Comparative Systems Analyses Reveal Molecular Signatures of Clinically tested Vaccine Adjuvants

Sci Rep. 2016 Dec 13:6:39097. doi: 10.1038/srep39097.

Abstract

A better understanding of the mechanisms of action of human adjuvants could inform a rational development of next generation vaccines for human use. Here, we exploited a genome wide transcriptomics analysis combined with a systems biology approach to determine the molecular signatures induced by four clinically tested vaccine adjuvants, namely CAF01, IC31, GLA-SE and Alum in mice. We report signature molecules, pathways, gene modules and networks, which are shared by or otherwise exclusive to these clinical-grade adjuvants in whole blood and draining lymph nodes of mice. Intriguingly, co-expression analysis revealed blood gene modules highly enriched for molecules with documented roles in T follicular helper (TFH) and germinal center (GC) responses. We could show that all adjuvants enhanced, although with different magnitude and kinetics, TFH and GC B cell responses in draining lymph nodes. These results represent, to our knowledge, the first comparative systems analysis of clinically tested vaccine adjuvants that may provide new insights into the mechanisms of action of human adjuvants.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / administration & dosage*
  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Drug Combinations
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Regulatory Networks / drug effects*
  • Germinal Center / drug effects
  • Germinal Center / immunology*
  • Glucosides / administration & dosage*
  • Glucosides / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Lipid A / administration & dosage*
  • Lipid A / pharmacology
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / administration & dosage*
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides / pharmacology
  • Oligopeptides / administration & dosage*
  • Oligopeptides / pharmacology
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Biology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / drug effects
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Drug Combinations
  • Glucosides
  • IC31 adjuvant
  • Lipid A
  • Oligodeoxyribonucleotides
  • Oligopeptides
  • glucopyranosyl lipid-A