Our understanding of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been enhanced by discovery of a 2nd pathway of virus entry into epithelial-endothelial cells (Epi/EC) mediated by a pentameric virion glycoprotein complex. The culmination of many years of study on the original Fibroblast (Fibro) pathway of HCMV entry was a clinical trial in which a formulated gB vaccine was repeatedly administered to HCMV-negative women and 50% protection against primary infection was found. We have reproduced this success using Rhesus CMV (RhCMV)-negative rhesus macaques (RM) by demonstrating 50% protection against a virulent RhCMV challenge, using a modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vaccine composed of RhgB and the tegument protein Rhpp65. We hypothesize that to further improve vaccine success;efficient inhibition of CMV entry into Epi/EC will be required. Utilizing a revolutionary approach of manipulation of a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) derived MVA, we serially cloned each of 5 subunit proteins constituting the RhCMV UL128C (RhUL128C) in separate MVA insertion sites in a BAC plasmid. We recently published that vaccination of RhCMV-negative RM with RhUL128C-MVA produced high titer neutralizing antibodies (NAb) that inhibit virulent RhCMV natural isolates from infecting Epi/EC and Fibro, confirming RhUL128C function. Based on these novel results in the RhCMV/RM model, we constructed an HCMV counterpart to RhUL128C in BAC-MVA, and the reconstituted MVA virus used to vaccinate BALB/c mice generated NAb to prevent in vitro HCMV infection of Epi/EC. The following 3 Specific Aims (SA) will test this concept forming a path to clinical evaluation. In SA1 we will clone MVA (1974-MVA) into a self-excisable BAC, followed by insertion of 5 subunit genes constituting HCMV UL128C (H-UL128C) to construct a functional vaccine. H-UL128C expressed from MVA will be functionally evaluated by measuring direct in vitro inhibition of HCMV infection of Epi cells (ARPE-19), and indirectly by in vivo generation of NAb in BALB/c mice that will inhibit HCMV infection of ARPE-19 cells. In SA2, H-UL128C- MVA will be used to vaccinate RM and properties of NAb generated against the pentamer complex in sera and saliva from vaccinated and control groups will be assessed in preventing natural HCMV isolate infection of ARPE-19 cells. Avidity assays of post-vaccination sera will be assessed using urea denaturation after binding to pentamer containing lysates. In SA3 we will choose a regimen for inhibition of 2 HCMV entry pathways by including vaccines expressing H-UL128C and HCMV pp65/gB subunits either as 2 individual vaccines or a single multiple insert form. Preliminary studies in BALB/c mice will allow down-selection of better performing constructs. The formulation and regimen will be selected based on generation of superior NAb avidity and titers that interfere with in vitro HCMV infection of ARPE-19 cells and Fibro. Assessment of cytolytic recognition of rAdv-infected blasts and T cell activation will be 1st conducted in vaccinated mice, then RM in SA2 &3. The anticipated result of these studies will be an HCMV-based subunit vaccine ready for clinical development.

Public Health Relevance

Congenital human cytomegalovirus infection has been recognized as a major contributor to the number of infants with birth defects for over 40 years. This virus exposure can have devastating impact to in utero developing fetuses causing irrevocable birth defects. Our method is to use a vaccine to interrupt infection pathways of HCMV in a primate model. Our approach of using an FDA permissible vaccine carrier will enable quick translation of our results to the clinical setting.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01AI103960-01A1
Application #
8590524
Study Section
Vaccines Against Microbial Diseases (VMD)
Program Officer
Beisel, Christopher E
Project Start
2013-05-15
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2013-05-15
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$614,609
Indirect Cost
$199,130
Name
City of Hope/Beckman Research Institute
Department
Type
DUNS #
027176833
City
Duarte
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
91010
Wussow, Felix; Chiuppesi, Flavia; Meng, Zhuo et al. (2018) Exploiting 2A peptides to elicit potent neutralizing antibodies by a multi-subunit herpesvirus glycoprotein complex. J Virol Methods 251:30-37
Diamond, Don Jeffrey; La Rosa, Corinna; Chiuppesi, Flavia et al. (2018) A fifty-year odyssey: prospects for a cytomegalovirus vaccine in transplant and congenital infection. Expert Rev Vaccines 17:889-911
Chiuppesi, Flavia; Nguyen, Jenny; Park, Soojin et al. (2018) Multiantigenic Modified Vaccinia Virus Ankara Vaccine Vectors To Elicit Potent Humoral and Cellular Immune Reponses against Human Cytomegalovirus in Mice. J Virol 92:
Wussow, Felix; Chiuppesi, Flavia; Contreras, Heidi et al. (2017) Neutralization of Human Cytomegalovirus Entry into Fibroblasts and Epithelial Cells. Vaccines (Basel) 5:
Fan, Qihua; Nelson, Cody S; Bialas, Kristy M et al. (2017) Plasmablast Response to Primary Rhesus Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection in a Monkey Model of Congenital CMV Transmission. Clin Vaccine Immunol 24:
Chiuppesi, Flavia; Kaltcheva, Teodora; Meng, Zhuo et al. (2017) Identification of a Continuous Neutralizing Epitope within UL128 of Human Cytomegalovirus. J Virol 91:
Nelson, Cody S; Cruz, Diana Vera; Tran, Dollnovan et al. (2017) Preexisting antibodies can protect against congenital cytomegalovirus infection in monkeys. JCI Insight 2:
Gibson, Laura; Barysauskas, Constance M; McManus, Margaret et al. (2015) Reduced frequencies of polyfunctional CMV-specific T cell responses in infants with congenital CMV infection. J Clin Immunol 35:289-301
Chiuppesi, Flavia; Wussow, Felix; Johnson, Erica et al. (2015) Vaccine-Derived Neutralizing Antibodies to the Human Cytomegalovirus gH/gL Pentamer Potently Block Primary Cytotrophoblast Infection. J Virol 89:11884-98
Swanson, Elizabeth C; Gillis, Pete; Hernandez-Alvarado, Nelmary et al. (2015) Comparison of monovalent glycoprotein B with bivalent gB/pp65 (GP83) vaccine for congenital cytomegalovirus infection in a guinea pig model: Inclusion of GP83 reduces gB antibody response but both vaccine approaches provide equivalent protection against p Vaccine 33:4013-8

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