 atgtggaagt gtctcatacg gcttaaacct
acgctgcacg ggccaacacc cctgctgtat 1800 aggctaggag ccgttcaaaa
tgagatcacc ctcacacatc ccataaccaa attcgtcatg 1860 gcatgcatgt
cggccgacct ggaggtcgtc actagcacct gggtgctggt aggcggagtc 1920
cttgcagctc tggccgcata ttgcctgaca accggtagtg tggtcattgt gggtaggatc
1980 attttgtccg ggaggccggc tgttgttccc gacagggaag tcctctaccg
ggagttcgat 2040 gaaatggaag agtgcgcctc acacctccct tacatcgagc
aaggaatgca gctcgccgag 2100 cagttcaagc agaaggcact cgggttgctg
caaacagcca ccaagcaagc ggaggccgct 2160 gctcccgtgg tggagtccag
gtggcgggcc cttgaggcct tctgggcaaa gcacatgtgg 2220 aacttcatca
ccgggataca gtacttagca ggcttatcca ctctgcctgg gaaccccgcg 2280
atagcatcac tgatggcatt cacagcctct atcaccagtc cgctcaccac ccagaatacc
2340 ctcctattca acatcttagg gggatgggtg gctgctcaac tcgctcctcc
cagtgctgct 2400 tcggccttcg tgggtgccgg cattgccggt gcggccattg
gcagcatagg ccttgggaag 2460 gtgcttgtgg acattctggc gggctatgga
gcgggggtgg ccggtgcact cgtggctttt 2520 aaggtcatga gcggcgaggc
gccctccgcc gaggacctgg ttaacttgct ccctgccatc 2580 ctctcccccg
gcgccttggt cgtcgggatc gtgtgtgcag caatcctgcg tcggcacgtg 2640
ggcccgggag agggggctgt gcagtggatg aaccggctga tagcgttcgc ttcgcggggt
2700 aaccacgttt cccccacgca ctacgtgcct gagagcgacg ccgcagcacg
tgtaactcag 2760 atcctctcca gcctcaccat cactcagctg ctgaagaggc
ttcaccagtg gattaatgag 2820 gactgctcca cgccatgc 2838 11 10 PRT HCV
11 Lys Leu Val Ala Leu Gly Val Asn Ala Val 1 5 10 12 15 PRT HIV 12
Glu Gln Ile Gly Trp Met Thr Asn Asn Pro Pro Ile Pro Val Gly 1 5 10
15 13 15 PRT HIV 13 Trp Met Thr Asn Asn Pro Pro Ile Pro Val Gly Glu
Ile Tyr Lys 1 5 10 15 14 15 PRT HIV 14 Asn Pro Pro Ile Pro Val Gly
Glu Ile Tyr Lys Arg Trp Ile Ile 1 5 10 15 15 15 PRT HIV 15 Pro Val
Gly Glu Ile Tyr Lys Arg Trp Ile Ile Leu Gly Leu Asn 1 5 10 15 16 15
PRT HIV 16 Ile Tyr Lys Arg Trp Ile Ile Leu Gly Leu Asn Lys Ile Val
Arg 1 5 10 15 17 15 PRT HIV 17 Trp Ile Ile Leu Gly Leu Asn Lys Ile
Val Arg Met Tyr Ser Pro 1 5 10 15 18 15 PRT HIV 18 Gly Leu Asn Lys
Ile Val Arg Met Tyr Ser Pro Thr Ser Ile Leu 1 5 10 15 19 15 PRT HIV
19 Ile Val Arg Met Tyr Ser Pro Thr Ser Ile Leu Asp Ile Arg Gln 1 5
10 15 20 15 PRT HIV 20 Tyr Ser Pro Thr Ser Ile Leu Asp Ile Arg Gln
Gly Pro Lys Glu 1 5 10 15 21 15 PRT HIV 21 Ser Ile Leu Asp Ile Arg
Gln Gly Pro Lys Glu Pro Phe Arg Asp 1 5 10 15 22 15 PRT HIV 22 Ile
Arg Gln Gly Pro Lys Glu Pro Phe Arg Asp Tyr Val Asp Arg 1 5 10 15
23 15 PRT HIV 23 Pro Lys Glu Pro Phe Arg Asp Tyr Val Asp Arg Phe
Tyr Lys Thr 1 5 10 15 24 15 PRT HIV 24 Phe Arg Asp Tyr Val Asp Arg
Phe Tyr Lys Thr Leu Arg Ala Glu 1 5 10 15 25 15 PRT HIV 25 Val Asp
Arg Phe Tyr Lys Thr Leu Arg Ala Glu Gln Ala Ser Gln 1 5 10 15 26 15
PRT HIV 26 Tyr Lys Thr Leu Arg Ala Glu Gln Ala Ser Gln Glu Val Lys
Asn 1 5 10 15 27 15 PRT HIV 27 Arg Ala Glu Gln Ala Ser Gln Glu Val
Lys Asn Trp Met Thr Glu 1 5 10 15 28 15 PRT HIV 28 Ala Ser Gln Glu
Val Lys Asn Trp Met Thr Glu Thr Leu Leu Val 1 5 10 15 29 15 PRT HIV
29 Val Lys Asn Trp Met Thr Glu Thr Leu Leu Val Gln Asn Ala Asn 1 5
10 15 30 15 PRT HIV 30 Met Thr Glu Thr Leu Leu Val Gln Asn Ala Asn
Pro Asp Cys Lys 1 5 10 15 31 15 PRT HIV 31 Leu Leu Val Gln Asn Ala
Asn Pro Asp Cys Lys Thr Ile Leu Lys 1 5 10 15 32 15 PRT HIV 32 Asn
Ala Asn Pro Asp Cys Lys Thr Ile Leu Lys Ala Leu Gly Pro 1 5 10
15
* * * * *