Franziska Thoms1, Gary T Jennings2, Melanie Maudrich3, Monique Vogel4, Stefanie Haas2, Andris Zeltins5, Regina Hofmann-Lehmann6, Barbara Riond6, Jonas Grossmann7, Peter Hunziker7, Antonia Fettelschoss-Gabriel8, Gabriela Senti9, Thomas M Kündig10, Martin F Bachmann11. 1. Department of Dermatology, Zurich University Hospital, Schlieren, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; HypoPet AG, Zurich, Switzerland. Electronic address: franziska.thoms@usz.ch. 2. Department of Dermatology, Zurich University Hospital, Schlieren, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland; HypoPet AG, Zurich, Switzerland. 3. Department of Dermatology, Zurich University Hospital, Schlieren, Switzerland. 4. Department of Immunology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. 5. Latvian Biomedical Research & Study Centre, Riga, Latvia. 6. Clinical Laboratory, Department of Clinical Diagnostics and Services, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Switzerland. 7. Functional Genomics Center Zurich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 8. Department of Dermatology, Zurich University Hospital, Schlieren, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 9. Clinical Trials Center, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 10. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland; Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. 11. HypoPet AG, Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Immunology, Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Jenner Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. Electronic address: martin.bachmann@me.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cat allergy in human subjects is usually caused by the major cat allergen Fel d 1 and is found in approximately 10% of the Western population. Currently, there is no efficient and safe therapy for cat allergy available. Allergic patients usually try to avoid cats or treat their allergy symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We developed a new strategy to treat Fel d 1-induced allergy in human subjects by immunizing cats against their own major allergen, Fel d 1. METHODS: A conjugate vaccine consisting of recombinant Fel d 1 and a virus-like particle derived from the cucumber mosaic virus containing the tetanus toxin-derived universal T-cell epitope tt830-843 (CuMVTT) was used to immunize cats. A first tolerability and immunogenicity study, including a boost injection, was conducted by using the Fel-CuMVTT vaccine alone or in combination with an adjuvant. RESULTS: The vaccine was well tolerated and had no overt toxic effect. All cats induced a strong and sustained specific IgG antibody response. The induced anti-Fel d 1 antibodies were of high affinity and exhibited a strong neutralization ability tested both in vitro and in vivo. A reduction in the endogenous allergen level and a reduced allergenicity of tear samples, were observed. CONCLUSION: Vaccination of cats with Fel-CuMVTT induces neutralizing antibodies and might result in reduced symptoms of allergic cat owners. Both human subjects and animals could profit from this treatment because allergic cat owners would reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases, such as asthma, and become more tolerant of their cats, which therefore could stay in the households and not need to be relinquished to animal shelters.
BACKGROUND: Cat allergy in human subjects is usually caused by the major cat allergen Fel d 1 and is found in approximately 10% of the Western population. Currently, there is no efficient and safe therapy for cat allergy available. Allergicpatients usually try to avoid cats or treat their allergy symptoms. OBJECTIVE: We developed a new strategy to treat Fel d 1-induced allergy in human subjects by immunizing cats against their own major allergen, Fel d 1. METHODS: A conjugate vaccine consisting of recombinant Fel d 1 and a virus-like particle derived from the cucumber mosaic virus containing the tetanus toxin-derived universal T-cell epitope tt830-843 (CuMVTT) was used to immunize cats. A first tolerability and immunogenicity study, including a boost injection, was conducted by using the Fel-CuMVTT vaccine alone or in combination with an adjuvant. RESULTS: The vaccine was well tolerated and had no overt toxic effect. All cats induced a strong and sustained specific IgG antibody response. The induced anti-Fel d 1 antibodies were of high affinity and exhibited a strong neutralization ability tested both in vitro and in vivo. A reduction in the endogenous allergen level and a reduced allergenicity of tear samples, were observed. CONCLUSION: Vaccination of cats with Fel-CuMVTT induces neutralizing antibodies and might result in reduced symptoms of allergic cat owners. Both human subjects and animals could profit from this treatment because allergic cat owners would reduce their risk of developing chronic diseases, such as asthma, and become more tolerant of their cats, which therefore could stay in the households and not need to be relinquished to animal shelters.
Authors: Sourabh Shukla; He Hu; Hui Cai; Soo-Khim Chan; Christine E Boone; Veronique Beiss; Paul L Chariou; Nicole F Steinmetz Journal: Annu Rev Virol Date: 2020-09-29 Impact factor: 10.431
Authors: Matthew D Heath; Mona O Mohsen; Pieter-Jan de Kam; Thalia L Carreno Velazquez; Simon J Hewings; Matthias F Kramer; Thomas M Kündig; Martin F Bachmann; Murray A Skinner Journal: Front Immunol Date: 2020-11-24 Impact factor: 7.561
Authors: Franziska Thoms; Stefanie Haas; Aline Erhart; Claudia S Nett; Silvia Rüfenacht; Nicole Graf; Arnis Strods; Gauravraj Patil; Thonur Leenadevi; Michael C Fontaine; Lindsey A Toon; Gary T Jennings; Gabriela Senti; Thomas M Kündig; Martin F Bachmann Journal: Viruses Date: 2020-03-06 Impact factor: 5.048