Genetically engineered fusion of allergen and viral-like particle induces a more effective allergen-specific immune response than a combination of them

Authors: ZAMANI SANI, MARYAM - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; BARGAHI, AFSHAR - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; MOMENZADEH, NILOOFAR - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; DEHGHANI, PARVA - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; VAKILI MOGHADAM, MARYAM - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; Maleki, Soheila; NABIPOUR, IRAJ - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; SHIRKANI, AFSHIN - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; AKHTARI, JAVAD - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; HESAMIZADEH, KHASHAYAR - Iran University Of Medical Sciences; HEIDARI, SAHEL - Iran University Of Medical Sciences; OMRANI, FATEMEH - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; AKBARZADEH, SAMAD - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences; MOHAMADI, MOHSEN - Bushehr Province University Of Medical Sciences

Submitted to: Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/9/2020
Publication Date: 11/20/2020
Citation: Zamani Sani, M., Bargahi, A., Momenzadeh, N., Dehghani, P., Vakili Moghadam, M., Maleki, S.J., Nabipour, I., Shirkani, A., Akhtari, J., Hesamizadeh, K., Heidari, S., Omrani, F., Akbarzadeh, S., Mohamadi, M. 2020. Genetically engineered fusion of allergen and viral-like particle induces a more effective allergen-specific immune response than a combination of them. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology. 105:77-91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-11012-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-020-11012-0

Interpretive Summary: Virus-like particles (VLPs) were engineered for use in allergen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) fused to a self-assembling peptides, produced in bacteria, purified and the VLP formation was evaluated. This fused VLP was then characterized in terms of their reactivity to immunoglobulin E antibody (IgE), the induction of blocking immunoglobulin G antibody and allergen-specific immune cell activating-capacity and other inflammatory immune responses. Results from IgE reactivity and immune cell activation test were negative, which indicates they will not cause an allergic reaction. However, they induced the highest level of peptide-specific IgG, blocking antibody in comparison to the other antigens, they triggered the lowest level of peptide-specific IgE in mice following immunization. Furthermore, fused VLPs produced a non-allergic immune response. Taken together, to provide more effective immune responses in allergen-specific immunotherapy, allergen derivatives may be fused to VLPs rather than a mix of them in combination with VLPs.

Technical Abstract: Chimeric virus-like particles (VLPs) were developed as a candidate for allergen-specific immunotherapy. In this study, hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) fused to polcalcin-derived peptide was expressed in E. coli BL21 and purified, then VLP formation was evaluated. Chimeric VLPs were characterized in terms of their reactivity to IgE, the induction of blocking IgG and allergen-specific IgE, basophil activating-capacity and Th1-type immune responses. Results from IgE reactivity and basophil activation test showed no IgE binding and basophil degranulation activity. Although they induced the highest level of efficient polcalcin-specific IgG antibody in comparison to the other antigens, they triggered the lowest level of polcalcin-specific IgE in mice following immunization. Furthermore, chimeric VLPs produced a polcalcin-specific Th1 response. Taken together, to provide more effective immune responses in allergen-specific immunotherapy, allergen derivatives may be fused to VLPs as chimeric VLPs rather than a mix of them in combination with VLPs.