U.S. patent application number 17/073006 was filed with the patent office on 2021-02-04 for uses of parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factors.
This patent application is currently assigned to Yale University. The applicant listed for this patent is GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA, Yale University. Invention is credited to Richard BUCALA, Andrew GEALL.
Application Number | 20210030859 17/073006 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005150732 |
Filed Date | 2021-02-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210030859 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BUCALA; Richard ; et
al. |
February 4, 2021 |
USES OF PARASITE MACROPHAGE MIGRATION INHIBITORY FACTORS
Abstract
This invention relates to compositions (e.g. vaccine
compositions) which can be used to provide a subject with
protective immunity against a parasite infection. The compositions
comprise: (i) an immunologically effective amount of a nucleic acid
(e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine) comprising a sequence which
encodes a parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)
antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which
specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The compositions may
be used to treat infections and diseases caused by parasitic
protozoans, such as a Plasmodium parasite, or parasitic
helminths.
Inventors: |
BUCALA; Richard; (New Haven,
CT) ; GEALL; Andrew; (Cambridge, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yale University
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA |
New Haven
Rixensart |
CT |
US
BE |
|
|
Assignee: |
Yale University
New Haven
CT
GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals SA
Rixensart
|
Family ID: |
1000005150732 |
Appl. No.: |
17/073006 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15128851 |
Sep 23, 2016 |
10842859 |
|
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PCT/EP2015/056310 |
Mar 24, 2015 |
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17073006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 9/107 20130101;
A61K 2039/54 20130101; A61K 2039/57 20130101; C07K 14/445 20130101;
A61K 2039/545 20130101; C07K 16/205 20130101; A61K 2039/505
20130101; A61K 39/015 20130101; A61K 2039/55566 20130101; C07K
14/44 20130101; A61K 2039/70 20130101; C07K 16/24 20130101; A61K
2039/53 20130101; Y02A 50/30 20180101; A61K 9/127 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61K 39/015 20060101
A61K039/015; C07K 14/44 20060101 C07K014/44; C07K 16/20 20060101
C07K016/20; C07K 16/24 20060101 C07K016/24; A61K 9/107 20060101
A61K009/107; A61K 9/127 20060101 A61K009/127; C07K 14/445 20060101
C07K014/445 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2014 |
EP |
14161614.4 |
Claims
1. A composition for use in a method of providing protective
immunity against a parasite infection in a subject in need thereof,
which comprises an immunologically effective amount of one or more
of: (i) a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a
parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen; (ii)
a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically
binds to a parasite MIF antigen.
2. The composition for use according to claim 1 (i) wherein the
composition comprises an RNA-based vaccine.
3. The composition for use according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein
the protective immunity is characterized by protective
immunological memory against the parasite and/or an effective
parasite-responsive memory T cell population.
4. The composition for use according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the
composition comprises a nucleic acid-based vaccine comprising the
nucleic acid sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; for
example, wherein the nucleic acid-based vaccine is a RNA-based
vaccine, which may comprises a self-replicating RNA molecule, such
as an alphavirus-derived RNA replicon.
5. The composition for use according to any preceding claim wherein
the composition comprises a cationic nano-emulsion (CNE) delivery
system or a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system.
6. The composition for use according to any preceding claim wherein
the composition comprises one or more adjuvants.
7. The composition for use according to claim 1 wherein the
antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen
comprises monoclonal antibody or polyclonal antibody.
8. The composition for use according to claim 1 wherein the
antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen is a
human, humanized or chimeric monoclonal antibody.
9. The composition for use according to any preceding claim wherein
the parasite is a parasitic protozoan, for example wherein (i) the
protozoan is an apicomplexan parasite; and/or (ii) the protozoan
belongs to a genus selected from the group consisting of:
Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Babesia, Eimeria, Theileria, Neospora,
Sarcocystis, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma.
10. The composition for use according to any one of claims 1 to 8
wherein the parasite is a parasitic helminth, such as a
nematode.
11. The composition for use according to claim 10 wherein the
parasitic helminth belongs to a genus selected from the group
consisting of: Ancyclostoma, Necator, Brugia, Wuchereria, Loa,
Mansonella, Trichinella, Trichuris, Ascaris, Anisakis, Dracunculus,
Strongyloides, Haemonchus, Schistosoma and Fasciola.
12. The composition for use according to any preceding claim
wherein the subject is a vertebrate, such as a mammal e.g. a human
or a veterinary mammal.
13. The composition for use according to any preceding claim
wherein: (a) the composition further comprises a nucleic acid
sequence which encodes an additional parasite antigen, and/or (b)
the composition further comprises an additional parasite antigen,
and/or (c) the composition is administered to the subject in
combination with a further composition which comprises a nucleic
acid comprising a sequence which encodes an additional parasite
antigen; and/or (d) the composition is administered to the subject
in combination with a further composition which comprises an
additional parasite antigen.
14. A composition comprising an immunologically effective amount
of: (i) a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a
parasite MIF antigen; or (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; wherein the
MIF antigen is from: (a) a parasitic protozoan; or (b) a parasitic
helminth which belongs to a genus selected from the group
consisting of: Ancyclostoma, Necator, Brugia, Wuchereria, Loa,
Mansonella, Trichinella, Trichuris, Ascaris, Anisakis, Dracunculus,
Strongyloides, Haemonchus, Schistosoma and Fasciola.
15. The composition of claim 14 wherein the parasitic protozoan is
an apicomplexan parasite and/or belongs to a genus selected from
the group consisting of: Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, Babesia, Eimeria,
Theileria, Neospora, Sarcocystis, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma.
16. The composition of any one of claims 14 to 15 wherein the
parasite MIF antigen is a full-length MIF polypeptide or an
immunogenic fragment thereof.
17. The composition of any one of claims 14 to 16 which comprises a
nucleic acid-based vaccine comprising the nucleic acid sequence
which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; for example, wherein the
nucleic acid-based vaccine is a RNA-based vaccine, such as a
self-replicating RNA molecule, which may be an alphavirus-derived
RNA replicon.
18. The composition of any one of claims 14 to 17 which comprises a
cationic nano-emulsion (CNE) delivery system or a lipid
nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCED TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/128,851, with a 371(c) date of Sep. 23,
2016, which is the U.S. national phase of PCT/EP2015/056310, filed
Mar. 24, 2015, which claims the benefit of European patent
application 14161614.4, filed Mar. 25, 2014, the disclosures of
which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
SUBMISSION OF SEQUENCE LISTING ON ASCII TEXT FILE
[0002] The content of the following submission on ASCII text file
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety: a computer
readable form (CRF) of the Sequence Listing (file name:
303822019001SEQLIST.TXT, date recorded: Oct. 16, 2020, size: 19
KB).
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0003] This invention is in the field of treating and preventing
parasite infections. In particular, the present invention relates
to the use of parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factors
(MIFs) for preventing parasite infections such as malaria.
BACKGROUND ART
[0004] Parasitic diseases caused by protozoa and helminths affect
billions of individuals worldwide and cause millions of human
deaths annually, particularly in tropical countries. Malaria, for
example, which is caused by Plasmodium protozoa, infects 300-500
million individuals annually and leads to more than 1 million
deaths. More than a third of the global population is at risk of
malaria. Disease mortality is primarily caused by complications due
to severe anemia, shock and cerebral malaria, which can be
associated with an excessive proinflammatory response. Malaria
preferentially kills the immunologically naive, for example, young
children. Recurrent or persistent malaria infection can lead to
"tolerance" to severe disease but memory CD4 T cells do not appear
to be adequately maintained after malaria infection and fully
protective and "sterilizing" immunity never develops [1]. This
inability to develop or maintain effective "sterilizing" immunity
following infection has been recognised as a characteristic of many
other parasite infections in addition to malaria [2]. This makes
vaccine development especially difficult.
[0005] The Leishmania parasite, a flagellated protozoan, is another
major cause of parasitic disease. Leishmaniasis affects about 12
million individuals per year and leads to about 60,000 deaths, with
about 350 million thought to be at risk. Schistosomiasis is caused
by parasitic helminths of the genus Schistosoma and is thought to
affect 200 million people worldwide and lead to about 20,000
deaths. Hookworm infection by the nematodes Necator americanus and
Ancylostoma duodenale is estimated to affect over 700 million
individuals. Other parasitic diseases, such as toxoplasmosis,
lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis, and Guinea worm disease are
thought to affect more than 1 billion people worldwide between
them. However, researchers have struggled to develop vaccines
against such parasites due to their complex multi-stage life
cycles, antigenic variability and immune evasion. Thus, there is
still huge demand for effective treatments which protect against
parasitic infections, such as malaria.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present inventors unexpectedly found that macrophage
migration inhibitory factor (MIF) from a parasite can be used as an
effective vaccine antigen to provide protective immunity against
parasite infection.
[0007] In particular, the inventors found that immunization of mice
with a self-replicating RNA vaccine encoding Plasmodium berghei MIF
ortholog (PbMIF) led to a measurable and significant decrease in
parasitemia following initial Plasmodium challenge and a pronounced
reduction in parasitemia following cure and re-challenge. The
reduced parasitemia was accompanied by an expansion of the
Plasmodium-responsive memory T cell population in the treated mice.
The inventors also showed that immunization with an adjuvanted
PbMIF antigen was well tolerated and induced a robust anti-PbMIF
immune response. Immunization with PbMIF therefore allows for the
increased development of memory T cells and provides significant
protection against malaria re-infection. In addition, the inventors
showed that passive transfer of an anti-PbMIF antibody
significantly reduced parasitemia following P. berghei
infection.
[0008] In mammals, MIF is a ubiquitous and highly conserved
proinflammatory cytokine which exhibits tautomerase and
oxidoreductase enzymatic activities and is involved in the
regulation of a broad spectrum of immune responses. The role of MIF
in the mammalian immune system has been widely studied and it has
been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases such as
septic shock, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel
disease [3,4]. The precise molecular mechanisms by which MIF
functions are not yet well understood, but mammalian MIF has been
shown to bind and exert its inflammatory effects via the cell
surface receptor CD74 (also known as the MIF receptor, MIF-R)[5,6].
However, the role of MIF was widely thought to be confined to the
innate immune system.
[0009] MIF orthologs or homologs are found in many parasitic
organisms that infect mammals, including unicellular protozoan
parasites such as Plasmodium, Leishmania and Toxoplasma and
parasitic helminths and nematodes such as Brugia and Ancyclostoma.
Despite often sharing only low levels of sequence identity, these
parasite orthologs share close structural and functional
similarities with MIFs from their mammalian hosts [3,4,5]. Thus,
the present invention is applicable to a wide range of parasites
which express a MIF ortholog or homolog. For example, a MIF
ortholog produced by Leishmania major, has been identified which
shares significant structural and functional homology with human
MIF, including tautomerase, chemotactic and anti-apoptotic
activities and MIF-R binding [7]. MIF proteins produced by
Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium berghei have been shown to be
similar to one another and to mammalian and other parasite MIFs, to
interact with MIF-R and to share similar enzymatic and
pro-inflammatory function.
[0010] In view of their structural conservation and distribution
among evolutionarily distant species, the present inventors
hypothesised that parasite MIF orthologs play a role in evasion of
the host immune response. Sun et al. [5] recently showed that
Plasmodium MIF enhanced inflammatory cytokine production and
induced activated CD4 T cells to develop into short-lived effector
cells rather than memory precursor cells in infected mice,
preventing the establishment of immunological memory. Also, CD4 T
cells were more susceptible to apoptosis and CD4 T cell recall
responses against challenge infections were reduced. Speculative
therapeutic applications targeting MIF have been proposed. For
example, Dobson et al. [4] suggested that Plasmodium MIF could be a
potential drug target and that it would be important to selectively
target parasite MIF relative to host protein. Vermeire et al. [3]
suggested that drugs or vaccines specifically targeting nematode
MIF orthologs could have therapeutic value. Cho et al. [8] found
that immunization of hamsters with a MIF ortholog from the hookworm
Ancylostoma ceylanicum alleviated clinical symptoms of
hookworm-associated disease (weight loss and anemia) and suggested
targeting the hookworm MIF with small molecule inhibitors to treat
infection. However, none of these documents elucidated a precise
role for MIF orthologs in parasitic infections and, prior to the
present invention, no specific therapeutic applications of
invertebrate parasite MIF had been provided.
[0011] In contrast, the inventors have identified for the first
time that an immune response against MIF can be used to provide
protective immunity against a parasite infection. In particular,
the inventors have shown that parasite MIFs are viable vaccine
candidates that may be used either as stand-alone antigens or in
combination with other parasite antigens in order to promote
long-lasting memory T cell responses and protective immunity
against parasite infection. The inventors' findings also establish
that an antibody-mediated immune response against parasite MIF can
usefully protect a subject against parasite infection. Protective
immunity against parasite infection may therefore be established in
a subject by eliciting an immune response against parasite MIF
and/or blocking parasite MIF function in the subject, thus enabling
a subject to develop protective immunological memory against the
parasite, particularly when the subject is, or has been exposed to
parasite antigens other than MIF as well (e.g. due to infection or
exposure to other parasite vaccines). Accordingly, in one aspect,
the invention provides a method for providing protective immunity
against a parasite infection in a subject in need thereof,
comprising administering an immunologically effective amount of a
composition to the subject, wherein the composition comprises: (i)
a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF
antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which
specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. In some embodiments,
the method may comprise administering a combination of (i), (ii)
and/or (iii).
[0012] In another aspect, the invention provides a composition for
use in a method of providing protective immunity against a parasite
infection in a subject in need thereof, which comprises an
immunologically effective amount of: (i) a nucleic acid comprising
a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; (ii) a parasite
MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a
parasite MIF antigen. The composition may be a pharmaceutical
composition. Accordingly, the composition may also comprise a
pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In certain embodiments, the
composition of (i) or (ii) is a vaccine composition.
[0013] The invention also provides a method for providing
protective immunity against a parasite infection in a subject in
need thereof, comprising administering parasite-responsive CD4 T
cells isolated from a compatible host (preferably of the same
species as the subject), wherein the host has been immunized with a
composition of the invention: i.e. a composition which comprises an
immunologically effective amount of (i) a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen or (ii) a parasite
MIF antigen. The compatible host may have been administered a
composition of the invention in accordance with a method of
providing protective immunity as defined herein. The compatible
host may have been administered a composition of the invention as a
single dose or in multiple doses (i.e. two or more doses) as
described herein. In some embodiments, the compatible host may have
been immunized with the composition and subsequently either
infected with the parasite (see below) or immunized with another
parasite antigen (to produce the parasite-responsive CD4 T cell
population). In some embodiments, the compatible host may have been
cured of the parasite infection, e.g. by administration of an agent
which kills or attenuates the parasite. For example, a Plasmodium
infection may be cured by administration of an antimalarial.
Examples of such agents/antimalarials include chloroquine (CQ),
doxycycline, atovaquone (plus proguanil) and mefloquine. In some
embodiments, the parasite-responsive CD4 T cells have been isolated
from a compatible host who has been: (i) administered a composition
of the invention, and (ii) subsequently either infected with the
parasite or immunized with another parasite antigen (to produce the
parasite-responsive CD4 T cell population). Optionally (e.g. where
the host is infected with the parasite), the host may also have
been cured of the parasite infection prior to isolation of the
parasite-responsive CD4 T cells. The parasite-responsive CD4 T
cells isolated from said host may provide the subject with
sterilizing immunity (i.e. complete protective immunity), whereby
the protected subject can elicit an immune response which
completely eliminates the parasite infection.
[0014] The parasite may be an invertebrate parasite, for example
protozoan or a helminth. In some embodiments, the parasite is a
protozoan, for example an apicomplexan parasite such as Plasmodium.
In some embodiments, the parasitic protozoan belongs to a genus
selected from the group consisting of: Plasmodium, Toxoplasma,
Babesia, Eimeria, Theileria, Neospora, Sarcocystis, Leishmania, and
Trypanosoma. In some embodiments, the parasite is a helminth, for
example a nematode. In some embodiments, the parasitic helminth
belongs to a genus selected from the group consisting of:
Ancyclostoma, Necator, Brugia, Wuchereria, Loa, Mansonella,
Trichinella, Trichuris, Ascaris, Anisakis, Dracunculus,
Strongyloides, Haemonchus, Schistosoma and Fasciola.
[0015] In a further aspect, the invention provides a composition
comprising an immunologically effective amount of: (i) a nucleic
acid comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; or
(ii) a parasite MIF antigen; wherein the MIF antigen is from a
parasitic protozoan. The invention also provides a composition
comprising an immunologically effective amount of: (i) a nucleic
acid comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; or
(ii) a parasite MIF antigen; wherein the MIF antigen is from a
parasitic helminth which belongs to a genus selected from the group
consisting of: Ancyclostoma, Necator, Brugia, Wuchereria, Loa,
Mansonella, Trichinella, Trichuris, Ascaris, Anisakis, Dracunculus,
Strongyloides, Haemonchus, Schistosoma and Fasciola.
Parasite MIF Antigens
[0016] A parasite MIF antigen for use in the present invention
generates an immune response in a subject which recognises a
naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide (e.g. a protective
immune response). The parasite MIF antigen may also be referred to
as a parasite MIF polypeptide antigen. "Parasite MIF antigen"
includes immunogenic fragments of a parasite MIF polypeptide as
well as a whole or full-length parasite MIF polypeptide. For
example, a parasite MIF antigen may comprise or consist of a
full-length parasite MIF polypeptide or an immunogenic fragment of
a parasite MIF polypeptide. The parasite MIF polypeptide may be a
naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide or a variant thereof
(i.e. a variant having one or more amino acid substitutions and/or
deletions). In certain embodiments, the parasite MIF antigen
comprises a contiguous amino acid sequence and/or an epitope which
is found in a naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide.
[0017] "Naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide", as used
herein, refers to a MIF polypeptide which is expressed in nature by
a parasite. Typically, a naturally occurring parasite MIF
polypeptide is from about 110 to about 120 amino acids in length.
In its mature, processed form it has an N-terminal proline residue
(formed after cleavage of methionine during initial protein
processing). A naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide may
have at least one biological activity selected from tautomerase
enzymatic activity and MIF-R (e.g. human CD74) binding activity.
Naturally occurring MIF polypeptides are members of a unique
structural superfamily characterized by forming a trimer of
identical subunits. In naturally occurring MIF, each monomer may
contain two antiparallel alpha-helices that pack against a
four-stranded beta-sheet, with each monomer having two additional
beta-strands that interact with the beta-sheets of adjacent
subunits to form the interface between monomers. The three
beta-sheets may be arranged to form a barrel containing a
solvent-accessible channel that runs through the centre of the
protein along a molecular three-fold axis.
