Production and glyco-engineering of immunomodulatory helminth glycoproteins in plants

Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 10:7:45910. doi: 10.1038/srep45910.

Abstract

Helminth parasites control host-immune responses by secreting immunomodulatory glycoproteins. Clinical trials and mouse model studies have demonstrated the potential of helminth-derived glycoproteins for the treatment of immune-related diseases, like allergies and autoimmune diseases. Studies are however hampered by the limited availability of native parasite-derived proteins. Moreover, recombinant protein production systems have thus far been unable to reconstitute helminth-like glycosylation essential for the functionality of some helminth glycoproteins. Here we exploited the flexibility of the N-glycosylation machinery of plants to reconstruct the helminth glycoproteins omega-1 and kappa-5, two major constituents of immunomodulatory Schistosoma mansoni soluble egg antigens. Fine-tuning transient co-expression of specific glycosyltransferases in Nicotiana benthamiana enabled the synthesis of Lewis X (LeX) and LDN/LDN-F glycan motifs as found on natural omega-1 and kappa-5, respectively. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of the introduction of native LeX motifs on plant-produced omega-1 confirmed that LeX on omega-1 contributes to the glycoprotein's Th2-inducing properties. These data indicate that mimicking the complex carbohydrate structures of helminths in plants is a promising strategy to allow targeted evaluation of therapeutic glycoproteins for the treatment of inflammatory disorders. In addition, our results offer perspectives for the development of effective anti-helminthic vaccines by reconstructing native parasite glycoprotein antigens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Helminth / genetics
  • Antibodies, Helminth / immunology
  • Antibodies, Helminth / metabolism
  • Antigens, Helminth / genetics
  • Antigens, Helminth / immunology
  • Antigens, Helminth / metabolism
  • Egg Proteins / genetics
  • Egg Proteins / immunology
  • Egg Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression / immunology
  • Genetic Engineering
  • Glycoproteins / genetics
  • Glycoproteins / immunology*
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Helminth Proteins / immunology*
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Immunomodulation / genetics
  • Immunomodulation / immunology
  • Nicotiana / genetics
  • Nicotiana / immunology*
  • Nicotiana / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / immunology
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Schistosoma mansoni / genetics
  • Schistosoma mansoni / immunology*
  • Schistosoma mansoni / metabolism
  • Vaccines / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Helminth
  • Antigens, Helminth
  • Egg Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Vaccines