ORCID Profile
0000-0001-8893-7276
Current Organisation
Technical University of Denmark
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Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 02-10-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-11-2017
DOI: 10.1038/S41598-017-15354-0
Abstract: The development of vaccines against complex intracellular pathogens, such as Plasmodium spp ., where protection is likely mediated by cellular immune responses, has proven elusive. The availability of whole genome, proteome and transcriptome data has the potential to advance rational vaccine development but yet there are no licensed vaccines against malaria based on antigens identified from genomic data. Here, we show that the Plasmodium yoelii orthologs of four Plasmodium falciparum proteins identified by an antibody-based genome-wide screening strategy induce a high degree of sterile infection-blocking protection against sporozoite challenge in a stringent rodent malaria model. Protection increased in multi-antigen formulations. Importantly, protection was highly correlated with the induction of multifunctional triple-positive T cells expressing high amounts of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF. These data demonstrate that antigens identified by serological screening are targets of multifunctional cellular immune responses that correlate with protection. Our results provide experimental validation for the concept of rational vaccine design from genomic sequence data.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 13-08-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.13.456086
Abstract: Intestinal fibroblasts (FB) play essential roles in intestinal homeostasis. Here we show that the small and large intestinal lamina propria (LP) contain similar FB subsets that locate in specific anatomical niches and express distinct arrays of epithelial support genes. However, there were tissue specific differences in the transcriptional profile of intestinal FB subsets in the two sites. All adult intestinal LP mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), including FB, smooth muscle cells (SMC) and pericytes derive from Gli1 -expressing embryonic precursors which we identify as mesothelial cells. Trajectory analysis suggested that adult SMC and FB derive from distinct embryonic intermediates, and that adult FB subsets develop in a linear trajectory from CD81 + FB. Finally, we show that colonic subepithelial PDGFRα hi FB comprise several functionally and anatomically distinct populations that originate from an Fgfr2 -expressing FB intermediate. Collectively our results provide novel insights into MSC ersity, location, function and ontogeny, with implications for our understanding of intestinal development, homeostasis and disease.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 09-2013
Abstract: CD103⁺ dermal dendritic cells (dDCs) are a recently described DC subset of the skin shown to be the principal migratory DCs capable of efficiently cross-presenting antigens and activating CD8⁺ T cells. Harnessing their activity would promote vaccine efficacy, but it has been unclear how this can be achieved. We tested a panel of adjuvants for their ability to affect dDCs. In comparison to the other adjuvants tested, the capacity of cholera toxin (CT) to induce the migration of dDCs was unique. Within 24 h of CT injection, large numbers of highly activated dDCs (including CD103⁺ dDCs) migrated to the draining lymph nodes and cross-presented coinjected antigens, potently activating naïve CD8⁺ T cells. Peptide vaccines adjuvanted with CT induced T-cell responses uniquely characterized by dynamic cytokine responses including the production of IL-2, and such vaccines were protective in situations reliant on CD8⁺ T-cell responses, including liver-stage Plasmodium challenge, or tumor challenge. This study is the first to examine the effects of adjuvants on CD103⁺ dDCs and identifies CT as a prototypical adjuvant for the activation of CD103⁺ dDCs, opening the way to development of vaccines and adjuvants that specifically target dDCs and generate effective CD8⁺ T-cell responses.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 10-2013
DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00544-13
Abstract: Apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA-1) is a leading blood-stage malaria vaccine candidate. Consistent with a key role in erythrocytic invasion, AMA-1-specific antibodies have been implicated in AMA-1-induced protective immunity. AMA-1 is also expressed in sporozoites and in mature liver schizonts where it may be a target of protective cell-mediated immunity. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that immunization with AMA-1 can induce sterile infection-blocking immunity against Plasmodium sporozoite challenge in 80% of immunized mice. Significantly higher levels of gamma interferon (IFN-γ)/interleukin-2 (IL-2)/tumor necrosis factor (TNF) multifunctional T cells were noted in immunized mice than in control mice. We also report the first identification of minimal CD8 + and CD4 + T cell epitopes on Plasmodium yoelii AMA-1. These data establish AMA-1 as a target of both preerythrocytic- and erythrocytic-stage protective immune responses and validate vaccine approaches designed to induce both cellular and humoral immunity.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIOTECHADV.2013.12.006
Abstract: Infectious diseases remain a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality and there is an urgent need for effective approaches to develop vaccines, especially against complex pathogens. The availability of comprehensive genomic, proteomic and transcriptomic datasets has shifted the paradigm of vaccine development from microbiological to sequence-based approaches. However, how to effectively translate raw data into candidate vaccines is not yet obvious. Herein, we review cutting-edge technologies and screening strategies to mine genomic sequence information for state-of-the-art rational vaccine design, and highlight recent trends. Interdisciplinary approaches which cross the traditional boundaries of genomics, molecular biology, cell biology, immunology and computer science, and which prioritise antigens according to clinically relevant criteria, offer potential solutions to the widespread threat that complex pathogens pose to public health.
No related grants have been discovered for Sophie Schussek.