[0018] Examples of naturally occurring MIF polypeptides
include:
TABLE-US-00001 Plasmodium falciparum MIF (UniProt Accession code
Q8I5C5); SEQ ID NO: 1: PCCEVITNVNLPDDNVQSTLSQIENAISDVMGKPLGYIMSNYD
YQKNLRFGGSNEAYCFVRITSIGGINRSNNSALADQITKLLVS
NLNVKSRRIYVEFRDCSAQNFAFSGSLFG Plasmodium berghei MIF (UniProt
Accession code Q4YQW0); SEQ ID NO: 2:
PCCELITNISIPDDKAQNTLSEIEDAISNILGKPVAYIMSNYD
YQKNLRFSGSNEGYCFVRLTSIGGINRSNNSLLADKITKILSN
HLSVKPRRVYIEFRDCSAQNFAFSGSLFG Plasmodiumyoelii MIF (UniProt
Accession code Q1HEA2); SEQ ID NO: 3:
PCCELITNISIPDDKAQNALSEIEDAISNVLGKPVAYIMSNYD
YQKNLRFSGSNEGYCFVRLTSIGGINRSNNSSLADKITKILSN
HLGVKPRRVYIEFRDCSAQNFAFSGSLFG Plasmodium chabaudi MIF (UniProt
Accession code Q4Y5M8); SEQ ID NO: 4:
PCCELITNISIPDDKAQAALSEIEDAISNVLGKPTAYIMSNYD
YQKNLRFAGSNEGYCFVRLTSLGGINRSNNSSLADKITKHLAN
HLGVKPRRVYIEFRDCSAQNFAFSGSLFG Plasmodium vivax MIF (UniProt
Accession code A5K093); SEQ ID NO: 5:
PCCQVSTNINASDDDAKKALSQIENAISQVLGKPLGYIMSNLD
YQKHMRFGGSHDGFCFVRVTSLGGINKSNNSSLADKITKILAS
TLNVKSERVFIEFKDCSAQNFAFNGSLFG Plasmodium knowlesi MIF (UniProt
Accession code B3LCT3); SEQ ID NO: 6:
PCCQVSTNINVSDDDAKKALMQIENAISQVMNKPMGYIMSNLD
YQKHMRFGGSHDGFCFVRVTSISGISRSNNTALADKITKILAS
TIKVKSDRVFIEFKDCSAQNFAFNGSLFG Toxoplasma gondii MIF (UniProt
Accession code A1XDS9); SEQ ID NO: 7:
PKCMIFCPVAATPAQQDALLKDAEKAVADALGKPLSYVMVGYS
QTGQMRFGGSSDPCAFIRVASIGGITSSTNCKIAAALSAACER
HLGVPKNRIYTTFTNKSPSEWAMGDRTFG Leishmania major MIF.sub.1 (UniProt
Accession code Q4Q413); SEQ ID NO: 8:
PVIQTFVSTPLEHHKRENLAQVYRAVTRDVLGKPEDLVMMTFH
DSTPMHFFGSTDPVACVRVEALGGYGPSEPEKVTSIVTAAITK
ECGIVADRIFVLYFSPLHCGWNGTNF Leishmania major MIF.sub.2 (UniProt
Accession code Q4Q412); SEQ ID NO: 9:
PFLQTIVSVSLDDQKRANLSAAYGMICREELGKPEDFVMTAFS
DKTPISFQGSTAPAAYVRVESWGEYAPSKPKMMTPRIAAAITK
ECGIPAERIYVFYYSTKHCGWNGTNF Giardia intestinalis MIF (UniProt
Accession code A8BFP4); SEQ ID NO: 10:
PCAIVTTNADFTKDQADAFCLDMGQVLAKETGKPVSYCMAGVR
KADMSFGTSTDLCCFVDFYCIGVISQAKNPSISAAITGCLTQH
FKVKPERVYISFNEAKGHNWGFNGSTF Brugia malayi MIF (UniProt Accession
code A8PJU3); SEQ ID NO: 11:
PYFTIDTNIPQNSISSAFLKKASNVVAKALGKPESYVSIHVNG
GQAMVFGGSEDPCAVCVLKSIGCVGPKVNNSHAEKLYKLLADE
LKIPKNRCYIEFVDIEASSMAFNGSTFG Wuchereria bancrofti MIF (UniProt
Accession code 044786); SEQ ID NO: 12:
PYFTIDTNKPQCSISSAFLKKAPNVVPKALGKPESYVSIHVNG
GQPMVFGGSEDPCPVCVLKSIGCVGPKVNNSHAEKLYKLLADE
LKIPKNRCYIESVDIEASSMAFNGSTFG Ancylostoma duodenale MIF (UniProt
Accession code I3RWR9); SEQ ID NO: 13:
PMVRVATNLPDKDVPANFEERLTDILAESMNKPRNRIAIEVMA
GQRITHGASRNPVAVIKVESIGALSADDNIRHTQKITQFCQDT
LKLPKDKVIITYFDLQPIHVGFNGTTVAAATM Ancylostoma ceylanicum MIF.sub.1
(UniProt Accession code A4GRE3); SEQ ID NO: 14:
PMVRVATNLPDKDVPANFEERLTDLLAESMNKPRNRIAIEVLA
GQRITHGASRNPVAVIKVESIGALSADDNIRHTQKITQFCQDT
LKLPKDKVIITYFDLQPIHVGFNGTTVAAATM Ancylostoma ceylanicum MIF.sub.2
(UniProt Accession code B6RTC1); SEQ ID NO: 15:
PVFQLHTNVSQDKVTPDLLKQISALVARILHKPESYVAVHVVP
DQKMTFAGTDGPCGIGILKSIGGVGGSQNNSHAKALFALIKDH
LGIEGSRMYIEFVDIGASDIAHNGRTFA Trichinella spiralis MIF (UniProt
Accession code E5SFT7); SEQ ID NO: 16:
PIFTLNTNIKATDVPSDFLSSTSALVGNILSKPGSYVAVHINT
DQQLSFGGSTNPAAFGTLMSIGGIEPSRNRCHSAKLFDHLNKK
LGIPKNRMYIHFVNLNGDDVGWNGTTF Trichuris trichiura MIF (UniProt
Accession code P81748); SEQ ID NO: 17:
PIFTFSTNVPSENISVDFLKSTSKLIAGMLGKPESYVAVHING
GQKITFGGTDAPAGFGQLLSLGGVGGEKNRSHSAKLFKHLTDG
LGIPGNRMYINFVDMRGSDVGYNGSTF Onchocerca volvulus MIF (UniProt
Accession code Q963F7); SEQ ID NO: 18:
PAFTINTNIPQSNVSDAFLKKASSTVAKALGKPESYVAIHVNG
GQAMVFGGSTDPCAVCVLKSIGCVGPNVNNSHSEKLFKLLADE
LKIPKNRCYIEFVNIDASTMAFNGSTFG
The UniProt Accession codes referred to above refer to MIF
polypeptide sequences which include an N-terminal methionine that
is not present in the mature MIF polypeptide. SEQ ID NOs: 1-18 show
the mature MIF polypeptide sequence, beginning with an N-terminal
proline.
[0019] A parasite MIF antigen may comprise a parasite MIF
polypeptide which is a variant of a naturally occurring parasite
MIF polypeptide. The variant may comprise an amino acid sequence
which is at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at
least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98% or at least 99% identical to
a full-length naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide, for
example, to a polypeptide according to SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or 18. Alternatively, or in
addition, the parasite MIF antigen may comprise an immunogenic
fragment (i.e. an epitope-containing fragment) of a parasite MIF
polypeptide which may comprise a contiguous amino acid sequence of
at least 8, at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at
least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at
least 18, at least 19 amino acids which is identical to a
contiguous amino acid sequence of a naturally occurring parasite
MIF polypeptide, for example, a polypeptide according to SEQ ID NO:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 or
18.
[0020] In some embodiments, the parasite MIF antigen comprises an
amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical (e.g. at least
75%, at least 80%, at least 85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at
least 98% or at least 99% identical) to SEQ ID NO:1 and/or
comprises a contiguous amino acid sequence of at least 8 amino
acids (e.g. at least 9, at least 10, at least 11, at least 12, at
least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at least 16, at least 17, at
least 18, at least 19 amino acids) which is identical to a
contiguous amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1. In some embodiments,
the parasite MIF antigen comprises an amino acid sequence which is
at least 70% identical (e.g. at least 75%, at least 80%, at least
85%, at least 90%, at least 95%, at least 98% or at least 99%
identical) to SEQ ID NO:2 and/or comprises a contiguous amino acid
sequence of at least 8 amino acids (e.g. at least 9, at least 10,
at least 11, at least 12, at least 13, at least 14, at least 15, at
least 16, at least 17, at least 18, at least 19 amino acids) which
is identical to a contiguous amino acid sequence of SEQ ID
NO:2.
[0021] Where the parasite MIF antigen is a variant of a naturally
occurring parasite MIF polypeptide, the parasite MIF antigen may
have one or more amino acid (e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,
11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 etc.) substitutions and/or
deletions relative to the naturally occurring parasite MIF
polypeptide. The variant may have a maximum of 5, 10, 15 or 20
substitutions and/or deletions relative to the naturally occurring
parasite MIF polypeptide. The one or more substitutions may be
conservative amino acid replacements i.e. replacements of one amino
acid with another which has a related side chain.
Genetically-encoded amino acids are generally divided into four
families: (1) acidic i.e. aspartate, glutamate; (2) basic i.e.
lysine, arginine, histidine; (3) non-polar i.e. alanine, valine,
leucine, isoleucine, proline, phenylalanine, methionine,
tryptophan; and (4) uncharged polar i.e. glycine, asparagine,
glutamine, cystine, serine, threonine, tyrosine. Phenylalanine,
tryptophan, and tyrosine are sometimes classified jointly as
aromatic amino acids. In general, substitution of single amino
acids within these families does not have a major effect on the
biological activity. The variant may also include one or more (e.g.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20 etc.) amino acid insertions (e.g. each of 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 amino
acids) relative to the naturally occurring parasite MIF
polypeptide. The variant may have a maximum of 5, 10, 15 or 20
insertions relative to the naturally occurring parasite MIF
polypeptide.
[0022] The variant may be encoded by a nucleic acid sequence which
can hybridize under stringent conditions to a nucleic acid sequence
that encodes a naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide.
Hybridization reactions can be performed under conditions of
different "stringency". Conditions that increase stringency of a
hybridization reaction are widely known and published in the art
(e.g. page 7.52 of reference 9). Examples of relevant conditions
include (in order of increasing stringency): incubation
temperatures of 25.degree. C., 37.degree. C., 50.degree. C.,
55.degree. C. and 68.degree. C.; buffer concentrations of
10.times.SSC, 6.times.SSC, 1.times.SSC, 0.1.times.SSC (where SSC is
0.15 M NaCl and 15 mM citrate buffer) and their equivalents using
other buffer systems; formamide concentrations of 0%, 25%, 50%, and
75%; incubation times from 5 minutes to 24 hours; 1, 2, or more
washing steps; wash incubation times of 1, 2, or 15 minutes; and
wash solutions of 6.times.SSC, 1.times.SSC, 0.1.times.SSC, or
de-ionized water. Hybridization techniques and their optimization
are well known in the art [e.g. see references 9-12, etc.].
Preferably, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a variant hybridizes
under high stringency conditions (e.g. 68.degree. C. and
0.1.times.SSC) to a nucleic acid sequence that encodes a naturally
occurring parasite MIF polypeptide.
[0023] In certain embodiments, the parasite MIF antigen is at least
20, at least 30, at least 40, at least 50, at least 60, at least
70, at least 80, at least 90 or at least 100 amino acids in
length.
[0024] As used herein, the term "antigen" refers to a molecule
containing one or more epitopes (e.g., linear, conformational or
both) that will stimulate a host's immune system to make a humoral
and/or cellular antigen-specific immunological response (i.e. an
immune response which specifically recognises a naturally occurring
parasite MIF polypeptide). An "epitope" is that portion of an
antigen that determines its immunological specificity.
[0025] The antigen, or a nucleic acid encoding the antigen, may be
isolated or purified from a natural source (i.e. a parasite of
interest), but will usually be produced by recombinant or synthetic
techniques, all of which will be familiar to those skilled in the
art.
[0026] A parasite MIF antigen may comprise at least one T-cell or
B-cell epitope of the naturally occurring parasite MIF polypeptide.
T- and B-cell epitopes can be identified empirically (e.g. using
PEPSCAN [13,14] or similar methods), or they can be predicted (e.g.
using the Jameson-Wolf antigenic index [15], matrix-based
approaches [16], TEPITOPE [17], neural networks [18], OptiMer &
EpiMer [19, 20], ADEPT [21], Tsites [22], hydrophilicity [23],
antigenic index [24] or the methods disclosed in reference 25
etc.).
[0027] In certain embodiments, the parasite MIF antigen is capable
of eliciting a T cell response in the subject, for example a helper
(CD4) T cell response.
Multiple Parasite MIF Antigens
[0028] A composition of the invention may use, or may target, a
single parasite MIF antigen, or may use or target two or more
different parasite MIF antigens. Thus, in some embodiments, a
composition as defined herein may comprise or encode a single
parasite MIF antigen or two or more different parasite MIF
antigens, and/or may comprise antibodies which specifically bind to
a single parasite MIF antigen or to two or more different parasite
MIF antigens.
[0029] In some embodiments, the composition may comprise a nucleic
acid which encodes two or more parasite MIF antigens. In some
embodiments, the composition may comprise two or more nucleic acids
which each encode a parasite MIF antigen. In some embodiments, the
composition may comprise two or more parasite MIF antigens. In some
embodiments, the composition may comprise two or more antibodies
which each respectively bind to two or more parasite MIF
antigens.
[0030] In some embodiments, a composition of the invention may
comprise a combination of. (i) a nucleic acid comprising a sequence
which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF antigen;
(iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF
antigen. For example, the composition may comprise a combination of
(i) and (ii), (i) and (iii), (ii) and (iii), or (i), (ii) and
(iii). In each of (i), (ii) and (iii), the parasite MIF antigen may
be a different parasite MIF antigen.
[0031] The different parasite MIF antigens may be derived from
different parasite species, may be different variants of a parasite
MIF antigen, and/or may comprise different parasite MIF epitopes.
In some embodiments, a composition may comprise or encode two,
three, four, or more, parasite MIF antigens that may contain a
range of epitopes. In some embodiments, a composition may comprise
two, three, four, or more antibodies which each specifically bind
to a different parasite MIF antigen epitope.
Additional Parasite Antigens
[0032] As discussed above, the immune response to the parasite MIF
antigen may enhance the development of a protective immune response
(e.g. a CD4 memory T cell response) to one or more additional
parasite antigens. Thus, parasite MIFs may be used either as
stand-alone antigens or in combination with additional parasite
antigens in order to promote long-lasting memory T cell responses
and protective immunity against parasite infection.
[0033] Thus, a composition as defined herein (i.e. a composition
comprising (i) a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a
parasite MIF antigen, (ii) a parasite MIF antigen, or (iii) an
antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen) may
further comprise or encode one or more additional parasite antigens
(i.e. parasite antigens which are not parasite MIF antigens, or
"non-MIF parasite antigens"). In some embodiments, the composition
may comprise a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an additional
parasite antigen. For example, the composition may comprise a
nucleic acid comprising both a sequence which encodes a parasite
MIF antigen and a sequence which encodes an additional parasite
antigen (i.e. the parasite MIF antigen and the additional parasite
antigen may be encoded by the same nucleic acid molecule).
Alternatively, or in addition, the composition may comprise a
further nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes an
additional parasite antigen (i.e. the parasite MIF antigen and the
additional parasite antigen may be encoded by separate nucleic acid
molecules).
[0034] In some embodiments, the composition may comprise both a
parasite MIF antigen and an additional parasite antigen.
[0035] Alternatively, or in addition, a composition as defined
herein (i.e. a composition comprising (i) a nucleic acid comprising
a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen, (ii) a parasite
MIF antigen, or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a
parasite MIF antigen) may be administered to a subject in
combination with a further composition which comprises or encodes
one or more additional parasite antigens. The further composition
may be a parasite vaccine composition. For example, the one or more
additional parasite antigens may be formulated as a parasite
vaccine composition. In some embodiments, a composition as defined
herein may be administered to a subject in combination with a
further composition which comprises a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes an additional parasite antigen. In some
embodiments, a composition as defined herein may be administered to
a subject in combination with a further composition which comprises
an additional parasite antigen.
[0036] Accordingly, in some embodiments, a method for providing
protective immunity against a parasite infection in a subject in
need thereof according to the present invention may further
comprise administering to the subject a further composition which
comprises a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes an
additional parasite antigen. In some embodiments, a method for
providing protective immunity against a parasite infection in a
subject in need thereof according to the present invention may
further comprise administering to the subject a further composition
which comprises an additional parasite antigen.
[0037] Thus, in a method for providing protective immunity against
a parasite infection in a subject in need thereof according to the
present invention, the subject may be administered: (1) a
composition as defined herein which comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen and a
further composition which comprises a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes an additional parasite antigen; (2) a
composition as defined herein which comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen and a
further composition which comprises an additional parasite antigen;
(3) a composition as defined herein which comprises a parasite MIF
antigen and a further composition which comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes an additional parasite antigen;
(4) a composition as defined herein which comprises a parasite MIF
antigen and a further composition which comprises an additional
parasite antigen; (5) a composition as defined herein which
comprises an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF
antigen and a further composition which comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes an additional parasite antigen;
or (6) a composition as defined herein which comprises an antibody
which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen and a further
composition which comprises an additional parasite antigen.
[0038] The composition as defined herein (i.e. a composition
comprising (i) a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a
parasite MIF antigen, (ii) a parasite MIF antigen, or (iii) an
antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen) and
the composition comprising or encoding the additional parasite
antigen may be provided as separate components and/or administered
separately. Alternatively, the composition as defined herein (i.e.
a composition comprising (i) a nucleic acid comprising a sequence
which encodes a parasite MIF antigen, (ii) a parasite MIF antigen,
or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF
antigen) and the composition comprising or encoding the additional
parasite antigen may be mixed prior to administration.
[0039] Administration of (A) the composition as defined herein
(i.e. a composition comprising (i) a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen, (ii) a parasite MIF
antigen, or (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a
parasite MIF antigen) and (B) the composition comprising or
encoding the additional parasite antigen, in any combination as
described herein, may be contemporaneous. For example, compositions
(A) and (B) may be administered simultaneously, separately or
sequentially. Compositions (A) and (B) may be administered within
12 months of each other, within six months of each other, or within
one month or less of each other (e.g. within 10 days). Compositions
(A) and (B) may be administered within 7 days, within 3 days,
within 2 days, or within 24 hours of each other. Simultaneous
administration may involve administering compositions (A) and (B)
at the same time. Simultaneous administration may include
administration of (A) and (B) to a patient within 12 hours of each
other, within 6 hours, within 3 hours, within 2 hours or within 1
hour of each other, typically within the same visit to a clinical
centre. Composition (A) may be administered before (B).
[0040] In certain embodiments, the additional parasite antigen may
be derived from the same parasite species as the parasite MIF
antigen. In other embodiments, the additional parasite antigen may
be from a different species compared to the parasite MIF
antigen.
[0041] The one or more additional parasite antigens may, for
example, be Plasmodium antigens, or derived from Plasmodium
antigens, such as circumsporozoite (CS) protein (optionally fused
to a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)); merozoite surface
protein (MSP), for example MSP-1; reticulocyte-binding protein
homologue 5 (RH5), for example, PfRH5; apical membrane antigen 1
(AMA1); thrombospondin-related adhesion protein (TRAP); ME-TRAP
(multiple epitope string with thrombospondin-related adhesion
protein: a pre-erythrocytic fusion antigen consisting of 17 B cell,
CD4+ and CD8+ T cell epitopes from six P. falciparum antigens fused
to the T9/96 allele of TRAP); liver-stage antigen 1 (LSA-1); liver
stage antigen-3 (LSA-3); exported protein 1 (Exp-1); antigen
encoded by polyepitope DNA EP1300 with linker sequences from four
pre-erythrocytic antigens, CS, TRAP, LSA-1 and Exp-1; polyprotein
comprising LSA-3, sporozoite threonine and asparagine rich protein
(STARP), Exp1, Pfs16, TRAP, and LSA-1; a falciparum merozoite
protein (FMP) such as FMP010 or FMP001; merozoite surface protein-3
(MSP-3); erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (EBA175); EBA175 RII;
serine repeat antigen (SERA5); SE36, a recombinant protein
corresponding to a fragment of the SERA5 antigen; glutamate-rich
protein (GLURP); ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA);
antigenic fragments of any one of the foregoing; or a combination
thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more additional antigens
may be in the form of non-replicating sporozoites, such as PfSPZ
(which is composed of attenuated, aseptic, purified, cryopreserved
Plasmodium falciparum sporozoites) (e.g. Seder et al. Science 341,
1359 (2013)).
