To achieve the Project's objectives, the work was divided in 6 workpackages (WPs), all of which have contributed to the project’s successful outcome. The main achievements of the project in relation to the set objectives could be described as follows:
Objective 1: To establish an optimal vaccine delivery system for inducing protective mucosal immunity against MTB
This was established through a series of experiments performed in the first 3 years of the project using the mouse model and subsequently validated in guinea pigs and non-human primates. We identified B. subtilis spores, Yc-NaMA nanoparticles and apoptotic body like liposomes as the most suitable delivery systems for mucosal vaccination. Each of these 3 delivery systems was tested comprehensively in vivo and in vitro, in terms of their interaction with the immune cells and tissues, providing the mechanistic evidence for protective mucosal immunity.
Objective 2: To identify novel, early-stage infection associated CD8+ T-cell epitopes
We initially focused on HLA-A2 epitopes that have been identified by the bioinformatics approach for testing of immunogenicity and protective immunity. However, extensive studies in HLA-A2 transgenic mice failed to demonstrate their immunogenicity irrespective of the mode of delivery (with adjuvants, as DNA vaccines, adenoviral vectors etc). This necessitated change of focus on HLA-E epitopes which are not restrictive to the same level as A,B and C. Several HLA-E peptides were identified as immunogenic in human PBMC from TB patients and LTBI. These peptides merit further testing for potential inclusion into existing TB vaccine candidates.
Objective 3: To establish correlates of protective immune response in MTB-exposed humans
We have performed correlates of immunity/infection studies in two separate cohorts in Maputo (Mozambique) and Vigo (Spain). We applied the systems biology approach and compared the immunological, transcriptomic and proteomic signatures in TB patients, exposed (LTBI) contacts and negative controls. We identified several proteins expressed in human mucosal samples that are associated with the clinical status of the TB disease. Most importantly, we identified a transcriptomic signature that differentiates the LTBI individuals into those who resemble TB patients and those who are more similar to negative contacts, thus potentially having a predictive potential for reactivation of TB in LTBI.
Objective 4: To test the most promising vaccine candidate in the NHP model of MTB infection
We have performed an NHP study in which we compared BCG with the lead vaccine candidate Spore-FP1 as boost to BCG. Following three pilot studies, we opted for a vaccination regimen that included one intradermal and one aerosol boost with Spore-FP1. The results of the NHP trial indicated that the Spore-FP1 candidate was safe, amenable for aerosolization and immunogenic, both systemically and in the mucosa. However, boosting BCG with Spore-FP1 did not confer statistically significant increase in protection in this animal model, in terms of pathological, clinical and microbiological readouts. Further refinement of this vaccine candidate is therefore required.
