GMMA as a 'plug and play' technology to tackle infectious disease to improve global health: context and perspectives for the future. (1st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Piccioli, Diego; Bartolini, Erika; Micoli, Francesca
• Is Part Of: Expert review of vaccines. Volume 21:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 163
• Page End: 172
• Publication Date: 2022-02-01
• Subjects: Carrier effect -- chemical conjugation -- global health -- GMMA -- immunogenicity -- immunological mechanisms -- low-income countries -- mode of action -- vaccines; Vaccines -- Periodicals; Vaccination -- Periodicals; 615.37205
• DOI: 10.1080/14760584.2022.2009803
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1476-0584

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Introduction: Generalized-Modules-for-Membrane-Antigens (GMMA) is a technology platform developed to design outer membrane vesicle (OMV)-based vaccines. GMMA are basically OMVs derived from a bacterial strain specifically engineered to obtain a fit-for-purpose and affordable vaccine by potentiating, or deleting, expression of specific genes. OMVs can be used as a carrier for antigens by inducing their expression on them, with the aim to improve antigen immunogenicity and design multivalent combination vaccines. Areas Covered: We expanded this finding to show that the chemical conjugation of different proteic and/or polysaccharidic antigens, to GMMA, is a methodology complementary to the genetic manipulation to obtain highly effective combination vaccines. Here we discuss our findings with a specific focus on the impact that GMMA technology can have on global health, as this technology platform is particularly suited to support the development of affordable vaccines for low-income countries. Expert Opinion: We believe that it is critical to elucidate the mode of action of GMMA immunogenicity and have provided a summarized description of the immunological questions to be addressed in the near future. The improved knowledge of GMMA might lead to designing more effective and safer GMMA-based vaccines to tackle the most serious vaccine-preventable diseases.