[0042] In some embodiments, an additional parasite antigen for use
with the invention is a CS protein, which includes P. falciparum
antigens based on the circumsporozoite (CS) protein. This can take
the form of a recombinant protein that fuses a part of the CS
protein with HBsAg, known as `RTS`, or TRAP. Suitable P. falciparum
antigens for making HBsAg hybrids may be based on a subunit of the
circumsporozoite surface antigen ("CSP") e.g. they may include
between 3 and 20 repeats of its NANP (SEQ ID NO: 19) motif, and/or
they may include the C-terminal region of CSP (but typically not
including the final 12 amino acids from the C-terminus). RTS is a
hybrid protein comprising substantially all the C-terminal portion
of CS from the NF54 or 7G8 isolate of P. falciparum (amino acids
210 to 398, which includes 19 NANP (SEQ ID NO: 19) repeats and the
T cell epitope region at amino acids 367 to 390), fused to the
N-terminus of HBsAg by four amino acids of the preS2 portion of
HBsAg [26]. The sequence of RTS can thus contain: (i) a N-terminus
methionine residue; (ii) Met-Ala-Pro; (iii) 189 amino acids
corresponding either to amino acids 210-398 of CS protein from P.
falciparum 7G8 or to amino acids 207-395 of CS protein from P.
falciparum NF54; (iv) Arg or Gly; (v) Pro-Val-Thr-Asn from
hepatitis B Pre-S2 protein; and (vi) HBsAg. When expressed in yeast
(particularly in S. cerevisiae) RTS is produced as a lipoprotein
particle (including in particular phospholipids), and when it is
co-expressed with the S antigen from HBV it produces a mixed
particle known as RTS,S. A RTS:S ratio of about 1:4 is useful. TRAP
antigens are described in reference 27. In some embodiments, an
additional parasite antigen may take the form of RTS,S.
[0043] The one or more additional parasite antigens may be derived
from any species of Plasmodium, including any of the Plasmodium
species listed below. In some embodiments, the additional parasite
antigen is a Plasmodium falciparum or Plasmodium vivax antigen. In
some embodiments, the additional parasite antigen is CS protein
(optionally fused to HBsAg); MSP-1; PfRH5; AMA1; and antigenic
fragments thereof. For example, the parasite MIF antigen may be a
Plasmodium falciparum: MIF antigen and the additional parasite
antigen may be a Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite (CS)
protein fused to a hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg).
[0044] In further embodiments, the one or more additional parasite
antigens may be Leishmania antigens, or derived from Leishmania
antigens, such as thiol-specific antioxidant (TSA);
stress-inducible protein 1 (LmSTI1); Leishmania elongation
initiation factor (LeIF); recombinant surface antigen gp63;
lipophosphoglycan; a 46 kD promastigote antigen derived from L.
amazonensis; Leishmania-activated C kinase (LACK); parasite surface
antigen (PSA); and parasite surface antigen-2 (PSA-2); Schistosoma
antigens such as 63 kD parasite myosin; 97 kD paramyosin; 28 kD
triose phosphate isomerase (TPI); 23 kD integral membrane protein
(Sm23); 26 and 28 kD GST; 28 kD S. haematobium GST (Sh28GST);
Tetraspanin-2 (SmTSP-2) and fatty acid binding protein (FABP); may
be Ancyclostoma antigens, or derived from Ancylostoma antigens,
such as Ancylostoma-secreted protein (ASP); may be Necator
antigens, or derived from Necator antigens, such as Na-ASP-2, a 21
kDa protein from Necator americanus; antigenic fragments of any one
of the foregoing, or a combination thereof.
[0045] A composition of the invention may also be used in a method
of enhancing an immune response to another (i.e. non-MIF) parasite
antigen (e.g. another Plasmodium antigen, as described herein).
Thus, provided herein is a method of enhancing an immune response
to a parasite antigen comprising administering a composition of the
invention (i.e. a composition comprising (i) a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen, (ii) a
parasite MIF antigen, and/or (iii) an antibody which specifically
binds to a parasite MIF antigen) to a subject. The parasite antigen
against which the immune response is enhanced may include one or
more additional parasite antigens, as defined herein. The method
may further comprise administering the non-MIF parasite antigen to
the subject. The MIF and non-MIF antigens can be administered
simultaneously, separately, or sequentially.
[0046] The immune response may be enhanced relative to the immune
response in a subject treated with only the non-MIF parasite
antigen. The enhanced immune response may comprise an enhanced
protective immune response against the parasite infection.
Protective immune responses are defined herein. For example, the
protective immune response may be characterized by protective
immunological memory (e.g. a protective memory T cell response)
against the parasite. Protective immunity may be sterilizing
immunity.
Polypeptides
[0047] In some embodiments, a polypeptide according to the present
invention is in a non-naturally occurring form (e.g. a recombinant
or modified form).
[0048] For example, polypeptides (e.g. antigens) disclosed herein
can be prepared by chemical synthesis (in whole or in part), by
digesting longer polypeptides using proteases, by translation from
RNA, by purification from cell culture (e.g. from recombinant
expression), from the organism itself, etc. An exemplary method for
production of peptides <40 amino acids long involves in vitro
chemical synthesis [28,29]. Solid-phase peptide synthesis
techniques, such as methods based on tBoc or Fmoc [30] chemistry,
are known in the art. Enzymatic synthesis [31] may also be used in
part or in full. As an alternative to chemical synthesis,
biological synthesis may be used e.g. the polypeptides may be
produced by translation. This may be carried out in vitro or in
vivo. Biological methods are in general restricted to the
production of polypeptides based on L-amino acids, but manipulation
of translation machinery (e.g. of aminoacyl tRNA molecules) can be
used to allow the introduction of D-amino acids (or of other
non-natural amino acids, such as iodotyrosine or
methylphenylalanine, azidohomoalanine, etc.) [32]. Where D-amino
acids are included, however, it is preferred to use chemical
synthesis. Polypeptides of the disclosure may have covalent
modifications at the C-terminus and/or N-terminus. They can also
take various forms (e.g. native, fusions, glycosylated,
non-glycosylated, lipidated, non-lipidated, phosphorylated,
non-phosphorylated, myristoylated, non-myristoylated, monomeric,
multimeric, particulate, denatured, etc.). The polypeptides can be
naturally or non-naturally glycosylated (i.e. the polypeptide may
have a glycosylation pattern that differs from the glycosylation
pattern found in the corresponding naturally occurring
polypeptide).
[0049] Non-naturally occurring forms of polypeptides according to
the invention may comprise one or more heterologous amino acid
sequences (e.g. another antigen sequence or a detectable tag) in
addition to a parasite MIF antigen sequence. For example, a
polypeptide of the invention may be a fusion protein.
Alternatively, or in addition, the amino acid sequence or chemical
structure of the polypeptide may be modified (e.g. with one or more
non-natural amino acids, by covalent modification, and/or or by
having a different glycosylation pattern, for example, by the
removal or addition of one or more glycosyl groups) compared to a
naturally-occurring polypeptide sequence.
[0050] Polypeptides (e.g. antigens) disclosed herein are preferably
provided in purified or substantially purified form i.e.
substantially free from other polypeptides (e.g. free from
naturally-occurring polypeptides), particularly from other parasite
or host cell polypeptides; for example, at least about 50% pure (by
weight), at least about 60% pure (by weight), at least about 70%
pure (by weight), at least about 80% pure (by weight), or at least
about 90% pure, etc. Alternatively, less than about 50%, less than
about 40%, less than about 30%, less than about 20%, less than
about 10%, or less than about 5% of a composition is made up of
other expressed polypeptides.
Nucleic Acids
[0051] The invention also relates to nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen, as disclosed herein.
Nucleic acid according to the invention can take various forms
(e.g. single-stranded, double-stranded, vectors etc.). Nucleic
acids of the invention may be circular or branched, but will
generally be linear.
[0052] The nucleic acids used in the invention are preferably
provided in purified or substantially purified form i.e.
substantially free from other nucleic acids (e.g. free from
naturally-occurring nucleic acids), particularly from other
parasite or host cell nucleic acids, generally being at least about
50% pure (by weight), and usually at least about 90% pure.
[0053] Nucleic acids may be prepared in many ways e.g. by chemical
synthesis (e.g. phosphoramidite synthesis of DNA) in whole or in
part, by digesting longer nucleic acids using nucleases (e.g.
restriction enzymes), by joining shorter nucleic acids or
nucleotides (e.g. using ligases or polymerases), from genomic or
cDNA libraries, etc.
[0054] The term "nucleic acid" in general means a polymeric form of
nucleotides of any length, which contain deoxyribonucleotides,
ribonucleotides, and/or their analogs. It includes DNA, RNA,
DNA/RNA hybrids. It also includes DNA or RNA analogs, such as those
containing modified backbones (e.g. peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) or
phosphorothioates) or modified bases. Thus the nucleic acid of the
disclosure includes mRNA, DNA, cDNA, recombinant nucleic acids,
branched nucleic acids, plasmids, vectors, etc. Where the nucleic
acid takes the form of RNA, it may or may not have a 5' cap.
[0055] The nucleic acids of the invention comprise a sequence which
encodes at least one parasite MIF antigen. Typically, the nucleic
acids of the invention will be in recombinant form, i.e. a form
which does not occur in nature. For example, the nucleic acid may
comprise one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences (e.g. a
sequence encoding another antigen and/or a control sequence such as
a promoter or an internal ribosome entry site) in addition to the
sequence encoding at least one parasite MIF antigen. The nucleic
acid may be part of a vector i.e. part of a nucleic acid construct
designed for transduction/transfection of one or more cell types.
Vectors may be, for example, "expression vectors" which are
designed for expression of a nucleotide sequence in a host cell, or
"viral vectors" which are designed to result in the production of a
recombinant virus or virus-like particle.
[0056] Alternatively, or in addition, the sequence or chemical
structure of the nucleic acid may be modified compared to a
naturally-occurring sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen.
The sequence of the nucleic acid molecule may be modified, e.g. to
increase the efficacy of expression or replication of the nucleic
acid, or to provide additional stability or resistance to
degradation. For example, the sequence of the nucleic acid molecule
may be codon optimized for expression in a desired host, such as a
mammalian (e.g. human) cell. Such modification with respect to
codon usage may increase translation efficacy and half-life of the
nucleic acid. A poly A tail (e.g., of about 30 adenosine residues
or more) may be attached to the 3' end of the RNA to increase its
half-life. The 5' end of the RNA may be capped with a modified
ribonucleotide with the structure m7G (5') ppp (5') N (cap 0
structure) or a derivative thereof, which can be incorporated
during RNA synthesis or can be enzymatically engineered after RNA
transcription (e.g., by using Vaccinia Virus Capping Enzyme (VCE)
consisting of mRNA triphosphatase, guanylyl-transferase and
guanine-7-methytransferase, which catalyzes the construction of
N7-monomethylated cap 0 structures). Cap 0 structure plays an
important role in maintaining the stability and translational
efficacy of the RNA molecule. The 5' cap of the RNA molecule may be
further modified by a 2'-O-Methyltransferase which results in the
generation of a cap 1 structure (m7Gppp [m2'-O] N), which may
further increases translation efficacy.
[0057] The nucleic acids may comprise one or more nucleotide
analogs or modified nucleotides. As used herein, "nucleotide
analog" or "modified nucleotide" refers to a nucleotide that
contains one or more chemical modifications (e.g., substitutions)
in or on the nitrogenous base of the nucleoside (e.g., cytosine
(C), thymine (T) or uracil (U)), adenine (A) or guanine (G)). A
nucleotide analog can contain further chemical modifications in or
on the sugar moiety of the nucleoside (e.g., ribose, deoxyribose,
modified ribose, modified deoxyribose, six-membered sugar analog,
or open-chain sugar analog), or the phosphate. The preparation of
nucleotides and modified nucleotides and nucleosides are well-known
in the art, e.g. from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,373,071, 4,458,066,
4,500,707, 4,668,777, 4,973,679, 5,047,524, 5,132,418, 5,153,319,
5,262,530, 5,700,642, and many modified nucleosides and modified
nucleotides are commercially available.
[0058] Modified nucleobases which can be incorporated into modified
nucleosides and nucleotides and be present in the RNA molecules
include: m5C (5-methylcytidine), m5U (5-methyluridine), m6A
(N6-methyladenosine), s2U (2-thiouridine), Um (2'-O-methyluridine),
m1A (1-methyladenosine); m2A (2-methyladenosine); Am
(2-1-O-methyladenosine); ms2m6A (2-methylthio-N6-methyladenosine);
i6A (N6-isopentenyladenosine); ms2i6A
(2-methylthio-N6isopentenyladenosine); io6A
(N6-(cis-hydroxyisopentenyl)adenosine); ms2io6A
(2-methylthio-N6-(cis-hydroxyisopentenyl) adenosine); g6A
(N6-glycinylcarbamoyladenosine); t6A (N6-threonyl
carbamoyladenosine); ms2t6A (2-methylthio-N6-threonyl
carbamoyladenosine); m6t6A
(N6-methyl-N6-threonylcarbamoyladenosine);
hn6A(N6-hydroxynorvalylcarbamoyl adenosine); ms2hn6A
(2-methylthio-N6-hydroxynorvalyl carbamoyladenosine); Ar(p)
(2'-O-ribosyladenosine (phosphate)); I (inosine); m1I
(1-methylinosine); m'Im (1,2'-O-dimethylinosine); m3C
(3-methylcytidine); Cm (2T-O-methylcytidine); s2C (2-thiocytidine);
ac4C (N4-acetylcytidine); f5C (5-fonnylcytidine); m5Cm
(5,2-O-dimethylcytidine); ac4Cm (N4acetyl2TOmethylcytidine); k2C
(lysidine); mlG (1-methylguanosine); m2G (N2-methylguanosine); m7G
(7-methylguanosine); Gm (2'-O-methylguanosine); m22G
(N2,N2-dimethylguanosine); m2Gm (N2,2'-O-dimethylguanosine); m22Gm
(N2,N2,2'-O-trimethylguanosine); Gr(p) (2'-O-ribosylguanosine
(phosphate)); yW (wybutosine); o2yW (peroxywybutosine); OHyW
(hydroxywybutosine); OHyW* (undermodified hydroxywybutosine); imG
(wyosine); mimG (methylguanosine); Q (queuosine); oQ
(epoxyqueuosine); galQ (galtactosyl-queuosine); manQ
(mannosyl-queuosine); preQo (7-cyano-7-deazaguanosine); preQi
(7-aminomethyl-7-deazaguanosine); G* (archaeosine); D
(dihydrouridine); m5Um (5,2'-O-dimethyluridine); s4U
(4-thiouridine); m5s2U (5-methyl-2-thiouridine); s2Um
(2-thio-2'-O-methyluridine); acp3U
(3-(3-amino-3-carboxypropyl)uridine); ho5U (5-hydroxyuridine); mo5U
(5-methoxyuridine); cmo5U (uridine 5-oxyacetic acid); mcmo5U
(uridine 5-oxyacetic acid methyl ester); chm5U
(5-(carboxyhydroxymethyl)uridine)); mchm5U
(5-(carboxyhydroxymethyl)uridine methyl ester); mcm5U
(5-methoxycarbonyl methyluridine); mcm5Um
(S-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-O-methyluridine); mcm5s2U
(5-methoxycarbonylmethyl-2-thiouridine); nm5s2U
(5-aminomethyl-2-thiouridine); mnm5U (5-methylaminomethyluridine);
mnm5s2U (5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine); mnm5se2U
(5-methylaminomethyl-2-selenouridine); ncm5U (5-carbamoylmethyl
uridine); ncm5Um (5-carbamoylmethyl-2'-O-methyluridine); cmnm5U
(5-carboxymethylaminomethyluridine); cnmm5Um
(5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-L-Omethyluridine); cmnm5s2U
(5-carboxymethylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine); m62A
(N6,N6-dimethyladenosine); Tm (2'-O-methylinosine); m4C
(N4-methylcytidine); m4Cm (N4,2-O-dimethylcytidine); hm5C
(5-hydroxymethylcytidine); m3U (3-methyluridine); cm5U
(5-carboxymethyluridine); m6Am (N6,T-O-dimethyladenosine); rn62Am
(N6,N6,O-2-trimethyladenosine); m2'7G (N2,7-dimethylguanosine);
m2'2'7G (N2,N2,7-trimethylguanosine); m3Um
(3,2T-O-dimethyluridine); m5D (5-methyldihydrouridine); f5Cm
(5-formyl-2'-O-methylcytidine); m1Gm (1,2'-O-dimethylguanosine);
m'Am (1,2-O-dimethyl adenosine) irinomethyluridine); tm5s2U
(S-taurinomethyl-2-thiouridine)); imG-14 (4-demethyl guanosine);
imG2 (isoguanosine); ac6A (N6-acetyladenosine), hypoxanthine,
inosine, 8-oxo-adenine, 7-substituted derivatives thereof,
dihydrouracil, pseudouracil, 2-thiouracil, 4-thiouracil,
5-aminouracil, 5-(C.sub.1-C.sub.6)-alkyluracil, 5-methyluracil,
5-(C.sub.2-C.sub.6)-alkenyluracil,
5-(C.sub.2-C.sub.6)-alkynyluracil, 5-(hydroxymethyl)uracil,
5-chlorouracil, 5-fluorouracil, 5-bromouracil, 5-hydroxycytosine,
5-(C.sub.1-C.sub.6)-alkylcytosine, 5-methylcytosine,
5-(C.sub.2-C.sub.6)-alkenylcytosine,
5-(C.sub.2-C.sub.6)-alkynylcytosine, 5-chlorocytosine,
5-fluorocytosine, 5-bromocytosine, N.sup.2-dimethylguanine,
7-deazaguanine, 8-azaguanine, 7-deaza-7-substituted guanine,
7-deaza-7-(C2-C6)alkynylguanine, 7-deaza-8-substituted guanine,
8-hydroxyguanine, 6-thioguanine, 8-oxoguanine, 2-aminopurine,
2-amino-6-chloropurine, 2,4-diaminopurine, 2,6-diaminopurine,
8-azapurine, substituted 7-deazapurine, 7-deaza-7-substituted
purine, 7-deaza-8-substituted purine, hydrogen (abasic residue),
m5C, m5U, m6A, s2U, W, or 2'-O-methyl-U. Many of these modified
nucleobases and their corresponding ribonucleosides are available
from commercial suppliers. See, e.g., WO 2011/005799.
Nucleic Acid-Based Vaccines
[0059] A composition as disclosed herein comprising a nucleic acid
sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen may be a nucleic
acid-based vaccine. A further composition comprising a nucleic acid
sequence which encodes one or more additional parasite antigens may
also be provided as a nucleic acid-based vaccine.
[0060] The nucleic acid may, for example, be RNA (i.e. an RNA-based
vaccine) or DNA (i.e. a DNA-based vaccine, such as a plasmid DNA
vaccine). In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid-based vaccine is
an RNA-based vaccine. In certain embodiments, the RNA-based vaccine
comprises a self-replicating RNA molecule. The self-replicating RNA
molecule may be an alphavirus-derived RNA replicon.
[0061] Self-replicating RNA molecules are well known in the art and
can be produced by using replication elements derived from, e.g.,
alphaviruses, and substituting the structural viral proteins with a
nucleotide sequence encoding a protein of interest. A
self-replicating RNA molecule is typically a +-strand molecule
which can be directly translated after delivery to a cell, and this
translation provides a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase which then
produces both antisense and sense transcripts from the delivered
RNA. Thus the delivered RNA leads to the production of multiple
daughter RNAs. These daughter RNAs, as well as collinear subgenomic
transcripts, may be translated themselves to provide in situ
expression of an encoded antigen (i.e. a parasite MIF antigen), or
may be transcribed to provide further transcripts with the same
sense as the delivered RNA which are translated to provide in situ
expression of the antigen. The overall result of this sequence of
transcriptions is a huge amplification in the number of the
introduced replicon RNAs and so the encoded antigen becomes a major
polypeptide product of the cells.
[0062] One suitable system for achieving self-replication in this
manner is to use an alphavirus-based replicon. These replicons are
+-stranded RNAs which lead to translation of a replicase (or
replicase-transcriptase) after delivery to a cell. The replicase is
translated as a polyprotein which auto-cleaves to provide a
replication complex which creates genomic --strand copies of the
+-strand delivered RNA. These --strand transcripts can themselves
be transcribed to give further copies of the +-stranded parent RNA
and also to give a subgenomic transcript which encodes the antigen.
Translation of the subgenomic transcript thus leads to in situ
expression of the antigen by the infected cell. Suitable alphavirus
replicons can use a replicase from a Sindbis virus, a Semliki
forest virus, an eastern equine encephalitis virus, a Venezuelan
equine encephalitis virus, etc. Mutant or wild-type virus sequences
can be used e.g. the attenuated TC83 mutant of VEEV has been used
in replicons [33].
[0063] In certain embodiments, the self-replicating RNA molecule
described herein encodes (i) a RNA-dependent RNA polymerase which
can transcribe RNA from the self-replicating RNA molecule and (ii)
a parasite MIF antigen. The polymerase can be an alphavirus
replicase e.g. comprising one or more of alphavirus proteins nsP1,
nsP2, nsP3 and nsP4.
[0064] Whereas natural alphavirus genomes encode structural virion
proteins in addition to the non-structural replicase polyprotei, in
certain embodiments, the self-replicating RNA molecules do not
encode alphavirus structural proteins. Thus, the self-replicating
RNA can lead to the production of genomic RNA copies of itself in a
cell, but not to the production of RNA-containing virions. The
inability to produce these virions means that, unlike a wild-type
alphavirus, the self-replicating RNA molecule cannot perpetuate
itself in infectious form. The alphavirus structural proteins which
are necessary for perpetuation in wild-type viruses are absent from
self-replicating RNAs of the present disclosure and their place is
taken by gene(s) encoding the immunogen of interest, such that the
subgenomic transcript encodes the immunogen rather than the
structural alphavirus virion proteins.
[0065] Thus a self-replicating RNA molecule useful with the
invention may have two open reading frames. The first (5') open
reading frame encodes a replicase; the second (3') open reading
frame encodes an antigen. In some embodiments the RNA may have
additional (e.g. downstream) open reading frames e.g. to encode
further antigens or to encode accessory polypeptides.
[0066] In certain embodiments, the self-replicating RNA molecule
disclosed herein has a 5' cap (e.g. a 7-methylguanosine). This cap
can enhance in vivo translation of the RNA. In some embodiments the
5' sequence of the self-replicating RNA molecule must be selected
to ensure compatibility with the encoded replicase.
[0067] A self-replicating RNA molecule may have a 3' poly-A tail.
It may also include a poly-A polymerase recognition sequence (e.g.
AAUAAA) near its 3' end.
[0068] Self-replicating RNA molecules can have various lengths but
they are typically 5000-25000 nucleotides long. Self-replicating
RNA molecules will typically be single-stranded. Single-stranded
RNAs can generally initiate an adjuvant effect by binding to TLR7,
TLR8, RNA helicases and/or PKR. RNA delivered in double-stranded
form (dsRNA) can bind to TLR3, and this receptor can also be
triggered by dsRNA which is formed either during replication of a
single-stranded RNA or within the secondary structure of a
single-stranded RNA.
[0069] The self-replicating RNA can conveniently be prepared by in
vitro transcription (IVT). IVT can use a (cDNA) template created
and propagated in plasmid form in bacteria, or created
synthetically (for example by gene synthesis and/or polymerase
chain-reaction (PCR) engineering methods). For instance, a
DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (such as the bacteriophage T7, T3 or
SP6 RNA polymerases) can be used to transcribe the self-replicating
RNA from a DNA template. Appropriate capping and poly-A addition
reactions can be used as required (although the replicon's poly-A
is usually encoded within the DNA template). These RNA polymerases
can have stringent requirements for the transcribed 5'
nucleotide(s) and in some embodiments these requirements must be
matched with the requirements of the encoded replicase, to ensure
that the IVT-transcribed RNA can function efficiently as a
substrate for its self-encoded replicase.
[0070] A self-replicating RNA can include (in addition to any 5'
cap structure) one or more nucleotides having a modified
nucleobase. A RNA used with the invention ideally includes only
phosphodiester linkages between nucleosides, but in some
embodiments it can contain phosphoramidate, phosphorothioate,
and/or methylphosphonate linkages.
[0071] The self-replicating RNA molecule may encode a single
heterologous polypeptide antigen (i.e. a parasite MIF antigen) or,
optionally, two or more heterologous polypeptide antigens linked
together in a way that each of the sequences retains its identity
(e.g., linked in series) when expressed as an amino acid sequence.
The heterologous polypeptides generated from the self-replicating
RNA may then be produced as a fusion polypeptide or engineered in
such a manner to result in separate polypeptide or peptide
sequences.
[0072] The self-replicating RNA molecules described herein may be
engineered to express multiple nucleotide sequences, from two or
more open reading frames, thereby allowing co-expression of
proteins, such as one, two or more parasite antigens (e.g. one, two
or more parasite MIF antigens) together with cytokines or other
immunomodulators, which can enhance the generation of an immune
response. Such a self-replicating RNA molecule might be
particularly useful, for example, in the production of various gene
products (e.g., proteins) at the same time, for example, as a
bivalent or multivalent vaccine.
[0073] If desired, the self-replicating RNA molecules can be
screened or analyzed to confirm their therapeutic and prophylactic
properties using various in vitro or in vivo testing methods that
are known to those of skill in the art. For example, vaccines
comprising self-replicating RNA molecule can be tested for their
effect on induction of proliferation or effector function of the
particular lymphocyte type of interest, e.g., B cells, T cells, T
cell lines, and T cell clones. For example, spleen cells from
immunized mice can be isolated and the capacity of cytotoxic T
lymphocytes to lyse autologous target cells that contain a
self-replicating RNA molecule that encodes a parasite MIF antigen.
In addition, T helper cell differentiation can be analyzed by
measuring proliferation or production of TH1 (IL-2 and IFN-.gamma.)
and/or TH2 (IL-4 and IL-5) cytokines by ELISA or directly in CD4+ T
cells by cytoplasmic cytokine staining and flow cytometry.
[0074] Self-replicating RNA molecules that encode a parasite MIF
antigen can also be tested for ability to induce humoral immune
responses, as evidenced, for example, by induction of B cell
production of antibodies specific for a parasite MIF antigen of
interest. These assays can be conducted using, for example,
peripheral B lymphocytes from immunized individuals. Such assay
methods are known to those of skill in the art. Other assays that
can be used to characterize the self-replicating RNA molecules can
involve detecting expression of the encoded parasite MIF antigen by
the target cells. For example, FACS can be used to detect antigen
expression on the cell surface or intracellularly. Another
advantage of FACS selection is that one can sort for different
levels of expression; sometimes-lower expression may be desired.
Other suitable method for identifying cells which express a
particular antigen involve panning using monoclonal antibodies on a
plate or capture using magnetic beads coated with monoclonal
antibodies.
[0075] Suitable types of nucleic acid-based vaccine for use
according to the present disclosure are described in references 34,
35 and 36.
[0076] The nucleic acid-based vaccine may comprise a viral or a
non-viral delivery system. The delivery system (also referred to
herein as a delivery vehicle) may have adjuvant effects which
enhance the immunogenicity of the encoded parasite MIF antigen. For
example, the nucleic acid molecule may be encapsulated in
liposomes, non-toxic biodegradable polymeric microparticles or
viral replicon particles (VRPs), or complexed with particles of a
cationic oil-in-water emulsion. In some embodiments, the nucleic
acid-based vaccine comprises a cationic nano-emulsion (CNE)
delivery system or a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system.
Alternatively, the nucleic acid-based vaccine may comprise viral
replicon particles. In other embodiments, the nucleic acid-based
vaccine may comprise a naked nucleic acid, such as naked RNA (e.g.
mRNA), but delivery via LNPs is preferred.
[0077] In certain embodiments, the nucleic acid-based vaccine
comprises a cationic nano-emulsion (CNE) delivery system. CNE
delivery systems and methods for their preparation are described in
reference 35. In a CNE delivery system, the nucleic acid molecule
(e.g. RNA) which encodes the antigen is complexed with a particle
of a cationic oil-in-water emulsion. Cationic oil-in-water
emulsions can be used to deliver negatively charged molecules, such
as an RNA molecule to cells. The emulsion particles comprise an oil
core and a cationic lipid. The cationic lipid can interact with the
negatively charged molecule thereby anchoring the molecule to the
emulsion particles. Further details of useful CNEs can be found in
references 35, 37 & 38 (the complete contents of all of which
are incorporated by reference herein).
[0078] Thus, in a nucleic acid-based vaccine of the invention, an
RNA molecule encoding a parasite MIF antigen may be complexed with
a particle of a cationic oil-in-water emulsion. The particles
typically comprise an oil core (e.g. a plant oil or squalene) that
is in liquid phase at 25.degree. C., a cationic lipid (e.g.
phospholipid) and, optionally, a surfactant (e.g. sorbitan
trioleate, polysorbate 80); polyethylene glycol can also be
included. In some embodiments, the CNE comprises squalene and a
cationic lipid, such as 1,2-dioleoyloxy-3-(trimethylammonio)propane
(DOTAP). In some preferred embodiments, the delivery system is a
non-viral delivery system, such as CNE, and the nucleic acid-based
vaccine comprises a self-replicating RNA (mRNA). This may be
particularly effective in eliciting humoral and cellular immune
responses. Advantages also include the absence of a limiting
anti-vector immune response and a lack of risk of genomic
integration.
[0079] LNP delivery systems and non-toxic biodegradable polymeric
microparticles, and methods for their preparation are described in
references 34 and 36. LNPs are non-virion liposome particles in
which a nucleic acid molecule (e.g. RNA) can be encapsulated. The
particles can include some external RNA (e.g. on the surface of the
particles), but at least half of the RNA (and ideally all of it) is
encapsulated. Liposomal particles can, for example, be formed of a
mixture of zwitterionic, cationic and anionic lipids which can be
saturated or unsaturated, for example; DSPC (zwitterionic,
saturated), DlinDMA (cationic, unsaturated), and/or DMG (anionic,
saturated). Preferred LNPs for use with the invention include an
amphiphilic lipid which can form liposomes, optionally in
combination with at least one cationic lipid (such as DOTAP, DSDMA,
DODMA, DLinDMA, DLenDMA, etc.). A mixture of DSPC, DlinDMA, PEG-DMG
and cholesterol is particularly effective. Other useful LNPs are
disclosed in references 34 and 39-43 (the complete contents of all
of which are incorporated by reference herein). In some
embodiments, the LNPs are RV01 liposomes (references 34 and
36).
Antibodies
[0080] In one aspect, the invention relates to an antibody which
specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen, as disclosed herein.
Preferably, the antibody specifically binds to a naturally
occurring parasite MIF antigen.
[0081] An antibody that "specifically binds" to a parasite MIF
antigen is an antibody that binds this antigen with greater
affinity and/or avidity than it binds to other parasite or
non-parasite antigens. For example, the antibody which specifically
binds to a parasite MIF antigen may bind the parasite MIF antigen
with greater affinity and/or avidity than it binds to HSA.
Preferably, the antibody does not specifically bind to vertebrate
MIF or a MIF antigen produced by the subject.
[0082] As used herein, the term "antibody" includes full-length or
whole antibodies (i.e. antibodies in their substantially intact
form), antibody fragments such as F(ab')2, F(ab) and Fab'-SH
fragments, Fv fragments (non-covalent heterodimers), single-chain
antibodies such as single chain Fv molecules (scFv) or those
derived from camelids and sharks (e.g. heavy chain antibodies),
single-domain antibodies (dAbs), diabodies, minibodies,
oligobodies, etc. The term "antibody" does not imply any particular
origin, and includes antibodies obtained through non-conventional
processes, such as phage display. All of the antibodies will
comprise the antigen binding site of a full-length or whole
antibody and thus retain the ability of bind antigen. Thus, the
term "antibody" includes antigen-binding fragments of full-length
or whole antibodies. The antibody is ideally a monoclonal antibody,
or, alternatively, may be polyclonal. The antibody may be chimeric,
humanized (e.g. refs. 44 & 45), or fully human. In compositions
of the invention, polyclonal antibody, comprising one or more
antibodies which specifically bind to the parasite MIF antigen, may
be used. In some preferred embodiments, the composition comprises
polyclonal antibody, for example serum anti-parasite MIF antibody.
The polyclonal antibody may comprise IgG (e.g. purified serum IgG).
The antibody may comprise a neutralizing antibody (i.e. an antibody
which neutralizes the biological effects of the parasite MIF in the
subject).
[0083] The antibody is preferably provided in purified or
substantially purified form. Typically, the antibody will be
present in a composition that is substantially free of other
polypeptides e.g. where less than 90% (by weight), usually less
than 60% and more usually less than 50% of the composition is made
up of other polypeptides.
[0084] The antibodies can be of any isotype (e.g. IgA, IgG, IgM
i.e. an .alpha., .gamma. or .mu. heavy chain), but will generally
be IgG. Within the IgG isotype, antibodies may be IgG1, IgG2, IgG3
or IgG4 subclass. The antibody may have a .kappa. or a .lamda.
light chain.
Parasites
[0085] The present invention relates to treatment of parasitic
infections using parasite MIF antigens. The parasite (i.e. the
causative agent of the parasitic infection and the parasite from
which the parasite MIF antigen is derived) may be an invertebrate
parasite, for example protozoan or a helminth. The parasite may,
for example, be a blood-borne parasite (i.e. a parasite having a
life-cycle which involves a blood-borne stage). Parasites according
to the invention necessarily express a MIF ortholog (i.e. a
naturally occurring MIF polypeptide).
[0086] Parasitic protozoans include apicomplexan parasites, such as
Plasmodium spp., Toxoplasma spp., Eimeria spp., Babesia spp.,
Theileria spp, Neospora spp and Sarcocystis spp. Other examples of
protozoan parasites include hemoflagellates, such as Leishmania
spp. and Trypanosoma spp., and other flagellated protozoans such as
Giardia spp.
[0087] Plasmodium spp. include Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium
berghei (e.g. strain ANKA), Plasmodium yoelii, Plasmodium chabaudi,
Plasmodium vivax, Plasmodium knowlesi, Plasmodium ovale, Plasmodium
malariae, and Plasmodium vinckei. Toxoplasma spp. include
Toxoplasma gondii. Eimeria spp. include Eimeria tenella and Eimeria
acervulina. Babesia spp. include Babesia microti, Babesia
divergens, and Babesia duncani. Theileria spp. include Theileria
annulata, Theileria parva, Theileria equi and Theileria orientalis.
Neospora spp. include Neospora caninum. Sarcosystis spp. include
Sarcocystis neurona. Leishmania spp. include Leishmania major,
Leishmania tropica, Leishmania aethiopica, Leishmania infantum (or
Leishmania chagasi), Leishmania donovani, Leishmania amazonensis
and Leishmania braziliensis. Trypanosoma spp. include Trypanosoma
brucei (subspecies gambiense, rhodesiense, or brucei), and
Trypanosoma cruzi. Giardia spp. include Giardia lamblia (or Giardia
intestinalis).
[0088] Parasitic helminths include nematodes (e.g. hookworm,
whipworm, filariid, ascarid, strongyle and trichostrongyle
nematodes), such as Ancyclostoma spp., Necator spp., Brugia spp.,
Wuchereria spp., Loa spp., Mansonella spp., Trichinella spp.,
Trichuris spp., Ascaris spp., Anisakis spp., Dracunculus spp.,
Strongyloides spp., Haemonchus spp., Toxocara spp., Dictyocaulus
spp., Ostertagia spp., Teladorsagia spp, Onchocerca spp. and
Dirofilaria spp. Further examples include Acanthocheilonema spp.,
Aelurostrongylus spp., Angiostrongylus spp., Bunostomum spp.,
Dioctophyme spp., Dipetalonema spp., Lagochilascaris spp.,
Muellerius spp., Parailaria spp., Parascaris spp., Protostrongylus
spp., Setaria spp., Stephanoflaria spp., Strongylus spp., Thelazia
spp., Capillaria spp., Chabertia spp., Cooperia spp., Enterobius
spp., Nematodirus spp., Oesophagostomum spp, and Trichostrongylus
spp.
[0089] Other examples of helminthic parasites include trematodes,
such as Schistosoma spp. and liver flukes such as Fasciola spp
(e.g. Fasciola hepatica).
[0090] Ancyclostoma spp. include Ancylostoma duodenale, Ancylostoma
ceylanicum, Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum,
Ancylostoma pluridentatum, and Ancylostoma tubaeforme. Necator spp.
include Necator americanus. Brugia spp. include Brugia malayi,
Brugia timori and Brugia pahangi. Wuchereria spp. include
Wuchereria bancrofti. Loa spp. include Loa loa. Mansonella spp.
include Mansonella streptocerca, Mansonella perstans and Mansonella
ozzardi. Trichinella spp. include Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella
pseudospiralis, Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella britovi,
Trichinella murrelli, and Trichinella nativa. Trichuris spp.
include Trichuris trichiura, Trichuris muris, Trichuris campanula,
Trichuris suis, Trichuris ovis and Trichuris vulpis. Ascaris spp.
include Ascaris lumbricoides, and Ascaris suum. Anisakis spp.
include Anisakis simplex. Dracunculus spp. include Dracunculus
medinensis, and Dracunculus insignis. Strongyloides spp. include
Strongyloides stercoralis and Strongyloides papillosus. Onchocerca
spp. include Onchocerca volvulus and Onchocerca tubingensis.
Dirofilaria spp. include Diroilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens.
Haemonchus spp. include Haemonchus contortus and Haemonchus placei.
Toxocara spp. include Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati.
Dictyocaulus spp. include Dictyocaulus viviparus and Dictyocaulus
arnieldi. Chabertia spp. include Chabertia ovina. Cooperia spp.
include Cooperia curticei and Cooperia oncophora. Nematodirus spp.
include Nematodirus spathiger and Nematodirus filicollis.
Oesophagostomum spp. include Oesophagostomum columbianum and
Oesophagostomum venulosum. Trichostrongylus spp. include
Trichostrongylus axei, Trichostrongylus colubriformis and
Trichostrongylus vitrinus. Further parasitic nematodes include
Parastrongyloides trichosuri, Ostertagia ostertagi, Ostertagia
trifurcata, and Teladorsagia circumcincta.
[0091] Schistosoma spp. include Schistosoma mansoni, Schistosoma
haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum, Schistosoma mekongi,
Schistosoma bovis, Schistosoma mattheei, Schistosoma margrebowiei,
Schistosoma curassoni, Schistosoma rodhaini, Schistosoma indicum,
Schistosoma intercalatum, Schistosoma malayensis, Schistosoma
ovuncatum, Schistosoma nasale, and Schistosoma spindale. Fasciola
spp. include Fasciola hepatica, Fasciola magna, Fasciola gigantica,
Fasciola jacksoni.
[0092] Reference 46 speculatively describes therapeutic
compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic
helminths which comprise parasitic helminth MIF protein, nucleic
acids which hybridize under stringent conditions with a Dirofilaria
immitis MIF gene or an Onchocerca volvulus MIF gene, and isolated
antibodies that selectively bind to a parasitic helminth MIF
protein. However, unlike the present disclosure, such therapeutic
compositions are not substantiated with experimental evidence which
establishes that such compositions would have a therapeutic
effect.
[0093] Nonetheless, in some embodiments of the present invention,
the parasite is not a parasitic helminth. In some embodiments, the
parasite is not a parasitic nematode. In some embodiments, the
parasite is not a filariid nematode worm. In some embodiments, in
particular wherein the composition comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen, the
parasite is not Onchocerca volvulus or Dirofilaria immitis. For
example, in some embodiments the parasite MIF antigen (e.g. the
parasite MIF antigen encoded by a nucleic acid of the composition)
is not an Onchocerca volvulus MIF antigen or Diroflaria immitis MIF
antigen.
[0094] Reference 47 evaluated the immune response induced by DNA
vaccines expressing Trichinella spiralis MCD-1, T. spiralis MIF or
co-expressing T. spiralis MCD-1 and MIF, in BALB/c mice.
Immunization with the vaccine co-expressing MCD-1 and MIF was
followed by a small reduction in parasite burden but DNA vaccine
expressing T. spiralis MIF did not protect mice against T. spiralis
infection. In some embodiments of the present invention, the
parasite is not Trichinella spiralis, in particular wherein the
composition comprises a nucleic acid (and in particular DNA)
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen. In some
embodiments the parasite MIF antigen (e.g. the parasite MIF antigen
encoded by a nucleic acid of the composition) is not a Trichinella
spiralis MIF antigen. In some embodiments, the composition and/or
the parasite MIF antigen does not comprise a multi-cystatin-like
domain protein, such as T. spiralis MCD-1.
[0095] Parasite infections may, for example, include malaria (e.g.
cerebral malaria), toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, babesiosis,
theileriosis, trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, filariasis,
elephantiasis, trichinosis, trichuriasis, ascariasis,
dracunculiasis (guinea worm disease), equine protozoal
myeloencephalitis (EPM), fasciolosis and schistosomiasis.
Preferably, the methods and compositions disclosed herein are used
to provide protective immunity against malaria.
[0096] The methods and compositions disclosed herein may be used to
provide protective immunity against a single parasite infection, or
co-infection by two or more different parasites. The two or more
parasites may be two or more parasites selected from those listed
herein. In some embodiments, at least one of the two or more
different parasites is a Plasmodium parasite, such as a Plasmodium
falciparum parasite.
Methods of Treatment and Medical Uses
[0097] The compositions disclosed herein may be used in a method
for providing protective immunity against a parasite infection in a
subject (e.g. a vertebrate) in need thereof, comprising the step of
administering the composition (e.g. an immunologically effective
amount of the composition) to the subject.
[0098] The invention also provides a composition as disclosed
herein for use in providing protective immunity against a parasite
infection in a subject.
[0099] In some embodiments, the composition provides protective
immunity by generating a protective immune response against the
parasite infection (e.g. active immunization), particularly in
those embodiments where the composition comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen or
comprises a parasite MIF antigen. Protective immunity may also be
provided by administering to the subject an antibody which
specifically binds the parasite MIF antigen (e.g. by passive
immunization). Protective immunity may also be provided by
administering to the subject parasite-responsive CD4 T cells
isolated from a compatible host (preferably of the same species as
the subject), wherein the host has been immunized with a
composition of the invention: i.e. a composition which comprises an
immunologically effective amount of (i) a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen or (ii) a parasite
MIF antigen (e.g. by adoptive transfer of CD4 T cells). The
compatible host may have been immunized with the composition and
exposed to the parasite or a parasite antigen to produce a
parasite-responsive CD4 T cell population.
[0100] Administration of a composition of the invention to a
subject (or compatible host) enables the subject (or host) to
produce a parasite-responsive CD4 memory T cell population on
exposure to the parasite or a parasite antigen. The
parasite-responsive CD4 memory T cell population may confer
"sterilizing" immunity (i.e. complete protective immunity) against
re-infection.
[0101] Thus, also provided herein is a method of providing a
subject with protective (e.g. sterilizing) immunity against
parasite re-infection. The method may comprise: (i) administering a
composition of the invention (e.g. a composition comprising a
nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF
antigen) to the subject, and (ii) subsequently infecting the
subject with the parasite or immunizing the subject with another
parasite antigen (to produce a parasite-responsive CD4 T cell
population). In step (ii), subsequent infection of a subject with
the parasite might be deliberate in an animal study, but in humans
it is preferred that this occurs via natural infection. Thus the
method may be applied to a subject who is likely to be exposed to
infection e.g. who lives in a malarial area, or who works with
malaria patients, etc. Optionally (e.g. where the subject is
infected with the parasite), these methods may further comprise
curing the subject of the parasite infection, e.g. by
administration of an agent which kills or attenuates the parasite,
as described herein.
[0102] "Protective immunity" or a "protective immune response", as
used herein, refers to immunity or eliciting an immune response
against an infectious agent (e.g. a parasite), which is exhibited
by a subject, that prevents or ameliorates an infection or reduces
at least one symptom thereof. Specifically, induction of protective
immunity or a protective immune response from administration of a
composition of the invention is evident by elimination or reduction
of the presence of one or more symptoms of the parasitic infection
and/or an expansion of the parasite-responsive memory T cell
population. As used herein, the term "immune response" refers to
both the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated immune
response. Preferably, the protective immunity provided by the
invention is characterized by protective immunological memory (e.g.
a protective memory T cell response) against the parasite. The
protective immunity may be characterized by an effective
parasite-responsive (e.g. Plasmodium-responsive) memory T cell
population. In preferred embodiments, protective immunity is
maintained (i.e. the protective effect does not decrease over the
course of the parasite infection). Preferably, the subject can
recover from the parasite infection. In preferred embodiments,
treatment with a composition of the invention as described herein
provides protective immunity against re-infection by the parasite.
Protective immunity may be sterilizing immunity (i.e. complete
protective immunity), whereby the protected subject can elicit an
immune response which completely eliminates the infection.
[0103] A composition of the invention may therefore treat or
prevent a parasite infection (or a disease associated therewith).
In preferred embodiments, the disease is malaria. More
particularly, the disease may be cerebral malaria.
[0104] The compositions disclosed herein may be used to induce a
primary immune response and/or to boost an immune response.
[0105] Where a subject is treated in accordance with the present
invention, the subject may have an expanded parasite-responsive
(e.g. Plasmodium-responsive) memory T cell population relative to
an untreated subject following parasite infection, particularly in
those embodiments where the composition comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen or
comprises a parasite MIF antigen. The parasite-responsive memory T
cell population may comprise CD4.sup.+Ki67.sup.+ IL-7R.alpha..sup.+
T cells. For example, the parasite-responsive memory T cells may
comprise T memory cells (CD4.sup.+Ki67.sup.+ CD62L.sup.+
IL-7R.alpha..sup.+) and/or T effector memory cells
(CD4.sup.+Ki67.sup.+ CD62L.sup.- IL-7R.alpha..sup.+). The
parasite-responsive memory T cell population may be expanded by at
least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%,
at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, at least
50% (e.g. relative to an untreated subject) following parasite
infection.
[0106] Where a subject is treated in accordance with the present
invention, the subject may have decreased IFN-.gamma. levels
relative to an untreated subject following parasite infection. For
example, serum IFN.gamma. levels may be decreased. IFN.gamma.
production by inflammatory, terminal effector CD4 T cells may be
decreased. IFN.gamma. levels may be assessed by specific ELISA. The
decrease may be at least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least
40%, at least 50%, or at least 60% relative to an untreated subject
following parasite infection.
[0107] A composition of the invention may be administered to a
subject to allow the subject to develop and/or maintain sterilizing
immunity to parasite infection. Protective immunity may be provided
or augmented in an immunized subject following parasite infection
or exposure to another parasite vaccine or antigen (e.g. an
additional parasite antigen, as defined herein).
[0108] A composition of the invention may be used in a prime-boost
vaccination regime. Protective immunity against a parasite
infection according to the invention may be provided by
administering a priming vaccine, comprising a composition of the
invention, followed by a booster vaccine. The booster vaccine is
different from the primer vaccine and comprises or encodes one or
more additional (i.e. non-MIF) parasite antigens, as defined
herein. The booster vaccine may, for example, comprise an
attenuated form of the parasite to which protective immunity is to
be provided. Preferably the priming and booster vaccines are
administered less than about 16 weeks apart (e.g. less than about 8
weeks, 6 weeks, 4 weeks, 2 weeks or 1 week apart). As an
alternative, two vaccines may be administered within 12 hours of
each other, within 6 hours, within 3 hours, within 2 hours or
within 1 hour of each other.
[0109] Where the composition of the invention comprises antibody
which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen (anti-parasite
MIF antibody), the composition may be used in a method of treating
a parasite infection and/or a method of providing protective
immunity against a parasite infection i.e. passive immunisation for
therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. For example, the composition
may be used in a method of treating (i.e. ameliorating) one or more
symptoms of malaria (i.e. where the parasite is Plasmodium). The
symptoms may be selected from headache, fever, shivering, joint
pain, vomiting, hemolytic anemia, jaundice, hemoglobinuria, retinal
damage, convulsions, encephalopathy, or one or more neurological
symptoms, including abnormal posturing, nystagmus, conjugate gaze
palsy (failure of the eyes to turn together in the same direction),
opisthotonus, seizures, or coma. The malaria may be cerebral
malaria.
[0110] In some embodiments, the anti-parasite MIF antibody is
administered to an infected subject. The subject may be a
recently-infected subject. For example, the antibody may be
administered within 2 weeks of infection (e.g. within 10 days, 9
days, 8 days, 7 days, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, 24
hrs). Alternatively, the subject may be at risk of infection. For
example, the subject may be at risk of infection within 2 weeks of
administration of the antibody (e.g. within 10 days, 9 days, 8
days, 7 days, 6 days, 5 days, 4 days, 3 days, 2 days, 24 hrs).
[0111] In certain embodiments, the subject is a vertebrate, e.g., a
mammal, such as a human or a veterinary mammal (e.g. cat, dog,
horse, cow, sheep, cattle, deer, goat, or pig) as the parasites
covered herein may be problematic across a wide range of
species.
[0112] The compositions of the invention can be formulated as
vaccine compositions. Vaccines according to the invention may
either be prophylactic (i.e. to prevent infection) or therapeutic
(i.e. to treat infection), but will typically be prophylactic.
[0113] Compositions of the invention may be used to treat both
children and adults. Where the vaccine is for prophylactic use, the
human is preferably a child (e.g. a toddler or infant) or a
teenager; where the vaccine is for therapeutic use, the human is
preferably a teenager or an adult. A vaccine intended for children
may also be administered to adults e.g. to assess safety, dosage,
immunogenicity, etc.
[0114] Thus a human subject may be less than 1 year old, less than
5 years old, 1-5 years old, 5-15 years old, 15-55 years old, or at
least 55 years old. Preferred patients for receiving the
compositions are the elderly (e.g. .gtoreq.50 years old, .gtoreq.60
years old, and preferably .gtoreq.65 years), the young (e.g.
.ltoreq.5 years old), hospitalised patients, healthcare workers,
armed service and military personnel, pregnant women, the
chronically ill, or immunodeficient patients. The compositions are
not suitable solely for these groups, however, and may be used more
generally in a population.
[0115] The subject may have previously been infected with and/or
mounted an immune response against the parasite of interest. For
example, the subject may have previously mounted an immune response
against the parasite MIF antigen of interest. Alternatively, the
subject may be immunologically naive with respect to the parasite
and/or the parasite MIF antigen.
[0116] By "immunologically effective amount", it is meant that the
administration of that amount to a subject, either in a single dose
or as part of a series, is effective for treatment or prevention of
a parasite infection. This amount varies depending upon the health
and physical condition of the individual to be treated, age, the
taxonomic group of individual to be treated (e.g. human, non-human
primate, etc.), the capacity of the individual's immune system to
synthesise antibodies, the degree of protection desired, the
formulation of the composition or vaccine, the treating doctor's
assessment of the medical situation, the severity of the disease,
the potency of the compound administered, the mode of
administration, and other relevant factors. It is expected that the
amount will fall in a relatively broad range that can be determined
through routine trials.
[0117] A dose of a nucleic acid (e.g. a nucleic acid-based vaccine)
may have .ltoreq.100 .mu.g nucleic acid; e.g. from 10-100 .mu.g,
such as about 10 .mu.g, 25 .mu.g, 50 .mu.g, 75 .mu.g or 100 .mu.g,
but expression can be seen at much lower levels; e.g. using 1
.mu.g/dose, .ltoreq.100 ng/dose, .ltoreq.10 ng/dose, .ltoreq.1
ng/dose, etc. Similarly, a dose of a protein antigen may have
.ltoreq.100 .mu.g protein; e.g. from 10-100 .mu.g, such as about 10
.mu.g, 25 .mu.g, 50 .mu.g, 75 .mu.g or 100 .mu.g. A dose of an
antibody may have .ltoreq.1000 mg antibody or .ltoreq.500 mg
antibody; e.g. from 1-1000 mg or 1-500 mg, such as about 10 mg, 20
mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg, 600 mg, 700 mg,
800 mg or 900 mg. The antibody may be administered in a dose of
about 0.1-10 mg/kg body weight.
[0118] Compositions of the invention will generally be administered
directly to a subject. Direct delivery may be accomplished by
parenteral injection (e.g. subcutaneously, intraperitoneally,
intravenously, intramuscularly, intradermally, or to the
interstitial space of a tissue). Alternative delivery routes
include rectal, oral (e.g. tablet, spray), buccal, sublingual,
vaginal, topical, transdermal or transcutaneous, intranasal,
ocular, aural, pulmonary or other mucosal administration.
Intradermal and intramuscular administration are two preferred
routes. Injection may be via a needle (e.g. a hypodermic needle),
but needle-free injection may alternatively be used. A typical
intramuscular dose is 0.5 ml.
[0119] One way of checking efficacy of therapeutic treatment
involves monitoring parasite infection after administration of the
compositions disclosed herein. One way of checking efficacy of
prophylactic treatment involves monitoring immune responses,
systemically (such as monitoring the level of IgG1 and IgG2a
production) and/or mucosally (such as monitoring the level of IgA
production), against the antigen. Typically, antigen-specific serum
antibody responses are determined post-immunization but
pre-challenge whereas antigen-specific mucosal antibody responses
are determined post-immunization and post-challenge.
[0120] Another way of assessing the immunogenicity of the
compositions disclosed herein is to express the parasite MIF
antigen recombinantly for screening patient sera or mucosal
secretions by immunoblot and/or microarrays. A positive reaction
between the parasite MIF antigen and the patient sample indicates
that the patient has mounted an immune response to the antigen.
This method may also be used to identify immunodominant antigens
and/or epitopes within protein antigens.
[0121] The efficacy of the compositions can also be determined in
vivo by challenging appropriate animal models of the parasite
infection of interest.
[0122] Dosage can be by a single dose schedule or a multiple dose
schedule (i.e. two or more doses). Multiple doses may be used in a
primary immunisation schedule and/or in a booster immunisation
schedule. In a multiple dose schedule the various doses may be
given by the same or different routes e.g. a parenteral prime and
mucosal boost, a mucosal prime and parenteral boost, etc. Multiple
doses will typically be administered at least 1 week apart (e.g.
about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 6 weeks, about 8
weeks, about 10 weeks, about 12 weeks, about 16 weeks, etc.). In
one embodiment, two or more doses are administered about 3 weeks
apart.
[0123] Where multiple doses (i.e. two or more doses) of a
composition of the invention are administered to a subject, the
composition used for each dose may be independently selected from a
composition which comprises: (i) a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; (ii) a parasite MIF
antigen; and (iii) an antibody which specifically binds to a
parasite MIF antigen. The composition administered in a first dose
(the first dose composition) may be a composition which comprises
any of (i), (ii) and/or (iii) and the composition administered in a
second dose (the second dose composition) may be a composition
which comprises any of (i), (ii) and/or (iii). The composition in
each of the two or more doses may be the same (e.g. a first dose of
(i) followed by a second dose of (i), or a first dose (ii) followed
by a second dose of (ii)) or may be different (e.g. a first dose of
(i) followed by a second dose of (ii), or a first dose of (ii)
followed by a second dose of (i)). In each of (i), (ii) and (iii),
in each dose, the parasite MIF antigen may be the same parasite MIF
antigen.
Pharmaceutical Compositions
[0124] The invention provides compositions comprising (i) a nucleic
acid comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen;
(ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or (iii) an antibody which
specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. The composition may
be a pharmaceutical composition, for example a vaccine composition.
Accordingly, the composition may also comprise a pharmaceutically
acceptable carrier. Where the composition comprises a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen (e.g.
nucleic acid-based vaccine), the composition may also comprise a
delivery system, as described herein.
[0125] A "pharmaceutically acceptable carrier" includes any carrier
that does not itself induce the production of antibodies harmful to
the individual receiving the composition. Suitable carriers are
typically large, slowly metabolised macromolecules such as
proteins, polysaccharides, polylactic acids, polyglycolic acids,
polymeric amino acids, amino acid copolymers, sucrose, trehalose,
lactose, and lipid aggregates (such as oil droplets or liposomes).
Such carriers are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
The compositions may also contain a pharmaceutically acceptable
diluent, such as water, saline, glycerol, etc. Additionally,
auxiliary substances, such as wetting or emulsifying agents, pH
buffering substances, and the like, may be present. Sterile
pyrogen-free, phosphate-buffered physiologic saline is a typical
carrier. A thorough discussion of pharmaceutically acceptable
excipients is available in ref. 48.
[0126] Pharmaceutical compositions may include the particles in
plain water (e.g. w.f.i.) or in a buffer e.g. a phosphate buffer, a
Tris buffer, a borate buffer, a succinate buffer, a histidine
buffer, or a citrate buffer. Buffer salts will typically be
included in the 5-20 mM range.
[0127] Pharmaceutical compositions may have a pH between 5.0 and
9.5 e.g. between 6.0 and 8.0.
[0128] Compositions may include sodium salts (e.g. sodium chloride)
to give tonicity. A concentration of 10.+-.2 mg/ml NaCl is typical
e.g. about 9 mg/ml.
[0129] Compositions may include metal ion chelators. These can
prolong RNA stability by removing ions which can accelerate
phosphodiester hydrolysis. Thus a composition may include one or
more of EDTA, EGTA, BAPTA, pentetic acid, etc. Such chelators are
typically present at between 10-500 .mu.M e.g. 0.1 mM. A citrate
salt, such as sodium citrate, can also act as a chelator, while
advantageously also providing buffering activity.
[0130] Pharmaceutical compositions may have an osmolality of
between 200 mOsm/kg and 400 mOsm/kg, e.g. between 240-360 mOsm/kg,
or between 290-310 mOsm/kg.
[0131] Pharmaceutical compositions may include one or more
preservatives, such as thiomersal or 2-phenoxyethanol. Mercury-free
compositions are preferred, and preservative-free vaccines can be
prepared.
[0132] Pharmaceutical compositions are preferably sterile.
[0133] Pharmaceutical compositions may be non-pyrogenic e.g.
containing .ltoreq.1 EU (endotoxin unit, a standard measure) per
dose, and preferably .ltoreq.0.1 EU per dose.
[0134] Pharmaceutical compositions may be gluten free.
[0135] Pharmaceutical compositions may be prepared in unit dose
form. In some embodiments a unit dose may have a volume of between
0.1-1.0 ml e.g. about 0.5 ml.
[0136] The compositions may be prepared as injectables, either as
solutions or suspensions. The composition may be prepared for
pulmonary administration e.g. by an inhaler, using a fine spray.
The composition may be prepared for nasal, aural or ocular
administration e.g. as spray or drops. Injectables for
intramuscular administration are typical.
[0137] The invention also provides a delivery device (e.g. syringe,
nebuliser, sprayer, inhaler, dermal patch, etc.) containing a
pharmaceutical composition of the invention. This device can be
used to administer the composition to a subject (e.g. a vertebrate
subject).
[0138] A composition of the present disclosure may also comprise,
or be administered in conjunction with, one or more adjuvants (e.g.
vaccine adjuvants), in particular where the composition comprises
an immunologically effective amount of a parasite MIF antigen.
[0139] Adjuvants which may be used in compositions of the invention
include, but are not limited to:
(A) Mineral-containing compositions, for example aluminium and
calcium salts, such as aluminium phosphates. (B) Oil emulsions, for
example squalene-in-water emulsions, such as MF59 or AS03. Complete
Freund's adjuvant (CFA) and incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA) may
also be used. (C) Saponin formulations. (D) Virosomes and
virus-like particles (VLPs). (E) Bacterial or microbial derivatives
such as non-toxic derivatives of enterobacterial lipopolysaccharide
(LPS), Lipid A derivatives, immunostimulatory oligonucleotides and
ADP-ribosylating toxins and detoxified derivatives thereof. (F)
Human immunomodulators, for example cytokines, such as
interleukins, interferons, macrophage colony stimulating factor,
and tumor necrosis factor. (G) Bioadhesives and mucoadhesives, such
as esterified hyaluronic acid microspheres, cross-linked
derivatives of poly(acrylic acid), polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl
pyrollidone, polysaccharides and carboxymethylcellulose. (H)
Microparticles, for example particles of .about.100 nm to
.about.150 .mu.m in diameter, more preferably .about.200 nm to
.about.30 .mu.m in diameter, and most preferably .about.500 nm to
.about.10 .mu.m in diameter) formed from materials that are
biodegradable and non-toxic (e.g. a poly(a-hydroxy acid), a
polyhydroxybutyric acid, a polyorthoester, a polyanhydride, a
polycaprolactone, etc.), with poly(lactide-co-glycolide) are
preferred, optionally treated to have a negatively-charged surface
(e.g. with SDS) or a positively-charged surface (e.g. with a
cationic detergent, such as CTAB). (I) Liposomes. (J)
Polyoxyethylene ether and polyoxyethylene ester formulations. (K)
Polyphosphazene (PCPP). (L) Muramyl peptides. (M) Imidazoquinolone
compounds, for example Imiquamod and its homologues.
[0140] The use of an aluminium hydroxide or aluminium phosphate
adjuvant is particularly preferred, and antigens are generally
adsorbed to these salts. Alternatively, MF59, AS01 or AS03 may be
used as the adjuvant.
[0141] Exemplary adjuvants also include human TLR7 agonists, such
as a compound of formula (K). These agonists are discussed in
detail in reference 49:
##STR00001##
wherein:
[0142] R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl, --C(R.sup.5).sub.2OH,
-L.sup.1R.sup.5, -L.sup.1R.sup.6, -L.sup.2R.sup.5, -L.sup.2R.sup.6,
-OL.sup.2R.sup.5, or -OL.sup.2R.sup.6;
[0143] L.sup.1 is --C(O)-- or --O--;
[0144] L.sup.2 is C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkylene,
C.sub.2-C.sub.6alkenylene, arylene, heteroarylene or
--((CR.sup.4R.sup.4).sub.pO)(CH.sub.2).sub.p--, wherein the
C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkylene and C.sub.2-C.sub.6alkenylene of L.sup.2
are optionally substituted with 1 to 4 fluoro groups;
[0145] each L.sup.3 is independently selected from
C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkylene and
--((CR.sup.4R.sup.4).sub.pO)(CH.sub.2).sub.p--, wherein the
C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkylene of L.sup.3 is optionally substituted with 1
to 4 fluoro groups;
[0146] L.sup.4 is arylene or heteroarylene;
[0147] R.sup.2 is H or C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl;
[0148] R.sup.3 is selected from C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkyl,
-L.sup.3R.sup.5, -L.sup.1R.sup.5, -L.sup.3R.sup.7,
-L.sup.3L.sup.4L.sup.3R.sup.7, -L.sup.3L.sup.4R.sup.5,
-L.sup.3L.sup.4L.sup.3R.sup.5, - OL.sup.3R.sup.5,
--OL.sup.3R.sup.7, --OL.sup.3L.sup.4R.sup.7,
--OL.sup.3L.sup.4L.sup.3R.sup.7, --OR.sup.8,
--OL.sup.3L.sup.4R.sup.5, --OL.sup.3L.sup.4L.sup.3R.sup.5 and
--C(R.sup.5).sub.2OH;
[0149] each R.sup.4 is independently selected from H and
fluoro;
[0150] R.sup.5 is --P(O)(OR.sup.9).sub.2,
[0151] R.sup.6 is --CF.sub.2P(O)(OR.sup.9).sub.2 or
--C(O)OR.sup.10;
[0152] R.sup.7 is --CF.sub.2P(O)(OR.sup.9).sub.2 or
--C(O)OR.sup.10;
[0153] R.sup.8 is H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkyl;
[0154] each R.sup.9 is independently selected from H and
C.sub.1-C.sub.6alkyl;
[0155] R.sup.10 is H or C.sub.1-C.sub.4alkyl;
[0156] each p is independently selected from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6,
and
[0157] q is 1, 2, 3 or 4.
[0158] A TLR7 agonist, such as a TLR7 agonist of formula (K), may
be adsorbed to an insoluble aluminium salt (e.g. to form an
adsorbed complex for adjuvanting immunogens). Useful aluminium
salts include, but are not limited to, aluminium hydroxide and
aluminium phosphate adjuvants. Aluminium salts which include
hydroxide ions are preferred for use with the invention as these
hydroxide ions can readily undergo ligand exchange with compounds
of formula (K). Thus preferred salts for adsorption of TLR agonists
are aluminium hydroxide and/or aluminium hydroxyphosphate. These
have surface hydroxyl moieties which can readily undergo ligand
exchange with phosphorus-containing groups (e.g. phosphates,
phosphonates) to provide stable adsorption. In an exemplary
embodiment, an aluminium hydroxide adjuvant is used. Alternatively,
a TLR7 agonist, such as a TLR7 agonist of formula (K) may not be
adsorbed to an insoluble aluminium salt.
[0159] Phosphorous-containing adjuvants used with the invention may
exist in a number of protonated and deprotonated forms depending on
the pH of the surrounding environment, for example the pH of the
solvent in which they are dissolved. Therefore, although a
particular form may be illustrated, it is intended that these
illustrations are merely representative and not limiting to a
specific protonated or deprotonated form. For example, in the case
of a phosphate group, this has been illustrated as
--OP(O)(OH).sub.2 but the definition includes the protonated forms
[OP(O)(OH.sub.2)(OH)].sup.+ and --[OP(O)(OH).sub.2].sup.2+ that may
exist in acidic conditions and the deprotonated forms
--[OP(O)(OH)(O)].sup.- and [OP(O)(O).sub.2].sup.2- that may exist
in basic conditions
[0160] Combinations of one or more of the adjuvants identified
above may also be used with the invention.
Sequence Identity
[0161] Identity or homology with respect to a sequence is defined
herein as the percentage of amino acid residues in the candidate
sequence that are identical with the reference amino acid sequence
after aligning the sequences and introducing gaps, if necessary, to
achieve the maximum percent sequence identity, and not considering
any conservative substitutions as part of the sequence
identity.
[0162] Sequence identity can be determined by standard methods that
are commonly used to compare the similarity in position of the
amino acids of two polypeptides. Using a computer program such as
BLAST or FASTA, two polypeptides are aligned for optimal matching
of their respective amino acids (either along the full length of
one or both sequences or along a pre-determined portion of one or
both sequences). The programs provide a default opening penalty and
a default gap penalty, and a scoring matrix such as PAM 250 [a
standard scoring matrix; see Dayhoff et al., in Atlas of Protein
Sequence and Structure, vol. 5, supp. 3 (1978)] can be used in
conjunction with the computer program. For example, the percent
identity can then be calculated as: the total number of identical
matches multiplied by 100 and then divided by the sum of the length
of the longer sequence within the matched span and the number of
gaps introduced into the shorter sequences in order to align the
two sequences.
General
[0163] The term "comprising" encompasses "including" as well as
"consisting" e.g. a composition "comprising" X may consist
exclusively of X or may include something additional e.g. X+Y.
[0164] The term "about" in relation to a numerical value x is
optional and means, for example, x+10%.
[0165] Where the present disclosure refers to a sequence by
reference to a UniProt or Genbank accession code, the sequence
referred to is the current version at the filing date of the
present application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0166] FIGS. 1A-1D show malaria-specific T cell responses in mice
immunized with: RNA encoding PbMIF in a CNE delivery vehicle
(PbMIF-CNE); RNA encoding GFP in a CNE delivery vehicle (GFP-CNE);
or mice immunized with PbMIF protein with Freund's adjuvant
(PbMIF-FA); at 7 days after Plasmodium infection on day 40
post-immunization. *P<0.05. FIG. 1A shows % CD4.sup.+
Ki67.sup.+. FIG. 1B shows B-bet MFI. FIG. 1C shows % PbA responding
CD4 T cells. FIG. 1D shows IGN-.gamma. MFI.
[0167] FIGS. 2A-B showneutralization activity of PbMIF immunization
on (FIG. 2A) Plasmodium parasitemia and (FIG. 2B) spleen parasite
content at 7 days post-infection. *P<0.05
[0168] FIG. 3 shows mean serum anti-PbMIF titers (OD.sub.450 nm) at
day 14 (2 weeks after first immunization) for mice immunized with
RNA/PMIF CNE or RNA/GFP CNE. Mean titers are expressed as endpoint
titers; the reciprocal dilution that yields background OD.sub.450
nm. ****P<0.0001 Mann-Whitney U, n=15 per group.
[0169] FIG. 4 shows mean serum anti-PbMIF titers (OD.sub.450 nm) at
day 35 (2 weeks after second immunization) for mice immunized with
RNA/PMIF CNE or RNA/GFP CNE. Mean titers are expressed as in FIG.
3. ****P<0.0001 Mann-Whitney U, n=15 per group.
[0170] FIGS. 5A-C show: (FIG. 5A) a scheme for RNA/PbMIF CNE and
RNA/GFP CNE vaccination, first parasite challenge, cure (CQ), and
second parasite challenge; (FIG. 5B) Plasmodium parasitemia over 7
days following first parasite challenge (days 35 to 42); and (FIG.
5C) serum IFN.gamma. levels on day 5 post-infection. *P<0.05,
**P<0.01 Mann-Whitney U, n=15 per group.
[0171] FIG. 6A shows mean serum anti-PbMIF titers (OD.sub.450 nm)
at day 59 (2.5 weeks after first infection) for mice immunized with
RNA/PMIF CNE or RNA/GFP CNE (****P<0.0001 Mann-Whitney U, n=15
per group). FIG. 6B shows mean anti-Plasmodium IgG responses at day
59 (***P<0.01 Mann-Whitney U, n=15 per group). Mean titers are
expressed as in FIG. 3.
[0172] FIG. 7 shows Plasmodium parasitemia in mice immunized with
RNA/PMIF CNE or RNA/GFP CNE over 14 days following second challenge
(days 59-73). *P<0.05, **P<0.01 Mann-Whitney U, n=9 total
(4.times.RNA/GFP CNE control, 5.times.RNA/PMIF CNE).
[0173] FIGS. 8A-C show the effects of RNA/PMIF CNE versus or
RNA/GFP CNE immunization on T cell phenotype. T cells responding to
P. berghei (CD4+Ki67.sup.hi) were divided into subsets: Tmem
(memory) CD62L.sup.+ IL-7R.alpha..sup.+; Tem (effector memory)
CD62L.sup.- IL-7R.alpha..sup.+; and Teff (effector) CD62L.sup.-
IL-7R.alpha..sup.-. FIG. 8A shows percentages of individual T cell
phenotypes at 7 days after first infection. FIG. 8B shows
percentages of individual T cell phenotypes at 7 days after second
infection. FIG. 8C shows percentages of Tmem cells which are
PD-I.sup.+ (indicating T cell exhaustion). *P<0.05, **P<0.01
Mann-Whitney U.
[0174] FIG. 9 shows Plasmodium parasitemia in mice receiving
passive transfer of a polyclonal anti-PbMIF antibody (IgG) compared
to mice receiving control IgG from a non-immunized rabbit (Ctrl
IgG) at day 7 post-infection. Each data point is a single mouse.
P=0.0005 by t-test.
[0175] FIGS. 10A-E show that passive transfer of IgG from PbMIF
immunized and blood-stage infected mice provides partial protection
in both BALB/c and cerebral malaria-sensitive C57BL/6 Mice. (FIG.
10A) IgG isolated from GFP (control) or PbMIF immunized and
PbA-infected mice was administered i.p. to naive BALB/c or C57BL/6
mice and followed by PbA infection. (FIG. 10B) Parasitemia and
(FIG. 10C) Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis of BALB/c mice
administered immune IgG. p values were generated using a Long-rank
test and data are from two independent experiments with 5 mice per
group (*p<0.05, **p<0.01). (FIG. 10D) Kaplan-Meyer survival
plots and (FIG. 10E) ECM (Experimental Cerebral Malaria) score of
C57BL/6 mice administered immune IgG and infected with PbA.
Statistical p values were generated using a Long-rank test
(**p<0.01) and data are representative of two independent
experiments n=10 mice per group.
[0176] FIGS. 11A-G shows that adoptively transferred CD4 T cells
from PbMIF immunized mice confer protection to homologous
challenge. (FIG. 11A) Immunized CD45.2 BALB/c mice were infected
with 10.sup.6 PbA-iRBCs and treated with chloroquine on days 7-12.
Four weeks later, the mice were re-infected with PbA and
splenocytes isolated 7 days after infection, incubated with
chloroquine to eliminate residual Plasmodium, and labeled with
CFSE. Purified CD4 T cells (2.times.10.sup.7) then were transferred
into naive CD45.1 BALB/c mice and infected 3 days later with
10.sup.6 PbA-iRBCs. (FIG. 11B) Parasitemia in mice adoptively
transferred with CD4 T cells from GFP (.largecircle.) or PbMIF
(.circle-solid.) immunized mice (*p<0.05, #p<0.001, by
two-way ANOVA). The graph shows % parasitemia against days
post-infection. (FIG. 11C) Representative CFSE dilution histogram
of adoptively transferred (CD45.2) CD4 T cells from GFP or PbMIF
immunized donors, (FIG. 11D) enumeration of recovered CD45.2 CD4 T
cells, and (FIG. 11E) proliferation response of transferred CD4 T
cells in CD45.1 recipients 7 days after infection. (FIG. 1F)
Percent of proliferating CD45.2 CD4 T cells (CFSE.sup.lo) producing
IFN.gamma. after stimulation ex vivo with PbA-iRBC lysates. (FIG.
11G) Mean fluorescence intensity of PD-1 in PbA-responsive CD45.2
CD4 T cells (CFSE.sup.lo) from GFP (control) or PbMIF immunized
donors. Results are from two separate experiments with 4 mice per
group (*p<0.05, **p<0.01 by Mann-Whitney test.).
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Example 1: Immunization Using P. berghei MIF, Followed by Parasite
Challenge
[0177] Groups of 5 female BALB/c mice aged 8-10 weeks were
immunized with: (1) RNA encoding P. berghei MIF (PbMIF) in an LNP
delivery vehicle (RV01, see references 34 and 36); (2) RNA encoding
PbMIF in a CNE delivery vehicle (comprising squalene and DOTAP, as
described in reference 35); (3) RNA encoding GFP in a CNE delivery
vehicle; or (4) intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of PbMIF protein
with Freund's adjuvant, as set out in Table 1. Immunizations were
carried out on day 0 and day 21.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 1 Delivery # animals/ Group Antigen system
Adjuvant Dose group 1 RNA/PbMIF LNP -- 1 .mu.g 5 2 RNA/PbMIF CNE --
15 .mu.g 5 3 RNA/GFP CNE -- 15 .mu.g 5 4 PbMIF i.p. FCA/FIA 10/5
.mu.g 5 Protein
[0178] Blood samples were taken from immunized mice on day 14 and
day 35 (14 days after boosting) and total serum anti-PbMIF IgG
titers were measured by anti-PbMIF ELISA assay. Immunized mice were
challenged on day 38-40 by i.p. injection of 10.sup.6 P. berghei
ANKA (PbA)-infected red blood cells (RBCs). Mouse weights over time
(from day 0 to day 40) and clinical appearance were also assessed
for the mice in each experimental group.
Serum Anti-PbMIF IgG Titers from Immunized Mice and Tolerability to
the Vaccine
[0179] IgG titers were measured 14 days after the first
immunization and 14 days after the second boosting immunization.
Anti-PbMIF ELISA assays were performed as follows: 96 well plates
were coated overnight with 100 ng/ml of recombinant PbMIF. After
blocking for 1 hr at room temperature, serial dilutions of sera
were incubated for 2 hrs and total bound IgG was detected with a
rabbit anti-mouse IgG coupled to horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
3,3',5,5'-Tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was used as substrate. The
reaction was stopped with acid and the OD reading performed at 450
nm.
[0180] Immunization with PbMIF self-replicating RNA vaccine or
PbMIF protein (Groups 1, 2 and 4) elicited primary and secondary
humoral antibody responses to PbMIF. No significant responses were
observed in control mice treated with RNA/GFP CNE (Group 3).
Secondary responses were observed in 80% of mice treated with
RNA/PMIF CNE (Group 2) and 60% of mice treated with RNA/PMIF LNP
(Group 1), with comparable titers. Primary responses in Groups 1
and 2 were .about.100-fold less and secondary responses in Groups 1
and 2 were .about.1000-fold less than mice treated with PMIF
protein FCA/FIA (Group 4).
[0181] Mice tolerated immunization well, with no changes in
clinical appearance (clinical observation q3d) and no reductions in
weight among the different experimental groups from day 0 to day
40.
Impact of PbMIF Immunization on Malaria-Specific T Cell
Responses
[0182] Groups 2, 3 and 4 were selected for study. Immunized mice
were challenged on day 40 by i.p. injection of 10.sup.6
PbA-infected RBCs. On day 7 post-infection, splenocytes were
isolated and stimulated ex vivo by culturing with infected red
blood cell lysates in the presence of anti-CD3/CD28 beads and
brefeldin A for 6 hrs. Intracellular cytokine staining was then
performed. The following antibodies were used to study CD4 T cell
IFN-.gamma. production, T cell activation (CD11a) and T cell
differentiation (T-bet): Ki67 FITC, CD45.2 PerCP-Cy5.5, IFN.gamma.
PE-Cy7, CD4 Alexa 700, CD11a eFluor 405, T-bet Alexa 647 (Life
Technologies). PbA-responsive CD4 T cells are defined as CD45.2+,
Ki67+, CD4+. Stained cells were analysed by flow cytometry.
[0183] On day 7 post-infection, PbMIF immunized mice (Groups 2 and
4) showed a stronger T cell proliferative response to P. berghei
parasites (higher CD4+Ki67+ cells) a stronger memory CD4 T cell
response to parasites, as indicated by lower CD11a and lower T-bet
(FIGS. 1A and 1B) and fewer inflammatory, terminal effector
IFN-.gamma. producing T cells (FIGS. 1C and 1D) than control mice
(Group 3).
[0184] For example, flow cytometry showed that 5.26% of splenic CD4
T cells from RNA/PMIF CNE (Group 2) immunized mice were
inflammatory, terminal effector IFN-.gamma.-producing CD4 T cells
(labelled with antiCD4 and stained for IFN-.gamma. with an
anti-IFN-.gamma. antibody), compared to 11.1% of splenic CD4 T
cells from control RNA/GFP CNE (Group 3) immunized mice (using
pooled cells from 5 mice per group).
[0185] Further studies have shown a >65% increase in the number
of Plasmodium-responsive memory CD4 T cells (CD62L+IL7R.alpha.+)
and effector memory CD4 T cell precursors (CD62L-IL7R.alpha.+), as
well as a 20% reduction in the expression of the exhaustion marker
PD-1 in PbMIF-CNE immunized mice compared to GFP-CNE control mice
at day 7 post-infection (n=5 per group, based on two separate
experiments), suggesting a relative preservation of the memory
response in the PbMIF immunized mice versus the control group. It
has also been shown that, at day 7 post-infection, the number of
Plasmodium-responsive follicular helper CD4 T cells (T.sub.FH
cells--CD49d.sup.hiCD11a.sup.hi CXCR5.sup.hi CD4) was 50% greater
in PbMIF-CNE immunized mice compared to GFP-CNE control mice.
Consistent with this observed increase in the population of
T.sub.FH cells, there was a corresponding enhancement in splenic B
cell numbers, with a 30% increase in (CD19.sup.+B220.sup.+) B cells
and a greater than doubling of the B cell plasmablast population
(CD19.sup.lo B220.sup.loCD138.sup.hiIgD.sup.-). Thus, PbMIF
immunization is associated with an improvement in the host T.sub.FH
and B cell responses.
Assessment of the Neutralization Activity of PbMIF RNA Vaccinations
on P. berghei Parasitemia and Spleen Parasite Content
[0186] On day 7 post-infection, parasitemia was also studied in
immunized, challenged mice from Groups 2 and 3. Parasite burden was
measured by quantitative PCR detection of P. berghei 18S rRNA
copies/L of peripheral blood, and splenic parasite burden was
measured by expression of 18S rRNA relative to host GAPDH.
[0187] As shown in FIG. 2, PbMIF-CNE immunization was associated
with a significant reduction in parasitemia (30%) and spleen
parasite content upon challenge with lethal P. berghei
infection.
Parasitemia and Survival During First Infection
[0188] In a separate experiment, BALB/c mice previously immunized
with the RNA/PbMIF-CNE vaccine or GFP-CNE were infected with PbA
and the parasitemia followed by FACS. Parasitemia was significantly
reduced in the RNA/PbMIF-CNE-immunized mice compared to
GFP-CNE-immunized control mice. While there was no initial
difference in parasitemia between the two groups, there was a more
rapid increase in parasitemia after day 5 in the control (GFP-CNE)
group, which became moribund on day 21. By contrast, the PbMIF
immunized mice showed better control of parasitemia during the
first 15 days of infection. Survival was also monitored for up to
30 days post-infection and RNA/PbMIF-CNE-immunized mice showed a
37% prolongation in mean survival time compared to
GFP-CNE-immunized control mice.
Conclusions (1)
[0189] PbMIF protein and self-replicating RNA vaccines are
well-tolerated and produce a primary and secondary humoral antibody
response in BALB/c mice.
[0190] RNA/PbMIF immunization (with CNE) neutralized Plasmodium
PbMIF activity, and enhanced CD4 T cell memory differentiation. In
addition, the neutralization of PbMIF activity significantly
reduced parasitemia and parasite content of spleens and
significantly improved mean survival times in infected mice. Thus,
PbMIF immunization confers at least partial protection to first
challenge infection.
Example 2: Immunization Using P. berghei MIF in CNE RNA Delivery
Vehicle, Followed by Parasite Challenge, Cure and Re-Challenge
[0191] Example 2 differs from Example 1 in the addition of a first
parasite challenge, followed by cure to expand the
Plasmodium-specific memory T cell population.
[0192] Groups of 15 female BALB/c mice aged 8-10 weeks were
immunized with: (1) RNA encoding PbMIF in a CNE delivery vehicle;
and (2) RNA encoding GFP in a CNE delivery vehicle, as set out in
Table 2. Immunizations were carried out on day 0 and day 21.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 2 Delivery # animals/ Group Antigen system
Adjuvant Dose group 1 RNA/PbMIF CNE -- 15 .mu.g 15 2 RNA/GFP CNE --
15 .mu.g 15
[0193] Blood samples were taken from immunized mice on days 14 and
35 and total serum anti-PbMIF IgG titers were measured by
anti-PbMIF ELISA assay. Immunized mice were challenged on day 35 by
i.p. injection of 10.sup.6 PbA-infected RBCs. This was followed by
cure with chloroquine (CQ) (50 mg/kg/day) on days 7-10
post-challenge (days 42-45).
[0194] Readouts following first challenge: [0195] Parasitemia; days
3, 5 and 7 post-challenge (days 38, 40, 42). [0196] Total serum
anti-PbMIF Ig and total anti-Plasmodium Ig after CQ cure (before
2.sup.na challenge, day 59).
[0197] Immunized mice were re-challenged with P. berghei on day 59
and infection was followed for 7 or 14 days post-re-challenge. 5
mice/group were euthanized at day 4 or 7 and the remaining mice
were monitored for parasitemia.
[0198] Readouts: [0199] Parasitemia; days 5, 8, 11 and 14
post-challenge (days 64, 67, 70, 73). [0200] T cell phenotypes (day
66). Serum Anti-PbMIF IgG Titers on Day 14 (2 Weeks after First
Immunization) and Day 35 (2 Weeks after Second Immunization)
[0201] Serum IgG titers were measured by anti-PbMIF ELISA on day
14, following the first immunization and day 35, following the
second immunization. Anti-PbMIF ELISA assays were performed as in
Example 1.
[0202] Serum anti-PbMIF IgG titers were measured for each mouse at
day 14. An anti-PbMIF IgG response (.about.1/2500) was observed in
50% of PbMIF-immunized mice in Group 1 after the first
immunization. Mean titers at day 14 are shown in FIG. 3.
[0203] Also, serum anti-PbMIF IgG titers were measured for each
mouse at day 35. An increase of the anti-PbMIF IgG titers was
observed in 95% of PbMIF-immunized mice in Group 1 after the second
immunization in the PbMIF-CNE group and the titers are 5-fold
higher compared to those at day 14 (.about.1/14,500).
Challenge Infection on Days 35-42 to Expand Plasmodium-Specific
Memory T Cells
[0204] Parasitemia was assessed on days 3, 5, and 7 following first
challenge (days 35-42) as described in Example 1. Serum IFN.gamma.
was also assessed by specific ELISA on day 5 post-infection.
[0205] As shown in FIG. 5B, a detectable (0.5 log) difference in
parasitemia was observed at 7 days following first Plasmodium
infection. This effect is associated with reduced circulating
IFN.gamma. that is consistent with reduced levels of a highly
inflammatory, IFN.gamma.+ T cell response (FIG. 5C).
Serum Anti-PbMIF and Anti-Plasmodium IgG Titers on Day 59, 2.5
Weeks after the First Infection
[0206] Serum anti-PbMIF IgG titers were measured for each mouse at
day 59. Plasmodium infection increased the titers of anti-PbMIF Ig
by 10-fold (FIG. 6A) in RNA/PbMIF versus RNA/GFP mice. Also, serum
anti-Plasmodium IgG titers were measured at day 59 by anti-mouse
IgG ELISA on parasitized red cell lysates. Plasmodium infection
increased anti-Plasmodium Ig titers by 5-fold (FIG. 6B) in
RNA/PbMIF versus RNA/GFP mice.
Parasitemia Following Re-Challenge with Plasmodium on Day 59
[0207] Parasitemia was assessed on days 5, 8, 11 and 14 following
second challenge (days 59-73) as described in Example 1.
[0208] As shown in FIG. 7, RNA/PbMIF immunization markedly reduced
parasitemia (5 log at day 14 post-infection) after Plasmodium
re-challenge on day 59.
Assessment of RNA/PbMIF Effects on Plasmodium-Specific T Cell
Phenotype
[0209] Mice were euthanized at day 7 after second infection and the
T cell response and phenotype analysed along with the cytokine
production. Splenic cells were isolated from 4-5 mice per
experimental group and analysed for CD62L and IL-7R.alpha.
staining. CD62L and IL-7R.alpha. identify different T cell subsets
responding to P. berghei (CD4.sup.+Ki67.sup.hi). The results are
summarized in Table 3.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 3 Tmem: CD4+ P. berghei-responding T memory
Antigen cells phenotyped as CD62L+IL-7R.alpha.+ PbMIF-CNE 29.5%
(Group 1) GFP-CNE 17.9% (Group 2 - control)
[0210] Thus, PbMIF neutralization increases the pool of P.
berghei-responding CD4+ memory T cells.
Impact of RNA/PbMIF Vaccine on Plasmodium-Specific T Cells
[0211] T cell phenotypes observed after first Plasmodium infection
(day 7 post-infection, data from study in Example 1) (FIG. 8A) were
compared with T cell phenotypes observed after second Plasmodium
infection (day 7) (FIG. 8B).
[0212] As can be seen in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the RNA/PbMIF-CNE vaccine
promotes the development of Plasmodium-specific Tmem cells (CD62L
IL-7Rac) during a first infection by P. berghei and these Tmem
cells increase further during second infection.
[0213] Furthermore, T cell exhaustion, as indicated by
PD-1-expressing Plasmodium-specific Tmem cells, was reduced in
RNA/PbMIF-immunized mice versus RNA/GFP immunized mice (FIG.
8C).
T Cell Cytokine Production by Plasmodium-Responsive T Cell
Subsets
[0214] IFN.gamma. production by Tem (short-lived effector memory
cells) is reduced in PbMIF immunized animals. This may reflect a
less inflammatory (and more effective) Plasmodium-specific T cell
response. No evident changes in TNF producing T cells were noted.
(Data not shown)
Conclusions (2)
[0215] Self-replicating RNA vaccines are well-tolerated and produce
strong humoral responses to Plasmodium MIF (PbMIF). First and
second immunizations induced a response in 50% and 95% of immunized
mice, respectively, with a much higher titer after the second
immunization, and again after PbA infection.
[0216] RNA/PbMIF (CNE) immunization neutralized Plasmodium PbMIF
activity, as evidenced by enhancement in CD4 T cell memory
differentiation. The effects of this neutralization are: [0217]
Higher Tmem cell numbers, and a stronger humoral anti-Plasmodium
antibody response. After primary challenge with P. berghei, there
is a measurable and significant decrease in parasitemia (0.5 log).
[0218] Re-challenge after cure of primary infection results in a
further expansion of Tmem numbers and a significant reduction in
parasitemia (5 log).
[0219] Immunization with RNA/PbMIF allows for the development of
memory T cells and provides significant protection to malaria
re-challenge. RNA/PbMIF may be a viable vaccine candidate, either
as a stand-alone or in combination with other Plasmodium vaccine
candidates, where it would act to promote long-lasting memory T
cell responses.
Example 3: Passive Transfer of a Polyclonal Anti-PBMIF Antibody
[0220] IgG was purified from a rabbit immunized with recombinant
PbMIF (Anti-PbMIF IgG) or from a non-immunized rabbit (Ctrl IgG)
and 200 .mu.g injected i.p. into C57BL/6 mice at -6 hrs, 24 hrs, 48
hrs, and 72 hrs after infection with 1.times.10.sup.6 P. berghei
parasitized red cells. Parasitemia was enumerated by quantitative
PCR of blood at day 7 post-infection.
[0221] As shown in FIG. 9, passive transfer of the anti-PbMIF
antibody significantly reduces parasitemia in the P. berghei
infection mouse model of malaria.
[0222] In a further study, 200 .mu.g of IgG purified from serum by
protein-G chromatography (Pierce) from GFP (control) or PbMIF
immunized and PbA-infected mice was administered i.p. to naive
BALB/c or C57BL/6 (cerebral malaria-sensitive) mice and followed by
PbA infection (FIG. 10A). I.p. administration was on days -1, 1, 2,
and 3 post-infection. In C57BL/6 mice, cerebral malaria was
monitored and symptoms classified by the Rapid Murine Coma and
Behavior Scale (50), where 16=no signs, 15-11=mild symptomatic,
10-08=prodromal signs of Experimental Cerebral Malaria (ECM),
07-04=ECM. Agonal mice were immediately sacrificed.
[0223] Administration of IgG from PbMIF immunized mice into naive
BALB/c mice that were infected with PbA provided partial
protection, with a delayed rise in parasitemia, a 30% reduction in
peak parasitemia, and a 30% prolongation in survival time (FIGS.
10B and C). When studied in the acutely lethal C57BL/6 model of
cerebral malaria, IgG from the GFP (control) immunized mice showed
no protection: all mice developed neurological signs and became
moribund between days 6-7 post-infection (FIGS. 10C and E). By
contrast, in C57BL/6 mice that received IgG from PbMIF immunized
mice and then were infected with PbA, there was a marked delay in
the time to develop neurologic disease, less severe disease, and a
survival rate of 30%, with complete protection from neurologic
manifestations. Cerebral malaria is a uniformly fatal complication
of PbA infection in C57BL/6 mice and the protective effect of
immunoglobulin occurred despite equivalent parasitemia between
groups until the time of lethality (day 6), after which surviving
mice eliminated their parasites (data not shown).
Example 4: Protective Effect of CD4 T Cells from Vaccinated
Mice
[0224] BALB/c mice (CD45.2.sup.+) immunized with the RNA/PbMIF-CNE
or RNA/GFP-CNE vaccine were infected by i.p. injection of 10.sup.6
PbA-infected RBCs on day 0 and treated with chloroquine on days 7
to 10. At 4 weeks previously infected mice were reinfected and on
day 7 post-infection, the splenocytes were isolated and the CD4 T
cells were incubated with 10 mM chloroquine for 2h at 37.degree. C.
and CFSE labeled. 5.times.10.sup.6 CD4 T cells (CD45.2) then were
transferred i.v into naive CD45.1 BALB/c mice. All CD45.1 mice were
infected with PbA (1.times.10.sup.6 iRBCs) at day 3 post-transfer
(FIG. 11A). The course of the infection in mice transferred with
CD4 T cells from RNA/GFP-CNE or RNA/PMIF-CNE donors was monitored
by determining parasitemia by FACS. At day 7 post-infection, mice
were sacrificed and CD4.sup.+CD45.2.sup.+ donor cells recovered,
quantified, and proliferation assessed by CFSE dilution.
[0225] Infection was established in recipient mice that received
CD4 T cells from the GFP (control) group, as evidenced by
increasing parasitemia, but not in mice that received CD4 T cells
from the PbMIF immunized donors (FIG. 11B).
[0226] Parasitemia was significantly reduced in the mice
transferred with CD4 T cells from RNA/PMIF-CNE-immunized donors
compared to control mice transferred with CD4 T cells from
GFP-CNE-immunized donors. Thus, adoptive transfer of CD4 T cells
from PMIF-vaccinated mice also conferred protection to parasite
re-challenge. In fact, CD4 T cells from PbMIF immunized mice confer
complete protection against blood-stage P. berghei infection.
[0227] The protection conferred by the adoptive transfer of CD4 T
cells from the PbMIF immunized donors was associated with a higher
number of proliferating CD4 T cells (CFSE.sup.lo) (FIGS. 11C-E),
higher levels of IFN-.gamma. production (FIG. 11F), and reduced
expression of the exhaustion marker PD-1 (FIG. 11G) when compared
to CD4 T cells adoptively transferred from the control group.
[0228] These data indicate that the augmented CD4 T cell response
that develops after PbMIF immunization in infected mice offers
complete protection against infection and is sufficient to prevent
the establishment of blood-stage infection.
[0229] It will be understood that the invention has been described
by way of example only and modifications may be made whilst
remaining within the scope and spirit of the invention.
REFERENCES
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[0280] The invention includes at least the following numbered
embodiments: [0281] 1. A method for providing protective immunity
against a parasite infection in a subject in need thereof,
comprising administering an immunologically effective amount of a
composition to the subject, wherein the composition comprises:
[0282] (i) a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a
parasite macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) antigen;
[0283] (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or [0284] (iii) an antibody
which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. [0285] 2. The
method of embodiment 1 wherein the composition comprises an
RNA-based vaccine. [0286] 3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2
wherein the protective immunity is characterized by protective
immunological memory against the parasite and/or an effective
parasite-responsive memory T cell population. [0287] 4. The method
of any preceding embodiment wherein the parasite MIF antigen
comprises a full-length MIF polypeptide or an immunogenic fragment
thereof. [0288] 5. The method of any one of embodiments 1 and 3
wherein the composition comprises a nucleic acid-based vaccine
comprising the nucleic acid sequence which encodes a parasite MIF
antigen. [0289] 6. The method of embodiment 5 wherein the nucleic
acid-based vaccine is an RNA-based vaccine. [0290] 7. The method of
embodiment 6 wherein the nucleic acid-based vaccine comprises a
self-replicating RNA molecule. [0291] 8. The method of embodiment 7
wherein the self-replicating RNA is an alphavirus-derived RNA
replicon. [0292] 9. The method of any preceding embodiment wherein
the composition comprises a cationic nano-emulsion (CNE) delivery
system. [0293] 10. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 8
wherein the composition comprises a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)
delivery system. [0294] 11. The method of any preceding embodiment
wherein the composition comprises one or more adjuvants. [0295] 12.
The method of embodiment 1, 3 or 4 wherein the antibody which
specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen comprises polyclonal
antibody. [0296] 13. The method of embodiment 1, 3 or 4 wherein the
antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen is a
humanized or chimeric antibody. [0297] 14. The method of any
preceding embodiment wherein the parasite is a parasitic protozoan.
[0298] 15. The method of embodiment 14 wherein the protozoan is an
apicomplexan parasite. [0299] 16. The method of embodiment 15
wherein the protozoan belongs to the genus Plasmodium. [0300] 17.
The method of embodiment 14 wherein the protozoan belongs to a
genus selected from the group consisting of: Plasmodium,
Toxoplasma, Babesia, Eimeria, Theileria, Neospora, Sarcocystis,
Leishmania, and Trypanosoma. [0301] 18. The method of any one of
embodiments 1 to 13 wherein the parasite is a parasitic helminth.
[0302] 19. The method of embodiment 18 wherein the parasitic
helminth is a nematode. [0303] 20. The method of embodiment 18 or
embodiment 19 wherein the parasitic helminth belongs to a genus
selected from the group consisting of: Ancyclostoma, Necator,
Brugia, Wuchereria, Loa, Mansonella, Trichinella, Trichuris,
Ascaris, Anisakis, Dracunculus, Strongyloides, Haemonchus,
Schistosoma and Fasciola. [0304] 21. The method of any preceding
embodiment wherein two or more doses of the composition are
administered to the subject. [0305] 22. The method of embodiment 21
wherein the two or more doses are administered at least 1 week
apart, about 2 weeks, about 3 weeks, about 4 weeks, about 6 weeks,
about 8 weeks, about 10 weeks, about 12 weeks, or about 16 weeks
apart. [0306] 23. The method of any preceding embodiment wherein
the subject is a vertebrate. [0307] 24. The method of embodiment 23
wherein the subject is a mammal. [0308] 25. The method of
embodiment 24 wherein the subject is a human. [0309] 26. The method
of embodiment 24 wherein the subject is a veterinary mammal. [0310]
27. The method of embodiment 26 wherein the veterinary mammal is a
cat, dog, horse, cow, sheep, deer, goat, or pig. [0311] 28. The
method of any preceding embodiment wherein the composition further
comprises a nucleic acid sequence which encodes an additional
parasite antigen. [0312] 29. The method of any preceding embodiment
wherein the composition further comprises an additional parasite
antigen. [0313] 30. The method of any preceding embodiment wherein
the composition is administered to the subject in combination with
a further composition which comprises a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes an additional parasite antigen. [0314] 31.
The method of any preceding embodiment wherein the composition is
administered to the subject in combination with a further
composition which comprises an additional parasite antigen. [0315]
32. A composition for use in a method of providing protective
immunity against a parasite infection in a subject in need thereof,
which comprises an immunologically effective amount of: [0316] (i)
a nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF
antigen; [0317] (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or [0318] (iii) an
antibody which specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. [0319]
33. The composition of embodiment 32 for use in a method according
to any one of embodiments 1 to 31. [0320] 34. A composition
comprising an immunologically effective amount of: [0321] (i) a
nucleic acid comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF
antigen; or [0322] (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; [0323] wherein the
MIF antigen is from a parasitic protozoan. [0324] 35. The
composition of embodiment 34 wherein the protozoan is an
apicomplexan parasite, such as Plasmodium. [0325] 36. The
composition of embodiment 34 or 35 wherein the protozoan belongs to
a genus selected from the group consisting of: Plasmodium,
Toxoplasma, Babesia, Eimeria, Theileria, Neospora, Sarcocystis,
Leishmania, and Trypanosoma. [0326] 37. A composition comprising an
immunologically effective amount of: [0327] (i) a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; or
[0328] (ii) a parasite MIF antigen; [0329] wherein the MIF antigen
is from a parasitic helminth which belongs to a genus selected from
the group consisting of: Ancyclostoma, Necator, Brugia, Wuchereria,
Loa, Mansonella, Trichinella, Trichuris, Ascaris, Anisakis,
Dracunculus, Strongyloides, Haemonchus, Schistosoma and Fasciola.
[0330] 38. The composition of any one of embodiments 34 to 37
wherein the parasite MIF antigen comprises a full-length MIF
polypeptide or an immunogenic fragment thereof. [0331] 39. The
composition of any one of embodiments 34 to 38 which comprises a
nucleic acid-based vaccine comprising the nucleic acid sequence
which encodes a parasite MIF antigen. [0332] 40. The composition of
embodiment 39 wherein the nucleic acid-based vaccine is an
RNA-based vaccine. [0333] 41. The composition of embodiment 40
wherein the nucleic acid-based vaccine comprises a self-replicating
RNA molecule. [0334] 42. The composition of embodiment 41 wherein
the self-replicating RNA is an alphavirus-derived RNA replicon.
[0335] 43. The composition of any one of embodiments 34 to 42 which
comprises a cationic nano-emulsion (CNE) delivery system. [0336]
44. The composition of any one of embodiments 34 to 42 which
comprises a lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery system. [0337] 45.
The composition of any one of embodiments 34 to 44 which comprises
one or more adjuvants. [0338] 46. The composition of any one or
embodiments 34 to 45 wherein the composition further comprises a
nucleic acid sequence which encodes an additional parasite antigen.
[0339] 47. The composition of any one or embodiments 34 to 46
wherein the composition further comprises an additional parasite
antigen. [0340] 48. A method of enhancing an immune response to a
non-MIF parasite antigen in a subject, comprising administering an
immunologically effective amount of a composition to the subject,
wherein the composition comprises: [0341] (i) a nucleic acid
comprising a sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; [0342]
(ii) a parasite MIF antigen; or [0343] (iii) an antibody which
specifically binds to a parasite MIF antigen. [0344] 49. The method
of embodiment 48 which further comprises administering the non-MIF
parasite antigen to the subject. [0345] 50. The method of
embodiment 48 which is a method according to any one of embodiments
1-31. [0346] 51. A method for providing protective immunity against
a parasite infection in a subject in need thereof, comprising
administering parasite-responsive CD4 T cells isolated from a
compatible host, wherein the host has been immunized with a
composition comprising: [0347] (i) a nucleic acid comprising a
sequence which encodes a parasite MIF antigen; or [0348] (ii) a
parasite MIF antigen. [0349] 52. The method of embodiment 51
wherein the compatible host has been administered a composition
according to a method of any one of embodiments 1-31.
Sequence CWU 1
1
191115PRTPlasmodium falciparum 1Pro Cys Cys Glu Val Ile Thr Asn Val
Asn Leu Pro Asp Asp Asn Val1 5 10 15Gln Ser Thr Leu Ser Gln Ile Glu
Asn Ala Ile Ser Asp Val Met Gly 20 25 30Lys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Ile Met
Ser Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Gln Lys Asn Leu 35 40 45Arg Phe Gly Gly Ser Asn
Glu Ala Tyr Cys Phe Val Arg Ile Thr Ser 50 55 60Ile Gly Gly Ile Asn
Arg Ser Asn Asn Ser Ala Leu Ala Asp Gln Ile65 70 75 80Thr Lys Leu
Leu Val Ser Asn Leu Asn Val Lys Ser Arg Arg Ile Tyr 85 90 95Val Glu
Phe Arg Asp Cys Ser Ala Gln Asn Phe Ala Phe Ser Gly Ser 100 105
110Leu Phe Gly 1152115PRTPlasmodium berghei 2Pro Cys Cys Glu Leu
Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ile Pro Asp Asp Lys Ala1 5 10 15Gln Asn Thr Leu
Ser Glu Ile Glu Asp Ala Ile Ser Asn Ile Leu Gly 20 25 30Lys Pro Val
Ala Tyr Ile Met Ser Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Gln Lys Asn Leu 35 40 45Arg Phe
Ser Gly Ser Asn Glu Gly Tyr Cys Phe Val Arg Leu Thr Ser 50 55 60Ile
Gly Gly Ile Asn Arg Ser Asn Asn Ser Leu Leu Ala Asp Lys Ile65 70 75
80Thr Lys Ile Leu Ser Asn His Leu Ser Val Lys Pro Arg Arg Val Tyr
85 90 95Ile Glu Phe Arg Asp Cys Ser Ala Gln Asn Phe Ala Phe Ser Gly
Ser 100 105 110Leu Phe Gly 1153115PRTPlasmodium yoelii 3Pro Cys Cys
Glu Leu Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ile Pro Asp Asp Lys Ala1 5 10 15Gln Asn
Ala Leu Ser Glu Ile Glu Asp Ala Ile Ser Asn Val Leu Gly 20 25 30Lys
Pro Val Ala Tyr Ile Met Ser Asn Tyr Asp Tyr Gln Lys Asn Leu 35 40
45Arg Phe Ser Gly Ser Asn Glu Gly Tyr Cys Phe Val Arg Leu Thr Ser
50 55 60Ile Gly Gly Ile Asn Arg Ser Asn Asn Ser Ser Leu Ala Asp Lys
Ile65 70 75 80Thr Lys Ile Leu Ser Asn His Leu Gly Val Lys Pro Arg
Arg Val Tyr 85 90 95Ile Glu Phe Arg Asp Cys Ser Ala Gln Asn Phe Ala
Phe Ser Gly Ser 100 105 110Leu Phe Gly 1154115PRTPlasmodium
chabaudi 4Pro Cys Cys Glu Leu Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ile Pro Asp Asp
Lys Ala1 5 10 15Gln Ala Ala Leu Ser Glu Ile Glu Asp Ala Ile Ser Asn
Val Leu Gly 20 25 30Lys Pro Thr Ala Tyr Ile Met Ser Asn Tyr Asp Tyr
Gln Lys Asn Leu 35 40 45Arg Phe Ala Gly Ser Asn Glu Gly Tyr Cys Phe
Val Arg Leu Thr Ser 50 55 60Leu Gly Gly Ile Asn Arg Ser Asn Asn Ser
Ser Leu Ala Asp Lys Ile65 70 75 80Thr Lys His Leu Ala Asn His Leu
Gly Val Lys Pro Arg Arg Val Tyr 85 90 95Ile Glu Phe Arg Asp Cys Ser
Ala Gln Asn Phe Ala Phe Ser Gly Ser 100 105 110Leu Phe Gly
1155115PRTPlasmodium vivax 5Pro Cys Cys Gln Val Ser Thr Asn Ile Asn
Ala Ser Asp Asp Asp Ala1 5 10 15Lys Lys Ala Leu Ser Gln Ile Glu Asn
Ala Ile Ser Gln Val Leu Gly 20 25 30Lys Pro Leu Gly Tyr Ile Met Ser
Asn Leu Asp Tyr Gln Lys His Met 35 40 45Arg Phe Gly Gly Ser His Asp
Gly Phe Cys Phe Val Arg Val Thr Ser 50 55 60Leu Gly Gly Ile Asn Lys
Ser Asn Asn Ser Ser Leu Ala Asp Lys Ile65 70 75 80Thr Lys Ile Leu
Ala Ser Thr Leu Asn Val Lys Ser Glu Arg Val Phe 85 90 95Ile Glu Phe
Lys Asp Cys Ser Ala Gln Asn Phe Ala Phe Asn Gly Ser 100 105 110Leu
Phe Gly 1156115PRTPlasmodium knowlesi 6Pro Cys Cys Gln Val Ser Thr
Asn Ile Asn Val Ser Asp Asp Asp Ala1 5 10 15Lys Lys Ala Leu Met Gln
Ile Glu Asn Ala Ile Ser Gln Val Met Asn 20 25 30Lys Pro Met Gly Tyr
Ile Met Ser Asn Leu Asp Tyr Gln Lys His Met 35 40 45Arg Phe Gly Gly
Ser His Asp Gly Phe Cys Phe Val Arg Val Thr Ser 50 55 60Ile Ser Gly
Ile Ser Arg Ser Asn Asn Thr Ala Leu Ala Asp Lys Ile65 70 75 80Thr
Lys Ile Leu Ala Ser Thr Ile Lys Val Lys Ser Asp Arg Val Phe 85 90
95Ile Glu Phe Lys Asp Cys Ser Ala Gln Asn Phe Ala Phe Asn Gly Ser
100 105 110Leu Phe Gly 1157115PRTToxoplasma gondii 7Pro Lys Cys Met
Ile Phe Cys Pro Val Ala Ala Thr Pro Ala Gln Gln1 5 10 15Asp Ala Leu
Leu Lys Asp Ala Glu Lys Ala Val Ala Asp Ala Leu Gly 20 25 30Lys Pro
Leu Ser Tyr Val Met Val Gly Tyr Ser Gln Thr Gly Gln Met 35 40 45Arg
Phe Gly Gly Ser Ser Asp Pro Cys Ala Phe Ile Arg Val Ala Ser 50 55
60Ile Gly Gly Ile Thr Ser Ser Thr Asn Cys Lys Ile Ala Ala Ala Leu65
70 75 80Ser Ala Ala Cys Glu Arg His Leu Gly Val Pro Lys Asn Arg Ile
Tyr 85 90 95Thr Thr Phe Thr Asn Lys Ser Pro Ser Glu Trp Ala Met Gly
Asp Arg 100 105 110Thr Phe Gly 1158112PRTLeishmania major 8Pro Val
Ile Gln Thr Phe Val Ser Thr Pro Leu Asp His His Lys Arg1 5 10 15Glu
Asn Leu Ala Gln Val Tyr Arg Ala Val Thr Arg Asp Val Leu Gly 20 25
30Lys Pro Glu Asp Leu Val Met Met Thr Phe His Asp Ser Thr Pro Met
35 40 45His Phe Phe Gly Ser Thr Asp Pro Val Ala Cys Val Arg Val Glu
Ala 50 55 60Leu Gly Gly Tyr Gly Pro Ser Glu Pro Glu Lys Val Thr Ser
Ile Val65 70 75 80Thr Ala Ala Ile Thr Lys Glu Cys Gly Ile Val Ala
Asp Arg Ile Phe 85 90 95Val Leu Tyr Phe Ser Pro Leu His Cys Gly Trp
Asn Gly Thr Asn Phe 100 105 1109112PRTLeishmania major 9Pro Phe Leu
Gln Thr Ile Val Ser Val Ser Leu Asp Asp Gln Lys Arg1 5 10 15Ala Asn
Leu Ser Ala Ala Tyr Gly Met Ile Cys Arg Glu Glu Leu Gly 20 25 30Lys
Pro Glu Asp Phe Val Met Thr Ala Phe Ser Asp Lys Thr Pro Ile 35 40
45Ser Phe Gln Gly Ser Thr Ala Pro Ala Ala Tyr Val Arg Val Glu Ser
50 55 60Trp Gly Glu Tyr Ala Pro Ser Lys Pro Lys Met Met Thr Pro Arg
Ile65 70 75 80Ala Ala Ala Ile Thr Lys Glu Cys Gly Ile Pro Ala Glu
Arg Ile Tyr 85 90 95Val Phe Tyr Tyr Ser Thr Lys His Cys Gly Trp Asn
Gly Thr Asn Phe 100 105 11010113PRTGiardia intestinalis 10Pro Cys
Ala Ile Val Thr Thr Asn Ala Asp Phe Thr Lys Asp Gln Ala1 5 10 15Asp
Ala Phe Cys Leu Asp Met Gly Gln Val Leu Ala Lys Glu Thr Gly 20 25
30Lys Pro Val Ser Tyr Cys Met Ala Gly Val Arg Lys Ala Asp Met Ser
35 40 45Phe Gly Thr Ser Thr Asp Leu Cys Cys Phe Val Asp Phe Tyr Cys
Ile 50 55 60Gly Val Ile Ser Gln Ala Lys Asn Pro Ser Ile Ser Ala Ala
Ile Thr65 70 75 80Gly Cys Leu Thr Gln His Phe Lys Val Lys Pro Glu
Arg Val Tyr Ile 85 90 95Ser Phe Asn Glu Ala Lys Gly His Asn Trp Gly
Phe Asn Gly Ser Thr 100 105 110Phe11114PRTBrugia malayi 11Pro Tyr
Phe Thr Ile Asp Thr Asn Ile Pro Gln Asn Ser Ile Ser Ser1 5 10 15Ala
Phe Leu Lys Lys Ala Ser Asn Val Val Ala Lys Ala Leu Gly Lys 20 25
30Pro Glu Ser Tyr Val Ser Ile His Val Asn Gly Gly Gln Ala Met Val
35 40 45Phe Gly Gly Ser Glu Asp Pro Cys Ala Val Cys Val Leu Lys Ser
Ile 50 55 60Gly Cys Val Gly Pro Lys Val Asn Asn Ser His Ala Glu Lys
Leu Tyr65 70 75 80Lys Leu Leu Ala Asp Glu Leu Lys Ile Pro Lys Asn
Arg Cys Tyr Ile 85 90 95Glu Phe Val Asp Ile Glu Ala Ser Ser Met Ala
Phe Asn Gly Ser Thr 100 105 110Phe Gly12114PRTWuchereria bancrofti
12Pro Tyr Phe Thr Ile Asp Thr Asn Lys Pro Gln Asp Ser Ile Ser Ser1
5 10 15Ala Phe Leu Lys Lys Ala Pro Asn Val Val Pro Lys Ala Leu Gly
Lys 20 25 30Pro Glu Ser Tyr Val Ser Ile His Val Asn Gly Gly Gln Pro
Met Val 35 40 45Phe Gly Gly Ser Glu Asp Pro Cys Pro Val Cys Val Leu
Lys Ser Ile 50 55 60Gly Cys Val Gly Pro Lys Val Asn Asn Ser His Ala
Glu Lys Leu Tyr65 70 75 80Lys Leu Leu Ala Asp Glu Leu Lys Ile Pro
Lys Asn Arg Cys Tyr Ile 85 90 95Glu Ser Val Asp Ile Glu Ala Ser Ser
Met Ala Phe Asn Gly Ser Thr 100 105 110Phe Gly13118PRTAncylostoma
duodenale 13Pro Met Val Arg Val Ala Thr Asn Leu Pro Asp Lys Asp Val
Pro Ala1 5 10 15Asn Phe Glu Glu Arg Leu Thr Asp Ile Leu Ala Glu Ser
Met Asn Lys 20 25 30Pro Arg Asn Arg Ile Ala Ile Glu Val Met Ala Gly
Gln Arg Ile Thr 35 40 45His Gly Ala Ser Arg Asn Pro Val Ala Val Ile
Lys Val Glu Ser Ile 50 55 60Gly Ala Leu Ser Ala Asp Asp Asn Ile Arg
His Thr Gln Lys Ile Thr65 70 75 80Gln Phe Cys Gln Asp Thr Leu Lys
Leu Pro Lys Asp Lys Val Ile Ile 85 90 95Thr Tyr Phe Asp Leu Gln Pro
Ile His Val Gly Phe Asn Gly Thr Thr 100 105 110Val Ala Ala Ala Thr
Met 11514118PRTAncylostoma ceylanicum 14Pro Met Val Arg Val Ala Thr
Asn Leu Pro Asp Lys Asp Val Pro Ala1 5 10 15Asn Phe Glu Glu Arg Leu
Thr Asp Leu Leu Ala Glu Ser Met Asn Lys 20 25 30Pro Arg Asn Arg Ile
Ala Ile Glu Val Leu Ala Gly Gln Arg Ile Thr 35 40 45His Gly Ala Ser
Arg Asn Pro Val Ala Val Ile Lys Val Glu Ser Ile 50 55 60Gly Ala Leu
Ser Ala Asp Asp Asn Ile Arg His Thr Gln Lys Ile Thr65 70 75 80Gln
Phe Cys Gln Asp Thr Leu Lys Leu Pro Lys Asp Lys Val Ile Ile 85 90
95Thr Tyr Phe Asp Leu Gln Pro Ile His Val Gly Phe Asn Gly Thr Thr
100 105 110Val Ala Ala Ala Thr Met 11515114PRTAncylostoma
ceylanicum 15Pro Val Phe Gln Leu His Thr Asn Val Ser Gln Asp Lys
Val Thr Pro1 5 10 15Asp Leu Leu Lys Gln Ile Ser Ala Leu Val Ala Arg
Ile Leu His Lys 20 25 30Pro Glu Ser Tyr Val Ala Val His Val Val Pro
Asp Gln Lys Met Thr 35 40 45Phe Ala Gly Thr Asp Gly Pro Cys Gly Ile
Gly Ile Leu Lys Ser Ile 50 55 60Gly Gly Val Gly Gly Ser Gln Asn Asn
Ser His Ala Lys Ala Leu Phe65 70 75 80Ala Leu Ile Lys Asp His Leu
Gly Ile Glu Gly Ser Arg Met Tyr Ile 85 90 95Glu Phe Val Asp Ile Gly
Ala Ser Asp Ile Ala His Asn Gly Arg Thr 100 105 110Phe
Ala16113PRTTrichinella spiralis 16Pro Ile Phe Thr Leu Asn Thr Asn
Ile Lys Ala Thr Asp Val Pro Ser1 5 10 15Asp Phe Leu Ser Ser Thr Ser
Ala Leu Val Gly Asn Ile Leu Ser Lys 20 25 30Pro Gly Ser Tyr Val Ala
Val His Ile Asn Thr Asp Gln Gln Leu Ser 35 40 45Phe Gly Gly Ser Thr
Asn Pro Ala Ala Phe Gly Thr Leu Met Ser Ile 50 55 60Gly Gly Ile Glu
Pro Ser Arg Asn Arg Asp His Ser Ala Lys Leu Phe65 70 75 80Asp His
Leu Asn Lys Lys Leu Gly Ile Pro Lys Asn Arg Met Tyr Ile 85 90 95His
Phe Val Asn Leu Asn Gly Asp Asp Val Gly Trp Asn Gly Thr Thr 100 105
110Phe17113PRTTrichuris trichiura 17Pro Ile Phe Thr Phe Ser Thr Asn
Val Pro Ser Glu Asn Ile Ser Val1 5 10 15Asp Phe Leu Lys Ser Thr Ser
Lys Leu Ile Ala Gly Met Leu Gly Lys 20 25 30Pro Glu Ser Tyr Val Ala
Val His Ile Asn Gly Gly Gln Lys Ile Thr 35 40 45Phe Gly Gly Thr Asp
Ala Pro Ala Gly Phe Gly Gln Leu Leu Ser Leu 50 55 60Gly Gly Val Gly
Gly Glu Lys Asn Arg Ser His Ser Ala Lys Leu Phe65 70 75 80Lys His
Leu Thr Asp Gly Leu Gly Ile Pro Gly Asn Arg Met Tyr Ile 85 90 95Asn
Phe Val Asp Met Arg Gly Ser Asp Val Gly Tyr Asn Gly Ser Thr 100 105
110Phe18114PRTOnchocerca volvulus 18Pro Ala Phe Thr Ile Asn Thr Asn
Ile Pro Gln Ser Asn Val Ser Asp1 5 10 15Ala Phe Leu Lys Lys Ala Ser
Ser Thr Val Ala Lys Ala Leu Gly Lys 20 25 30Pro Glu Ser Tyr Val Ala
Ile His Val Asn Gly Gly Gln Ala Met Val 35 40 45Phe Gly Gly Ser Thr
Asp Pro Cys Ala Val Cys Val Leu Lys Ser Ile 50 55 60Gly Cys Val Gly
Pro Asn Val Asn Asn Ser His Ser Glu Lys Leu Phe65 70 75 80Lys Leu
Leu Ala Asp Glu Leu Lys Ile Pro Lys Asn Arg Cys Tyr Ile 85 90 95Glu
Phe Val Asn Ile Asp Ala Ser Thr Met Ala Phe Asn Gly Ser Thr 100 105
110Phe Gly194PRTP.falciparum 19Asn Ala Asn Pro1
* * * * *